Browsing Tag

Stained Glass & Marriage

Blog, Faith, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Thy will be done

woman looking out window

woman looking out window

This morning I was going to the dollar store and heard the beautiful song by Hillary Song, Thy Will, on K-Love radio station. The instruments are just incredible. 

It struck me because right now I’m going through some emotional storms:

  • My deeply troubled marriage;
  • Our uncertain rental house situation (the landlord is selling the house, and we’re not sure where we’re going to live yet);
  • Financial problems that seem to have no end in sight;
  • Our grown kids’ various struggles;
  • Many questions about exactly what God is doing in my life right now. 

I parked our car and just listened to the song, worshipping and praying.

Then when I came out of the store, Third Day’s song I need a miracle was playing.

I prayed,  “Yes, God, right now I need a couple of miracles!”

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and whispered, “You are the miracle.”

It took me aback, but this is so true. God has done amazing, miraculous things in my life. 

Jesus is my Lord, Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Strength, Strong Tower, Rock, Best Friend, Husband, Mighty God and King. I give Him all the glory for what He’s done in my life. 

I know God is El Roi, and He sees me. (Genesis 16:13). He has goodness in store for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) It’s hard to count it all joy, and I’m distracted by the noise in my life. But He wants to use me in miraculous ways for HIS glory. I need to just trust Him, because God is faithful

Below are some of the lyrics to Thy Will, that really blessed me.

Yes, Lord, Thy will be done in my life. 

 

Part of Thy Will Lyrics

…Somehow I ended up here

I don’t wanna’ think

I may never understand

that my broken heart

may be part of Your plan…

I know you’re good But this don’t feel good right now

And I know you think Of things I could never think about

It’s hard to count it all joy

Distracted by the noise

Just trying to make sense Of all your promises

Sometimes I gotta stop

Remember that you’re God And I am not

So Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done

Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is

Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will

I know you see me

I know you hear me,

Lord Your plans are for me

Goodness you have in store

I know you hear me

I know you see me,

Lord Your plans are for me

Goodness you have in store

So Thy will be done Thy will be done.

 

Third Day Video: I need a miracle.

Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer

After 23 years…and our wedding anniversary sale

me and Ray, Branson marriage retreat

me and my husband Ray

Our 23rd Wedding Anniversary
is Today

“And the two shall become one flesh.’
So they are no longer two but one flesh.”
–Mark 10:8, ESV

To celebrate with me…
An anniversary sale!

Today is Ray’s and my 23rd wedding anniversary. It’s been a long, painful journey, but by God’s grace we’re still here together! We’re celebrating later this week.

I wanted to share a few tips from those 23 years of marriage, often learned the HARD way!

Make Jesus Christ Lord and Center of your marriage; it’s not about you or your spouse, but about God and His kingdom, for Jesus’ glory; (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:22-23);

Forgive daily; you’ll get to practice this again and again! (Ephesians 4:32);

When you start to argue, have a “strife break”; stop right then and pray together, or come back later and talk when you or your spouse have cooled down. Strife and envy open the door to every evil thing (James 3:16). You don’t want to invite Satan in for coffee;

Learn each other’s love language and practice it daily to show your spouse you really love him or her. Read about the 5 love languages in Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, available at Amazon;

Pray for and with each other regularly; it’s hard to stay mad at someone you’re praying for! (James 5:16);

Pray and talk about everything together. this cultivates unity and intimacy. (Matthew 18:19);

Let it go; this applies to forgiveness, but is also about letting the little things go that cause irritation, strife, bickering, or that simply don’t matter in the long run. Catch the little foxes so they don’t ruin the vineyard (Song of Solomon 2:15);

Make fun, sweet memories with your husband or wife and your kids/grandkids; life is way too short. I’m hearing about lots of early death this year in 2016. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Don’t live with regret, but love those around you and make good, happy memories today. These don’t have to be expensive. “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.”–Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT.

Fulfill your purpose and minister together. I believe every husband and every wife has both an individual purpose and calling, and one together. This is one of the biggest reasons Ray and I have never divorced. Despite the many struggles, God has a calling on our lives together. Too much is at stake to just give up and let the devil (and others!) have his way! Discover what God has called you and your spouse to do, and obey, for Jesus’ glory. (Ecclesiastes 4:12; Jeremiah 29:11)

Keep going and don’t quit! Ray and I have both felt like leaving and divorcing so many times. But by God’s grace, we’re still here, together. We know it’s not about us, but about God and His Kingdom, and it’s for the sake of our children and grandchildren who are watching us. “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”–Mark 10:9

What are some of the struggles you have faced in your marriage? Email me and I’ll be glad to pray for you! And please keep praying for Ray, me, and our family!

To celebrate our 23rd anniversary, I’m having a wedding anniversary sale! Just click on the links below to find out more or buy now:

My new book, Stained Glass & Marriage: Reflections of Light & Hope by an Imperfect Wife, just 99 cents: Stained Glass & Marriage

My encouraging little book with the beautiful flower cover, 3 P’s in a Pod: Prayer, Purpose, and Passion, just 99 cents: 3 P’s in a Pod

My currently only fiction book, Storm Tossed, just 99 cents: Storm Tossed

My signature talk topic book, The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes, FREE as a gift to you, just for today! The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes

I pray these books bless and encourage you. Be sure to share about them with your family, friends and business peers!

Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Free marriage video series

Unhappy couple

Unhappy couple

Do you have a troubled marriage? Are you on the verge of separation or divorce? Or do you feel like running away?

I understand! My husband Ray and I will be married for 23 years on April 11, 2016. We have been through the fire in our marriage. It’s been REALLY hard! But by God’s grace we are still together.

My husband Ray and me

My husband Ray and me

This week I’ve created a FREE MARRIAGE VIDEO SERIES at my Facebook business page here

You can also view each of the videos on my YouTube channel here.

This video training comes from the content in my new book, Stained Glass & Marriage: Reflections of Light & Hope by an Imperfect Wife.

This book In PRINT at: https://www.createspace.com/6099550

This book In PRINT at: https://www.createspace.com/6099550

This book is available for sale as an ebook at Amazon here, an eBook at Barnes & Noble here, and in PRINT (physical copy) here.

If you don’t have a Kindle or Kindle Fire, you can download the Kindle app free of charge here to read on your PC, iPad, or iPod. You can also get the Kindle app for your smart phone here. I have it on both my laptop and my iPhone to read eBooks before I sleep at night. You can download Kindle to read on your Mac here

This book shares about the hard times Ray and I have gone through in our marriage, and compares marriage to the traditional art of making stained glass windows. God wants your marriage to be a beautiful reflection of Christ the Bridegroom and His spotless, radiant Bride, the Church.

The topics include:

  • sex
  • adultery
  • pornography
  • financial crises, including bankruptcy and foreclosure
  • communication
  • and much more. 

Free Marriage Video Series

The first marriage series video can be viewed on my Facebook business page.

Just scroll down the page, and be sure to “like” it while you’re there and share with your family and friends.

Below are the rest of the 5 free marriage videos (6 videos in all), listed separately with their topic:

Video #2: Don’t give up!  https://youtu.be/nN550-C1rOE

Video #3: Do you fight with your spouse? 3 Tips How NOT to! https://youtu.be/d-MnKpt-Roo

Video #4: Communication with your spouse:  https://youtu.be/r2sZSSX1n_U

Video #5: Money, money, money! https://youtu.be/Fi2ig4Fbhhs

Video #6: “Sex is always the answer!” https://youtu.be/6ybrOQJXxrs

What problems are you facing or have you gone through in your marriage? Leave your comments below.

Be sure to share with your family, friends, and peers about this new book and video series here at BethJones.net. 

This book is available for sale as an ebook at Amazon here an eBook at Barnes & Noble here, and in PRINT (physical copy) here.