#MarriageMonday Our son Zion got engaged! I am beyond excited to add this woman into our family who is truly beautiful inside and out. Zion and Day met at church camp their freshman year of High School and started dating a year and half ago. When Zion approached us a few months ago to talk about getting married, he reminded us that even though they are young (they’ll be 20 and 21 when they get married) that Judah and I, and both sets of his grandparents all got married young, adding, “And you guys all have the best marriages I have seen. Why wouldn’t I want to do the same thing?” I was so thrilled that even though Judah and I have not shied away from showing our kids how much work marriage is, we have shown our son something that he wants to replicate. So….here we go! Let the wedding planning begin.
#MarriageMonday ‘Til death do us part. These are pretty typical words in wedding vows. When judah and I stood facing each other 24 years ago, saying these words to each other, it was hard to imagine all the seasons of life we would experience together between 21 years old and death. Now it’s a little easier to imagine. Here’s the dirty little secret nobody told me. There are seasons where you don’t necessarily “feel the love”. Seasons of grief, change, children, or just random funks. If you plan for “til death do us part”, what is your plan for those seasons? My plan is making sure I know how to receive the unconditional, perfect, love of God so that I still have something filling me up in a healthy way during those seasons (and yes there’s still Netflix and ice cream). The best part is that I don’t need to wait for a rough season to receive Gods love! I can start now and be as prepared as possible for every season to come!
Blind karaoke challenge!😂 this was harder than we thought it would be
#MarriageMonday When life and schedules get crazy, if often feels like we don’t have enough time to do everything that needs to be done, let alone the things we want to do. So we make choices about what we do and what we don’t do. I’m shocked how often date night and sex are the items that get pushed out because of busy schedules. Is that just us or does it happen in your life too? I realize it is so short sighted to set aside what is for us the most intimate acts of our most important relationship…for what? Houses that will get messy again and events that will most likely be forgotten. I want to use wisdom in prioritizing these decisions to better think about long term investments instead of short term gains!
#MarriageMonday I was recently asked, “How do we increase intimacy in our marriage?” At first I didn’t know if they were asking about general intimacy or sexual intimacy, but as I thought about it I realized that in many ways the answer is the same. Psychologists have tried to explain the fact that we are multidimensional beings in various ways (hello, id, ego, and superego!!), but ancient scripture infers that we are beings with a body, a soul, and a spirit. I believe that the deepest intimacy comes when we follow ancient scripture and connect on physical, emotional/intellectual, and spiritual levels. Is your sex life struggling? Try deepening your spiritual connection. Are you longing for more emotional and intellectual connection? Try improving your sex life and I almost guarantee that your emotional connection will deepen. But without a doubt the glue that keeps this all together is our spiritual connection; there is no deeper connection you can have with your spouse. Judah and I have started doing our church’s Daily Guided Prayers together a few days a week (I still like doing them by myself sometimes too!) and found it really amazing to connect over. Do you have a plan and practice for deepening your spiritual connection?
‘In Good Faith’: DeVon Franklin episode out now! Listen with the link in bio.
Tomorrow will take care of itself! Being Present in 2024, all new episode of “In Good Faith’ available now on all platforms. Listen with the link in bio.
Navigating Doubt, all new episode of “In Good Faith’ available on all platforms. Listen with the link in bio.
All new episode of “In Good Faith’ available now on all platforms. Listen with the link in bio.
There’s nothing ordinary or typical about your life or your finances. In your life, you walk supernaturally, always in the company of Jesus and embraced by the Holy Spirit. — What Does the Bible Actually Say About Giving?, full message from @chelseasmith available on YouTube
Being Present in 2024, all new episode of “In Good Faith’ available now on all platforms. Listen with the link in bio.
Can any parents relate? This week we dive into all things parenting on “In Good Faith.” Episode available now with the link in bio.
‘In Good Faith’: DeVon Franklin new episode available! Listen with the link in bio.
Navigating Doubt, new episode of “In Good Faith’ available on all platforms. Watch with the link in bio.
Daily Guided Prayers are available everyday on the Churchome App. Being Present in 2024, all new episode of “In Good Faith’ available on all platforms. Listen with the link in bio.
Remember, our salvation is not earned but freely given by God’s love.
We belong to His extraordinary plan, cherished as His own!
Surrendering to Jesus brings endurance. Trust His guidance and find strength in every challenge!
There is purpose in your pain! Check out my full interview on the Pain of Leadership, with the link in bio
Have you ever wanted to learn how to pray better? Or, have you wanted to understand why prayer is so important? Join @chelseasmith every day this week for a special Daily Guided Prayer Series called “How To Pray.” Available now on the all-new Churchome App! download now with the link in bio.
Every day with Jesus brings guidance, peace, and strength. His love offers hope, forgiveness, and purpose. Ask Him for what you need today!
He loves us completely, utterly and thoroughly. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it.
I think the beauty and meaning of Easter grows substantially as we celebrate all of passion week-following the steps of Jesus on his week to the cross. Even if you’ve never celebrated Easter, these Daily Guided Prayers are a great place to start! — Available on the Churchome app and website
I think the beauty and meaning of Easter grows substantially as we celebrate all of passion week-following the steps of Jesus on his week to the cross. Even if you’ve never celebrated Easter, these Daily Guided Prayers are a great place to start! — Available on the Churchome app and website
