by Kimberly | Sep 19, 2015 | marriage
Oh my goodness – this is like picking your favorite book – I have no clue how to narrow down the best day.
Ok – ready – here you go…
It was 10.9.11. Yup – that’s right, the day after our wedding.
Of course I loved the day we got married…being surrounded by our friends and family, the engaging, expressive, full on worship we had during our ceremony, being prayed over by sweet friends and mentors, eating yummy cake, staying at the amazing Washington Duke Inn.
But the day after…you aren’t really concerned about anything. You are just living life – with no one contacting you, or concerned with wedding details, or guests questions, or how your hair looks. I was no longer concerned with what is my husband going to think when he wakes up to me and my hair isn’t perfect and my breath stinks. I was no longer worried about the first night of sex (we had waited until our wedding night to have sex, and it was worth the wait).
We sat there changing our facebook statuses, looking at pictures, reading the paper, getting delicious amazing food delivered by room service, I remember the grilled salmon salad. We watched movies. We just relaxed. It was wonderful. We didn’t have to hurry off to our honeymoon destination (we ended up leaving the next day to start our 2 week road trip up the East Coast and into Canada).
I loved just being with my mister. And he was then MY Mister. So, if any of you are getting married – just wait until the day after – when all the stress is gone. Wedding weekends are stressful, emotional, full of tears and joy, and amazing – but the day after—there you got it!
This picture was taken by our friend Erica Cooper – and no, we were not kissing in this photo – you’ll just have to trust me on that one!
by Kimberly | Sep 17, 2015 | life together, marriage
Obsession is a strong word. Hmmmm…I’ve got one main one. Its been my latest obsession for the past 4.5 years now.
My mister. As we come up on our 4 year wedding anniversary, I’d have to say he gets better with age. I can say he’s in his 40s because he is and I’m not…I’m such a baby compared to him (ha!)
He is definitely my better half. He is the caring, shepherding person who makes any and every church that he is a part of more wonderful. He listens to people. He cares about them. He takes what they say to heart.
He is an amazing musician. Its like he doesn’t have to work at it. It just flows from him – like worship. Though I know he does work at it – it is more a part of him. He loves playing with his favorite musicians: Erica, Nathan, Tim…and some penny whistle action by Phil.
He is a humble man of God who seeks to lead me gently and lead our children well. They will know patience by knowing their daddy.
I do not get enough time with this man. But, tonight, after he got back from a concert…he tasted the food I cooked, helped with cleanup, fixed my knife block, and now we are sitting on the couch both working on our computers.
He is amazing. I’m obsessed with him. And will be for the next 60 years so Lord willing.
by Kimberly | Jun 27, 2015 | marriage, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children, World Events
It is no surprise to most people that the SCOTUS handed down a favorable win for same-sex marriage yesterday. This doesn’t surprise me at all because we are not a theocracy nor are most of the people in government controlled by the Bible. In a way I don’t find fault with a non-Christian society to assume that all marriage should be allowed.
However, even though my family lives in America, we are more controlled by the God of the Bible and know that He is sovereign over all, Jesus is no longer in the tomb, and God even controls the government and the leaders and the decisions by His sovereign will.
That being said, I, as a parent to two little boys, have a God-given responsibility and grace to teach these little ones in my care (and my husband’s care) about a biblical view of marriage and how to be men of God. So I’ve thought about it the last couple of days and here are some points that I will be instilling in their little souls and will pray that God captures their hearts at an early age, that they grow up to fight for Truth and freedom, and that they love God with all their hearts.
1. God’s Word is the Truth. There is no false teaching in the Bible. Every word of it is true. It is the final authority. In our lives, it is the final authority now. Unfortunately, those who don’t know Jesus don’t live under this truth. They choose to disobey a loving God who has a great plan for their lives. They will one day know that God is the only God and his truth is supreme. 2 Timothy 3.16-17
2. God has called them to be men. Men. Men of truth, valor, and integrity. Men who love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Men who will unite themselves to one woman for the rest of their lives and seek to live out the Gospel in their home. Men who will lead, provide, and protect their wives and children. Men who will fight for justice. Men who will stand for truth. Ephesians 5
3. God is Ruler over everything. Many places throughout the Bible we see God the Father orchestrating the hands of government to do his will. This decision of the SCOTUS does not surprise him one bit. He is the Ruler and He knows all. He has a great plan for His great fame in this country and the world. Psalm 97
4. #lovewins is not about gay marriage. Love won the day Jesus conquered the grave after he died for our sin. ! Corinthians 15
5. Gospel applies to all. When we encounter those who do not believe the truth of the Bible we have one response – to love them as Christ loved them and point them to their need for a Savior. Romans 3
6. They are sinners. My boys need the Gospel. Their mommy and daddy need the gospel. Just because we will teach them that gay marriage is wrong (against God’s final authority) doesn’t make us better. We need Jesus. Romans 6-7
7. Love truth. I will teach them to love truth in every walk of life. In playing with their friends, in learning about the Bible, in standing up for justice and truth in their school, in not shrinking back when lies prevail. Psalm 119.9
It was a sad day. But, I have a responsibility to my children to train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and will pray that they will know the Truth and the Truth will set them free.
by Kimberly | Oct 8, 2014 | marriage, Uncategorized
Today, we celebrate.
Today marks the day that my Mister and I have been married three years.
In some ways it seems like a lifetime (just the past 6 months seems like a lifetime ago), and in some ways it seems like we’ve just begun. Instead of writing a thank you card to my love to tell you all of his wonderful qualities – which the list would go on forever – I though I would tell you three things (for three years) that we are learning to pursue in marriage.
Pursue: to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish – especially over the long haul or for the duration
Pursue Intimacy. This isn’t just sex – though pursuing sex with your spouse is definitely wonderful and a lovely gift from God. But, beyond that – pursue knowing each other, pursue dreaming together, pursue hand holding, pursuit snuggling, pursue date nights (without the kids), pursue the little things that make each other smile. Pursue Intimacy.
Pursue Love. This may seem crazy that we would have to pursue that as we journey together in this thing called marriage, but believe me, it is so much harder than I ever thought. 3 years ago, a great friend of ours Landis read that (for memory) 1 Corinthians 13. I thought oh, I know this. But, then I got to review Ryken’s book on Love and then read it with some ladies in Little Rock – and I fail miserably at this…DAILY! Pursue forgiveness. Pursue putting the other first. Pursue not thinking of yourself. Pursue patience…when the days are long and they get even longer when traffic is bad. Pursue giving. Pursue the One who enables you to love.
Pursue Holiness. Set apartness. Pursue that with each other. You are not for anyone else…you are for your spouse. Your eye should not go in any other direction but that of your spouse. Something I say to Elijah all the time when it comes to helping him obey are : “Don’t even look at sin.” and “I’m helping you make a wise decision” Both of those apply to being married. Don’t look at sing. And help each other make wise decisions when it comes to pursuing holiness.
And the one thing I’ve learned the most in three years of marriage: my holiness and the holiness of our marriage is only by GOD. His Son Jesus imparted His righteousness to us. We shelter under the cross and live by the power of the risen Christ and the empty tomb.
Therein lies the strength of our marriage.
Photo props to GreenFlash Productions
Here’s to a number of years more, my Love. Happy Anniversary
by Kimberly | May 26, 2014 | marriage, Prayers for the Journey
How do your survive and thrive in marriage? My mister and I are coming up on three years in October, and I’ve learned a lot about praying for him through these three years. Prayer is such a vital connection in our relationship to the One who loves us like no other, who desires our hearts above all else, and who pursues us when we don’t feel loved.
Nehemiah is a book in the Old Testament that talks of a servant of the Lord who pursued fighting for his people and the land. He worked against strong opposing odds and diligently worked on the task He knew was of the Lord.
How much more does something describe marriage?
Marriage is between two sinning servants of the Lord. In marriage, both partners are sinners. If you need more information, just watch how you interact with your spouse – there you go. I’m a great sinner – see it everyday in how I communicate with and fail to love my Mister.
Marriage is a fight – it is a battle. Yes, there are opposing people who want to see your marriage destroyed. Look at media, news, the world, even some in the church (as we see the divorce rate just as high in the church as out of the church). This world glamorizes the wedding – but not so much the marriage.
This task of marriage is from the Lord. The Lord designed marriage ultimately for his glory and to show a lost world the glory of the Gospel. The only way to survive and thrive in marriage is with the Lord on your side!
In the series of e-books I’m doing – devotional, prayer guides for wives to use to pray for their husbands – Nehemiah is here! You can get it free by clicking and downloading. I’m thankful for Amy, Jeanie, and Laura who helped this one come together. Eric – thank you for reading it and being blessed by it.
Love your marriage. Love God. Pray for your spouse. And if you aren’t married ladies – pray for your future spouse (if God so wills) now!
by Kimberly | Feb 27, 2014 | life together, marriage, photo shoot
Marshmallows. You normally don’t think of the gooey sugary treat as being something that will bind friends together. But, before I met my husband, I made marshmallows from scratch for the first time and put it on my blog. When we came to Arkansas in view of a call for our church, Gina, the wonderful spunky lady in these photos, came up to me and said, “I think we are going to be friends, you make marshmallows.”
And yes, we are friends, and love to make marshmallows together. Thankful to her and Brad, their story, and the Shoe – all their children that God has blessed them with. For these photos we went to downtown Mabelvale, the booming metropolis, and enjoyed the trees, benches, church, bbq joint, and a set of railroad tracks.
Thank you Gina & Brad for letting me share your life with my readers!
