OUR SMALL GROUP (Keith & Sandy are in the center.)Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
These weeks are FLYING by! It's time once again for me to share insights on what has been lingering on our Cover to Cover readings of the Bible chronologically! I'm so excited when I see familiar verses. Everyone has probably heard this one! One thing about Michigan is we have four seasons.
It's only appropriate to share these verses today as we send some of our closest friends off to New York City to follow God and start a new church. Our friends, Keith and Sandy have been in our lives for a season. Honestly, a good part of the season was Winter... in our marriage. It was one icy, bitter cold Winter at that. We spent many, many Friday nights with our good friends rolling up our sleeves and working on some hard stuff! These friends of ours are the perfect picture of a Christian marriage. Not that their marriage is perfect or they are perfect, but they strive to "work" on the tough stuff and it's ALL about doing it God's way according to the Bible. They shared their story with us and helped us more than they will ever know. We shared many tears, some passionate conversations and frankly, a lot of times I had to listen to some things that were difficult to hear. But I knew they were right and it was a safe place! These two people are "one". That's all I can say. I will never forget how they prayed Lincoln and I would one day be helping others with their marriages. So, as we helped them celebrate today at their farewell party it was 97 degrees and hot! I'm not kidding! God is so good. It's Summer most days in our marriage, but thanks to Keith and Sandy I think (know) we will be able to survive another Winter when it comes! We promised them we will do our best to save 100 marriages while they are gone.
Oh, how I pray you have a small group of Christian friends who will turn your eyes to heaven and can model a marriage that can survive the seasons. Please pray for our friends as they continue to chase after God, and please pray for us to step up to the plate and do what it takes to Glorify God in whatever way He choses.
Love,
Ang xoxo
13 comments:
It is indeed a blessing to be part of a small group! May your friends be blessed as they chase after Him!
A time for everything and a purpose for every event under heaven. It must be hard to say goodbye to your friends, your mentors, as they hear God say move. I pray you help others as you have helped me already through winters! Just 99 to go, but somehow I have a feeling you already have more to add...Love you, Annette
It really is good to have friends like that. I pray that you will be that to other couples as well. Marriage mentoring is much needed in Christendom today. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving those lovely comments.
Jenn
That is just beautiful Angie! I celebrate that friendship with you and I'm giving them to God in prayer right now.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Blessings,
Fran
Thanks, Angie, for sharing this. My heart is warmed so much by this. My heart in it's sinful nature envies the winter your marriage has survived and the perspective you now have to thrive regardless. Keith and Sandy sound like wonderful people. I hope the four of you do continue to reach hurting marriages. There are SOO many hurting marriages and it is SO sad because that is the prime target of Satan and it is the holiest of holy relationships that God Himself created. I'm sure God is just heartbroken over broken marriages and families. Yet, He is rejoicing with you and success stories that decided to cling to Him and to endure the hard work for a successful marriage. NOTHING in this life worthy of much value is obtained without hard work.
Pray for my heart...my heart that envies success Christian marriages and longs to have a restoration testimony taken from my testing! The envy and longing has overcome me in this moment with tears...I've been dry for two weeks. God is good...this too shall pass. I love the Ecc verses you quoted.
Luvs,
Paula
A beautiful post, Angie.
This just touched my heart. I often tell people that marriage is one of the hardest things that they'll ever do. I am glad that you have been blessed with christian friends like these two. We need to be more committed to walk as they have, to help others and to lead by example in our marriages.
I hope your day is blessed!
love,
karen
That was a sweet post Ang. Four seasons, man what is that like, Florida goes from cool to HOT.
Im so glad that God has blessed you with Keith and Sandy and such a great small group! It's been amazing watching how God is working in your marriage and your life.
Praying for many seasons of summer for you both!
Ang-
What a blessing that you have a couple in your life to model your marriage after. Marriage is a difficult union. We fight agaisnt the view of society that if you are not happy; divorce. I know for myself- as a first generation Christian- I find myself in a place where there is No ONE old to teach me. So the Lord has given me a strong, Godly man that believes in talking all things out and praying!
May your friends be blessed as the follow the Lord in all that they do!
Your Siesta
Angie
Ang.
Thank you for this post. As my husband and I have gone through the seasons of our marriage... I like Summer best, but I know that when we are in Winter, that is when we need to draw closer to God, so that he can bring you through that season and back to Summer... I will keep your friends in my prayers...
Connie
GBU
Hi my friend,
I use these verses alot in my classes. I remind the children that there is a time to play and have fun and be silly...but then there is a time where we have to listen and learn and work! Which, I think, applies to everyone...whatever their age. I love these verses as they remind me that God plans for change. He doesn't want things to just get stagnant and die. And, isn't there so much to learn in each season? I loved your post!
Be blessed...
Tonja
Our church refers to small groups as "life groups" because that is where the Christian life is lived out. I had wanted to have this kind of fellowship in our lives (and marriage) for years but it took a long time for my husband to be comfortable in that kind of environment. Finally we found the right church for us and a life group we have grown to love. It looks like you have a super group too. I wish we could be in a life group together but I guess that would be hard since you are in Michigan & I am in Kansas. Maybe we could be in a small group together in Heaven? LOL.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kelley
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