Stephanie Shott

A couple weeks ago I told someone I wanted to live my life face down. Kind of a hard position to spend the rest of my life in. After all, if I'm literally face down, walking would be pretty difficult...driving would be impossible...and working...well, let's just say I would definitely have to retire.



But living life 'face down' isn't about the posture of our body, it's about the posture of our heart. When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared to him and identified Himself as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty. He called Abram to serve Him blamelessly and promised He would make Abram a father of a multitude of nations. Abram's response...FACE DOWN!

As Moses and Aaron stood outside the Tabernacle, the awesome glory of the God ushered in the consuming fire that engulfed the burnt offering that had just been placed on the altar. The people's response...FACE DOWN!

When Moses and Aaron faced a possible spiritual coup as the people questioned their leadership, Moses and Aaron quickly fell...FACE DOWN!

When thirst surpassed their senses, the children of Israel began to complain to Moses and Aaron. The two men of God responded by running to the door of the tabernacle and falling...FACE DOWN!

When God gave explicit instructions on how the Ark of the Covenant-the place of atonement was to be designed, He told Moses He would meet him at the place where the tablet containing the Ten Commandments was covered by the Mercy Seat. Where the cherubim stood on either side, wings spread and...FACE DOWN!

That's how I want to live me life...FACE DOWN! The place where I worship the Living God. The place where El Shaddai meets with me. The place He makes His presence known. The place where He defends me from those who rise against me. The place where the law meets grace. The place of protection, power and promise. FACE DOWN before the Lord of lords and King of kings.

For the sake of keeping this post somewhat short, I couldn't possibly cover the vast significance of what Bible says about being 'FACE DOWN.' But I do hope it may have nudged you into doing your own Bible study on that phrase. If you're not sure how, go to biblegateway.com and type in the words 'face down' under the tab, 'Keyword Search." If you do a little study of your own, I'd love to hear from you.

How do you want to live your life? What other examples can we find about living our lives 'FACE DOWN"?

With Daylight Savings Time on the horizon, my thoughts began to converge on the clocks awaiting their temporary adjustment. It's a bit controversial, but springing forward gives us more light in our day. More time to get things done.

I'm a personal fan of it staying in the "spring forward" mode, but I doubt anyone cares. I love the thought of having more light in my day - more day in my week - more week in my month. By it's very nature, light emits energy enabling us to accomplish more. When night begins to fall, it's time to pack things up and go home. We're done.

In John 9:4, Jesus said, "While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." That verse tends to whisper nudges of motivation in my ear along with its companion verses, Ephesians 5:15-17, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Time is just a ticking away while the world stands in need of the Savior. And I guess the haunting question is, "What are we doing about it?" We...collectively. We...individually.

You see, the clock isn't the only thing in need of a little adjustment. We are too. The church. The called out ones. The body of Christ. The children of the Most High God. We have been given the awesome privilege to be called ambassadors for the Living God. Stewards of every tick of the clock He entrusts us with. Have we allowed our temporary circumstances to overshadow our eternal responsibility?

I realize this post isn't that of the touchy feely kind, but as I look around and see what's going on in this world, I'm moved with urgency to impact as many as we can while it is light, because before long, the night is coming when no one will be able to work. Before you know it, it will be time to pack it up and go home.

It's time to redeem the time.It's time to work while it is still day. So here's a few observations about what we, the church, can do between now and the time we cross our heavenly finish line:

IT'S TIME...

1. We stop meeting about making a difference and just do it.

2. We stop arguing over the color of the carpet.

3. We stop shooting our wounded.

4. We stop wounding our warriors.

5. We stop creating runaways out of our children because they see our hypocrisy.

6. We stop gossiping about others and calling it a prayer request or concern.

7. We stop thinking so highly of overselves.

8. We stop being so inward focused.

9. We stop being someone else's excuse for not following Christ.

10. We stop seeing mountains as obstacles instead of opportunities to see God move.

11. We stop walking in fear, failure and faithlessness.

12. We start loving the unlovely.

13. We start remembering where we came from.

14. We start being known for what we are for rather than what we are against.

15. We start living with an urgency to reach this world for Christ.

16. We start walking in the freedom Christ has given us.

17. We start including the outcasts.

18. We start walking in peace and with purpose with each other.

19. We start living strategically...intentionally to impact those around us.

20. We start being who we say we are and doing what we were saved to do.

It's daytime my friend. Are we doing the work He sent us here to do? I don't know about you, but somehow this whole Daylight Savings Time thing has really made me reflect on whether or not I'm making the most of the time He has given me. Am I really redeeming the time?

What do you think? What would you add to this list? I'd love to hear from you!

Today, I am honored to be a part of a blog tour for Kathy Howard's new book, God's Truth Revealed. I’ll be giving away a copy of the book, so if you would like to be in the drawing for it, please leave a comment at the end of this post.

Q: Many people in today’s culture don’t believe truth exists, that at best it’s relative. Why does the title of your new Bible study imply just the opposite?

The desire to be our own boss and decide truth for ourselves comes from our flawed human nature. But, we can’t wish away absolute truth simply because we may not like it. If an all-powerful, Creator God exists – and there is plenty of evidence, including scientific evidence to support His existence – then He has the absolute right to decide absolute truth. The wonderful thing is we can know this truth and we can know God. God has revealed His truth about life, faith, and eternity to us in the Bible.

Q: What compelled you to write a book on this subject?

It was simple need. God was sending people to our church who had never studied the Bible before. They wanted to know about Jesus and Christianity but they were starting at square one. I researched the available materials and even used some. However after teaching a couple of groups of spiritual seekers I realized the material was insufficient for their needs. It did not answer all their questions. It did not take them far enough or challenge them to make a decision for Christ. So, I began to write to fill the need.

Q: What is the main theme or point that you want readers to walk away with?

The sole purpose of this book is to guide people into a relationship with Jesus. Every individual needs to be reconciled to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We were created by God and for God. This life is incomplete without Him and eternity hangs in the balance.

Q: What makes your book different than other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?

God’s Truth Revealed is grounded in Scripture. Instead of using questions about faith and life to determine the course of the book, GTR uses God’s story from Creation to the beginning of the Church to clearly and systematically present the Gospel. In doing so, the questions about life are also answered.

God’s Truth Revealed understands that faith in God is not illogical. The study provides historical evidence and facts to support creation, the reliability of the Bible, and the life of Jesus. In fact, the first lesson explores the existence of God and the meaning of faith. I am certainly not an expert in apologetics or science but the book is filled with facts and information from people who are.

Each session also includes the story of a real person’s spiritual journey. For instance, in the first session we meet Victor who was raised by an atheist father. Even though he grew up being told there is no God he always sensed there was something greater than this physical life. We hear all about Victor’s searching and spiritual journey and how He ultimately found Jesus. We also meet Greg who grew up in the church but didn’t know Jesus until he was an adult. And there’s Karen who lived for years with her husband in the spiritual darkness of a nudist camp until God’s light found her.

All these stories emphasize that each person’s spiritual journey is unique. God’s truth is the same, but He finds each of us where we are and then draws us to where He is.

Q: Tell me a little more about yourself, your writing and ministry.

I’ve been married for 26 years. We have three children and one wonderful son-in-law. My husband’s job has moved us five times. Currently, I am on staff at our church in West Texas. I have a passion for studying and teaching God’s Word, which I have been doing for twenty years. A number of years ago God led me to better equip myself for His calling. I enrolled in seminary and graduated in 2004 with a Masters in Religious Education and a certificate in Women’s Ministry.

My first Bible study, Before His Throne, was released in January 2008. This in-depth study explores the book of Malachi to discover the joy and blessing of fearing God. I also have a third study in the works that’s due to be released early in 2011.

A Little Bit About Kathy:

Kathy Howard, a Bible study author and speaker, has been teaching the Bible for over 20 years. She’s taught a wide range of topics to an even wider range of students – everything from basic Bible stories at a middle school to teacher training for church leaders. Kathy particularly enjoys speaking at women’s events and retreats to encourage them in their faith. She has a Masters in Christian Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and serves on a church staff in West Texas.

Kathy and her husband have three children and one son-in-law. When the family gets together there are also four dogs in the mix. Kathy writes to have something to do while drinking coffee. Find out about her Bible studies and speaking ministry and get discipleship and leader helps at her website: www.kathyhoward.org. Find out more about God’s Truth Revealed at www.godstruthrevealed.org

FROM STEPH:
On a personal note: I've been so impressed with Kathy's new book that I want to email every church leader possible and recommend it they use it for their "New Members" or "New Believers" discipleship ministry. God's Truth Revealed grounds new and old believers alike, in the faith. A great foundational resource!

I often tell my friends I'm here for their entertainment. I'm either doing something goofy that cracks them up or I'm just entertaining myself and cracking myself up. The story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent-except for mine. :-)

It was the Friday after Thanksgiving and we were making our annual trip to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. Undaunted by our inability to find a tree that could rival the Griswald's, we made our way to Lowe's and began to survey the award-winning selection. And there it was! Glowing. As if angels were singing and a halo of light displayed it's glistening beauty. "Yes sir, we'll take that one!"

Donald had to stay to assure the tree would be properly trimmed, bagged and prepared for the truck. My job was to take the price tag to the cashier and pay for our prized possession. As I stood there talking to the cashier as if I had just had dinner with her family last week, she stared at me with the strangest look on her face. She was visibly confused and I didn't have a clue why. All of a sudden she spouted... "Is that a fok on yo jacket?" Now I was confused. All I could say was, "What?" The sweet lady behind the cash register began laughing, then blurted out, "There's a fork on your jacket...You got a fork on your jacket!"



O.K., now I know I'm a little slow, but all I could think of was, "Did she just say I have a fork on my jacket?" Of course, I was curious to see what she was talking about so I looked down and found a shiny silver fork stuck to the magnets on the front of my jacket. Yes...there was a fork on my jacket. That sweet cashier and I began laughing uncontrollably in a moment of bonding that can only take place when you realize you're too goofy to retain any semblance of pride.

I can't remember how many places we had been before someone was willing to tell me there was a fork on my jacket, but I was thankful she did. As I walked away that night I was reminded that there are times when we walk through this life with moods, attitudes and even sin sticking out like a fork on our jacket. Maybe we don't even know it, but it's very obvious to others.

How many times have I walked around with anger, impatience, frustration or pride exposed for the world to see? How do I respond when someone points out my prominent problems...sins stuck on my soul...shining brightly, but not so beautifully?

I've learned a lot of lessons from that silly fork. Serious lessons from a hilarious situation.

1. Don't walk around like you've got it all together. (We are all flawed people in need of a flawless God)

2. Check myself out. Examine myself, my moods, my attitudes, my heart.

3. Deal with my issues privately before I go out in public and make a fool of myself.

4. Listen to others when they're willing to point out issues I need to deal with that I may have been blinded to.

5. Get over it. When I fail, get it right and then get over it. Don't carry yesterday's failure into today's potential.

How about you? How do you deal with the spiritual forks on your jacket? What other lessons can we learn from that silly fork on my jacket?

As I casually strolled into the bookstore, scanning the newly inventoried shelves, I was ready to place my order when Kaye looked at me with a whimsical grin on her face and cheerfully announced, "I bought your book." I had no clue what she was talking about. I hadn't even received the first edit yet...how could she have bought my book? My mind began racing, "Oh please tell me they didn't publish it without editing it. How could that be?" I was momentarily in a state of panicked confusion.

Kaye quickly put me out of my misery as she took me back to her office, slid a catalog out of her files and pointed at a book on top right hand corner. There it was, Ecclesiastes: Understanding What Matters Most by Stephanie Shott. I couldn't believe it. My book was already in AMG's catalog! Since I'm a newbie to the writing and publishing world, I had no idea publishers promote several months in advance of production.

After jumping up and down like a giddy little school girl, I couldn't help but reflect on the goodness of God. My excitement wasn't really because my name was found on the bottom of a book, but because I felt as though the Lord had just given me a big hug of confirmation. He certainly does exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think!

Later, I found my book was available on Amazon for pre-orders. Amazing! I never really knew why I was writing it and now I'm looking at it on Amazon. Honestly, the way the Lord brought all the pieces of the puzzle together to land this book on the bookshelves, I believe, with all my heart, He will use it to minister to others for His glory. Wow! That's all I want my life to be about...to know Him and to make Him known!

That's the good news.

My emotions quickly took a nosedive when I found out my birthmom has an aggressive form of breast cancer that has spread more quickly than they had originally thought. It's in her breast, lymph nodes, ribs and pelvis. They begin administering a very strong dose of chemo today in hopes of attacking her stage four cancer.

Then, there's my mom whose lung cancer has spread to her adrenal glands and her ribs. She weighs about 110 lbs. She may have lost weight, but she hasn't lost an ounce of spunk. It's sad to know that unless the Lord chooses to heal her, she probably won't make it to her 77th birthday in July.

How is it possible that my birthmom is now traveling down the same road my mom has been on for the past several years. I love them both dearly and my heart breaks for them. I realize I'm a blessed woman to have the love of two wonderful mothers. One who loved me enough to raise me as her own and the other who would look past the pain of rape and choose life for me instead. So, watching them walk through such a painful process at the same time is doubly difficult for me.

So, somebody pinch me. Can it be true that my book is finally making its way to the shelves? Oh God, You are so awesome! You fulfill Your work in us. You establish and confirm the works of our hands. You really do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think! I trust You.

So, somebody pinch me. Can it be true that both my moms are suffering from cancer? Oh, God, You are still so awesome! Your grace is sufficient. Your peace beyond understanding. Your love never fails. Your mercy is new each morning. You are forever good. You are forever God! I trust You.

Sometimes love is displayed best when it's tested the most. When life, as we know it, seems to be crashing in around us, our opportunity to demonstrate the depths of our love is magnified. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...til death do us part. That's what marriage is all about.

Today, author and speaker,Suzie Eller, unviels a very personal and captivating story revealing the beauty of love. This truly is a love story that will not only leave you speechless, but will challenge and inspire you to passionately love your spouse.


Berry Mauve or Muted Wine
T. Suzanne Eller (Suzie)
http://tsuzanneeller.com
http://facebook.com/tsuzanneeller
http://twitter.com/suzanneeller

He found me weeping bitterly in the hospital room.

“What’s wrong?” Richard asked, knowing that we both had reason to cry.

In the past forty-eight hours, I learned that I had a cancerous lump in my breast that had spread to my lymph nodes, and there was a possible spot on my brain. We were both thirty-two with three young children.

Richard pulled me tight. Our friends and family had been amazed at the peace that had overwhelmed us. Jesus was our Savior and comfort before I found out I had cancer, and he remained the same after my diagnosis. But it seemed to Richard that the terrifying reality of my situation had finally crashed in on me in the few moments he was out of the room.

“It’s all been too much, hasn’t it?”

“That’s not it,” I held up the hand mirror I had found in the drawer.
Richard looked puzzled.

I had stared in shock at my reflection in the mirror. I didn’t recognize myself. I was swollen. Betadine stained my neck, shoulder and chest and it was too soon for a bath. A tube hung out of my side draining fluid. My left shoulder and chest were wrapped tightly in gauze where I had lost a portion of my breast. My long, curly hair was matted into a big wad.

More than one hundred people had come to see me over the past forty-eight hours, and they had all seen this brown-and-white, swollen, makeup-less, matted-haired, gray-gowned woman who used to be me.

Richard left the room.

Within moments he came back, his arms laden with small bottles of shampoo and conditioner confiscated from the cart in the hall. He pulled pillows out of the closet and dragged a chair over to the sink. Unraveling my IV, he tucked the long tube from my side in his shirt pocket. Then he reached down, picked me up and carried me – IV stand and all – over to the chair. He sat me down gently on his lap, cradled my head in his arms over the sink and began to run warm water through my hair. He washed and conditioned my long curls. He wrapped my hair in a towel and carried me, the tube, and the IV stand back over to the bed. He did this so gently that not one stitch was disturbed.

Next came the mascara, blush, and lipstick…

My husband, who has never blow-dried his hair in his life, dried my hair, the whole while entertaining me as he pretended to give beauty tips. I laughed as he bit his lip, more serious than any beauty-school student as he fixed my hair. He bathed my shoulder and neck with a warm washcloth, careful to not disturb the area around the surgery, and rubbed lotion into my skin.

Then he opened my makeup bag. I will never forget our laughter as he tried to apply my mascara and blush. I opened my eyes wide and held my breath as he brushed the mascara on my lashes with shaking hands. He rubbed my cheeks with tissue to blend in the blush. With the last touch, he held up two lipsticks.

“ Berry mauve or muted wine?” he asked. He applied the lipstick like an artist and then held the little mirror in front of me.

I was human again. A little swollen, but I smelled clean, my hair hung softly over my shoulders and I recognized myself.

I started crying again, this time because I was grateful.

“No, baby. You’ll mess up my makeup job,” he said and I burst into laughter.

During that difficult time in our lives, I was given only a 40 percent chance of survival over five years. That was eighteen years ago. I made it through those years with laughter, God’s comfort and the help of Richard. Last November we celebrated thirty years, and our children (who were in elementary school) are now married and young adults. In fact, I’m expecting my first grandbaby in July!

I will always be grateful that Richard understood what must have seemed like vanity and silliness in the midst of tragedy, and helped me feel like me again.

Everything that I had ever taken for granted had been shaken – the fact that I would watch my children grow, my health, my future. With one small act of kindness, Richard gave me normalcy. I will always see that moment as one of the most loving gestures of our marriage.

I love you, Richard Lee Eller. I always will.

Perhaps Suzie's story of tragedy and triumphant has encouraged you in your own journey. I'd love to hear from you. Maybe you stand in need of prayer. It would be my honor to pray for you.

To learn more about Suzie Eller, her ministries and her books, visit her website at www.tsuzanneeller.com

Marriages tend to get placed under the doormat of the dailies or complicated by chaos. But it doesn't have to be that way. Neglect should never be the norm for our marriages. There are some things we can do to prevent marriage meltdown.

I am honored to have Teri Lynne Underwood share her heart and some practical tips for strengthening our marriages. Teri Lynne is an exceptional speaker and Bible teacher. You can find her wonderful, witty and challenging insight on her webpage www.pleasingtoyou.com.


Today she shares 4 Ideas for Marriage:

Keep It ...

Marriage is hard … and it takes a lot of work. But, I’m learning that much of the work to be done is based on very simple things. For me, I’m working to keep four things at the priority …

Keep it SIMPLE!
Focus on what really matters. Sure I’d like the trash taken out the night before because I’m a planner. But, as long as it’s out before the trash truck comes – does it really matter how long the can has been sitting at the curb? Nope, not a bit! So, instead of focusing on WHEN the trash goes out, I’m learning to focus on being thankful that my husband takes care of that chore.

Keep it SILLY!
Laugh together every day . Learning to see the humor in life has been the best lesson my husband has taught me. Often we laugh at me – I’m pretty quirky and there’s lots to find amusing. But it seems that when we laugh we are more connected and at peace.

Keep it SEXY!
Kiss, hug, touch, often. We never leave the house and rarely leave the room without kissing each other. We hold hands during prayers at church. We curl up together to watch TV. And we hug each other often … especially in front of our daughter. Touch is so important and leads to more touch. I enjoy being touched by my husband and I love to touch him.

Keep it SWEET!
Say nice things to and about each other – daily. Being purposeful about seeing and saying the wonderful attributes of our spouses brings great strength to marriage. We all enjoy being complimented. Making time to be intentional about encouraging and uplifting our spouses is an important component to a strong marriage.

Keep it SPOKEN!
Make sure you discuss problems that arise before they get out of hand. Give compliments generously ~ sometimes behind his back! Speak well of your husband to your children. It's easy at some stages of life (especially the one when we still have young children still in our homes) to give all our best efforts to the various tasks at hand leaving only leftovers for our husbands ... DON'T!

Both my husband and I are blessed to be in families where our grandparents have celebrated their 50th anniversaries and beyond. We have a legacy of long and healthy marriages. But we know those marriages don’t happen by chance. Solid marriages are not simple … they require much effort and sacrifice. But, oh, the rewards!

MAKE time to keep your marriage simple – focus on what really matters!
TAKE time to keep you marriage silly – laugh together!
ENJOY time to keep your marriage sexy – touch and do it often!
CHERISH time to keep your marriage sweet – share kind words with your spouse.
And of course, GIVE time to speaking - good communication is the key to a successful marriage.

It's never to late to make your marriage a priority. Even strong marriages need to be nourished to remain healthy. What about you? Are there some ideas Teri Lynne shared that you need to work on in your own marriage? Do you have any advice for those who are just beginning or struggling in their marriages?

I'm not one who normally carries a grudge, but this time it seemed to jump on me, stick to my heart like slime and an ooze into the wrinkles in my scowling forehead. U-G-L-Y, very ugly. The lines on my face and the words from my mouth revealed the scars on my heart...and it was ugly.

I wasn't sure how to deal with it since it hadn't really been an issue before. I almost thought I was immune to the menacing grip of a grudge. How could childhood incest escape a heart of resentment, yet an argument with my husband could latch hold like a dog who wouldn't let go of his chew toy.

Today's guest blogger, Heidi McLauglin, shares a heartwarming yet practical story of the danger of resentment in a marraige and how to deal with it when it tries to show it's ugly head.

The Resentment Box
By Heidi McLaughlin“

I call it a resentment box”, I told the beautiful, perplexed bride. I quickly
continued speaking as I had a mere seven minutes to say something profound,
inspirational and wise during my niece’s wedding ceremony. I saw my niece, Becky out of the corner of my eye; a vision of elegant, flowing champagne silk,sparkling with sequins and crystals from the top of her exquisite head, to her ballerina toes. There was a radiance about her that exuded fresh, untarnished love. She was marrying her prince charming.

Many of us sigh, put our hand to our chest and brush away a tear as we relive a
fantasy of being in a blissful love relationship. Then comes the reality of broken promises, unpaid bills, missed dinner dates, power struggles and feeling overlooked. Unmet expectations.

I read a shocking statistic that said most divorces are the result of resentment. I can see why; resentment is ugly. It is the re-sensing of offenses; bitter emotions played over and over in our mind until they poison our lives. Because of the hurt or indignation that we have suffered, we feel justified in hoarding this resentment. We hold on to it as it has power; like a missile to be used later. We don’t realize that in the meantime, it is actually slowly killing our marriage and our soul.

We all need a resentment box in our homes, and it needs to stay empty. Instead of throwing our unresolved hurt and anger into the box and allowing it to become a weapon of mass marriage destruction, we must grab our anger and hurt feelings before we even open the lid of the deadly box. Here’s how we can do it:

1. Choose to accept. It was time to recognize and accept that people are prone to be imperfect and make mistakes.

2. Confront. Sometimes there is a problem. Honest, loving conversations, allowing each person to reveal their feelings; brings healing.

3. Know that God is the source of love. We cannot expect other people in our lives to love us and be our savior.

4. Forgive. Now that you recognize the resentment, it is time to deal with it. The only way to heal from resentment is to forgive.

5. Guard. Ruthlessly guard your heart. Do not allow hurt feelings to linger,

Even as I write this I still nod in agreement; this was indeed the best wisdom I
could give to my beautiful, princess Becky. It’s the best wisdom for all of us.

Heidi McLaughlin is a Christian speaker and author. You can visit her website http://www.heartconnection.ca/

What about you...are you struggling with resentment in your marriage? Do you know someone who is? Perhaps you have some advice you could share with the rest of us. I'd love to hear from you.

Good marriages don't just happen, they take work! Not the arduous, labor intensive kind of work, but the mental and emotional kind of dying to self and figuring him out kind of work. They also take time. Not the "you've just got on my last nerve and it's over" kind of time, but the for better or for worse, til death do us part kind of time

Today, guest blogger Penny Zeller, gives us a glimpse of her heart and her life as she shares some encouraging advice on how to enjoy a lifetime of love with the one to whom you said, "I do."

Draw closer to your spouse with these suggestions:

Take time alone with your spouse. You hear this all the time, but do you realize how important it is? Even if it’s lunch once a week or a weekend getaway, time alone without kids is crucial. Swap babysitting days with your closest friends. Be creative!

Take time to forgive. Lon and I have been married 17 years and there have been a few times when we’ve gotten on each other’s last nerve. Are there things that bother you about your spouse? Pray God will help you to forgive. Pray not that God will change your spouse, but that He would change the way you respond to the things your spouse does. Pray you would respond in a God-honoring way and draw upon His grace to do just that!

Take time to be thoughtful. One of Lon’s favorite meals is Stovetop Stuffing. Knowing this, I routinely make it for him. As a writer of Christian romance, Lon shows his love for me by listening to the latest chapter, even if he’d rather be watching a football game! Leave each other notes in the morning or send each other emails in the middle of the day.

Take time for humor. Lon and I love to write humor blogs together about silly happenings in our everyday lives. We also love to save all the clean joke emails we receive then sit and peruse them together. Another idea? Rent a DVD of one of your favorite Christian comedians and enjoy it – just the two of you.

What a precious gift the Lord has given you in your spouse. Take the time to relish your time together – something that will only further cement the love that binds together what God created – marriage.

Do you consider your marriage a close one? Do you have any advice you could share to help strengthen marriages?

You can learn more about Penny by visiting her blog at http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/

All this talk about love and romance may bring out the warm and fuzzies in the hearts of many, but it leaves a whopping 95,700,000 in the cold. Divorced, widowed, never been married and even those who are now in a relationship comprise this vast number of single adults.

Valentine's Day may be the Holiday of Love, but not everyone has reason to celebrate. For some, they'll find the empty chair at the dinner table an unbearable reminder of a broken marriage and a broken heart. Others will sit silently at their favorite restaurant grieving the loss of the love of their life. Many will gather with family and friends dodging the relentless and patronizingly uncomfortable question, "So, when are you gonna get married?"

Today's guest blogger candidly shares her heart as she allows us to look at Valentine's Day through the eyes of singleness. Rose's story may just change the way you think about the value of love and marriage.

Once again, the holiday of ‘romance’ rolls around and once again there will be no notes, no cards, no flowers. Now, I am not complaining about this season in my life as I know that God has a plan and it is all in His timing, but it did get me thinking of how we can sometimes lose our focus on what love is all about.

There has been a time or two when I have had friends who confided how they had seriously been contemplating leaving their husband (and I am talking women who know the Lord). Their reasons for wanting out are not for the grossly abusive situations one would hope God would understand, but for the same vague reasons of dissatisfaction given for the dissolution of so many worldly relationships.

Being someone who has been divorced for nine years now, I offer a view from the ‘other side’ as food for thought. God was so good to me and saved me soon after my divorce when I was at a very low point. I am thankful for that and have grown more and more every day and every year since then. But one thing has not happened. I still spend Valentine’s alone.

As much as I would love things to be different, it has obviously not been in God’s plan for me right now. I don't plan on going out and finding myself a man on my own? No. Not going to make that mistake again.

When my friends ask me about leaving their husbands, I just ask them, "Are you are willing to live with the consequences of your disobedience to God if you choose what you think you want right now? Or are you willing to give the Godly relationship you have now a chance with unconditional love, that same love that He has shown you?”

I would think the choice would be obvious.

I shared Rose's story because I believe it may help those who are walking through a difficult season in their marriage. Perhaps they could filter their decisions through Rosie's questions and consider the consequences before things go too far.

What about you? Do you know someone who's considering divorce? Are you? I'd count it an honor to pray for you if you are struggling in your marriage?

Maybe you'd like to share your story or some words of wisdom that can encourage those who are barely holding on by a thread. I'd love to hear from you.