God's Favors Me....

From "Encountering the Book of Romans: A Theological Survey" by Douglas Moo on page 86 regarding Romans 3:

“Our ‘works,’ whether done in obedience to the law (in regard to the phrase “doing the law” in v.28, compare the comments on v.20) or to some other moral code, can never bring us into God’s favor. Only faith, the humble acceptance of God’s offer of salvation, can do so. And just as a person receiving a gift has no right to boast, so the sinner accepting the gracious gift of salvation has not basis for pride in the accomplishment.”

Me and Joe have certainly been walking and living in God's favor...here it is, 7 months (7 a number of completion) before we take our nuptials before God, our families, and friends and He has done wonderful and miraculous things in OUR life. In fact there is more in store and I know it is because of our faithfulness to HIM and choosing to walk and live as HE wants us too.

As I reflect, I think on how some couples now married or individuals who were once married have attempted to share their advisement on marriage and relationships. Interestingly, many are quick to point out the hardships rather than all the wonderful aspects of marriage.

I am having a blessed, romantic, sensational, emotional love affair with my friend. A wonderful adventure with a man who loves me with all he has and is happy to tell anyone that I am the secret to his bbq sauce, the sweetness in his tea. He is happy to say that his life changed for the better the day he met me!!!!

We have a love that is going to last forever because we are SAVED!!! We are deemed to be together in this life AND in the kingdom. A love that is and will always strive to be a ministry to every man and woman who desires marriage.

I don't know that there is much more to say other than that. I am a woman, deeply in love in every way imaginable first with God and then my husband to be.

I know with every fiber of my being that God favors me.

The plan.....

A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week. George S. Patton

(1885 - 1945)

My plan?? Not to be a stressed out bride...to enjoy my time of betrothment...to enjoy the excitement that wedding planning should be for a woman with her closest friends and family.

This plan has indeed been violently executed and I am indeed as of today 8 months away from seeing the fruition of all that is being planned. I am closer to experiencing the fullness of what GOD has joined together.

This evening, I just thank God for the journey...

For my married couples; remember the journey and remember that God has brought you thus far and will not leave or forsake you. Just keep HIM at the head.

The Day After....

There is truly nothing like the favor of God. Here we are....9 months away from this blessed event and God's hands have been ALL over it from the start. I don't know that there is a more carefree and happier bride than I am. Yes, I am organized, a anal retentive planner, but I serve a God of order. LOL So, with that I operate that ALL things, including this wedding are to be decent and IN ORDER.

Why then are so many women planning their unions pulling their hair out??? Well, to me it is quite simple. They have forgotten about the day after...they have forgotten that after the flowers, aisle runners, and folk kissing on you and getting their makeup on your gown, that it will be the two of you. JUST ME AND JOE is what my focus is.

Don't get me wrong I expect a wonderful celebration and ALL the grinning and love I can stand, but more importantly I look forward to the next level of ministry as man and wife.

So tell me brides....how long did it take you to realize that all that mattered was "the day after".

Planning with no thought on tomorrow.....

Present your family and friends with their eulogies now - they won't be able to hear how much you love them and appreciate them from inside the coffin. ~Anonymous


So here it is February 1, 2010, and so much has happened since January 1, 2010. I never thought my guest list could change in the manner it has. Lost relationships, marriages, and even some deaths have altered the list. We are taking such care and concern to be surrounded by those who support and will continue to pray for OUR marriage with us; yet keeping in mind that God has predestined us all.

The word of God instructs us to take no thought for tomorrow, for it will surely take care of itself.

I love you all.....

Never Forget The Journey

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière

Last night me and my honey were with friends and some time was spent reminiscing (the men) of course, on their past, the women loved and lost and why they made the choices they did then. All I could say is that for ALL of us men and women of God is that...."sometimes our clouds hang low an we can hardly see the road" LOL

In any case, the time came when we were able to reminisce about our love story and how WE came to be. It is so important that we never forget what we love about our mates, how we came to love our mates, the journey of your love.

It is important to do this because as you begin to relive the story, you will see how God truly ordained your union, IF he has ordained your union. For us, there are many occurrences that affirmed this for us; however I just realized this weekend this small tidbit..

When I expected to Joe to propose to me, I wore the dress I wanted to have on with my hair done and all. In fact, I tried to be prepared but after a month passed and he didn't do it, I stopped. Well how about, the day he proposed, when my nails and hair were NOT done. LOL I still had on the dress I wanted to wear. WOW.....

Let No Man Put Asunder...

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

- Mignon McLaughlin

Last night, I attended a fellowship service, where I was truly blessed in the message and the spirit of God took over the place.

One of the things said by the speaker was that he was observing the enemy's attack on marriages and specifically toward the men. As we are in beginning to enter the 9th month of this year, I looked up the number nine to find that its biblical meaning is: judgment or finality. Basically, it's used when judging man and all of his works. This number has also been used to describe the perfect movement of God.

I Bless God as I received the message that God is getting ready to move in a mighty way in regards to marriage. I join this pastor in prayer to bind every manner of evil that is trying to destroy what GOD HAS ORDAINED AND PUT TOGETHER....

To ALL married couples that may be going through...It ain't over until God says it's over and if HE has truly joined you together NO man or devil can break you apart. Remain steadfast, prayerful, and keep GOD at the forefront of your marriage. HE is the FIRST LOVE and your spouse is the next, RESTORE yourselves to HIM and HE will restore you to each other.

While I am still basking in the glow of my engagement, I too was renewed in the commitment I am making to Joe and the love we share.

Be Blessed

To Be or Not to Be....A Guest.

So the guest list is finished, hopefully??? In any case, this seems to be the most difficult of wedding planning tasks as you decide, who, as Joe puts it, MAKES THE CUT?!? Does the member in the church or friend of the family who changed your diaper twice in 1975 or 1977 REALLY get an invite to the MAIN reception?? She/He barely remembers my name!!!

In addition to this my "are you kidding moment" is this...My poppy is a pastor, his dad was a pastor (God Rest His Soul), and Joe is a preacher. So, you really are surprised that this is a dry reception???

In my best Claire Huxtable voice; "Let the Record Show" that....

1Timothy 3:1-2 ¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;


Should I put "dry reception" on the reception cards??? Hmmmm, may lower costs. LOL

Budget or Bust

So, as we embark on the great task of planning our nuptials and wedding celebration; my dream reception hall wants about 30K for 450 people.

The madness only begins there as I am sure some of you can attest to. So where do you draw the line??? What do you compromise in terms of dream vs. reality?

As for me....my one PLATINUM reception is now three 25 Karat Gold ones. Yes..25 Karats LOL

Share with me; what did you have to compromise, amend, or give up altogether?

So will you marry me?

Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be. ~ Robert Browning

So what happened to the "on bended knee" proposal??? I was proposed to one I-294 South in the toll booth line. SERIOUSLY!!!

Yes, it is memorable, but not the MOST romantic gesture....LOL Share your proposal stories with me.