This week I’ve been asking the Lord how I can give Him the first and the best of me. He’s put things on my heart I never thought of before and I want to share them with you. What would it look like to give God the first part of everything??? Such as… Our First […]
In the first weeks of the first month of this New Year, I’m thinking much about Firsts. What does it mean to be first? First place means no one is better at our trade, our craft, or our sport. It’s being champions! The Olympics are a month away and every athlete dreams of coming in […]
I’m finishing the first week of a 31 day prayer challenge put out by Kim Avery (www.kimaverycoaching.com), which includes a daily scripture and personal prayer for our lives. My husband has also joined me not only in individual prayer but also in praying together daily. It’s a habit that’s so WORTH developing. I believe there […]
The beauty of a new year is just that, it’s NEW! It’s an opportunity to turn a new chapter and decide what we want written on the pages of 2018. So many people set New Year’s resolutions that fall by the wayside within a few months. Why? I believe it’s because we’re too quick to […]
Mark: I believe work is important and beneficial, but it isn’t a separated secular or sacred thing that our Christian community has made it out to be. However, work isn’t the end all to be all, so the balance is valuing it correctly. Tonya: Being industrious, providing for yourself and/or your family, accomplishing something is good for […]
Our conversation continues as we focus on giving ourselves permission for ‘Me Time’… Mark: I’ve become more aware of the importance of ‘Me Time’. It may be more personality driven, but I definitely need time away from the kids and my spouse. It can take various forms in order for me to recharge, reset, unplug from […]
John: Besides making decisions together and balancing giving and getting, what other commitments are there between you and your spouse? Tonya: Because of our commitment to the Lord, we also believe in a commitment to grace and forgiveness. You are going to hurt each other; it’s part of human nature. So a commitment to give […]
John Gregory, Mark Stanifer and I continue discussing balance and how it applies in the married or single life. John: It seems there are two things to consider for keeping balanced in the marriage relationship. One, what do you individually have to do to bring balance to the relationship. Second, how does the couple work […]
In a technology saturated society, how have you found balance as a family? Mark: We have taken a very conservative view. We are a homeschool family, so traditional pressures aren’t as strong for us. But I can’t say we’ve landed well on this subject. This is something that I feel like my wife and I […]
2) How have you approached spiritual formation in your family that is balanced between legalism and “letting them find their way”? Tonya: As a home school mom I was with my kids A LOT! So walking the talk was important to me. I’m FAR from perfect, but always tried to live out what I spoke […]
