Could not say it any better. (Borrowed graphic)

1. Be Present For Family and Friends – There are many important things to think about this time of year. Barb and I don’t want to forget anyone or omit anything that matters. So, in these last days of December, make your lists and check them twice… both for Christmas and New Year’s. Let us all remember people not presents under the tree matter. Time, service and love are the true gifts.

2. Send God’s Love – I just read a .ppt version of the Christmas story and it’s full of unexpected guests and gifts. I don’t imagine Mary would have been prepared to meet the group of shepherds when they arrived. But they didn’t come to see her or be served a meal. They had come to visit the baby the angels had spoken about.

The magi were Persian kings. Mary would not have owned anything that would have impressed them. Instead, they had come to honor her Child. They left her with gifts that had eternal significance.

3. Attend Church – The Bible tells us Christians need to come together so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth and the implications of it in their lives. Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12) encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10) and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

4. Make Lasting Memories –

• Who needs a phone call or visit?
• And who needs your gift of patience or compassion?
• Who needs help with their Christmas holiday preparation?
• Who needs to understand Christmas is about Christ ?

And who needs your gift of patience or compassion?

• Who would gladly change places with you this Christmas?

5. Be The Light – Perhaps you think your gifts would be insignificant, but all of us have something to offer. What has God blessed you with that you can share? God gives us resources such as finances and time, talents such as culinary skills or musical ability, and spiritual gifts such as encouragement or teaching. We should ask God for wisdom on how to use those resources and commit ourselves to expending them according to His will so that He may be glorified.

6. Donate Your Gifts –

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). We have been entrusted with certain things, and faithfulness requires that we manage those things wisely and unselfishly

As you make your lists, we ask you to pray about one more gift to consider? You have ministries that you want to bless with a year-end gift. We know you have a lot of options, and you can’t say yes to everyone. So, we simply ask you to pray and give to organizations that God places on your heart to support.

24kGoldMarriage.org is a ministry to hurting families and troubled marriages. This ministry is God’s calling on the lives of Ivey’s. We teach and coach others what we need to learn the most…God has blessed us for 30 years.

Final Note

Things about 24k we want you to know:

• 100% of your gifts go directly to making our ministry possible.
• Each contribution is used to help make new marriage good, good ones better and troubled ones whole. Just help us pay expenses.
• Every $500 we raise provides a scholarship to a couple in need of a Marriage 3.0 weekend. Details on our website www.24kgoldmarriage.org.

If you have discretionary giving capability this year, thank you in advance for your consideration. We are grateful for every donation, and most especially, for every donor.

The post Making Your Christmas and New Year’s Lists appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Give me a heart like Yours. This I pray earnestly in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse for Today: “I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart and come into Your courts with praise giving thanks to You and praising Your name.” (Psalm 100:4″

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post Thanks and Praise…ever appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Help me learn to listen without judgment and speak without criticism in all I do, for the sake of Your Kingdom, Amen.

Verse for Today: “Always be willing to listen.” (James 1:19)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post Make me a good listener, please appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

I ask all this in the strong and mighty name of Jesus. Amen

Verse for Today: “O LORD you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1-2)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post Search me O God! appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Give me strength for today to do everything You’d have me do, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Verse for Today: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post One Day…at a time. appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

This I pray in the strong and mighty name of Jesus, my LORD. Amen

Verse for Today: “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NIV)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post YOU are my all in All appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Please hold all I hold dear safely in Your hands and bring the promised peace of Christmas in our homes for Jesus’ sake, I pray. Amen.

Verse for Today: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17–18)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post No matter what…PTL! appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

At the end of a difficult or stressful day, is your marriage a soft place to land? Is it a comforting place you can turn to when you’re feeling down and out, vulnerable, or overwhelmed?

Of course we’d like to say the answer is always “yes,” but the reality is that sometimes marriage itself can be a source of stress and tension. While this is totally normal – and can actually be a positive sign of relationship growth – it’s definitely not a permanent state you want your marriage to be in.

Most of the time, we want our marriage to be that comforting home base we can turn to. So how can you make yours more of a sanctuary? Here are a five key tips.

1. Cultivate emotional safety.

In order to let your guard down, you need to feel comfortable expressing your true emotions. That requires a sense of emotional safety – feeling fully accepted and loved for who you are, and not worrying about being judged or criticized even when you’re not at your best. It takes effort from both of you to create this dynamic within your marriage. Increased self-awareness leads to decreased defensiveness, and that creates an environment where you can be vulnerable and raw with each other.

2. Set and enforce boundaries.

One of the main reasons we look to our marriage for refuge is the various factors that can wear on us outside of it, whether it’s stress from work, family drama, difficult friendships, current events, etc. Creating boundaries helps prevent these things from bleeding into your marriage and having a negative effect on your relationship. For example, you might make sure you have a good work-life balance and don’t bring your work home with you. Or you prioritize each other’s opinions and preferences over pushy family members, and avoid getting involved in friends’ marriage issues. Remember, as a good listener, it is always wise to listen without judgment and speak without criticism to each other. By establishing boundaries like these, you ensure your marriage doesn’t become an extension of these external sources of stress and negativity.

3. Lean into empathy.

When you need a comforting place to turn, the last thing you want to be met with is criticism or judgment. Create a warm refuge by being leading with empathy in your responses and interactions. It promotes the sense of emotional safety mentioned earlier and kicks off a positive communication cycle between you.

4. Nip resentment in the bud.

While we’ve been focusing on sources of stress outside your marriage, the reality is sometimes your marriage can stress you out, too – which can make it the opposite of a sanctuary. A common reason? Unresolved issues or conflicts cause tension and resentment to build up between you, and that can make you feel uneasy or like you’re walking on eggshells in your own marriage. Avoid this pitfall by working on having open, honest, and assertive communication. Address issues head on when they come up instead of letting them fester.

5. Know when to support versus solve. Sometimes all you need to do is listen

Some people are natural problem-solvers – when your spouse comes to you with a problem, you’re quick to offer a solution. But sometimes, a solution isn’t what they want, or need, or is ready for. Sometimes they just need your support and validation. Offer support through active listening, an affectionate touch, or simply asking what they need from you. Validate their experience by acknowledging what they’re going through and leaving space for their feelings. It’s not easy witnessing your spouse having a hard time, but it’s not always your job to fix their feelings or the situation – just be there for them.

Making your marriage feel like home doesn’t always happen on its own. Just like the difference between a stark, cold room and a cozy, comforting one, it requires effort and intention to create the kind of environment you want to spend time in – a welcoming retreat that you can turn to whenever you need it.

The post Is Your Home a Sanctuary? appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Surround my grandchildren with Your love today and keep them thru their trials. Give them gracious and thankful hearts and gentle spirits, please, I pray in Jesus’ special name. Amen.

Verse for Today: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17–18)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The post I hurt for my grandkids today appeared first on 24k Gold Marriage.

Hallelujah and Amen Amen!

Verse for Today: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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