We Are on the Same Team and Fighting the Same Enemy

	We Are on the Same Team and Fighting the Same Enemy
	Article 4 Article 1 ▶ Article 2 ▶ Article 3 ▶ Article 4 ▶ We Are on the Same Team and Fighting the Same Enemy As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach learn more ▶ Think about what makes your heart melt when you watch a great love story. It's not the hero's physical strength or his beloved's beauty, is it? No, you and I are drawn to the power of true love and its inexplicable ability to prevail over tragedy and adversity. The greater the conflict, the stronger the love must be in order to resolve the issue. When the hero does whatever it takes to save the relationship, our hearts soar with renewed hope. Likewise, as we seek to truly listen and understand our men when differences between us create friction, we set ourselves up for more satisfying and loving relationships. The Author of love and life and the Designer of our differences knew there would be conflict between men and women. The real problem comes, though, when we get accustomed to seeing relational problems solved in the time it takes to eat a bag of popcorn. Our hero and his beauty have less than two hours to defeat the dragons and overcome unspeakable challenges. You and I are not going to magically resolve deep relationship conflicts in our own wisdom and definitely not in less than two hours. When I met my husband, Steve, I was sure we were a match made in heaven. In fact, we have had the privilege of being in ministry together for most of our marriage. I wish I could tell you it's been an effortless, wonderful life for the two of us, but I would be lying to you. I learned to fight loud and strong by watching my parents. My brother and I would hide together in my bedroom as our parents tore into each other during arguments, often screaming and throwing things. Because of my broken family, when I first got married I was sure that every conflict between me and Steve would end our marriage. Steve was raised by parents who had stayed married, so it was impossible for him to relate to my fears and worries. He was raised in quieter surroundings. His parents dealt with conflict quite differently from mine. There was no rage. No yelling. No broken furniture. His parents rarely fought—and never in front of their children. But his family also had no system to resolve conflict. That meant issues went unresolved—though not unnoticed. Steve's and my fighting techniques were drastically different. However, neither of us had been equipped to deal appropriately with marital conflict. That led to major challenges early in our marriage whenever we attempted to resolve a disagreement. To make things even more difficult, when I married Steve I was a new Christian and had not yet learned how to channel my anger properly. I tried everything to get him to react or resolve conflict with me, and as I waited, I became more bitter and he became more distant. One day I couldn't take Steve's calm, cool responses anymore. From my perspective, he obviously needed some lessons on how to fight for our marriage. I'd had enough of his "let's work it out peacefully by ignoring our problems" act. In my mind, he was being polite only to annoy me. "Why don't you ever show some emotion and prove to me you care about our marriage?" I yelled. Steve stood there quietly, shaking his head and looking down at the ground. Then suddenly, he turned toward the mirror on our bedroom closet door and kicked it as hard as he could, smashing it to bits. Wow, I thought, what a performance. He sure learns fast. Suddenly I began to laugh hysterically through my tears. I was so shocked I wasn't sure if I was relieved or ready to run from what I saw. His toenail was jutting out at a bizarre angle as he asked me, "Is that enough emotion for you? If it would help, I could probably throw myself on the floor and work up a good cry." We both began to laugh together as we attempted to pick up the glass fragments scattered all over our bedroom floor. In that moment I realized how much we had shattered each other just because we were different and had not been trained on how to resolve conflict. Our marriage was not the problem; it was our hearts. Neither of us had a teachable spirit. It took several years, a lot of tears, and one expensive closet door mirror to repair the damage inflicted during those early years. We still have conflict, as all couples do, but we now understand that we are on the same team and that it's okay not to agree on everything. After twenty-five years of marriage, we've decided it's worth letting go of the little things and fighting to understand one another. Conflict comes no matter who we marry. We may be fighting about different things with different men, but there will always be major differences between men and women. I once heard a pastor say that if spouses agreed on everything, only one of them would be needed. Let's not allow our differences to divide us any longer! For a sneak peek of Sheri Rose's Your Heart's Desire Group Experience, or to learn more about her ministry, visit www.biblelifecoaching.com. Watch the trailer:

Book Review: A  Perfect Word For Every Occation by Liz Duckworth

We are in a new millennium in which our technology has improved immensely. Writing letters or giving cards has rapidly been replaced by electronic mail and texting.  I have always been a firm believer in sending out snail mail, and giving hand written cards- there is a more personal feeling to it.  I love the simplicity of giving a card and expressing my feelings, and just letting the ink in my pen flow smoothly on paper.  Just think of how beautiful it feels when someone hands you a card on your Birthday.  In this day in age, computers seem to be replacing it - It's just so much easier, right?


I know that sometimes it's hard to say the right words or we just do not know what to say. That is why Liz Duckworth wrote this book. In her book, she offers ways and examples on how or what to say.  Every chapter has quotes and verses to help find new ways to say the right words. She also has a section for what not to say. 



This book has 10 chapters that offer different examples.  The fallowing chapters are:

1. Words for the Grieiving2. Words of Gratitude
3. Words for the Sick and Suffering
4. Words for Birthdays
5. Words for Weddings and Engagements
6. Words of  Encouragement
7. Words for Celebrations
8. Words for Events and Activities
9. Words of Truth and Love
10. Words for a Changing World

My favorite section was the quotes and scriptures.
Some examples:

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. -Jean Baptistery Massieu

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. - William Arthur Ward

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. -William Shakespeare

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 7

Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier. - Anonymous

I will say of The Lord, "He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust." - Psalm 91:1-2

Do not let your hearts be troubled. - John 14:1

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. - Galatians 6:9-10

Carry each other's burned, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man. - Louis Nizer

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. - Helen Keller

Storms make trees take deeper roots. - Claude McDonald, The Christian Word

It is the wounded oyster that mends its shell with pearl. - Ralph Waldom Emerson

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Corinthians 13:11

These are some of the very positive and encouraging words that you will find in this book - for every occation. This is one of those books that you will want to keep for future reference.   

We live in a world in which we all have such busy schedules; that it self, makes it difficult to focus on others, right?  But we must remember it's important to encourage one another when difficult times arise.  We need to be a little more aware of  other's feelings; after all there will be a time when WE will need a word of encouragement and motivation.


** I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am honored to have author Sherri Rose Shepherd as guest blogger here on my site.  She has writen 14 articles about her book Your Heart's Desire, which 8 of them will be fetured here within the next few weeks. The first article that will be featured is We Are on the Same Team and Fighting the Same Enemy.

Sherri Rose Shepherd has been has been speaking and writing for more than 20 years, and is a best selling author.  She is former Mrs. United States who has writen numerous books, which include His Princess: Love Letters from Your King, Prepararing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother's Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family, Prayers to My King: His Princess, His Little Princess: Treasured Letters from Your King, Fit for My King: His Princess 30-Day Diet Plan and Devotional, among others.

Go to http://hisprincess.com/about/ to learn more about her and her ministry.


http://www.yourheartsdesirebook.com/



Her latest release is Your Heart's Desire; 14 Truths that will forever change the way you love and are loved. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hope and healing for every woman who has ever loved a manBestselling author and Bible life coach SheriRose Shepherd shares 14 truths that will forever change the way you love and are loved. This book is written for the married woman who loves her man but struggles in her marriage. It's for the single woman who wants to find a godly man to love and for the divorced woman who believed in her marriage until her man walked out.Each chapter has life-challenging love stories, love coaching, powerful prayers, inspiring scriptural love letters, and a Transforming Truth.If you're ready for a refreshing perspective on love, men, and marriage, this book is for you.







Review for Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry

Borders of the Heart is filled with intense action, adventure, suspense, and romance. It is set in the Southern part of Arizona near the Mexican border. Chris Fabry does an outstanding job in writing a book that reflects the reality of Illegal immigration and drug cartels.

I was quickly drawn into this story, because Arizona is close to my heart.  I am familiar with the desert heat, the stories of Illegal Immigration, and the important part that law enforcement has in protecting it's borders from illegal activity.

At the beginning of the story we are introduce to J.D. Jessup, a musician running from his past. When he started working at an organic farm, the owner warns him about illegal crossings, and emphasizes the importance of calling Border Patrol if he sees an Illegal.

One morning during J.D's usual horse ride, he stumbles upon a beautiful young woman near death. Right at the moment when he is about to call Border Patrol, he sees a faint movement and changes his mind. He decides to act upon his heart and help her. Little did he know that his act of kindness would put his life in great danger.

J.D. is in for a ride of his life. While risking his own life, he finds out that Maria is running from a dangerous man who is involved with a drug cartel - out to exterminate anyone who crosses his path. J.D. also learns the importance of trusting God, and to confront the fear that was preventing him to love again.

Synopsis:

"Desperate to escape haunting memories, J. D. Jessup travels from Nashville to Tucson and volunteers on an organic farm. The hardened landowner has one prevailing rule: If J. D. sees an "illegal," call the border patrol. But when an early morning ride along the fence line leads him to a beautiful young woman named Maria, near death in the desert, his heart pulls him in another direction. Longing to atone for the choices that drove him to Tucson, J. D. hides her and unleashes a chain of deadly events he could never have imagined. Soon they are running from a killer and fighting for their lives. As secrets of their pasts emerge, J. D. realizes that saving Maria may be the only way to save himself."

About the Author:



"My latest, Borders of the Heart, is a book I never thought I would write because I never thought I would live in the desert. The main character is

J. D., a man with great loss who's trying to piece together his life and where to go next. He faces a choice in the opening pages that changes his life, and the lives of many characters.

My stories come from life and sometimes art imitates stories.Four years ago my family and I moved to the desert. I'm not a desert person. But I knew the experience would at some point provide a rich, fertile place to tell a dusty tale. Borders of the Heart is my nod toward some of the great western wirters -- Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry. It's a love story, a painful story of loss, a mystery, and an edge-of-your-seat thriller. I hope you enjoy the ride thorugh Tucson and the surrounding area as much as I did."

  ***********************************************************************************

Chris Fabry will definitely be added to the list of my favorite authors. To learn more about this author and to watch the trailer for Borders of the Heart, go to http://www.chrisfabry.com/

AUTHOR Q & A

 http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/downloads/press_kits/BordersoftheHeartQ&A.pdf

WATCH TRIALER FOR BORDERS OF THE HEART

watch on tyndale.com

** I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to provide a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."