Here are the top 10 great things about JustONE.

10. You don’t have to arrange childcare … unless you count putting an episode of Dora on to help entertain.

9. It costs nothing … nada … zip … zero. Yep, it is totally free.

8. You don’t have to travel. Airplanes aren’t nearly as comfy as your couch.

7. You’ll get to hear from some amazing leaders … amazing. Trust me in this.

6. There will be two … count them … two opportunities to participate every Tuesday.

5. You can get some primo typing practice while you are chatting it up in the chat room.

4. You can drink in mass amount of encouragement.

3. We’ll be talking about relationships & criticism, marriage, family, time & balance, growth and passion.

2. Your husband will wish he could  join in.

1. It is going to be epic … amazing … fabulous … and all-around, pretty darn great.

So join us each Tuesday September 7th-October 12th at 12pm EST/9am PST OR 9pm EST/ 6pmPST at this link: http://live.mediasocial.tv/potsc

There is no need to register, but if you do we will be able to send you reminder emails before each session. Registration is available at: http://leadingandlovingit.com/virtual-gathering/

Here are the ladies that we will be hearing from:

Lisa Jernigan and Patty Wyatt…………Donna Politz

Lisa Young………………………………Jenni Clayville

Cindy Beall………………………………Holly Furtick

Tiffany Cooper…………………………..Heather Whittaker

Kay Warren………………………………Lisa Hughes

Kerri Weems……………………………..Sherry Surratt

Natalie Witcher………………………….Amy Groeschel

Jessica Cornelius……………………….Brandi Wilson

DeLynn Rizzo……………………………Lori Wilhite

Don’t miss out!

We Americans typically see Labor Day as the end of summer and often the beginning of cooler temperatures that are ushered in by autumn.  It is also seen as the time when both college and professional football games commence.

And can I just say Glory to God for that?

(Love me some football.  ‘Specially college.)

(Hook ‘em.)

But really, Labor Day is here because of President Grover Cleveland.  Reconciliation with labor was his top priority because of the large number of deaths that occurred at the hands of the U.S. Military and U.S. Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike.  Wanting to make sure there wasn’t further conflict, the law was rushed through Congress and unanimously signed just six days after the strike ended.

Most of us Americans just look forward to a three-day weekend in early September.  It’s typically a time where we travel to see friends and family for one last vacation before the school year sets in.  We might hit the beach or have barbecues with our neighbors. All sorts of activities happen this time of year that are enjoyable.

I didn’t know that this holiday was started because of so much loss.  But I suppose it’s like that with most holidays.

Take time to remember.

Our family is taking a mini trip to Orange County, California this weekend.  We will be spending time with our dear friends, Chad and Sarah Markley.  So looking forward to being with them and enjoying a nice West Coast weekend.

What are you gonna do?

I mean, there it was, in all its glory.  I was doing the finishing touches on my make-up (which really just consist of blush, eye liner and mascara) and I gently pulled down the skin under my eye.

And it stayed there.

It didn’t bounce back into place like I used to.  I just stayed there making me look like I’m almost 40.

Wait, I AM almost 40.

Well, then, I guess that makes sense.  I am beginning to not only see the signs of aging but also feel them.  My back isn’t the same as it was.  Moles seem to be appearing all over my body at an alarmingly fast rate.  And my memory, well, it’s not like it used to be.

But I did just run 4 miles without stopping last Saturday.

Booyah.

Some songs cause me to jump up and down and raise my hands in the air when I’m driving down the road in my car.  Others are more subtle and oftentimes I just sit and allow the lyrics to pour over me. And there are a handful of songs that I just get tired of hearing even though they are about Jesus.

(Just being honest.)

(Don’t hate.)

But there’s one song I’ll never tire of hearing.  I could hear it all day long, every single day of the week and it will massage my heart every single time.

Come and listen, come to the water’s edge all you who know and fear the Lord.  Come and listen, come to the water’s edge all you who are thirsty, come.  Let me tell you what He has done for me.  Let me tell you what He has done for me.  He has done for you.  He has done for us.  Praise our God for He is good. – David Crowder Band

Simple really.  There are more intense songs out there, more songs that declare the glory of God, more songs that shout of His infinite greatness.  And I love those songs.

But when you’ve been through the valley of the shadow of death like I have, or so it felt, songs like the one above soothe my soul and take me back.  They take me back to a place where I remember the sadness, the devastation that was coating my life for a season.  Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe it was that bad because right now, it’s so good.

So, let me tell you what He has done for me.

He has restored my faith in mankind and nurtured my soul and brought freedom to my husband and comforted my very broken heart.  He has walked with me and carried me and flown me to heights that I never dreamed were even possible. He has resurrected a marriage and made it infinitely better.  He has not only restored our ministry but has given us far more than we could have ever imagined. He has covered us like a blanket with his peace.  He has showered His favor upon us.

He has redeemed our suffering.  And He continues to do it today.

In light of all that…

What has he done for you?

He does frustrate me sometimes.  Don’t all children frustrate their mothers or am I the first?

(Wait, don’t answer that.)

But as much as he frustrates me, he blesses me even more.  Like when he wraps up the cord on the vacuum cleaner for me when I didn’t even ask.  Or when he willingly gets up from his “comfy” spot to get something for his dad.  Or when he brushes his teeth immediately after I ask displaying first-time obedience.

Guess I need to focus on the good.  Not ignoring the bad, but paying closer attention to the good he does instead.

Because he’s trying.

Any of you parents out there struggle with this?

I’m the only one?

Noted.

What?

This passion comes out when I am wrongly accused or when someone puts words in my mouth or when my integrity is questioned or when someone thinks that I believe a certain thing when I may not.

People read about or hear my story and they just assume that because I stayed in my broken marriage and surrendered my life to God so that He could fix it that I must think that everyone who has been cheated on should stay in their marriage.

I don’t.

Period.

You won’t hear me suggest a divorce to someone or encourage someone to go down that path.  It’s not my role in life to be someone’s Holy Spirit.  I have often said to someone what I would do if I was in a similar situation.  I have also given advice based upon what the Word of God says.  But, the words “Hey, maybe you should get a divorce” will not come from my mouth.

Even if I’m thinking it.

Cuz I have.

So, if I could be frank for a minute, I will tell you that I’m a little tired of hearing from people, usually women who have been cheated on, that they have value and rights, too. (They do. We all do.  That’s not the issue here.)  That they shouldn’t be expected to stay with their cheating husbands and just wait for God to “fix it”.  That they should just wait while their husband continues in his sin path and be there with open arms when, if, he decides to return home to them.

When I chose to stay in my marriage it was because God spoke clearly to me.  It was His Word to me.  I prayed that he would guide me.  Not you.  If you are walking the road of infidelity, you have to hear from God.  You have to listen for what He is speaking.  You have to make the decision.

Are we clear, people?

(You say “crystal”).

Thanks for letting me think out loud.

(And thanks for understanding that I’m not writing as often.  Oh, I’m writing alright…just for my book.)

Now, don’t go running away just yet.  I want you to hear some amazing stories this week and next that are being told on my friend, Jenni Clayville’s blog.

Jenni is a firecracker and is on the list of people I’ve met on the Internet but hope to meet in real life.  And don’t worry…I’ve warned Jenni how tall I am.  She might come to my belly button when we finally hug, or so she says.

All week long there will be stories from people who’ve walked the road of infidelity.  Some have made it and have stronger marriages today; others have not.

So please check out www.jenniclayville.com starting today, Monday, and the rest of this week and next week.  My post will be up on Thursday.

And I KNOW you don’t wanna miss that, right?

Right.

I’ve got a little something exciting to share with you.

Starting on Tuesday, September 7, there is going to be an online conference that last for six weeks.  My friend, Lori Wilhite, is doing it through her blog Leading and Loving It.

The Conference is called Just One. And it’s geared for pastor’s wives and women in ministry.  But, please don’t let that deter you.  I mean, I really think anyone can be blessed by what will be shared.  The best part about it is that it’s free.

FREE.

The second best part is that each speaker is presenting a “talk” that is between 8-10 minutes long.

So, literally you have no excuses for the time thing.

There are three different times each day you can watch the messages.  I’ll be sharing on marriage and there will be many others sharing, too.  If you want to see the speaker line up and get more information, click here.

You won’t be disappointed!