December 6 Care Group

Tonight we discussed Chapters 2 and 3 of our book. These themes were emphasized:

-The purpose of our lives is to glorify God.

-We exist for Him and not vice versa.

-God is so big and we are so small. It is amazing that He is mindful of us and chooses to show His love to us.

We also read Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 6:1-3, and Psalm 8:3-4.

Summary of November 8

We discussed Chapter 1 of our book and a few of Tony's questions about contentment in life. There's no such thing as contentment outside of a living relationship with Jesus Christ!

October 17

We met at the Browns' home and enjoyed a lovely evening of discussion. We split into men's and women's groups and chatted heartily. Thanks to all!

October 4 Care Group

We shared a meal together at the Versaces' home of soup, sandwiches, cake and cobbler. What a delight it was to be together with you all. You guys are the best!!

Summary of June 21 Care Group

We met in the Browns' backyard for an evening of talking about Chapter 7 in our book. We discussed ways that we encourage one another to walk with God, lay aside worldliness, and deal with patterns of sin in our lives. We need God's grace to change our hearts to truly love and honor Him with our every thought and deed! What an amazing Savior we have!!

Summary of June 9 Care Group

We met in the Browns' backyard for a lovely evening of sharing and prayer. We sang Happy Birthday to Mary and Doug. We enjoyed each other's company. Thanks everyone!!

Summary of May 3 Care Group

Thanks to Debbie for the yummy cookies and veggie tray!


We discussed the following themes from chapter 6 in our book "When Sinners Say I Do."


-Forgiveness is the foundation for a good marriage. Ephesians says "Don't let the sun go down on your anger." So we must be faithful to ask forgiveness of our spouses that is genuine, admit wrong doing and be humble.
-It never "feels" like the right time to ask forgiveness, so we need to ask God's help and speak in humility to solve the conflict.
-Conflicts in marriage are usually small, but we can too easily cling to our being "right" in pride. Humility will disarm the anger and diffuse the tension so that we can move again towards God.
-Forgiveness is costly. In marriage love is the motivation to absorb the debt of the one who wrongs us.
-Recognizing how He took our debt is the only way to move in that kind of forgiveness toward our spouse.
-Forgiveness involves absorbing liability and hurt. It is a divine quiet miracle that God works into us. We have an advocate and a high priest who knows exactly what it means to pay the cost.
-We must be cautious not to become self-righteous in "absorbing" others' offenses against us without referring to the ultimate debt paid for us by Jesus. It is only by His grace and amazing sacrifice that we can forgive others!
-It takes the grace of God to see how much we've sinned against God. Having the "log" in your eye is the starting point.
-Forgiveness is a decision to release someone and choose not to bring it up again.
-Our emotions will follow, like a caboose, when we obey and follow God.

Summary of April 19 Care Group

These pictures are worth 3,000 words!
We had the privilege of sharing a meal tonight. What a great group of friends you all are! We give thanks to God that we get to be your friends!!

Video Trailer For “The Greener Grass Conspiracy”

Video Trailer For “The Greener Grass Conspiracy”

Summary of April 5 Care Group

Thanks to Cheryl for the beautiful trifle dessert! Our theme for the night's conversation was chapter 5 in our book, "Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment." Here's what we talked about: -Have a posture of leaning toward your spouse with an attitude of mercy. This keeps you ready for the unexpected moments that can catch you off guard. -Mercy sweetens marriage and can change the atmosphere of a home from a battle ground to a sweet place. The gospel can keep us in the right posture. -At hectic moments God gives us grace to respond like Him and take time to be merciful. -Mercy doesn't remove the need to speak truth. It replaces the need to win a battle with the desire to represent Christ. -God helps us to be forgiving, patient, merciful with co-workers and children. I need to ask myself regularly "Do I want to speak to __ about __ because I want God's glory? or because I'm irritated? Am I the center of this? or is God's purpose? -Usually I do worse stuff than anyone I accuse of sinning against me. This is GOOD to remember! -We all need to move in His mercy at home, at work, everywhere, and learn to live in a forbearing way. We can be the shock absorber and let things go, not mentioning offenses. We need to pray for God to make us grow in this area. -God has been SO forbearing with us! Remembering this moves us to receive mercy and give it out freely. -Self-righteousness is the enemy of mercy. We can be so quick to judge even our own children. God wants us to remember our place, our smallness, and trust Him. -God has a never-ending supply to provide us with as we pass on His mercy to others. -In marriage all the masks come off and it can be easy to forget to be merciful to our spouses as we see the good, the bad and the ugly. -Sometimes we judge others because we measure them by our own strengths. This is self-righteous! -We need to ask forgiveness and let that forgiveness affect us powerfully and move into His love as we interact with our spouses.

Summary of March 22 Care Group

Thanks to Sue for the great coconut pineapple cake! We discussed themes from chapter 4 of our book. Everyone related to at least one concept that Dave Harvey presented in this chapter about how to live out our doctrine in our marriages.
-The "lawnmower" analogy struck a chord with many of us. We acknowledge that just like an overheated lawnmower spews engine sludge, our heated situations/circumstances/fatigue...bring our ever-present sinful reactions to the forefront.
-We must admit that when God allows these tempting situations into our lives, it is a way of us seeing His love. He brings out sinful attitudes that need His attention.
-Satan does lurk around every corner and seemingly "out of nowhere" can tempt us. But we always see God's grace as greater, stronger and more present than the temptation.
-We all need to suspect our own hearts and be ready to submit our attitudes to Him for inspection.
-The mind is the battle ground that needs to be trained to choose grace and God's way.
-God allows these things to happen to us as a way to humble us, remind us of our need for Him, and to cause us to remember the cross, seeing His grace and His answer as the only way, the only way of refuge.
-We need to remember that we're worse than we even know, yet God loves us anyway! We mustn't get trapped in self-pity and pride. Let God have His way in His plan of sanctification.
-It will take an eternity to grasp the unfathomable love of God.
-It's important to say to our spouses (anyone we've offended) "Will you please forgive me?" because it's a blow to our pride, admitting our sin. God gives grace to the humble and He helps in a very real way.
-We can create a culture of humility and asking forgiveness in our marriages. It just takes practice.
-Ps 92:12 "The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."
-Don't get overwhelmed by any trial or the logs in our own eyes, trust and love Him!
-Our hearts will be opposed to Him, but we are aware of it and that gives us hope to run to Him for the answer.

Summary of March 8 Care Group

We started by singing about the glory of our Redeemer. Tony read to us from Psalm 86: 8-10 "You are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." We discussed many themes that apply not only to our marriages, but to our personal trials as well. They were:

1. Satan attacks in many ways, trying to get us to be overwhelmed by our past sins and our guilt and to make us feel disqualified. But Jesus has done such a magnificent work that all our sins are covered. He does NOT hold us under the power of past failures/sins. It does us well to remember what He has done much more than what we have done!
2. Phil 4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." We must remember to give our concerns to God and hold on to His word in all circumstances. He is pleased with us when we put His word and His way first in our lives.
3. Solid doctrine helps us to battle temptations, sins, and life's trials. As we hold fast to what He has taught us to trust in His character we remember His faithfulness and goodness.

Summary of January 4 Care Group

We enjoyed a lovely evening at the Brown's home. Oh how good it is for us to be together! Everyone brought an appetizer and we feasted. Then we gathered in the beautifully decorated living room and shared our memories of Christmas from childhood. We learned a lot about each other as we laughed and chatted. Thanks to our Social Committee for planning a much-needed relaxing evening for everyone!