There are many days I think I’m WAY out of my league here at the Internet Café’s Marriage Counter. Well, the entire writing team here at the Internet Café is amazing! But being the Marriage Counter editor, I’m keenly aware of the giftedness and passion this team has for marriage. I stand AMAZED at what He’s doing here. I’m so thankful to be connected to these women of grace.
Let me introduce you to one of our Marriage Baristas, Lynn Donovan. She started out as a blog friend but quickly became a phone friend and then a girlfriend in real life friend as we’ve been blessed to spend some time together. She is a woman who intentionally loves with warmth and compassion. She knows no strangers. And those very traits are what led her to start her blog Spiritually Unequal Marriage back in 2006 along with Dineen Miller. Being in a spiritually mismatched marriage herself, the number one thing she wants women to know is “YOU ARE NOT ALONE!” The passion and purpose behind her online ministry is to bring hope, practical help, encouragement and healing through the Lord Jesus Christ, to others who are spiritually mismatched.
After 5 years, their online ministry still encourages women, through articles, Bible studies, and even counseling. Last year the Lord directed Lynn and Dineen’s steps and gave them the words (in record time I might add!) to write a book and Bible study that now extends the length of their lifeline of hope to all women struggling in mismatched marriages.
“Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage” appeared in all the bookstores last week. Each of the 10 chapters is actually one of the 10 Keys that will aid any wife in unleashing God’s love on her marriage. Yes, I said ANY wife. I’m not in a mismatched marriage, but I gleaned truths within each chapter that I’m able to use to help my marriage to THRIVE.
The 10 Keys starts with a personal view into their marriages and is solidly backed up with scripture. In Key 3, Stay Connected, Lynn describes the tension in her marriage – lack of connectivity. She then weaves us through her creative, “fantasy” solution to the problem – Pink Princesses and Football? Hmmm… a VERY unique idea that any of us can do. (You’ll have to read the book and/or listen to her live interview on Grace Café Monday, February 21st at 11 a.m. Eastern to see what this is about!) Lynn skillfully shares tips on staying connected in all aspects of marriage, including the bedroom.
The end of each chapter concludes with a segment called “Discovery”; questions that are actually more like action steps. Taken from this same chapter, “Staying Connected,” I found myself challenged.
1. Think of a time in your marriage where you made an effort to connect with your husband that was outside of your comfort zone. What were the results? Umm….do I REALLY have to answer that, Lynn? I’m embarrassed to say that more times than not I’ve just said, “That’s your thing dear, not mine. But here, why don’t YOU try to do something I want to do?”
Here’s another example from that chapter.
3. What attributes do you most admire about your husband? Write a list, take it with you each morning and give thanks to the Lord for him. This is a challenge that will help ALL marriages THRIVE!
Have I piqued your interest? Would you like to know the other 9 Keys? Would you like to know about raising kids in a mismatched marriage or examples of praying scripture for your marriage and spouse?
There are 3 ways for you to discover all 10 Keys and read this lifeline of hope book.
- Buy the book! Check the book’s website for all the popular places it is available.
- Listen to my CWA Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio, Grace Café. I’m interviewing Lynn LIVE on Monday, February 21st at 11:00 Eastern time. If you miss the live broadcast, don’t worry, it’s archived as a podcast so you can listen or download it anytime from the same link. Click on the link above that says Grace Café. It will take you directly to the interview. ***There’s also a giveaway through Grace Café until Thursday. Find us on FB and leave a message that you would like to win a copy of the book. The winner there will be announced on Friday.
- Enter our Giveaway right here at the Marriage Counter! We are going to bless one woman with a copy of “Winning Him Without Words.” You can be entered a total of 4 times. Simply leave a comment stating you would like to win a copy of Lynn’s book. If you Facebook a link to this post, come back and tell me and you’ll be entered a second time. Mention it on your blog with a link to this post and be entered a third time. But wait! There’s more! Tweet this post and you’ll be entered a fourth time! Remember to come back here each time and comment about where you’ve left a link. ***The giveaway will end Sunday, February 27 at Noon. The winner will be announced with Monday’s new marriage post.***
Step out in faith. Dare to dream a wild hope. Embark on an unexpected journey with Lynn and Dineen and experience the wonder of Scripture as it comes to life, filling you with truths that will rock your world and leave you with a fresh perspective and HOPE.
Here’s the link for the interview with Lynn. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/02/21/grace-cafe
I think I need a good read with or without winning
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I would love to win a copy of Lynn’s and Dineen’s book!
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I would totally enjoy a free copy of your book!
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