Our church photographer snapped this photo during Valley Family Church's 30th Anniversary celebration and it makes me happy because ever since 1978 when I gave my heart to Jesus, He is the most important relationship in my life! I love to praise and exalt Him!


To think that we can have a real relationship with God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is beyond amazing! But we don't get to know a "generic" God, we get have a real, personal, heart connection with God -- or what the Bible calls the Godhead: God as our Heavenly Father; Jesus as our Lord, Savior and Healer and the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Counselor, Comforter and so much more. I can't think of anything more satisfying than having a dynamic relationship with the Lord.

How about you? Do you feel the same way? Or, are you struggling with a sense of apathy or disconnect in your walk with the Him? No matter where you find yourself at the moment, the Lord wants a close relationship with you and there are simple things you can do to rekindle your relationship with Him. (We are talking about this topic in our January 2022 series, Heart Ablaze at Valley Family Church. Our son, Eric Jones, recently preached a message that will encourage you in your walk with the Lord -- feel free to watch it here -- "Set a Fire.")

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I wrote about our relationship with the Lord in my book, "Balance: Today's Christian Women Defined and Realigned" and I wanted to share a little portion with you. We looked at four different kinds of people and their relationship with the Lord. Here's an excerpt -- updated for women and men -- that I hope encourages you to start 2022 off on the right foot with God.

#1: Seeker Sally

Seeker Sally doesn’t know God. She’s never established a real personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, she is seeking. She is tired of the same old, same old empty life she's been living. She is ready to humble herself, repent of her sins and invite Jesus into her life as her Lord and Savior.

Do you identify with Seeker Sally? Are you ready to turn from your own ways and open your heart to God to experience His forgiveness for all of your sins? There's nothing better than being forgiven and at peace with God. Are you ready for that? It starts by surrendering to the Lord and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life -- you can pray a prayer like this:

“Dear God, I come to You and I realize that I am in need of a Savior. Jesus, I believe in You. I believe that God raised You from the dead, and I invite You into my life to be my Lord and Savior. Teach me Lord and help me to be the person You have called me to be. Amen.”

#2: Lukewarm Larry

Lukewarm Larry is a “lukewarm” Christian. He's not on fire for God, but he doesn’t hate the Lord either. He isn’t happy being lukewarm because in his heart he knows he is half-hearted. He knows Jesus had some important words for the half-hearted, lukewarm believers, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-17, NLT) 

Lukewarm Larry realizes that he needs to change. He knows it's time to make a full surrender and commitment to Jesus. Can you relate to Lukewarm Larry? Are you ready to get fired up for the Lord, once again? Let’s pray:

“Dear Father, I repent for being so lukewarm. I want to be hungry and thirsty for You. I surrender my life to You, and I ask You to revive me according to Your Word; light the fire in me Lord. I choose to seek You, I am desperate for You and I ask You to surround me with people who will help me to be the on-fire Christian You have called me to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

#3: Backslidden Bob

Backslidden Bob has lost his first love for the Lord. He's backslidden in his walk with God and has allowed the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, the busyness and love of other things choke God and His Word out of his life. Now, he’s tired of living a double life and he’s ready to make things right with God again.

Do you identify with Backslidden Bob? Are you ready to return to your first love? Jesus said this, “But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5, AMP)

Tell the Lord you’re ready to return to Him. Go back to doing the things you enjoyed with the Lord in the very beginning -- maybe reading your Bible more; maybe singing more worship songs or spending more time in pray. Here's a good prayer to get started: 

“Dear Father, I repent for backsliding and moving away from You, my first love. I have let other things creep in and steal Your place in my life. Jesus, You are my first love and I want to rekindle our relationship and do the things I did when I first knew You. I am asking You to help me to pray, seek You and knit my heart to You in a new and fresh way. Thank You for Your mercy and grace and for restoring me as I return to You. Help me to be the Christian You have called me to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

#4: Hungry Helen

Hungry Helen is so hungry for God she can barely contain her enthusiasm. Her heart is stirred up, fired up and always eager to know God in a greater way. She's not satisfied with any distance in her relationship with the Lord. She wants to be close to Him. Are you like Hungry Helen? If so, continue to seek the Lord and ask for more of Him! Let’s pray:

“Dear Father, You are my all in all. I am so hungry for You. I thirst for Your Presence, Lord. I seek You with my whole heart and I crave and require You as the necessity in my life. Speak to me through Your Word and by Your Spirit. Help me to live a life worthy of You and fully pleasing to You in every way. I choose to walk in the fear of the Lord and I trust You to reveal more of Yourself to me. Work in my life and help me to be the person You have created me to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

This is me and Jeff, my beloved husband of 36 years. I love him and he loves me ... and we love Kalamazoo! 

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Perhaps you've heard this story.

So, a woman died and went to heaven.
When she got to the Pearly Gates she asked St. Peter how to get into heaven.
Peter said, “It’s simple, just spell one word.”
“Great,” she replied, “what’s the word?”
Peter answered, “Spell L-O-V-E.”
The woman proceeded to spell L-O-V-E perfectly and St. Peter welcomed her into heaven. After a few moments, Peter asked the woman to guard the Pearly Gates because he had to run an errand.
She asked him, “What should I do if someone shows up at the Gates?”
St. Peter replied, “You’ll know what to do.”
Peter left, and within a few minutes this woman’s husband showed up at the Pearly Gates.
“What are you doing here?” the woman asked him.
“I don’t know,” the man answered, “I must have died and now here I am at the Pearly Gates. How do I get in?”
“It’s easy,” she responded, “you just have to spell one word.”
“Really?” he said, “What’s the word?” “
Czechoslovakia” she answered!

Ha! Doesn’t sound like a happy marriage, does it?

The truth is, marriage is God's idea and He wants you and your spouse to be happy together!

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I wrote a chapter on marriage in "Balance: Today's Christian Women Defined and Realigned" and described some of the challenges we all face, as well as the blessings that come when we love our spouse, God's way! Here's another excerpt that I hope encourages you in your marriage relationship.

God’s Word outlines the secret to walking in His blessings as a husband and wife. It starts by keeping Jesus at the center. Without Jesus at the center of a marriage, couples are powerless to love each other unconditionally and are held hostage by selfishness, anger, resentment, distance and eventually a cold marriage. When marriage is done God’s way, the Lord helps couples walk in love to enjoy a marriage made in heaven.  

Before we talk about how to have a marriage made in heaven, let's talk about how to avoid a marriage made by hell.

Hollywood makes a monogamous marriage look boring while it glamorizes adultery, immorality and free sex -- these things are made to look appealing, exciting and free of consequences. On a recent TV talk show, one of the guests who had committed adultery suggested that ninety percent of married men have committed or entertained the idea of adultery. That is a sad speculation. The problem is that in real life, adultery and immorality create heartbreak and pain for all parties involved. Let’s look at this.

Proverbs 11:29 says, "Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind . . ." (NLT) When a husband or wife makes the bad choice of having an affair or walking away from their spouse, their choice definitely troubles their family. Without fail, in the end those who trouble their own family, inherit the wind. As time goes on, they find that their relationship with their children is empty, detached, full hurt and obligatory love. They often have nothing of lasting value to show for their lives. If they don't make the proper course corrections, they often die alone. They’ve inherited nothing! (The wonderful redeeming news is that when people who've troubled their own families experience a godly sorrow that leads to repentance, they can experience God's mercy and grace for a fresh start and His redemptive power in their family.)

We've talked about hell's plan for marriage, but what does a marriage made in heaven look like? A marriage made in heaven starts with the simple basics. Focus on mastering these basics and watch what God will do in your marriage relationship:

>> GUYS: The Bible tells men to simply, "love your wife."

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ...  In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. ... So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33

What can you do to love your wife, today?

>> GIRLS: the Bible tells women to "comfort, encourage and do him good." 

"The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her." Proverbs 31:11-12 (AMP)

What will you do to "comfort, encourage and do your husband good," today?

This is our family and almost all of our kids, in-loves and grands. In this pic we have our kids, Meghan, Annie and Eric and our in-loves, Brodie, Zack and Alexa and grandbabies, Eden, Bram and Ollie -- and of course, Jeff and Jonesie-the-dog. Our son Luke and daughter-in-love Kelsey and granddaughter Flo are living in Australia and not pictured here.)

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There is no better investment to make than into your own family! Parenting is hard work -- but the rewards are huge and they compound over time. So hang in there moms and dads -- stay in it to win it and always keep your joy!

Raising kids is a joy as well as a challenge. As parents, our hearts long for nothing more than to raise kids who turn out right—kids who love God, are successful, obedient, kind, giving, joyful, happily married and on and on. We want to raise kids who are unselfish and servant-hearted—kids who feel worthwhile and valuable. We want them to be confident and articulate. It’s our goal to help our children become healthy and balanced spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. We train them up to lead successful lives in God. And we all know it doesn’t happen by accident!

Being a parent isn't for the faint of heart! 

People ask us if we have any "parenting secrets" and I am sad to say, I don't! That's because I don't think there are any magic bullets for raising kids. It's just loving, nurturing, protecting, training, teaching, forgiving and laughing everyday, for most of their life!

Fast forward a few decades and now that our kids are grown, married and becoming parents of their own, I am happy to report they have all turned out to be the great people I hoped they would be. (Of course, I am their mother and super-biased!)

As I reflect back on the years of raising our kids, I do believe that one ingredient is essential for raising a healthy family and the Bible talks about it! That ingredient is: JOY!

Listen to what Psalm 113:9 says, "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD." 

I love that the Lord not only wants us to be "joyful mothers" (and fathers, too!) but He will help us to be joyful.

What does a joyful mom or dad look like? A joyful parent is someone who trusts in the Lord more than any circumstance they face. They laugh easily, enjoy their children, and they have a glad heart.

Joyful parents know how to nurture, discipline and train her children, and they are intentional about being joyful in the process.

What about you? When was the last time you goofed off with your kids—laughed until you cried, stuck a french fry up your nose, beat them in a burping contest, played hide and seek or told them to skip school so you and they could goof off for a day?

Being a joyful mom and dad will do more for your kids than just about anything. Your genuine joy will open their hearts to hear your words of wisdom and all the other important things you really want to share with them. So, go ahead and make joy a part of your life and family!

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When our kids were in their toddler, preschool and elementary ages, I wrote a fun little newsletter for other moms called, "Just Us Girls" -- to chat it up about motherhood -- partly for my own therapy and partly to bring a joy to other moms in the same season. Here are a few excerpts from those newsletters, I hope it brightens your day! (Sorry guys, this section is definitely focused on moms, but you can glean some good pointers, too.)

>> FOOD THREAT: "Like a good new mother, I had every good intention of feeding my children healthy, balanced meals. But then I regained consciousness. Why did I put myself through the torture? It would have been easier to prepare supper, and rather than putting the food on the table for fifteen minutes while the kids picked at it and then end up throwing the food away, I could have just skipped the “table” step and thrown the food away right after I made it. But no, I played the game.

You know the game: "Food Threat" — “You have to eat what is on your plate or else you will not be able to have a snack; you will go to bed early; you will never eat ice cream again in your entire life; and you will be grounded until you get married.” But, for some reason when your child says, “How many more bites do I have to eat?” and then goes into the gag reflex, you realize you've been outplayed and grandiose hopes of being America’s Top Chef fly out the window."

Any other moms relate?

>> TJ MAXX CHAOS: "Then there’s the trip to the outlet mall . . . I was pregnant with our fourth child when I had a lapse in judgment and took three preschoolers to TJ Maxx for a little shopping. Did I mention I was eight months pregnant? I just needed a few hours circulating with the real world, how crazy could it get?

Annie and Luke were in the shopping cart and Meghan was riding on the outside. I promised them ice cream if they all behaved and obeyed mom. We’d been in the store for thirty seconds when it began.

“Where’s Meghan?” I asked Luke, two and Annie, three and a half years old. “Meghan, Meghan!” I screamed in the store. “Oh there you are hiding in the plus-size rack. No, you don’t need that bra yet, now stay on the cart, honey. Annie and Luke, sit down, don’t stand up in the cart. No Annie, you can’t have those work boots, let’s put them back. Luke, let go of Annie’s hair. Meghan, get back on the cart, do you want ice cream? Sit down Annie. Don’t lean, oh no ...I said, sit down! Annie and Luke don’t lean . . . the cart is going to flip...oh no...”

That’s when I became a pregnant Hercules as I single-handedly gripped the flipping cart and flung it back into its upright position to ensure Meghan, Annie and Luke’s safety and survival. It was also at that time that I became a transformer: nice mommy turned into raving wild woman as I marched all three kids out of that store and to the car. You could have heard my lecture three states away, “I asked you to obey mommy in the store, didn’t I? Don’t you understand that I just needed a break today? I can’t believe you kids acted just like 2, 3 and 5 year olds! We are not going to get ice cream, do you hear me? No ice cream for you…”

Anyone else make an 8-months pregnant scene somewhere?

>> SEARS PHOTOS FOR DAYS: "I could tell you about the trip to Sears for the 152 photos in multiple sizes that end up in a huge envelope in a file cabinet for years, for only $24.99…but you can guess how that turned out. I am glad to report that our children aren’t scarred, but we do have some funny memories! And, I know that as a mother, you have your own fun stories!"

Investing into your kids, no matter how crazy the season may be is always worth it! What could you do to introduce joy, laughter and fun into your relationships with your kids, this month?