I'm really excited about the book, The Love Dare. My husband and I have been married for twenty years and honestly, we have a pretty solid marriage. God intervened on our behalf to get us together (it's a pretty amazing story and someday I'm sure I will write about it) but we've had our difficulit times over the years too. When I came back from the BAM (Books A Million) convention I had two copies of this book with me. We started doing the devotionals/dares last week and wow! It's been eye-opening for both of us. It's like looking into a truth mirror and seeing all the selfishness and pride and fear looking back.

Some of the dares have been encouraging, like last night's on jealousy. We have been each others greatest cheerleader and have encouraged each other in our goals and dreams. Other day's dares have been challenging, like the appreciation room vs. the deappreciation room. I have to admit to writing past failures on the walls and bringing those up (out of my fear) when we are headed into a decision or direction that didn't turn out so well in the past. For me, it always goes back to the same thing: Am I going to trust God to take care of me and my emotions in the face of sin (mine or his) or am I going to try to control a situation so that I don't risk getting hurt?

How liberating to trust God completely in the good and bad! And how difficult! Lately, the Lord has been showing me how His joy can be my strength. Nehemiah 8:10 "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." I pray that the Lord will fill us with His joy and that we all might live from that strengthened place in Him.