With God all things are possible

I was thinking about Jesus last night. Jesus was flesh and blood, yet He had the ability to understand God and submit to God's plan. How did He do that?

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, a miracle mix of a human egg fertilized by the Spirit. He had God's chromosomes. I imagined Jesus standing, and a bolt of light was filling His head. It may seem kind of simple, but as I thought of this I thought of Jesus' sacrifice and the strength it took to submit to the nails, the cross, and death. I remembered He did that for me.

Jesus sacrifice enables me to have a bolt of light entering my head, overcoming the struggles with unbelief, pride, and selfishness. As the light enters my body, I am changed: I received God's chromosomes. Since I am just a little lady, I shake at the thought.

What in the world can I do to be worthy of this? I understand there is nothing I can do but let the light fill me up, listen attentively, and be willing. It's a simple thing.

What happens when I receive Jesus as my Lord?

I was talking with my brother about what it means to follow God. Following Jesus is like living parallel to the reasoning and attitude of current society. It's similar to walking in an alternate dimension while walking through life.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." (2 Cor. 5:17) But, therein lies the rub. "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matt 9:16-17)

When we willingly acknowledge and accept Christ, we are born again. Yet, we still have the thoughts and attitudes from out upbringing. The next thing is to submit to Christ. We let God work in us to teach us how to live and operate in our new reality.

The best way I can describe the journey:

When settlers came to a new country, their vision was a large farmland with fruitful crops. The land they chose was filled with trees, rocks, grass, and weeds. The land had to be formed into the field. This was not a quick process; it required a lot of work. The trees and stumps had to removed, the rocks cleared, and the grasses and weeds uprooted.

First, the farmer felled the trees and dug up the stumps. As this happened, more rocks appeared. The rocks were gathered off the fields. Then the farmer used the plough, beginning to till the land. This unearthed more rocks, and clumps of grasses. As he cleared the tilled rocks and pulled the weeds, more rocks and ground debris. The farmer continued the process until the land was smooth enough to begin planting the new crop.

But that was not the end. Each day, the farmer walked his field, pulling out new weeds and grasses. Sometimes this meant pulling out some of the plant seedlings and replanting.

Learning to follow God is a process. The good thing is we are the field, and He is the farmer. In the analogy of the settlers, the only thing that didn't "work" was the land. The land didn't fight the farmer; rather it yielded to the farmer's will.

This is the Christian's part in the process.

• Acknowledge your sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 
• Choose one book from the Bible to read.
• Before you begin reading, ask God to teach you, and help you listen. 
• Ask God to bring some older Christians into your life to help you learn. 
• Listen to instruction. However, after hearing, find the same thing in the Word of God. If what you heard isn't there, tell God, and just tuck away the information. 
• Remember, you are the land, not the farmer. Yield to God. Seek Him to discover the areas of your life that He wants to change. 
• Guard your salvation, and rely on God. Men always fail, but God never does.

Following God is Not for Sissies

Many people think of Christians as sweet loving folk who turn the other cheek. In truth following God is not for sissies. While it's wonderful to talk about God and His goodness, it is harder to walk the talk. Christians walk the Word daily and it takes fortitude, humility and character.

Champions in the Old Testament followed God by faith. Faith is not an abstract concept. It requires trust and dedication. When God asked Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt there was a discourse between Moses and God where Moses pointed out all the reasons he couldn't do it. God listened, acknowledged Moses' concerns, and told Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. I imagine Moses thought "okay fine" and thought "how the heck am I going to do this." However, Moses also thought, "well, God told me to do this, so I will just do it and trust God that it all works out." And it did all work out.

Everyday, Christians are faced with the same challenges as everyone else: unemployment, over inflated mortgages, health issues and raising kids. Yet Christians carry an additional challenge: how to be peaceful and patient. This means understanding that all things work for the good of those who trust God and using everyday circumstances to learn to control tempers, avoid depression, and treat people with kindness.

Everyday living isn't necessarily easier for Christians. However, trusting God provides guidance, peace and a sense of hope that sustains Christians.

Faith Keeps Us Strong

Sometimes faith is all we have to keep us strong. As I reflected on my job prospects and my future, all I saw was a black wall. I could not see beyond even to tomorrow. My thoughts went dark and I began to ponder the usefulness of living. I felt as if I was a camper at the foot of a high dark mountain. The side rose slick and insurmountable. The past had trapped me here in this present.

I thought of proverbs "Without hope the people perish." As I searched for hope to help me climb this mountain, I found within my heart another Word: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."

I quickly wrapped this around me like a warm cloak, and realized that even in the darkness, the hopelessness, the fear, God's Word is fruitful and sustaining. I don't know how long I will dwell in this camp. Yet I rest, assured that God is good, and His faithfulness will provide the means to scale this mountain.

New Year New Dreams

Do you have a vision, dream or revelation for your life? Goals and dreams are important to our well-being. Without some kind of aim or direction, we lack focus. Life becomes stale, routine and something to be endured. Without a dream we sometimes fail to enjoy the life that God has given us. Without vision, people perish (Prov. 29:18).

Dreams can be as simple as a New Year's resolution to lose weight, read six books, learn to play an instrument, or paint a room. Take a little time to think about what you would like to do. Make a list, no matter how much of a stretch your dreams may be write them down.

 

Let yourself imagine the end result. Is it satisfying, worth the struggle. Then plan backwards how you can achieve the goal, and begin to achieve your dream.

 

For example, learn to play a guitar: 

• Buy an inexpensive guitar 
• Sign up for lessons 
• Practice each lesson daily 
• Choose a song you love and learn to play it 
• Keep at it. 

Bowl a 300 game

• Start bowling each week. 
• Use house balls until you find the weight that it right for you. 
• Take some bowling lessons. 
• Learn to find your mark and consistently throw the ball on the marks. 
• Buy your own ball and have it drilled for your grip. 
• Practice weekly.

God understands that the nature of man is to dream and achieve. He wants us to be successful and happy. And God knows that we must apply ourselves to achieve our dreams. We can have big dreams and little dreams. No matter, the dream is the thing.

 

Remember To Be Kind

Remember to be kind at all times. Actively look for ways to be kind to other people.

With Christmas around the corner, I find myself remembering. When we lost our infant a young woman reached out to give me comfort. She gave me four mint condition copies of Vogue magazines wrapped with a gold ribbon.

It may seem odd, but it wasn't. Those magazines are still in my magazine rack and each time I see them I have chills in my spine. But not in a bad way. It is like a surge of comfort flooding my body all over again. These were beautiful items to her, an antique dealer, and she reached out to comfort me in the best way she knew.

Don't pass up the opportunity to be kind. It means more than you think.

Going Through Trials With Grace

As I read Psalm 77 this morning, I could see the tight and lonely space where David was residing. He was hemmed in on all sides, and felt abandoned by God. "You hold my eyes from closing; I am so troubled I cannot speak" Amplified, Psalm 77:4. I understood this and I am moving through this same solitary spot.

But God is good, and as I continued to read verse 10 says "And I (David) say, this [apparent desertion of Israel by God} is my appointed lot and trial". I smiled because I admire the humility of this. David choose to accept that this is where God wanted him now, and he choose, he purposed in his heart, to praise God and remember all the good things God had done for him.

I understand that trials and hard times pass. How they pass is up to us. When God has made up His mind that I have to go through something, it does me no good to fuss. I do open my heart to God and through myself on His mercy, don't get me wrong. But I purposely call to mind how good God has been to me, and how I have seen Him act in other trials. It keeps me.

Will God Give Me A Million Dollars

For a long time I have been praying that God would give me a million dollars. I am very open about this, and some people think I am crazy, selfish, proud or self absorbed. Yet I pray in hope and I rest knowing that God knows my heart.

I learned a long time ago that I do not stand against God. Am I perfect in this? No, there are many times when I have fallen, and have to belly crawl like a dog to the throne of grace.

Praying for a million dollars is so outside my control, and easier than praying for the everyday needs. Easier because the everyday needs are more emotional, more immediate, and I desire to control the outcome of the prayer. I have to purpose in my heart to pray and let go, knowing that God will do what God will do. This is where the trust and faith come into play, because God loves me, and somehow things will work out, even if the events unfold differently than I had planned.

I was drawn to Job this morning as I prayed. These words make my heart shake, but fill me with confidence in God at the same time. God says "Brace yourself like a man." Well, that takes the little girl right out of my mind. God says, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay?" Even with the blood of Jesus covering me, I owe God my life. And I say with Job, "I know that You can do all things, no plan of Yours can be thwarted."

So when I pray, I ask God. At the same time, I understand that it's not my will but His that will be done. It's scary sometimes, but I have seen that even in death God is faithful, kind and merciful.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Job (38:1-5)

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Job 40:(6-7)

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Job 41:11

Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42 (1-6)

Being Christian in Hard Times

Being a Christian doesn't mean we won't face hard times. I am facing hard times. But I know God will help me. I have to laugh. The Word says "ask, and keep on asking, seek, and keep on seek, knock and keep on knocking." So I ask a lot. Sometimes I wonder if God gets tired of me asking, but I remember that God is good all the time.

I have been trying to get Bank of America to work with me on my house payments. I practice the Word. I ask and keep on asking. I wondered if others were going through the same thing, but not being as tenacious as me. I advise anyone going through this to be diligent.

I wrote a letter to the White House explaining the situation. Guess what? The President wrote back. My case has been assigned to the homeownership prevention office. I spoke with the homeownership prevention office, discovered they will speak with Bank of America and escalate a resolution.

I praise God for His Word, "ask and keep on asking."

You can read my diary of my dealings with Bank of America:

Bank of America-The President Listened
Bank of America: Who's Home is It
Bank of America Remains Unbending
Bank of America: Ensuring Individuals Enter Default
Bank of America: Here to Make You Homeless

Will Beating Your Child Bring Results

Can beating your child really bring results? The recent case of the Texas judge beating his child because the teen consistently defied the father's request to stop downloading music and movies from the internet, I wonder why the dad didn't just take the computer away. It certainly is a more effective way to make the child realize the consequences of disobedience.

When I think of parents beating their children in the hopes of making them behave, I wonder what the parent is thinking. Perhaps the beating arises from pent up frustrations because other methods have not worked. But I question the parents' ability to apply consistent discipline.

Spanking a child is not beating a child. Spanking is most appropriate for young children. The older the child, the more discipline aids the parent has at his or her disposal. Restricting the activities of an older child usually brings compliance more quickly because an older child can realize that certain behaviors will result in loss of privilege.

Good parenting involves consistent reasonable discipline. God teaches us not to discipline our children with anger that only fuels the rebellion. Rather to apply discipline in a consistent, loving manner:

• Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Prov. 19:18)
• Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. (Prov. 29:17)
• The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. (Prov 29:15)
• He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (Prov 13.24)

While the word "rod" conjures up images of sticks and belts, God is not saying to beat your child with a belt or stick. Parents have many "rods" at their disposal:

• Time-out 
• No television 
• No computer 
• No social event

Using these rods in a consistent way will help your child to understand that actions have consequence. And these rods may have a better effect than a belt.

When Spanking is Beating: Parental Bullies

Loving Our Kids On Purpose: Making A Heart-To-Heart Connection

Paranormal Activity

What amazes me is that people easily believe in paranormal activity-ghosts, spirits, hauntings, possessions-but are skeptical when it comes to believing in God. We live in a three dimensional environment, but we know that there are more angles to life than we can see, feel or touch.

I am struggling with sadness and a negative attitude. Struggling because I am constantly banishing the despondent thoughts trying to blanket my mind and steal my hope. And I am weary.

So I am cruising the television channels, looking for positive or funny things to watch. I stop on a preacher I have heard good things about. He spoke about how God using the adverse situation in our lives as stepping stones to greater things. (There goes that character thing again).

What amazed me is the message was focused on jobs and different situations that lead to unfair termination and betrayal. Whoa! My ear turned and I listened. God was speaking directly to my heart, telling me to let go of the pity and negative thoughts, and turn my eyes towards the good that will come of this.

God reached through the veil and used someone to speak directly into my heart, into my situation and into my attitude. This is positive paranormal. Paranormal means "seemingly outside normal sensory channels," and "not in accordance with scientific laws."

I admit that paranormal activity exists, and I choose the positive paranormal to guide my life.

Faith

A door beyond vision
or
A place beyond touch.
What cannot be known, is.
Transparent substance
That sustains through trials
And leads, like a light,
Down the shadowed corridors
Of an unknown day.

Things beyond knowledge
Are known through the heart:
Planted by a word from God
That grows, perceptive in the Spirit,
Discerning what is
And has not been,
Yet.

copyright penstruck

Easter-Christ is Risen, but where's the bunny

I have never understood how the Easter bunny became the symbol of Easter. On Easter, Christians acknowledge the fact the Jesus rose from the dead. This day, Easter Sunday, is a time of joy, celebrating the newness of life that followed the death and crucifixion of Jesus.

But the bunny? History.com has some information on ancient tales of rabbits and eggs symbolizing new life. So maybe that is the connection. It's easier for me with Santa Claus, who brings gifts. I associate this with the great gift God gave in Jesus' birth.

I dug a little deeper, and found that Easter is defined as a wind from the east. As I searched the Bible, I found that the star the lead the Magi to Jesus was in the east.

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. (Gen 2:8)

Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service (Isaiah 41:2)?

And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. (Ezekiel 43.2)

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:27)

I found 112 references to "the east" in the New Revised Standard. But I couldn't find the bunny.

Best Ways to Show Others You are a Christian

Smile. Did you know that when someone smiles as you, it instantly lifts your spirit and makes you think there is hope.

Be patient. A crowded checkout line is difficult on the checker, too. While you are waiting in line at the drive-thru ATM, get your card out, sign your checks and prepare your deposit. It will keep you busy, and help those behind you others get through the line faster.

Be a good listener. Let people tell their stories, their troubles, and share their joys without interruption. Ask God to help you hear, and respond with a word in due season.

Be patient. You did not get to where you are overnight, and no one else does either.
Don't think you have solved the puzzles of life and have the "right" answers. If you did, you would be with Jesus.

Love always. Love is not the kissy, feeling stuff. It is the sustaining attitude that you will be the pillar in the lives of those you know. You will accept their shortcomings, and treat them like Jesus treats you.

Pray and talk to God. When your boss yells at you, when you are facing a challenge at work or school, when you are stumped on a problem, talk to God. He does care about you.

What does it mean to be a Christian

What does it mean to be a Christian? Christian is an accepted term for a group of religious dominations subscribing to the belief that God sent his Son, Jesus, to live and die so that mankind could be once and for all united with God, beyond the Old Testament law.

So does being a Christian mean that you are a member of a denomination, even a non-denomination? Or does being a Christian mean that you, as an individual, have accepted as indisputable truth the Jesus was born of a virgin, lived, and died to reconcile you to God? And, if you, as an individual, believe and accept this, what is the responsibility of your everyday life?

Does it mean you follow a pre-described set of rules defined by an organized sect of the Christian religion? Or do you follow your heart?

It is good to be taught, and to understand Jesus and God's word. It is good to spend time understanding the sin nature of yourself, and why God had the need to send Jesus to die. You cannot change your nature, but you can ask Jesus to change your nature. And you can act as God would, with love, compassion and patience.

You can, through reading the Bible, prayer, and a devotion of thought life, draw close to God. So that you can ask, in any situation, how you should respond.

You cannot get close to God by following rules designed to define how you should act. Do you think God cares if ladies wear makeup, or men play cards? Only if in doing those things, your character is affected. God is concerned about the character of a person, not the actions. But, but, you say.

BUT think about it. The reason you do something is directly related to your inner man. When your character is aligned with God, you will only WANT to do things that reflect that.

It is simple, really, to be a Christian. Do good, and don't wait for people to praise you for it. It is only you and God. You can be a Democrat, and still be a Christian. You can understand that you are meant to live in the world, and be a light, so you mix with unbelievers, you go to school with them, and you work with them.

As you walk, be a person who lives in the light. People will come to you. Because they will be curious about your peace, your kindness, your excellence in your work, or education.

Homeschooling: Learning to spell

When I was a little kid, somehow, I fell in love with words. I had a best friend, Kathy Schmidt. Her last name was the first word I learned to spell.
I am a smart person. But when I was a kid, I didn't have a filter, you know, the thing that makes you hold back on saying what you really mean. That did create some problems for me growing up. But eventually, I learned to craft words more kindly.
Anyway, Kathy and I were in her house, and her Dad was teaching her to spell her last name. S-C-H-M-I-D-T. It was interesting at first, but Kathy just couldn't get it. Her Dad was very patient, spelling it over, and over, and over. "Oh, comeon, Kathy, schmidt, it's not that hard!" I said.
Her Dad looked at me with real kindness, and said not everyone was a smart as me, and I had to learn to be more patient. I said I was sorry, and I meant it. But it set me to wondering, how smart was I? And more, how could words have such power?

Words are the most powerful tools we have. As parents, our words actually shape the personality, security and self-esteem of our kids. As adults, words affirm, solidify and amuse. Words are powerful, use them with care.

Christianity today: a simple calling

"Come, and I will make you fishers of men". This is what Jesus said when he called the first disciples, Andrew and Peter. The men left their fishing nets and followed Jesus.

I am amazed at times how far from that moment Christianity have moved. It's no longer "Come", but "come, and do this, and do that, and act this way, and dress that way, and don't do this, and don't do that, and you will learn to be a fisher of men". It seems as if many Christians have assumed the life changing power of Christ, and put very many caveats on accepting Jesus as Lord.

But it's very simple. "Come." Don't worry about your present lifestyle or actions. If you hear the call to "come," just do it. What you will learn is that God is very capable of helping you become the person He wants you to be. What does God want? Honesty, integrity, self-respect, fairness, kindness, goodness and people able to show love. Because God loves us. And we are His mirrors.

Legend has it that Peter was a jerk. He admitted he was a sinful man. Peter also said to Jesus "Where else would we go? You are the Lord." Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom. But not because Peter was so saintly, but because Peter was always the first to believe, and Peter knew that Jesus was Lord.

If God calls to you "Come," let your heart respond. Trust God to teach you, as Jesus taught His disciples. Honestly, you will learn about how Jesus built his disciples faith. Jesus took them out in the boats after they had a long, unsuccessful day of fishing, and filled their nets. Jesus sent them ahead in a boat to the other side of the lake, and then walked out to them. He awoke during a storm when they were afraid and stopped the storm. He fed the thousands from the few loaves and fishes His disciples brought Him. Jesus talked with the disciples daily, answered their questions, and was a living example of the character of God. They knew Him well, and He was whom they desired to be.

The effects of being a Christian

I write articles on Helium. I like the site, there are always interesting titles. There is a Marketplace where I can compete for money, and the opportunity to be published beyond the Internet. I have had some of my poems published, I write at other sites. I, like so many others, am working on a book, and have hopes of eventually supporting myself this way. But in the meantime, I work in accounting. Not a bad profession, not as boring as everyone jokes about.

My brother’s favorite joke: “Did you hear the one about the accountant who walked into a party and was so boring, the other accountants noticed?”

HA!

Today I had an email from a fellow writer on Helium. She stated she was a “happy heathen” and had some objections to my Christian undertones in my article. I was very pleased, actually. I am a Christian, and live my life according to the Word, the Bible. I don’t profess to be perfect, have all the answers, or have “arrived”. I am just a bozo on the bus, but I am a believer, and I am happy. To know that even my “unchristian” writings reflect who I am is a high compliment to me.

I wonder sometimes why people are so offended by Christianity. If they don’t believe in God, Jesus, or any of the principles, why should they care if I do? I don’t mind if they don’t share my beliefs. Some Christians might think that is awful, but I have considered this for a while.

Tell me, as Jesus walked among men, when did He have a screaming match with someone who refused to believe in Him? Well, once at the temple, when the temple courtyard was set up like a marketplace, with people selling sacrificial lambs, holy garments and other articles of prayer and worship, because they had turned the Holy Temple of worship into a place for gain. But, other than that, He lived the life, talked the talk and walked the walk.

Jesus offered hope. I took that hope. I thrive on it. When He met Peter at the dock, Jesus said, “come with me, and I will make you fishers of men”. He kept on walking, and Peter followed. Jesus didn’t beat Peter over the head. Jesus offered life. Peter took it.

Peter is my favorite. He reminds me of myself. Peter stumbled, he fell, and he got back up. He just kept following Jesus.

That’s what I do. When I write, my beliefs come through. That’s what Christianity is about. Passing it forward.

God's Healing

I was shopping at Justice with my 9 year old. Justice is a store for tweens, who want clothing like they see on Hannah Montana. While I was outside the dressing room waiting for the next outfit appearance, I notice a young man with a large child in a stroller.
The little girl was disabled, and started to whine slightly. He soothed her and rocked the stroller back and forth. He was picking out some shirts for her to where, that were age appropriate for a tween. How sweet it was, and my heart was really touched. He was in a store his daughter would love, it she was aware that she was nine or ten. But looking at the child, I could see she would not be the energetic, bouncy girl, like my nine year old.
I have been praying for God to heal this child since I saw her. I continue to pray each day. Because God can. He doesn't need me to lay hands on the child. I hope that the girl is healing even now.
I could tell from the man's demeanour that he loved his daughter. And I want his hopes to be blessed. If you will, please pray for this child.

Trust in the Lord with all your Heart

I had an interesting discussion with a fellow beleiver last night. We were talking about Amy Grant, a pioneer Christian singer who attempted a pop crossover and was unsuccessful. Amy, for reasons I don't know, left her husband, Gary Chapman, and married Vince Gill.
My friend was through scriptures at me about how divorce was sin, and the only reason for divorce is infidelity, or adultery. Divorce is not an unforgivable sin. And there are many reasons people split up.
Sometimes, being married to a particular person is unbearable, maybe they abuse drugs, beat you, or worse. And, it is an individual choice to seperate if there is adultery. Some people work through it, some don't. Infidelity can be emotional. Your spouse could have friendships that invade the intimacy of marriage, and circumvent the confidence one spouse is suppose to have in the other. If the two become one flesh, then there is an emotional leaning that develops.
In Proverbs, Chapter3 verse 5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways, acknowledge Hime, and her will make straight your path"
To me, this is a hugh scripture. As a baby boomer, (a nice word for old), I have seen a lot of stuff. One thing I have observed is that people can marry the wrong person. I beleive that God has a path for us, and it includes our mate. I have seen people marry to get children, because the former spouse could not conceive with them. I have seen people marry for lust, for money, or because someone was willing to marry them. My thought is: If God has a path, and we choose another, is God obligated to bless it?
So many people see God as the go-to guy, to get what they want. And God is good, He wants good things for his children. But He also wants obedience and trust. Think about your own children, if you have them. Young children want what they want, and will go to great lengths to get it. The children know the parent loves them, and after obtaining the goal, want the parents support. But the parent was not consulted first, or what the parent said was turned to suit the acquisition of the child's desire.
What I am saying is I don't believe we can walk around shopping and impulse buying, then come to God for His blessing afterwards. The word says "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder". The point here is God joining together.
So what if you come to the conclusion that you have married because you were so hot for the person or what they represented, you couldn't stand it. And here you are, really sorry. What then? Consider Proverbs 3, verse 5-6. Trust in the Lord, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.