Summer Breezes

Hello Friends -

When I lived in western NY the kids returned to school the Wednesday after Labor Day. But now that I live in the southeast, they return the first 2 weeks of August. Even though I’ve been a “southerner” for 10 years, it still feels strange to hear “back to school” discussions and advertisements in July.

Whether you are still enjoying a summer breeze, or piling up school backpacks and notebooks, I pray this newsletter will bless, inform and encourage you.

In this edition we will explore deception and direction. One moves toward disaster, the other points to Godly wisdom. Keep your eyes on the prize!!

Enjoy!!

Watch Laura on TV

To view Laura’s recent appearance on The Harvest TV Show (She is the first guest after the introduction)

[Click Here]

Are You Deceived?

by Laura Petherbridge

I met George W. Bush at the International Christian Booksellers Convention a few weeks ago. No kidding! I’ve got a picture to prove it. Are you hitting the zoom button to get a closer look, scrutinizing the photo more intensely? Have I fooled or deceived you? Did I photoshop his image next to mine?

We live in a skeptical world. Perhaps it’s because most of us have been betrayed at some point in life. When someone deceives me, I feel stupid. Berating thoughts swirl, “How could I have been so gullible. Why did I trust him/her?” Then my mind crawls back into its protective shell and I’m determined never to get tricked again.

Laura and a very special guest

Can a person keep from being duped? In some circumstances, and with certain people, it seems easier than others. However, we know...[click here to read]

My boyfriend and I are both divorced; we attend church and believe in God. I would like to marry him but he says marriage kills a relationship. We are sexually active although I’ve told him I feel it’s wrong. How can I convince my boyfriend to get married?

Before I answer your question let’s take a moment and review this man’s character:

1. He knows that sex outside of marriage is hurting you, but he continues to pursue it. (And you comply)
2. He claims to believe in God, but betrays His commandments, teaching and ways.
3. He has a distorted view of marriage.
4. He dishonors you by ignoring your needs and desires.

I beg you to ask yourself why you desire to marry someone who has revealed a lack of character, does not respect you, and has a distorted view of marriage. This person is clearly revealing who he truly is, why don’t you believe him?

My guess is that you have not learned how to detect someone who is emotionally unhealthy. The answer to your question is not how to get this man to marry you, but rather why you so desperately want to become one flesh with him.

Are you aware that a fear of losing your boyfriend is causing you to sacrifice your relationship with God? I speak from experience because I’ve done the same thing. Unmarried people are often so afraid of singleness that they submit to things that God forbids. We foolishly think that because society says it’s OK, there won’t be consequences.

Here is a word picture that might help. Imagine a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Now place a drop of bleach into the drink. What happened? You took something healthy and delicious and made it toxic. That’s what pre-marital sex is doing to your relationship.

God NEVER says no to anything good for us, only the things that are “bleach” in our OJ. However, we choose to disbelieve Him because it "feels" right.

You are too precious to live in this manner; God loves you and wants a life of contentment. He desires this for your boyfriend also, but he must be willing to look to Christ. It’s not your job to get another person’s relationship with God on the right track.

Seek Jesus and he will show you how to take a hold of this destructive situation. I fear that if you don’t, you will cry a river of tears in the future.

Click here to order your copy!

Help! I’m Single—Again !!

This workshop is for anyone navigating the complex journey back into the single life after marriage.  Laura will share how to:

• Recognize the unique issues and emotions “single again” people face.
• Overcome the fear and uncertainty of the future.
• Tackle the loneliness of single living.
• Understand what adult children and kids feel about single parent families.
• Let go of the past and embrace a new season of life.
• Know when you are ready to date.

Click here to read more about Laura's other speaking topics.

Resource
Give-Away Contest:

Last month’s Winner Nicole Neve, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois. Congratulations, Nicole!

This month’s resource give-away contest winner will receive "Direction: Discernment for the Decisions in Your Life" by Cheri Cowell. Click here for more info about the book.

Be the 12th person to contact me. To enter this month's Resource Give-Away Contest, enter simply by contacting me.

Did You Know...

Did you know that in today’s world there are:

• 1.3 billion Muslims
• 900 million Hindus
• 360 million Buddhists
• 14 million Jews
• 1.9 billion Christians

Resource-Willow Creek, Don’t All Religions Lead to God?, pg 17