Quotes from Karen Ehman

Different isn't wrong. It's just different.

Repentance is simply agreeing with God about our wrong and then doing an about-face and walking in the other direction, committing the sin no more.

The best way I have learned over the years to be still is to dive into the pages of my Bible. Immersing myself in God's Word provides protection. It snaps my heart back to attention and helps me to run to him for rescue rather than try to fix things on my own. Psalm

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning. PROVERBS 10:12 – 13

My words, sometimes even my lack of words, have caused me much pain over the years. It hasn't always been that I have gossiped or lied. Sometimes I just talk too much. Or I repeated the words of others, which I should not have. Other times I have tried to say the right thing, but it came out the wrong way. Or I have said the right thing but in the presence of the wrong people or at the wrong time. There was just no shortage to the ways I could misuse my mouth.

When we read the Bible, we learn. However, when we write out biblical commands in a way that is personal to us, we allow the Word to take root deep within our hearts. This will help us the next time we are faced with a challenging situation and need to use words wisely. When we have trained our brain to recall and apply biblical nonnegotiables, we are equipped to speak, act, and react in ways that honor God.

All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. (Proverbs 16:2)

Marriage is not about our ultimate happiness," she replied. "That is a lie from the devil. Marriage was made to refine us, to grow our character. It exposes the worst in us so that we see the need for humility, grace, forgiveness, and, most of all, our need for Jesus in our marriage.

If there is room in your heart, you'll make room in your home.

Judgment does not win others over. Kindness does.

True love is the steadfast presence of your lover, the willingness to stick it out when things get rocky. It demonstrates love when no one else is looking. True love is wholly committed, costing the giver time and effort.

Kindness starts simply. An encouraging word. A loving gesture. A tender sentiment sent through the mail. A thoughtful small token. The gift of unhurried time. A rousing pep talk. Simply vowing to speak and act in a way that is gentle and kind is the starting point. Aesop was right: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

As we scatter kindness, we help to create a safe space where we can openly share the gospel with others. We get to see a life change right before our eyes. Not only the life of another. But our lives as well.

Doing life with others brings incredible joy.

THE MISSION OF YOUR MARRIAGE

Un-soft answers only worsen the mama drama in my house. And they don't win many points with my coworkers or neighbors either. When we give an un-soft answer, we drizzle a little gasoline on the tiniest spark of a potential spat. It may combust and flare, setting off a big old blaze. However

Flashy on the outside wasn't how Jesus rolled, and flashy on the inside doesn't come from us. We roll in minivans of clay so that God's awesomeness is clearly recognized for what it is: Him and not us.

The world doesn't need more bling. It needs more clay.

When to Be Quiet I will have many occasions to open my mouth in the days ahead. But

Eve was a powerful partner for Adam, a strong and invaluable ally who fought the battles of life standing right beside him.

It all comes down to you and Jesus.

We need to be willing to set aside the distractions and the next task because reaching our children's hearts requires our attention. Love slows down and listens.

Show me who your friends are, and I will show you who you are." If

When Satan gets a foothold, we're in trouble. He wants us to lose our balance. He would love to pin us to the mat, rendering us ineffective for the kingdom. Once we give him a foothold, he can gain a stronghold over us and then go in for the choke hold, finishing us off.