By Ashley McIlwain We lock our doors. We install high-tech alarm systems. We fasten our seat belts. We wear helmets. We look both ways before crossing the street. We use anti-virus software. We buy guns. We use antibacterial soap. The truth is, we want to feel safe, so we do everything we can to establish
By Ashley McIlwain We’ve all heard the saying “divide and conquer.” Quite frankly, that’s how most of us survive our days, right? You have your responsibilities and tasks to handle, and your spouse has his or hers. That’s how you manage to keep the boat afloat. That’s how my husband and I operate too, but
By Ashley McIlwain If there is one thing I can guarantee you about your marriage, it is that your spouse will hurt you. You read that right. Your spouse will inevitably hurt, disappoint, frustrate, and anger you at some point in time during the course of your marriage. The reverse is true as well. You
By Ashley McIlwain What happens when your spouse disappoints you? What if you’re not happy in your marriage, and you’re convinced there are greener pastures awaiting you? What if what you thought you signed up for with your spouse and marriage doesn’t exactly align with reality? What if your spouse doesn’t deserve your love? What
By Dr. Jeff Klick Most of us struggle with our past. We have failed, sinned, and generally messed up somehow someway. While this struggle is tough enough for our own minds to deal with, it is compounded when we marry. "The two shall become one," is a Biblical truth. Our reality often falls short of
By Ashley McIlwain It had been one of those weeks. One thing after another, and yet nothing major. Just small dings, bumps, and bruises that began to add up and weigh on me. As the week went on, I felt like a 2 liter of soda being shaken harder and harder with the pressure mounting
By Ashley McIlwain Like most ladies out there, I grew up on fairytales. Those feel-good Disney movies filled with princesses, princes, singing, castles, “true” love, and happy endings. My sisters and I would dance across the living room twirling, singing, and acting out all of our favorite parts. All the while, deep down inside creating
By Steve McIlwain Hubs here. It was 1990. The sun was setting on 80’s glam rock: Twisted Sister, Poison, Cinderella, and Motley Crue had reached their apex and were fading into the rear view mirror. Van Halen, Bon Jovi, and Guns N Roses reigned supreme. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden were primed
By Steve McIlwain Hubs here. 2013 is complete. Looking forward on January 1st, 2013, the New Year was a blank canvas. We were unsure what it might bring. We knew that a move was possible but weren’t exactly sure if it would happen. I was working towards moving up the promotion ladder at work. Ashley
By Ricinda Perry Do you remember your parents saying: “You’ll become like the friends you choose,” or “Just because she jumped off a bridge, would you jump off a bridge?” When under your parents’ protection and guidance, they help to keep us on the right track, gently prodding us to make wise choices. Unfortunately once
