Hello SUMites. Lynn here. I wonderful and encouraging comment was left on the post: My Husband Walk Out of Church Because…… I wanted to share it with all of you. It's written by Tessia Reeves, who has guest posted int he past. Discover El Roi, our ...
Hello SUMites. Lynn here. I wonderful and encouraging comment was left on the post: My Husband Walk Out of Church Because…… I wanted to share it with all of you. It’s written by Tessia Reeves, who has guest posted int he past.
Discover El Roi, our God who sees. Hugs, Lynn: Now her response:
Lynn,
Your response is beautiful, helpful, and insightful. I resonate with the writer and her prayer request. I can raise my hand in agreement with the frustration of waiting for our spouses to “get with the program.”
The Lord caught my attention when resentment began to take root in my heart over this issue. It was a path I did not want to continue down. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit had to free my heart so that I could love my husband regardless of the pace of his spiritual transformation. For me, it became a matter of trusting my Creator through the process of waiting, praying, and obeying.
I deeply desire to share who I am in Christ—Scripture, the ways I see the Lord all around me, testimonies, and more—with the spouse He gave me. Now, however, I ask the Lord before I open my mouth: Would this comment sound self-righteous? Would he hear it as condemnation?
It is not so much about hiding who I am as it is about fully surrendering my speech, attitude, motives, and heart posture within my marriage. In doing so, I can now hear the Lord more clearly when He whispers, “It’s okay to speak,” or, “Keep that to yourself. He’s not ready for that.”
With this new discernment, there is more peace in my heart and in my relationship. I am no longer fighting that battle. I am getting out of the way of the only One who knows my husband’s story from beginning to end.
He has made a way for me—not only through this online community, but also through my church community—to praise freely, lift my hands and voice, speak my heavenly language, and be among brothers and sisters who “get it.” It is almost as if, when I took my eyes off my spouse and looked to Him for what I needed, He provided.
He is such a gracious keeper of His Word, and I am forever grateful for my story, my spouse’s story, and all the messy details in between.
Be encouraged. El Roi is the One who truly sees us and hears the prayers we pray.
Below is a prayer request from a community member.
This is a common concern that arises in many families and marriages: What do we do about church? I’m going to share her prayer request below, as she is seeking wisdom about changing churches. Specifically, she wants to know how to respond to her husband’s resistance to attending a more charismatic church.
However, I believe we can all learn from her request, as each of us faces challenges in our marriages related to church. After sharing her prayer request, I’ll offer my response. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts as well. God bless you, and have a wonderful week. Love and hugs, Lynn
From M: I think I’m being called to a more charismatic church. Me and my family checked it out this last Sunday, me and my son loved it! My husband walked out to the lobby before the worship was over because the spirit manifesting was uncomfortable for him. I want to go back and so does my son. But my husband doesn’t want the kids there, it was just too much for him. I’m craving more closeness with the spirit and excited to see the spirit move. The church we’ve been going to is sleepy in my opinion. He said he will go with me to a “regular” church like that, but not a charismatic one. So, I need some direction. I don’t want to make my husband feel abandoned, but I don’t want to abandon myself and the Holy Spirit! Especially after my husband says that his faith level hasn’t changed since we started dating. And of course I want my kids to attend church.
Response Lynn to M:
I hear the tension you’re carrying, and it makes sense. When the Holy Spirit has awakened hunger in your heart, it can feel painful when the people you love aren’t in the same place yet. But your desire for more of God is beautiful — and I understand completely. The Lord is stirring something in you, and He’s doing the same in your son. That matters.
At the same time, your husband’s discomfort is not something to ignore or push past. When someone hasn’t been taught about the gifts of the Spirit or hasn’t experienced His presence in that way, it can feel overwhelming and can make him angry or resentful. His reaction doesn’t mean he’s rejecting God — it means he encountered something he wasn’t prepared for. And that’s okay. The Holy Spirit never forces Himself on anyone.
Here’s the encouragement I want to give you:
You don’t have to abandon your hunger for the Spirit, and you don’t have to abandon your husband. The Lord will show you how to honor both.
Sometimes the path forward is not choosing one or the other, but allowing the Holy Spirit to gently shepherd your family at a pace your husband can handle. You can continue growing, learning, and experiencing more of the Spirit without creating fear or division at home. And you can trust God to draw your husband in ways you cannot. If your husband will attend the conservative church, with the kids, then go with him. But if there are Sunday’s or other events at the church you desire, attend then and when you can. Watch teaching on Youtube as it will greatly encourage you.
Your husband’s comment about his faith not changing since you started dating is actually a clue — he’s telling you where he is spiritually. That’s not a condemnation; it’s an invitation for prayer. The Holy Spirit is fully capable of awakening him, softening him, and preparing him for more. You don’t have to make that happen. Let God do this for you. You pray and believe.
For now, here are a few gentle steps:
Keep your heart open to the Spirit. Don’t shut down your hunger.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare him, teach him, and draw him.
Ask the Lord for wisdom about how your children can stay connected to church life without creating conflict.
Trust that God is leading all of you, even if at different speeds.
You are not choosing between your marriage and the Holy Spirit. You are choosing to walk in love, patience, and discernment while the Spirit continues His work in your home. And He will. He is faithful to protect you from deception, and He is faithful to guide your family into truth without causing fracture.
I love you. Your faith and prayers matter so much. Don’t partner with discouragement and know that Jesus is with you every step of the way.
Ann here. Oh, it’s good to be back after the ‘summer’ break! That said, it has been winter here in New Zealand!! Yes, we are topsy turvy down here
Now, it has been SO long since I last wrote, I thought I would tell you a little about three big faith activities going on for me at the moment. I’ll pop a scripture next to each part, as we go along.
Here’s what I’ve been up to:
First, I have been continuing to attend a wonderful fortnightly women’s life group. Oh SUMites, what joy. Those women are so important to me now, after several years of walking through our faith lives together. Here’s a photo with some of them.
Have you got a group you’re part of? If not, I pray that God will meet that desire.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145:19)
The second thing is that God led me to a new church about six months ago, by surprise. It’s a Presbyterian church in a different suburb from where I live. It is also a different style of church to what I’m used to. So, I am attending it on faith.
Four other people have also been led to that church, and they and I have formed a little team of ‘quiet cheerleaders for that church’. We chit-chat about why we might be there. It’s fun.
Sometimes you go somewhere purely because you sense God has asked you to. And that is enough of a reason.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)
And finally: Bryce and I bought a house quite unplanned earlier this year — in the countryside! We are city people. But we went for a drive one day to a lovely far-off peninsula, and there was a house for sale. Bryce slammed on the brakes, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, it was ours!
I didn’t press the point with Bryce, but I felt that God was in the purchase.
The house is far from where Bryce works, so we can’t live in it yet. We go up there and do work in the garden instead. But I have in my heart to turn it into a retreat where people can come and rest. Bryce knows about this
I have a lovely leather notebook, sitting permanently in that house — And I am dreaming with God about the retreat, scribbling all ideas down…. and talking to him about the fact I think I’m building something there.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength …” (Isaiah 30:15)
So, those are three big faith-based ‘things’ going on.
God certainly takes us through bends in the road, and twists and turns of seasons in our lives. We really never know what’s next — whether it’s easy or difficult. But any which way, it is RICH when we walk it with him.
SUMites, do you have any summer developments that have happened with you? Has God done something ‘rich to your heart’ this summer?
I started writing in 2006 and didn’t have a clue, but I took courses and attended Christian writers’ conferences. Because of those efforts, I have now been writing for 20 years and am about to publish my eighth book.
There are so many ways to write now, so many places to publish your work, and many opportunities to earn money.
I will be teaching Crafting Devotions and Beginning Non-Fiction at the West Coast Christian Writers Conference in November. You can attend in person or online.
Here are the course summaries:
Workshop For Beginning Non-fiction Writers: Start Your Non-Fiction Book Today
And finish it in 90 days!
As a new writer, starting a project is an overwhelming prospect. In this workshop you will acquire writing skills, and the “MUST Haves” for writers: The Power of 48 minutes, writing technology, nuances to craft chapters which compel your readers to action and positive change, editing, defining your market and more. You will take with you the courage to share your work and become a published author.
Craft Inspiring and Compelling Devotionals
Writing with passion inspires readers into greater faith and transformation. In this workshop we discover how to write a strong devotional by exploring the personal nature of devotionals, the key elements of effective devotional writing, and what to and what not to include in devotionals. We will learn how to develop ideas for different devotional markets and social media. This is an inspiring and faith building workshop for authors who desire to help others grow in their faith in Jesus.
BIO: Lynn Donovan is a speaker, prayer minister, writing teacher and award-winning author of multiple Christian living, devotional, and spiritual warfare titles. She has written for newspapers and magazines and has been a featured guest on Christian television and radio networks. Her passion is inspiring aspiring writers to follow their passion and write for the Kingdom of God. She
