Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my favorite people, Trisha and Justin Davis, to talk about their new book, Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Isn’t Good Enough. The Davises have taught me so much through their friendship, their ministry and their book about living a life that is beyond ordinary. A life full of forgiveness, grace, truth, and healthy boundaries. I am so excited that their book will magnify their message, their influence. We all have a lot to learn from them!

In the video below, I ask them to give a brief synopsis of the beginning of their ministry, to tell us how their book actually applies to a broader audience than one might think, and to share how those in a ‘happy’ marriage might take some proactive steps to strengthen their relationship. Please watch and share.

Oh, and don’t forget to…

Buy their book.

Read their blog.

Join their community on Facebook.

Follow Justin and Trish on Twitter.

In the spirit of improving your marriage, what is your favorite piece of marriage advice? 

Hi. Trisha Davis here…

Today I decided to hijack Lindsey’s blog! Because I have moved thirteen times and because I may have dubbed myself  “Queen of Moving Land” if there was such a place. Moving is that season of life where normal no longer feels normal. A season in which familiar is replaced by unfamiliar and “remember when” is no longer spoken. But like all seasons, this season of moving will come to an end and before long normal, familiar and “remember when’s” return.

So while Lindsey is still in the thick of her season of moving I thought her online community could be her normal, her familiar and her “remember when’s” because today is…

Lindsey’s Birthday!

So will you join me today to give this birthday girl the best online birthday party ever? (Remember I’m the queen and if you don’t it’s off with you head)

I’ll go first… Happy Birthday Lindsey! You are a gift and I thank God for the way he has used you in the life of my family, friends and church family. I’m thankful that you have taught me new words that one day Jesus will want to talk about with me. I hope your day is AWESOME!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I sat across the table from a friend, pushed my barbecue chicken chopped salad around on my plate, and shared one of my greatest fears.

“I am just worried that life, that my circumstances, that my singleness, will make me bitter. I am terrified of becoming a bitter old woman.”

“You won’t. It’s just not you,” he reassured me.

But this morning as I sat and listened to two of my closest friends share on forgiveness, I realized how quickly and completely bitterness had crept into my world and begun to poison my heart.

I justified my grief, my anger, even my unforgiveness.

I was right. They were wrong. The apology was incomplete. I was still suffering. They were moving on.

I hadn’t for a minute realized that the resentment I was harboring was only poisoning one person. It was only poisoning me.

So today I am doing what it takes to make it right.

Today I am choosing forgiveness.

I might be broken. But at least I am free.

Are you choosing brokenness or living with bitterness?

Yesterday it struck me how critical it is to walk through life with inspiring friends.

EVERY DAY I am inspired by one of my friends. They show me how to love. They encourage me to dream big dreams. They shift my focus from fear and inadequacy to possibility and potential. They are a constant reminder that there are no such thing as extraordinary people, only ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Spence is an Iron Man (just thinking about it makes me tired).

Keely travels around the world capturing stories of poverty and hope with her camera.

Jenni strives to empower, challenge, and encourage women leaders.

Justin and Trish bravely share their season of struggle with unbelievable candor and grace so others can learn from their mistakes.

(I am keeping this to a short list, but I could go on and on, and on and on.)

It is this simple. If you don’t have friends who inspire you, you need to find some new friends.

Right now. They will change your life. They will change your life for good.

How are your friends inspiring you?

Today’s “How He Loves” post is from Trisha Davis. As I said on Wednesday, Justin and Trish(a) are two incredible people. They know all about brokenness, restoration, and redemption. Through their ministry at Cross Point Bellevue and Refine Us, they teach others (like me) the power of authenticity, truth, and grace. I am honored to call them friends.

Read about 8 things that destroyed their marriage here.

Read about 8 things that restored their marriage here.

Find their blog here.

And Trisha’s Twitter here.

The older I get the more I realize that everyone has a story. Just writing those words I’m sure you are already thinking of yours. John Mark McMillan’s story of how he came to write “How He Loves” is a reminder of the power of one’s story. The problem with my “story” is that there are too many. If I were to sit down with you over coffee and share my life story I’m certain you would walk away thinking I was viably insane.

The sad reality is that most of my life’s stories really aren’t mine to own. Most of what I have been through has come through other people’s choices or unexplainable tragedy. I have stood on the sidelines witnessing others poor choices and in return deciding to make poor choices of my own. (more…)