Cindy Rushton

Category: Marriage

  • Go the Distance by Cindy Rushton

    Elisabeth and I just began a new Bible study.  Talk about really awesome! This one is going to dig deep! I expect some awesome growth as we dig into it! If you are not plugged into a regular Bible Study, I cannot encourage you enough to get plugged in. We need to be breaking the bread of God’s Word regularly together. We need that accountability and that encouragement from the Body of Christ. Plug in!  You won’t be sorry!

    Off my soapbox! hehe!

    We were going through our daily study yesterday when something grabbed me away from the study–I have an inclination towards this with ANY study that I pursue! 😀 Of course, this one is GOOD! So good that I just wanted to share it with you. I think you will love it! (more…)

  • A Letter To A Newlywed… from Danny and Lucia Claborn

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    A Letter To A Newlywed…
    From Danny and Lucia Claborn

    This “article” has a bit of a story behind it. Lucia was sharing with me a while back about the precious “gift” that her church was preparing as a bridal gift for a young couple in their congregation. Each of the members were writing a “letter” to the couple. This letter SO blessed me that I begged for it to be added to this issue (isn’t it perfect?). I know you will enjoy Danny and Lucia’s wisdom.

    Dear John and Jenyne,

    What a blessed time in your lives! Everything is fresh and new with your relationship, as your two lives intertwine to become one. We encourage you to write down all of your sweetie’s positive qualities while they are still fresh and vibrant. If [when] the challenges come nad things are not quite as “fresh” as they are now, this will be a good reminder of each other’s strengths and positive attributes. John, your strengths will cover Jenyne’s weaknesses, and Jenyne, your strengths will cover John’s weaknesses. That’s part of God’s plan, too. Jenyne, although the world tells us women we are to compete with men in every area, God says you are not made to compete with John but to complete him. So, be understanding of each other’s differences and realize God has put you together to build-up and encourage each other to overcome these weaknesses. (more…)

  • It Might Only Take a Notebook…

    It was a normal day, just like so many others, but my life was changed. In fact, it was a conversation similar to so many throughout my life…just girl talk in the kitchen over meal preparation. Who would imagine that it would change my life and lead me toward my life call? Who would imagine that it would put together all of the pieces to my jumbled-up life?

    Mamaw Alma Lee Rushton was my husband’s grandmother. I remember the first day I met her. We had an instant bond. It was amazing. Not long after we became officially “connected at the hip” as my dad called it, I remember one conversation with her where she shared that I was everything that she had prayed he would marry. Those words of vision touched me to the depths of my soul. Oh! He was everything that I had prayed to marry. He was my Prince Charming. He was my Knight in Shining Armor…or Izod, who is particular about those details in HOT Mississippi? ha!

    When Mamaw spoke, she spoke vision…instruction…inspiration…and a deep passion for Godly womanhood. Her opinions meant so much to me. Her insight was always biblical. Her instruction was patient and kind. I clung to her words. They were steeped in a love for God, a love for family, and a deep love for me. (more…)

  • ‘d NEVER do…

    Today I did what I said I’d NEVER do.

    Well…I remember thinking in my godly little way that you would never catch ME dead doing that…

    …so frivolous
    …such a waste
    …so SELFISH
    …so superficial
    …a total waste of time and money.

    Well, has my opinion actually changed in 2 hours? I don’t think so. I think it was a slow fade over the past 7 years. (more…)

  • Seven Romantic Living Room Dates with Cindy Rushton

    Just because you are married doesn’t mean that you can’t go out on a date – with your spouse that is. Dates keep the romance fresh and alive in a relationship. Here are seven date ideas that don’t even require leaving home. :)

    • Have a Picnic on the Floor. This is one place where the weather won’t change. The conditions in your home are perfect for a picnic anytime. Spread out the traditional gingham blanket and let the fun begin. Turn off the television and turn on the environmental music sounds to achieve the full effect of the outdoor atmosphere.

    (more…)

  • Seven Romantic Living Room Dates with Cindy Rushton

    Just because you are married doesn’t mean that you can’t go out on a date – with your spouse that is. Dates keep the romance fresh and alive in a relationship. Here are seven date ideas that don’t even require leaving home. :)

    • Have a Picnic on the Floor. This is one place where the weather won’t change. The conditions in your home are perfect for a picnic anytime. Spread out the traditional gingham blanket and let the fun begin. Turn off the television and turn on the environmental music sounds to achieve the full effect of the outdoor atmosphere.

    (more…)

  • Romance On a Shoestring with Cindy Rushton

    Romance On a Shoestring
    With Cindy Rushton

    Romance is vital for a forever marriage. Satan has stolen romance and perverted the beauty in romance. He has made it look wrong, nasty. Even for those who do not buy into that lie, he has made it look out of reach for the Christian home. It is time to take it back! Begin by dating your mate!

    Dates are an important part of any couple’s relationship, but especially married couples. Dates are fun and add a bit of spontaneity to a marriage. For couples with children, dates can be few and far between for a few reasons. It’s easy for couples to forget to make time to go out together sans kids. Then, there’s the money issue. With kids, money can get tight, especially if you have to pay not only for the date but a sitter as well. If you’re having a hard time coming up with wallet-friendly date ideas, try these seven. I think you will find them doable…

    Seven Shoestring Date Ideas for Couples

    1. See a Matinee
    Want to go out and see a movie? Instead of running with the rest of the crowd to the eight o’clock show, take in a matinee instead. The theaters are less crowded and you don’t pay near as much for the tickets. There will even be money left over for popcorn and a soda. One cup…with two straws, of course! :)

    2. Hit the Buffet
    Buffets are not necessarily about how much food you can shovel in your mouth at one sitting, but about getting a good meal at a great price. Find a cozy table for two in the corner and have a meal for two that costs less than it would for one at a fancy restaurant.

    3. A Walk in the Park
    A change of scenery is good from time to time. Visit the local park on a weekend afternoon to spend time together. Watch the geese, take a ride in the paddle boats, or bring your bikes or hiking boots and explore a trail.

    4. Visit a Museum
    Culture doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. The local museum may have an art exhibit you have been longing to see. Broaden your horizons as a couple and create new memories taking in a bit of history.

    5. Soak up Some Local Atmosphere
    From big cities to small towns, there are always things going on around the community. Sometimes you just have to look a bit harder. Check out an outdoor concert with local bands or classical ensembles. Many localities have community theater groups who put on productions of famous Broadway plays for as little as five or ten dollars per ticket.

    6. Night of Jazz Music
    Find a nice downtown restaurant and listen to some good music. Some restaurants may have outdoor seating allowing you to enjoy the night air while listening to the sounds wafting from the inside.

    7. Movie Night at Home
    We all like to turn down the lights and enjoy a good flick. This type of date is perfect for parents of small children. Once the little ones are tucked in bed and off in la-la land, set the scene. Pop a large bag or two of popcorn and your favorite drinks and snuggle up on the couch or a blanket on the floor. Take turns watching each other’s favorite type of movies.

  • Romance on a Shoestring with Cindy Rushton

    Romance is vital for a forever marriage. Satan has stolen romance and perverted the beauty in romance. He has made it look wrong, nasty. Even for those who do not buy into that lie, he has made it look out of reach for the Christian home. It is time to take it back! Begin by dating your mate!

    Dates are an important part of any couple’s relationship, but especially married couples. Dates are fun and add a bit of spontaneity to a marriage. For couples with children, dates can be few and far between for a few reasons. It’s easy for couples to forget to make time to go out together sans kids. Then, there’s the money issue. With kids, money can get tight, especially if you have to pay not only for the date but a sitter as well. If you’re having a hard time coming up with wallet-friendly date ideas, try these seven. I think you will find them doable…

    Seven Shoestring Date Ideas for Couples

    1. See a Matinee
    Want to go out and see a movie? Instead of running with the rest of the crowd to the eight o’clock show, take in a matinee instead. The theaters are less crowded and you don’t pay near as much for the tickets. There will even be money left over for popcorn and a soda. One cup…with two straws, of course! :)

    2. Hit the Buffet
    Buffets are not necessarily about how much food you can shovel in your mouth at one sitting, but about getting a good meal at a great price. Find a cozy table for two in the corner and have a meal for two that costs less than it would for one at a fancy restaurant.

    3. A Walk in the Park
    A change of scenery is good from time to time. Visit the local park on a weekend afternoon to spend time together. Watch the geese, take a ride in the paddle boats, or bring your bikes or hiking boots and explore a trail.

    4. Visit a Museum
    Culture doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. The local museum may have an art exhibit you have been longing to see. Broaden your horizons as a couple and create new memories taking in a bit of history.

    5. Soak up Some Local Atmosphere
    From big cities to small towns, there are always things going on around the community. Sometimes you just have to look a bit harder. Check out an outdoor concert with local bands or classical ensembles. Many localities have community theater groups who put on productions of famous Broadway plays for as little as five or ten dollars per ticket.

    6. Night of Jazz Music
    Find a nice downtown restaurant and listen to some good music. Some restaurants may have outdoor seating allowing you to enjoy the night air while listening to the sounds wafting from the inside.

    7. Movie Night at Home
    We all like to turn down the lights and enjoy a good flick. This type of date is perfect for parents of small children. Once the little ones are tucked in bed and off in la-la land, set the scene. Pop a large bag or two of popcorn and your favorite drinks and snuggle up on the couch or a blanket on the floor. Take turns watching each other’s favorite type of movies.

  • Lord, I Want to KNOW What Love Is…

    Let’s go back in time… Well, not that far…only to 1984!  (No comments from the very young bunch here!)

    1984 was a year that made history! Did you know that? 🙂

    Do you know what the single greatest event of 1984 was?  I met my prince charming! I am sure that December 22, 1984 there was a huge tremble throughout the whole world…the stars shined more brightly than ever before…the flowers smelled more aromatic than ever…and I found my man! (more…)

  • Romancing Your Woman—Easy Ideas for You Guys! by Cindy Rushton

    Needing a few ideas for romancing your woman??? Well, these are sure to bless her! Give them a try!

    • Open the door for her! Yep! Take that extra step to make her feel special!
    • Make a CD collection of “YOUR” love songs.
    • Treat her to a Bed and Breakfast for a weekend! Let her decide what she would like to do if she could anything she wanted for a whole weekend…do it!
    • Grill out for her! Send her off for a long, hot bubble bath. Get the kids fed and ready for bed. Grill out your favorite meal. Serve her dinner by candlelight!
    • Begin a LOVE Journal for her. Buy a pretty journal. Begin writing entries for her. For example, “Things I Love About You…” “I Want to Grow Old With You Because…” “Character Qualities I Most Admire In Her…” “You Bless Me When You….” This may sound mushy…but, just try it! She will LOVE it! It will become one of her most favorite treasures ever!
    • Brush her hair for her! Just nurture her for a bit!
    • Bring home pizza or Steak-Out and a movie. Snuggle up with the kids for one movie. Tuck them into bed early. Then, stay up for a movie and mommy/daddy time!
    • Go for a long drive! Drive in the mountains…in the country…along the beach! Play your “love songs” in the background while you talk!
    • Cook dinner for her. Give her a night off and treat her to a home-cooked meal by you! Yep! Romance can begin in the kitchen!
    • Bring home flowers! Or Chocolate! Or just a little trinket!
    • Give her a long massage!
    • Try Breakfast together. Take time with each other regularly to have a morning devotion and breakfast before the kids get up! Set aside enough time for real communication of your hearts. Really listen!
    • Bring home ice-cream or “fixins” for Banana Splits. Make her a big surprise!
    • Sleep in! Snuggle up and enjoy holding each other.