7 Non-negotiables for the Greatest Challenge of Your Life
Life in our world today is challenging … a lot like climbing Mt. Everest.
Dennis & Barbara's Personal Blog
We are on a journey of embracing a personal, moment-by-moment surrender to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We wish we could offer you a series of snapshots of how we achieved “perfection,” but alas, like you we are pilgrims who doubt, wander, question, and struggle with unbelief. We believe that we were divinely designed to have a relationship with God and experience His love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy on a daily basis. We also believe that some of the most important lessons we have to share come from our failures, not our successes. And we are confident God allows storms in our lives to test us, to purify us, and to help us pursue Him wholeheartedly.
So we invite you to journey with us as we share how we experience God and attempt to walk with Him on a daily basis. It’s our hope that we’ll be able to post our journey every week … lessons we’re learning as a couple and as individuals. Enjoy…
- Dennis and Barbara
Ephesians 2:10
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Barbara Rainey
- 5 days ago
The Holy Spirit Is My Friend: He Is Always With Me
For many summers, Dennis and I attended annual training events in Colorado as part of our work with Campus Crusade for Christ.
Dennis Rainey
- Jun 24
A True Test of Character: Being Faithful in the Little Things
I love great stories of leaders who are effective, inspecting what they expect, and then hold their people to what was asked of them.
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 21
When Bad News Increases Our Anxiety, Where Can We Find Stability?
The bad news feels relentless right now.
Dennis Rainey
- Jun 17
What To Do When Your Marriage Needs Help
Is it difficult for you to ask for help? Especially for your marriage?
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 14
Motherhood Is a Ministry
Note from Barbara: Last month The Joyful Life magazine ran an interview with me and I was able to talk about a number of topics relevant to
Dennis Rainey
- Jun 10
Defeating the Number ONE Enemy in Your Marriage
Maintaining harmony in marriage has been difficult since Adam and Eve.
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 7
A Prayer for Your Children and Grandchildren … if You Dare
In my seminary class on the doctrines of our faith, our professor Dr. John Hannah told a story of how he prayed for his girls when they were
Dennis Rainey
- Jun 3
5 Essentials to Leaving a Legacy That Will Outlive You
A husband and wife who walked by faith and, consequently, left a legacy far beyond anything they could have imagined, lived in the early 170
Barbara Rainey
- May 31
Pentecost: The Forgotten Celebration
As you have probably noticed, holidays are important in my life and in the life of my family.
Dennis Rainey
- May 27
Why I’m Compelled to Tell Others About Christ
The year was 1940. The French army had just collapsed under the siege of Hitler’s onslaught.
Barbara Rainey
- May 24
Are You Afraid to Pray Big Prayers? Nothing Is Impossible for God
Can you imagine what it was like for Mary, an adolescent engaged to Joseph, to be greeted by the angel Gabriel?
Dennis Rainey
- May 20
7 Essentials for Couples to Grow Together in Christ
Years ago, when we were on a family vacation in Yosemite National Park, we were in awe as we visited a grove of massive sequoias.
Barbara Rainey
- May 17
Unanswered Prayer: When God Doesn’t “Come Through," Then What?
Sometimes I wake up in the morning feeling sad and unsettled.
Dennis Rainey
- May 13
He Was Tired of Being a Coward: Summoning the Courage to Talk to a Son About Pornography
There are countless issues that are robbing young men of a shot at true manhood today, but none more pervasive and powerful than pornography
Barbara Rainey
- May 10
Rushed Prayers: Treating God Like He’s a Vending Machine
As a mom, my children had unhindered access to me every day and they happily took advantage of it.
Dennis Rainey
- May 6
10 Biblical Thoughts About Loving an Unlovable Sibling
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Barbara Rainey
- May 3
Praying for Those Who May Be Difficult to Love
In this series on prayer I’m taking us back to Easter regularly because it’s on the cross we find answers to some of our hardest questions.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 26
How to Enjoy Constant Access to God in Prayer
One week ago the world celebrated or at least recognized the pinnacle moment of history; the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 22
Avoiding Emotional Affairs: When Friendships with the Opposite Sex Go Too Far
Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 17
I AM the Resurrection and the Life
Today we have arrived at the summit!
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 16
Silent Saturday
“Silent Saturday” says it all.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 15
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
This trinity of names illustrates well the message of the Cross.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 14
I AM the True Vine
Horticulture is the symbol for this name Jesus speaks about Himself.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 13
I AM the Good Shepherd
Leaders are shepherds.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 12
I AM the Door
Doors signal an entrance.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 11
I AM the Light of the World
This second declaration of “I AM” during Holy Week was made in the temple.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 10
I AM the Bread of Life
Holy Week is the most important week of the Christian calendar.
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 8
Children and Easter: Don’t Waste This Opportunity to Teach Them the True Message
As Grandpa Bob drove into the driveway he could see his 4-year-old granddaughter, Julie, and a couple of her friends playing in the backyard
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 5
7 Ways for Your Family to Experience the REAL Easter
Did you know that bunnies and chicks have nothing to do with Easter?
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 1
IQ or CQ: Which is More Important as We Raise Our Children?
The Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the world, a true masterpiece of engineering.
Barbara Rainey
- Mar 29
3 Ways to Teach Your Children to Understand and Express Their Emotions
When you welcomed your first child into the world, if someone had asked you, “How will you teach this child about their emotions?” how would
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 25
When Families Fall Apart, God Is In the ‘Fix It’ Business
FamilyLife’s leadership asked us to come back and speak at the Love Like You Mean It Cruise over Valentines week.
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 21
Parenting Teens: Getting Ready for the Release
In Psalm 127:4 children are compared to “arrows in the hand of warrior.”
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 18
Transforming the Empty Nest Into “Prime Time”
I remember well when Barbara and I took our oldest child, Ashley, to college.
Barbara Rainey
- Mar 15
Why Developing Emotional Security in Your Children Matters
The room was small, dark, and silent.
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 11
5 Great Habits of an Effective Listener
Communicating in marriage, especially listening, is what blood is to our bodies … it carries the nutrients for life and growth.
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 4
Keeping Your Marriage Together When Travel Has You Apart
Have you heard the old saying that “absence makes the heart grow fonder”? I think that saying misses the mark.
Barbara Rainey
- Mar 1
9 Questions to Help You Take an Honest Look at Your Marriage
Does evaluating your marriage sound a little scary? Don’t be afraid to read this. Here’s why.
Dennis Rainey
- Feb 25
Why You Need the Local Church … and Why It Needs You
How important is a church to the spiritual health of your walk with Christ, your growth in your marriage, & spiritual maturity of family?
Dennis Rainey
- Feb 18
Is It Time to Get Away With Your Spouse?
It’s amazing how quickly you can start to drift apart in marriage.
Barbara Rainey
- Feb 15
Your Marriage Is Worth Fighting For: 9 Truths to Remember
When you see marriages around you dissolving, it’s normal to start wondering how yours is going to make it.
Barbara Rainey
- Feb 9
How to Romance Your Man
Many romantic novels and movies seem to follow a common theme.
When 1 + 1 Doesn't Equal ONE: Decision-Making When You Don’t Agree
Early in our marriage, we resolved that we would always make decisions together, and if at all possible, we would work to be in agreement
Dennis Rainey
- Jan 28
7 Relationship Lessons We Learned Early in Our Marriage
Nearly five decades ago, Barbara and I stopped at an overlook on Highway 36 just outside Boulder, Colorado.
Dennis Rainey
- Jan 13
THE MARSHALL FIRE: A Wall of Clouds and Flames Headed Towards Him at 100 mph
For my friend David Sunde, 2021 will be never be forgotten.
Barbara Rainey
- Jan 4
Create in Me in 2022
As an artist I especially enjoy thinking of Jesus, who created the universe, “who holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17) as the Divine
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 28, 2021
3 Ways to Savor the Savior This Week
Yes, Christmas Day is now over, but don’t hurry to box up the ornaments and purge the regalia from your home!
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 24, 2021
The Newborn Babe is Lord of Lords
Have your children or you ever acted bossy over a younger brother or sister?
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 23, 2021
The Newborn Babe is The Mediator
One of the biggest challenges in parenting is sibling rivalry.