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 & 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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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.
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 22, 2021
The Newborn Babe is The Son of David
Does your family have traditions that have been passed down for generations?
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 20, 2021
The Newborn Babe is Our Savior
In most tragedies you’ll find a story about a savior.
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 19, 2021
The Newborn Babe is the Lion of Judah
Have you ever seen a lion at the circus or in a zoo? They appear docile and obedient.
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 13, 2021
How to Remember Jesus on Christmas Morning: An Easy 10 Minute Idea
Have you been tempted to lose the celebration of Christ’s birth in a swirl of fairy tales and merchandising?
Barbara Rainey
- Dec 7, 2021
Parenting Children With Visible and Invisible Limitations
Of our two sons, one was more athletic, while the other was more scholastically inclined.
Barbara Rainey
- Nov 30, 2021
Did Advent Sneak Up on You?
Advent began yesterday, the first of four Sundays leading to Christmas. If you are like me, it always sneaks up and leaves me feeling behind
Barbara Rainey
- Nov 22, 2021
Giving Thanks Means Speaking Thanks
Only three days remain before the day which annually reminds us to express gratitude.
Barbara Rainey
- Nov 15, 2021
Why Gathering for Thanksgiving Matters … and Always Will
Our youngest child was just a toddler. Our oldest was double digits but not yet a teen.
Barbara Rainey
- Nov 8, 2021
Seven Books That Shaped and Guided My Parenting
Books have been a significant part of my life in more ways than I can describe, including how Dennis and I parented our six.
Barbara Rainey
- Oct 25, 2021
How to Forgive Your Parents
A sweet friend has been struggling with her childhood and what she experienced from her parents.
Barbara Rainey
- Oct 18, 2021
When Kids Ask Too Many Questions
“What is hair made from?”
“Do lizards go to heaven?”
“Why do we stop at red lights?”
“Who’s your mom’s mom?”
Barbara Rainey
- Oct 12, 2021
Do You Know What God Made You to Do?
One Wednesday morning our Bible study leader asked us to answer the same question: “What are you passionate about for God and His kingdom?"
Barbara Rainey
- Oct 7, 2021
Your. Marriage. Matters. (Part Two)
By Barbara Rainey First posted on EverThineHome.com If a vote were taken on the top cultural issues of our day, divisions and...
Barbara Rainey
- Oct 5, 2021
Your. Marriage. Matters. (Part One)
I was standing alone in our small master closet … stunned … unable to move. Feeling lost and alone
Barbara Rainey
- Sep 27, 2021
The Value of Together
Have you ever wondered where you belong? Looked for a place to fit in? Felt all alone right in the middle of all your people?
Barbara Rainey
- Sep 21, 2021
Dear Barbara: How Do I Convince My Husband to Change?
Dear Barbara: How do I convince my husband to change? There are certain areas we’ve been fighting about for years now. I really am right...
Barbara Rainey
- Sep 15, 2021
Welcome the Seasons, Surrender to the Seasons
September sunrises awaken with refreshingly cool air.
Barbara Rainey
- Sep 7, 2021
How Do I Know It’s the Holy Spirit? 5 Ways to Recognize God’s Voice
Do you know of Elijah, prophet of God, who challenged 950 idol worshipers to a contest to see whose God was best? With thousands of...
Barbara Rainey
- Aug 17, 2021
Avoid This Mistake When Praying for Grown Children
For years I avoided reading the book of Job because I was afraid I would contract some of his suffering. I knew enough about his story to...
Barbara Rainey
- Aug 10, 2021
Pestering God
Too often I’m in a hurry and end up using my driving time to talk to God. Conversing with my Heavenly Father throughout...
Barbara Rainey
- Jul 26, 2021
How Does the Holy Spirit Speak Personally to Me?
Keeping my two grandsons recently, ages 4 and 2 1/2, has reminded me of the perpetual dilemma I faced with my own children...
Barbara Rainey
- Jul 20, 2021
My Favorite Summer Treats
The lyrics, “These are a few of my favorite things” sunk deep roots into my memory when I first heard Maria sing the catchy song in...
Barbara Rainey
- Jul 13, 2021
Heart Identity Matters
My words sprawled over the pages, laced with emotion, with loss as a result of my children’s needs.
Even as I reread them—my children all..
Barbara Rainey
- Jul 6, 2021
Set Free to Free Others: The Bob Fu Story
He was born in China to a woman who was a street beggar in 1968. Extreme poverty and extreme...
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 28, 2021
How Long Is an Age?
Spoken before death or by a soldier leaving for deployment, parting words are memorable. Often those words keep the left-behind ones...
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 21, 2021
50 Character Qualities We Hoped to Teach Our Children
Dennis and I made a list of 50 qualities we hoped to teach our children before they left home at 18. We worked on our list over many years..
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 14, 2021
Dear Barbara: Do Second Marriages Matter?
Dear Barbara: Do second marriages matter? You talk so much about staying together and making marriage work...
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 7, 2021
Surprised by George
Though he was not cloaked in a coarse brown friar’s habit, the old man’s short cropped grey hair, ancient spectacles, wide girth, and...
Barbara Rainey
- Jun 1, 2021
May Friends & Family
Today I want to share a few highlights and photos from May that contained lots of family time.
Dennis Rainey
- May 25, 2021
The Delight of Reading with Your Kids + What’s in My Mimi Bag!
While I have given many of our shelves full of children’s books to our kids to read to their own, I kept some of my favorites to populate...
Dennis Rainey
- May 20, 2021
What Your Adult Child Needs From You
Okay, I want to ask you to pull back and out of the weeds … let’s say to 40,000 feet, where you can see some of the greatest needs your...
Barbara Rainey
- May 18, 2021
My Life with Elisabeth Elliot, a Mentor Worth Following
A couple of weeks ago I had the great privilege to meet a New York Times best-selling author. While I was in Washington, D.C., for a board..
Barbara Rainey
- May 10, 2021
6 Easy Ideas for an Ascension Day Celebration
Have you thought about doing something special for this overlooked day in the church calendar? Ascension Day is Thursday, May 13 this year.
Barbara Rainey
- May 4, 2021
Looking Forward to the Real Mother’s Day
My first memories of Mother’s Day are sitting in church as a child while the minister recognized all the mothers. I remember them standing..
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 27, 2021
When Following is Dangerous: Refusing Bad Marital Dance Steps
Dear Barbara: What am I supposed to do when my husband is leading me into territory that I don’t think is healthy or holy?
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 22, 2021
The Forgotten (And Sometimes Forsaken) Commandment: The Greatest Gift You Will Ever Give To Your Dad
Our culture knows how to honor the victor, the successful, those whose performance exceeds expectations, But moms? Dads? Not so much.
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 20, 2021
“Becoming Small” in the Lives of Your Adult Children
As Dennis and I watch our children struggle with different issues as adults, or express surprisingly different opinions on how they...
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 15, 2021
The Forgotten Commandment (Part 2): She’s More than Somebody’s Mom—She’s My Mom
Whether your parents are living or have passed away, it may be time to take honor home to your parents...
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 8, 2021
The Most Important Gift You’ll Ever Give to Your Parents
Many of us go our entire lives without fully understanding the “spiritual” connection we have with our parents. Whether you want to...
Barbara Rainey
- Apr 6, 2021
In the Days After Easter
Yesterday we marked the anniversary of the most miraculous moment since the dawn of time. Today, though, are we changed by the remembrance?
Dennis Rainey
- Apr 1, 2021
Easter and the Three Most Important Trees in the Bible …
Do you know the three most important trees in the Scriptures? The Easter season and its message are masterfully woven around these trees...
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 25, 2021
Rainey’s Dew Drop Inn
Spring has sprung, “Spring Break” has set up residence in our home and, as a result, Barbara and I are SPRINGING INTO ACTION BIG TIME!
Barbara Rainey
- Mar 23, 2021
When Life Feels Impossible…Can God Still Work?
During the years our children were teens—a long season for Dennis and me—I remember a time when our marriage felt impossibly difficult.
Dennis Rainey
- Mar 18, 2021
3 Lessons from Mr. March Madness
In more than 27 years of interviewing over 1,000 guests for FamilyLife Today, Coach John Wooden was one of my top five favorites...