Author: Allison Bramlett

Resting is not easy for me! One of my favorite scriptures is “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalms 46:10 KJV I like to quote it but practicing it is not so easy.

I have had to practice being still. I believe rest is becoming a lost thing in our busy culture.

We’ve exchanged being still and resting for a hectic and fast-paced speed of life. Each 24-hour time span is packed with a number of tasks we’ve placed on ourselves and then a few extra task from others. When we do not take time to reset and refresh we get fatigued, fearful, frantic and frustrated.

We have to make a choice to rest!

Jesus tells His disciples this, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’” Mark 6:31

Jesus knew when He sent us out to share the Gospel that our assignment and journey would not be easy. He knew that we just like the disciples would have difficult times and relationship issues. He knew that we would face discouragement and obstacles.

Yes- just like the disciples we have been empowered by Holy Spirit to preach, spread the Goodnews, represent the Kingdom of Heaven, heal, set captives free- But we also have to deal with exhaustion physically, emotionally and spiritually. It says in Mark that even after finally coming back home from journey, people would still be “coming and going,” enough that the disciples “did not even have time to eat” (v. 31b).

Jesus reminds us to rest. And He doesn’t just remind He request. It was Jesus’ command. He knows what the disciples were doing. And there is much more that remains to do. He says this to me and you too. But there are times He says for now come and rest. Maybe just for a second- but catch your breath and let me refresh you.

I know that I have felt guilty for taking time away to regroup and recharge in the past.

But I hear the voice of my first love, Savior- King Jesus calling me away for some rest time. Inviting me into a place where grace flows, where the Spirit refuels, and where mercy fixes what’s been fatigued, frustrated and stressed. It is the place where He repairs, refreshes, refuels, restores and relaunches me.

This quiet time is a wise investment for me. It is necessary for the diligent and committed, active servants and followers of Jesus to be still. When I prioritize rest for myself and those I love, I rediscover joy and gain strength.

So recently one of my dear friends and I went for a time of rest. We prayed, read, listened, shared, slept, laughed- we were still! I was refreshed. I was recharged! I had a wonderful reset! I am hoping that you get to grab a daily cup of coffee with Jesus and rest with Him! Oh it is such a sweet time ❤️☕️

Peace of the Home! Many years ago my dear friend and faith family- Cheryl Salem began sharing with me about the importance of words in Hebrew. She and Uncle Harry also helped ordain me into ministry and have been faithful friends and mentors.

Many of you know that Jeff and I have a miracle marriage and the meaning of Shalom Bayit speaks volumes to me. I learned to fight for my family and not with my family.

Here is the meaning: from Wikipedia- Shalom bayit[1] (Hebrew: שְׁלוֹם בַּיִת, lit. peace of the home) (also sholom bayit or shlom bayit, or (Yiddish) sholom bayis or shlom bayis) is the Jewish religious concept of domestic harmony and good relations between husband and wife. In a Jewish court of law, shalom bayit is the Hebrew term for marital reconciliation.[2]

A dear friend, Cassidy reminded me of this phrase recently. It made me begin to think how in the English language “I love you” is more of an expression of feeling deep on the inside of me. It’s all about me. All about the way I feel.

But if I say those same words in Hebrew, the meaning is different. The word “love” in Hebrew shares the same root as the verb: to bring. This means love is not a feeling but an action. So loving requires me to take action. “I love you,” literally translates in Hebrew as “I bring you,” or “I bring to you.” That means love is really not about me but it is about the other person. All about what I can give.

When I read the words Shalom Bayit it challenges me to be love in action. It challenges me to bring Father God’s love to others. And at home- First with my husband!

Shalom means “peace” and a bayit is a “home.” Maintaining peace in one’s home, shalom bayit. In Hebrew marriage between man and wife is seen as a manifestation of Father God’s relationship with His church. And He definitely put love in action- John 3:16.

We have to fight for love! As couples when we encounter storms during our walk together the key ingredient to a smooth journey is our attitude of love in action. We miss have an absolute determination and resolve to stay in love!

Marriage comes with bumps and sometimes mountains, and sometimes cliffs, and sometimes ocean views. Father God has given His love to us so it can flow through us- we are equipped to handle the journey! And it is important to keep the fire 🔥 an everlasting flame of Love ❤️.

Marriage is not just a relationship of a man and a woman, but a three-way relationship that must include God as well. Actually He is the center of it all! I remember Aunt Cheryl talking about the Hebrew meaning of man and woman many years ago- it stuck with me.

I learned that the Hebrew word for man, ish, is the same as the Hebrew word for woman, isha, with the exception of one letter in each word. The word for man has a “yud” and the word for woman has a “hei,” which are the two letters that represent God’s name. The letters that they share in common spell aish, fire. The idea is that a man and woman together are like a fire. And How do you keep your fire on so that it can illuminate? You keep God in the center!

If you feel burnt out, cold or maybe like a flicker- don’t quit! Don’t go on the feeling of love but put love in action. Put Father God in the center! Let your marriage illuminate God’s love! Let your life be a lighthouse of love!

““So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.”” John 13:34-35 TPT

And a big shout out to my soul sister- Laura for the Shalom Bayit picture

Your gift may get you in the room but your character will keep you there- Gregory Pope

My parents have always taught me that gifts get you in the room but it takes much more to keep you there. It takes cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in your life. They have also taught me that the anointing is the atmosphere changer. The anointing sets you apart, breaks yokes and bondages, removes burdens, brings overflow, empowers and moves you into the supernatural.

Let Father God shape you into the image of Christ today! Walk in the anointing! Be Spirit led in and Word fed.

I know today that if you are not hungry for the things of God it is because you are full of self. It is time to get over ourselves and let Love get in us and flow through us!

Leviticus 2:1 – ‘When anyone offers a grain offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.” This grain offering represents Jesus being anointed by Holy Spirit.

We know Jesus is fully God. But when He came to earth, He literally emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Because of this human form He needed to anointed by Holy Spirit so His ministry could begin. (John 1:33). Jesus being fully God operated and did things by the power of Holy Spirit.

Jesus was anointed to bring the blessings of God into the lives of people. You are anointed to do the same! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor” (Luke 4:18).

Jesus’ anointing is yours too (1 John 2:20). The Bible says that “the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you” (1 John 2:27).

When we call on the name of Jesus, we are releasing His anointing! Just say, “Jesus, Jesus.”

And remember the same Spirit that raised Jesus now lives in you!

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”Romans 8:11 AMP

Staying in love is a choice. Many years ago we realized that we were not dating each other. Yes, married couples should still date each other. Always date your spouse so that they know they are a priority to you. Even if you are super busy- have lots of pressure- lots of kids- make the time! Obviously there are things that take up our time – good things but we must always make special time for each other.

Date nights improve marriages. Studies have proven this- my own life has proven this- but don’t take our word on it- try it! Couples who go on frequent dates have an increase in happiness, commitment, communication, parenthood stability, and community. Studies say that married couples who devote time together at least once a week not only have lower divorce rates, but also increase the quality of their marriage. This should make you want to start dating your spouse more!

By opening up to each other on dates, spouses build strong bonds and begin talking heart to heart instead of hurt to hurt. This is important because every relationship has hard times but safe communication and strong commitment help us weather the storms. You are able to support each other and cheer each other on. These times of communication build a stronger emotional bond. “Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 AMP

Date nights are stress relievers. Date nights should be fun! Your spouse isn’t just there for you for the tough times, but for enjoyable times too. Relax together. Laugh together. Enjoy each other. Make memories together. You will never regret taking time for each other.

Date night is a fantastic way of connecting positively and enjoying each other’s company on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. You can have at home dates, fast food dates, picnics, strolling dates…. the list goes on. It is about spending time with each other- listening to each other’s heart. Really seeing each other!

When a couple spends time alone each week, their levels of happiness, joy, communication and even sexual satisfaction are more than three times higher than those who don’t spend that time together. WOW! That means you might be able to dramatically increase these important areas of your marriage by simply dating each other.

We personally try to date once a week. We also try to out spoil and serve each other everyday. This is not work but a beautiful investment.

The key to a great date is to make sure you focus on each other — don’t have conversations about finances, household responsibilities, problems with the kids or sensitive issues. Yes, you need to talk about these things, but not during a date. Date night is about enjoying each other.

A great date night will be full of playfulness and laughter. Ask your spouse questions to update your knowledge of then. Reminisce by retelling some of your favorite dating and marriage stories. Talking about your memorable events allows you to celebrate how far you’ve come as a couple. Focusing on first love with each other. It also helps you stay faith focused for your future together.

Why not take our Date Night Challenge? Go out on three dates in three weeks and watch how this will strengthen your marriage! By dating on a regular basis, your will be strengthened. Also, remember love never fails!

“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 TPT

It’s usually at this time of year, that there’s an influx of New Year resolutions, captions, post, blogs, new me’s, new this and new that happening. During all the new stuff, I am so thankful to know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. I am also reminded that I want to be more like Him and less like me.

It is at the start of this New Year that I begin to lay new foundations for the future. This year, I have not really made big, new resolutions, but I have decided to be faithful in my small ones. The mortar that holds my bricks together is daily prayer and Bible reading. A genuine time of intimacy with the Lord. This commitment to Christ is the foundation for successful relationships in my life. It has certainly been true for my parents, Pastors Gregory & Jackie Pope, over the last 50 years. I learned from them how to spend time talking with Daddy God.

Personally, that daily conversation with Him, helps me to have an unswerving love. This time of intimacy with the Lord has cemented promises in my heart that He has for me. Yes, I love prayer with my spouse, friends, and church family, but there is something about some one-on-one with my First Love that will forever change me. My quiet time with Him creates a connection and accountability that stabilizes my mind, will and emotions.

This time with the Lord adjusts my vision and my attitude. This means I get to choose my attitude. See attitudes have flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, even hot. It is not my spouse’s choice, my children’s choice, my coworker’s choice- it is my choice to choose the flavor. I personally know that I want to have a fruity flavor- a Galatians 5 attitude. This means that I don’t react to the wind of emotions, but instead I trust in the Truth of the Word. Philippians 2:5, “You must have the same attitude that Christ had.”

Stay vulnerable. Vulnerability is having the courage to be truthful about your flaws. And maturity is choosing to grow and strive to be the best version of you. During this prayer and word time you will realize that God loves you so much. He sees your strengths and weaknesses and still loves you. He also loves us too much to leave us the way we are. I said yes many years ago to this lifelong journey of walking, talking and following Him. Becoming the best version of me, becoming more like Him, Jesus.

This Saturday we celebrate my parents 50 year anniversary! 50 years of love! 50 years of serving! But as great as I do think they both are, I know it takes lots of “bearing with one another in love” to make it to a 50th anniversary. If the world took that commandment more seriously, many, many more marriages would go the distance.

As I sat down to write this quick blog I began to reminisce. I cherish the love stories of them and my grandparents. They make me smile big and still feel giddy. I think about how they grew up together and were always friends and partners . This makes their two lives joined as one that much more beautiful! And what a gift from Daddy God that I witnessed their love and marriage first hand! Their love for the Lord and each other taught me how to fight for my family and not with my family! It taught me endurance. It taught me compassion. It taught me how to forgive. It taught me how to hope. It taught me faith. It taught me Agape Love!

They taught me that relationships are investments. It is a choice to stay connected to each other. That if it doesn’t matter 100 years from now don’t let it matter today. (You should read their devotional Love Works Always- it is awesome- and full of life nuggets)

Their devotion to Father God and each other exemplifies the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love! They have always honored and served Jesus, each other and all those around them with amazing humility and strength. They live out the Ephesians 4:29-32 directives. They show us that Love is an action word.

Their love is tangible. Their presence brings comfort and security. It also brings great joy and faith too! And their prayers- well I can just say that I am so thankful for them.

For over 40 years I have not only heard them but I have seen them live out love! They let the Word of God be the final authority! They aren’t moved by fickle feelings. They are Spirit led and Word fed! Their lives are a light house of God’s love! And the best is yet to come.

We do celebrate their beautiful love story on December 19th (actual anniversary date) but everyday God’s love through them touches and changes lives! I am saying to them- “Thank you for saying yes to Jesus! Thank you for saying yes to each other- over and over again”!

They know that “Love Works Always”!

Amazing relationships that are very healthy do not react or make decisions based on emotions. Emotions are unpredictable. Even though emotions are real, they can be very deceptive and wrong. Yes, we are emotional beings but we should not be controlled by our emotions.

After many years of riding an emotional roller coaster- we set up keys that helped stop the cycle. We made a decision to let the Word of God dictate our life and not our emotions.

Here are some facts- Did you know 86% of divorces are the result of what researchers call “non-severe circumstances”? These are circumstances like money, kids, sex, emotional issues, and a breakdown in communication. That means the relationship-ending circumstances were not related to problems like abuse, abandonment or adultery. I call the three A’s. Most relationships are lost over emotional choices. Things that happen in the heat of the moment.

We decided that the D word (divorce) was not allowed in our home to threaten each other. It could not be used as a tool to manipulate and control the other person. It cannot be part of your language.

We began investing in each other and not threatening each other. And when we could not find a compromise or solution we would seek Godly counsel. We learned to get help. This is one of the wisest decisions we ever made and we still get help when we need it!

We made a choice to seek the Lord together through prayer, Bible study, worship, iron friends, and fasting.

We celebrate each other. Learning to cheer for each other instead of criticizing. This makes for a much better partnership.

We learned to have heart to heart conversations instead of hurt to hurt.

Even during times of frustration or difficulty, never let your heart be turned away from each other.

We chose friends that would encourage us to do the right thing, even during hard times. We stayed connected to our faith family, church.

Remember apart from your relationship with God, your marriage is the most important relationship in your life. The shocking truth is your marriage is more important than your children, your job, your personal interests or your hobbies. Choose to invest in meeting each other’s needs, and refuse to sacrifice your marriage for emotions.

You have to base it on God’s Love- 1 Corinthians 13! His Love never fails! We will base our marriage on Christ-like love. Your marriage should be sacrificial and permanent. Marriage is a covenant designed by God. That means your marriage is based on the decision to love and cherish each other and not on feelings, convenience or comfort- “for better or worse- in sickness and health- til death do us part”! Create a covenant marriage that can weather the storms of emotions, disagreements, and difficulties. You will not regret choosing Love!