Hope Ignited Marriage Ministries

The Fourth of July Celebration is just one week away! Unsure about where to catch all the action? Check out my blog for a list of upcoming events!

Upcoming 4th of July Events in Knoxville & the Surrounding Area... Welcome to my blog! Wishing you a dazzling Independence Day filled with joy, laughter, and precious moments with your lo

What a splendid day of celebration! Today commemorates 41 years of marriage with God's grace and beauty. It seems surreal that when I first put my eyes on this beautiful young lady in 7th grade, little did I know that God would grace us with such an extraordinary life journey. My heart overflows as I contemplate the life God has given me—a life intertwined with a precious, beautiful and Godly wife, Lover, best friend, nurturing mother, and adored Grandmother - Noni. Tammy, I am profoundly grateful for your unwavering love throughout the years. I cherish and admire you beyond measure! Happy Anniversary! God's blessings have showered upon us, allowing us to nurture four remarkable daughters, has given us 4 amazing sons-in-law and 11 breathtaking grandbabies:-) Second pic is Josie who did not make the group shot.... wasn't around yet...LOL

To My Lovely Wife on her Birthday...April 20th marks a truly extraordinary occasion. Not only do we celebrate the wondrous birth of Tammy, but it's also a day when, 61 years ago, God bestowed upon this world the embodiment of kindness, caring heart, sensitivity, and beauty. Over the years, this remarkable Tammy has blossomed into the epitome of passion, love, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, and spiritual strength—a true warrior.

I am deeply honored by the privilege granted to me by God, not only to love you, Tammy, but also to be the recipient of the Christ-like and authentic love you have graciously shown me throughout the years. Today, we raise our voices in celebration of you, Tammy! May your special day and the year ahead be filled with the amazing God given joy, peace, passion, vision, and fulfillment that only God can give.

A multitude of souls have been touched by your loving wisdom, compassionate heart, and the warmth of your hugs and prayers. I love you with all me, and I rejoice alongside you on this BLESSED day! Your leadership in nurturing our four beautiful daughters has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the love you shower upon our 11 breathtaking grand babies, who love & adore their Noni endlessly, leaves me in awe. You continue to amaze me, and I am endlessly grateful for the unique individual that you are. Happy Birthday, Tammy! Thank you for being you, for I love you more than words can express! HAPPY BIRTHDAY❤🥳❤🥳❤

This is from our Daughter Leah Conley!

God loves best the vessels that know they need to be filled

This thought occurred to me after thinking about my parents marriage testimony as it was the 10 year anniversary of their reconciliation this week. Looking back, I’m more terrified to think WHAT IF they had not so miserably missed the mark (and they would be the first to say this) and so spectacularly fell off course? Let’s say instead they lived every day of their lives as a godless but nevertheless “good” moral couple, who raised some nice kids, donated money local charities and even picked up trash in the neighborhood on their nightly walks? God would receive no glory and the devil would have won. Funny isn’t it?
BUT there it was. There was that honest to goodness downward tailspin and at such a large degree and such a fast speed that nothing and no one could have survived the crash into the ground.
And it was because of this huge breech in “goodness,” just an absolute explosion of our entire family structure that actually made a perfect “God shaped hole” in our lives for him to come and fill with His wild redemptive goodness.
I can confidently say 10 years later that God has got to have received the measure of glory equal or greater to the measure of that spectacular failure. So much glory. Isn’t that kind of crazy?! What kind of God could take something so devastating and messy and turn it into something that has given hundreds of people hope, brought healing ministry to countless marriages and declared the goodness of God to both the seen and unseen realms?
The devil 100% thought he got a W but his supposed win turned into a big sore spot because God’s power is MOST clearly and beautifully displayed in our weaknesses. In our epic and frequent shortcomings. And even in our spectacular failures.
He is the only one that could ever take something so cracked and broken, unrecognizable and arguably dead and turn it into a wellspring of living water for others to come drink from! Into a whole and healed vessel that can pour out living water for others. And my parents have done just that with every single day of their marriage since.
God loves best the vessels that know they need him. The ones that realize they would be so lost and messed up without him. Without his daily, hourly, moment by moment filling! Lord we need thee.

Tim Keller said everyone wants beggars at their wedding feast because with every single course that comes out they have hands up in the air clapping and cheering. We’d all like to think we’re the finest guests at God's table but oh are we beggars at this table. Jesus famously said to the religious leaders that tax collectors (people who worked for the oppressing regime and greedily stole money from their own people) and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of heaven before them. Simply because the religious leaders thought they were the finest vessels around, perfectly proud of being filled with their own pride and knowledge and self righteousness. They fully thought they had no actual need for God. Yet he continuously and publicly chastised them for being so concerned about their outward appearances of being “good and holy” and yet tragically had hearts so far from God.
What about me though? I’ve had an 11 year marriage now. I haven’t had any big wild and crazy testimonies in my marriage according to most standards. Chris and I are generally good people; we’re super nice, go to church and want to raise good kids. Paul covered that base when he clarified that even the utmost “good” I could ever conjure up with my one little life is like filthy rags compared to the righteousness that I have in Jesus. In Romans he states that the law was given to literally open my eyes to the fact that I have indeed SO wildly missed the mark, that I regularly -and often with gusto- spectacularly fall off course! In fact before the sun sets tonight I will have started course on that honest to goodness downward tailspin. To put it simply, if I do not realize my need for Jesus, I am doomed. If I do not remind my soul to wake up everyday and be dressed in His righteousness I am a lost cause. If I do not let His word renew my mind and feast on it regularly, things will not be pretty! I don't know about you but my ability and the rate at which I can trick myself into thinking I’m pretty fine without Him and that I’ve pretty much got things under control is so alarming!

So come with me back to the cross and let us all look up and realize our desperate need for Him and let Him fill us again and again and prayerfully use our lives as vessels poured out for the good of others just as my parents have done and more importantly like Jesus did with his life!

Thanks mom and dad for leading the way! I couldn’t be more proud of you! Thanks for showing us that God loves best the vessels that know they need him. Your radical humility and boldness for His kingdom are truly inspiring! Never ever be ashamed of your story. Shout it from the rooftops! It magnifies God in the most beautiful, awe-inspiring way and reminds us all of the best news ever to have happened to humanity - my rags for His righteousness.

Ten years ago today, a divine intervention occurred, restoring our marriage against all odds. For those unfamiliar with our journey, we weathered two separations, each lasting a daunting one year and four months. Our union appeared irreparable, but divine grace intervened. I led my wife Tammy and our four daughters through a challenging wilderness period, where outsiders saw no glimmer of reconciliation. Yet, through the boundless love of our heavenly Father and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, our marriage was not only salvaged but flourished. God's redemptive might prevailed. Today marks a decade of my sobriety—a testament to God's restoration of my heart, marriage, family, and career. It's a day of jubilation as Tammy and I join in celebrating God's unwavering faithfulness to our marriage and family. Now it's our passion to Ignite Hope through Jesus Christ.
Today is a day of celebration🥰

Eight Ways to find success in your marriage - God Centered Marriage…

1. Strengthen Your Personal Relationship with God…
While straightforward, the reality remains: placing our personal relationship with God first is paramount. It's only when we wholeheartedly love Him with all our being that we can truly love our spouse effectively. Dedicate time to prayer, worship, and Scripture. Engage in spiritual practices to nurture your connection with God.

2. Worship Together…
In the realm of a God-centered marriage, many Christians grasp the significance of attending church as a couple. Regrettably, this often marks the extent of their efforts. Just as personal faith shouldn't be confined to Sunday mornings, neither should marital devotion. Every day, seek opportunities to worship together. Discuss the presence and actions of God in your lives, offering joint praise. Infuse your routine with worship by playing uplifting music during car rides and exchanging Bible verses and worship song links via text messages.

3. Read and Learn Together…
Establish the practice of exploring and studying God's word jointly. This might involve engaging with a couples' daily devotional or tuning into faith-centered podcasts during extended journeys. Delve into relevant books together, addressing themes pertinent to your current life stage, be it parenting, caregiving, or other subjects. If reading isn't your preferred method, opt for audiobook versions for easy listening.

4. Pray for Each Other and With Each Other…
Make it a habit to pray for your spouse each day. Frequently, spouses may discern needs that their partner isn't even aware of themselves. Lift these concerns to God in prayer. Additionally, pray together as a couple. Offer prayers before meals and in times of need. Begin or conclude your day in shared prayer. Engage with your spouse in prayer, partnering together. Exchange prayer requests openly and support one another in prayer. Bless each other through prayer and affirmation.... Release the prophetic over each other daily! See what God will do!!!!!

5. Serve Together…
Seek chances to serve together within your local church community. This could involve various activities, such as co-teaching a Sunday School class or assisting with behind-the-scenes production tasks during weekend services. Consider embarking on a mission trip as a couple to further serve together.
Extend your service beyond the church walls by actively participating in community outreach projects. Engage in endeavors that demonstrate Christ's love, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or delivering meals to the homebound. Collaborate in sharing love and compassion within your community through these service initiatives.

6. Spend Time with Others…
Avoid living your marriage in isolation. As Christians, it's crucial to immerse yourselves in a community of believers, rather than relying solely on individual faith. Engaging with other couples brings significant advantages. Seasoned couples can offer invaluable mentorship, drawing from their experiences to guide you. Conversely, you have the opportunity to impart your own insights and truths to younger couples, fostering mutual growth within the community.

7. Seek God’s Wisdom When Making Decisions…
In marriage, the majority of significant life decisions are made jointly (or should be). Decisions regarding where to reside, financial allocations, child-rearing methodologies, church affiliation, and social engagements necessitate mutual deliberation. When faced with such pivotal choices, engage in thorough discussions, weighing each option against God's teachings. Ultimately, infuse every decision with the wisdom derived from your relationship with Jesus.

8. Engage in Marriage Coaching…
Identify a seasoned, God-fearing couple who exemplify wisdom in their walk with God. Arrange a minimum of three sessions to engage in discussions, prayer, and goal-setting for your marriage. Commit to transparency, honesty, and openness as you hold yourselfs accountable to this couple. Welcome their insights and guidance into your hearts and marriage journey. Setting marriage goals is important, but true accountability lies in actively working to turn those goals into reality.

Hey friends, Tammy, Leah, Chris and I want to thank you ALL again for your prayers for our sweet baby Josie! She is home and doing amazing to God be the Glory! Healthy and absolutely adorable! Thank you for partnering with us in her healing journey!

Our Marriage on the Rock Session #1...AWESOME!!! We are so excited to see what God is going to do through this series!!! Com'on Jesus!!!!