A Personal Story
I have been loved, I am loved, and I will forever be loved by Jesus Christ. 
We here at TBI are so honored that you would share your personal story with us and that we get to share  these personal stories (with permission) of how God has redeemed. If you have walked with the Lord for awhile you know that God loves you too much to leave you the way you first came to Him. He does not touch the painful places within us for no reason, but He does so because He wants you to be free. That is why He died for you so He can heal you completely.

I am amazed the transformations I see God doing in marriages. If the couple is willing, God can heal so completely. I see marriages that were basically good, become great and marriages that were broken become whole again.

The story below is shared  anonymously with permission. This story speaks of the impact that Intimate Encounters made on this couple and in their family. We love sharing these stories with you and hope to do so monthly because it gives us all hope! Maybe you see yourself in the same situation you read in one of our stories. We pray it brings you encouragement.

If TBI may help you in anyway would you let us know? We want you to know that we are here for you and you don't have to walk this life journey alone.
Maybe you have your own personal story to share of how TBI or Intimate Encounter principles have made an impact on your life. You can email us at:   linda.davanzo@thebasicidea.org .

We pray you will see God and all His Glory in this story.



I have been loved, I am loved, and I will forever be loved by Jesus Christ.

For most of our marriage - at least in the earlier half - I struggled to maintain my feelings of love and excitement toward my spouse thinking it was up to me to maintain or somehow manufacture proper levels of emotion.  After several years of doing well at this "idea of a good marriage" I began to run out of steam.  I was changing and getting older and so was my spouse.  Our era of family shifted from one of business with small children to business with job and service and our children were growing more and more independent.

At this stage I found myself focusing more on our marriage but not knowing how to maintain the status quo or "out run" my feelings of failure to maintain or grow our relationship.  About this time we had the privilege of being included in a training that involved the Intimate Encounters material, and truly we were revolutionized.  After continuing to study and experience these relational truths, I came to a major revelation.

Major Revelation:  The love I was to give to my spouse was not supposed to be my best human effort to love; rather, the love I was to give was actually God's love.  In other words I did not have to manufacture human love but I was to accept divine love and give it to my life partner.  Immediately things began to change.  I relaxed - knowing that my spouse did not HAVE TO love me back (though I longed for love to be returned) and understanding my heavenly Father already loved me - period.  I have been loved, I am loved, and I will forever be loved by Jesus Christ.  John 17:23

Knowing the truth deeply, intellectually and emotionally and spiritually, has truly set me free to love and be loved.

The second half of our marriage has been an even greater blessing than the first half since we both continue to grow in love and consistently (not perfectly) enjoy giving the love to one another that Jesus has so freely given to us.

We are grateful.

52 week plan written by Dave Lewis and Linda D'Avanzo

Do you have a story you would like to share with us about how Intimate Encounters has changed your life? We would love to share your stories. (Can stay Anonymous) Please email us your story  HERE

10 Relational Needs used with permission from Great Commandment Network

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THANK YOU!

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