Encouraging One Another

I have the most beautiful nineteen-month old granddaughter.  She is extremely bright and learns things quickly.  Her personality has really blossomed in the last few months as well.  She is quite the Drama Queen and hilarious with her facial expressions and comedic antics.

Last week I had the opportunity to babysit little Miss Priss for a few days in my home.  Our daily routine consisted mostly of playing.  I did manage to get in my exercise workouts before she awoke each morning except for one morning.  That particular morning Hazel Grace began doing squats with me and was my cheerleader.

Imagine an adorable blue-eyed, cherub-faced girl sporting a tank top and ruffled bottom shorts squatting her cute chubby tush alongside her Vivi.  Each time we finished a set of squats, Hazel Grace would stick her little hands in the air and squeal, “Yay! Go!”  I would then proceed with another set of squats.  My little cheerleader encouraged me to finish my very difficult workout that morning in record time and even work my abs muscles by laughing at her antics.

Don’t we all need a cheerleader to encourage us?  God’s word says we need to carry one another’s burdens and to encourage one another in our spiritual walk.  I certainly cannot do this ministry life thing alone and I daresay you cannot either.

That is why is it is vital for each of us to find a sister in ministry who understands what we are going through.  We need a sister who has walked through the issues we all deal with-criticism, firings, moves, financial issues, etc.  We need someone to tell us that it is okay to cry over the hurt, rejoice over personal victories, and worry about health issues or financial strains.  We need a sister who will not be afraid to speak firm truth to our soul when all we really want to do is quit. We need that sister who will embrace us in a hug. Let’s face it.  We need that sister who knows when we need a good dose of chocolate.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 states, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.  For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.”

Sisters, we need to encourage and support another in our calling.  Let’s be each other’s cheerleader and shout, “Yay! Go!”

Make Sure You Have All the Ingedients

No one can ever label me as “Betty Crocker.”  Most dishes I prepare are very simple and no fuss.  Even my mom, who was an excellent cook, decided my culinary skills were lacking.  We won’t even discuss my artistic ability, my mind for math, or my successful sewing feats.  Nope, just not going there.

Well, I decided the other day to make homemade chocolate chip pumpkin bread.  Yes ladies, I know it is August and pumpkin season has not arrived.  However, when your six-year-old grandson pleads, “Vivi, will you make your chocolate chip pumpkin bread for me,” you step up to the plate.

I purchased my ingredients only to get home from the store to discover my eggs were still at the store.  I rushed back to town, gathered the eggs, and raced home.  By now, I am frazzled.

I doubled check to make sure the ingredients were on the counter and proceeded to mix the sweet-smelling bread.  As I am pouring the mixture in the pans, I noticed the mixture was a little off. I was not worried.  It had been a year since I made pumpkin bread.  As I went to open the oven, I spied my can of pumpkin . . .UNOPENED on the counter.  I dumped the loaf pan contents back into the mixing bowl and ADDED the pumpkin.  Ah, there was the perfectly smooth mixture I remembered.  The pumpkin bread batter poured evenly into the prepared baking pans and a sweet pumpkin spice smell filled my home.

Ladies, have you ever done “all the right things” for the Lord but left out the most important ingredient-THE LORD?  Did your “right thing” turn out to be God’s plan?  Did the “right thing” go smoothly without the Lord?

If you are like me, I often focus on my “right thing” and check off the box.  I tend to go in head- strong on a project that I believe is the “right thing” without consulting with the Lord.   The result is a sticky mess that I must correct.  However, once I put the Lord into the mix, things run smoothly.  I know that I need to have all the right ingredients for my day to run well or my project to go smoothly.  With the right ingredient-the Lord-our life will be a sweet-smelling aroma to the Lord.

Grace Under Fire

Seventeen years ago, I after completing high school, I finally received my college degree.  It was difficult juggling marriage, a high school son and a junior high son, attending ALL their ballgames and helping with homework, plus encouraging my husband who was in his doctorate studies, and managing all the housework and my homework.  In addition, I had to drive an hour and a half each way to attend class.  This meant leaving home early in the morning and not arriving home until 7-8 p.m.  It was exhausting.  Many days when I arrived for class, my mood and attitude was often less than Christian. Let’s just say I LIVED on Peanut M & M’s to calm my nerves. 

The workshops I took required freelance writing assignments.  These assignments were then presented before my peers and the professor for review.  For the most part, my assignments received rave reviews. However, one professor spewed venomous criticism.  Because I stood up for my Christian valves and would not write vulgar material, she regarded my work as trash.  Her words were very hurtful and damaging.  Finally, in a private meeting with her where she once again was rude and snide, I had had enough.  Quite frankly, I threw my pen down on her desk and stated my beliefs and opinions of her narrow mindedness then I left her office.  No, it was not the best way to handle the professor.  I realize now years later that she was a hurting person who need me to reflect Christ regardless of how I was treated.

Ladies, I am sure that within your churches you have faced critics who are poised to destroy you.  You take and take but eventually their words break you.  Recently, a person in our church sent out several letters to various members.  The letter was poorly written and raged against the church staff.  This person did not want salvation preached, did not believe in evangelism, and hated all the music in our services.  They wanted everything their way no matter the cost.  Funny, this person was not brave enough to sign the tirade, but the members and church staff who received it knew exactly who it was.

Sadly, this individual is known in our church as a troublemaker.  They have been asked to leave at least four other churches in our area because of their destructive nature.  For now, our church staff has decided to ignore the comments and keep following God’s leadership for the church.  The members of the church who received the letter have spoken out in support of the church staff to other members.

Although I do not go out of way to reach out to this individual, I have prayed for their heart to be convicted.  I have asked the Lord to help them realize the damage they are doing to the His Kingdom.  This person’s rage is not really directed at the staff but at God and they will one day answer for their actions. 

Girlfriends, as long as we are in ministry there will be critics.  Take a moment today to read Nehemiah 6:1-9.  It is about the opposition Nehemiah faced in rebuilding the wall.  Despite of the opposition’s attack and lies, Nehemiah kept at his God given purpose and asked the Lord to “strengthen his hands.”

May God strengthen our ministries to face whatever Satan decides to throw our way.

In Awe

I have always loved the story of Cinderella.  What little girl does not?  Cinderella goes from being a slave to her mean stepmother and stepsisters to being a princess and living in a beautiful castle. As a child, I dreamed of living in Cinderella’s castle.

Fast forward to when my children were preschoolers.  My in-laws took our family to Disney World in Florida.  We were so excited.  The boys wanted to meet Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.  However, I was anticipating seeing Cinderella’s castle.

As we enter the gates of the theme park and made our way down the street, I was beyond excited.  Now understand, I was in my late twenties and giddy.  Suddenly, there in front of me was Cinderella’s castle.  I stopped in my tracks and literally started crying. I was in awe because the castle was everything I imagined it would be.  My little girl dream had been fulfilled in a small part. (Now, my husband and two little boys did not understand why I was bawling in the middle Disney World.  They were ready to hit the rides, but I just needed a moment to absorb the magic of my personal moment). 

 As I remembered this moment in my life, I began to wonder how often I have stood in awe of God.  Honestly, there are times when I do not look for his glory. I believe as ministers’ wives we often take for granted the “awe” moments that God shares with us.

Just the other day, I was suffering terribly with allergies.  My voice has been gone for a week and a half. I was on every medicine I can take and have had three rounds of steroids.  My doctor said there is nothing else he can do for me.  As I sat feeling hopeless on Friday night, God sent a friend over to visit.  While she was there a strong thunderstorm blew through. I did not think one thing about the storm.

The next morning my voice, although not strong, was back.  The air outdoors smelled clean and fresh.  The yellow haze of pollen had been washed away in the storm.  I stood in awe and praised God for his awesome power for something as small as the storm.

Here is another thought that has crossed my mind.  How often as believers to we take for granted that we have a heavenly home waiting for us? I know I do.  The Bible tries to describe what heaven will be like with streets of pure gold, jasper walls and crystal seas.  For me, it is too much for my earthly imagination.  My mind has designed a heaven like what might be experienced here on earth complete with a banquet table full of chocolate goodies.  However, our minds will never be able to grasp the splendor of our heavenly home until we see it for ourselves.

That is when we will truly STAND IN AWE IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

Sunday Mornings for a Pastor's Wife

My husband and I have been in full time ministry for many years.  We raised our two PK son’s now 34 and 31in the “glass house” world.  One thing I have learned is that every day is a battle with the evil one.  Oh, there are awesome days when all is right in the world and there is peace on earth.  However, let SUNDAY roll in and the wham!  Life seems to fall apart.  That is Satan trying to keep you from God’s work. 

Well girlfriends, that is why God made chocolate and a little humor for the us.  I am sharing today a FEW of the SUNDAY events that have occurred in our ministry.  They are very real moments in from this crazy, blonde, chocoholic preacher’s wife life.  See if you can relate to any of them.

1.      “Do I have to go to church AGAIN?”  Let’s see.  Are you running a fever or throwing up?  No?  Then yes, you GET to go to church again.

2.      “Mommy, I have going to wear my cowboy costume to church today because Jesus loves cowboys.”  Hmm, he got me on that one.

3.      As my husband leaves for church one SUNDAY morning, he casually mentions that I need to bring a casserole for lunch because a Sunday School class decided to have a pot luck.  Hmm, let’s see.  The pantry is empty and I still have to get two children under five to dressed for church.  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

4.      A certain two-year-old decides to play Army man on a SUNDAY morning.  He scales the piano bench and climbs on top the piano. I realize the house is too quiet and peer around the corner of my kitchen just in time to see my little one attempt to jump from the piano to the coffee table.  Instead he hits the corner of the table with his head.  He screams. I scream. (I want to run for chocolate ice cream!) Running to check on my little one, I discovered a huge goose egg bump on his forehead.  Thankfully, there was a nurse in our country church who lived across the highway.  Note to self:  never, ever leave a two-year-old independent future military guy unattended especially on a SUNDAY and you might want to become a military medic in case of battle injuries.

5.      As I stood in my bathroom in my robe with wet hair with two preschoolers who are crying for breakfast, my smiling, fully dressed for SUNDAY morning husband steps in and says, “Honey, I am heading to church to prepare for the message.  See you there.”  In my mind I imagine myself walking in to church in my bathrobe and wet hair dragging to two crying and hungry preschoolers who are clinging to my leg.

6.      Once I was so proud of myself because I actually going to be on time for Sunday School.  I was dressed; kids are fed and dressed.  As I gathered my purse, bible, and diaper bag, I heard squeals of laughter coming from our sons’ room.  Soon I saw my three and half year-old chasing his one and half year-old brother down the hall.  The younger of the two had decided that clothes and diaper are optional attire for church. I sigh, grab the streaking toddler, slap a diaper on his bare bottom and head to church.  You can always dress him there. Lesson to self:  Pride comes before a fall especially on SUNDAYS!

7.      My husband was baptizing a child during the morning service.  I was sitting at the back of the church with my toddler, who is watching intently, on my lap. (Yes, it was a small church with no nursery).  Suddenly, as the new convert was dunked under the water, my toddler started crying, “I want to go swimming with Daddy too!”

Note to self:  Always wear a clothing article that coordinates with the deep red coloring in your face.

8.      I was huge pregnant with my second child and trying to entertain/restrain my toddler.  Suddenly, the fiercely independent future military toddler spotted his favorite church member in the choir and skillfully slid like a wet noodle out of my lap.  The future military man then proceeded to “army man” crawl under all the pews all the way to the front of the church to go see his buddy. Hmm, those crawling skills did help develop him in to an awesome military officer.

9.      A visiting pulpit committee takes our family to lunch to further get to know our family.  The meeting lasted a couple of hours.  In the process our six-year-old and three-year-old decide they needed to go to the restroom which is across from your table.  After several minutes, the three-year-old ran in to the restaurant dining room screaming, “Bubba is locked in the potty and can’t get out!” Hmm, at least he didn’t fall in or the three-year-old flush Hot Wheels cars in the potty and cause a flood.

10.  Same pulpit committee, same lunch, same people, and same children.  Our three-year-old decides the “meeting” needed some entertainment.  Mr. Mischievous Funny Man crawled under the table and began barking and panting like a dog.  Hmm, at least my toddler did not think they were fire hydrants.

Sigh . . .SUNDAYS!  I did survive . . .I think.

Test Drive to Avoid a Cheap Substitute

Godiva chocolate candy is one of my favorites.  There is just something about that rich chocolate goodness that gives me joy.  Unfortunately, Godiva chocolates are most often not in my budget.  They are a VERY special treat maybe once a year.  I usually stick with the budget friendly Hershey bar or M & M’s which provides me with a happy soul.

However, once I decided to try a chocolate variety from dollar store.  Hey, don’t laugh!  It was only a dollar.  Guess what?  It was AWFUL!!  Not only was it not rich chocolate but it was grainy.  It was almost like the ingredients were not mixed together correctly.  IT WAS GROSS!! I learned never to settle for a cheap substitute when you can have the best.

In ministry, we have a difficult time finding and developing friendships.  Who can you trust?  Who REALLY wants to be your friend or do they just want inside information?  For me, I so want friends.  They make my life richer and more fun.  As I have shared many times, the Lord has placed a handful (literally, I can count them on my two hands) of ladies who are true and trusted friends.  I always know they have my back.

Unfortunately, too many times I have been so lonely that I have accepted cheap substitute friends.  Oh my!  The mess these people brought into my life because I was not willing to wait for the best.  These particular ladies tore me down emotionally and wore me out physically.  When I realized who they were and what they really wanted, it was too late.  Endless to say, I am very caution when developing friendships.

Fortunately, God has helped ease the pain of their ugliness and taught me to “test drive” a friendship.  I know this sounds awful.  Just like you test drive a car, in our ministry world, you must try it out before you know if this potential friendship is the right fit.  God has faithfully been opening my eyes and heart more to those ladies who are TRULY seeking my friendship.

My true, trusted troop of girlfriends accept me for who I am.  They know my warts and it is okay.  They do not have an agenda to “get to my pastor husband.”  What’s important is that they love Jesus and reflect His light.  They encourage and pray for me.  They also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have fun and eat the real deal chocolate.

Girlfriends, if you are seeking a true friend, here is my personally tested advice:

TEST DRIVE TO AVOID A CHEAP SUBSTITUTE!

Service Checkup

Last week I had three different service technicians in our home.  One came to do a check on my washer and dryer.  Oops!  He found a small issue with the drier and quickly fixed the problem. No matter how much I clean the lint from the dryer trap and attempt to clean the inside, there are always those sneaky little places in the tubing vent that catch lint that cause problems.  (Hmm, it is a little like eating a few bites of chocolate to curve your craving while you are watching your calories.  However, in a few hours, you shockingly discover you have eaten the whole chocolate bar). Thankfully, this service checkup caught an issue that could have caused destruction later.

Sometimes I wish humans came with a once a day mandatory service checkup.  Some days I fly through my day with little thought of God.  Oh, I may “manage” to squeeze in a brief few minutes of quiet time, but never take the time to reflect on what His word is trying to tell me.

On days like this my temperament is not even close to godly.  My impatience flares which breeds anger.  I find I lash out at people especially my family.  If only I had taken the time to reflect (or receive a spiritual checkup) from the Lord that morning, I may have avoided potentially dangerous situations.

Ladies, we need to do a spiritual checkup daily.  Ministry can be a wonderful experience.  However, let’s face it.  There are those days when it gets messy.  If we do not have our lives in order, Satan can throw an issue our way that can cause us to become bitter and angry.  Bitterness and anger breed broken fellowship with the body of Christ.

I challenge each of us to be more aware of the sneaky sins in our lives.  Don’t be afraid to ask the Lord to do a “service checkup” on you.  It may be painful at first, but in the long run, it will save you from a disastrous situation.

A President; A Cowboy; A Trucker; A Doctor

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to attend the TN Ministers’ Wives Retreat at Dollywood’s Dream More Resort.  It was a fabulous time of fellowship and fun reuniting with some girlfriends I have not seen in many years.  Honestly, my stomach hurt from all the laughing I did.

During the retreat, Jeanne Davis, TN Executive wife, had us participate in “our story.”  One questioned she asked was as a child what we wanted to be and how that occupation could be used in our ministry now.   I cannot answer for the other groups at the retreat, but the group of ladies I sat with were as crazy as I am.  From my group the three most unique occupations were:  President, Cowboy, and Trucker.   (Let me tell you I am STILL laughing from the table conversation that followed).

To answer the question of how these occupations could be used in our ministries now, I came home and began to really ponder.  (Warning:  the pondering was done “under the influence” of M & M’s and contrived within my crazy blonde brain.  I soon realized that this blog would be serious and might sound harsh so please forgive me ahead of time).  So here we go:

President- this person holds the highest executive office and presides over the body.  They must make difficult decisions at times which hopefully will be for the good of the people.  If the church was run by the President, after all attempts to unify the body, they could issue an executive order to remove all “dissenters” (those who disagree with the goals and beliefs of the church).  After all, don’t we all want peace and unity within the body of Christ?

Once the order has been issued by the President, a cowboy would come in to round up the dissenters who have strayed far from the teachings and beliefs of the church and herd them out in to an awaiting truck.  Oh, this cowboy has to be on guard at all times because some of the “dissenters” attempt to sneak back in among with fold.  Haven’t we all witnessed some nayer-sayers within our churches?  When confronted by fellow Christians about their behavior, those individuals will be quiet for a period of time but then start their destructive complaining and selfishness again. 

The next person waiting for the dissenters is the trucker.  This person has patiently waited.  They have witness countless attempts to restore broken relationships and correct poor actions.   In the end, the trucker is responsible hauling the dissenters to a distance location away from the church body.  As they leave, the church body including the President and the cowboy pray for the healing of the those who have left.

Now, some of you might be a little offended at the fictional representation.  However, I do believe many of God’s churches are suffering greatly from those individuals who whine, cry, demand their own way and whose beliefs do not line up with Christianity.  They have lost sight of the true mission of the body of Christ-to bring more souls to heaven.  Personally, I believe many of the dissenters in our churches have a spiritual issue that is the result of a broken relationship with Jesus.  They need a healing touch from the Father.  With that in mind, I will add another occupation to our list-a doctor.

When a sick/hurt animal is separated from the other animals, a vet tends to them.  He assesses their needs and treats them.  The hope is that the ill animal can be restored to the others.   However, in some cases, the healer can do nothing for the sick animal. 

The same goes with the local church.  We need to love and pray for those who cause dissension within the body.  Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a person from leadership or have a meeting with an individual who is causing harm to the body of Christ.  Sadly, and on rare occasions, a person may be asked to leave the church because their actions are damaging the unity and fellowship of the body of Christ.  This is where the ultimate doctor-Jesus-comes in.  It is the prayer of the church body that the harmful person will come to realize that they are out of the will of Christ.  Jesus is the only answer for hope and healing of a hardened heart.  It is the church body’s hope that the person who caused damage will repent of their ways and be restored to a right relationship with Jesus and with the congregation.

I know this blog story is fictional and arose from fun at the retreat.  I do hope no one takes offense to it.  Church disciple rarely happens anymore but when it does, it is for the healing of both the local body of Christ and the individual.  It is my prayer that if your church is experiencing disunity or someone is causing damage to the body that through prayer and reconciliation the person can be restored to the body to fulfill their Christ-calling there.

The Day I was Called a Beth Moore

At the Tennessee Ministers’ Wives Retreat in March, I was called one of the “Beth Moore” bloggers for our site.  I am quite certain that I may have laughed and spewed chocolate from my mouth onto Kathy Britton as she said these words.  If I did, Kathy, I apologize and I hope the chocolate stain comes out of your clothes.

Seriously, NO ONE has ever referred to me like that.  When I think of Beth Moore, I think of someone who is deep in the word daily and who prays constantly.  Oh, I know she has fun and enjoys laughing and fellowshiping with friends. 

On the other hand, I try to have my daily quiet time and discern what the Lord is saying to me that day.  However, there are days I get so caught up in the “to-do” list that my quiet time slides to the side. 

I do pray through out the day.  My prayers are little short, snippets like “Lord, watch of my family,” or “Lord, help me have a good attitude toward so and so and not want to slap them in Jesus’ name.”  Yes, I do pray but sometimes my prayers are shallow and empty.  My best time to pray is when I am heading to bed.  It calms me down and I can be grateful for the Lord’s protection throughout the day.

Oh, and doesn’t Beth Moore do public speaking?  Girlfriends, pass the Pepto!  Yes, I have done some retreats and break out sessions at conferences.  I have been a main character in Christmas and Easter productions in front of crowds at church.  However, I have never stood on a stage in front of thousands of women and delivered God’s message.  Every time I stand in front of a group I shake in my shoes.  (Oh, and never put me in front of or lock me in with thirty preschoolers.  That’s another story for another time).

Kathy, I am quite honored you consider me a “Beth Moore” blogger.  However, as I always say, I am a “beach bum, chocoholic, crazy preacher’s wife who loves Jesus and laughing with my girlfriends.”

By the way, Kathy is just as crazy as I am if not crazier.  It is my joy to call her friend. 

Jesus is Alive!

Although the world wants to deny Christ existence or at best just say he was “a good man,” the fact is Jesus is a real person.  He suffered and died on a cruel cross and was placed in a dark, cold tomb for three days.  Oh, but on that third day, death could not hold him.  He rolled back the stone from the entrance of the tomb and walked out.  He broke the chains of death.  HE’S ALIVE!

The world around us needs to see the JOY believers have in Christ.  They need to see us celebrating victory over death.  Yes, we experience trials and sufferings.  The world stops and wonders why Christians can face their trials.  The answer is that our joy is found in Christ and nothing can rob us of it.

HOPE is another thing our world needs.  Stock markets crash, violence is splashed across the tv screens, and war rages.  Is it a wonder that stress and depression exist?  Families are torn apart through divorce, suicides, addictions and so much more.  Where is their hope?  Christians need to share-in the grocery line, at school, at our jobs, etc.- the hope found in Jesus Christ with the dying world. 

On this Easter Sunday and every day, let’s proclaim to the world around us that . . .

                       JESUS IS ALIVE!

Retreat Time!

If you are reading this quick post, I am already heading to East Tennessee for the big ministers' wives retreat this weekend.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to get to come back "home" and see my Tennessee sisters.  I can't wait to laugh till my stomach hurts and to hug your necks.

I hope to see all of you there.  You won't be able to miss me.  I will be the short, chunky, crazy blonde gal eating chocolate.  (Girlfriends, I know there will be LOTS of chocolate at the retreat because I know the gals putting the retreat together).  So here is my quick thought about this weekend's retreat:

R-reuniting with Sisters in Ministry who love
E-eating chocolate as much as I do.
T-taking off the ministry mask and getting to be a
R-real person with a real name.
E-everyone laughs till their bellies hurt
A-and a few tears may fall but no judgement will be found because
T-true sisters in ministry always have each other's backs.

Dangerous Donut Holes

Have you ever sat and chatted with a young child about Jesus or stories from the Bible?  It is always interesting the highlights they can remember or how their embellishments add a hint of humor to the Bible story.

 The other day my daughter-in-love, who is the mother of two very active preschoolers, shared that she taught the preschoolers during worship service that day.  That day the Bible lesson was about Esther and how she invited the king to a royal feast.  They began to discuss the possible food that was on the banquet table.  All the toddlers, including my two-year-old grandson, agreed that donut holes were definitely on the menu.   She then sent a picture of the entire class all smiling surrounding a huge plate of donut holes.  The only child not looking at the camera was my grandson.  His mischievous little brown eyes were locked on to the donut hole feast laid out before him.

I share all this in fun but there is a message here.  There are so many people in the world today and in our churches who have a “different” idea about God.  One of the most recent ideas I have heard is that Christians are not called to share the gospel.  This person did not believe the Great Commission applied to today’s world but only to the early church.  My husband was patient with this person and simply asked, “Are there not lost people in the world today?  Do you believe the Bible is the LIVING word of God?”  The person stated yes to both questions.  Then my husband began to explain and share why it is vital that each Christian is called upon to bring others with them to heaven.  He then discovered that this person was uncomfortable sharing their faith so they CREATED their own “dangerous” version to scripture.

Although it is fun to imagine what food might have been served at a king’s banquet table, we must help people stick to the truth of God’s word.  Many people cannot accept that there is only ONE WAY to heaven through Jesus Christ.  They do not want anyone going to hell so they have people believing that any god will get them to heaven.  In John 14:6, Jesus stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Sometimes people make innocent donut holes in to dangerous donut holes by taking the Bible out of context and creating a new “gospel” to fit their needs.  Sisters, we need to be diligent to share the truth of God’s word at all times.

Get Rid of Your Junk

Junk drawers! They hold all types of “treasures” that get misplaced and forgotten.   If you are like me, you have at least one in your home.  I will admit we have three junk drawers.

I recently “decluttered” the junk drawer in the kitchen.  I honestly think I filled a Kroger bag full of scrap paper, several screws from who knows what, and a lot of general mess that took up space.  The drawer is somewhat organized with a few notepads, a couple of pens, and box tops that I save for my grandson. 

After I tackled that drawer, I decided to “explore” the drawer of my bedside table.  As soon as I pulled it open, I was overwhelmed.  How did all that “stuff” get in the drawer!  I spent the next couple of hours sorting through piles of junk-an old cell phone, physical therapy exercise instructions, pens, paper, cough drops, and so much more.  I even found Chuck E Cheese tokens and a small bag of M & M’s stuffed in the drawer!  That day I threw away almost everything in the drawer. (Oh, I kept the tokens because I know there is a Chuck E Cheese visit on the horizon.  I ate the M & M’s because you should NEVER waste chocolate). 

As I have thought on those junk drawers, I realized I keep too much stuff that has no value.  After a while the junk becomes overwhelming and the drawer becomes difficult to shut.  Hmm, isn’t that like our life when we hide our sin or stuff down bitterness?

I am trying to be more intentional this year and attempt to declutter not only my home but also my life.  I have a long way to go but so far it is freeing.

God does not want us to hide our sin.  We don’t and can’t even hide our junk from the Lord.  Let’s face it ladies.  We cannot even hide the hurt of ministry from the Lord.  He sees and knows EVERYTHING. 

So, girlfriends, here is another challenge for you this year.  Go declutter your junk drawer.  While you are at it, declutter the junk in your life.  I promise, both are freeing.

Oh Well

Last week my only grand daughter turned one year old.  Being the awesome “Vivi” that I am, I hustled around consulting with my daughter-in-love on birthday plans.  I am a PRO at planning birthday parties for my two grandsons ages five and two so how hard could a “girl” party be. 

I pulled down the lamb cake molds which my mom used to create beautiful first birthday cakes for all her grandchildren.  I had used them twice before for my grandsons’ parties so a third attempt would be a breeze.  My daughter-in-love agreed to an all PINK Princess party complete with a tiara and a sash.  After raising two sons and having two grandsons, a splash of pink would be a blast.

Sadly, after two attempts on the Lamb Smash Cake, I finally managed to ice a “rough” looking creature.  I wanted my little princess to have a perfect cake.  Instead, she got a cross between “roadkill and an ugly dog.”  Oh well, I tried.

After setting everything up for the party, we placed Hazel Grace in her special chair.  We placed the tiara and sash on her.  She immediately began screaming and tore both the tiara and sash off.  My little princess had turned into a Drama Queen.

We finally calmed her down enough so that we could place the Lamb Smash Cake in front of her.  Hazel Grace took one look, kicked her chubby little leg into the backside of the cake and starting screaming again complete with REAL tears following down her face.  I think she was traumatized by the ugly creature in front of her.  Oh well, I tried.

Throughout the party, my little “Princess” wanted nothing to do with anything-no tiara, no sash, no cake, no ice cream (who doesn’t like ice cream!), and no presents.  The only thing that pleased Hazel Grace were her old toys which she had been playing with since Christmas.  Oh well, this little girl will always know that she is loved whether she likes tiaras and the color pink.

As I ponder the events of the day, I began to see a slight parallel with church members.

Our husbands try follow the Lord’s leadership and plan worship services, events, etc.  However, regardless of how biblical the sermon is, how uplifting and worshipful the music is, how successful the church events are, there is always that one person who refuses to take part in any of it.  Instead, they sit frowning and refuse to sing no matter what type of music is played.  Instead of listening for God’s message, they checked their watch or sleep during the sermon.  Instead of learning in their small group time, it becomes a place for them to talk about “the good old days.”  Our church wide fellowships and events are not for them because there are too many “outsiders” there and the program doesn’t appeal to them.  I firmly believe these people are missing out.  They would rather pout, cry, and cause drama than look for what God is doing in their midst. 

A church can have a top-notch staff, terrific music, outstanding programs and events, but you will never please everyone.  That is when you must love that person like Christ loves us and say, “Oh well, we did our best” and continue to follow the Lord’s leadership.

The Common Bond is Jesus

I always look forward to spending time with my fellow sisters in ministry.  In the association that I am a part of here in the Little Rock, Arkansas area, we have a group of 15-20 ladies who meet once a month. There is always laughter, good food, more laughter and lots of chocolate.

When we gather, we plan for fun.  Just this month we met at one wife’s home and she prepared a wonderful soup meal for us.  All the rest of us had to do was show up with our leftover Christmas “junk” and share it.  As we sat around the table there was no planned program.  Since our last meeting almost two months ago, we simply caught up on each other’s lives.  (Because ministers’ wives CANNOT squeeze another event in during the month of December, we take that month off). 

As I prepared for bed and tried to fall asleep after our fellowship, I was consumed with the reminder of the sweet fellowship that took place around the table that evening.  Here is what I discovered:

*We represented a variety of beautiful skin tones but what really made each lady beautiful was the love of Jesus oozing from inside.

*We come from different backgrounds from around the nation. 

*God uniquely designed each of us to be our husband’s perfect helpmate in ministry.

*We serve in large churches, small churches, new church plants but the common denominator is seeing lost souls won for Christ.

*Our churches are located in different areas around our metroplex-rural, suburb, downtown-and our churches range from very small to very large congregations.

*Our ladies are school teachers, nurses, stay-at-home moms, preschool teachers, business professionals, college professors, and more.

* We represent moms of preschoolers, grade schoolers, high schoolers, college students and grown independent adult children.  Some of us have even graduated to being grandparents.

I could go on with my list but I think you get the idea.  This group of ladies is not a click.  We are a group of wives who are married to men in the ministry. We are a group of ladies who understand the unique roll of a minister’s wife.  We understand the glory days of ministry and we have fought through the yucky days of ministry life.  We struggle to raise our families, at times endure financial hardship, and so much more.  We serve alongside our husbands because we are called to be God’s cheerleader for our men.

People often ask me why I attend this fellowship or why I have been part of others like it.  My response is always the same.  It is the one place that I can remove my ministry wife mask and be myself.  It is the one place where other ladies can encourage me and provide laughter to my soul.  It is the place where there is no competition between churches (there never should be) and we can come together in one accord.

I have also been asked what makes a group of ladies from different backgrounds and churches come together.  My answer is that we all have a common bond.  It is the bond of having Jesus as our Savior.

The Challenge: To Face My Fear

Many of you know from my blog posts that I am a chocoholic, beach lover who loves Jesus.  You know I am a pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother.  You probably have figured out that I am just a bit “crazy” when it comes to having fun with my girlfriends.  However, there is one thing you do not know about me. I am a people pleaser and I have a fear of failure.

From childhood to present, I have always known this about myself.  Over the years, I have learned to face many failures with grace and know that the Lord loves me regardless.  It is still disappointing to me to not meet the expectations of people around me.

However, I realized something this week.  It may seem so silly to you but that’s ok.  I realized that my fear of failure and people pleasing is a sin from Satan.  It is a lie from the pits of hell.  The only person I have to be concerned about pleasing is the Lord.  And let’s face it, even if we do disappoint him with our sinful nature, the Lord loves us with a never-ending love.

Over the past several months, God has placed a restlessness in my heart.  It is a yearning to do more for him.  I have prayed and mediated and I recently met with a trusted, Godly individual who listened to my story.  She said, “Sister, God has a great adventure waiting for you.  All you need to do is take the next step.”

There maybe one of you out there in cyberspace who is fearful of taking the next step for the Lord.  Maybe you and your husband feel called to go on the mission field far away from family and friends.  Maybe you to are a people pleaser and afraid of failure.  I challenge you to pray and seek the Lord’s will.  Seek out a godly person who can listen to your story and give godly wisdom.  As for me, I have accepted the challenge to face my fear of people pleasing and failure head on.  I have a plan and I am giving it to the Lord.

So, sisters, I am selfishly asking for your prayers and I follow the Lord’s leading. 

A Clean Slate

As a school aged child, I loved getting a new diary every year at Christmas.  I loved to write my thoughts and deepest secrets in it.  Over the years my diaries went from an elementary girl’s silliness to a teenage girl’s joys and heartaches of dating.  My diaries reflected my life at the time and how each year revealed a hope for a clean slate.

Today, I love starting a new journal every year.  To me it represents a fresh start and anticipation of something new.  Although I no longer spill out childhood secrets, I do pen my thoughts from my quiet time.  Sometimes God provides insight to an issue or decision that must be made.  Other times I simply write a scripture in my journal.  Of course, there are tons of prayers for a person who has been laid on my heart that day.  In addition, each year my journal reveals a little more of what God is teaching me and who he is.

In the same way my new journal provides a new start to writing, the Lord gives us a clean slate everyday through our ministry and in our spiritual life.  The Lord promises, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”

I am glad I serve a Heaven Fatherly who allows me to start afresh daily with a clean slate.  How about you?

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed-Part Three

If you have followed my post the last couple of days, you read a little about my girlfriend who has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).  You also know that RA can cripple and leave a person feeling useless.  My sweet friend loves baking delicious decorated cookies.  When RA hit her, the baking and decorating stopped because she could not work her hands.  However, she did not let this fact get her down.  She kept her eyes on Jesus and repeated her motto, “Thankful, Grateful, Blessed.”

Today we will briefly inspect our last word.

Blessed-divinely or supremely favored; fortunate bringing happiness and thankfulness.

I found another great quote that really hit home with me.  “Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems.”  This is so true!

We all have our issues.  They range from health to ministry issues.  However, we, as believers in Christ, are blessed beyond measure.  We do not deserve anything.  Yet because of God’s love for us, we are children of the King!  Girls, we are God’s little princesses!  Talk about blessed!

Yet there is more to be blessed about.  My friend, who is struggling with RA, keeps going because God is her constant companion.   She shares, “I am thankful and grateful that He (God) listens and hears my voice.  That He has given me a loving family, brothers and sisters in Christ, that care so much for me.  When I feel I can’t go on, he gives me hope.  I am truly blessed beyond measure to be a child of the Living God.”  God has not forgotten her, left her, however, he has enabled her in this time to inspire and encourage people through her continual witness.

 Girls, God never leaves us when ministry or life is hard.  He does not forget us when our pain is great.  His love for us never fails.  No matter our struggles or joys God is always in the blessing mode even when we do not see it.

Let me leave you with this cute saying about blessings:

B-Begin your day with

L-Love in your heart

E-Expect Blessings

S-Share goodness

S-Shine like the Sun (Son)

I-Inspire someone

N-Never forget that

G-God is with you all the time

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed-Part Two

I shared in my post yesterday that a friend has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).  When asked how she is doing, she always says, ‘Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed.” When my girlfriend responded to my question of what being grateful meant to her, she sent Psalm 116:1-14 to me.  As I read those words, verses 3-6, spoke volumes:

“The cords of death entangle me the anguish of the grave came upon me.  I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the simple hearted when I was in great need, he saved me.”

Today, we will examine the word grateful which is similar to being thankful but I believe it goes deeper.

Grateful-warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful; refreshing, welcome.

While reading the meaning for grateful, one word leaped off the page-“refreshing.” Have you ever been so weighted down with the yuck of burdens that you literally could not sleep?  With the lack of sleep comes stress, illness and a host of more maladies.

I have learned there are times my prayer life becomes empty words.  I become restless.  My soul is not a rest.  When this happens, I “force” myself to express my gratefulness to the Lord.  I do not ask for anything from Him.  I simply praise the Lord for what I am grateful-family, home, food, good health, clothes, vehicles, ministry (in the good and bad times) and being able to think.  You know what I have found?  It is in the grateful mode that the Lord provides rest for my weary soul and freedom from my burdens.  Ah, a refreshing and welcome peace overcomes me!

I found this quote that I love: “Being grateful does produce blessings.”  Yes, it does!

Girlfriends, take a moment today to express your gratitude to the Lord.  If you are in the midst of a dark time, simply take a breath and then thank the Lord for it.