Just for Fun

A few weeks ago several of my ministry sisters were discussing how many wives and ministry families were discouraged.  It seemed several “safe” online pages for ministry wives were filled with news of firings, battles with the church, or personal family struggles.  In order to redirect our thinking, our group decided our network page needed to have some humor.  As a result I, being the crazy, blonde, fun-loving, chocoholic pastor’s wife, posed the following question:  “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go AND what flavor of M & M’s would you eat while there?”

In reading your answers, I laughed my head off and spewed a mouth full of perfectly good M & M’s all over my kitchen.  In order to hopefully bring a smile to your face, get you to laugh out loud, and help you forget the trials of ministry life, I want to share my findings.

I discovered that peanut M & M’s are the overall favorite.  Of course they are.  After all, they are our “nerve” pills.  The close second answer was “all” varieties which I will “amen.”  Seriously, why discriminate.  However, sadly one sister, Becky Dinkins, is a Plain Jane and will stick with original M & M’s.  Ladies, we need an M & M party to introduce our dear sister to the world of M & M’s. 

My big question is for Jewell Burke.  What makes “blue” M & M’s so special?  I see no need to differentiate.  I mean all M & M’s should have the equal honor of being consumed by desperate ministers’ wives.

While we are on the subject of a specific color of M & M’s, wait until you hear Amy Shivar’s explanation for the “green” ones.  While she is traveling to Australia and New Zealand with an extended stay in Hawaii, she is going to nibble on green coconut M & M’s.  Why?  Amy states, “Everyone knows that the green ones make you sexy!  After all, ministers’ wives sometimes carry the stereotype of being “frumpy” when in actuality we enjoy feeling good about ourselves and being stylish.”  Well, that is an eye opening fun fact!  So girlfriends, eat your greens!!!

In my extensive research, Hawaii is the favorite destination for ministers’ wives.  I think we all agree that Hawaii is a beautiful place and the waters are inviting.  Of course, I, being a beach bum, would choose any sun kissed, sandy beach where I could sit back and listen to the sound of the ocean waves.  Oh wait, I got so relaxed that I better go grab my jar of coconut M & M’s because they’re my favorite for the beach.

One other favorite destination comes from Joy Mercer.  She wants to tour the British Isles—Scotland, Ireland, and the British countryside.  She loves dark chocolate mint M & M’s so that will be her choice for the trip.  Of course, I assume she would eat the green ones since she will be in Ireland.

Girlfriends, I know this post is pure silliness but we all need to remember to laugh and leave our cares before the Lord.  Besides, who said being a Christian or a minister’s wife is not fun!  Hmm, let’s plan an M & M’s retreat!!! 

By the way, I still want the rest of you to answer this question:

  “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go AND what flavor of M & M’s would you eat while there?”

I would really like to know where Ms. Jeanne Davis would travel and what her choice of M & M's would be?  

Thankful For Another Year

As I write this blog, I am thankful to be celebrating another year of life. Yes, today is my birthday! According to my mother (since I surely would not remember!) I was officially born into this world at 1:29 a.m. on November 12, 1963.

As I look back over this past year there have been some joys and sorrows, triumphs and trials, milestones and missteps, yet I am thankful!

I have realized over the years that life will give us heartaches, and our Savior said it would be this way. He tells us that in this life we will have trouble, but He victoriously proclaims that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). I believe that with all my heart; He is my HOPE!

I have also experienced some of the most joyous moments ever imagined, and our Savior also says that He has come to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). I can’t imagine living in this world without Him; He is my LIFE!

As each year passes, I am trying to be more of a thankful person. My sisters, our attitude of gratitude would prevail if you and I were to make a list of our blessings versus our complaints. I mean seriously counting our blessings to the infinite degree, such as being joyful over the fact that we can get out of the bed in the morning in a right state of mind, having healthy lungs that can breathe in God’s air, being able to watch a beautiful sunset, and on and on and on……………………………….. The blessings are endless!

Next time you celebrate a birthday, look back over the past year of your life and recount all that our loving Father has done for you, and be thankful for another year!

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20

What Does God See In Me?

A few weeks ago our church had a wonderful women’s conference. Each speaker truly spoke to our hearts, and the praise and worship times were phenomenal. The Lord greatly ministered to all of us who attended as we shared God’s Word together, and enjoyed fellowship with one another.

The Scripture theme for our conference was 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

For our conference program booklet, I wrote the following words, which were meant to have us reflect on how we truly see ourselves. It’s titled “What Does God See In Me?” I want to share it with you……….

Have you ever asked the Lord, “Father, what do you see in me?”

When I see my reflection in the mirror, is it all about my physical appearance? Is it all about the hair, the makeup, the manicures & pedicures, the clothes, or the jewelry? Maybe it’s all about the things I surround myself with, a well-decorated home, a loving family, tons of friends, or a successful career? Surely, all these things do not define me. What does God see?

The totality of who we are matters to the Lord. But there is one thing that our Father is more concerned about than anything else. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , the Lord reminded the prophet Samuel that, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”.

Yes, the Lord looks at our hearts. We can become so preoccupied with the external, but fail to cultivate the internal, a heart that chases after Christ and desires to have that gentle spirit that is pleasing to Him.

It’s fine to be well-groomed from head to toe. We should give due consideration to our appearance since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Also, material possessions, relationships, and careers have their place as well, since the Lord has given us all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). Again, these things do not define us.

May we strive to be women after God’s own heart to serve the purposes of God in this generation. Then when we ask the Lord, “Father, what do you see in me?”, may He speak to our spirits that we are beginning to look more and more like His Son, our Blessed Savior.

This is something to think about my sisters, as we strive to live our lives for Christ.

Out of Here

Today will be my last day to post on this blog this month because...........our church so graciously gave us a weekend in Pigeon Forge for Pastor's Appreciation.......and Roger and I plan to take advantage of that this weekend.  

We are looking forward to a couple of days away from the duties of the church.........the duties of our secular jobs............the duties of being parents........and the duties of being grandparents.....(although, everyone, including  our church and especially our children, know that we are only one phone call away.)

We are very thankful to have a church that understands the importance of this time away and has given it to us.  We are very blessed.

 

Gobble, Gobble!

Toddlers

I know that many of you are way past the "toddler stage" just as I am.

However, many of you are new mothers.  I do not claim to have all of the answers and I know that many of you are much smarter than me.................but, being the "Mimi" of an almost 2 year old and almost 9 month old......it has refreshed my memory about how trying and tiring these stages are.

This too shall pass....................way too quickly.  I know you get tired of hearing that, but it is true.  Before you know it, your toddler will be moving out to go to college. 

Enjoy the moment.  Right now, you are the MOST important person in his or her lives.

My daughter was talking about the terrible twos hitting early...........I told her that they are NOT terrible.  Toddlers are soooooo smart....even smart enough to KNOW they do not know how to let you know what they want or think.  They are just beginning to talk and conversation is hard.  Out of frustration, they scream, throw a tantrum and really "try" their mom's patience. 

All they really want is to be understood.  I have discovered with Cameron, if I will stop and look directly into his eyes and say, "Mimi does not know what you are wanting.....tell me or show me.".....he will usually stop....and try to tell me or show me.

Toddlers, just like adults.....just want to be heard......and this is the only way they know.

Unhappy Folks

No matter how hard we try or what we do.........someone is always unhappy.

Am I the only one that feels this way lots of times? 

 I have to keep reminding myself that when we are doing things pleasing to God, Satan is standing on the sidelines looking for someone to grab and use to discourage us.

Right now, our church is growing by leaps and bounds.  We just had to add an addition to the preschool department because we have so many younger couples with kids that we did not have room for them.

Now....we have almost outgrown the space again and are already making plans for another building program.

I am not complaining.........this is a great thing.  Right now, our church consists of 85% of people under the age of 40.  It is awesome.  And these are working couples that want help.

You might ask me...."So what is your problem then?"

With growth.......comes Satan.

Already, someone has gotten upset and questioned why we built the new building and why we were catering to the younger couples who seem to be taking over.  We were told that the younger couples are just there temporarily and will soon leave us.

Praise the Lord for the help............they are the church of tomorrow.  We are quickly pushing sixty and ready for someone younger to jump in.  And, yes.....if we push them aside, the younger, eager ones will move on to where they can better serve the Lord.

I have to keep reminding myself........that........Satan is the enemy and we need to PRAY for the weaker ones that are being used by him.

Please pray for us.........pray that we will keep our focus on the Lord and not allow Satan to discouraged us.