Do the what and wait for the how

What an amazing weekend it was getting to spend a few days with Tennessee minister’s wives at the retreat!!  It was fun!  Refreshing!  Challenging!  Encouraging!  And we ate a ton of yummy food!  Thank you Lana and the planning team for all of the hard work and prayer and time you put into making it so special for all of us!

We had such sweet times of sharing during my sessions thanks to Jeannie Davis who sensed God wanted her to relinquish her time to me and was so willing to be obedient to Him!  Thank you Jeannie!

I learned so much this weekend and the main thing is this.  Do (or follow or pursue or go after) the “what” and wait for the “how”!!  I don’t know if this makes sense—but it means, do, go after, follow whatever it is God is telling you to do/be/say and don’t worry about the “how”!  He will work out the “how”!!  That is exactly what happened this weekend with me!

I felt God wanted me to talk “with” the ladies as opposed to talk “to” them…which I was all excited about and super willing to do.  I would simply not do all of the ‘material’ I had prepared and take more time with just one.  But then, later, I also felt the Lord wanted me to do the other material….and so there would be no time to “slow it down” for the first session.  I was confused.  Was I hearing Him wrong? 

Bottom line—I heard God right.  He was not contradicting Himself.  I was just too focused on the “how” instead of doing the "what" and waiting for Him to show me the how!  He had the “how” all worked out!  He knew Jeannie was going to relinquish her time to me.  She didn’t know it.  I didn’t know it.  But He knew it!

Ladies!  Let’s all grasp that concept.  Not sure what the first word needs to be—I am totally open to ideas!!  Do/pursue/go after/follow the what and wait for the how!

By the way—I will finish up the last session during this week’s blog—Lord willing!

Perfect Job

A dear recently called to tell me that she found the perfect job for me.  It is actually ranked number two on a list and is only preceded by  a “bed tester” who actually goes from hotel to hotel testing beds.  However, I am fully qualified for the second ranked job-Godiva chocolate taster.  You actually get paid to eat chocolate!  This is one position I know at which I would be highly successful.

 Have you ever wondered if there is a perfect job for you?  I know I am not called to be a nurse.  That requires blood and needles and I can’t stand to see people suffer.  Do not give me a position in the preschool class because these toddlers and their tantrums give me hives.  Teaching a Bible study class terrifies me.  However, I love teenagers, singing, and serving through hands on missions.

 In our churches there are always positions that need to be filled.  When no one steps up, to whom does the committee come?  Haven’t you been asked to take a position because no one else will fill it? Haven’t you been told that because you are the staff wife and they cannot get anyone else to step in the position that you should take it on?  Oh, I have.  After suffering for years in positions that were not where God wanted me, I have learned to respond by saying, “well let me pray about it and see what God tells me.”  Just because we are ministers wives does not mean we should be assigned a role in which we do not feel led of God.  

 I met a ministers wife a couple of years ago who did everything from cleaning the church to being the youth leader.  In addition, she had to care for her family in her spare time.  She did not have a time to take care of herself.  This poor lady was so used up, burned out, and overwhelmed that she was completely useless to God’s kingdom and her family. 

 Ladies, I have been in the same shoes as this sweet sister.  When I finally went to the doctor because I was physically sick, he told me to resign everything except from one position at the church.  I can say that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.  I love my church and my Lord, but I realized I was not being useful for His kingdom.  I did resign everything then began to pray where God wanted me to serve.  When He revealed the place and I began serving again, I was at complete peace.  I knew I was in my perfect job.

Yes girlfriends, there is a perfect job for all of us in the church.  Our job is to prayerfully seek where God-not a committee-is leading us to plug in.

 Ok girlfriends, what is your perfect job (within the church or out in the world)?

Say a Prayer

Vickie Lee just posted a blog about what she is going through this week. She shared about her Mom being ill and in hospice care but for whatever reason she did not share that her Mom went home to be with Jesus last Sunday afternoon. As you read this blog this week please say a prayer for Vickie and her family. It is no accident that this is her week to blog. The funeral will be Thursday morning in Arkansas. Let's lift up our sister to the Father in these next few days.

The Grand Scheme and Every Deail

Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.”

Sometimes it is hard for me to comprehend that God can control the universe.  Out there beyond what I can see, the universe is full of cosmic events-stars exploding; comets crisscrossing paths with asteroids; and our planets perfectly placed around the sun.  Here on earth, life for billions of people goes on daily.  There are major economic issues, wars, illness, births, and much more yet God perfectly plans the events in His grand scheme.

It is really difficult to imagine that God knows every detail of my life and that He has a purpose for every one of them.  For a while I could not understand why God would move us from our ministry in Tennessee.  However, He knew that shortly after arriving at our new ministry here in Arkansas that my mom would be told she only had a few months to live and be placed in hospice care.  I certainly can’t understand why our house in Tennessee has not sold but God knows I cannot drop caring for Mom in order to relocate to a new house right now.  Then of course, we live in a temporary home that is fully furnished from towels or pots and pans and all we have to do is pay utilities.  God knew that in the midst of Mom’s illness I would not be able to work and that there would be no way we could pay rent and a mortgage.  Yes, He even knows the dark days when discouragement or weariness takes root in my life because it never fails I receive a sweet card from a friend or a bag of M & Ms (my favorite) from a church member.

Yes, God has a grand scheme for His creation and He knows every detail of our lives.  I would love to hear how God is directing your life in His grand scheme. 

He Is Always There

^{During this time of year when the Easter Holiday is celebrated (of course, God’s children can celebrate Easter everyday!), certain passages from the Bible always seem to be front and center.  These biblical accounts validate that the Lord was resurrected, and that He was seen by some of the disciples before ascending into heaven.  I was reading in these passages recently, and the Lord reminded me of a very important truth.}

^{The first passage deals with the account of the risen Lord walking on the road to Emmaus with two of His followers.  It is rather interesting that these men were engaged in a very intense discussion about the Messiah and the recent turn of events, but they did not even realize that Christ was in their midst.   The Word says they were prevented from recognizing Him, yet He was there.}

^{The second passage tells of our Lord manifesting Himself at the Sea of Tiberias.  A few of His disciples had gone fishing the night before, and as the day dawned, the disciples looked toward the shore and saw someone standing there.  It was the Lord Jesus, yet initially they did not know that it was Him.} 

^{I thought about these two incidents and pondered……many times I have engaged in the various activities of my day, and yet did not acknowledge that the Lord is there.  His presence is ALWAYS with me, and I sometimes don’t even think about it.   This is very sobering, very convicting.  As I grow in my relationship with Jesus, I desire to ALWAYS sense Him walking beside me throughout my day. What about you?   Are you aware of the Lord’s presence in your life each day?}

^{Our Triune God is there, and here are some reminders for us:}  

^{He is there watching over us.  “The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”  Psalm 121: 8}

^{He saves us forever and is praying for us.   “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”   Hebrews 7:25}

^{He has gone to prepare a place for us.  “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:3}

^{One of God's names is Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord is There, and I thank the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us,  for reminding His daughters of this very important truth!}

Our Wonderful Creator

I teach a Sunday School class for children ages kindergarten to second grade, and one of the lessons we had recently was the Creation Story.  I have taught this lesson many times before, heard many sermons on it before, and even read it several times before. Yet this time I must admit, I paused to think about the sheer majesty and glorious genius exhibited by God as He spoke, and all the cosmos transformed from being a void mass to becoming a vibrant world full of life and beauty.

I remember going through the lesson and drawing on our dry erase board what the Father created on each day. (Now, I must admit that I am not the best artist in the world, but the kids rather enjoyed it, and it helped to keep their attention during the lesson.)  When we got to day six, I made it a point to emphasize that not only did God create the land animals, but He also made His most special creation of all: US!  When I teach, I truly enjoy seeing the wonder and amazement in the children’s eyes as the many attributes and truths about God sink into their young minds.

When was the last time you looked at a sunset,  watched a flock of birds fly in formation, or gazed at a beautiful field of flowers and thought, “Wow, God You are an Awesome Creator!”  Also, every time we look in a mirror we are reminded that God made us in His own image, and He tells us in His Word,  that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  (Psalm 139:14)  The first five days of Creation God saw what He made and said it was good;  after He made us, He said it was Very Good!

When was the last time you worshiped Him as Creator?

“On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5

Facing Our Giants

Do you have a GIANT in your life?  Do you have a huge, nagging issue that you are dealing with, a monumental situation that simply will not go away?  Is there a “GOLIATH” in your midst that keeps taunting you, robbing you of inner peace and joy?  Well, my sisters, there is hope and encouragement found in a very familiar story that many of us have known since we were little kids.

You are probably familiar with the narrative of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel Chapter 17.  It is the triumphant story of a brave young shepherd boy who singlehandedly took on the fierce, nine foot tall Philistine warrior named Goliath.  David’s use of five small stones (it only took one to bring the giant down) and a simple slingshot brought an end to many days of threats and taunts spoken by this tyrant who spread fear among the entire army of Israel.

But wait!  Was it really David’s weapons that ultimately slew the giant, or was it his huge, unrelenting faith and trust in the Almighty God, whom David described as “The Lord of Hosts”!  This name of God pictures Him as commander of the armies of heaven and earth. Who can stand against Him?

We have much to learn from this brave, future king of Israel.  David knew that Goliath was no match for an all powerful God. Can the Lord conquer anything? YES!!!  Whatever you consider a “GIANT” in your life, it is no match for The Lord of Hosts!

So, what is your GIANT?  Is it a difficult spouse, a rebellious child, a back stabbing co-worker, or a hostile neighbor?  Could it be an unforgiving attitude, anxiety, depression, selfishness, pride, or outbursts of anger? Right now, one GIANT that my husband and I are facing is raising a teen and a pre-teen in today’s tough culture…what a task!

Whatever your GOLIATH is, lay it before the Lord, and fervently pray for God’s wisdom and guidance on how to handle it.  If you get an opportunity this week, read this awesome story again in 1 Samuel 17, and let it inspire you to take on the GIANTS in your life!  And be reminded of what David said in 1 Samuel 17:47 “…..for the battle is the Lord’s…..”.  With the Lord of Hosts on our side, we can face our GIANTS!!