Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!




In the midst of turkey, stuffing, rolls, pie, tea, pop, football and mapping out your Black Friday routes, don't forget the reason and purpose for this holiday...to give thanks! The Bible reminds us to in all things give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)! Offer thanks for all that you've experienced and gone through good or bad for it was the will of God for your life and those experiences should have drawn you closer to Him! Also offer thanks for what's to come and I'm so excited about what's to come!! Offer thanks for your family and friends. While you're offering thanks don't forget to think of others who may be less fortunate than you. If you're able to give back please do as every little bit helps! Finally offer thanks for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: it is because of what He did that we are!!

From my family to yours Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Season of Transistioning

You know it is said that darkness comes just before the break of day. I consider this a fair warning that a situation or circumstance will usually get worse before it gets better. While this thought is a very valid observation, it is often a mere afterthought. I say that because while going through difficulties, strains, trouble, sorrow, and pain, you're in that moment wondering why, how, and what. You may even think when- as in when will it be over, but seldom does it dawn on you in the midst of the suffering you're going to come out better! It just doesn't equate the same: suffering + pain = triumph, hmmm. Well it doesn't equal out in the human/carnal mindset. See, we in our humanity dislike suffering and pain and we feel as if we will forever remain in that state especially when it comes to change, interruptions...transition! The saying goes the only thing that's constant in life is change- it's inevitable! Ministry wives know far too well that life for us is all about change, yet we struggle with this occurrence the most! I know I can easily get used to things flowing a certain way and will quickly become disturbed when things deviate from that flow. So how then do we deal with seasons of transitioning?

I'm currently reading a book by author and Bible study teacher Priscilla Shirer entitled Life Interrupted. This book is based on the story of Jonah and how in the midst of his path of comfort and the familiar God interrupts that path and summons him to a new path- one in which Jonah didn't want to take. Priscilla suggest that we look at interruptions differently. Instead of looking at interruptions as an inconvenience we should
embrace interruptions in anticipation of what God is about to do in our lives. Maybe that interruption is the detour that will lead your life into an abundance of peace, joy and fulfillment! Maybe that interruption is the deviation that will save your life from heartache, pain and resentment! Have you ever been driving somewhere in a hurry because you were late and you ended up driving behind someone who was coasting down the street as if they had no where to go? Drove you crazy right? Just as you're about to go in a road rage you pass the scene of an accident and you think to yourself, wow, that could have been me. You realized had that slow poke not gotten in your way perhaps you could have been one of the victims in that accident! It is at that point that you begin to thank God for that interruption, because as irritating as that slow driver was, he or she was actually the interruption that saved you a lot of pain and perhaps even your life!

So the next time you're in a season of transition and let's face it there will be a next time...embrace it!

There Are Great Rewards to Being a Pastor's (Ministry) Wife!


There Are Great Rewards to Being A Ministry Wife

I’m always looking for great resources on the Internet for Pastor/Minister’s Wives (P/M Ws), whether it be articles, video teachings, or fellowships, conferences and retreat opportunities. Most of the information I find is beneficial yet a lot of it dwells on the negative aspects of being a ministry wife. My prayer for this blog and the fellowship ministry is to provide a balance between the highs and lows of holding such a position. As it seems the lows are brought to the forefront more than the highs. I’ve seen an ex-pastor’s wife upload YouTube videos not only depicting the demise of her unfortunate marriage but outright degrading and questioning the church. I purchased an eBook written by what I perceived to be a pastor’s wife thinking it would provide insight and comfort and the book was filled with the author’s horrific accounts of being married to a pastor who lived a different life than he preached. Needless to say she’s also an ex-pastor’s wife. While these ladies are sharing their experiences and it may in fact be beneficial to someone I’m afraid that the hurt and pain still apparent in their lives have left them bitter, resentful, and angry. These feelings if expressed to a vulnerable P/M W could garner confusion and discouragement. The key is to provide encouragement for the lows and celebration for the highs- a balance that will deal with the issues instead of skate around them, yet provide hope in times of despair. There are great rewards to being a ministry wife! Some of the rewards are obvious and some of the rewards require us to dig a little deeper for exposure. Take a look at a few:

  • A Greater Relationship With God: Let me preface to say that we should have a personal relationship with God through Jesus not just because we’re ministry wives. We must establish this relationship because we want to be saved from our sins and redeemed back to God! But, when you are a ministry wife, your relationship with God should become greater, because you’re going to have to pray, fast, and build up your most holy faith in the Word in order to endure in this position. You are better in every area of your life when your relationship with God is firm and solid.
  • Called To Serve: Contrary to popular belief that ministry couples are called to be pampered and catered to is a far cry from the truth. The truth is ministry couples are called to serve! We are called to serve God, we are called to serve our Pastor/Husbands and we are called to serve people! Serving others require that we think less of ourselves and more about someone else. When we choose to serve others we open up the portal for God to bless us and make it conducive for service to be reciprocated back to us!
  • Called to Be An Example/Role Model: Many people in the public’s eye deter from this role. I must admit I did early on in this position. It is a lot of pressure to have someone watch our every move, decision, trials and triumphs. But the fact that others look at our lives as living examples of how we are to be Christ-like reminds me of the lyrics in a Kirk Franklin song that says we may be the only Jesus they see. Being in this position causes us to be accountable to and for our actions which will in turn help strengthen our walk with Christ!
  • Fulfillment: To sum it up, a greater relationship with God, serving others and being a Christian example makes for a fulfilling and purpose filled life! What an honor to be in such a position where we can impact the lives of others in a positive and life changing way! The ultimate and fulfilling reward for us is a guaranteed place in Heaven as we’ve accepted His gift for our lives through salvation and relished in the many blessings He’s bestowed upon us!  

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