I was so glad to get back to our study on the fruit of the Spirit. Loved the message on faithfulness. It was challenging and encouraging at the same time. I loved the question of "what are you doing with the dash?". I had to fight against spending the rest of the sermon pondering that question but since I have spent much time thinking about that. I must say my dash at times has been spent on wordly things that, as my grandmother used to say, don't amount to a hill of beans. Time wasted, time spent on selfish ambition, laziness, pitty parties, etc. I have a lot of work to do but thank God He doesn't give up on me. My goal is to be faithful in the little things of my day so at the end of the day, as we sang yesterday, I can sign His name to it knowing that I have been true to what He has called me to do.
Another great sermon, can't wait for the next one.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Conference Recap
I know, I know. It's been a while and I promised not to do that, but with all the happenings it just seemed best to stay away from blogging. Don't need my fingers moving faster than my brain. I did promise to recap the Beth Moore minister's wives only weekend so here goes...
First of all just let me say that the entire get-away was FABULOUS!!! Thanks so much for all of the prayers that went up on our behalf. It was all I wanted it to be and more. And let me add EXTREMELY TIMELY. God just has that way of giving us what we need in His perfect time.
We left Friday morning about 7:30 with Bobby Darr driving. Shout out for Bobby for putting up with us and our inability to make up our minds. I'm sure he was so glad to get back to his wife and only have to listen to one woman. I'm sure he's very thankful for his ipod as well. It was a long drive to Nashville but free of any problems and we gained an hour which was awesome. We had time to spare at the hotel to chill and unwind. Friday evening was an incredible service. Travis Cottrell led worship. He's tops by the way. Beth was in rare form. That woman has some energy now. She was as funny as ever and has a way of always saying something related to scripture that I never thought of before. She talked about how to deal with the aggravations of ministry, the good way to deal and the bad way. Over 20 years in ministry I have certainly done much of both. She also shared on the screen the things many wrote to her about on her blog that they thought she should know from ministers wives perspectives...some very funny, others heartbreaking. Check them out if you like on her blog.
Back at the hotel, we gathered in my room to chow down on junk food and chat. I think that's where many women can come together, junk food and talking. We had a ball. I must say just capturing a glimpse of their hearts made me love them even more. They are the best and I hope my church family lets them know how awesome they are. Please love on them and be an encourager to them.
Very little sleep and back at it early Saturday morning. Of course Beth acted as though she had slept 12 hours and had 4 cups of coffee and it was only 8am. She had a challenging message for us twice that morning. We continued the theme of aggravations in ministry: relationships and conflict. She talked about our real enemy not being people and how we needed to fight like a warrior. Giving a blessing in the face of an insult will get us farther with God than returning insults and fighting like girls. She asked us if we really wanted God to speak nicely about us? Boy, I do. After all, God deals with people. Our job is to bend the knee and trust Him and allow Him to get the revenge. We had a great message on our call to live holy lives and being consistent, being real. After all, we will reap what we sow. If we sow, criticism, we will reap it. If we sow anger, that's what we will reap. But if we sow the Spirit, we will reap life. We're called to starve what we want to die and feed what we want to live. Am I doing that every day??? I think one of the things that I brought home with me the most to think about was the part about strongholds. A stronghold is anything that we are preoccupied with. All it takes for a stronghold is to have a mental preoccupation with it. The only weapon for that is the Word. It can be anything from what a particular person thinks of us to an addiction to who's saying what about me. We are called to live a life of freedom and not be bound up in chains. No group more prone to changing chains than religious people. We think some addictions are more acceptable such as unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip. As long as it's not drugs or pornography we think we are o.k. But we are so bound up in other things. I know I don't want to live a life bound to anything that keeps me from living the life Christ has called me to live. I hope that's your prayer as well.
First of all just let me say that the entire get-away was FABULOUS!!! Thanks so much for all of the prayers that went up on our behalf. It was all I wanted it to be and more. And let me add EXTREMELY TIMELY. God just has that way of giving us what we need in His perfect time.
We left Friday morning about 7:30 with Bobby Darr driving. Shout out for Bobby for putting up with us and our inability to make up our minds. I'm sure he was so glad to get back to his wife and only have to listen to one woman. I'm sure he's very thankful for his ipod as well. It was a long drive to Nashville but free of any problems and we gained an hour which was awesome. We had time to spare at the hotel to chill and unwind. Friday evening was an incredible service. Travis Cottrell led worship. He's tops by the way. Beth was in rare form. That woman has some energy now. She was as funny as ever and has a way of always saying something related to scripture that I never thought of before. She talked about how to deal with the aggravations of ministry, the good way to deal and the bad way. Over 20 years in ministry I have certainly done much of both. She also shared on the screen the things many wrote to her about on her blog that they thought she should know from ministers wives perspectives...some very funny, others heartbreaking. Check them out if you like on her blog.
Back at the hotel, we gathered in my room to chow down on junk food and chat. I think that's where many women can come together, junk food and talking. We had a ball. I must say just capturing a glimpse of their hearts made me love them even more. They are the best and I hope my church family lets them know how awesome they are. Please love on them and be an encourager to them.
Very little sleep and back at it early Saturday morning. Of course Beth acted as though she had slept 12 hours and had 4 cups of coffee and it was only 8am. She had a challenging message for us twice that morning. We continued the theme of aggravations in ministry: relationships and conflict. She talked about our real enemy not being people and how we needed to fight like a warrior. Giving a blessing in the face of an insult will get us farther with God than returning insults and fighting like girls. She asked us if we really wanted God to speak nicely about us? Boy, I do. After all, God deals with people. Our job is to bend the knee and trust Him and allow Him to get the revenge. We had a great message on our call to live holy lives and being consistent, being real. After all, we will reap what we sow. If we sow, criticism, we will reap it. If we sow anger, that's what we will reap. But if we sow the Spirit, we will reap life. We're called to starve what we want to die and feed what we want to live. Am I doing that every day??? I think one of the things that I brought home with me the most to think about was the part about strongholds. A stronghold is anything that we are preoccupied with. All it takes for a stronghold is to have a mental preoccupation with it. The only weapon for that is the Word. It can be anything from what a particular person thinks of us to an addiction to who's saying what about me. We are called to live a life of freedom and not be bound up in chains. No group more prone to changing chains than religious people. We think some addictions are more acceptable such as unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip. As long as it's not drugs or pornography we think we are o.k. But we are so bound up in other things. I know I don't want to live a life bound to anything that keeps me from living the life Christ has called me to live. I hope that's your prayer as well.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday Morning Perspective
Was yesterday an awesome worship experience or what? Our Elevate band led us in worship and just let me say, they rocked. I am so proud of each of them for using their musical gifts for worship to our Lord. I certainly felt freedom to worship and felt the Holy Spirit among us. I hope you did if you were there.
I know I say it every week, but what a fabulous message. It was one of the best messages and most convicting I think I have heard on missions. I know I need much more of a burden than I have. I need to shed more tears over the lost not only around the world but down the streeet. I know when Eddie talked about what are we willing to do and how far are we willing to go for the lost, I was very convicted. Paul was willing to give up his salvation!!! I can promise you that alone makes me wrestle with how much I love others outside my family. Eddie pointing out that it's not really about how much we love others, but how much we love Jesus really made me ponder some things in my life. It showed me that I have a long way to go in my relationship with Him and He will take care of my love for others. I have to say one of the things that has always bothered me, is that some people I know seem all about GOING on mission trips yet don't seem to do missions in their own home or school or job or neighborhood. When Jesus gave the commission to go, He started with Jerusalem not around the world. I would just love to see some of us INCLUDING MYSELF love and share with those around us before we venture out to the uttermost parts of the world.
I cannot close this without saying that my heart is broken over the tragedy at First Baptist Maryville, Ill. yesterday. Let's lift that church family and pastor's family before the Lord. Chrissie sent me a text when I was leaving our service yesterday about what had happened. I started thinking about the service I just left and what I was experiencing at the same time that this was going on in another worship service. God have mercy on us all. Our schools and churches are no longer safe places as they used to be. Praise God that I KNOW the Lord is in control even when everything seems to be so out of control. He is still God in the midst of chaos and craziness and nothing takes Him by surprise.
I know I say it every week, but what a fabulous message. It was one of the best messages and most convicting I think I have heard on missions. I know I need much more of a burden than I have. I need to shed more tears over the lost not only around the world but down the streeet. I know when Eddie talked about what are we willing to do and how far are we willing to go for the lost, I was very convicted. Paul was willing to give up his salvation!!! I can promise you that alone makes me wrestle with how much I love others outside my family. Eddie pointing out that it's not really about how much we love others, but how much we love Jesus really made me ponder some things in my life. It showed me that I have a long way to go in my relationship with Him and He will take care of my love for others. I have to say one of the things that has always bothered me, is that some people I know seem all about GOING on mission trips yet don't seem to do missions in their own home or school or job or neighborhood. When Jesus gave the commission to go, He started with Jerusalem not around the world. I would just love to see some of us INCLUDING MYSELF love and share with those around us before we venture out to the uttermost parts of the world.
I cannot close this without saying that my heart is broken over the tragedy at First Baptist Maryville, Ill. yesterday. Let's lift that church family and pastor's family before the Lord. Chrissie sent me a text when I was leaving our service yesterday about what had happened. I started thinking about the service I just left and what I was experiencing at the same time that this was going on in another worship service. God have mercy on us all. Our schools and churches are no longer safe places as they used to be. Praise God that I KNOW the Lord is in control even when everything seems to be so out of control. He is still God in the midst of chaos and craziness and nothing takes Him by surprise.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Rambling on
I'm warning you ahead of time that this post will probably make no sense because there's really no purpose except that random stuff is just filtering through my mind. How scarey is that???? I've been told that my mind would be a scary place to wander in at times because of random stuff that comes out of my mind but oh well. Here goes...
Stephen pitched his first game of the season last night. I was a little nervous, ok a lot nervous, I always am when my boys are on the mound. Not that I don't believe in them but they are so hard on themselves that I want it to go well for their sakes. Anyway, Stephen suffered a lot with his arm over the past year. He was misdiagnosed with tendinitis (sp). He went through months of physical therapy before we took him to another doctor who said it was inflamed cartilage. This doctor was wonderful. He put him on some medicine for the inflammation and a throwing program and Stephen worked his behind off getting it into shape and last night tested it in a game. WENT FABULOUS!! Praise God, our ultimate healer. Stephen threw harder than ever, topped out at 85mph (for those of you that it means anything to, means a lot to a baseball family), struck out 9 and walked none. Best news of all, he threw pain-free. He was sore this morning but the right kind of sore. Thank you Lord. Did I mention his verse for his hat this year, (both boys claim a verse to write in their hat) is 2 Cor. 12:9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Isn't that precious. God and Stephen together threw a mean fastball last night.
We all headed to the gym this morning where I honestly must say I have been feeling extremely good about myself lately. My ipod has motivated me to be more consistent with my workouts so I am actually enjoying it. Like I said I have been feeling good about myself not only with being consistent but also pushing myself and physically feeling better, UNTIL I saw Stephen on the treadmill. He's like a dad jim machine. The Lord has a way of knowing when I need a lesson in humility. Went back on that treadmill for 30 more minutes I'll have you know. Of course then he swam laps for about 30 minutes and I laid in the tanning bed (no comments please). Next...
Tonight is the night we change clocks. We spring forward. I love this time of year but I hate this particular night when we lose an hour of sleep. Yuck. When it starts getting dark at 6pm I'm ready to get in jammies and wind down. Now we get some more daylight hours and I'm really praying for some warmer days ahead, soon ahead. If we can't get snow, might as well be 80 or 100 is good with me.
Talked to my college girl today. Miss her so. This is the 2nd week not coming home but she comes home next week for spring break and I can't wait for some mom/daughter time with her. Love you Chrissie and so proud of you.
My other sweet girl has been at Impact Aiken all day. I haven't seen her since 7:45 yesterday when she left for school. I am so proud of you Jess for going and serving. I know it's hard work but it's making a difference in the lives of others. I love you. This is the 2nd weekend in a row that she has been too busy for mom time but prom is coming so I know she will want some mom time for that new dress. You know what this means, it's been 2 weekends in a row that it's been mom with 3 males and no females. Way too much testosterone. Save me daughters. I do love you boys and honey.
John has his first game of the season Monday night. He's starting on the mound so another nervous night for mom. I do have great admiration for them pitching. I have no clue how you throw a ball that hard and make it move and go where you want it to. Proud of you boys. We will be at the field every night this week with one or the other playing. So glad I love baseball, but have a feeling that doesn't really matter cause I love my boys a ton even if I hated the sport, which I don't.
Wow, by this time next Saturday I will be halfway home from the Beth Moore conference. I am sure I will have plenty to blog about that. I will tell all that I can possibly remember and my fingers can type. So psyched about that trip.
Time to shut this off. Gotta head back to the baseball field. Stephen has another game tonight.
Stephen pitched his first game of the season last night. I was a little nervous, ok a lot nervous, I always am when my boys are on the mound. Not that I don't believe in them but they are so hard on themselves that I want it to go well for their sakes. Anyway, Stephen suffered a lot with his arm over the past year. He was misdiagnosed with tendinitis (sp). He went through months of physical therapy before we took him to another doctor who said it was inflamed cartilage. This doctor was wonderful. He put him on some medicine for the inflammation and a throwing program and Stephen worked his behind off getting it into shape and last night tested it in a game. WENT FABULOUS!! Praise God, our ultimate healer. Stephen threw harder than ever, topped out at 85mph (for those of you that it means anything to, means a lot to a baseball family), struck out 9 and walked none. Best news of all, he threw pain-free. He was sore this morning but the right kind of sore. Thank you Lord. Did I mention his verse for his hat this year, (both boys claim a verse to write in their hat) is 2 Cor. 12:9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Isn't that precious. God and Stephen together threw a mean fastball last night.
We all headed to the gym this morning where I honestly must say I have been feeling extremely good about myself lately. My ipod has motivated me to be more consistent with my workouts so I am actually enjoying it. Like I said I have been feeling good about myself not only with being consistent but also pushing myself and physically feeling better, UNTIL I saw Stephen on the treadmill. He's like a dad jim machine. The Lord has a way of knowing when I need a lesson in humility. Went back on that treadmill for 30 more minutes I'll have you know. Of course then he swam laps for about 30 minutes and I laid in the tanning bed (no comments please). Next...
Tonight is the night we change clocks. We spring forward. I love this time of year but I hate this particular night when we lose an hour of sleep. Yuck. When it starts getting dark at 6pm I'm ready to get in jammies and wind down. Now we get some more daylight hours and I'm really praying for some warmer days ahead, soon ahead. If we can't get snow, might as well be 80 or 100 is good with me.
Talked to my college girl today. Miss her so. This is the 2nd week not coming home but she comes home next week for spring break and I can't wait for some mom/daughter time with her. Love you Chrissie and so proud of you.
My other sweet girl has been at Impact Aiken all day. I haven't seen her since 7:45 yesterday when she left for school. I am so proud of you Jess for going and serving. I know it's hard work but it's making a difference in the lives of others. I love you. This is the 2nd weekend in a row that she has been too busy for mom time but prom is coming so I know she will want some mom time for that new dress. You know what this means, it's been 2 weekends in a row that it's been mom with 3 males and no females. Way too much testosterone. Save me daughters. I do love you boys and honey.
John has his first game of the season Monday night. He's starting on the mound so another nervous night for mom. I do have great admiration for them pitching. I have no clue how you throw a ball that hard and make it move and go where you want it to. Proud of you boys. We will be at the field every night this week with one or the other playing. So glad I love baseball, but have a feeling that doesn't really matter cause I love my boys a ton even if I hated the sport, which I don't.
Wow, by this time next Saturday I will be halfway home from the Beth Moore conference. I am sure I will have plenty to blog about that. I will tell all that I can possibly remember and my fingers can type. So psyched about that trip.
Time to shut this off. Gotta head back to the baseball field. Stephen has another game tonight.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Getaway
I must say I am so pumped about a weekend getaway I am having with our staff wives in less than two weeks now. We are going to Beth Moore's weekend for minister's wives only. She has only had one other one like this that I am aware of and I heard awesome things about it. My heart starts pumping every time I think about it. Why? Well, I'll give you a few reasons...
One, I LOVE these new staff wives. They are the most loving, humble, God-fearing, God-loving, selfless, always pointing to Jesus women I have ever served alongside. The only problem is we never seem to have a lot of time together. I can't wait to get away with them and have some precious, get-to-know-each-one-better time. I just have so much respect for them and the lives that they have led and other ministries that they have come from. God has truly used each of them and I know He will and He has here at Millbrook. So, I can't wait to be with them and just have some fun away from church work. I know we will have a blast.
Two, it's Beth Moore. No need to say more, but I will. She has an anointing on her life and minstry that is amazing. She always seems to know the tender places that need soothing, the rebellious places in us that need some jabbing and she does it all with power and grace. And if you've ever done one of her studies or gone to a weekend with her, you know she is a hoot, one of the funniest women I've heard. I need a few laughs and I'm sure our other wives do too.
Three, I need some focused in-the-Word time and to worship with total freedom. Travis Cottrell is a fabulous worship leader and I can't wait to be led.
I need a weekend of laughing and crying and I assure you there will be lots of both.
Would love to ask you to pray for us. Here's a few requests...
One, traveling mercies. It's a long ride to Nashville. Please pray for safety and God would surround us all.
Two, that we would experience God in a new and fresh way. That we would see Him in a new light and that maybe He would take on an entirely new face to us.
Three, that we as your minister's wives would love on each other and bond with each other. We don't have the time together that our husbands do, but I long for the relationship with one another that our guys have found. It's a joy to watch them work alongside one another.
Four, personal request, is that my heart would not hurt so bad from the ballgames I will be missing or the few days with my college girl I will be giving up as she comes home for spring break during this time.
Lastly, pray for our families that will stay home and allow us to go. May they have a blessed time as they get a little break themselves from wives and moms even though I'm sure they don't need that time away from us.HAHAHAHAHA.
Many thanks to our men for giving us the gift of this time away. We promise to make it up to you.
Also, ladies, I promise that I am constantly checking her site for a time that she is back in our area so that we can all go together again. I know it's been a while, but she hasn't been very close to us lately. I love you all and thank you for all prayers.
One, I LOVE these new staff wives. They are the most loving, humble, God-fearing, God-loving, selfless, always pointing to Jesus women I have ever served alongside. The only problem is we never seem to have a lot of time together. I can't wait to get away with them and have some precious, get-to-know-each-one-better time. I just have so much respect for them and the lives that they have led and other ministries that they have come from. God has truly used each of them and I know He will and He has here at Millbrook. So, I can't wait to be with them and just have some fun away from church work. I know we will have a blast.
Two, it's Beth Moore. No need to say more, but I will. She has an anointing on her life and minstry that is amazing. She always seems to know the tender places that need soothing, the rebellious places in us that need some jabbing and she does it all with power and grace. And if you've ever done one of her studies or gone to a weekend with her, you know she is a hoot, one of the funniest women I've heard. I need a few laughs and I'm sure our other wives do too.
Three, I need some focused in-the-Word time and to worship with total freedom. Travis Cottrell is a fabulous worship leader and I can't wait to be led.
I need a weekend of laughing and crying and I assure you there will be lots of both.
Would love to ask you to pray for us. Here's a few requests...
One, traveling mercies. It's a long ride to Nashville. Please pray for safety and God would surround us all.
Two, that we would experience God in a new and fresh way. That we would see Him in a new light and that maybe He would take on an entirely new face to us.
Three, that we as your minister's wives would love on each other and bond with each other. We don't have the time together that our husbands do, but I long for the relationship with one another that our guys have found. It's a joy to watch them work alongside one another.
Four, personal request, is that my heart would not hurt so bad from the ballgames I will be missing or the few days with my college girl I will be giving up as she comes home for spring break during this time.
Lastly, pray for our families that will stay home and allow us to go. May they have a blessed time as they get a little break themselves from wives and moms even though I'm sure they don't need that time away from us.HAHAHAHAHA.
Many thanks to our men for giving us the gift of this time away. We promise to make it up to you.
Also, ladies, I promise that I am constantly checking her site for a time that she is back in our area so that we can all go together again. I know it's been a while, but she hasn't been very close to us lately. I love you all and thank you for all prayers.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday Morning Perspective
Now I know I haven't blogged since last Monday but I have a feeling that this week will be different. Just feeling a lot of stuff right now that's probably going to have to find it's way on this blog so stay tuned if you care to. However, it's Monday so you know what's coming, my thoughts on Sunday. Here goes...
Did Eddie bring it yesterday or what? If you slept through that one, I don't know what to say. Goodness. Integrity. Oh, for the perseverence to live out what we say we believe. What good is it to say we have biblical values if we don't integrate them into our everyday lives?! Does anyone but me struggle? So easy to be pious about our belief system but then live out something that looks nothing like that. Let's just all drop the pretense and be real. God knows the real us anyway.
Loved the whole message about our influence!!! Every reason laid out for living the good life just pounded in my heart. I am all about liberty because God freed me from so many legalistic attitudes but we have to be responsible. It really is not all about us and what makes us happy and what feels good to us. I know that I have no right to preach to my kids or students I teach that the world doesn't revolve around them and then turn around and proudly proclaim liberty in Christ to do what I want to do. IT'S ABOUT OTHERS! Anyone but me need to tell ourselves that every morning, noon, and night? Praise Him that we really don't have to do it alone. But we do have to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do it through us. Amen and Amen. Keep bringing the Word honey. It hurts sometimes but we need it.
Did Eddie bring it yesterday or what? If you slept through that one, I don't know what to say. Goodness. Integrity. Oh, for the perseverence to live out what we say we believe. What good is it to say we have biblical values if we don't integrate them into our everyday lives?! Does anyone but me struggle? So easy to be pious about our belief system but then live out something that looks nothing like that. Let's just all drop the pretense and be real. God knows the real us anyway.
Loved the whole message about our influence!!! Every reason laid out for living the good life just pounded in my heart. I am all about liberty because God freed me from so many legalistic attitudes but we have to be responsible. It really is not all about us and what makes us happy and what feels good to us. I know that I have no right to preach to my kids or students I teach that the world doesn't revolve around them and then turn around and proudly proclaim liberty in Christ to do what I want to do. IT'S ABOUT OTHERS! Anyone but me need to tell ourselves that every morning, noon, and night? Praise Him that we really don't have to do it alone. But we do have to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do it through us. Amen and Amen. Keep bringing the Word honey. It hurts sometimes but we need it.
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