tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24913740931930404212024-03-13T21:31:38.644-07:00A Pastor's Wife's GardenMonique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-38138703852305940452012-12-24T07:31:00.002-08:002012-12-24T07:31:42.207-08:002012: Not The End, Only the Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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They said 2012 would be the end... Instead it's only been the beginning...<br />
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2012 has been a year that God has called me out to do quite a few new things. One of those exciting things was to begin a <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-beginning.html">new blog</a> for pastor's wives. I didn't know what to expect when I ventured out, but God has blessed me with a wonderful group of writer-sisters who all happen to be <b>ministry wives </b>too AND who happen to be very good <b>writers</b>.<br />
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Ladies -- <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html">Monique</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html">Christy</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/02/finding-one-in-lonely.html">Shannon</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html">Cynthia</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html">Dorena</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html">Lisa</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/06/inheritance-of-shame-or-legacy-of-grace.html">Abby</a>, <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-thing.html">Sonia</a> and <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html">Levitica</a> -- I couldn't have done this without you!<br />
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This has been a fun and exciting year. We've discussed our PK's, the holidays, marriage in ministry, faith and shhhhh... SEX! (Thanks for that Miss Christy!!)<br />
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It's been fun, and I've enjoyed <i>every single month</i>.<br />
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However, I'm feeling led to take a rest from <i>A Pastor's Wife Garden</i> for now to hear God's voice a little clearer. We'll continue our Facebook connection, but we'll take a break from the blog while we wait for His direction.<br />
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In the meantime, enjoy some oldies, but goodies in our archives that you may have missed.<br />
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And pray for and with us as we seek God for His direction for this blog. We want to follow His leading for this ministry.<br />
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We are grateful for the season of this blog. We are grateful for our Facebook group. We are grateful for a safe place where beautiful women of God have met together, shared their hearts and loved our Father together.<br />
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And we are grateful for <b>YOU</b>!<br />
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May God bless you amazingly during this Christmas season. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the New Year.<br />
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Enjoy many new beginnings in 2013. And remember, <b>in Christ</b> there are no endings -- <b>only beginnings</b>.<br />
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Love and Blessings,<br />
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Carla<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog, "Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/carlaahendricks" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">@carlaahendricks</a> and join Carla and other ministry wives every Monday right here at "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />
<br />carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-55654854638737200432012-12-17T13:19:00.000-08:002012-12-17T13:20:14.607-08:00In the Midst of Tragedy: What Can the Church Do?By Carla Adair Hendricks<br />
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Last week in my personal blog <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/p/about-deep-waters.html">"Deep Waters"</a>, I <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-connecticut-school-shooting-what.html">blogged</a> about the Connecticut school shooting and what we as average citizens can do.<br />
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Today, I feel led to discuss what the Church can do in the midst of this national tragedy and those in the future that are sure to come.<br />
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<b>Pray</b><br />
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It's been said many times before, but prayer should be our first, second and third response to tragedy. Whether we're watching the news about <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/10/holding-on-to-god-of-storm.html">Superstorm Sandy</a> or about twenty young lives being gunned down in their elementary school, WE MUST PRAY.<br />
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Yet we should also have the proper perspective on prayer. Prayer is not a passive response to difficulties. Prayer is active, offensive and powerful. James 5:16 says <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">"The effective prayer of a righteous man is <b>powerful and effective</b>." </span><br />
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Yesterday in my church, <a href="http://www.mosaicchurch.net/conway">Mosaic Conway</a>, my pastor-husband closed service with a prayer for the community of Newtown, Connecticut. We prayed for the families of the victims (including the shooter's family), we prayed for the hearts of the children who witness such heinous actions, and we prayed for the rebuilding of this hurting community.<br />
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<b>Seek God</b><br />
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When I've suffered my own personal tragedies, like suffering <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-morning-god-laid-something-heavy.html">two miscarriages</a> in one year, I have asked God why. "Why me, Lord?"<br />
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A decade later God still hasn't answered that question.<br />
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But He did show me more of Himself -- when I opened my heart to see. He did show me that He is still good, still loving, still gracious and merciful. He showed me that even though He had allowed some pretty horrible things in my life, He was still God.<br />
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As horrible as the senseless crime in Newtown might be, <b>God is still loving </b>and <b>He is still good</b>. As much as my heart breaks for the Mamas of Newtown, I must cling to Him today and every day.<br />
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<b>Remember the Brevity of Life</b><br />
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James 4:14 reminds us how brief our lives really are. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."</span><br />
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Our lives are short, and as church leaders we must encourage ourselves and our fellow church members to not forget this. We should live each day recognizing the possibility that it could be our last.<br />
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Some questions to ask ourselves and others:<br />
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If this were your last day on earth, what would you <b>do differently</b>? Who would you s<b>pend time with</b> or <b>reach out to</b>? What would you take a <b>risk </b>on? To whom would you say <b>"I love you"</b>? Who would you need to <b>forgive</b>?<br />
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Let's encourage others around us to pray, seek God and remember that tomorrow is not promised. Just think: how would our <b>world change</b> if we all did those three things today and every day?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog, "Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/carlaahendricks" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">@carlaahendricks</a> and join Carla and other ministry wives every Monday right here at "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><br />
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<br />carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-4589007063263700742012-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:002012-12-10T11:38:13.650-08:00Creating Home on a PW Budget<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Hi Ladies!</div>
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I’m taking a fun spin on today's post in light of the season. As PW’s we do a lot of hosting and
entertaining during the Holidays… church staff Christmas parties, women’s
ministry gatherings, family sleepovers and more. I’m sure we all love to make
our house feel warm and welcoming. The only obstacle is that decorating is
expensive! Many of us are on very conservative budgets, so in order to warm up a home for the holidays creativity is key [which is wonderful in my book!]. I’ve been getting
crafty on pennies around here, so I thought I’d share six fun ways to decorate your home<b> FOR $5 OR LESS. </b></div>
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ENJOY! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Make it a white
Christmas! ($5)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I grew up in California, and it never snowed on Christmas.
But I’ll never forget being amazed at trees that had faux snow. I thought they
were so beautiful! It was always my childhood dream to have a snowy tree. And
guess what! This is the first year that I got a snowy tree!! I know many tree
lots provide flocking, but a few years back someone gifted us with a fake
Christmas tree and it’s been a faithful money saver every year since. This
year, I decided to add my own snow for a whimsical feel. Turns out, faux snow
is fairly cheap. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How To: </b>Buy a $5
bag of faux snow at your local craft store (I got mine at Michaels). I used the kind that looks like pillow stuffing. Spread the "snow" along the tops of your tree branches. It goes a
LONG way, so you could make your whole house a white Christmas if you please! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Hang a plain
wreath for a simple, modern touch ($5). <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Sometimes less is more. The hubby and I like to keep things
pretty simple around here with our décor, so this idea was perfect for our
pallet. I found these $2 wreaths in a bin at my local craft store (Michaels
again) and grabbed a roll of ribbon (in blue since that’s our regular home
decor color). </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to: </b>String
the ribbon in front of a window, on your existing curtain rod. Then loop it
through the wreath and tie a double knot, leaving a little extra ribbon to hang
for the look of “tails”. You can't tell in this picture, but my ribbon tails are hanging in the center of the wreaths. Simple and cheap! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Print a FREE banner
with whatever saying you'd like ($1). <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Banner ideas are all over the Internet now a days.
I’ve wanted to make one for over a year. I finally found <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/10/free-printable-whole-alphabet-banner.html">this great website</a>
with free printable banner letters. Perfect for adding a little something
festive. Did I mention they’re FREE! (If you don’t already have supplies on
hand, the entire project could cost just a few bucks at the dollar store. I
bought a pack of 38 clothespins for $1, which was my total cost of this
project!)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to:</b> Pick a
saying such as “Joy to the World” or “Peace on Earth” or “Merry Christmas”. Go
to <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/10/free-printable-whole-alphabet-banner.html">this website</a> and print your free letters from home on regular printer paper. Cut them out. Then grab cardstock or
scrapbook paper (from the dollar store if you don’t have any on hand) in the color of your choice. This
will be a nice backing for your white paper triangles (I chose ivory). Then clip on some clothespins and string twine through the little metal coils on the pins. Hang wherever you’d like! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Make your own
ornaments for less than $3 <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I found a whole bag of these glitter pinecones at my local craft
store for $2.49. And they're cinnamon scent! I thought that was a steal so I
grabbed them to decorate my tree. I cut small pieces of twine I already had
(you could use any ribbon or string) and hot glued loops on top to hang them
from our tree branches. Simple, pretty, and cheap! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae2hFHvvdmBFUN5jl9NQBonlrkWcLgqqHa7YbjFQmGsH_QgtDxzrILee7jrB4iLSNbOAuRnpiaIXuLdAByV3mVINSevV_elPDQvNNnFEIvvW4sUiI7VE692VdR4UEih52QYGLTjZr42q2/s1600/Pine+Cone+Ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae2hFHvvdmBFUN5jl9NQBonlrkWcLgqqHa7YbjFQmGsH_QgtDxzrILee7jrB4iLSNbOAuRnpiaIXuLdAByV3mVINSevV_elPDQvNNnFEIvvW4sUiI7VE692VdR4UEih52QYGLTjZr42q2/s400/Pine+Cone+Ornament.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Assemble a quick, FREE
centerpiece. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Here’s an easy one that doesn’t take much time! Grab a glass
vase from somewhere in the house. Then steal a few bulbs from your tree. Fill
the vase for a quick and easy centerpiece! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvo1ZJ7BNT8PpQPNWCPL33vFduXi3dG36-z-DsYRaoGPVI1Y6IhP_cSHhu9k9IkFdoJPzJvrHHXlXIuEBHzCa12tjMBRSgTTaXkYVHmfDL645tGaVgAFAZVrgK-WypOvSkycoArttK9d0/s1600/ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvo1ZJ7BNT8PpQPNWCPL33vFduXi3dG36-z-DsYRaoGPVI1Y6IhP_cSHhu9k9IkFdoJPzJvrHHXlXIuEBHzCa12tjMBRSgTTaXkYVHmfDL645tGaVgAFAZVrgK-WypOvSkycoArttK9d0/s400/ornament.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/thoughts-on-ornament-centerpiece">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Keep Jesus at the
center with a free nativity! <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Google search ”Nativity Silhouette”. Choose one you like.
Print it from home. Cut it out and tape it above a mantle, or on a window sill. <b>Tip:</b> string garland just below it on the sill or mantel for a more complete look. <b>Bonus Tip:</b> if you don't have the budget for fresh garland, stop by your local tree lot. They often cut branches from trees and have a big pile of beautiful tree limbs. The owners may be happy to have you help them "clean up" by taking a few off their hands. Pick a few full limbs and make your own fresh garland for FREE! </div>
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And there you have it… six ways to warm up your home for
Christmas on a Pastor’s Wife’s budget. And bonus, you can get the kiddos to
help on some of the projects too! </div>
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Merry CHRISTmas and happy creativity,</div>
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Monique Zackery<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_____________________________</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #889911; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s200/securedownload-1.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a Northern California Pastor's wife. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to Jesus. To learn more about Monique, you can visit her family ministry blog at <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">www.TheZackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-83289837019971907812012-12-03T09:47:00.000-08:002012-12-03T09:49:08.556-08:00The Preacher's Wife: A New PerspectiveBy Carla Adair Hendricks<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n-y0pK-WdmWglJ8xJj4e4uXs6nav6VkrwgUaKRSblRQRLeSj_I_qN8PCn3OUw8cj9QC5k5VTQA5pzuLNR36m0nVVYn6kFMYr6LvLB7SYGxuwXeCCQ6GNzZsW7aWiS8WnJO4NldjEKslh/s1600/PW_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n-y0pK-WdmWglJ8xJj4e4uXs6nav6VkrwgUaKRSblRQRLeSj_I_qN8PCn3OUw8cj9QC5k5VTQA5pzuLNR36m0nVVYn6kFMYr6LvLB7SYGxuwXeCCQ6GNzZsW7aWiS8WnJO4NldjEKslh/s400/PW_Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
I have to admit that in 1996, I wasn't a huge fan of <i>The Preacher's Wife</i>. Loved the cast, loved the music, but somehow the plot just seemed a bit -- well, cheesy.<br />
<br />
This holiday season I've stumbled upon <i>The Preacher's Wife</i> again, and somehow it resonated with me this time. Perhaps it's because of Whitney Houston's death, which has made me extremely nostalgic over anything Whitney. After all, every time I watch Whitney sing a gospel song, I'm a weepy mess all over again. Needless to say, watching her sing "I Love the Lord" ruined me.<br />
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Yet, I realized something else touched my heart about the story this time. In 1996, I was the wife of a corporate businessman. Today, in 2012, I <i>am</i> "The Preacher's Wife".<br />
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And suddenly I'm relating to the "First Lady" like never before. Here's how:<br />
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<b>"I didn't sign up for this"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I've found myself pondering these six words more during the eleven years of full-time ministry than ever before. And a whole lot in the last three. <b><br /></b><br />
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Now mind you, I was totally on board when my husband Anthony entered pastoral ministry. As a matter of fact, he and I both felt called at the same time.<br />
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What I didn't sign up for were the uncertainties, the challenges, and the warfare I experience. Of course I'm sure if God had given me a glimpse of it all, I would have run the other way -- faster than Road Runner escaping the salivating jaws of Wile E. Coyote.<br />
<br />
<b>I never expected ministry to be so draining</b><br />
<b><br /></b> It's not unusual for a woman to feel like she shares her husband with his job. Most corporations today demand too much from their employees, expecting them to stay "plugged in" twenty-four hours a day. <b><br /></b><br />
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But it's hard when your husband works for the church. It's hard when his boss is -- well, God. Who do you get angry with? There's no boss whose picture you can throw darts at.<br />
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Whitney's character, Julia, could relate. With her husband consumed with the problems and responsibilities of the church, she was lonely and discouraged. Not a good way to begin the Christmas season.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I found myself the belle of a major pity party. I was tired, overwhelmed with a huge list of "to do's" and discouraged about the holidays. As I surveyed our Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday calendar, all I saw was ministry, ministry and more ministry. I saw no family outings, no birthday celebrations (Anthony, the kids and I all have birthdays around the holidays) and no R & R. I saw only ministry -- with more to come in the New Year.<br />
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I completely melted down.<br />
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However, after some time with God and after saying "no" to a couple of things, God gently reminded me of a hard truth: "Carla, I love you, and you are vitally important to me. But.. <b>it's not all about you</b>. Not even during the holidays. Not even on your birthday."<br />
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Ouch.<br />
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<b>It's an ongoing adventure</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I don't expect any good-looking angels like Denzel to come knocking on my door any time soon.<b> </b>However, this ministry life continues to be an adventure like none other. My goodness, I'm even leading our children's Christmas program -- like Julia! Next they'll have me belting out solos. Then again, maybe not...<br />
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The bottom line is, God has signed me up for an adventure that I don't even feel worthy of. I'm totally grateful for His calling, His entrusting me with loving and serving His people.<br />
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This Christmas, I choose to be grateful for this gift of ministry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcTvjXjH4wm1C4XJ09v5MVdimh78WRQB5Kxq-mjDVQkqjU9LSeWEhMJ318koxk-YOeS-QkLFfUXfcJKoN1Jgm9EjhX3MWQxMgKyp8-e6he462OThNqhIduEXzVhD5WjiyPgi-WWx9Ajqf/s1600/AMY_5890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcTvjXjH4wm1C4XJ09v5MVdimh78WRQB5Kxq-mjDVQkqjU9LSeWEhMJ318koxk-YOeS-QkLFfUXfcJKoN1Jgm9EjhX3MWQxMgKyp8-e6he462OThNqhIduEXzVhD5WjiyPgi-WWx9Ajqf/s200/AMY_5890.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's
wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an
adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and
public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not
in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also
calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around
the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog
has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog,
"Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/">here</a>,
follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/carlaahendricks">@carlaahendricks</a> and join Carla and other
ministry wives every Monday right here at "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i>
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carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-78951025868952820922012-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:002012-11-26T05:00:11.344-08:00Use Your Faith to Give Someone a Pump!<span style="font-size: 14pt;">By Christy Fitzwater</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Growing up in church, I
took several spiritual gift inventories over the years, and I always scored
high on the gift of faith.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">So I always thought, “Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot of faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was as far as my thinking went.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But a few years ago I read
1 Corinthians 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for the common good</b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time it occurred to me that I
had been given a lot of faith for the benefit of other people, to offer as a
service to them.</span> </div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I chewed on that idea for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How do I use my faith to serve someone else?</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I decided it's like t<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>he pumping motion required to pedal two people on a single bike. I can propel someone forward in her experience with God, by applying the power of my own faith. </o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Soon I realized God
was always bringing people across my path who were in a crisis of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always found this annoying and thought,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s you’re problem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t you just believe God and take Him
at His word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>When the idea of
serving with faith entered my thinking, I began to understand God didn’t want me to be annoyed
with people –He wanted me to use my faith to help them get through the
challenge they were facing.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maybe you don’t have the
spiritual gift of faith, but as a pastor’s wife you can serve your church
family with the amount of faith you do have, even if it’s only the size of a
mustard seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’d like to offer some
suggestions about how to use your faith to build up your sisters in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">FIVE STEPS TO GIVING SOMEONE A PUMP:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When God brings
someone across your path who is in a crisis of faith, consider it an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">opportunity</b> to serve her with your own
faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Find a principal
in Scripture that absolutely would be true in the person’s circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Take that
Scripture and add some imagination!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak
to the person how you can imagine that Scripture coming true in her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approach the crisis as an adventurous story
that is going to have a God-ordained conclusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Make a commitment
to pray the person through the adventure of relying on God, and remind the
person often that you’re praying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Celebrate with the
person when she gets to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acknowledge God’s work in her life and speak faith at the end of the
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This declaration of faith will
lay a foundation for the next time she struggles with trusting God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you follow these five
steps all the way through, you’ll find that not only have you encouraged
someone else to believe God, but your own faith will be bolstered by the
experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nxO8t07o9qpHhmxfcMu-1U94tmYsP2lmA6WX6Ej5Qe8DgLP52ojPaVN1QURpe9F0mxr5rfCPbSZSaAWAPoNlSvEyLo-BijU3ovVWoJGpgsYyBJac-9ifrcf5RntVcvo7BIxM7Vp1Jfga/s1600/06-copy-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nxO8t07o9qpHhmxfcMu-1U94tmYsP2lmA6WX6Ej5Qe8DgLP52ojPaVN1QURpe9F0mxr5rfCPbSZSaAWAPoNlSvEyLo-BijU3ovVWoJGpgsYyBJac-9ifrcf5RntVcvo7BIxM7Vp1Jfga/s200/06-copy-200x300.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-Christy Fitzwater is a pastor’s wife in Kalispell,
Montana. To get to know her visit <a href="http://www.christyfitzwater.com/">http://www.christyfitzwater.com/</a>.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-41242088518671462162012-11-19T15:09:00.000-08:002012-11-20T17:09:14.833-08:00Faith vs. Feelings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWTdI3vJdo0gcRqqaaCGN41eCZTEooBJ3Uboc0r5m3N-v_QO3-wFXebCY_csm8LTFzBF3M05dBfLIRvOxRlt4nExeHtKYFaSWCFmlbS2Dvzb77JShpceZNM8mBpfv94RABAUrTKeUg3PO/s1600/865-0-Shibika-Feelings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWTdI3vJdo0gcRqqaaCGN41eCZTEooBJ3Uboc0r5m3N-v_QO3-wFXebCY_csm8LTFzBF3M05dBfLIRvOxRlt4nExeHtKYFaSWCFmlbS2Dvzb77JShpceZNM8mBpfv94RABAUrTKeUg3PO/s320/865-0-Shibika-Feelings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Feelings.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We all have them. And as ladies,
we experience a lot of them. Often. [Can I get a witness?] There’s that oh-so-sweet commercial that brings a tear to your eye, or that terrible thing
so-and-so said that made you angry. We have the ability to experience a
whole array of emotions in a day. We can be happy and content just seconds
before receiving unexpected news and now we’re devastated and overwhelmed. Given
the right scenario, the switch can be flipped on our feelings at any given
time. </div>
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<br />
Experiencing emotions is a good, and
normal thing. I believe they are even a gift from God. Feelings are like a signal that tell us what's happening in the heart, and it’s healthy to acknowledge them. But what about when our
emotions begin to affect [or trump] our faith? </div>
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<br />
What if <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%205:7&version=NIV">2 Corinthians 5:7</a> read, “For we
live by [feelings & sight] not by [faith]”?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Boy, would we be in trouble! Yet, if I’m honest, the
question below can be deeply convicting, depending on the season I’m in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Which one describes you today?</u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MY FAITH > MY FEELINGS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MY FEELINGS > MY FAITH</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you're like me, walking by faith isn't always easy. So, here are three hints for keeping your feelings from trumping your faith: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Use the Psalms as a helpful guide.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I love the example we see from
David in the Psalms about how he handles his emotions. He brings them before the Throne of Grace in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">total</i> honesty. In some Psalms he confesses
frustration over his enemies, in others he confesses feelings that God has
forgotten him or abandoned him—essentially laying his questions at God’s
feet—and in others he tells the Lord of his physical pains, and his exhaustion. Yet in all, he
comes back to the truth. He tells the Lord of His faithfulness, thus reminding
himself of God’s character. He prevails through faith, not on what is felt or
seen, but on what is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Renew your mind with God's Word. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Negative emotions will arise. It's natural and, at times, legitimate! But God's plan is not for his children to be defeated by their feelings. Take for example the Pastor's wife who is feeling too fearful to step into her calling, or the one who is beginning to feel hopelessness based on circumstances, or the one who is anxious about her family's provisions. In his book Discipleship Counseling, Dr. Neil T. Anderson
explains that our emotions are essentially a product of our thoughts. If we
choose to renew our mind with God’s unfailing truth, our emotions will
eventually follow [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:8-9&version=NIV">see Philippians 4:8-9</a>]. Let's <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:5&version=NIV">take our thoughts captive</a> and make them obedient to Christ. “If what a person believes or thinks does not conform to the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truth</i> then what the person
feels will not conform to reality” (p 88). (Emphasis added). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Examine the object of your faith. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Faith is the key to victory. Truly, everyone lives by faith.
The difference between believers and non believers is the object of faith. Ours is Jesus. But we can still sometimes get off track. For instance when feelings of worry or anxiety come, we must
ask ourselves… </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What or who is the object of my faith right now?”</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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If that answer is not the One, True God [see His attributes <a href="http://www.allaboutgod.com/attributes-of-god.htm">here</a>, and His names <a href="http://www.smilegodlovesyou.org/names.html">here]</a> then we will need to realign our faith. I’d like to leave you with this diagram I recreated from
Beth Moore’s Believing God study. It’s based on the Israelites journey to the
promise land. From this visual aid, we see that prevailing faith in God and
His promises will break the spiritual cycle of defeat and lead us into victory!</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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As New Testament believers, our Promise Land is the inheritance of all the Spiritual Blessings God promises to His children, according to His Word. This includes peace that passes understanding [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-7&version=NIV">see Philippians 4:6-7</a>]. So, sisters, as life brings the testing of ups and downs, may we step out on faith with prevailing belief in our Awesome God, aligning our thoughts with His Word, and allowing our feelings to conform to His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truth </i>all along the way<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.
<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i>
<i>Will you choose to believe God with me today?</i></div>
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Lovingly,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Monique Zackery</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_____________________________</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #889911; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s200/securedownload-1.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a Northern California Pastor's wife. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to Jesus. To learn more about Monique, you can visit her family ministry blog at <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">www.TheZackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-73929654745889018742012-11-12T06:35:00.004-08:002012-11-12T06:35:41.617-08:00Putting Feet to Your Faith<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>By faith...Abel offered, Noah built and Abraham went.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hebrews 11:1-8</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Fall's last word fluttered down, Scott's phone rang. The call came as no surprise. My life and those I most loved flanked left in a 30 second call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That moment was birthed about six months prior as my husband lay in a hospital bed recovering from cancer. What raged within was so much more than a physical battle. It was from that very bed he first uttered his heart's dream - to use all his gifts of management and leadership for God's church instead of financial gain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every day of those six months was lined with prayer. Only God knew of Scott's dream but talking to Him about it was more than enough. One ordinary night, Scott stumbled across an internet posting for the position of COO at Hope Church in Cordova, Tennessee. A quick Google search confirmed this as one of 50 largest churches in America.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It wasn't humanly possible that they would hire Scott, but God makes the impossible possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three weeks later we were seated on a plane - me, Scott and Senior Pastor Craig Strickland - who just "so happened" to be returning from Dallas to Memphis and just "so happened" to be next to us on our flight. God spoke so loudly, Craig's phone call offering Scott the position was more like God's whisper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJE75sRvRtTQtWd6APvrOQDbVvqdv5ZeUnA8nwQBZh5XoPWYbq1Q9IWDeGNC-nosFvwZpDteVClsVhFWnlQ1vkj2Sh-j7F6LEjrqc0P-dcbnPWNXZvNK3qiCBhToZgQSdigiExm5FNAXd/s1600/Faith+is.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJE75sRvRtTQtWd6APvrOQDbVvqdv5ZeUnA8nwQBZh5XoPWYbq1Q9IWDeGNC-nosFvwZpDteVClsVhFWnlQ1vkj2Sh-j7F6LEjrqc0P-dcbnPWNXZvNK3qiCBhToZgQSdigiExm5FNAXd/s320/Faith+is.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still it was relatively easy to take that call. It was incredibly difficult to act on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Answering meant moving my oldest daughters...again. Sadness lined my heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Answering meant leaving my parents and sister behind. Regret squeezed my heart.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Answering meant surrendering my own dreams to chase Gods. Faith met my feet.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The point where our faith meets our feet is the point at which it's actually made real. It is one thing to believe; it's another to act on our belief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Faith is loving my spouse when he doesn't deserve it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Faith is disciplining my kids when it doesn't seem worth it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Faith is moving from where I am to where God wants me to be.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How has your faith moved you? Where does it still need to take you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>_________________________</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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Shannon is a morning runner, an
afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She is the voice of <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/"><i>Jesus
& My Orange Juice</i></a><i>, </i>a
fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of
laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of
contentment in life, through the written and spoken word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Connect with her online at <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/">ShannonMilholland.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanmilholland">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/shanmilholland/">Pinterest</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17886093879851123261noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-81992573829319160292012-11-05T05:27:00.004-08:002012-11-05T05:27:33.573-08:00Faith For Your Callingby Levitica "Lee" Watts<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Do you remember the day you heard God's calling for your life? That whisper or nudge that confirmed what you were placed here on earth to do? Or perhaps it was a loud and sure voice becknoing you to your purpose, capturing your soul. Realizing and accepting our calling is often magnetic. It is a moment when the pieces of the puzzle all come together and our pain and our path merge together and we know we are where we are supposed to be. His Word and His whisper pierces our soul and we are excited to be alive, to be a part of His plan.</span><br />
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Then..."life" happens. Maybe something big happens in our lives that knocks us to our knees -- a death, a debt, a disappointment. Or perhaps it's those little things that distract us: the busy work schedules, children's activities, church programs, disorganized homes. It seems we no longer have the time, energy, resources or opportunity to do the very thing that we were certain He called us to do. Depression and discouragement sets in. We walk on an inner treadmill and we suddenly, yet slowly become doubtful of the future and God's call on our life. </div>
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Although we talk a lot about faith, we seem to forget about faith when it comes to our own personal internal struggles. Sometimes we have more faith for others, than we have for ourselves - our spouses, our family, church members, friends. We use the faith talk and infamous faith verses for other people or those big problems that we like to bring before the church. Yet those internal questions that we struggle with at night, those... We forget to apply the faith verses to those things. </div>
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When we come to that point of doubt and discouragement in our lives, when we have been brought to our knees, crying out to God and unsure of where we are, why we are here and where we are going, we must believe God's voice, and not our own. We must have faith and remember His character, who He is and not who we are. </div>
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We must believe "... that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." (Philippians 1:6 MSG) We also must silence the voices - our own opinions and thoughts - and think of the goodness and love of God. Would He call us to something and not equip us to do it? Would our loving God dangle the proverbial carrot before our eyes? </div>
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Yes, we in and of ourselves are unable to do it. The dream, the calling is too big to live out in our own might. That is when our faith kicks in and we believe that greater is He that is within us, than He that is the world. (1 John 4:4) Somehow the dream, the calling will be lived out. In His time, His way, His plan. </div>
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When we are at a point of questioning our calling and not understanding how we will get from point A to point B, we must lean into God's promises and believe it, although we can't see it. It takes faith to shut-up (mentally and physically) and believe our Father. If we don't stop and reflect, the danger is to keep moving and believe the lies and ignorance we feed ourselves. And we've all seen it - those people that have accepted the lies, the belief that "this" is all there is and they can no longer do what God has set out for them to do. Beloved sisters, that is not who we are. We are more than conquerers. We are faith-walkers. We must press on...in faith.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx9eX7ATJMj5bHqCMDiS4aDe2LXYb0PsNb6I7OnzdbvlP2WfqwKUZxoi3Cwwjxtb6lL9hjDEaN-Thra_KL4VDZH-TsneW56F5VDAgJAY8pRW2jr_qLegEl2dyAjUGEcEB5kMfh6sCqRj4/s1600/425883_321854754530789_279222488794016_836400_1777806102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx9eX7ATJMj5bHqCMDiS4aDe2LXYb0PsNb6I7OnzdbvlP2WfqwKUZxoi3Cwwjxtb6lL9hjDEaN-Thra_KL4VDZH-TsneW56F5VDAgJAY8pRW2jr_qLegEl2dyAjUGEcEB5kMfh6sCqRj4/s200/425883_321854754530789_279222488794016_836400_1777806102_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a>Levitica “Lee” Watts lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Terence and two young boys, Terence Jr. and Trenton. Along with serving beside her husband, she is also the editor of an online magazine <i><a href="http://www.breathofgodmag.com/">breathof God</a></i> magazine and president of Atlanta Chapter of Ministers’ Wives. She is employed as Business Development/Marketing Manager and enrolled as an MBA student at Georgia State. She is a writer, sunshine-lover, hope-chaser, forever-friend of God, who enjoys working out and laughing with friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She can be found on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lywatts">@lywatts</a>, and on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/lashbywatts">Levitica “Lee” Ashby Watts.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-88227434784193196812012-10-29T12:07:00.000-07:002012-10-29T12:07:30.850-07:00Holding on to the God of the Storm<br />By Carla Adair Hendricks<br />
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As I type these words, much of the East Coast is bracing itself for the worst of Hurricane Sandy's fury. With most of my family in Maryland and Washington D.C. I'm bracing myself as well.<br />
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As I watch the Weather Channel and other news outlets, several emotions flood my spirit -- fear, anxiety, worry.<br />
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Have the storms of life acquainted you with any of these feelings? <br />
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This morning, I studied one of the most quoted scriptures, found in Mark Chapter 5. The words "Peace! Be still!" have inhabited many a sermon, bible study and gospel song.<br />
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Those words were spoken during a terrible storm. Jesus and His disciples were enjoying a ride across the waters in a boat, when...<br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">"</span><span style="color: #741b47;">Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little <b>faith</b>, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."</span> Matt 8:24-26 </blockquote>
I saw a few things when I read through this familiar story. I'd love to share them here...<br />
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<b>Jesus rides with us through the storm</b><br />
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He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what. He is always there. We can always call out to Him. Even when we feel like He's left us or not listening anymore -- and believe me, I've been there -- we can have faith that He is ever present with us. Even in the storm.<br />
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<b>Our storms don't rock Him</b><br />
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I've been rocked by a few storms in my life. Every relocation has rocked me. Sickness and death of loved ones has rocked me. And back in 2001 when I miscarried twice in one year, I was rocked to the core.<b> </b>But not my Lord. He knew the storms I would endure. He knows the storms that still loom ahead of me. And yet, even when I fall apart, He stands strong, faithful and true through every last one of them. <br />
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<b>In love, He allows our storms</b><br />
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Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? It's an age-old question. One that I won't take the hours it would take to answer. One that I couldn't completely answer with my limited human understanding anyway. But this one thing I know: God has the power to prevent storms in our lives, but for some reason He doesn't.<br />
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I think God allows storms to build us up. To make us stronger. To make us more like Him.<br />
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As we endure the fierce winds, rocky boats and rising waves that threaten to destroy us, He's teaching us faith. Faith that we will survive the storm. Faith that we're stronger than we feel. Faith that He's right there with us -- guiding us, navigating us. Faith that He's building the strength in us to wait for those powerful words that He'll eventually speak to our storms...<br />
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<b style="color: #741b47;">"Peace! Be still!"</b></div>
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<i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's
wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an
adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and
public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not
in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also
calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around
the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog
has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog,
"Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/">here</a>,
follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/carlaahendricks">@carlaahendricks</a> and join Carla and other
ministry wives every Monday right here at "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i>
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<br />carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-34157233108401889282012-10-22T11:12:00.003-07:002012-11-12T05:32:10.169-08:00Moving from Satis-fiction to Joy<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">by <a href="http://shannonmilholland.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Milholland</a></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">There were plentiful supplies</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-10761AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> of flour, fig cakes, raisin</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-10761AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> cakes, </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was <b>joy</b></span><b><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-10761AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b> in Israel</b>.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Chronicles 12:40</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">David was anointed God's servant but that anointing didn't come without cost. He was banished from the presence of the king. Sometimes in ministry what we long for most is elusive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Intimate friendships.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Financial freedom.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Opportunities for our children.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x9eRuBzC4Zbqmed5MOZOl9lwK182B6wKnOP5GNFUIeeCj6HjLI0Kifb-kTd8uM5T4SnLy4PqQuokKqIVn_dhiC16bkl-cOYYGKldBlJr1xzBuMAOo900vicBPVd8vm7LkIi1L97kf4TC/s1600/Satis-fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x9eRuBzC4Zbqmed5MOZOl9lwK182B6wKnOP5GNFUIeeCj6HjLI0Kifb-kTd8uM5T4SnLy4PqQuokKqIVn_dhiC16bkl-cOYYGKldBlJr1xzBuMAOo900vicBPVd8vm7LkIi1L97kf4TC/s320/Satis-fiction.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The call is certain. The anointing is definite. But sometimes walking it out feels more banishment than banquet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1 Chronicles 12, David is hiding from Saul. He is waiting for outward evidence of an inward call. Over the course of this chapter resources trickle in. What starts with seven men (verse 20) ends with a vast army of loyal followers of over 340,000 (verses 24-37), abundant food and resources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But what we can't miss is the basis for abundance - joy in Israel. No person in scripture was more transparent and honest with God than David. Yet no matter how overwhelming his circumstances or insurmountable his emotions, he sought God's presence. In God's presence there is joy. God's presence brings abundance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you long for intimate friendships? Do you dream of financial freedom? Do you envision better opportunities for your children? First find joy and satisfaction in God. Everything else we chase is nothing but satis-fiction. </span><br />
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Shannon is a morning runner, an
afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She is the voice of <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/"><i>Jesus
& My Orange Juice</i></a><i>, </i>a
fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of
laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of
contentment in life, through the written and spoken word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When she’s not speaking and
writing, she enjoys her favorite job of wife to Scott, COO of their church and
mom to four daughters from kindergarten to high school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Connect with her online at <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/">ShannonMilholland.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanmilholland">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/shanmilholland/">Pinterest</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17886093879851123261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-34495308555015423282012-10-15T06:21:00.001-07:002012-10-15T06:21:19.160-07:00One Joy Fits All<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I was sweating by the time
I sat down from singing at church last night, because I was so filled with joy
that I could hardly keep from moving this body in praise –arms lifted
high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good things happened in my life
this week, and I couldn’t quite figure out how to get enough energy into my
singing to match how I was feeling inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZDLgj3GOA1k7kQ2g_-FhQaXW0ihuHgPXZD5oIcZhFv-tl0D7pL8LH-0wM9pXErMLuqLXe1Mp9N_AFnRzr3sEVoAdjhEA1pkWCX3luxDUyxXIQPtbm2SXr4RQ2C4aMw5gc-PoHiSlozw/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZDLgj3GOA1k7kQ2g_-FhQaXW0ihuHgPXZD5oIcZhFv-tl0D7pL8LH-0wM9pXErMLuqLXe1Mp9N_AFnRzr3sEVoAdjhEA1pkWCX3luxDUyxXIQPtbm2SXr4RQ2C4aMw5gc-PoHiSlozw/s320/11.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But as I was singing I
realized I had felt this joy before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Felt it when my husband
was sick after his trip to Africa –when God showed Himself present in my
deepest pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Felt it when I got laid
off from my job a few weeks ago –because I knew, I just knew God was going to
take care of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Felt it when my sweet
grandmas passed away –because I had hope they were with Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One joy for all
situations.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Somehow I feel my joy in
this good week is intensified because it isn’t just a shallow reaction to
pleasant events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a long-term, disciplined
obedience that sweetens my relationship with God.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I know this coming week
will have trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing stays hunky
dory forever on this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
planning on rejoicing in the Lord. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Christy Fitzwater is a pastor’s wife in Kalispell,
Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get to know her more visit
christyfitzwater.com.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-19829356923601752712012-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:002012-10-08T06:00:03.401-07:00Joy in His Presence<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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“Splendor and majesty
are before him; <span style="font-family: Aquarelle; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">strength</span> and <span style="font-family: Aquarelle; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">joy</span> are in his dwelling
place.”</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Chronicles 16:27</div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pSPiEUiWvTF5-076WP72BLNPJBkT6J3CnMtM4AAxQlOli1qGkkzLSuxaTTUZ1EVJCbYYY6Sq2qsxaoVMGwF6XEGLB45AVTv_h9MTb36-pgOUML7KnPbR0u29apKiqjsii3yMFY_utq0m/s1600/joy-on-stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pSPiEUiWvTF5-076WP72BLNPJBkT6J3CnMtM4AAxQlOli1qGkkzLSuxaTTUZ1EVJCbYYY6Sq2qsxaoVMGwF6XEGLB45AVTv_h9MTb36-pgOUML7KnPbR0u29apKiqjsii3yMFY_utq0m/s320/joy-on-stone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p> </o:p>I was so excited to hear that <i>joy </i>is the topic
of conversation this month. This seems like a perfect transition in light of <a href="http://www.apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/09/worshipping-in-loss.html">what I shared</a> last month. After a season of limping to seek God in my brokenness, I
finally had a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">joyous</i> breakthrough
(even though my circumstances haven’t changed), and I’m ready to share the
praise report because I whole-heartedly believe that God desires joyous
breakthroughs for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all of us</i>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The other day I was spending some worship time alone, which
is kind of the norm for me. I’m a sing in the shower type of gal, and a
belt-it-out-when-stopped-at-a-red-light sort of driver. But I’ll tell you what
was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">different</i> about this particular
time of worship; I consciously, whole-heartedly submitted myself to the Spirit,
in a dying to the flesh and relinquishing control kind of way. […Not easy to
do, especially when you’re still recovering from an <a href="http://www.apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/09/worshipping-in-loss.html">offended heart</a>.]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
All of a sudden I felt the Spirit surround me like a thick
blanket. Peace that passes understanding filled my heart and mind. Then, joy
overwhelmed my heart in the sweetest way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of my brokenness—all of my wanderings—felt so dim in light of His
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how else to
describe it. The ache of my earthly afflictions literally felt far away in the
distance. It reminded me of the Lyrics to “How He Loves” by David Crowder Band:<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then all of a sudden<br /> </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am unaware of these
afflictions eclipsed by glory</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I realize just how
beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me. </i></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Y’all, I have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i>,
in all of life’s most precious moments, felt the kind of joy I have felt in God's presence [I pray you can truly relate]. It's a joy filled with hope that surpasses any earthly
trouble weighing heavy on my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a joy that spills over into the next day and the next and makes me we
want to go back to His presence for more! This particular time, the Spirit reminded me of a verse:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“In your presence, there is <u>complete joy</u>” – (Acts
2:28; Psalm 16:11)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Wow. That God even makes His presence available to us is pretty incredible.
Some might say this type of experience is few and far between, or one that
is not meant for everyone to experience. But here’s where<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>I get excited about God’s joy for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> too! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Jesus Has Prayed for Your Joy.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It has always seemed amazing to me that Jesus intercedes
for us (Heb. 7:25). There is a beautiful passage of John 17, in which we get a
glimpse of how Jesus prays for the children of God. In his prayer he asks God
that we might have His full measure of joy within us. (John 17:9-13)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsewhere in John 15, Jesus teaches
about remaining in Him, The Vine, and remaining in His love, "<i>so that</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your joy may be complete".</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You see it is the Lord’s will that our joy be complete.
Therefore, it is His pleasure to grow the fruit of joy in our lives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>So How Do I get This Joy?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I believe it starts by submitting to God
fully, and remaining in Him. Isn't it so easy to slowly drift into relying on our own strength, even in good things like ministry? Let's reassess our hearts and let His joy be our strength. Operating out of His source of joy as our strength will make the load so much lighter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Next, pray in agreement with Jesus. In His powerful name, "ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete" (John 16:24). Then practice His presence through regular worship
and thanksgiving [not just corporately, individually]. Your joyous breakthrough may not come immediately, but do not
give up. He does inhabit [dwell in] the praises of his people and “…strength and joy are in his dwelling place” (1 Chron. 16:27). Joy is available for all of us! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dare I ask? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if He’s just been waiting for you to
enter in?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:) </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #32363a; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">“Holy
Spirit, since joy is one of the fruit you grow in the lives of the children of
God, please weed, prune, and fertilize my heart for a fresh crop.” – <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2012/08/11/a-prayer-for-the-renewal-of-joy-2/">Pastor Scotty Smith</a>**</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
May His joy abound in you,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Monique Zackery</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
**<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2012/08/11/a-prayer-for-the-renewal-of-joy-2/">Click here for a sweet prayer for the renewal of joy</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">________________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #889911; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s200/securedownload-1.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a Northern California Pastor's wife. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to Jesus. To learn more about Monique, you can visit her family ministry blog at <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">www.TheZackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-58572139801294831302012-10-01T06:14:00.000-07:002012-10-01T06:15:03.544-07:00Finding J.O.Y.By Carla Adair Hendricks<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-WRAQzwHheLT0Neg-PsPXEKtfeBg9Lqccs2_gcAaK7o5wlMWJEtjNxkIdx-a3YH05a8mFfvBTjujLcZJWGvEFBYx4pyaNvpxmca7PzG2J4pGK0K5HsHQSlfMWU6mr0lLg8I5Vz5rd5QX/s1600/l_joy_sepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-WRAQzwHheLT0Neg-PsPXEKtfeBg9Lqccs2_gcAaK7o5wlMWJEtjNxkIdx-a3YH05a8mFfvBTjujLcZJWGvEFBYx4pyaNvpxmca7PzG2J4pGK0K5HsHQSlfMWU6mr0lLg8I5Vz5rd5QX/s400/l_joy_sepia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay so, no one would want to admit this, but...<br />
<br />
I tend to be a glass half-empty kind of girl.<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that right.<br />
<br />
Most people want to be known as cheerful, fun-loving and optimistic. When life is pretty much status quo I can usually be found in these preferable states. Yet when life falls apart around me, my natural modus operandi is melancholy, withdrawn and pessimistic.<br />
<br />
Joy for me is often defined as:<br />
<br />
J - Just<br />
O - Over<br />
Y - Yonder<br />
<br />
See oftentimes I think of the reasons joy eludes me, and the list usual consists of statements like this:<br />
<br />
"If my life were easier, I could be joyful."<br />
<br />
"If we were just a little more financially secure, I could be totally joyful."<br />
<br />
"If my life was as easy as <i>hers</i>, I'd be joyful."<br />
<br />
Or, check this one out:<br />
<br />
"If my husband had a regular job and didn't have the demanding life of a pastor, I'd be joyful."<br />
<br />
Depending on the day, I just fill in the blank. "If __________ weren't an issue in my life, I'd be joyful." <br />
<br />
The tricky thing about joy, though, is there's always something in my life that I can identify as an obstacle to it. As soon as I overcome one obstacle to joy, something else creeps up out of nowhere to impede my journey to joy.<br />
<br />
The end result: Joy is always, always "just over yonder". Always elusive. Never within my grasp.<br />
<br />
The Word of God does a lot of talking about joy. Philippians 4:4 is one such verse:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" </div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">This verse encourages me to be joyful, even when my life circumstances tempt me with fear and discouragement. Even when I find <b>happiness</b> impossible -- like a week ago when my precious mother's congestive heart failure landed her in the hospital -- I can still experience <b>joy</b>.</span></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">This sounds great. But where can we find this joy?</span></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">The Message Bible's translation of this same passage gives a great clue:</span></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #741b47;">"<b>Celebrate God</b> all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!"</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: black;">This translation reminds me where I can find joy, no matter what joy-obstacles I face in life. I can be joyful <i>about God</i>! I can celebrate God, even when I'm too blind to celebrate anything else. After all, <b>He's a perfect, amazing, all-powerful, loving, gracious, merciful God who never, ever changes</b>.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
All day, every day, I can celebrate God. All day, every day, I can be thankful for God. All day, every day I can find joy in God.<br />
<br />
Joy doesn't have to be just over yonder. Because God is always here, always desiring relationship with me <i>and you</i>, joy can be always here.<br />
<br />
All day, every day. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEBJj-OGlt8zmcbchw-M9tJEJ8c7ZRr4AwLDH9O5MZV9mwUHRycTT5NZ5jOT8LVJVAELHDKgZoIemxu_BN1VQc0IVkP6FWMQYvjKz1gKtb6Vh63DN1WfNTwwuncB7Erc2sUi40GAqzlpa/s1600/AMY_5890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEBJj-OGlt8zmcbchw-M9tJEJ8c7ZRr4AwLDH9O5MZV9mwUHRycTT5NZ5jOT8LVJVAELHDKgZoIemxu_BN1VQc0IVkP6FWMQYvjKz1gKtb6Vh63DN1WfNTwwuncB7Erc2sUi40GAqzlpa/s200/AMY_5890.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's
wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an
adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and
public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not
in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also
calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around
the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog
has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog,
"Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/">here</a>,
follow her on Twitter (@carlaahendricks) and join Carla and other ministry wives every Monday right here at "A
Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i>
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<br />carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-3091264945535418582012-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:002012-09-25T13:32:24.219-07:00WORSHIPPING in LOSS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
By Monique Zackery <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“At this, Job got up and tore his rob and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.' In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” – Job 1:20-22</i></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUx4KSaE-a36KIZ8VqpB_nvZMeMX5ze1a0Ohj5pvSsi7G9U_Y_ZwkrFvAGUYmncKUpaASZ6AbFwqveFCX2v4aITWEzZH6IuXcGpDIHpVOfGDdbLgx3smpHyOKsmUmhwPtRWp5Oq6VknZd/s1600/WorhsipHim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUx4KSaE-a36KIZ8VqpB_nvZMeMX5ze1a0Ohj5pvSsi7G9U_Y_ZwkrFvAGUYmncKUpaASZ6AbFwqveFCX2v4aITWEzZH6IuXcGpDIHpVOfGDdbLgx3smpHyOKsmUmhwPtRWp5Oq6VknZd/s400/WorhsipHim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/worship+god+/BeautifulGirl0109/WorhsipHim.jpg">Photo Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Loss is hard—<i>really hard. </i>This you already know. I’ve recently discovered that
loss while you’re leading in ministry can be even harder. To lead out of
brokenness and grief is one of the most vulnerable places to be. That’s where I
found myself earlier this year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband and I have been married
almost five years and have been praying for children. By the grace and power of
God, He allowed us to conceive. I worshipped God for our gift… a prayer
answered!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fast forward to now…. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I sit here typing almost eight
months later with a belly that never grew and a heart that broke into a
thousand pieces. We miscarried. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s interesting that just weeks
before then I had been studying Job. I was blown away at his response to
tremendous loss. Within less than twenty-four hours his livestock were stolen,
his servants were killed, his sheep were burned, and all of his Sons and
Daughters lost their lives after a house collapsed on them. And what did Job
do? Yes, he wept. Yes, he mourned. But his immediate response toward God…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He worshipped. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The resounding question in my
mind has been, “How?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You see, this really hit home for
me because part of my role in ministry is not just “Pastor’s Wife". It's also “Worship Leader”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, I worshipped whole-heartedly
when that little blue line appeared on the test. I fell to my knees in tears of
joy, praising God, for He had <i>given</i>.
I cannot say the same thing happened the moment that sonogram revealed our
reality. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve wondered how Job could, in
the same breath, say “<i>the Lord has taken
away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m still on the journey to find
the full answer to that question. I am still leading out of my brokenness. I
love what <a href="http://shannonmilholland.com/" target="_blank">Shannon</a> shared with us in <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/09/counting-cost.html" target="_blank">her post</a> two weeks ago: “What ministry
requires, none of us have the capacity to give. We have to limp every morning
to His waiting arms.” This seems especially true in grief. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I continue to lead our local body
through worship, one of the main things I’m taking away from this season of
loss is this: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>True freedom in worship will come from an un-offended heart towards
God.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although anger tends to be a taboo topic in the church, it is one of the universal stages of grief. And although God does not do any wrong, it's possible for us to charge Him with wrong doing in our suffering. After speaking with many Christian women who have experienced miscarriage, I learned that carrying an offense towards God after loss is almost as common as crying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm learning that sometimes God comes through for
us in <i>His </i>own sovereign way, as
oppose to the way in which <i>we</i> <i>hoped</i> He would have. It seems Job
was able to worship freely in grief because “<i>he did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing”. </i>(Job 1:22) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Sweet sister, if you have experienced any type of loss that has resulted in an
offense [whether it be loss of a loved one, miscarriage, any type of
trauma, an unanswered prayer, or even moving away from family, friends &
comfort to answer the call of ministry], I pray that you will release that unto
our Lord.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s in the moments of
releasing an offense that we can see clearly how God is sovereign and righteous
in every way. He truly is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
near to the broken hearted, and Savior to the crushed in spirit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May we always see Him as the
Perfect One He is—Healer in loss and in grief—worthy of praise at all times. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the road to healing,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monique Zackery</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">________________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU4dssAQvyi45WgFADE9LV5ZIZwUsB5xWXJDGRfxaLgmC9rLc-0CVxk8hWYYsJK3w1JT0TGC5O9PduHC8xCRGIMg1Xcyi-ZW61r7ut1jUE6QeGle_78MyfUB3ripnkNeBCIOrjDqHPuir/s200/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a Northern California Pastor's wife. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to Jesus. To learn more about Monique, you can visit her family ministry blog at <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/" style="color: #889911; text-decoration: none;">www.TheZackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-45756249811190370272012-09-17T07:00:00.000-07:002012-09-17T07:00:03.558-07:00When the Preacher Gets Sick<span style="font-size: 14pt;">By Christy Fitzwater </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Three years ago my husband
made a trip to Kampala, Uganda, to visit and help out our missionary friends on
the ground there.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACfBiymayhCGUvNL5BQUZF0XFhpbCGW6w_XKMgR-VTyg6ZJ5FfmzkIbhEYmrUN1HVZu-DKhJs-W_xkdHSqk3Dk5NLky46w9UH4l-1hU69V9tB3GBVTkdsH5iAI2Xc-kDuvR4ZV1tz4ws/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACfBiymayhCGUvNL5BQUZF0XFhpbCGW6w_XKMgR-VTyg6ZJ5FfmzkIbhEYmrUN1HVZu-DKhJs-W_xkdHSqk3Dk5NLky46w9UH4l-1hU69V9tB3GBVTkdsH5iAI2Xc-kDuvR4ZV1tz4ws/s320/IMG_0096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">He took three malaria
pills (Mefloquine) that changed the next two years of our lives.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">When he returned home he had
jet lag just like everyone experiences, except it didn't go away. Then other symptoms were added to the fatigue: Severe anxiety attacks, heart
palpitations, body pain, headaches, loss of appetite, and insomnia. It was a severe central nervous system
reaction to the Mefloquine. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We started to read and
learned that <i>if</i> Matt were able to
recover it would take approximately two years.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Three years later he occasionally gets
symptoms but is mostly better.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Early in the illness, my daughter said, <i><b>I feel like my dad went to Africa and never
came back</b>.</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I wondered if I would ever
have my husband back the way I knew him before. Every night for the first eight months I cried myself to sleep.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Early on, though, I
accepted this illness from the Lord as an opportunity to learn to serve my
husband. I had been praying through the
year before that God would help me grow in my ability to humbly serve people. Wow did I get to practice. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My husband needed ice
packs and back massages. He needed me to
carry his chore load. I prayed
through it –thanking God for giving me the lessons in serving I had asked for.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But it was hard. And lonely. Our social life dwindled to nothing because Matt barely had the energy
to get himself to work every day, let alone enjoy life with anyone. In that loneliness <b><u>I reached for the Lord,
and He was there</u></b>. I found in God an
intimate companionship I had never experienced before.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Those first two horrible years of illness
make me shiver when I think about them.
So much pain and struggle.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And I love those two years. I’m not the same person I was before Matt
stepped off that plane and into a season of illness. Our marriage is deeper since we have
experienced the sickness part of “in sickness and in health”. My relationship with God is stronger.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Have you lost
something? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Welcome the loss. Despite the grief and struggle, accept what
God is handing you and lean into it –learning and growing. It can be beautiful.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Christy Fitzwater is a pastor's wife and the mother of two teenagers in Kalispell, Montana. To get to know her better, visit her devotional blog site </i><i>"Off the Shelf" at <a href="http://www.christyfitzwater.com/">http://www.christyfitzwater.com/</a>.</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-42776019067367500512012-09-10T06:35:00.001-07:002012-09-10T06:35:02.912-07:00Counting the Cost<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">by <a href="http://shannonmilholland.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Milholland</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">after you have suffered a little while, </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">will himself </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">restore</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.</span>
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Peter 5:10</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom stayed home with me. I expected to grow up and do the same but when my fiance graduated from college his first salary was the same as my Dad's had been over four decades prior. Our lifestyle and desires demanded I work and when a baby happened along two years into marriage, I chose to be a working mom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still those stay-at-home moms seemed to me to have it so easy. They spent lazy days at the park or the pool. They colored and played with playdough. They had plenty of time to plan and execute elaborate meals and entertain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My first marriage ended in divorce and I thought my dreams of life at home died with it. But God's poured out mercy at abundantly on a single mom and her two little girls. God sent a knight in shining armor...okay so it was an executive with a red Corvette. In two year's time we met, fell in love and at long last my dream of being home with my children was fulfilled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life as a stay-at-home mom wasn't near as idealistic as I had envisioned. Most days I felt lost and useless. Whether I realized it or not, I had defined myself by my work and the sense of accomplishment it gave me.</span>
<br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hadn't counted the cost.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two children and five years later, Scott would leave the corporate world to enter vocational ministry. In 30 days time, we lost significant income, our dream home, our church home and living near family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More devastating was the emotional losses. I cried nearly every day. Never had I felt more alone or lonely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I hadn't counted the cost.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether you're a 30 year ministry veteran or ministry virgin, ministry will demand loss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Have you counted the cost?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What ministry requires none of us have the capacity to give. We have to limp every morning into His waiting arms. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He fills what others empty. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He alone can make us strong, firm and steadfast because...</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">H</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e already counted the cost.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_________________________</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhyphenhyphenllQuhvJZj0lOpjjRV-LhlKYLwuCXNNfPCM3J1G2l9wSMCfkJOwE_0uKZ1pQuSa6XEpazFRcicbCkiOMRKQlZ3F-F-vdkdAscjJrLVrX6Xe517RK4sL9wKvG2AQcfiAM9ZnqnOR1sF/s1600/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhyphenhyphenllQuhvJZj0lOpjjRV-LhlKYLwuCXNNfPCM3J1G2l9wSMCfkJOwE_0uKZ1pQuSa6XEpazFRcicbCkiOMRKQlZ3F-F-vdkdAscjJrLVrX6Xe517RK4sL9wKvG2AQcfiAM9ZnqnOR1sF/s200/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Shannon is a morning runner, an
afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She is the voice of <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/"><i>Jesus
& My Orange Juice</i></a><i>, </i>a
fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of
laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of
contentment in life, through the written and spoken word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Connect with her online at <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/">ShannonMilholland.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanmilholland">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/shanmilholland/">Pinterest</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17886093879851123261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-48675575731023979022012-09-03T11:53:00.002-07:002012-10-01T05:58:51.387-07:00Learning from Loss<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">may the name of the LORD be praised."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Job 1:21</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The man who spoke these words thousands of years ago*, wrote them after experiencing a tremendous amount of loss. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Job lost his sheep, his oxen, his donkeys, his camels, his health and every one of his ten children. Yes, <i><b>all</b></i> of his ten children.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And to make matters worse, after suffering this great loss, his wife ridiculed him for holding on to his integrity. Her words of advice to him: "Curse God and die!" How's that for kicking a man while he's down?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And why, you ask, would Job have to suffer so? Perhaps he was suffering from rebellion against God. Maybe for ignoring God during the course of his days. Maybe for living a life that's contrary to God's laws.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Actually, the Bible says this about Job: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">"This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." Job 1:1 <span style="color: black;">Job was a good man -- a godly man, even.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Job shows us a few things we would do well to understand about loss and pain:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Loss Comes to Us All</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpvRBmV2hvcvImd7GFENVZ5hHaG4VxWV-2-ztkeOB4YfLPyF5eRBwu6ZEr_mApudCXH4NqmCUMOXCL64OzQYdjEks8GgNIkDu0Ou__OQKlkZMvJc9E5HT4hhqIeYQJ-hzcN_vqQOF7I9g/s1600/funeral-procession-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpvRBmV2hvcvImd7GFENVZ5hHaG4VxWV-2-ztkeOB4YfLPyF5eRBwu6ZEr_mApudCXH4NqmCUMOXCL64OzQYdjEks8GgNIkDu0Ou__OQKlkZMvJc9E5HT4hhqIeYQJ-hzcN_vqQOF7I9g/s200/funeral-procession-1.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Funeral Procession" by Ellis Wilson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We <i>all</i> endure pain and loss in life. From the moment we enter the world, we begin lives filled with ups and downs. We have good days and bad. We have joys and sorrows. We enjoy great gains and great losses.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just last week, I traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to attend the funeral of my dear Aunt Augusta. My life is full of memories of Aunt Augusta's good cooking, her calm, soft-spoken nature and her comfortable home that I spent many a night in during my childhood. Aunt Augusta (affectionately known as Aunt Chuckie) had suffered from various illnesses over the years, but in the end, she died after a <a href="http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/elderly-woman-pinned-under-car-dies">tragic freak accident.</a><br />
<br />
Loss has been an unwelcome companion to me and my family these days.<br />
<br />
Has it been your unwelcome companion too?<br />
<br />
<b>Loss Is Not Always Punishment</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Job reminds us that loss doesn't only come to evil men and women. Loss comes to godly men and godly women. Loss comes to children -- innocent babies, even. Loss is a part of life. It is a part of <i>every</i> life.<br />
<br />
Job's response to his wife's advice to "curse God and die" sheds light on this. His words: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">"You are talking foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
A question we must ask ourselves. Will we only accept the good times in life? We <i>must</i> accept the good with the bad, the joy with the heartache, the harvest with the droughts.<br />
<br />
<b>Loss Can Make Us Better</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If we endure the heartaches of life, and continue to trust God through them, God will make us better for it. I've endured my share of loss in life: two <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-morning-god-laid-something-heavy.html">miscarriages</a>, multiple <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4866854387137046160#editor/target=post;postID=4772649364998289367">relocations</a>, and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4866854387137046160#editor/target=post;postID=4970867964115959502">career disappointments</a>, just to name a few. <br />
<br />
Each time, I've had days I thought I wouldn't make it through to the other side. Yet, I always do. And not only do I make it through, but I come out the other side looking a little more like the Savior.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you've experienced your share of loss too.<br />
<br />
My Sister, just know there is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4866854387137046160#editor/target=post;postID=7613632980100106035">purpose in pain</a>. God loves you. Trust Him.<br />
<br />
Even through the losses of life.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Carla **<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
* Quick Bible Tidbit: Bible scholars
believe that Job's writings were the first written - even before the
book of Genesis.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_nXQumJfjjvAmky51qkcnZMrtjNIWDnGiH6UaG_8bvR69rR8yhHke2jmUj3fbeZYjZ40o4PPYu2eBnvysw7qtfFOqUn5r4xM96XgJAbKdy16Kzvx4N4px4NUOBZ1rNlLelLwR8hqjZHG/s1600/AMY_5890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_nXQumJfjjvAmky51qkcnZMrtjNIWDnGiH6UaG_8bvR69rR8yhHke2jmUj3fbeZYjZ40o4PPYu2eBnvysw7qtfFOqUn5r4xM96XgJAbKdy16Kzvx4N4px4NUOBZ1rNlLelLwR8hqjZHG/s200/AMY_5890.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
** <i>Carla Adair Hendricks is a pastor's wife (since 2001), a Mama to four beautiful, rambunctious children, an adoption/foster care advocate, a writer, a lover of current events and public policy and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ. (Definitely not in that order!) She currently resides in Conway, Arkansas, but also calls Baltimore, Maryland and Franklin, Tennessee home. She founded "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage and uplift ministry wives around the globe, but has been pleasantly surprised over the blessing this blog has been to women from all walks of life. Visit her personal blog, "Deep Waters" <a href="http://carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/">here</a>, and join Carla and other ministry wives every Monday right here at "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" for weekly encouragement.</i></div>
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carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-68496006287877002252012-08-20T07:40:00.001-07:002012-08-20T07:40:35.273-07:00Trusting God...Not a Single Transaction<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">by <a href="http://facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice" target="_blank">Shannon Milholland</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Matthew 11:28</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I climbed the mountain of single motherhood to find a most <a href="http://katieganshert.com/faith/wildflowers-from-winter-hope-after-divorce/" target="_blank">unexpected prince</a> at the peak. God offered me His very best when I least deserved it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Within three years of marriage, Scott and I added two more daughters to the "sorority" bringing the total to four. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was easy to settle into the rhythm of His mercy and grace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486OuMzuXDjNadnIjL4XC_8wpPR7uo3hFQxz5H53y26UywJWTsRtcq_R3dUnv1Ph6V7OfqZ60n6-jZhPU4xWQdRZlhMfUqWuAl6Dtgi2P6jQKMkxac7itaIkxndOUb4NBLu3KAKT83vTm/s1600/The+Right+Question.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486OuMzuXDjNadnIjL4XC_8wpPR7uo3hFQxz5H53y26UywJWTsRtcq_R3dUnv1Ph6V7OfqZ60n6-jZhPU4xWQdRZlhMfUqWuAl6Dtgi2P6jQKMkxac7itaIkxndOUb4NBLu3KAKT83vTm/s320/The+Right+Question.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time our daughters were 2, 3, 10 and 13 we had built a dream home, family and life. One phone call shattered the calm, easy timbre of my days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You're right, dear, I have cancer." The words pressed in on my heart like a 100 degree, 100% humidity day. They suffocated and terrified in a single stroke. I barely felt I'd survived life as a single mother to two, how could I possibly face it with four?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My small offering of faith was eye to eye with my biggest fear. Would I trust God and walk in faith or wilt under the weight of worry? Through prayer and an extra helping of God's mercy, my husband's health was completely restored over a twelve month period.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you trusted God...? Evangelists often phrase an invitation to initiate a relationship with God like this. They imply trust is a one time event. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My inner wimp wants to tell you trusting God was a one-time event. We faced cancer. Trust prevailed. Story ended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But life isn't like that is it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I bet you, like me, have a trust issue tapping your shoulder this very morning. Whether your dollars are too small or your relationship tension too big, you likely awoke to trouble. But what if our trust issue is actually a trust opportunity?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What if we need to give ourselves the same advice we so flippantly offer others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go to Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When life makes us stumble, let's fall into His arms. Let's stop asking how big is our problem and start asking how big is our God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What looms large in view today? Do we dare to shift our perspective from the size of our problem to the vastness of our God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">__________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhyphenhyphenllQuhvJZj0lOpjjRV-LhlKYLwuCXNNfPCM3J1G2l9wSMCfkJOwE_0uKZ1pQuSa6XEpazFRcicbCkiOMRKQlZ3F-F-vdkdAscjJrLVrX6Xe517RK4sL9wKvG2AQcfiAM9ZnqnOR1sF/s1600/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhyphenhyphenllQuhvJZj0lOpjjRV-LhlKYLwuCXNNfPCM3J1G2l9wSMCfkJOwE_0uKZ1pQuSa6XEpazFRcicbCkiOMRKQlZ3F-F-vdkdAscjJrLVrX6Xe517RK4sL9wKvG2AQcfiAM9ZnqnOR1sF/s200/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Shannon is a morning runner, an
afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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She is the voice of <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/"><i>Jesus
& My Orange Juice</i></a><i>, </i>a
fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of
laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of
contentment in life, through the written and spoken word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Connect with her online at <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/">ShannonMilholland.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanmilholland">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/shanmilholland/">Pinterest</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17886093879851123261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-20714100831054026992012-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:002012-08-13T06:00:00.174-07:00Believing in Hope, Against all HopeBy Monique Zackery<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Romans chapter 4 has been
screaming at me lately [in a good way]. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse48CJsAmNiJBeKP5bj9VrYgKLMdNoo8W9ZH5AuinWEB9LISbRA_vjyGcY9hvhGGgpRGlq2lIXWzfipxYCXKN9w4am5uGiUN9ZhLfL4BSR2gAXGJJFv4XS5_pSEUBIC1KTyz18lB0uEP2/s1600/hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse48CJsAmNiJBeKP5bj9VrYgKLMdNoo8W9ZH5AuinWEB9LISbRA_vjyGcY9hvhGGgpRGlq2lIXWzfipxYCXKN9w4am5uGiUN9ZhLfL4BSR2gAXGJJFv4XS5_pSEUBIC1KTyz18lB0uEP2/s400/hope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Abraham’s example of faith speaks
volumes. This was a man who had been given a promise from God—the promise of a
son and descendants so numerous they would outnumber the stars. But, literally, years passed by before he saw
evidence of its fulfillment. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can clearly see how easy it would have been to
lose faith as the weeks, months and years rolled by, without any sign of a
child. Talk about a lesson in patience! Imagine the type of doubts that could have wandered around Abraham’s
mind…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This is impossible.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My wife’s womb is dead!”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m nearly dead myself!”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So many years have passed. God must have forgotten about
me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe I’ve done something wrong and now the promise won’t
come.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe I never heard from God in the first place. Did I just
<i>think</i> I heard His voice?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of these would have been
natural thoughts, the types of doubts I’m sure we all have from time to time.
What’s astonishing to me, however, is Abraham’s display of faith; his clear
trust in God no matter how often the circumstances yelled, “<b>It’s impossible!</b>” Let’s go to the text,
shall we?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Romans 4:18-22 says, “<i>Against all hope</i>, Abraham <i>in hope believed</i> and so became the
father of many nations, just as it had been said to him… <i>Without weakening</i> in his faith, he faced the <u>fact</u> that his
body was <i>as good as dead</i>—since he was
about a hundred years old –and that <i>Sarah’s
womb was also dead</i>. Yet <i>he did not
waver</i> <i>through unbelief</i> regarding
the promise of God, <i>but was strengthened
in his faith</i> and gave glory to God, being <i>fully persuaded</i> that God had power to do what he had promised. This
is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’” (Emphasis mine) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that’s some faith! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everything in his circumstances
pointed Abraham to the fact that this promise was nearly impossible to fulfill. He
stood against all hope. <i>But he knew his God</i>, and the character of his God. He knew that what is impossible with man is possible with Him.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Where to find this faith…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have found myself wondering how
in the world to get faith like that. The kind where I can believe in hope<i>, “against all hope.”</i> I'm learning that believing God is a choice. But I’ve also realized that faith is a fruit of the Spirit [as is patience]. Faith is
not a natural part of my flesh that I can just conjure up on my own. It's a gift from God. So when I stand against all hope, like I have
lately--knowing that I have been sealed with the Spirit--I ask God to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit in me and bear the fruit of faith
in me because I cannot do it on my own. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Have you been waiting on a promise lately?</i></b> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One promise I’ve been trying to hold on to in faith is this simple proclamation from our Lord: “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).</span></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are hundreds of promises
from God to us throughout scripture. Regardless of any obstacle standing
against you, let us be "<i>fully persuaded"</i>
that God can do what He says He can do. Keep a tight grip on those promises,
even when you’re tempted to throw in the towel or take matters into your own hands. Go ahead and stand firm in your
hope, even against all hope. Our God is <i>still</i>
able. Keep trusting, my sister, keep trusting! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monique </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">___________________________</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjvJmc1y5_BP-Xg-auYF09Xx9D2u4a3G1jQr-Esn8sHzxcY6gXruoaz9_eCe9vwsVZ28SqKKmRmPAHjxiQEgnCvfW6seJZiD6MWVStFEy3xQ8VWfUDE4b9u-6OFNy-nsZDWpEk7TB8Avo/s1600/Monique+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjvJmc1y5_BP-Xg-auYF09Xx9D2u4a3G1jQr-Esn8sHzxcY6gXruoaz9_eCe9vwsVZ28SqKKmRmPAHjxiQEgnCvfW6seJZiD6MWVStFEy3xQ8VWfUDE4b9u-6OFNy-nsZDWpEk7TB8Avo/s1600/Monique+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Copse; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a Northern California Pastor's wife. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to Jesus. To learn more about Monique, you can visit her family ministry blog at <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/">www.TheZackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></span></div>
Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-23336001608343508902012-08-06T20:57:00.001-07:002012-08-06T20:57:25.130-07:00Trusting God In the Deserts of Life<br />
By Carla Adair Hendricks *<br />
<br />
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</div>
<br />
Imagine with me... We're sitting in a quiet classroom with a dozen other strangers. We are sitting in a circle, reminiscent of our Kindergarten days long ago. The people in our circle represent different races, age groups and communities.<br />
<br />
We all have one thing in common.<br />
<br />
Finally, my turn to speak approaches. I inhale. I exhale. I recall my practiced introduction. I commence:<br />
<br />
"My name is Carla, and I am a recovering control freak."<br />
<br />
Would you accompany me to this support group? Could you use some therapy for your need to control your life? Or the life of others around you?<br />
<br />
I've often wondered why I've led such an unpredictable adult life, when my childhood was so predictable. Why God has called my family to relocate multiple times, when I didn't move out of my childhood home until my first year of college. Why I often feel uncertain about the future. Why I can't seem to just "make things happen."<br />
<br />
There are no easy answers to these questions.<br />
<br />
There are no easy answers to <i>your</i> questions either.<br />
<br />
At least not the answers we're looking for.<br />
<br />
You see, while we wait for God to explain every bend, every valley, every detour, every retracing of the road we've previously traveled, He often remains silent.<br />
<br />
Or so we think.<br />
<br />
If we listen carefully to His still small voice, we can hear a sweet, but firm whisper from the Father. The same whisper I've heard as I've revisited the Psalms in my personal time with Jesus. I've clung to King David's words that repeat over and over again.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELIVER SAVE SHIELD REFUGE TRUST</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These words wash over me like a clear, refreshing spring. An oasis in the deserts of my life. A creek running through my heart's wilderness wanderings. An ocean of grace to drown my discontent, my disillusionment.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I hear my God's voice through the rushing of mighty waters.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>"TRUST ME, DAUGHTER."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Through financial uncertainty. Through interpersonal conflict. Through failures -- especially my own.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Through the challenges of<b> ministry life</b>.</div>
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI5TTPNkU-7BP3pTgOlh7jCNovTAzZT74ivpwZl5zLxcfNO9xKdK0qoyDnsEk2DcHs1_-pHvoopo0vIjgg2LOKJ1xk5nN6fdld_IHVK_fBEOUC0PoXBFLt1aLRVOS7O7ONX-w1KVSehz7/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI5TTPNkU-7BP3pTgOlh7jCNovTAzZT74ivpwZl5zLxcfNO9xKdK0qoyDnsEk2DcHs1_-pHvoopo0vIjgg2LOKJ1xk5nN6fdld_IHVK_fBEOUC0PoXBFLt1aLRVOS7O7ONX-w1KVSehz7/s320/0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I must lift my hands.<br />
<br />
I must relinquish the right to control my own life.<br />
<br />
And I must <b>TRUST HIM</b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHu4pTnAf5RDdZi0m-UHSAywe6vo1C6poqXGHWwIHYeodncBLrnDyOXe8H7_h6q6rzj90kNPtxADsAjbTSiUnHKpsVjQHVrS0v_xHrMxxNBOKvPP5kDtmuS_bqvdSPiqV69K77CsQlmkF/s1600/AMY_5890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHu4pTnAf5RDdZi0m-UHSAywe6vo1C6poqXGHWwIHYeodncBLrnDyOXe8H7_h6q6rzj90kNPtxADsAjbTSiUnHKpsVjQHVrS0v_xHrMxxNBOKvPP5kDtmuS_bqvdSPiqV69K77CsQlmkF/s200/AMY_5890.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i>* Carla Adair Hendricks has been a pastor's wife for eleven years. She has a heart for the Lord, her husband Anthony, her four amazing children, her church (www.mosaicchurch.net), orphans around the world and other PW's (Pastor's Wives). Her heart for PW's led her to found "A Pastor's Wives' Garden," a weekly blog dedicated to encourage the wives of ministers around the globe. An extra treat -- oftentimes, other women stumble into the Garden and find a little refreshing as well. To read more about Carla, click <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/p/contributing-gardeners.html">here.</a></i><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-46676874419546261322012-07-30T12:55:00.000-07:002012-07-30T15:17:15.513-07:00<h2>
Burnout: Digging Deeper</h2>
<h4>
by Levitica "Lee" Watts</h4>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="color: black;">On any given day, a person in ministry can face a myriad of
overwhelming issues -- from the basic needs and issues in your household, family,
work, finances to issues of the church, ministry growth and the spiritual issues
that your members may be facing. We tend to take it all on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">If we are not
careful, the dangerous result is burnout, which can be detrimental. Without
addressing the issue, it can lead to an unhealthy spiritual life. Couples can
begin ministering out of frustration and anger. Hurtful words come easily,
annoyed looks are common, peace vanishes and all types of sin can impede a
ministry and marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;">There is wonderful advice on practical ways to avoid or manage
burnout: creating boundaries, establishing quiet time, managing your calendar
effectively, honoring the Sabbath. All these bits of wisdom are valuable and
should definitely be taken seriously and incorporated into our lives. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">However,
there are often deeper issues that lead to <b>continuous</b> burnout in the
life of ministry. Burnout should force
us to look deeper and ask ourselves hard questions: Is my need to perform
stronger than my desire to obey? Do I fear disapproval from others? Am I
staying busy to avoid another problem in my life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;">Below are three ways to help dig deeper to the root of some of the
burnout we may experience in ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02xzAC8Me5afrZZ8Po9MHstMcgzRrm3swGQpHhagiNhe8dJogd2Dw1CctuqrPFr_xtCc0F47wVlGP1rXexsCZdaSnWUSYBy8XBqBmIlJA8iHXhMTK7ejNGI6Qvc092jtrcvmIfhOQ0WS6/s1600/5042923408_babebd79c2_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02xzAC8Me5afrZZ8Po9MHstMcgzRrm3swGQpHhagiNhe8dJogd2Dw1CctuqrPFr_xtCc0F47wVlGP1rXexsCZdaSnWUSYBy8XBqBmIlJA8iHXhMTK7ejNGI6Qvc092jtrcvmIfhOQ0WS6/s1600/5042923408_babebd79c2_thumb.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">Know Your
Audience: </span></b><span style="color: black;">As a writer, speaker and marketing professional, knowing the
audience is always the first rule of thumb. We encourage others to know who you
are writing to, the type of audience that will hear your speech, or if selling
services or a product, know what makes the buyer tick. It is also imperative in
the life of ministry. Who is <b><u>our</u></b>
audience? Without a doubt, it should be the one and only - Jesus Christ our
Savior. However, busyness and pride makes us forget. We get distracted and look
at the active family in our church, the deacons or the women's ministry as
those that we need to please and respond to immediately. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I love the way the
Message Bible interprets Paul’s last words to the Thessalonians: “</span>We ask
you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to
please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance.” (2
Thess 4:1) He is the one to please, dear sisters. <span style="color: black;">When we are reminded that our main goal is to
please our Faithful Father, it releases us from seeking the approval of others,
giving self-serving opinions and allowing people's demands to rule us, which
often leads to burnout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black;">Stay in Your
Lane: </span></b><span style="color: black;">My friend and I use this phrase with each other often. It is our
way of reminding each other that we are venturing into territory where we are
not called. Often burnout creeps into our lives because we are operating in
an area that God has never called us to operate. My husband's gift is teaching. He
is not a particularly good "preacher" in the traditional sense, but
teaching is definitely his gift. When he finally accepted his calling and gift
and stopped trying to deliver the message the way he thought others wanted and
how many of the preachers in his circle delivered it, a big weight was released
from him. Know your gift and your calling and just stay in your lane. Know what
God, your Audience of One, has called for YOU to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Divine Timing: </span></b><span style="color: black;">"There is a
time for <i>everything</i>"—everything God calls us to do. I am always in
awe of God's timing. Just when I think things are over, done, nail in the
coffin, our Redeemer comes back with more. We see over and over in scripture
that Jesus was careful about his timing and when He would perform a miracle or
move forward. From Jesus’ example we realize that not everything is for <b>now</b>. God may speak something to
us and we rush off with paper and pad in hand, calling meeting and proclaiming “God
told me…” But did we stop to listen for the timing. Did we sit on it and wait
for God to give us more instruction? There are seasons to everything...
ministry, spiritual growth, life, and yes, even marriage. Let's be careful to
be in sync with God and be aware of which season we are operating. There will
be times of frenetic activity and ministry, times of arduous building and
preparing. But our Loving God also blesses us with times of rest and receiving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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Stay
faithful, my friends. God loves us too
much <span style="color: black;">to
call us to something that He has no intention for us to complete or would not
give us the energy and resources to do. “And I am certain that God, who began
the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phil 1:6 NLT) He is at work!</span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx9eX7ATJMj5bHqCMDiS4aDe2LXYb0PsNb6I7OnzdbvlP2WfqwKUZxoi3Cwwjxtb6lL9hjDEaN-Thra_KL4VDZH-TsneW56F5VDAgJAY8pRW2jr_qLegEl2dyAjUGEcEB5kMfh6sCqRj4/s1600/425883_321854754530789_279222488794016_836400_1777806102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx9eX7ATJMj5bHqCMDiS4aDe2LXYb0PsNb6I7OnzdbvlP2WfqwKUZxoi3Cwwjxtb6lL9hjDEaN-Thra_KL4VDZH-TsneW56F5VDAgJAY8pRW2jr_qLegEl2dyAjUGEcEB5kMfh6sCqRj4/s200/425883_321854754530789_279222488794016_836400_1777806102_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a>Levitica “Lee” Watts lives in Atlanta,
GA with her husband Terence and two young boys, Terence Jr. and Trenton. Along with serving beside her husband, she is
also the editor of an online magazine <i><a href="http://www.breathofgodmag.com/">breathof God</a></i> magazine and president of Atlanta Chapter of Ministers’ Wives. She
is employed as Business Development/Marketing Manager and enrolled as an MBA
student at Georgia State. She is a writer, sunshine-lover, hope-chaser, forever-friend
of God, who enjoys working out and laughing with friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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She can be found on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lywatts">@lywatts</a>, and on Facebook:
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/lashbywatts">Levitica “Lee” Ashby Watts.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-23461184545912010342012-07-23T07:00:00.003-07:002012-07-23T07:00:31.563-07:00An Early Warning System for Burn Out<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Mam-Maw's up!" my hubby teased when I stumbled into the kitchen this morning. Lately I've been falling asleep before the sun relinquishes rights to the day. Any chance I'm bordering on burn out?</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Burn out sneaks into your heart and home as stealthily as a shadow. It moves the front of your emotions and spirit an inch at a time. So sloth-like is its attack, you find yourself surrounded by darkness before you register the first symptom. Like a coastal town, we need an early warning system.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Early</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiBK7bL40Eih_J1sLUKEq5iXmJv_oAlKg7lVk9Mba_lnpYEZU-KM89iwPEcp64KtRmMUOBOcB3MSM0T_gf4wxSlNoepFpeUAQThelH20A3Tf4K3D8KgxmSlflO_ylnI9UU042oAGh0lJ0/s1600/burnout.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiBK7bL40Eih_J1sLUKEq5iXmJv_oAlKg7lVk9Mba_lnpYEZU-KM89iwPEcp64KtRmMUOBOcB3MSM0T_gf4wxSlNoepFpeUAQThelH20A3Tf4K3D8KgxmSlflO_ylnI9UU042oAGh0lJ0/s320/burnout.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Early in my day I tend the fields of my own heart. I spend time talking to God. I explore His Word and allow Him to talk to me. I walk or run to prepare my body for the day's battle. I fuel my body with the most nutritious food our budget allows. I stimulate my mind with reading other sources as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This isn't selfish - it's making the best use of God's day. I can't give out what I don't have and I have to make the choice to possess God's best as early in my day as possible. I can't reach the finish line of my day without properly preparing for the starting line.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Warning</b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We each have a "tell" to indicate impending burnout. Mine is when opportunity becomes irritation. When I have so little margin I no longer want God to interrupt my day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Tuesdays at <a href="http://shannonmilholland.com/" target="_blank">Jesus & My Orange Juice</a>, we've been learning about the 8 life transforming one-sentence prayers that have changed my life. <a href="http://shannonmilholland.blogspot.com/2012/06/transforming-prayer-lord-direct-me.html" target="_blank">One of those</a> I learned to pray over my home and schedule - Lord, direct me. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I see my tell, I return to that place of prayer, surrender my day to Him and ask for His direction.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>System</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Through prayer and with the guidance of my husband's wisdom, I make choices. I make these decisions long before they're needed. They are my ultimate protection against burnout.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My children only enroll in a limited number of activities.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I only speak a certain number of times per month.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My children have friends to play a determined amount of times.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I say yes to an exclusive number of ministry opportunities.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This system of careful choices prevents burnout before it can begin.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I once heard a pastor's wife quip, "To be successful in ministry, you have to fly under the radar and above the fray." There is real wisdom in this but the best place to fly is in the shadow of His wing. With His radar and utilizing this Early Warning System, we'll be in the ministry sweet spot - far from burnout.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">______________________________</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mHRtuSHN0RHLV6iU1mj0ZALUvGJJBZkTv1orsY6OYyw0SAbP-04f7VCzjiVy_OmWYAf0Bh_vJ54PUc5i0oLNu_Q9C22CMvXMV4nZmTxoJ6lPp9OdBMDl2Dxfns3miXrlG-64vh8ZQqPD/s1600/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mHRtuSHN0RHLV6iU1mj0ZALUvGJJBZkTv1orsY6OYyw0SAbP-04f7VCzjiVy_OmWYAf0Bh_vJ54PUc5i0oLNu_Q9C22CMvXMV4nZmTxoJ6lPp9OdBMDl2Dxfns3miXrlG-64vh8ZQqPD/s320/newheadshot-retouched.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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Shannon is a morning runner, an
afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She is the author of <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/"><i>Jesus
& My Orange Juice</i></a><i>, </i>a
fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of
laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of
contentment in life. She presents the gift of prayer in her free 30 day prayer
guide <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/free-resources.html"><i>PrePrayed: Preparing for Life’s Events</i></a><i>. </i>She is a frequently published author.<i> </i>Most recently, she was a contributing
author to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0800721160?ie=UTF8&tag=southwritemag-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0800721160"><i>Always There: Reflections for Mom’s on God’s
Presence</i></a><i>. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As a speaker, Shannon is straight
forward about her own struggles. She is a compassionate advocate fighting for
victory in the life of her audience with a message of hope and encouragement. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When not writing or speaking, she enjoys her favorite job of
wife to Scott and mom to four daughters from kindergarten to high school. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Connect with her online at <a href="http://www.shannonmilholland.com/">ShannonMilholland.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jesusandmyorangejuice">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanmilholland">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://pinterest.com/shanmilholland/">Pinterest</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17886093879851123261noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-28476814638844264092012-07-16T04:00:00.000-07:002012-07-16T06:34:36.400-07:00You have to admit it's a hard job.By Christy Fitzwater<br />
<br />
An amazing lady in our church passed away last week, so
my pastor husband added to his job the weight of preparing for her funeral. On
Friday, his only true day off, he spent six hours at the church working on her
service. On Saturday he spent another six hours in a black suit.<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sunday morning he woke up and said, <i>Well, it’s my Monday and I’ve had no weekend.</i><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Exhausted.<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Monday morning, as I kissed him on his way out the door,
he said it again. <i>It’s Monday morning and
I’m so tired. I feel like I’ve had no weekend.</i><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What does a wife say to that? <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A wife who scrolled through pictures on Facebook –looking
at everyone else’s weekend playing-at-the lake pictures. Our family did funeral
instead.<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7fNIFPMxB8A3ab1i1CoMtzPWtSLWgtMhmAOzPjgKIy0ZnnlJYIZ3gKbEkBHMgnA_p9zYwrFhNr5EAmmZkizLooy1oBtE5u73wvKJ2hcCfZfjLtxvrLW7CZZFkS6tDBSCLAxwA5gug2Q/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7fNIFPMxB8A3ab1i1CoMtzPWtSLWgtMhmAOzPjgKIy0ZnnlJYIZ3gKbEkBHMgnA_p9zYwrFhNr5EAmmZkizLooy1oBtE5u73wvKJ2hcCfZfjLtxvrLW7CZZFkS6tDBSCLAxwA5gug2Q/s400/02.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fitzwater Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i>You laid down your
life for another family</i>. That’s what I said to him. That’s what followers
of Christ do. That’s what shepherds do. <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We could have had a weekend like “normal people”, but
what we want more than anything is to follow Christ. That means sacrifice, and
there’s no way around it. It’s just hard.<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When our families sacrifice and our husbands are
fatigued, we can either feel sorry for ourselves, or we can speak words of truth to
our men. <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We can say it out loud:<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i>We’re denying ourselves the fun of playing
like everyone else does.</i></b><b><i><o:p> </o:p></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i>We’re laying down our weekend fun.</i></b><b><i><o:p> </o:p></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i>We’re taking up a weighty cross of loving
other people even when it hurts. </i></b><b><i><o:p> </o:p></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i>It's what we signed up for -</i></b><b><i>giving up fun and normal for something
richer.</i></b> <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That’s what we speak to our tired husbands when shoulders
slump and black bags are under the eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>About Christy: I live in Kalispell, Montana where my husband is associate pastor at Easthaven Baptist Church. I have a daughter who starts college in a month (sniff sniff) and a lanky teenage boy who will be a sophomore this year. I love to teach and write. Find me at my devotional blog: <a href="http://tiddlywinks-christy.blogspot.com/">tiddlywinks-christy.blogspot.com</a> </i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-32221451325629945182012-07-09T06:00:00.000-07:002012-07-09T11:59:51.933-07:00Five Tips for Avoiding Ministry Burnout<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORFLeO7dSGwELLNFUZhbwC3TWR2NHPOOUzzN7HYbIQcRuufRURTvuRAjzffX1Z2IZljYoZjymphaooHL8LRp8-e_OVQcpGYAVFZI5BDFNIJJC1YNSY4poX-mWk3mqAd9s2KPDGxaQbrxJ/s1600/2010--+CZ+%2526+Monique+--+Jpeg+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORFLeO7dSGwELLNFUZhbwC3TWR2NHPOOUzzN7HYbIQcRuufRURTvuRAjzffX1Z2IZljYoZjymphaooHL8LRp8-e_OVQcpGYAVFZI5BDFNIJJC1YNSY4poX-mWk3mqAd9s2KPDGxaQbrxJ/s400/2010--+CZ+%2526+Monique+--+Jpeg+051.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Pastor Curtis and Monique Zackery}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being in ministry is the most
rewarding job I’ve ever had. The ability to serve others and share the Gospel
brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment like nothing else. Over the years,
however, I’ve picked up a few hard-learned lessons about ministry burnout, and
how to avoid it. In this PW* role it is easy to become overextended, or caught
up in a false sense of guilt when we can’t meet every need {or expectation}
that arises. These simple tools have become staples along my journey and have
helped me find rest in the middle of the busy. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So without further delay, here
are five PW tips for avoiding ministry burnout. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>1. Color Code Your Calendar</b> - About three years ago I started
color-coding my calendar. Everything in orange was ministry. Home and family
activities were blue, school was green, and “me time” was purple. I had no idea
how much ministry I was involved in until I saw it in color. There was orange
all over that calendar! At one point I remember looking over my schedule and
realizing I had two months of orange commitments before I had a purple day off
to breathe. It was severely unbalanced and I was <s>probably</s> beginning to
look like a zombie. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first step to avoiding
burnout is to take an inventory of your current commitments. See if you have an
imbalance somewhere and adjust as needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>2. Learn to Use Your “No”</b> – For some of you, saying “no” might come as
a breeze. But for others of us, saying “no” can prove to be difficult,
especially when we’re put on the spot. However, it is possible to master the
art of saying “no” gracefully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although I love to plan events or
join a new Bible Study in a heartbeat, I’ve had to learn phrases like, “Wow,
that sounds like a great idea. Let me pray about how {or if} I am to be
involved and I’ll get back to you.” This provides time to talk to God, look at
my color-calendar, and consider what I’m taking on before using my “yes.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>3. Stop People Pleasing </b>– When pleasing God is the focus there is
freedom to be your self and operate in your calling without trying to fill a
faulty notion of what a PW should be. When we focus on the beauty of the cross
our service is compelled by Christ’s love instead of a sense of obligation to
people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband has been instrumental
in helping me to grasp this truth. He has so graciously reminded me that I
don’t have to be at every single church event, every time the doors open just because I'm a PW.
There’s so much freedom in realizing that it’s totally okay to stay home on a
Wednesday night if I’m feeling depleted. <i>It’s
okay!</i> :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>4. Schedule Time for Rest </b>– At our former church, our women’s ministry
director, Kristi, started a series on rest. She reminded us that: 1) rest is a
command, 2) God desires rest for us, and 3) He exemplified it for us on the
seventh day (although He never grows tired). As a result, she started “Listening
Prayers” for us, which were periodic mornings of rest<b>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During “Listening Prayers” we
gathered in someone’s home. Then we chose separate spots around the house. One
would take the couch, while another took the guest room and another sat on the
patio or the tree swing. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For about 45 minutes we would all
just sit in the silence, soaking in the morning sun. Some moms would come for a
moment away, bring a pillow and just sleep the whole time. Others used it as a
time to seek the Lord, and listen. It was a <i>scheduled</i>
<i>time of rest</i>, and it was glorious! I
learned that this intentional rejuvenating practice should be added to our calendars
on a regular basis. It's worth it!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>5. Stay Connected to The Vine – </b>The last point is the most important. We’re
all familiar with the famous John 15 teaching of The Vine and the branches. In
it Jesus says, <i>“Apart from me you can do
nothing”</i> (John 15:5). The moment we find our strength withering away in
ministry is a perfect time to reflect on whether or not we are remaining
connected to the Source of Life. These are the instances to remember Jesus’
special invitation to “come.” This is how we <i>“draw our strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus”</i> (2
Timothy 2:1).<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened and I will give you rest”</i> (Matthew 11:28).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, dear sister, <i><b>“Let
us not become weary </b>{or burned out}<b> in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up”</b></i>
(Galatians 6:9). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monique Zackery</span></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*PW- Pastor's Wife</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_______________________________</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Monique Zackery</b>, Contributing Author</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">Monique is a pastor's wife in Northern California. When she isn't glueing her fingers together in a D.I.Y. project, you can find her worshiping God through music and everyday life. She is the author of the blog Finding Me in You, where she openly shares and encourages others with the lessons God is teaching her on identity and fulfillment in Christ. Furthermore, Monique has a passion for abolishing modern day slavery in this lifetime and has recently partnered with Abolition International as a public advocate and church partnership coordinator. She is currently working toward a degree in Leadership in Ministry and hopes to complete a Masters in Counseling as a tool to aid in the healing of her community and rescued victims of slavery. Above all, she desires to be an arrow, pointing others to the ultimate Healer, Jesus. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">To learn more about Curtis & Monique Zackery's mission visit <a href="http://www.thezackerys.blogspot.com/">www.thezackerys.blogspot.com</a>. </span></div>Monique Zackeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014152088419663748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2491374093193040421.post-27303073808374494452012-07-02T04:00:00.000-07:002012-07-02T07:29:55.301-07:00Pouring Out ~ Burning OutBy Carla Adair Hendricks<br />
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Have you searched the eyes of your minister-husband recently? I mean, really searched those chestnut browns or baby blues?<br />
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If you have, I bet there's one thing you've detected. <br />
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Fatigue.<br />
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If you haven't seen it, you probably haven't looked hard enough. Because reality is, the average minister is tired. Bone-tired. Soul-tired.<br />
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In <a href="http://apastorswifesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/surviving-land-mines-of-ministry.html">Surviving the Land Mines of Ministry Marriages</a> I shared some alarming statistics. They certainly alarmed me when I first heard them. I won't belabor each statistic here, but I'd like to revisit just a few...<br />
<ul>
<li>80% of pastors believe that pastoral ministry affects their families negatively</li>
<li>75% of pastors report severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear and alienation</li>
<li>1500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure</li>
</ul>
Did you read that last one? Let it sink in. <br />
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1500 pastors <b>leave their ministries each month </b>due to <b>burnout</b>, conflict or moral failure.<br />
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No wonder our husbands' eyes droop. Especially on Sunday evenings.<br />
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Sisters, maybe our own mascara-ed eyes are weary with fatigue too, as we encourage our husbands in ministry, support them emotionally, block for them when others criticize, manage our homes, nurture and guide our children, homeschool or maintain involvement in our children's schools, volunteer in the community, etc. etc. etc. And sometimes we do all this while holding down part or full-time employment.<br />
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It's enough to exhaust an Olympic Gold winner. Much less little old us.<br />
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So how do we continually pour out -- our time, our talents, our spiritual gifts, our advice, our love -- without depleting every ounce of life within us?<br />
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Like the Samaritan Woman at the well, we need the replenishment of <b>living water</b>.<br />
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This woman, weary from life, rejection and failed relationships, met the Savior at a critical time in life. He offered her new life. New hope. A hope found in a life lived in Him, through Him and for Him. Let's take a look at His words:<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">"Anyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a </span><b style="color: #741b47;">spring of water</b><span style="color: #741b47;"> welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14</span></blockquote>
A spring. A body of water originating from the depths of the earth. Clear. Refreshing. Full of minerals and nutrients.<br />
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There is no easy answer to the pervasive fatigue of ministry. Vacations and time away are a must. Date nights sans children are essential. Days off filled with enjoyable, energizing activities do wonders.<br />
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But there's nothing like regular -- daily -- time being replenished by living water. The living water that sustains us, strengthens us, nourishes us deep within our souls. The living water that flows from spending quality time with the Savior. The living water found in prayer, reading the Word and just sitting quietly before the One who promises to quench our soul's thirst.<br />
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Will you let the Savior fill you with His living water today?<br />
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<i>Carla has been a pastor's wife for over a decade, and founded "A Pastor's Wife's Garden" to encourage other pastor's wives in their calling. A writer and editor, she has published in several Christian and mainstream publications, including </i>Guidepost Magazine <i>and </i>AARP Bulletin. <i>Her heart for orphans "around the corner and around the world" has led her to dedicate her time and talents to various orphan ministries, including The CALL, which recruits and trains foster care parents from churches in Arkansas. Join Carla here every first Monday of the month and visit her personal blog <a href="http://www.carlaadairhendricks.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</i>carlaahendrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603156035139082071noreply@blogger.com0