Thankful Thursday

A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 16:9

I have been diligently seeking God for direction in my life regarding my ministry. I never want to do anything for self. If it isn't God's will for my life I will surely fail. I am so thankful that God directed me to this passage of scripture yesterday. Patience is not one of my strong points but I know that I must wait on God. Our timing is certainly not His timing.

I am thankful for a job that allows me to work in a Christian environment.

I am thankful for the beautiful home that God has blessed us with.

I am thankful that my son-in-law has recently been blessed with a great job.

I am thankful for two beautiful grandchildren that has brought so much joy into my life.

I am thankful for great Christian women in my life that pray for me daily.

I am thankful for two fantastic mentorship groups of ladies that are an encouragement to me and my ministry.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for my two little people with fur who love me unconditionally.

I am thankful that I don't have to hide my Bible for fear of losing my life.

To read more TT please visit Iris at http://eph2810.com/.

Basket or cart

My three year old grandson loves to shop from his mommy's cupboards. He will play for hours taking all the canned goods and boxed items back and forth from the living room to the kitchen. Recently as I was leaving my office I noticed a thrift store that had a number of children's toys displayed outside. As soon as I saw the little red metal shopping cart I immediately thought of Luke and stopped to make this special purchase. It was so cute and I knew he would love it. When I took it to him that evening he was so excited. Now he had a real shopping cart to assist him with his shopping needs. He immediately started to stack all the canned goods and jars of his little sister's baby food in the cart!

Will it be a hand basket or a shopping cart today? That depends on how many groceries we plan to purchase during our excursion to the store. Sometimes I make a quick stop for a few items during lunch which only requires a hand basket. If I am planning meals for the weekend and have plans to entertain a shopping cart is definitely necessary. I can assure you that it will be filled to the top and overflowing!

What are you expecting from the Lord today? Can it fill a basket or a cart? Each day God provides all we need but many times we respond with only a basket. We should be approaching His throne with a cart expecting Him to fill it to overflowing. He is our source for everything. Why not take advantage of what He makes available to us each and every day?



When we make a choice not to include time in our day to read our Bibles and pray we are cheating ourselves. We will only receive a mere basket of what we need that day from God. No wonder we are easily discouraged and feel defeated in many areas of our lives. I recently had a discussion in one of my mentorship groups regarding God's ability to deliver us from bondage. Each of us deals with things in our lives that can discourage us if we do not choose to give it to the Lord and ask Him for help in overcoming the problem. Many times we continue to deal with the same thing repeatedly because we are satisfied with just a little of what God can provide. We need to be persistent in seeking His face for a basket heaping full and overflowing! No matter what it is God is the answer. We can shop and shop for all kinds of things to fill the void in our lives but God knows exactly what we need. He wants to fill our carts to overflowing. How can we ever fulfill His will for our lives when we become satisfied with just a little?



In order to be the woman of God He has intended for my life I need everything God has to offer. My prayer today is that I will be so hungry for the things of God that I will continually seek His face for all that He can give me. I don't ever want to be satisfied with a hand basket. I know that only a few things from God each day will not be enough when I am standing toe to toe with challenges throughout the day. I need a daily heaping basket of everything God will provide in my life.


Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Life has been a little hectic so I haven't posted in a while but I am back! This is another Thankful Thursday and there is so much in my life that I am thankful for today.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I am thankful today that I can place my life in God's hands and confidently trust Him to complete His will in my life wherever that may lead.

I am thankful today that I don't have to lean on my own understanding in situations and circumstances that just don't make sense. God will take care of it if I choose to release it to Him.

I am thankful today for incredible flavored coffee.

I am thankful today for the convicting power of God to guide me in the proper direction when my life doesn't always reflect His example.

I am thankful today for my wonderful family and the opportunity to live my life as a pastor's wife.

I am thankful today for the many blessings God has placed in my life.

I am thankful today for the church we have pastored for nine years. We have a very loving congregation. They are a blessing to our family.

I am thankful today for the beautiful flowers in my yard and the swing on my patio.

And I am thankful today for God's incredible peace that is always present in the midst of life's storms.

Please visit http://eph2810.com/ to read other blogs for TT.

Leap of Faith

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
~ Oswald Chambers ~

Talk about culture shock! When my family and I arrived in Garrett County Maryland I felt God certainly made a huge mistake. How could a family from Northern Virginia, accustomed to millions of people, cars and houses, possibly minister to this laid back community 3,000 feet above sea level? As we traveled to candidate for the church I was praying and trying to convince God that He wasn't really calling us to this ministry! I was sure He was confused and thought we were someone else! However I knew the moment we pulled onto the church parking lot that this was going to be our new home. The next 5 1/2 years are history but the ministry proved to be many things for our family. For me it was a time of incredible spiritual growth and a great lesson that God can use anyone to do anything if we are obedient to His call, willing to step out of our comfort zone and exercise faith in Him.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

God has an awesome plan for each of our lives but many times we restrict His work when we demonstrate a lack of faith. We tend to place ourselves in a neat little box, become very comfortable and cozy with life and evaluate things using our own strengths and abilities as a gauge. This often brings discouragement because we are only capable of seeing the possible. Things that appear impossible create fear in us which causes us to reject the challenge God strategically places before us. When there is a lack of faith risk can be a very intimidating factor when making decisions.

When God placed a burden for youth ministry on my heart I was totally puzzled and scared to death! How could a former banking officer pastor a group of screaming teens whose character often resembled roller coaster emotions and raging hormones? I knew absolutely NOTHING about pastoring young people and brought zero experience in ministry to the table. My focus for the past 18 years had been my career. Yes, I was afraid to accept the challenge God was presenting me. I was anxious to remain in my little comfortable box while I attempted to figure out what it was that a full-time pastor's wife was supposed to do. But as I began to seek God's face for guidance and direction my heart became very heavy. God penetrated my heart with excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm, new ministry ideas and peace!

God definitely equips the called. When He begins to nudge our heart and whispers that it is time for us to step out of our comfort zone and do something for the Kingdom, He gives us everything we need to accomplish the task. I had no idea where God was going to lead me in this venture. This was a huge leap of faith for me. Looking back I can honestly say those were some of the most precious and rewarding years of my ministry. Several of the young men (including our son Brandon) are ministers. To think that maybe I played a small part in encouraging them to take a risk for Christ excites me. What if I would have ignored God's calling? What if I had refused to take that risk and remained in my small box? What if my faith would have wavered and I would have refused to accept God's challenge?

I love Him so much and am excited about what He continues to do in my life. I anxiously wait with anticipation as He continues to open new doors for me. God orchestrated the impossible early in my ministry. He desires to do that in each of our lives. Faith is a major component in our walk with Christ. Lack of faith will hinder the work God has called us to accomplish. I encourage you - be willing to take a risk, demonstrate faith in Him and watch God do the rest.

Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

What an awesome weekend! Bobby and I went to Richmond Friday afternoon and spent quality time with Brandon and Casey. They both had softball games Friday evening so following their games we had a late dinner and returned home at 1:00 a.m. Saturday was a very busy day trying to complete the chores that accumulated throughout the week.

Bobby preached two awesome sermons Sunday and the presence of God was so powerful. Our graduates were recognized in the morning service and honored by a reception Sunday evening. We also had a very special visitor. The former Attorney General! It was a long day but an incredible day in the Lord!

When the alarm bellowed this morning at 5:00 a.m. I wanted to do anything but rejoice! As I scrambled out of bed and navigated my limber body to the kitchen to prepare coffee I felt exhausted and completely drained. This was only Monday morning! I immediately began scanning my calendar in my mind desperately seeking to find an hour or two when I could have some major down time this week. This is pretty sad given it is only Monday! The word rejoice was not apparent in my vocabulary!

As the day has progressed I am reminded as I walk in God's will I must totally trust Him to lead and guide me. I have been strategically placed, where I am, in this particular season of my life, for His purpose, and am encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities He has given me. Even when my weary and tired body screams for rest I need to thank God for the moment.

God always shows up on the scene. When we are tired He gives us what we need to keep pressing onward for Him. I am rejoicing today for unending possibilities and opportunities throughout this week!

The power of our words

The power of words and improper use of the tongue can be totally devastating to individuals and families. It causes needless pain and hurt among our church families because people choose not to bridle their tongues and take responsibility for their words and actions. Pastor's families are sometimes damaged beyond repair by the slanderous words and carelessness of the tongue which creates ugly gossip throughout the community.

I am reading an incredible book, Conversation Peace by Mary A. Kassian. I would like to share some thoughts from her book with you today.

How often do we truly think about the power of the tongue and the words that come from our mouths? Do you know that where we go today is determined by the words we say? Words are powerful. Words can be cold and words can be hot. Words can destroy relationships, build friendships, create conflict, and determine the destiny of families. That two-ounce muscle between our teeth is more powerful than any other muscle in our body! That's why it is so important to control it.

How we choose to use our tongues - for good or evil - effects our entire lives. It effects the type of person we become. One direction leads to conflict and chaos. The other leads to peace and joy. Free and untamed, our words can cause lots of damage. According to James, godliness involves bridling the free, uninhibited nature of the tongue and actively controlling the direction of our speech so that it becomes productive instead of destructive. To harness the power of navigation, we need to put our hand to the reins, take control of our words, and steer them in a positive direction.

Henry Ward Beecher said, "The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God is going, and going that way." For our tongues, the Bible charts the course. Charts show the navigator where he needs to go. In the Book of Proverbs, the father says, "My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right" (Prov. 23:15-16). The son's speech would be the primary indicator as to whether or not he was on course.

It's the same with us. The words that come out of our mouths indicate whether or not we are on course with our lives. If we are steering our vessels the right way, our lips will speak what is right. Do you gossip? Slander? Retaliate? Those who are wise recognize that "he who guards his lips guards his life" (Prov. 13:3). They actively seek to follow the Bible's navigational chart for speech.

Remind yourself today that where you go depends on what you say. Let's offer words of encouragement to those around us and refuse to be a part of any negative conversation. Allow God to use you today for His Kingdom in a way that will be positive and uplifting to all those you encounter. Even when the lion continues to roar God continues to reign!!!!

Blessings to you!