Rejecting The Enemy

We are traveling today from West Virginia after a brief visit with my mom and step-dad. I don't get an opportunity to see mom often so it was a treat to spend some quality time with her and Ray.

Bobby and I both felt a little under the weather yesterday. It was somewhat challenging since we had a 6 hour trip to make but God was good. We both awoke during the night with very upset stomachs. Apparently we had eaten something that really didn't agree with us.

Our bodies are such incredible machines. When something enters the body that isn't supposed to be there immediately the entire system begins to work together diligently to get rid of whatever it is that has invaded its territory. If only, as Christians, we reacted the same way when intruders come knocking at our hearts, souls and minds.

Wouldn't it be incredible if we would immediately reject SIN when it began to penetrate our hearts and minds with temptation? Wouldn't it be awesome if we would instantaneously reject any ungodly thoughts that sliver its way into our minds? Wouldn't it be amazing if our entire being would totally work together to stand up against the enemy without wavering or ever giving an opportunity to the enemy to do any damage in our Christian lives?

We can have it that way. By daily picking up the cross and following Jesus Christ, we can build a solid rock relationship with Christ that will be so tight that the enemy cannot influence or rock our world. I encourage you today to spend quality time with Jesus. Savor His Word. Bask in His presence. Allow Him to penetrate your hearts and minds. This is a new day. God has something fantastic for you this week. Allow Him to complete His will in your life.

Blessings to you!

Called to the Profession?

My hubby and I met when I was 15 in high school. Little did I know that I would end up as a pastor's wife. Are pastor's wives called to the ministry? In my heart I feel that answer has to be a big "YES". I am certain many women would disagree with me but we have been in ministry for 28 years and honestly, if I would not be called to this profession I would have convinced Bobby to change professions a very long time ago!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27 NIV). God gives us peace. A peace like no other in this life when we are in His will. You just know that it is right.

For 18 years I was very involved in a banking and marketing career. I spent many hours commuting when my children were small. I was very much into my career focused on climbing the ladder to success. Am I saying that is wrong? Not necessarily, but as I look back over my life, I know now that God wasn't first on my priority list. Too much emphasis was placed on my "career". Many evening classes at the local college. I was very involved in Professional Women's Groups. Very little of my time was committed to the church. Bobby was an associate pastor during most of my career. Did I have any idea what was going on in his ministry or the church? Honestly, I have to admit - very little for a number of years.

I believe that as a pastor's wife it is our responsibility to support our husband in ministry. We must be there to love him and encourage him. And I wholeheartedly believe that God does call us into this ministry. I have seen pastors who are doing this thing alone and it is a struggle for many of them. I know how difficult it has been at times for us. I can't imagine trying to deal with some of the ministry issues we have faced as a couple on your own. Am I implying that pastor's wives cannot obtain a successful career and still be a support to her husband? Not at all but I do beleive that there must be balance between the career and her ministry.

God gives peace. His peace is with us. In my own experience, no matter what type of struggle I am facing, God is always there. He gives peace in the midst of the storms. If we are in His will, He gives us a feeling of peace. You know that you know that you are doing the right thing. Did I experience peace during those 18 years of career chasing?

I will blog more about this later. We are preparing to leave for Church Life Cohort in Lutherville, MD.

Have a blessed day!

Remove the Plank

Victoria is 19 months old and is quite mischievous. She gets herself into trouble often. Sometimes it requires scolding from Grammy which I hate! My point - even though she misbehaves and requires discipline I still love her with all my heart. She is a precious little girl with flaws.

We have precious people in our churches who sometimes are mischievous and make poor choices in life who also have flaws. Often times these folks find themselves in places they really don't want to be. As Christians we must come alongside them and encourage them and love them. Shunning them and judging them will only push them further away from God

Luke 6:37-41 (The Message) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." 41-42"It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.


One of the most frustrating parts of pastoring is dealing with those in the church who are always judging everything EVERYONE else does but fails to see their own flaws. God did not place us on this earth to be judges. The church is not a courtroom. The church is a place of recovery. It is a place that should be filled to overflowing with love and compassion. As Christians we need to be a support to those who are struggling with sins in their lives.


I want to encourage you today to pray for those in your church who might be struggling with poor choices they have made. Encourage them to repent and begin a life of restoration. Walk with them as they begin to put the pieces of their lives back together. Any of us could fail today. Not one of us is exempt from making poor choices. The flesh is weak and if we let our guard down we can also be extremely vulnerable to poor choices.


Blessings to you today!

A Grandmother's Blessings

Victoria and Luke

District Council Was Off The Charts!

The past month is still a blur to me. After returning from the Women in Ministry Retreat I was overwhelmed with Council preparation. I was invited to speak at a ladies luncheon last Saturday. I left Sunday afternoon for Winchester, Virginia for District Council.

District Council definitely exceeded our expectations! We began with a prayer meeting Sunday evening and the presence of God was overwhelming. Following the prayer meeting the staff enjoyed dinner together at the Outback. We finally arrived back to the hotel at 10:30. The Courtyard Marriott overbooked and we had a huge mess with our direct bill of 35 rooms. It certainly was not a pleasant experience and not a good way to begin our Council.

I met with the General Manager of the hotel Monday morning and tried to work out the mess with our rooms. The bottom line - the sales manager quit a few months ago and the person overseeing the direct billing had no clue what she was doing. Therefore, two other groups were booked and there were not enough rooms to accommodate everyone. We had to actually move 6 of our staff members to other hotels which were equivalent to the Courtyard Marriott but just a hassle. There will definitely be a letter to corporate headquarters next week complaining about the incompetence of this hotel.

Monday was a very busy day. The ordination luncheon began at 11:30 a.m. for 100 people which included ordination candidates, officers and department directors. Ordination practice followed the luncheon and then a brief Board of Presbyters meeting. I got back to my room at 3:30 p.m. and needed to be at the church by 4:45 p.m. Registration began at 5:00 p.m. Monday evening was the Ordination Service followed by a reception for the ordination candidates, family and guests. Superintendent Larry Hickey delivered an incredible message entitled "The Pursuit" for empowering future generations. Our attendance was around 1000 and it was a powerful evening.

Tuesday's business session began at 9:00 a.m. There was an incredible visitation of God mid morning during the business session. Superintendent Hickey actually stopped the session and encouraged everyone to kneel and pray. Awesome!

There were several luncheons in the afternoon which one of them I hosted, Women in Ministry Luncheon. We enjoyed our lunch in a huge white tent. All the tables were decorated with beautiful spring centerpieces and a lovely lunch. We gave away lots of gifts and were blessed by our speaker, Linda Webb, Women's Ministries Director. It was a great afternoon. Our new Women in Ministry is beginning to truly develop and we are so excited. Our goal is to connect and encourage relationships with pastor's wives of all ages in our District. It is happening and we are so excited!

Tuesday evening's service was a missions service and the guest speaker was Ron Maddux. He did a great job. Following the service was an International Dessert Fellowship. I actually bowed out of the fellowship and went to dinner with another colleague. Because of the busy schedule the day before and the late night at the church I wasn't able to have dinner and didn't want to repeat that same venue two nights in a row.

Our business session Wednesday morning was packed to the brim since we were not able to conmplete the business on Tuesday morning. Our session didn't conclude until 1:00 p.m but it was a great time. After completing the business there were presentations from the 7Project Team and Chi-Alpha. David Barton from Wallbuilders spoke to conclude the session. He is one of the most incredible historians I have ever heard.

The staff at the church in Winchester, VA was outstanding! This church was our superintendent's former church. They certainly went far and beyond the call of duty to accommodate our Council.

Yesterday was my grandson's 4th birthday. We spent the day with him and it was a great time.

I am speaking in church Sunday for Mother's Day and am placing the final touches on my message.

It has been a great week. God is so good.

Blessings to you today!

Focused

I am leaving this afternoon for District Council. The past two weeks have been incredibly busy. I feel like I have been in the fast lane since a week before our women's retreat. Preparation for the upcoming District Council is overwhelming. We have a new venue this year and we are anticipating an incredible visitation from God. I will be hosting a "Chick-Chat" luncheon Tuesday for the District pastor's wives and credentialed women. There are over 500 ministers and spouses registered for Council. Please keep us in your prayers as we gather for business and relaxation for the next 4 days.

I spoke at a ladies luncheon yesterday afternoon. What a delightful group of women. I did manage to grab a few hours of "me" time last Friday and spent some time gardening. That is truly my stress relief.

Have a blessed week!