In Other Words: Unwavering Faith

I have the privilege of hosting In Other Words today. Blessings to Loni who so faithfully coordinates IOW each week!

If God said that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, then the whale swallowed Jonah, and we do not need a scientist to measure the gullet of a whale. ~ A. W. Tozer ~

I believe it is safe to say that all of us possess some level of faith. When we flip the light switch we have faith that the light will come on. When we get into our car at the end of the day we have faith that it will take us safely to our destination. When we mix up the ingredients for our favorite cake and place it in the oven we have faith that a cake will be created at the end of the baking time.

Biblical faith is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Regardless of the circumstance, faith in our Lord means that we believe that God can and God will deliver. It also means that we believe the Bible from cover to cover. This type of faith leaves little room for doubt.

Our human minds cannot comprehend the possibility of a whale swallowing a man and a man living to tell about the journey. Jonah's accommodations were in Belly Whale Towers for three days. He probably ate fish for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time! Although this story may be difficult for us to comprehend, it still took place. The devil would love nothing better than for doubt to creep into our minds. Christians must demonstrate faith in their lives and believe that nothing is impossible when serving the Lord. If God said it, I believe it and that settles it!

Tests of faith can be severe. They may involve things that deny logic. They may come in the form of a challenge or command that we may find almost impossible to accept. They may occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Our faith tests can involve things that seem to make little or no sense. They can even seem to conflict with things we have believed God for. But we can be confident that the one, the God who tests us also loves us. And He is all-knowing and wise. We can trust Him, even though the test we experience may seem to deny His love and wisdom. Tests can saturate our minds with questions of why. God holds the answer. We need to tightly embrace Him, trusting Him totally with everything in our lives. As Christians our lives become an example to others who are looking for a reason to hope and believe in this life. A famous hymn from the late 1800s urged Christians to "trust and obey." We may not understand what we are going through when we are tested, but we must trust God and continue to obey Him.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God is the real deal. He has walked with me through the valleys and shared the victories on the mountaintop. I have placed my trust and faith in what I cannot see but I know God exists. He has done so many incredible things in my life. Without Him I don't want to think about where I would be today.

We must stand for the truth recorded in the Bible for it is the only sure foundation for faith and practice. If not, we will be victimized by all sorts of false doctrines and those who teach them. Understanding God's love for us personally gives us the strength we need when tested. We also need to be directed into the "patient waiting for Christ." Jesus' example of steadfastness can inspire us to remain steadfast no matter what mountains or whales may be in our way!

Blessings and hugs!

It Is Over!

To all those who have been praying for me today, a big thank you! My credential exam at the certified level is over PTL! It wasn't quite as bad as I had anticipated. The credentialing process takes several months so the next step is the oral interview with presbyter's. Hopefully I will know by the end of the year if I am going to be a Reverend! This is the first level of credentials for the AG. I already ordered my first class to begin the process of study for the next level which is license.

Blessings and hugs!

Run to Jesus

This has been a busy week. I am scheduled to take the exam Thursday for my credentials with the AG. I have been taking advantage of my event free evenings by studying for this moment I have been anxiously been waiting for. Please keep me in your prayers Thursday.

Victoria is our two year old granddaughter. She is so precious and adores her "Grammy" :-). Anyway, as I came off the platform Sunday evening following worship, Tori runs out from her pew into the aisle yelling, "Grammy, Grammy"! My heart absolutely melts. She is so much fun and such a blessing.

What do you think you would do if Jesus were walking up the aisle of the church? Would you coward behind the person in front of your pew? Would you crawl under the pew you were sitting in hoping to escape his eyes? Would you turn your head the other way hoping that he wouldn't notice you? Or would you run out of your pew with open arms embracing him yelling, "Jesus, Jesus"?

Run to Jesus today. He is waiting with outstretched arms.

Blessings to you friends!

Extraordinary Faith

People everywhere are struggling with losing their homes, conflicts in family, loss of jobs, spiritual warfare, etc. etc. etc. The list just does not end. It breaks my heart to see the challenges that many folks I know personally are facing in their lives.

I believe that God is calling Christians to a level of Extraordinary Faith. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Why do we place him in a small box when He is so awesome? When we are crawling through the mud of the valley God is there with us. The Bible tells us that he never leaves us. We need to display the faith we have in Christ to those around us. We need to encourage those who are facing crisis in their lives and tell them about a God who is bigger than anything in this world. We need to remind ourselves that God sees the big picture. We are only capable of seeing today.

I pray that no matter what you may be facing today you will call upon God to help you. Exercise the extraordinary faith to the world around you.

Blessings!

Respecting Each Other's Attributes

Maybe one of today's worst reactions is a self-destructive tendency that needs to be checked as a hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears down in order to build oneself up. Jesus is not giving a blanket statement to be naive toward others in Matthew 7: 1-5. He is not telling us to overlook wrong behavior just for the sake of tolerance. Jesus knew that the Pharisees dominated the religious landscape of His day with their judgmental attitudes. Today His words of warning against judging are even more needed in a world of angry, critical, destructive and cynical thinking.

Some people make judging others their specialty. According to some century-old church records, a congregation in a small Midwestern town in the United States appointed two officers in the church and gave them the titles of "Pointer" and "Beaner". They each had a special responsibility during the Sunday sermons.

The duty of Pointer was to call out the names of those in the congregation who needed to take particular note of the sermon. Beaner's task was to sit in the choir loft with a bean shooter and awaken drowsy attenders with a well-aimed bean. Who would want to attend that church???

Jesus warned about the danger of pointing out the faults of others. He said people with planks in their eyes should not attempt to remove specks out of other people's eyes. He challenged his hearers to choose humility rather than hypocrisy by always applying the truth to themselves before noting the faults in others.

Jesus knew that our speech reveals the true underlying beliefs, attitudes and motivations of our being. If people are judgmental and unforgiving they reveal a prideful Pharisaical attitude that is displeasing to God. Do not associate with such people who are given to anger and constant gossip or you will become like them.

I recently read an article identifying groups of people in the business world by generational labels. Labels such as "Baby Boomers", "Gen X", "Gen Y", and "Millennial". These type of labels immediately stereotype opinions of work behavior and work ethic. Instead of appreciating their individual attributes that each brings to the table we tend to look at these people through the lens of generational labels.

Don't we do the very same thing in our churches today? We look at, (judge) others and form opinions about each individual when they don't measure up to the standards we have set for them as Christians. We tend to think other Christians should think and act just like we do. When we criticise others because they are not doing everything exactly as we think they should as Christians, we are merely focusing on ourselves. Each person brings their own strengths and weaknesses. We need to learn to give people the benefit of the doubt. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent and admirable, think on these things. Look more at the 50% of the jar that is full and positive instead of the 50% that is negative or empty.

We should never judge motives of another person because we are not walking in their shoes. Respect them. God has wired each of us in a very unique way. Look for opportunities to reach out to those who may be struggling in their walk with the Lord. Come alongside them as a friend and offer a word of encouragement. Instead of condemning them pray for them daily. Show them God's love.

Blessings!

In Other Words:

This week, Miriam is hosting "In 'Other' Words" at her site, Miriam Pauline's Monologue. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this week's quote.

"Still, accepting God's existence is one thing; honoring his command is another matter entirely, especially if we're required to go back when we'd rather go forward."
~Liz Curtis Higgs

from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible~

I've not read the book, and am not familiar with the specifics of what the author was writing about. My post today is my viewpoint from experience regarding the quote.

My husband and I have been in ministry for almost thirty years. My husband has been in several staff positions and has pastored two churches. We have co-pastored for the past 15 1/2 years.

When my husband accepted his second staff position we were living in Hagerstown, MD. I was Marketing/Business Development Director in a local bank. I had been active in my banking career for over ten years. My husband's position required us to relocate to Springfield, VA.

The cost of living in the metropolitan area at that time was very expensive. I found another position in a bank in the area but was required to commute one hour and 15 minutes one way each day to work. Our children were enrolled in the private academy at the church and my hubby took them back and forth to school each day. Often times I would not arrive home until after 7 p.m. because of my responsibilities at my job and the dreaded commute.

At that time women were just beginning to climb the corporate ladder in the finance industry. After my second year of employment with this organization I received a promotion to Vice President of Marketing/Business Development and received a substantial raise.

My career was very important to me during those years. I admit God wasn't the first priority in my life even though I was a pastor's wife. That subject is for another time and another blog.

During the third year of my position at this bank God orchestrated an incredible makeover in my heart. A position opened at the academy within the church. For some strange reason this job looked extremely appealing. One thing led to another and I decided to accept the position. I met with the CEO of the bank and submitted my resignation. I began my employment at the academy two weeks later taking more than a $20,000 cut in my annual salary. Now, is that going backwards or what????

Two years after that transition my husband accepted a position as a full-time pastor in a rural community which seemed like zillions of miles away from civilization! It was quite an adjustment for our entire family but God was so good to us during that tenure of our ministry. We took another huge blow to our income since I was not working outside of the home. I became the youth pastor during our tenure which was an unpaid position. There were weeks when we only had dollars to make it from Monday to Sunday but somehow, someway, God always came through for us. We remained faithful to Him and He continued to bless our ministry in an awesome way.

Five and a half years later we were called to a church in Virginia where we have been for ten years. We came back to the metro area and God continues to bless our work in His ministry.

I feel confident, if the question were to be asked, the majority polled would say they would prefer NOT to go backwards if they had a choice in the matter. When you sell out to Christ, backwards may very well be in HIS plan. We must be obedient to God's will and His call and that sometimes will take us backwards.

Our family experienced some very challenging years financially after I relinquished my banking career. We also experienced lean years during our first full-time pastorate but where is the trust in God? If He calls us to a work He will certainly supply the need. Maybe not all the luxuries we have been accustomed to but He will supply our needs. How can we go forward in Christ if we are unwilling to go backwards if He calls us to do so?

The ministry is all about trust and faith in God. It isn't about what we want. It is all about His will and His call upon our lives. My desire is to continue to grow in Him each and every day that I live. I want God to use my life as a testimony to everyone I meet. My goal is to minister full-time to hurting women all over the world. God has been so good to me and I long to share that with women who need Jesus. How can I do that if I am not willing to go backwards for Him?

Blessings to you.

Vision and Goals

How many times have you taken what you consider pretty significant photographs only to find that the finished product was blurred? Obviously the camera was not properly focused when snapping the pictures.

I wonder how many times we could say we were not properly focused when making decisions. Vision and goals for our lives are necessary if we want to be successful in anything we attempt to achieve. If a church has no vision it will certainly perish. I believe that is also true in our personal lives. If we do not have direction we will go nowhere fast. It is important to focus on our future and strategically map out the goals we hope to accomplish.

I am a planner. Even when we are on vacation my husband laughs at me because I cannot go through the week without a strategic daily plan. I am not one of those women who can just go through the day and whatever happens will happen. I must have a plan. Even my weekends are planned. That may seem ridiculous to some but that is how God wired me and it is difficult for me to function in any other manner.

What are your personal goals for the next year? What are you hoping to achieve in the next five years? Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Just a few tidbits of thought on a Monday.

I've just discovered a new gadget from Blogger. Check out the little box in my right sidebar. It is for friends who stop by for coffee and chocolate while reading this blog! Please click on 'Follow this Blog' in the box and add your lovely face so I can see who is visiting my place. I would love to know who is out there.

Blessings!

Life is Hectic

This has been another busy week. Bobby and I met with our church leadership Monday evening. Tuesday night was a freebie but after leaving the office late I didn't arrive home until almost six o'clock. I prepared dinner and then Bobby and I walked. When we returned home it was 8:30 p.m. and honestly I was exhausted. I think the weekend caught up with me. Last evening choir practice resumed after the Wednesday night service and we didn't get home until 10 p.m. Another late night eating dinner and going to bed. Tonight I meet with my Life Coaching Mentorship group. Wow! I am tired.......................... :-)

I am looking forward to seeing Brandon on Friday. Tour 29:11 is doing an event this weekend in Martinsburg, WV. Bobby and I are picking Brandon up at the airport tomorrow and will get to spend a few hours with him before he leaves for his event. The Tour crew is picking him at at our home tomorrow evening. We haven't seen him since July so we are excited! We will not get another opportunity to see him until Christmas. You may read his blog but if you don't, check it out. You will certainly be blessed. www.BrandonShank.com God is doing some amazing things in his life.

I am so grateful for our family. God has blessed us so much.

Blessings and hugs!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful today that even when circumstances in our lives appear bleak and hopeless, my God is still on the throne. He rules and reigns in my life and with HIM, no matter how challenging the situation may look, all things are possible with GOD!

Many thanks to Iris at Sting My Heart, for hosting Thankful Thursday. Scoot on over and peruse the other blog sites who are participating in TT.

Blessings!

Thoughts

We have been blessed with an amazing mechanism planted in our heads. Our brain! Did you know there is more information stored in your brain than in the library of congress and all 17 million volumes? That is incredible for a tiny machine weighing in at approximately 3 pounds.

I read once that each person has about ten thousand thoughts per day. We can interpret that to mean that we have at least a one in ten thousand chance of thinking one good thought every day!

Thinking right is far more than positive thinking - it is living a life that is filled with God's goodness, wisdom, and mercy. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:8,9 NIV).

The first thing Paul does in these verses is to instruct us to put our minds on good things. The mind will focus on something each day. The question is what will that something be? Paul says we need to direct our minds to things that are honoring and pleasing to God. Paul calls Christians to have thoughts that are high and lofty. Bad thoughts, negative thoughts, definitely drag us to the pits as Christians. Those thoughts are not uplifting or encouraging. They tear down and divide. Not a place for Christian's to hang out. Paul does not say from now on I want you to no longer think of any bad thoughts. He chooses the positive route and tells us to think on good thoughts.

Filling our minds with God's Word each day will definitely be a positive step to good thoughts. Memorizing scripture will help us in those times when our minds are being pulled away from things which are not pleasing to God. We can focus on the scripture that has been so neatly filed away in our hearts and minds.

Concentrate on good thoughts today and remember how much God loves you.

Blessings and hugs!

Refresh

Life is hectic. Life is a super busy journey for all of us. By the end of the day it is safe to say that we are most likely anything but refreshed!

Getting back into the groove of life this week has been somewhat challenging. Today is only Tuesday but I continue to play catch up since I was out of the office most of last week at the leadership retreat. Bobby and I met with our leadership at church last evening and didn't get home until 10 pm. Tonight is a free evening. Well, actually none of us really have a free evening. There is always something we have to do but at least I am not OBLIGATED to do anything specific other than make dinner for us. It will be a great evening to REFRESH.

What does that mean to you? Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself (Psalm 16:1). Because life is so crazy and always moving for me at a fast forward pace, my soul needs to be refreshed in the Lord daily. Many times I will find a quiet place in my home (remember our kids are married and we are Empty Nester's), and read or pray. Another way for me to refresh is to take one of my little people with fur for a walk around our town. I have a route that is one mile and it gives me ample time to talk to God and REFRESH my spirit and my body. Whatever works for you, I encourage you to find time to REFRESH in the Lord. When we find ourselves running on empty our bodies and minds become weary and we can create a very irritable attitude to those we love and not be fun to be with.

REFRESH in Jesus! Your hubby will love you for it!! :-)

Blessings!

Change

It's all about CHANGE. Listen to the media. Read the newspaper. Change, change, change. Both parties are doing their best to convince this country that they are in deed the candidate that will make the changes we so desperately need.

CHANGE means to transform or convert. So what does that mean for us as we strive to imitate Christ? Here are a few things to ponder. Am I satisfied with my walk with Christ? Does my life reflect Godliness and Holiness? Is Christ displayed through my actions? Does my speech reflect Godly character? Is fruit being produced in my life as a result of my testimony? Does my tongue wag more than a doggy's tail? Do I have a critical spirit? Am I jealous of other's who seem to be gaining notoriety in the ministry arena?

Maybe it is time for some CHANGE in our Christian lives. I know exactly who can assist us in that process. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6.7, NIV).

We can make CHANGES in our lives and we don't have to do it alone. God is only a prayer away.

Blessings and hugs!

Redeem the Time

I have so missed blogging this week! As you know I have been in Lancaster, PA attending the annual District Leadership Retreat for the Potomac District Council. Long..... meetings but very fruitful. As a group, we attended "In the Beginning" at Sight & Sound yesterday. It was awesome! It brought me to tears. It was absolutely the most incredible thing I have ever seen in my life.

I met with the board of presbyter's wives this morning for "tea and cookies" to discuss our upcoming Chick Chat at Minister's Retreat which is only a few short weeks away. They are such a wonderful group of ladies. I shared a devotion with them called, Redeem the Time. It talked about how time passes so quickly and life is way too short. God affords each of us many opportunities and we must take responsibility to Redeem the Time. To step up to the plate when God tugs at our heart. Many pastor's wives and christian women are hurting and are extremely lonely. We need to be that encourager. We need to pray that God will give us the boldness to come alongside of those ladies. We need to embrace them with God's love and be a friend and mentor to them. And of course it doesn't just apply to pastor's wives and women in the ministry. There are so many women all around this world who are hurting and lonely. Seek out someone in your church Sunday that you think needs a hug or a word of encouragement. Maybe you can come alongside her this coming week and encourage her in her walk with Christ. God will certainly bless you for it.


Hanna is headed to the east coast. Our forecast for tomorrow is a little bumpy. Hope we don't lose our electricity..........

Blessings to you!

Great Weekend

Awesome long....... weekend! We had a great day in the house on Sunday! Bobby preached a great sermon on "Communication". Sunday night our Outreach Ministry leader led the service. We had an outstanding evening of prayer with a message in tongues and interpretation given at the end of our altar time. God's presence was felt in a mighty way.

I am leaving for Lancaster, PA this evening. Our annual District Leadership Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday through Friday. Bobby is going with me and plans to spend some quality time with the Lord while I suffer through meetings. Just kidding. It will be a great time together with our leadership as we strategically plan for the upcoming year. I am excited about Willow Valley Resort and Sight & Sound. Have never been to either so this will be a new experience.

Very busy in the office today trying to finalize details and clean off my desk!

Blessings!