Servanthood

This year is quickly coming to a close. Like many of you, I have been thinking about my personal ministry accomplishments in 2008. I have also been evaluating my relationship with Christ and pray that 2009 will be a banner year in my own personal life as a mentor and Godly influence to those around me. For the past several weeks, in my quiet time with the Lord, the word "servanthood" continues to resonate in my mind. Effective leadership requires each of us to demonstrate genuine servanthood. Jesus was a servant and He expects the same from you and I today.

How effective could the Church of today become if all believers made themselves SERVANTS to advance the cause of Christ? Imagine what would happen if everyone reached this level in their discipleship process of being more concerned about the well-being of the Church and others than about their own personal interest.

A true disciple is a servant who diligently works for the Master out of love and devotion. If no one notices, if no one says "thanks," it doesn't matter. True servanthood brings true and lasting satisfaction.

May the Lord truly bless you and your family in 2009.

Still Shopping...

Sunday was a great day in the House! Our choir, "Voices of Inspiration", presented a musical. Pastor Bobby gave a sermonette and the children and youth also had a part in the service. Everyone did an outstanding job! Sunday evening we went caroling on a wagon pulled by a tractor. Yep, it was cold! We handed out candy and sang Christmas carols. The people loved it.


Went to the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with a sinus infection. I am really looking forward to being well again. It has been three months dealing with bronchitis, pneumonia and now this. I have been referred to an allergist and pulmonary specialist.


Today is our tradition Christmas shopping day. Bobby and I are taking KC and Brandon shopping. Yep, we are one of those crazies who are fighting the mobs and last minute shoppers! It will be great!


Blessings!

What a Week!

This has been an incredibly FULL week of events.


My hubby and I are on our way to attempt to finish our Christmas shopping today. We have dinner plans this evening with friends. Still no cookies baked and no gifts wrapped. YIKES!!!


Blessings to you today!

Busy Just Like You.....

My week is full and running over and next week is Christmas! When am I supposed to go Christmas shopping, wrap gifts, bake cookies, etc.??? Yikes!

Last evening our church hosted the District Christmas Party. It was a great time. Tonight we are caroling and Thursday night is the Christmas Tea for the ladies at church. Friday evening we have dinner plans with very good friends. I am seriously running out of time. What about you? Cookies baked, shopping done and gifts wrapped? If so, congratulations. I hope to be there by Christmas Eve!

Blessings and many hugs!

Another very FULL weekend! Expecting a great day in the HOUSE! I pray you have a fabulous Sunday! May God truly bless you.

Thankful Thursday - People Pleaser's

Why are so many always on a mission to please others? They knock themselves out trying to satisfy every woe from a whiny group of folks who are absolutely impossible to please!


Many years ago, as a very young, inexperienced, and untrained pastor's wife, my mission was to please everyone. Why? Because that is what I thought ministry was all about. I was constantly trying to figure out if my makeup was acceptable, my clothes, my jewelry, etc. I made every effort to be everything for everyone all the time. Desperately attempting to make everyone happy so the complainers would be satisfied. Of course we all know that is short lived! I came to the place of discouragement, frustration and not wanting to be involved in the ministry with my husband at all. These people were ridiculous and I didn't want any part of it!


Our Heavenly Father did not place you and I on this earth to please people. That isn't our mission friends. We are to please Him by representing a Christ-like life and being examples everywhere we go of our Lord and Savior. I discovered many years ago that life is too short to spend it trying to make everyone happy. Some people will never be satisfied no matter what you do. Jesus could walk down the aisle of the church and they would find fault with Him!


I do what I do because I love the Lord with my entire being. I am who I am and people must accept me as Debbie Shank. I am not going to try to be someone else so I can please those who don't like what I do or what I represent. I am not in the business of intentionally hurting people and ignoring them but I also will not change who I am to please some so they won't complain. Some people need to grow up and start thinking about others instead of always focusing on what they want in this life.


Have you noticed that those who complain the loudest do less in the church than anyone else? And no matter what is done in the church, they gripe about it. They always have a better way of doing whatever it is you are doing but they never volunteer to do it.


The folks who chronically complain can absolutely steal our joy and make our lives miserable IF WE ALLOW THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I have found over the years that only those I give permission to can intimidate me or make my life miserable. I am in control of this situation. You and I are the deciding factor as to the result of what these people attempt to do with your life. When we are overwhelmed by their criticism and whiny complaints our focus isn't on God and what He can do for us. We are allowing the situation to overpower our emotions. We then become discouraged and frustrated because those are tools of the enemy.


I am in no way advocating being rude or uncaring. What I am advocating is that we are not to be people pleaser's and if that is our mission in this life, we will be miserable. Jesus wasn't a people pleaser. Many became very upset with Him but He had a mission while He was here on this earth and He didn't allow anyone or anything to stop Him.


God created you and I differently. He knew us when we were in the womb. He has a unique work for each of us. I can't be you and you can't be me. We can't be like someone else and accomplish God's will for our life. By reading our Bibles and seeking God's face daily we can have comfort knowing that God will lead and direct us. He will open doors we thought were never possible. Focus on pleasing God - not people.


I am thankful today that I have matured in my walk with Christ over the years and realize that I cannot possibly please everyone.


I am thankful that God has helped me over the years realize that ministry is about Him and His will for my life.


I am thankful for a beautiful family. God has blessed me so much.


I am thankful for an incredible church family. My hubby and I are truly blessed.

Special thanks to our host for Thankful Thursday.


Blessings and hugs!

Has Something Stole Your Christmas

This time of year everyone is running around in circles attempting to accomplish far more than one human can possibly achieve in a month! It doesn't matter how early we begin. There is always so much to do right up to that awesome day on December 25th.

This week Lori at All You Have to Give is hosting "In Other Words". Scoot on over to her blog and check out the other comments today.

“Maybe Christmas”, he thought “doesn’t come from a store.” “Maybe Christmas…perhaps….means a ‘little’ bit more.”
By Theodore Geisel (Dr. Suess) from How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I wonder how many of us today have allowed our Christmas to be stolen from us in the past? If we are stressing over all the things that need to be finished before that special day, Christmas has been stolen. If we are lying awake at night trying to figure out how we are going to purchase all the gifts we need for family this year on such a limited budget, Christmas has been stolen. If we are so busy with social gatherings, baking, shopping, etc., Christmas may have been stolen from us.

I love the holidays but it passes so quickly because December is jammed full of events for the holidays. It is rare if we have one evening open throughout the week. That is pitiful. And what happens to us in the midst of all this busyness? We tend to forget what it is exactly that we are celebrating.

Saturday our church participated in a community parade. We had a small float with a nativity and people in costumes representing Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, etc. As we approached the judging area they were very kind recognizing our church. The next comment was astounding. The announcer said that it was really good to see the nativity because sometimes we forget the true meaning of Christmas. WOW!

Christmas is far more than gifts and a wish list. If I were very wealthy I would love to give so much away to those who have nothing. Christmas is about giving. It is about a Savior who came to give you and I eternal life in heaven. It is about accepting God's free gift of salvation. It is about walking with Christ so that one day we will spend eternity in a beautiful place with our Heavenly Father.

Don't allow your Christmas to be stolen. It can happen when you least expect it. Stay focused during this very busy season. After all Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Blessings!

Busy weekend. Running errands today preparing for our church Christmas party this evening. Tomorrow our church is participating in a community parade. Will try to blog later this evening or tomorrow.

Blessings to you! Have an awesome weekend!

Out of Whack

Well, we have officially entered into the craziest season of the year! Those of us who are attempting to balance all that goes with this Christmas season can find oneself in a weird place if not careful. What do I mean by that statement? Decorating the house, decorating the church, choir practices for upcoming cantatas, church parties, parties at home, shopping, wrapping gifts, addressing Christmas cards, etc. etc. etc. Now do you know what I am getting at?

I love Christmas and all that goes with it but I need to step back each year and make a concerted effort not to get whacked out by all that is happening around me. It is very easy to become over stressed and overwhelmed with all the responsibilities at this busy season. I want to be joyful and a blessing to others throughout this month. I don't want to be one of those weary and tired saints who everyone tries to avoid because it is obvious they are everything but happy about this time of the year.

For me I rarely say "No" to anything but this year I have already scanned all that is on my plate and I have decided to find time for ME and my FAMILY during this busy season. I want to give honor to our Lord and my goal is for others to see Jesus in my life throughout this month. I am declaring to place "stress" on the shelf.

What about you? Are you already feeling overwhelmed about all that needs to be done this month? Take a deep breath and re-evaluate what really needs to be done this holiday season. Solicit help in decorating your home and the church. Find other ways, regarding the additional responsibilities that have landed on your plate, to delegate the tasks to others. I have found that there really are others who would love to help us but we fail to ask.

I pray this Christmas will be one of joy, peace and relaxation for you and your family. Blessings friends!

Priorities

The Thanksgiving holiday was awesome! I was on vacation for most of the week although it didn't seem like there was much time to rest. The church is completely decorated for the holidays and my home is 90% finished. I will put the finishing touches on it by the end of this week.

I decided I would be a part of those crazy folks who rolled out of bed before dawn on Black Friday and participate in the stressful shopping experience. I am not sure that my purchase was worth all the hassle but I did manage to secure my grandson's Christmas gift. When my son-in-law and I rolled into the Wal-Mart parking lot at 4:50 am there were already hundreds of people standing in line waiting to get inside the store. I was amazed. We learned that many of those in line had been there since 2 am! For what? So they could get one of the special deals in electronics!

Let me ask you a question. How many people do you know who have gone to church three hours before the service was scheduled to begin so they could get a great seat? How many of us would roll out of bed at 3:30 am to get to a church service at 5 am? Where are our priorities?

As I stood in that line with hundreds of others on Black Friday I thought about how disappointed God must be with us. We can roll out of bed before dawn to make sure we get a fantastic deal on a television but we cannot get to a church service on time, or sometimes not at all, because we have to much to do.............

Our Christian walk is all about prioritizing what is most important to us. What is most important to you today?

Blessings!