The Preacher's Wife

New Blog Design is Live!

2009-10-31T22:42:00.002-05:00

Hello girls!

Haven't posted on blogger in a while but wanted to jump on to let you know my new design is live at the new blog location www.apreacherswife.com. Please update your readers with this address as I will be deleting this blog in the next couple of weeks. I hope you will follow over to the new site!

xoxoxo,

Lisa

Update your bloglines..:)

2009-07-14T12:09:00.002-05:00

Hello girls!

I'm getting several emails about my posts not updating in Bloglines. Have you changed the address? My new site is www.apreacherswife.com. I really hope you'll follow over!

Much love,

Lisa

A NEW HOME!

2009-06-16T22:35:00.003-05:00

It's official. I have a new home at www.apreacherswife.com! I'll be redirecting soon so if you still have any interest whatsoever in hanging out with me then update your readers, girls!

Still Tinkering...

2009-06-16T10:16:00.002-05:00

{Pay no mind to the man behind the curtain}

A Temporary Move

2009-06-12T20:57:00.002-05:00

So I've been working on my blog design for hours upon hours upon hours. I used my test blog to work out a lot of kinks but when I tried to upload it here, my posts went haywire. SO, temporarily, I'm moving to www.thepreacherswife1.blogspot.com. If I can't work out the template issues here, chances are I'll be moving to a dot com. Y'all please be patient with me and come tell me what you think so far!

Lisa

A New Design?

2009-06-11T00:27:00.004-05:00

In my little blog hiatus I've been playing around with designing a new website - all by myself!

Just in case you are impressed at my skillz? This isn't the one I'm working on. Mine is much less colorful as in currently my header consists of 'The Preacher's Wife' in a non-descript script. I'm having layering issues in Paint.net. I could read the instructions but that would be way too easy.

I found this template on Gosublogger.com and thought it would be fun to look at for a few days until I can get my ducks in a row and return to full-blown writing. I'm almost ready.

Almost.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Lisa

A Break..

2009-06-02T21:40:00.012-05:00

I'm stressed.

That's not exactly the word I want to use to characterize myself during summer break nor do I want to be depressing but it's just the simple truth. Long story that I won't even pretend is short, my debit card was stolen (or rather conveniently picked up by a McDonald's employee in the window where I accidentally left it) and a 22-year-old girl went on a shopping spree that has pushed me right off the edge of compassion into downright unrighteous indignation. My days have been filled with more visits and calls than I care to count between the police department and bank. I'm hoping to be able to soon report that my financial institution has replaced the missing funds. As of right now, they have not and I'm pretty well aggravated that the tax dollars we contributed to buy out the entire industry seemingly have not purchased any accompanying customer service. I'm assuming you only get that if you have more zeros at the end of your balance than we do and if that were the case, this whole fiasco wouldn't be as much of one! If the issue isn't resolved soon, I'll be sure and let you know who it is so you can AVOID THEM LIKE THE DERN PLAGUE. I'm on the fence about whether we will keep our accounts there.

I'm sure they are devastated.

Anyway, instead of also worrying over the fact I haven't written regularly in a while, I am going to give myself permission to relax. I've got some revamping to do so I'll be gone for a little bit but hopefully back rejuvenated and ready to go at it afresh. I want to be sure and thank all of you ministry wives who filled out the Woman Beside the Man questionnaires and to apologize for not posting those as frequently as I should. You are top of my priority list when I return. Thank you for your patience!

Hope you are having a summer filled with everything you wanted to do! I'm having a long overdue yard sale the end of this week to get rid of all the things we've accumulated in the past four years. After that, it's the pool baby!

Be back soon!

Eyes Tightly Open

2009-06-01T21:48:00.001-05:00

Last night our church observed a day of prayer for missions in remembrance of the Pentecost. Judith (our missions coordinator) led the program and showed a well-done IMB video on the fascinating Sayang people of the Pacific Rim. Afterwards, we went to the track next door to prayer walk for this virtually unreached people group.

I took the kids over with me and gave each of them a bullet point on the prayer guide to concentrate on. I noticed Number One (he's 13) looked a little perplexed but then he looks like that often. I've told you about him before, but the best way to describe him is wonderfully, naively, innocent. The kid has amazing book smarts - but the street smarts? Notsomuch.

After I'd told the kids what to pray, One looked at me and said, "Momma, can I just pray with my eyes open so I won't run in to anything?"

Just when I thought I couldn't love that precious boy more...

More Fun at the Fields

2009-05-30T10:11:00.007-05:00

One guess where we spent Thursday night.

Ball fields, you say?

Why, how'd you ever guess?

This game was a little more exciting because it happened to be a Do Over from an unfortunate second game of a double header. It appears in the coaches' zeal to get two games made up from our schedule, no one (But me! No one would listen!) noticed the other team played with an altogether new and refreshed group of boys while our rag-tag, mad-cause-they-wanted-to-be-elsewhere kids barely drug themselves on the field. Yes, the other team played with an illegal roster and we ended up losing which put us in a playoff situation for first place in our league.

Now I know that I've told y'all I'm over baseball and I really am. Really I am. But, when things get close and your kid is completely invested in the outcome, it would take a Supreme Loser Mom not to care just a little about that. I'm pretty certain I'm in the running for Secretary of the Loser Mom Organization but President is not an honor I'm hoping to hold anytime soon.

So, with all that said, Thursday night was the Boy Two's Do Over. Did I say that already? And yes, we played the Real Team instead of the Stunt Team. I can promise you, however, there was no overconfidence on our part. This photo of the team going face down is evidence of that. (By the way, Luke is the official Chaplain for all our boys' teams. He is the calm one who invites the Holy Spirit onto the field and isn't afraid to have a Come-to-Jesus-time-out with overwrought parents and coaches and a certain nameless Chaplain Wife when things get a little insane.)

Here's Boy Two taking his stand. It's obvious here why his brothers call him Pipes.

Here's Boy Three and his girl, Whit. She's the first girl he has 'gone out' with that I'm pretty sure can kick his tail. That's a must if this relationship is going to make it.

Three's Ex Girl. And yes, they all hung out together for the game. I will forever love Olivia because she is the one who introduced me to the goodness that is sour gummy worms. We shared an entire container of them at the fields last year and my life hasn't been the same since.

And finally, here's Luke - chaplaining. Can you just hear him saying, "Lis, you better not be putting my picture on the blog again."

Sorry, babe. This new camera is fresh crack to my blog addiction and I just can't stop myself. And besides, look how cute you are! If posting your picture and bragging on what a blessed woman I am is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Unless you force me, of course, with those Mad Chaplaining Skillz.

(If I don't come back it's because he's killed me.)

Okay, I'm off to do some summer/winter clothing switch out in The Girl's room and clean out her booby-trapped closet. Just what I'd hoped for on a beautiful Saturday. But, never fear, there is another ball game tonight. It's for the league championship so say a prayer the game is calm. I don't even care if we win as long as everyone loves one another after it's over.

And I mean that.

Really.

But it'd be great if we won AND loved each other.

The End.

It Is With Great Joy I Can Now Show You Stufff

2009-05-26T21:02:00.003-05:00

I told y'all the other day that I'd been having some camera issues that had greatly impeded my ability to document our important family days much less capture any fascinating blog content.

That, my friends, has all changed.

Sunday, we ate lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant with our dear friends, Sam and Lou. Imagine my surprise when she handed me a shoe box and told me she wanted to give me some shoes that didn't fit her. I knew something was up when Sam said, "Yeah, Lou said you had a big 'ole foot and she thought you may could use those." First, Lou would never have said such a thing. Second, you have to know Sam, but his being involved with this mysterious gift had me full well expecting something to jump out and bite me.

It didn't bite. It was this.

Oh my gosh, y'all. I absolutely love it. The pictures are beautiful and it does every single thing I could ever want and more. I would say I can't believe they did this, but again, you have to know Sam and Lou. They are forever on the look out for ways to bless people and my goodness, have they blessed us. I've hugged them a million times, but it only seems appropriate to thank them once more.

Now that I've taken pictures of everything in the house, I thought I'd show you a couple of projects I mentioned a while back.

The Girl got a comforter for Christmas. Remember my telling you I finally painted her room pale yellow to match? It really looks great. You will think me overprotective, but I'm a little weird about showing her whole bedroom. Even so, here is the fabric of the comforter. I've finally gotten over how grown up it looks.

I bought white letters at Hobby Lobby because she wanted her name on the wall. These were on clearance for $1.50 each. I painted them brown but they were too boring. I started playing with the idea of outlining them in green but when I got across the bottom of the letter, I decided I liked the look. I originally planned on using the ribbon to hang them, but that was looking awkward. That's when I decided to hot glue the bows and mount them straight to the wall. I think I like the result? I can't help but think they need something more but for right now, I have to turn attention to the curtains. I'm embellishing some white ones with fabric scraps from the bag the comforter set came in. Believe me, when they are done, you'll be seeing pictures!

Welcome to Under My Bed. What's so great about that you ask? The fact that you can see the floor - what else? There is now nothing living there but a few residual dust bunnies and my sewing table. I can't even talk about how giddy that makes me. While I was at it, I had Luke help me rearrange all the furniture. He wasn't thrilled until we were done. The new set up is so much more functional and if I can make enough money from my upcoming yard sale, I'll be shopping Target for my own new comforter. And guess what? I'll take pictures of it! *squeal*

Finally, this picture is of The Girl wearing more colors than should be allowed in one day.

Just because I can..

Deep Sigh

2009-05-22T15:01:00.022-05:00

It's over.

The school year that is and I couldn't be any more pumped than if I had just finished 30 Days of Shred and discovered my arms had morphed into the exact representation of Jessica Biel's.

Okay, so maybe I'd be a tad more excited about the arms than the school being out but the thoughts of either one - no matter how unlikely the buff biceps - make me plain giddy.

It truly doesn't take much anymore.

So, this week has been filled with Awards Days and Kindergarten Graduations and year end luau's. If I weren't such a Loser Mom, I would have tons of great pictures to show you. Unfortunately, the camera fiasco has severely limited my ability to capture thousands of words in a single image. (Thank you for all your suggestions! I'm watching sale papers now that you've given me some direction.) You'll just have to settle for significant verbiage and a few charity pics from girlfriends who love me.

Let me see if I can succinctly summarize all these events: My kids are brilliant and they received lots of accolades for being so. I know that sounds totally obnoxious but that's okay. They deserve to be applauded, loved on, acknowledged and if their momma won't do it then I don't imagine anyone else will feel so inclined. I'm incredibly proud of what great little human beings they are becoming and full well recognize they outshine any example I've been (or failed to be) for them. This is where I give full credit to their daddies (Heavenly and earthly) for exemplifying biblical manhood for the boys and the adoration of a doting father over that precious girl. Yes, I am one blessed woman and my heart is overwhelmed within me as I sit here telling you so.

Here's Boy One (far left) getting a medal for being on the Scholars Bowl Team. He couldn't get that thing off his neck fast enough after the ceremony. Someone tell me why a teenager wouldn't want to walk through the halls in a Team Nerd necklace? I only felt slightly more sorry for the guy who received a ringing liberty bell as an award. I have to give a major shout to the teacher who gave her Spelling Bee Champ a gift card to Rue 21. Can you spell C-O-O-L?

~~I don't have any pics of Boy Two at his awards yet~~ {Nice save, Deb! Thank you!} but I have to show y'all this one that I love so much I could wallpaper his room with it. We had Buddy Pictures at school this year and this is Two (far left) with his besties. Anyone thinking Saul, David and Jonathan? (No, Saul is not standing on a box and yes, he's the same age as the other boys.)

Here's the picture Deb just sent me. I had to add it because I'm not altogether sure y'all have ever seen Luke and this is a great picture of him. He's threatened me in the past about putting him on the blog but I think he was just afraid I'd show the 80's mullet.

If y'all hang out with me on FaceBook, then you know every night of our late-winter, early spring lives are spent on the baseball fields. Thanks to the photographic prowess of my bff homegirl, Deedra (who also took my new bio pictures), my Boy Three's aka Big Daddy's pitching debut has been captured in great detail. Check these out. Smoltz-y better guard his mound.

What about it, Catch? Fast ball or slider?

Boy's got a booty like his momma. You can thank me now that I haven't worn baseball pants since the 80's nor do I plan on doing so ever again.

Maybe if I hold my tongue just right it will be a strike.

One spout short of a teapot.

And now that I've unintentionally paid homage to all the Male Children, here's one of The Girl and her BFF Forever. These two are the epitome of All Things Frou Frou.

It's official: The relief of summertime has been overshadowed by the joy of completing this post.

Y'all have a fabulous weekend!

Freeze Frame

2009-05-20T08:52:00.006-05:00

May is not the ideal month to be without a camera. My good one broke some time back and my backup has officially bit the dust. I'm not ready to invest a huge amount of cash into a new one because there is this little thing called vacation I'd like to be able to enjoy with my family next month.

Here's my question: Do any of you have a $100-ish digital camera that you are particularly fond of? What brand and model is it? Obviously, I'm not expecting professional quality, but there's got to be a standout in this price range. I just don't have the time or energy for research so who better to ask than you girls?!

I'd love to hang around but gotta run to the school for a luau.

Here's hoping my camera isn't the only one broken. Me in a grass skirt is not an image that needs capturing.

Y'all have a Happy Wednesday!

Old School Sunday School

2009-05-17T20:31:00.015-05:00

It's no secret that the face of the post-modern church is changing. One of the trends I've read more and more about is the restructuring of Sunday morning bible study or the removing of it altogether in favor of small groups that meet at alternate times. Now, on this I have no word from the Lord, but I've got to give a shout out today to traditional church. To perfectly calculated roll books and offering envelopes. To SBC Literature and a basket of pencils in the center of the table. Call me irrelevant, but I love me some Old School Sunday School. Were it not for our age-graded classes, I wouldn't have the opportunity to do life with a group of people whose paths would typically not cross mine.

A couple of years ago, Luke and I encouraged some friends, Clay and Tammy, to consider teaching the College/Career class with the offer of my joining them as moral support until they were comfortable. They got comfortable quickly and apparently so did I since I never left. There's just something that speaks to me about experiencing life with 18-year olds to 20-somethings who are always on the brink of some huge Number Next. They are choosing careers, getting married, praying their way through term papers and state boards, and serving the military just to name a few. I'm pretty convinced there may even be some future ministers among us. Each one is making plans, but whether they realize it or not, God is taking the steps. (Prov. 16:1)

Perhaps what I love the most is being in a class where I'm the old one and have been in most of the places these are just now going. Of being able to laugh hysterically over spats of young marriage and relating 150%. Of being able to promise that if Luke McKay and I can make it twenty years, then anyone can. Of admiring fresh tattoos and gently (or sometimes not so gently, right B?:) reminding the one who continues to get them how distorted they'll appear when he is a senior citizen. Of celebrating when the mile is swam in the combat boots, the test is passed, the semester is over, the degree is finally in hand, and the job is landed. Of witnessing when the Lord has already or is in the process of answering the prayer. Of watching two people I love so much grow in ministry by seizing an opportunity that scared them to death and bonding with a hard-to-reach, transient age group.

I don't know why I waxed all sentimental today, but I just want you guys to know how much I love starting every Lord's Day with you - even if I do drag in a few minutes late and make you endure the fizzy, crunchy sacrifice of my drink (Diet Dr. P) and grain offering (Granola Bar). I won't try to make a list because I'll inevitably leave someone out, but you know who you are....

See you next Sunday. Or I'd better anyway. :)

Held

2009-05-16T07:42:00.012-05:00

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Some of our dearest friends on this planet, Bruce and Ruby Pritchard, lost their treasured 18 year old daughter Kaci in a tragic car accident. Dear God, I can barely type it. This family took us under their wings in our first pastorate in North Carolina and ministered to us much more than we ever did them. Most of you have a Kaci in your life - a vivacious young woman who loves family and Jesus and for whom the world is full of promise and opportunity. We love this child so much and to think she is gone is more than I can put my mind around. This is my favorite picture of her and the boys taken a few years back. There was never a darlin' girl who enjoyed my kids so much. The affection was completely mutual.

My favorite devotional is called Daily Light for the Daily Path. It is simply a stringing together of like verses and my ritual is to pray through each of the scriptures each morning and then journal what resonates with me. Reading yesterday's entry, He proved once again that His Word never falls upon us accidentally:

"God raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6) Do not be afraid;...I am He who lives, and was dead. (Rev. 1:17-18) Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory. (John 17:24) For we are members of His body. (Eph. 5:30) He is the head of the body, the church , who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. You are complete in Him, who is head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:10) As the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release from those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15) This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this moral must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:53-54, 58)

These words are balm and I would ask that you would pray them into the gaping wounds of this family and those who love them.

Also beyond coincidence, just two weeks ago I discovered Natalie Grant's song, Held, on an old WOW cd I found in the car. Can you believe I'd never heard it? I've cried every single time it has played. Now, it not only speaks to my heart but from it.

Bruce and Ruby, Stephanie, Bryce, and Ryan, family and friends: We love you so much and grieve deeply with you. May the God of the Universe gently, tenderly hold you in the palm of His sovereign hand.

Week End

2009-05-15T07:01:00.004-05:00

For the past few weeks, I've quasi-intentionally laid off writing hoping that a mental vacation would somehow energize the firing of the proper brain cells that produce interesting blog content. Turns out it doesn't work that way. The longer my brain has remained dormant, the stupider I've gotten.

In a phrase, I got nothin'.

I'm pretty certain you are sick of hearing about The Shred. I'm on Day Sixteen. It still hurts. The End.

You already know we are at the ballfields every single night watching one non-descript game after another. Don't judge me if I say having four kids on four teams has been exhausting and I'm over it. Of course I think my offspring are fabulous whether they strike out or make an excellent play. For the nanoseconds they are batting or actually touching the ball, my excitement level does rise. I wouldn't dare not be there to support them and the team filled with children and parents we love but the truth is, I can't wait for the season to be over. I would rather be on my sofa than in my folding chair. I would rather eat a meal on my kitchen table than on a bleacher. The End.

Lost is over until next season. I am completely baffled with the exception of discerning the overtly-obvious, uber-religious overtones that are no longer deniable. I'm afraid I'll be forced to recant my love of the show once ABC has their way with it. But I'll think about that next season. The End.

Luke just sat down to with me to share his sermon notes for Sunday. If I don't listen, he'll silently shame me into a more intentional blog hiatus and it will really be The End.

Y'all have a great weekend!

The Unveiling

2009-05-13T16:34:00.005-05:00

UPDATE:

Thank all of you so very much for your exuberant responses to the book cover! I'm pretty stoked myself, but it makes it so much more real to celebrate with you. The book is not releasing until February 1, 2010. Don't worry, you'll hear me shrieking when the thing is actually on a shelf. Truer still, you will probably find me sobbing on the floor in a fetal position at the Chattanooga Life Way. Just step over me and buy the book, 'kay? :))

Y'all are so precious!

*******************************************************

There are some things just too enormous for words. Indeed, in this case, a picture is worth a thousand of them. Or more like 49,000. The photo I am about to show you embodies a mixture of dream and providence. What an amazing thing when the two collide. And now, allow me to introduce you to my newest baby.

May, May, Go Away

2009-05-12T10:55:00.004-05:00

Will you think less of me, friends o'mine, if I tell you May is my least favorite month of the year?

Oh sure, there's the whole May Flowers jazz. And Mother's Day. And the return of warmer temperatures. All good things but who can enjoy them when the school and baseball calendar go seven kinds of crazy?

I full well realize that our school officials shouldn't be expected to check with me when planning end of the year award ceremonies and activities. But, is it too much to ask for a little lumping? Do I need to go teach a crash course on multi-tasking as in having elementary award day immediately after Kindergarten graduation so we can get a couple things over with at one time? Anyone else feeling robbed of the last weeks of School Year Bliss a.k.a. 9 months of 7 hour days of Me Time?

And perhaps that last sentence sounds like I'm not looking forward to Summer With The Children.

Well, of course I am. What kind of monster do you take me for? What mom doesn't look forward to kids foraging the cabinets through the night only to leave your kitchen looking like a mob of rabid raccoons ransacked it during the wee hours? Or eagerly anticipate dragging their lazy bums out of bed every day and forcing them to take a shower sometime before 3 p.m? Or the fighting that is a natural by-product of four siblings who aren't used to spending 24/7 on the same piece of real estate?

Yeah, baby. I'm SO looking forward to that.

So let me ask......What kind of routines do you girls have in the summer months? Are you Devil May Care or do you have some guidelines for keeping the family sane? I'd love to hear your plans because I've got nothing.

I'd love to hang around but I have to go to Field Day. Apparently there was a May Day without something planned so we've decided to feed the kids sugar and then line them up to race.

It's how we do the Derby in Alabama.

A Couple of Things On My Mind

2009-05-08T10:49:00.009-05:00

There have been all kinds of happenings this week and if I were a more dedicated blogger, each would have its own post. As it is, my brain is fried and the thoughts of putting to screen any series of coherent thoughts is just not working out for me at the moment. So, how about a random list of stuff that you can weigh in on if you feel so compelled?

1. Miss California. This could really be a full-blown rant but I'm sure there is nothing I could say that you've not read elsewhere. However, have you ever watched the movie Tombstone? (If you watch it, see it on cable because it bleeps the bad words.) One of my favorite Doc Holiday lines in the film is, "Wyatt, your hypocrisy knows no bounds."

And apparently neither does the hypocrisy of Keith Lewis and Shanna Moakler. According to this article on Fox News, several former Miss Teen USA's and former Miss USA's are filming a PSA to hail the diversity of California. Among the lines included are: "I believe when I express my opinion I have a responsibility to do it in a way that respects others who may not agree … I believe in love … I believe when two people with opposite views communicate with love and respect both points of view can be heard … I believe no one should be silenced if they are speaking from their heart with respect … I believe in the beauty of California."

Are you stinkin' kidding me? No one should be silenced but we will pressure you to resign your position and try our best to discredit you with photos taken in an underwear photo shoot? And if that isn't good enough, then we'll 'respect you' by photoshopping a few more to call your faith into question. But we, the Tolerant Ones, love you and agree everyone should have the right to express themselves. PUH-lease.

And let's not forget that Katie Blair WHILE SHE WAS REIGNING MISS TEEN USA, was partying with THE REIGNING MISS USA, Tara Conner (who entered rehab for alcohol and drug abuse while being allowed to retain her crown) and the two reportedly kissed one another during MISS UNIVERSE's birthday bash! I guess as long as they were expressing free love then we can celebrate them and put them in PSA commercials. Or of course, we could be like Shanna Moakler and strip down to nothing for Hugh Heffner. I know that's a role model I want for my daughter.

Okay, so I said I wasn't going to full-blown rant, but it's too late now. It may sound fatalistic to say this is the sad condition of our United States of America and I really don't believe the overall climate will ever improve. Personally, I believe these things - the utter collapse of any moral and financial structure - must come to pass in order to set up the return of Jesus Christ. For myself, I've concluded this is an exciting time to be alive because we are eye witnesses to His Coming Kingdom!

What has become urgently important to me is making sure I am teaching my children and calling on Christian women to be counter-cultural. That we preserve ourselves as a holy remnant. That no matter how much we are in the minority, that we are not afraid to speak out and be set apart from this current age. Our stage may not be that of Miss America's, but we can not fool ourselves into thinking the days are not already here where these same defining questions will be asked of us and we will have to be ready to give account for the hope that is within us.

We are here for such a time as this.

2. See Number One.

On Popularity and Strange Hair

2009-05-06T10:12:00.009-05:00

Years ago when I was in grade school, there was never any shortage of ways to rate one's popularity. I'm a child of the seventies so Star Wars typically dominated our recess re-enactments. (Anyone remember with me, North Rossville friends?) There was one girl who took gymnastics that always got the role of Princess Leia - primarily because she could do a mean back spring and her mother prepared her to claim the role each day by fixing her hair in side buns.

You can't argue with a finely executed side bun.

So, I was usually given some lesser role that involved either being a man or alien. Thank the Lord Jar Jar Binks wasn't around yet to complete my humiliation. After a few days of watching everyone bow to Princess Leia, I decided it was time to defect and be my own superhero. I embraced my inner Jamie Sommers and led all the other disenchanted non-Princesses to the swing set where we were free to channel our favorite heroine. We were our own Justice League where every one's bullet proof bracelets and bionic ears were needed to overcome the baddest of the bad guys - be they random boys who liked to throw rocks at us or gymnasts with perfect side buns.

{Can I believe I just romanticized playground discontent in such a way? The vertigo must be having its way with me..}

So that little trip down memory lane may have little or nothing to do with why I am writing today other than I am going to propose a little popularity contest of my own. We have arrived in the point of my book publishing that we are seeking out a known pastor's wife to approach in writing the Foreword. In essence, this will be a popular girl introducing an unpopular one to her besties.

I precluded this request with my little story because I want you to make clear in the Justice League of the Christian World, there are many, many pastors/wives who influence us equally but in different ways. I am often ashamed at our proclivity to make Christian Superstars from those called to minister the Gospel. Those ministers I hold in regard are sickened by the thought of such a thing and contributing to that environment is not what I suggest we do.

What I am asking of you today is to share the names of those pastors/wives who both A) through the obvious empowering of the Holy Spirit's work in their ministries have a national name recognition and B) who have greatly influenced your own lives through their humility and right-handling of the Word of Truth and C) whose introduction to this book would help you rely on its content as biblical, relevant, and trustworthy.

The names you give will be the ones we ask to write the foreword and read the book to endorse it for you. Your suggestions will be weighed carefully but please keep one mind: No weird-haired princesses will be considered.

(I should make it clear I adore the Princess in the above story just in case she happens to read. I'm not bitter. Really.)

I've added a poll with a few name suggestions but please feel free to add your own faves by using the Other box. If you choose this option, don't forget to provide the name when prompted. Also, add the name in the comments of the poll as it appears the 'other' answers are not showing up. And one more thing, this is NOT JUST FOR MINISTRY WIVES. I want to hear from ALL of you! I'm thanking you once again for all the input you've given in this process. I could never have gotten this completed without you!

Which Nationally Known Ministry Wife Should Foreword Lisa's Book?(online surveys)

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round

2009-05-05T07:16:00.010-05:00

As if I have time for any incapacitation whatsoever, it now appears I can add vertigo to the list of ghosts in my machine. After some quality internet self-diagnosis and advice from my FaceBook friends, my conclusion is either A: I'm having inner ear issues related to the floating death called pollen that is coating everything here, or B: I've Shredded too much and gotten dehydrated. That may not be the case, but it sounds like a good reason to take a couple days off from it. I finished through Day Ten and can I just say that even though Jillian is a beast, the woman can flat get results. I've already lost a couple pounds and several inches and feel quite a bit stronger - except for the fact I can't stand up without falling over. She may kill me but dern if I won't look buff in the casket.

In other news, I have to tell y'all the coolest thing we are doing as a family during our nightly devo times. I have struggled to find a family devotional that is appropriate for both Luke and me as well as the kids. I think I mentioned the other day that I'd been sent the Fireproof Bible Study to review and included was The Love Dare. As I began reading through it, I realized, "WOW! This could be so easily adapted for families!"

I don't know if your crew is like mine, but can I admit that sometimes we need to reboot? Just shut it all down and start over? Our lives are crazy stressed and it is common for us all to be grumpy, impatient, and generally unloving towards one another. Luke and I have been re-writing the lessons in The Love Dare to apply to the kids - as well as ourselves - and tweaking The Dares. I can honestly say that after only a few days there has been a marked changed in the atmosphere in our home. Praise Jesus.

I've laughed my head off at the kids' interpretations of The Dares. Day One's task is simply not to say anything negative. We also added, 'No Retaliation'. Apparently the boys think that is a license to be silently annoying until the point a brother/sister is ready to lose his/her mind. At the breaking point, the offender will sing-song, "Remember...Nooo Retaliatioooooooon." Obviously, Luke and I are learning we are having to write a lot of qualifiers into The Dares.

An example would be on Random Act of Kindness Day. Each kid was assigned another for whom they would have to do something nice. {Boy Two - the fabulously witty one - asked his assigned brother, "Would you like Roses or Carnations, darling brother?" He's funnier accidentally than I could ever hope to be on purpose.} Here's where another qualifier comes into play. Boy Three - The Stinker - was in a foul mood this morning so we've now added that if you are being unkind to a sibling, you have to do forced Random Acts for the person you've wronged. His list currently includes making his sister's bed two days in a row and cleaning my toilet.

Man, I love this.

Okay, it's time to gently lay the computer aside and try to do household chores that don't involved bending over, turning my head from side to side, or getting up. So basically, I'm going to sit on the couch and catch up on movie watching. And write in some more failure clauses into the Love Dare: Family Edition that will benefit my inability to do housework.

I'm sunk if the kids start getting the point in all this.

Y'all have a Happy Tuesday!

Woman Beside The Man Tammy Worsham

2009-05-02T21:09:00.010-05:00

Hey Girls!

Please forgive my lack of posting WBTM for the last couple of weeks. I have no good excuse! I am excited to introduce you to sweet Tammie Fay whom I got to meet at Nashville's Deeper Still back in '07. Y'all give her a big welcome and be sure to visit her personal blog. I am enjoying these spotlights so much and I truly hope you are too. Now, let's hear from Tammie Faye!

1. Please share your Real Name and Blog Name:

Name: Tammie Worsham Blog Name: TammieFay

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband? How long have you been in ministry?

I serve in Women’s Ministry and teach Adult Women’s Sunday School. 28 years

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

Watching people “get it”! Being a part of that. Seeing them fall in love with God’s Word and develop a hunger and thirst for Him!

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

I am a teacher. I walked too long in Biblical ignorance as a Christian. 11 years ago I began to pray Psalm 119 over my life. Being the gracious, merciful and truthful God that He is, He answered and my life has been transformed by His living Word. I do not mean to sound over dramatic when I say this, but it is true…I cannot live without it and what is even more amazing is that I don’t even want to try! I am awed by the revelation of Himself that God has left to us. There are too many women in our churches today who are as I was….it is my heart’s desire to see them develop a hunger and thirst for his Word and to know it! To that end, I teach, admonish and encourage through Sunday School, and Women’s Bible Study.

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they’ve ever done? If you do not have children, have you committed a blunder yourself that you can laugh about now?

We have 4 daughters, and it has always been important for us to be truthful in all things with our children. For that reason, we made the decision to be truthful about “Santa Clause” with our girls. They always knew their Christmas gifts came from us and of course, we always related the spiritual significance of that. We never wanted to leave an opportunity for any doubt to be placed in their minds about the existence of Jesus (my husband was devastated as a young child when he learned the truth about Santa). When my youngest, who is now 15, was in elementary school, she went about “enlightening” some friends on the playground about Santa. One of them was in our church….got a call that afternoon from her Mom….wanted me to know what my child had done….wanted to know why….wanted me to do something…..wanted my child to recant! I told her I was very sorry that my child had upset hers and then I started trying to explain where my child was coming from….I don’t think that’s what she wanted!

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

This might fall on some differently than others, depending on the denomination you serve in, but hear me on this…..God is our security! In the denomination I serve, job security is about as “iffy” as a SEC College football coach’s. We might be tempted to think that our husband’s welfare…our family’s welfare, rests in the hands of fallible men. Our God is Sovereign….He IS in control!
“He is your constant source of security. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom. He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 (NET)

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

When you have received criticism about your husband, do you always share with him what you have heard or do you keep it to yourself to shield him?

8. Where can we visit you on the web? (blog url)

His Word Is Life To Me/www.psalm119-5.blogspot.com

Better Off Shred

2009-05-01T09:33:00.006-05:00

It’s a quiet morning at home and I’m sitting in my living room listening to a wonderful summer storm. The thunder is a low constant rumble and the rain is coming in bucket-sized drops. I’m no fan of violent weather, but a benign slow soaker can soothe the stress right out of me. It reminds me of being at my great-grandpa’s house as child in the same type of skies. His house had a metal roof that would multiply the crash of angry clouds. Pop knew I was scared so he would stick out his dentures and all other manner of ridiculous things to make me laugh until the storm had passed. He was wonderfully, hysterically crazy. I never doubted that he delighted in me and I loved him better than life. He’s been gone for 15 years and I still miss him so badly I could just cry my eyes out.

Nix that. The tears have come. Good thing I haven’t gotten out the mascara yet today.

I wasn’t planning on waxing nostalgic. I actually wanted to share something profound that Jillian Michaels said in the 30 Day Shred Video. Y’all may have heard a thing or two about it around the web. I could share how sore I was the first few days but honestly, who can tell that tale better than Melanie? The girl is a comedic genius and I bow at her feet. Today, that is. On days 2 and 3 of Shred, I could barely bend my legs to use the bathroom, much less pay homage to Big Mama.

So back to Jillian. (Can we all agree she has an evil smile? It never quite travels to her eyes. It’s like she knows we expect one but can’t quite convince herself she can do it. Or wants to. Scary.) On Level One – which I’ve ventured past once only to quickly return – she made a statement I loved. In convincing us that the hard work was necessary in order to see changes she said, “You can’t phone this one in.”

That statement completely resonated with me. How many times have I practiced a phoned-in faith? Wanted to get big spiritual results with minimal effort? Believed there could be huge gain with no pain? I heard David Jeremiah on Moody yesterday say something to the effect of, “Many of the men and women of faith with whose names we are familiar have been completely crushed in order for God to use them mightily. I had always hoped I could be the exception.” Amen, my brutha. I would totally high five you if I could get past your security guards.

I’ve got this on my mind this morning because during my time with God, I asked Him to do something in me that will probably hurt. My prayer went something like, “Lord, I want you to help me change (a personal issue). But, can you please do it gently?” And in a way only He can speak, He said, “For you to be truly changed may require my shaking you up so badly that you’ll never want to go back. “

And then I might have said something like, “Okay then, I take it back.”

Okay, not really. But I wanted to. That is until I realized I was just phoning it in. Wanting to be different without any sore muscles involved. Of falsely believing I can transform into some spiritual giant while sitting on the couch eating Kettle Cooked Lay’s Potato Chips. (Oh my word, those are the best.)

So I resolved my prayer with this thought: It may hurt, but I’m better off shred. The end will justify any temporary discomfort and hopefully, prayerfully, I’ll be one buff warrior when it’s said and done. I ask that for myself, and I hope you don't mind if I do the same for you as well.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
~2 Corinthians 4:16-17

And the Projects Keep Mounting...

2009-04-29T08:45:00.005-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that I was going to tackle cleaning out the closet. Tackle it I did and after two full garbage bags of throwaways, I can finally see the floor. However, I am still missing one tennis shoe and favorite flip flop that I'm hoping are under my bed. Under the bed just happens to be my next project.

*sigh*

Being a ministry family, we've moved a lot. As in we've lived in 9 houses in the past 11 years. Obviously there are lots of negatives to that type of gypsy/semi-nomadic existence. However, the one good thing is that instead of spring cleaning we just packed up everything and moved pretty well guaranteeing my closets and cabinets stayed acceptably presentable.

In June, we will have been at our current pastorate for four years. I think we have already beaten the record for the length of time ever lived in one home. That makes me 37 kinds of happy but the negative is there is not one organized, decluttered thing in my house - except for my closet. We've accumulated and it's major time for a purge.

With that said, I may be a little scarce. As if I haven't been anyway. But, I will try to document some of my project completions for your grins and my own sense of acccomplishment. Am I the only one who will stand and stare at a freshly painted room or organized space just because I'm so proud I finally got it done?

Yeah, it doesn't take much to thrill me anymore.

Okay, it's time to crawl under the bed.

Here's hoping nothing gets me.

Have I Mentioned Lately...

2009-04-27T10:55:00.009-05:00

...that I love Jesus and can hardly get over that He didn't just save me, but gave me a ministry that keeps on saving me? If He didn't give me opportunity for working out my salvation, I would be a shriveled up wreck. Of course, I still am at times, but not one without hope or a confirmed direction when I need to get back on track. I'm horrified of less-traveled roads, but I've not walked one yet that didn't thrill me. Who ever dreamed God could be so much fun with a side order of roller coaster terror? I can't tell you the number of times lately I've screamed through a grin at the things He's allowed me. Is there someone out there today that needs to know that God isn't just flat out mad? That He laughs and will get one out of you eventually even if He has to scare you to death to get one?

I need to quit now before I have me a spell.

Before I got sidetracked, I meant to tell you how much fun I had this past Saturday. I had the joy of speaking at a women's tea for New Liberty Baptist in Ringgold, GA. They did one of those fabulous luncheons where a woman hosts and decorates each table differently. Seriously. I don't know how many different ways there can be to theme a table scape but it appears you wonderfully creative girls out there have no where near exhausted all the possibilities because every one was completely unique to any I have seen before. I could just kick myself for not having a camera.

Wanda, my precious new friend and contact for this event had the greatest idea. Her theme was, "Through the storms of life, with God, you can dance in the rain.." She had a darlin' rubber rain boot as her centerpiece with a spring arrangement and get this - the fabric from a hot pink disassembled umbrella as the foundation. Who would have ever thought of that? Certainly not this girl! I just couldn't take my eyes off all the details.

I also can not overlook how cool God is in making connections. It turns out that the girl who was asked to introduce me is my second cousin! What?! I had no idea she went to church there and she had no idea it was me coming to speak until a couple days prior. Is that not a hoot? I loved seeing you, Jenny, and your beautiful, grown-up Kelly! I hope we see one another again outside of a funeral or reunion. :)

I can not even begin to communicate how much I enjoy these frou frou get-togethers. It still amazes me that a guy's idea of a good time is offing Bambi, gutting her, and dragging her lifeless corpse to a grill to enjoy with his buddies. No, thank you. Chicken Salad and Quiche will serve us girls just fine. And I have to give a shout out to the men who served us. Y'all, they had on matching white aprons WITH THEIR NAMES EMBROIDERED ON THE BIB. I've never seen such awesomeness in my life. You guys have set the new high bar for every other group of church men out there. I need a picture of you to blow up as poster boys of servanthood. You were spectacular and I know we all appreciated your loving on us so extravagantly.

New Liberty: THANK YOU. It is humbling to me to know the amount of prayer that you put in to bringing in a teacher and that in some miraculous way, God gave you my name and you extended this invitation. I loved every minute with you and I pray God's Word will be an abiding one to every single lady there. You can believe me when I say He road tested that message in every figurative and literal way. May it change us all.

Okay, so now I'm off to clean out my closet. I would show you a before and after, but you would judge me. Oh, you say you wouldn't, but trust me. It's just that bad. There are not two of my shoes within a foot of one another in the bottom of that thing and I'm certain I'll find several Christmas presents hidden in the top that never made it to their intended recipient. Oh well. Maybe I'll have a head start on this year.

Y'all have a wonderful Monday!

An Unlikely Convert

2009-04-23T22:07:00.003-05:00

....but aren't we all?

What Haven't I Been Reading Lately?

2009-04-22T06:29:00.013-05:00

A few weeks back, I was given the opportunity to offer ministry wives a copy of the new book, Katt's in the Cradlewhich is a part of the Desperate Pastors' Wives series. The publisher graciously sent me a copy of the entire series so I could start at the beginning. I was SO glad to have a few books to read while on vacation since I was determined not to take a single commentary/Piper/CS Lewis book with me. Y'all know I adore my smart guys but I really needed to take a physical and mental vacation.

The DPW series was very reminiscent of the Desperate Housewives show - and I'm assuming this from the commercials since I'm not a fan. And I say reminiscent in the way of the relationships and plot twists of the characters without all the ess eee ex. I read all three while gone and let me just tell you, between the four PW characters in the book, they have every cliche' and issue to our kind covered. No doubt you'll be able to identify with one of the girls, or if you are like me, parts of all of them. I really enoyed them so much! If they sound like something you would like to read, you can order the books individually or in a cheaper bundle using the link above.

Next I'm on to Jill Savage's, Real Moms, Real Jesus. Already reading Vicki Courtney's Five Conversations. Just finished Hayley DiMarco's Technical Virginand have started Rebecca St. James, Wait for Me.(Reading those as background to our True Love Waits class.) I've ordered my wonderful friend Joanne Heim's Misplacing Godand can't wait to get started on it as well. I want to be Joanne when I grow up. Every one of these books is either fabulous or I've glanced through them enough to know they are going to be.

I've also just been sent a copy of the Love Dare Couples' Bible Study. I can't wait to dig in that thing to see what is and isn't in there. I also must add that hopefully really soon I'll have the coolest thing to share with you about this study. It may or may not involve the Kendrick Brothers themselves. (Don't you love all the vaguery?)

So tell me girls, what are your current must reads?

We Are Totally Tied

2009-04-21T15:53:00.002-05:00

My Girl came home from school today with an important announcement:

"CRIMSON (her bff) TAUGHT ME TO TIE MY SHOES, MOMMY!" {And yes, she told me in all caps.}

Why is it my first reaction was to feel like a loser mom because another Kindergartener taught my child to tie shoes? Geesh. Do we women ever exhaust our list of insecurities?

I got over my brief session of self-degradation and told her what a wonderfully brilliant child she was to have learned such a complicated thing. And with that, the tying commenced. She pulled out every laced shoe in the house and proceeded to demonstrate.

What I didn't anticipate is that The Girl had taken her tying skillz to the next level. I'm talking Masters Degree here with a few hours towards her Doctorate. Not only can she flat out make a bunny-eared bow, she can Triple Tie. Ask me how I know? It took me 20 minutes to get them undone so I could get my shoes on this morning. I would have taken a picture for you but then that would require my finding a camera, putting batteries in it, snapping the picture and uploading it all so you could see a hot mess of a knot. So visualize with me, will you?

But, the tying didn't end there. Do you ever have those days of recurring themes? Get a load of this. While The Girl was tying shoes, she informed me that she also TIED for class favorites with who else, her bff Crimson. She was so excited that they got to share the honor. I asked her if she voted for herself or Crimson and she acted like I was the devil for even entertaining the thought. She said, "Mommy, who would ever vote for their selfs anyway?"

Ummmm. I don't know? I can't imagine anyone ever doing such a horrible thing.

*cough*

What's more, while she and I were having this conversation, the phone rang. Want to know who was calling? My son's bff: TY.

IS THAT NOT JUST PLAIN FREAKY?

I would tell you I'm going to put on my tye-dyed shirt and do some TaiBo but that would be a lie.

But lie rhymes with tie.

It's SO time for me to say goodbye.

(You're Welcome)

Tolerance?

2009-04-20T11:08:00.002-05:00

You GO, Miss California.

Live Strong or Semi-Strong or Whatever Doesn't Require Pedaling

2009-04-17T12:49:00.005-05:00

When Luke suggested rather last-minute that we go to St. Simons for Spring Break, after I freaked out a little over the amount of laundry I would have to do to get us here, I started a mental checklist of all the things I wanted to do on the island.

1. Sleep late. {Check}
2. Go to the beach. {Check. But only once because it's been pretty chilly.}
3. Sit in the jacuzzi tub. {Check, check, and check.}
4. Read lots of fluffy fiction. {I've finished The Desperate Pastors' Wives and Matter of Wife and Death. Working on Katt's in the Cradle.}
5. Spend time in the Word with no study agenda. {God keeps leading me to passages on praise. Appropriate for vacation week, yes?}

I'd done Numbers 1-5 by Thursday which left bike riding and a Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks on the list. Being the multi-tasker that I am, I decided to hit both of those at one time.

Now, Starbucks didn't appear to be too far from the house but apparently my judgement was a little skewed by the fact I was reading the fluffy fiction books while hubby was driving. (And obeying all the speed limit and traffic signs, I should add. You can cheer, homies!) So yesterday morning I jumped on the bike thinking I could get to the Starbucks in no time, drink my Caramel Apple Spice at one of the picnic tables and generally enjoy a bit of solitude before the fam was up and moving.

Whahahatever.

I knew I was in trouble when I had been riding several, several minutes and passed a skateboard park that only takes 30 seconds to reach by car. I considered going back then, but visions of Lance Armstrong and Live Strong started dancing in my head and I convinced myself that I could do this thing.

I pedaled on.

And on.

And on.

I rode past parks, swamps, resorts, the airport, a fire department and I still wasn't there. Just when I was beginning to cry, Luke called to soothe me by saying something to the effect of "would you mind biking across the bridge into Brunswick while you are out and picking me up a few things?"

Smart alec.

After I whined a minute, he agreed to come get me if needed but after all the laughing that was going on I decided, come pulled hamstring or unfortunate highway crossing accident, there was no way in heck fire I would humiliate myself by letting him. So, even though I could almost see the road I would need to turn on to get to the Starbucks., I decided to ride back home just to prove I could. And truthfully, at that point, if I went any further my chances were dicey.

Whoever said the trip home is always quicker than the trip there (or almost there) has never made that trip by bike. And to make matters worse, somehow I missed my little side street and ended up at the local elementary school before I figured out I'd gone too far. Add that to the list of town amenities I'd visited on my excursion.

I can't tell you the joy of finally rolling into our driveway. The reason I can't tell you is because I fell to the ground when I jumped off the bike because my legs were so noodly.

But not noodly enough to keep me from dragging myself to the truck and driving back to Starbucks like any truly civilized, lazy girl should have done to begin with.

Who says I'm not an athlete.

And a driven one at that.

(hardy har.)

Do You Love An Underdog?

2009-04-16T13:07:00.002-05:00

Then this will make you cry.

Play Together, Stay Together

2009-04-14T19:55:00.002-05:00

It would take multiple posts to tell you how much fun we are having on vacation. There would be the Sleeping Post in which I detailed how many hours (not less than 10 per night) I have slept and the intensity with which I delighted in each one. There would be the Doing Nothing Post where you would learn of the various chairs I've sat in to, well, do nothing. There would be the Reading Post where I would list the books I brought along that did not have one single foot note in them. And then, there would be the Eating Post where I would show you this picture:

No doubt you have a huge question mark on your face.

We went to Chic-fil-A last night because we wanted a quick meal before we headed to the grocery store. That trip got waylaid because turns out, we were under tornado warnings. You can be assured of one thing - if a tornado is coming, I want to be home hunkering in the bathtub belted to my children (I'll have to explain that another day) instead of blowing away with strangers and sandwich meat and Doritos. It's just a personal preference, that's all. If I can't control the winds, I can at least control where I am and with whom I'm sharing them when they sweep us away.

So back to Chic-fil-A. My Boy Three is quite the instigator and at some point in our meal, he decided to taunt Luke by telling him he was too much of a sissy to cram his ice cream cone in his face.

Men, please tell me how even at 42 all it takes is for someone to question your manhood to make you lose control? And that someone doesn't even have to be your own age. Any garden variety 9-year-old seems to do.

So Luke, being the mature minister that he is, obliged by cramming the cone right in that boy's face. And I just happened to have the camera because I saw it coming when the boy said, "Come on, big guy. Why don't you just bring it?"

So he brung it. It was a fine display.

So for all of you who expect that your pastor's family represents you well when out in public? Well, then this never happened. Step back from the screen and wipe the horror from your memory.

We'll try to behave when we get home.

If You Are Looking For Me..

2009-04-13T10:43:00.002-05:00

You may want to start in Georgia and work your way south..as in all the way south to St. Simons Island. 'Tis true..We've flown the coop for a few days of unstructured rest and relaxation. We need it, y'all, and that's all I'm going to say about that.

But thank the Lord for whoever Treehouse is, because I have a lovely little wi-fi hotspot right here in the bedroom of Luke's aunt and uncle's home where we are staying. Something tells me the hubby will prefer my not blogging much, but I'm sure I won't be able to resist sharing the lastest fun we've had. So far, the only real plans we have is to visit the new skateboard park and eat some Sweet Mama's pork pops and key lime pie in honor of darlin' Shelly and Mandy. Oh, how I wish you were here to share them with me, Mrs. Griffin and Thompson!

Okay, so hubs is home with the milk so I'm off to cook some cereal. Y'all have a great week!

Obedience or Compliance?

2009-04-11T15:19:00.016-05:00

Every Easter, the brutality of Jesus' death and the celebration of His Resurrection seems to bring about a different primary emotion than the one before. I remember feeling particularly melancholy last year and really having to remind myself that there was no need to dwell on the events of Friday because I was and am living eternally in the victory of Sunday.

The past few days, melancholy has given way to indignation. Not towards a person or race, lest you misunderstand me, but towards Satan who seems to never have much trouble finding those who will do his bidding. I've been pondering the injustice of the Holy Week and the Jewish establishment who broke all of their own laws to destroy the One who had never violated a single one. I've been thinking about the alliance between the chief priests and the hated Romans who found a common bond in wanting to see this Man dead. Their motivation? Convenience and Control. Perhaps the saddest thing is that all involved truly believed they were justified in doing whatever necessary to maintain both.

Things haven't changed much have they?

The thing I will never get over, and I mean never, is that not once did Christ open His mouth to defend Himself. The only time He spoke was to confirm that He was who He claimed to be. Had he reminded the crowd of the laws being broken, had He called on them to rescue Him, had his earthly father been alive to begin a Maccabean-inspired revolt (pure speculation here), then no doubt all Hell would have broken loose. And I do mean that in the most literal and spiritual of ways. But instead, His silence assured His death while sealing our eternal life.

It occurs to me that if we follow a desirable command, our response isn't obedience but compliance. If you say to me, "Lisa, come to the table, it's time to eat!", I'm totally there with no argument whatsoever. There's willingness at work in my response. But God saying, "Lisa, this thing is unfair, it doesn't make sense, and it will hurt like crazy but for your good and My Glory I'm asking you to do it anyway", requires obedience - not compliance. And God never said, "Comply with my commands." He said 'obey' which implies I may not always want to do what He is asking.

The only comfort I find is in knowing that Jesus didn't want to do what God asked either. The proof is in Mark 14:35-36, "And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Ultimately Jesus obeyed. Somehow He was able to proclaim, "It is finished!!" rather than, "This isn't fair!"

And that is the place where I rest and the point of all my rambling: Sin and pain and injustice were the required mix for this to be an act of obedience rather than compliance with a more desirable scenario. And at the time Jesus was walking this thing out as an example to us, no one knew. No one yet understood the price being paid. And so in essence, even though the first glory was a private one between Father and Son, God was fully satisfied by His Son's willingness to endure the most horrific death imaginable rather than one relatively quicker and less painful.

When I am tempted to cry foul, like Christ, I have to look through the injustice to see what obedience I'm being called to on the other side. Even if no one knows the cost, God does. And I have to believe the more it hurts and the more it goes against everything natural in me to do what He has asked, the more it glorifies and satisfies Him when I am sanctified by acting in accordance with His commands. If the thing isn't hard, it really doesn't count for much, does it?

So, let's decide. Obedience or Compliance? Lord, please make us to understand the refining value of the one instead of expecting the ease of the other. And, may it be that we experience a full measure of joy in both.

Praying you and your family experience a wonderful celebration of Christ's Resurrection. He is worthy!!!

Hosanna!

Woman Beside the Man Rachel Hinton!

2009-04-10T21:21:00.002-05:00

Seriously. Can someone please tell me if there is another PW in the world as adorable as Rachel Hinton? And look at that baby?! I love that she exudes joy in ministry and I can promise you - if we lived closer - I'd be hanging out with this darlin' girl. :)

Y'all please take a minute to get to know Rachel and don't forget to answer the questions she has for you! If you would like to be featured in Woman Beside the Man, simply send an email to womanbesidetheman@gmail.com and you will receive instructions on how to do so.

1. Please share your Real Name and Blog Name:

My name is Rachel and my blog name is The Hinton Home.

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband? How long have you been in ministry?

My husband and I have served on staff as the director and assistant director of youth for three years.

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

Seeing spiritual progress in our own lives and in the lives of others. I know we're supposed to walk by faith, but every now and then God gives us a little peek at what He's doing and it leaves me wide-eyed and gasping for breath. He is so good. I can't wait for heaven!

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

Right now my passion is encouraging teenage girls. We have a weekly Bible study just for them. I help equip them and cheer them on as they seek the Lord, minister to their schools and make tough, scary decisions for Him. Why in the world do I get to do this?!?

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they’ve ever done? If you do not have children, have you committed a blunder yourself that you can laugh about now?

When our baby was three weeks old, my husband was preaching in the main service and he couldn't pass up the chance to introduce her to the congregation. I carried her up on stage for a portion of the message. Just as he was showing her off, her diaper sprung a little leak and she wet her Daddy mid-sermon!

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

I'm way too new to this whole thing to offer any wisdom of my own, so I'll pass along something a mentor shared with me. Make sure your husband knows you're his biggest fan and loudest cheerleader. Our words mean more to them than they let on. What we say can either fan their passion for what they do or it can snuff it right out, so be gentle.

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

I have a thousand! But I'll spare you. :) How do you handle those handful of people who seem bound and determined to create drama in your husband's ministry area? Not those people who are advising him/giving helpful feedback/voicing legitimate concerns, but those who seem to want to stir up dissension? How do you keep from taking it personally?

8. Where can we visit you on the web? (blog url)

http://thehintonhome.blogspot.com

Fully Possessed - or - Too Much Information. You Decide.

2009-04-08T12:45:00.011-05:00

This morning, I drove over to the local park to have my Spa Time with Jesus. (Those of you who listened in to the Woman Inspired Conference get that reference.) For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, I shared with the girls that the word 'delight' is actually a feminine word meaning "to find pleasure in", but it also has a sub-definition of "to pamper". When we are truly delighting in God, the end result will be a sense of serenity and joy that the best massage and/or facial can't begin to rival.

It has been my personal, constant prayer over the past months to not only work out my salvation based on the love of Christ towards me, but to be able to attach a full range of emotion in the act of returning worship to Him and serving others. My faults are legion, not the least of which is my being a book nerd who often chokes on the information that is desperately trying to journey from head to heart. Considering also that I'm not a skip-through-the-daisies-holding-hands kind of girl, full engagement of all the sympathies hasn't come easily for me. However, I don't think I singularly decided one day that I would like to have my compassions ignited. I believe this is a continued work of the Spirit to mold me into the woman He desires. He desires my delight. And I desire to be delighted. Not in a superficial, blubber-at-every-Hallmark-commercial kind of way. Rather, in a way that all of my heart, mind, and spirit are equally and fully employed where all things Christ are concerned. I don't want a chance to view the Dead Sea Scrolls to excite me more than seeing and participating in the life of one who has been transformed by them. I can say the God-words to Him and to you and I can mean them, but I want to feel them.

Have I lost you yet?

My reading this morning took me to John 15 and the oft-quoted passage on the Vine and the Branches. Verse Five particularly resonated with me, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

As I prayed through the relevance of this verse, it occurred to me that what I desire is a Holy Possession. What I want is to be enveloped by Christ but also indwelled. On one hand I don't want you to see me, but God. On the other, I want to be changed in such a way so that I look like Him either way. For lack of a better visual, I thought of the Exorcist-type movies I used to watch before I got some good sense and how the unholy possession would completely arrest the entirety of its victim. Shouldn't a Holy Possession have the same effect, but hopefully with a decidedly more lovely result?

How do desire, delight, and possession relate you ask? I wondered the same thing. That is until I remember the words of Philippians 2:13 which say, "It is God who causes us to will and to act according to His good pleasure." It is the Holy Possession of God causing me to desire my mind, body, and spirit to be fully taken over by Him in equal measure. And that is for His good pleasure of seeing me walk in a way that doesn't just see black and white, but is willing to use thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and mercy as a foundational passion for the things He has called me to do.

John 15:5 ends by saying, "Apart from Him, I can do nothing." The word nothing literally means, "not even one single thing." Not even. I can't even get out of bed in the morning to please Him apart from our mutual agreement to abide in one another. I don't have the power to be the woman He envisions lest He is the one functioning through my flawed will. What a God we serve who would want such a thing. Who considers us worthy to be joined in such a way. It makes me want to cry.

Which hopefully is a good sign He is answering my prayers.

"Hey Driver, That Was My Stop!"

2009-04-06T12:42:00.013-05:00

As I previously told you, this past weekend I was given the supreme honor of teaching a retreat for the girls at Grace Church Northwest Arkansas. The flight out was pretty uneventful which is precisely how I like them.

When I arrived at XNA in Arkansas, I immediately recognized my ride when I saw a car full of adorable girls pulling up to the curb. Seriously. Could anything be more fun than being picked up by a vehicle full of smiling, waving, happy-to-see you people with great hair? I jumped in with no hesitation whatsoever. My introvert of a hubby thinks I am totally insane to enjoy such a thing so much. I truly look at a group of women I've never met as fresh meat who've not yet had the opportunity to grow sick of my talking, talking, talking. It doesn't hurt my feelings one bit if you agree that I am best served up in small doses. I promise you I get on my own nerves way more than I could ever get on yours.

And at this point, you are probably thinking that's debatable.

Okay, so let's get to the point. We traveled to The New Life Ranch which is located in Colcord, Oklahoma. The Center was beautifully situated on a lake or river or something. I just know it was water and it was pretty. There was another women's group there who were easy to spot since they were wearing princess crowns. They looked like they were having a ball. There was also a mother/daughter retreat taking place and can I just say those moms have lots more faith in their girls than I do mine? At one point they played a game of some sort where the moms wore blindfolds and the girls led them around. My Girl would have promptly pushed me in that pretty river/lake/creek. I know this because she has been well trained by the boy people in her life. Let's just say I was completely happy to be a part of the non-crown-blindfold-wearing crowd.

This is where I get to brag on the entirety of the Grace Girl group. Y'all, I didn't know a single one of these women going in except for Teresa from The Grace Incubator. (And even she was an Imaginary Friend I'd never met in real life.) Oh my goodness, these girls absolutely embraced me and treated me like a princess - crown or not. No wonder this is such an exciting time in the life of their church. If you girls love your newcomers like you loved this one, you'll be packing out that new, big building in no time flat. And to all the Elder Wives, it was a delight to spend time with you and see the love you have for your people. I soaked in every second of it!

We had our first worship/teaching session Friday night and afterward were told that we could go on a hayride in a modified school bus. By modified, I mean that the cab of the bus was intact but the top had been cut away from the back, seats removed, and filled with hay. It was pretty chilly but I'm not a girl who likes to miss the fun, so I jumped in.

Let's just say this wasn't your typical meandering hayride.

Ours was more in the vein of this Nightmare on Elm Street bus scene from about minute 2:50 to 3:50. (There's no cussin' or killin' in this clip, I promise.) I don't even remember our "tour guide's" name, but he'll always be Freddy to me because, y'all, he never went below 35 miles an hour on a rutted, wooded road that was clearly not intended for such travel. I handled the speed thing pretty well. It was the 45 degree tilt that got me a little terrified. {I should clarify here. It was fun in a riding-a-rollercoaster-that-horrifies-you kind of way. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Laughing = Fun.}

Just as we were back to our cabins, just when I was prepared to jump out and kiss the sweet pavement beneath my feet, Freddy sped up and we went for round two - I believe at the suggestion of those crazy girls who are made of stronger stuff than I.

Round One was just a warm up.

We bounced and tilted and whirled and I begged Jesus, begged Him, to understand that it was not I who had tempted Him. That it was not I who had asked to try His ministering angels. I pleaded that for the sake of the husband and children, could he please, please, save them from having to declare on my headstone that I'd been killed in a chopped-off school bus on a backroad in Oklahoma. It's just not the legacy I'd intended.

Here lies Lisa,
She loved Jesus,
but the school bus flipped,
and she rests in pieces.

Thankfully, that was not my fate and I'm now safely home. I'm not going to say that I would do the hayride from Hades again anytime soon any more than my chicken self is looking forward to riding the Superman at Six Flags, but it was definitely a memory-maker as was the rest of my time with Grace Church.

Girls, THANK YOU. What a gift to experience pure, authentic worship with you (You rocked, Jordan!). What a privilege to almost die with you? But most of all, I am grateful to now call you real life, real LIVE, friends. :)

With Much Love!

Don't Forget !

2009-04-05T16:06:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow begins A Woman Inspired - an entirely online conference experience. No cute hair, capri pants, or fresh mani-pedis needed. Just have a seat with your favorite computer and embrace what God has ordained for your mind and heart over the next few days. No worries if you can't listen live! All the sessions will be available for download with your registration.

There's still time to participate. Visit www.awomaninspiredconference.org to register. Yours truly is teaching on Tuesday at 2 p.m. central time. My topic is "Bigger Than Your Biography: Allowing God to Establish Your Ministry." Are you already registered? I'd love to know who will be there!

p.s. I'm back home from Arkansas/Oklahoma. I've got lots to say about that so tune in tomorrow. Hugs to all the Grace Girls!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-04-03T06:31:00.003-05:00

So maybe it's more like a crop duster than a jet but this morning, I'm flying out to Oklahoma to teach a retreat to a darlin' bunch of girls from Grace Church of NW Arkansas. (They are on the border of Arkansas/Oklahoma hence all the state-hopping.)

I wanted to tell you more leading up but I'm just flat out of time so I'll try to share some pics when I get back. I covet your prayers. First that the Lord would cleanse my heart and my prone-to-wander mouth. But mostly I pray for these girls. None of us ever goes on a journey such as this without expecting to hear a specific word from God. Satan has long tried to keep me focused on my own abilities (or lack thereof) guaranteeing a roller coaster of emotions on my part if I feel I didn't say the right thing. (It normally comes in the form of calling myself all manner of idiot when I'm done.) BUT, God has done a hard-fought, transforming work to bring me to a place of full confidence in HIS ability to use stammering lips coupled with His Word to change hearts. So, if I ramble, may it be in scripture and not stupidity. And, Dear Jesus, above all may you be glorified and may we all be changed. (Hi Grace Girls! Aren't you so glad you've asked me to come? :)

Okay, gotta run. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I love you all, Homies and Non-Homies alike. :)

In Need of True Love Waits Advice

2009-04-01T09:19:00.004-05:00

Hey Girls!

I'm terribly excited that beginning this Sunday, I'll be working alongside a wonderful team of women teaching a True Love Waits class to our teen girls at church. I've read plenty of Scripture and several great books on the topic of purity but now I'm in need of some practical advice since I've not done this type of small group before.

Luke and I have talked to several other pastor/ministry friends who've started us in a great direction, but I would negligent if I didn't ask all you girls because I KNOW there's a gang of you out there who have done this thing many times over. I'm all about pursuing things with excellence so, NO, I'm not ashamed to be asking for help!

I guess what I'm looking for here is how to best approach the one-on-one aspect of reaching the girls. Did you do small breakout groups? (We have about 20 enrolled - mostly 7th - 10th grade) Did you find that the girls overshare? Did you find that LEADERS are tempted to overshare? Are there certain activities they enjoy more so than others? Discussion starters they are more likely to respond to? Give me the nitty gritty! I want to know what to be alert to so I can best prepare and also help the team of women who will be working together on this.

Okay, I've got to run out the door. A new baby cousin has arrived and I've got to go kiss his sweet face! I hope to have a ton of email from you when I get back! :)))

Apparently Blog Posts Do Not Write Themselves..

2009-03-31T15:46:00.000-05:00

...which is unfortunate since all I seem to be able to do is stare at the blinking cursor. I've just about meme'd y'all into oblivion so I thought it might be time for some real live mediocrity.

And since we are the subject of un-excitement (spell check wants un-excitement to be encystment. I have no idea what that means but it doesn't sound exciting either!), the kids are in Big Testing this week at school. Apparently when it's time for the Big Testing parents are supposed to provide nutritious breakfasts as opposed to the breakfasts we normally feed our children. Cookie Crisps and a Coke don't count? What?!

Being the Wanna Be Good Mom that I am, I actually prepared food this morning that exceeded room temperature. After all that work, I'm expecting 99th percentile. And if the awesome grub didn't do the trick, the brother-to-brother mentoring ought to work. This morning Boy Three asked Boy Two what a preposition was - you know, in case in turned up on his test.

With a knowing smile, Boy Two said, "That is SO easy. It's a word that is found between some other words in a sentence."

The child is a prodigy. Webster and Roget would be so proud.

And speaking of dictionaries and the like, I'm reminded to tell you my book finally has an official name! Y'all. It was harder titling the thing than it was writing it. Married to the Ministry was always tentative but after going through the titling process (did y'all know there is a whole titling process?), the publishers and I have finally agreed on...

*drumroll*

"You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes...And Other Great Advice from an Unlikely Preacher's Wife."

If you hate it, please keep it to yourself. I'll be devastated. Okay, not really but it'd be great to hear your nice thoughts! I'm really, really getting pumped now because we can move on to cover design since the title is decided. I promise I will cry like stupid baby when I see this thing with a picture on front. I also assure you as soon as I have the design and I'm given liberty to share it, you'll be the first to see! We may even make a little contest out of choosing a cover if I can get my awesome editor to arrange for a choice or three. I'm horrible at decision-making. Just ask anyone who has ever shopped or eaten with me more than once.

Alright, I know this is short but it's time for the kids' devo and early bedtime. I may just hit it a bit early myself.

I'll need to be fully rested if I am to cook a warm, nutritious breakfast again in the morning.

This being-a-good-mom stuff is exhausting.

Spectacular Sins Chapter Eight

2009-03-30T20:49:00.003-05:00

Well, girls. After a bit of a delayed journey, we have finally come to the last chapter of Spectacular Sins.

I can't even begin to express how slowly digesting this book together with you has bolstered my faith in our sovereign and trustworthy God. To use Piper's terms, the weighty doctrine presented in this smallish volume has been steel to my spine and silk to my soul. May God give us wisdom to discern where on the spectrum of hard and soft, of cunning and innocence, of strength and vulnerability we should situate ourselves in every single circumstance we face.

Today's chapter deals with the murder of Jesus - the most spectacular sin of all. I've decided in ending our discussion to note a few of my favorite quotes and let you remark on those.

I'm sad to see this end, but it's unavoidable so let's get to it!

1. Quote: "My prayer is that as these great historical vistas of God's sovereignty over sin take their place in your mind they would have a profoundly practical effect in making you strong in the face of breath-stopping sorrows and making you bold for Christ in the face of dangerous opposition - Christ-exalting strength in calamity and Christ-exalting courage in conflict." (p. 98)

Question: What practical ways have the truths of this book strengthened your own faith? Can you describe any situations which have brought SS to mind as you've dealt with them?

2. "Satan does not take innocent people captive. There are no innocent people. Satan has power where sinful passions hold sway. Judas was a lover of money, and he covered it with a phony, external relationship with Jesus. And then he sold him for thirty pieces of silver. How many of his ilk are still around today! Don't be one. And don't be duped by one." (p.100)

Question: Can you pinpoint a time in your life when you've fallen prey to a Judas - or worse - when you've been a Judas yourself?

3. "His [Jesus'] face was set like flint to die, and Satan concluded that there was no stopping him. Therefore, he resolved that if he couldn't stop it, he would at least make it as ugly and painful and as heartbreaking as possible. Not just death, but death by betrayal. Death by abandonment. Death by denial. Death by torture. If he could not stop it, he would drag others into it and do as much damage as he could. It was a spectacular sequence of sins that brought Jesus to the cross."

Question: Understanding first of all that I am in no way saying anyone could ever suffer the agony Jesus suffered, can you describe either a personal experience or one of which you are aware that could qualify as an ugly death? I'm asking this question symbolically though I realize some of you may have been touched by this literally. If the death was symbolic, have you yet seen the resurrection? If the death was literal, what strength do you gather from knowing a resurrection is coming?

(I hope that question makes sense. My Boy Two often says, "Can I buy a vowel?" when I ask ambiguous questions during our nightly devotions. Yes, my poor kids have to suffer me, too.)

4. .."if God were not the main Actor in the death of Christ then the death of Christ could not save us from our sins, and we would perish in hell forever. The reason the death of Christ is the heart of the gospel - the heart of the good news - is that God was doing it. Romans 5:8: "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." If you separate God's activity from the death of Jesus, you lose the gospel."

Question: Describe any fresh insights you've gained on God's involvement in Jesus' death.

5. "The most spectacular sins are not signs of ultimate absurdity. Satan is the ultimately irrational being. And much of what he is allowed to do will have the mark of senselessness on it." (p. 107 - Closing Prayer)

Question: This statement makes me think of Heath Ledger's Joker in the last Batman movie. A mind set on madness. And not because he is delusional enough to believe he can ultimately win, but because as he unravels, he wants to take as many with him as possible.

How can viewing Satan from this perspective open our eyes to whose side we are on when we grumble against God? Have you ever blamed the wrong person for your misery?

I would like to leave you with a portion of Piper's closing prayer for us, the readers. Because I can't say it any more beautifully, I'll hope he won't mind if I adopt to pray it for you as well. Blessings on each of you who participated and thank you for seeing this Book Club through to completion! Also, many thanks to Missy without whose partnership I wouldn't have dared attempted such a thing. I love you, friend!

"Grant to our minds and hearts
new and deeper capacities to see and savor
the glories of Jesus Christ.
With every new glimpse of his glory in your word,
let there awaken new affections in our hearts.
Ignite our souls to treasure Christ in a way that
destroys our sinful lusts
and delights the deepest recesses of our being
and displays his truth and beauty
to a world that does not know
that this is what it needs more than anything.

And from this all-satisfying treasuring of Christ
may there flow a liberation from selfishness,
and a triumph over bitterness and anger,
and a freedom from worry and fear,
and victory over depression and discouragement,
and the severing of ever root of sensual lust,

All this freedom, Lord, we see for the sake of love.

Today's Woman Beside The Man Laurie Adams!

2009-03-26T23:00:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited to introduce you to Laurie from Women Taking a Stand! I want to make special note of the question she poses in #8 because it is directed towards lay people. I'll let her tell you the rest of her story. Thanks for playing, Laurie!

1. Please share your Real Name and Blog Name:

Laurie Adams @ WOMEN TAKING A STAND

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband? How long have you been in ministry?

We serve as Associate Pastors. Our area of ministry is centered around Christian Education, Visitation, Ministry Outreach, Senior Adult Ministry. We have been in full time ministry for 7 years and prior to that served as interim pastors filling in churches in our district for a year.

In addition to our Pastoral Ministry. I assist my husband when he conducts Christian Education Leaders Training all over the states for the national office of the Assemblies of God. In addition , we serve as the Christian Education Reps for our section in our state.

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

Investing in others. Encouraging - especially women. Finding treasure within someone who doesn't quite see it yet and help them to discover giftings they did not know they have.

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

Encouragement, hospitality, Prayer, teaching

I lead a ladies bible study,
I write a weekly church prayer blog,
I invest in ladies of the church by sending out cards of encouragement every week and having lunch with at least one lady a week.
I am a behind the scene person and make a lot of the "small" details happen so my husband doesn't have to worry about it. I am quite ocd about details.

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they’ve ever done? If you do not have children, have you committed a blunder yourself that you can laugh about now?

When filling in at a church, my daughter who was about four years old was in a stage of telling big tales ... I mean BIG whoppers. While my husband and I took our place in the sanctuary ready to preach, my daughter went off to children's church. Following the service, a lady greeted us with laughter and relayed the story of how she inquired of our daughter if she had any brothers or sisters. Our daughter told her that she had a sister but she had died. The lady said "Oh I am so sorry" "how old was she?" "16" My daughter replied. The lady then asked my daughter what her sister died of, and our daughters response? - "She smoked too much"

Funny thing is - that church never asked us back again to preach!

{Lisa here...I'm rolling over this one! Poor, sister. Those cigarettes are bad news. lol}

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

Family first over ministry.
Ministry is fun!
Don't ask anything of anybody that you are not willing to do yourself.
Have a servants heart.
Just love the people ... God will do the rest.

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

If you could name one thing that you need from your Pastors wife...what would it be?

8. Where can we visit you on the web? (blog url)

http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/
http://wmfirstassemblyofgodprays.blogspot.com/

A Beautiful Baptism

2009-03-25T10:29:00.005-05:00

Proverbs 10:19 says, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise." I could say many, many words about these pictures, but I prefer to let them speak for themselves. This is the baptism of my 9 year old son. I can't even express the joy at his confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. For those of you who know him, you understand why. And so y'all know, this is Luke baptising him. As if the baptism isn't enough, the whole father/son dynamic slays me all over again.

Thank you so much, Deedra, for ministering to us through your gift of photography. I'm seriously considering staging a fake baptism for the other boys so I can have a collage. You've captured the most important day of our son's life with pure innocence and perfection and I'll forever be grateful!

Spectacular Sins Book Club Chapter 7

2009-03-23T22:15:00.003-05:00

Hello ladies!! Our brains are back from Spring Break - hope your's are too. Let's dive into "The Sinful Origins of the Son of David".

1. Why did the Israelites demand an earthly king? Why did they want to be "like other nations"?

2. Piper discusses how God does things "for His own name's sake." What does this mean?

3. Can you tell of a time when God gave you something that you wanted, but didn't need? What were the repercussions? Can you see how God ultimately used it for "His own name's sake"?

4. Samuel said, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil." Does this give you comfort, if so, how?

Just one more chapter ladies! I hope this book is blessing your view of our sovereign Lord.

Love, Missy

A Romance Rekindled or, alternatively, I Went to Hobby Lobby Friday

2009-03-22T21:26:00.020-05:00

Once upon a time I was crafty.

This parenthetical season of life was pretty well limited to my years as a student wife at Clear Creek Bible College. I was cloistered in a Utopian bubble with many other women whose husbands were also called to ministry. To say I was intimidated by their multi-talentedness would be an epic understatement. In order to fit in, I tried my hand at sewing and also with other various projects involving glue guns and a plethora of Delta Ceramcoat paints. I was a little surprised to find I actually enjoyed making things for my home. I think one of my first masterpieces was a clay pot pilgrim and his wife.

Classy.

The more kids I birthed the less time I had to indulge any urge to create a table centerpiece with glued-on straw for hair. The sewing machine has been under my bed for four years and the glue gun is in the back of my closet in a Rubbermaid container underneath another that contains our old income tax records. They may have remained there forever were it not for a six-year old girl who got a new comforter for Christmas.

Yes, she asked Santa for a room makeover. Thankfully, Santa shops at Target so she was able to choose this bedding all by her self. She decided to leave behind the pink and purple of her childhood and graduate to a mature green, brown, and yellow palette. {It's actually a darling comforter. This picture doesn't show the reverse print which is actually the cutest part and the one we display.}

My precious girl has been waiting patiently since December for her mother to get the energy to repaint her room. This past week, I finally got sick to death of looking at all the pink and purple wall hangings clashing with the brown, green, and yellow. I had self-determined to take a couple days off from studying/writing and decided it was now or never to finish her room. SO, I used my days off to remove every fairy-themed thing from her room and paint her walls a beautiful shade of pale yellow all while watching the best movie I've seen in a great long while: Australia. {Y'all just have to see it. Nicole Kidman's perfomance was perfection. Brooke and I both agree we would now like to be referred to as "Mrs. Boss" by our children. And our husbands too for that matter, but then we enter the realm of "biblical appropriateness" and so it seems best to limit our desire for dominance to our children who have no say in the matter.}

{ Go away, rabbit. No time to chase you today!}

Problem is, this left her walls completely bare which required my asking what she might like to replace all the things we'd taken down. Her reply? "I want my name in letters on the wall like (her bff) Alayna's. And I want you to paint swirlies all over them like my comforter and hang them with ribbons."

*Gulp* Last time I checked that required the Delta paints and glue gun.

So as not to be a major failure in my girl's eyes and also to capitalize on the impulsiveness that started me on the project to begin with, I made a trip to Chattanooga with Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons in hand. I should preface what I am saying next by reminding you I've not been in a craft store in years. With that in mind, my route took me by Michael's first. I only have one thing to say about that.

Michael's, I know you try, but the truth is...well, you are inferior.

I left quickly after not finding what I had in mind and headed over to Hobby Lobby.

Y'all. My breath. I still can't catch my breath.

I'm pretty sure there were angels singing the hallelujah chorus when I hit the front door and tried to take in what I was seeing before me. Aisles and aisles of brightly lit craft supplies awakened every ADHD/OCD tendency lying dormant in my overwhelmed body. There were adorable Easter chatzky's to my left, color-coordinated home accessories immediately before me, and rows and rows of flowers to my right. I literally had to chant to myself, "Lisa, one thing at a time. Concentrate. You are here for letters and paint. That is all. Complete the letters and I will allow you to return but ONLY when you actually complete the letters. Letters, Lisa. That is it."

And it was SO hard but I stuck to my plan and only got what was necessary to do the one project. God was obviously present with me because my letters? I found them on sale for 1/2 price! They were only $1.50 a stinkin' piece! Now if that isn't some divine favor I have no idea what qualifies.

So now, we've painted the letters with three coats of brown paint but I think they need one more to be perfect. I'm going to finish working on those tomorrow and hopefully have a completed project to show you soon. Do you notice I use the word 'complete' a lot? That's not accidental. I have this issue with starting with a bang and finishing with a whimper, if at all. So, y'all pray I'll keep striking while the iron is hot and we'll have a lovely new room to show for it when I'm done.

Now that the redecorating bug has bitten, I'm thinkin' I need to hit the bathroom next.

And that doesn't sound nice at all. I'm totally hoping y'all get what I mean. I really have no idea how to recover from that one so I'll bid you a happy Sunday night!

p.s. Post soon to follow with beautiful pictures of my son's baptism today. I'm still overwhelmed by our service this morning. I'll tell you all about it and the mad skillz of the girl who took the pics when I get them up. :))

The Woman Beside The Man

2009-03-20T20:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to The Woman Beside the Man! It's my complete pleasure to introduce you to Shane at Heart Reflections. Don't forget to take note of the question she asks of us in #7. I'm loving the interaction so y'all chat it up! And lay people? Don't feel left out. Please chime in with your own responses and feel free to contribute your thoughts regarding the relationships between congregations and the ministry wives who serve them.

1. Share your real name and blog name:

Shane at Heart Reflections

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband?

I serve with my hubby in worship – as I am a praise team leader. I also started a women’s ministry approx 5 years ago. You can read more details about my journey into women’s ministry here:

http://heartreflections.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/how-it-all-began

How long have you been in ministry? I grew up in the church loving music. So, music started way back when. But as I stated above it’s been about 5 years being really active.

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

My favorite part of being married to my preacher-man is the first-hand experience of God’s work in others lives. Often, the life is my own. My hubby, Marc, really was the first one to introduce me into a relationship with Christ. Growing up in the church it was just a piece of my life, Jesus wasn’t ingrained into every part of me. So, watching our church grow into a deeper relationship with Christ is amazing.

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

Do I have to? Can’t I write about my weaknesses? Well, actually that might be my gift. Let’s see here… I believe God has gifted me with a sense of being REAL. This gift came wrapped up in an ugly package of postpartum depression. Through this journey (and my ongoing battle with depression) God revealed the beauty of humility and vulnerability. It takes one woman to share her story to reach other’s hearts. Once the doors open, suddenly you find yourself in a community of believers who are real, honest, and understanding.

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they’ve ever done?

Where do I begin? My little one, in Kindergarten, loves telling people her Daddy is the Pastor. She goes to our church school. Everyone already knows who she is and who her Daddy is. But I think it’s so cute that she continues to let everyone know just who were Daddy is. Couldn’t we all be like this with our heavenly Father?

But, the MOST embarrassing probably comes from a sermon series my husband did a few years ago. The series was entitled Home Makeover: Church Edition (I think!). It was based upon our home’s need for reconstruction because our daughters FLOODED the house. Yep! They played slip n slide during their nap time. These ingenious girls (at age 3 & 5) let the water run full blast in the tiny sink upstairs. The water then flowed into the hallway, where they took clothes, towels, anything they could use to water down their runway. It was all fun and games into the ceiling in the lower level collapsed! True Story!

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

Be yourself. If you don’t know who that is, spend time in God’s Word and have Him reveal it to you. Don’t rush into any commitments just because you think it’s the right thing to do. If people criticize you, let it roll off your shoulders. Remember the Beatitudes, Matthew 4:11-12: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

How do you stay fresh in your relationship with Christ?

8. Where can we visit you on the web? (blog url)

http://www.heartreflections.wordpress.com/ and www.ShanesHeart.com

Real Moms, Real Jesus Book Tour

2009-03-19T05:38:00.005-05:00

A few months back I received an email from a girl whose name rang a bell. I thought on it just a bit and realized, yikes, I'd heard her frequently on the Focus on the Family radio broadcast. She is a fellow pastor's wife and also the founder of Hearts at Home ministries. I'm also very proud to now call her friend. Her name? None other than Jill Savage! I am so excited to be a part of her book tour for the new release REAL Moms, REAL Jesus. Here is an interview exchange to help you get to know Jill better:

Today I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?
Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?
Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?
I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?
Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?
Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I’d love to hear a reader’s thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Jill, Thank you for reaching out to me and for the encouragement you give me as a mom and a PW!

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

BUT WAIT ! THERE'S MORE!

Leave a comment on this post for an opportunity to receive a free copy of Jill's new book. :))

Retreat Part Deux

2009-03-18T06:52:00.003-05:00

Y'all.

I had this whole stinkin' post typed out and blogger ate it. I'm so upset right now but I'm going to soldier through it again. You can be thankful because I'll most likely leave out at least half the words in my aggravation of having to do a repeat.

You're welcome.

I think I began the other post by explaining how, after a weekend of teaching, I am so sick of my own voice that I try my best not to speak much for a couple of days. With that said, other than suggesting to the children they may want to keep the noise level to a healthy roar on teacher in service Monday, I've been relishing the quiet and enjoying all the not talking.

A few of you have asked questions about the logistics of our retreat. I'll try to give you some info and finish a recap in a handy, dandy list format:

1. We began our retreats in our current church four years ago with less than twenty women attending. We rented a cabin at, where else, Eagles Ridge and conducted our Bible study in the great room. We cooked one common meal in the kitchen but mostly ate in restaurants together for the others.

This year we took close to 90 women which is huge for my teeny tiny town. I hear the size of our Exodus was a hot topic of conversation at the grocery store and gas station. Since our group has grown so, we are now renting 6 large cabins and have moved our Bible study to the facility club house. Because we obviously can't eat out together, we decided to offer meals as part of the program. My wonderful mom-in-law Frankie, my precious friend Kaye, and my bff forever Kelly provided the catering. They not only agreed to do our event, but actually enjoy cooking. Can you even imagine? Thanks again to all three of you. Your joyful act of service took our fellowship to an entirely new level.

Don't y'all love their matching aprons?

2. We have four study sessions beginning Friday night. We then meet Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday morning. {Don't start raggin' on me about the Sunday thing. I'm very conflicted about it but as it is, there is a two day weekend minimum stay and if we don't use it we lose it. It being one day a year, the stewardship issue, and our own Sunday morning worship teamed with the blessing of the pastor dictate we stay until Sunday - at least for now.} We have our meal first, then worship in song, followed by the teaching segment.

Saturday is a free day between morning and night sessions in which most girls go shopping. I normally head towards Five Oaks Outlet Mall. However, this year the wonderful, darlin' girls in our group took up a love collection and gave Jenny (worship leader) and me a trip to Gatlinburg Day Spa. I've never been in my life until Valentine's Day and now twice in two months! What?! It's hard to say which spa I enjoyed more but let me tell you, the heated massage table at GDS is an extravagance I never dreamed existed. I didn't think I would be able to drag myself off it.

I have to tell you I was incredibly overwhelmed while sitting in the quiet room overlooking the beautiful mountains. All I could think was, "Who am I that God would allow such a flaky, unqualified girl to first presume to teach His Word and then orchestrate a back rub afterward?" It was more than I could take in. We are some spoiled rotten women in the west and I never want to take such pampering for granted. I am humbled, I do not deserve this outlandish grace, but I gratefully receive it in the love it was given. Girls, thank you, thank you, thank you!

3. Saturday night's session was followed by an after party in which we were entertained by the lyrical stylings of Brooke and Kim aka The Queens of Karaoke. I can't even do it justice so you should really go here and check out the performance on your own.

4. I was so pumped that my sister, Christi, was able to come along with me. Her hubby just took his first pastorate so we are officially sister PW's!

You have to know mine and Christi's relationship to understand that we love each other through sarcasm, i.e., if she makes fun of me then I know that's a compliment - I think. She told me something I said Sunday morning that is probably the most theologically thought-provoking thing I've ever uttered. She tells it better than I ever could here. By the way, y'all really have to read her blog, Just Curious. She is funnier on accident than I've ever hoped to be on purpose.

5. The Gang's all here! Or most of it anyway. This picture makes me smile really, really big. There were women on the retreat ranging from ages 12 through 79. There is no other name but Jesus by which such a diverse group can have such commonality! I love each and every one of you and can not wait til next year!

P.S. I lied about the words.

P.S.S. Spectacular Sins will resume next Monday. Mine and Missy's brains are fried.

Treat and ReTreat

2009-03-16T10:31:00.008-05:00

Where do I even begin?

Our church has just concluded our annual retreat and I lack sufficient words to tell you the spiritual refreshment I feel in spite of my physical exhaustion. I feel a multi-post recap coming on so I'll begin at the beginning.

We traveled to Pigeon Forge, TN and stayed at Eagles Ridge Resorts. Y'all, I have to take a moment to give a shout out to this place. Eagles Ridge is a cabin community located in the heart of everything fun you could possibly want to do during a getaway. We took almost 90 women so we rented multiple cabins and used the facility clubhouse for our meals and bible study sessions. I have stayed here many, many times for different retreats/family vacations, etc. and every experience has been fantastic. Josh is one of the managers and has taken excellent care of our group once again. I'm telling you, if you are looking for a retreat center in the Southeast, you would do well to inquire here. Tell Josh I sent you. :)

Anyway, we went to Pigeon Forge Thursday night and when we got up Friday decided to fore go shopping for something a little more memorable - snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg!!

Oh my word, my tail still hurts!

You can see the slopes here. I currently only have one photo of the entire day (because I'm waiting to steal everyone else's who watched and took our pictures) but maybe you can tell by the goofy look on my face that it was just a little bit exhilarating to fly down a huge slope with nothing but a piece of plastic between your rear end and certain doom. Even my hair had a great time.

Just a little word of caution from an anonymous source: If you are bladder challenged then extra protection may be in order.

My girls are hysterically, wonderfully full of awesomeness.

There's more to say, more to tell, more things NOT to tell {Who am I kidding? I'm a blabber mouth!} but for now I am going to go play with my kiddos who are out of school today. I'll be back when all the pictures start popping up online.

I mostly want to tell all you girls who attended how much I adored spending this time with you. I LOVE you all...no 'buts' about it. :)

It's Friday....

2009-03-13T08:33:00.004-05:00

....and I'm in Pigeon Forge preparing to begin our retreat sessions tonight. Please pray for an overwhelming manifestation of the Holy Spirit! I wish I could share more, but there's dozens of thumbprint cookies to eat, lots of talking to do, and much praying to Jesus I look forward to before we begin this evening.

I haven't forgotten about the Woman Beside the Man...I just don't have time to do it justice today. We'll resume next Friday. Thank you for such an overwhelming response... We may start doing a couple a week!

Also, I appreciate all of you voting for my friend Merrie's crock pot recipe. Y'all. SHE WON! I can not wait to talk with her to get all the details. She looked amazing on tv and did great. I couldn't be more thrilled!

Okay, I gotta get off here. Y'all have a great weekend!

A Woman Inspired Conference Ticket Winners!

2009-03-11T17:24:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to the winners of two free registrations for
A Woman Inspired!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1 14

Timestamp: 2009-03-11 22:23:25 UTC

#1 is Jules at Life with My Sister

#14 is Lori McKenzie at Welcome to My World

Girls, the conference organizers will email you with instructions on how to log on for the conference.

For the rest of you, register soon! Some time back, the conference was already booked at 25% with several weeks of registration to go. (There is a 1000 person limit.) You can find more information HERE along with an instructional video detailing how the conference works.

I hope you'll join us!

It Ain't Easy Bein' Green....

2009-03-10T21:11:00.003-05:00

.....so let's talk food instead. Seriously, I'm not trying to pre-empt our previous conversation but I have something urgent I need to tell you girls.

We have a dear friend in Georgia named Merrie Lynn Youngblood. She was contacted today and informed she is one of the five finalists in Emeril's Slow Cooker Challenge on Good Morning America. The public can vote on their favorite recipe until tomorrow only and the winner gets a trip to New York to appear on the show.

Y'all, I've had the Chicken Stuffing Merrie Lynn entered and it is FABULOUS. And easy. And their ain't no better kind of recipe as far as I'm concerned.

So will y'all be dolls and vote for her HERE? There's not a woman anywhere who deserves it more!

Good luck, Merrie Lynn!

"T-I-O-N. Shun, shun, shun, shun."

2009-03-10T13:20:00.010-05:00

I started writing an entirely different post today and realized every single word that came to mind ended in 't-i-o-n'. Elation, Anticipation, Expectation, and on and on it went. And that made me remember the Electric Company song back in the 70's called T-I-O-N. And that got me completely off track from the original subject and now I find I've yielded to the ADD. So, with that said, here's my contemplaTION.

My memories on the words of the TION song were vague but I was pretty sure it was simply a song about suffixes. Because I had all kinds of spare time on my hands, I decided to indulge my need for nostalgia and look it up on You Tube.

I should preface what I'm about to say by telling you I am greatly distressed about a commercial I saw the other day for the new School House Rock: Earth. Y'all, SHR is going Green. It's not that I'm fundamentally opposed to all The Green but I'm completely sick of the over-commercialization of it. I know God gave us this planet and we are obligated to be proper stewards of His creative work, but there are segments of the population who have taken this movement into the realm of religion and are worshiping the created rather than the Creator. I try to teach my kids about wastefulness, yada yada, but I'm a little over the Green indoctrination that now appears to be taking over cartoon programming in addition to the school work and cereal boxes. In my humble opinion, SHR should stick to grammar which, in North Alabama anyway, seems to be a much larger issue than whether or not we heathens bought bottled water this week.

Anyhoo, when I found the video on You Tube, I realized something pretty huge. The whole Green Thing isn't so new after all. Apparently we were singing about Green-ing even then. Y'all watch.

So tell me, and be nice, where do y'all stand on the whole Green Thing? To what lengths are you going to be more environmentally friendly? Will you still love me if I tell you we create at least two bags of garbage a day or just shake your head in frustraTION?

Wow. I can't believe I'm posting this.

Spectacular Sins Book Club

2009-03-09T22:08:00.001-05:00

Spectacular Sins will be out tomorrow y'all - today I have a spectacularly sinful headache. Thanks for your patience.

Love, Missy

In What Must Have Been a Foreshadowing of Events....

2009-03-09T19:20:00.002-05:00

....I was reading a book of poems by Emily Dickinson at the ballfield the other day. {Seriously. Do you know another nerd on the planet who reads Dickinson on the bleachers?) Anyway, I was struck by one in particular called, The Master. It reads:

He fumbles at your spirit
As players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,

Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow

Your breath has time to straighten,
Your brain to bubble cool, --
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul.

That day at the field, I was quite captured by how the poet describes the wooing of the Holy Spirit. I thought about how very much my experience mirrored the one she described and remembered fondly the day that thunderbolt struck my own soul.

That thunderbolt has struck again.

Except, this time, it wasn't my own soul scalped, but that of my nine year old son. He has asked many questions over the past few months. They boiled hot, then cooled until last night in his room when he couldn't resist any longer. He had the sweetest, purest confession and I couldn't be prouder of him.

So needless to say, we are rejoicing! I do hope you will join us..:)

The Woman Beside the Man Meet Georgia Jan!

2009-03-06T18:33:00.004-06:00

I am out-of-my-mind thrilled to introduce our first ever Woman Beside the Man. She is none other than our beloved Georgia Jan. Jan, thank you so much for playing along with us! For those of you who don't know her, she is the epitome of all a pastor's wife should aspire to be - joyful, gracious, loving, crazy about her man and most of all - she's crazy about her Jesus

I don't want to steal Jan's thunder so here's what she had to share with us in her interview:

1. Please share your Real Name and Blog Name:

My real name is Jan Maloy Morton
My blog name is "Georgia Jan." (Not very creative - I live in Georgia and my name is Jan!)

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband?

My husband is the Worship Pastor as well as Church administrator (www.sbcwr.org). I am my husband's favorite first soprano and have been singing in "his choir" for over 33 years...we were high school sweethearts! We also teach a Sunday School class together that is for new/prospective church members that is a covenant class required for church membership, called "Second Life" (our church is Second Baptist....hence the name). We love to mentor young couples and we love the younger pastors and wives on our church staff as well.

How long have you been in ministry? 32 years

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

I can truthfully say that my favorite part about being a ministry wife is serving God's people alongside my husband. Girls, we are blessed to be partners WITH our husbands as ministry wives. Many women have no clue as to what their husband's jobs actually entail, yet we are blessed to actively participate with our men! It isn't always easy...this I know, but it is a privilege!

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

I love to lead and teach and use these gifts as Women's Ministry Director and have served in that role for 12 years. I could not do this without the great team of ladies helping me! I teach women's Bible study classes every Sunday night and have done that for almost 18 years. That is my favorite! I love to plan events and love on the other pastor's wives on our church staff. I am the "Titus" staff woman in both age and experience. I am also a soloist, but my greatest joy is singing in the choir. God has given me the gift of discernment - that is a great blessing in ministry...

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they have ever done?

We have two sons, ages 27 and 24. Our oldest son was only 6 and we had JUST moved to our church - had literally been here less than 4 weeks. We were living in an apartment complex and he had been exposed to some new things, primarily some new words he had learned on the playground. During circle time at Vacation Bible School he asked a college-aged young man who was interning that summer if he had "sex"...OH MY GOODNESS...it was horrible...funny now but at that moment I knew I should have kept the boxes to start packing again. This son is now a Pastor, working on his doctorate. God reigns!

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

Love the people and be yourself, and remember that battles are won on your knees in prayer.

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

Do you make friends easily with women in your congregation and have "best friends," or do you not have close friendships with them?

8. Where can we visit you on the web?

http://granjansjoy.blogspot.com/

Now don't you girls just love this? I feel like I know Jan better already. :)) I want to point out question 7 to you because each week, we'll be asking one another for input on any number of issues. I hope you will take a moment to respond to this great topic of friendships within the church in the comments whether you are a ministry or layperson!

Happy Friday! Visit here to learn how to be featured on The Woman Beside the Man.

For the Love of Sawyer

2009-03-04T21:53:00.006-06:00

I haven't watched all of Lost yet because I'm the only loser on the planet without dvr but I did catch two 'Sawyer-isms' that delighted me to no end:

1. When he called Miles "Bonsai".

2. When he referred to Richard as "your friend with the eyeliner"... Or as my friend Linda at 2nd Cup says, Guyliner..:)

I also have to share my sister, Christi's, brilliant theory: She says Charlie is really Desmond's son. Think about it? I think she is spot on. I just have to wrap my mind around the how of it.

Y'all have any favorite scenes from tonight's episode? Any theories you're mulling over? {I'm not reading until after I've watched online tomorrow..}

G'nite!

The Woman Beside the ManMinistry Wife Spotlight

2009-03-03T09:42:00.014-06:00

Finally, it's here! I told you a couple of weeks ago how much I wanted to begin a feature for ministry wives to properly introduce themselves. Our Married to the Ministry Blogroll has grown tremendously and so I think it is important to have a better way to get to know one another.

The way we are going to do this is through a spotlight called, "The Woman Beside the Man". We all hear about the woman behind the man but even though much of what we do is behind the scenes, I know our husbands (and we!) consider us a vital, equal part to their ministries. If Luke and I didn't walk this thing side by side, we'd have given up long ago. I hope I've left no doubt that I LOVE serving God by being married to a pastor and I hope to encourage you to embrace this privilege as well.

So here's the skinny: Fridays will now be WBTM Day. If you are interested in being spotlighted, please send an email with your request to womanbesidetheman@gmail.com. You will receive an auto-respond email with the interview questions and button code if you choose to use this to direct your readers here on the day you are featured.

Simply copy and paste the questions you receive into a document of your own, answer them, and send your responses back to me in the address provided in the introductory email. (Feel free to include a photo of yourself if you'd like!) Do not reply to the womanbesidetheman address because it is only set up to auto-respond. Also, once you send your request you should get an immediate response. If you do not, check your spam folder because my test emails have gone straight into mine.

Please note: You do not have to be on the M2M blogroll in order to participate but if you aren't, please consider adding your listing. You can find instructions for doing so HERE.

So that's it! Interviews will be posted on a first-come/first-served basis so let me hear from you soon.

I'm so happy!

P.S. My awesome buttons were created by Karen at Simply Amusing Blog Designs. She is fabulous!

Spectacular Sins Book Club Chapter Six

2009-03-02T21:06:00.002-06:00

Here we are in week six and I'm so excited you are still hanging in! Can you believe we are halfway through this book? I hope considering it together has been a great help to you in truly absorbing the material.

Today we are going to think about the spectacular sin of Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery. Specifically, let's look at the paragraph on page 81 which says, "The brothers meant the sale of Joseph as evil, but God meant it for good. Notice it does not say that God used their evil for good, after they meant it for evil. It says that in the very act of evil, there were two different designs: In the sinful act, they were designing evil, and in the same sinful act, God was designing good."

As I was re-reading this chapter today, I was simultaneously watching Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time. In the last installment, The Return of the King, Frodo is deceived by Gollum into entering the lair of Shelob, an enormous spider. (Hang with me, I'm going somewhere here.) Frodo is bitten by the spider and appears to be dead when he is found by a band of orcs and taken deep into Mordor - his intended destination. (You can watch the clip here.)

Point being, Frodo never dreamed being paralyzed by a venomous spider would be the way by which he was delivered to the desired end. But, in the same vein of Joseph's' trials, the one event that was intended to kill him served in helping him destroy the evil that originally intended it. Make sense?

I'm just going to ask one mini-series of questions today because I think it is important that we give adequate thought to the fact that God isn't simply reacting to evil perpetuated against us by figuring out a way He can later twist it to good. In fact, He is equally present in the planning stages except His intentions in that same act are for our good and His glory. I hope you are equally encouraged in knowing that Satan is never allowed to act independently of God's goodness. I know so many things that happen to us do not seem good at all, but may we be like Joseph who was able to recognize God used the brothers to "send him to Egypt in order to preserve many lives".

Now let's talk:

Looking back, describe an event that was both intended as evil and good. Are you allowing God's purposes to prevail or have you been content in accepting the evil consequences? Explain.

One thing that really resonated with me was Joseph's faithfulness no matter what was perpetrated against him. Are we being faithful in less than desirable situations so that God can make the most of them? How are lives being preserved as a result of your experience?

Blessings on you, girls! I will enjoy reading your testimonies to God's goodness toward you.

Happy Days are Here Again

2009-02-28T15:17:00.008-06:00

Okay, so truth is, happy days never officially left but it just seemed an appropriate title considering my oldest boy dressed like Richie Cunningham for a 'decade' birthday party he went to Friday night. Isn't he the coolest?

I know this is totally random, but I just looked up the lyrics to the Happy Days song because it just occurred to me I've probably sung it wrong all these years. I was right. You know when it gets to the part that says, "The weekend comes, my cycle hums"? Well, I've always sang, "The weekend comes, tobacco's fun.." Don't even ask how I heard it that way. I just remember being a young girl and feeling a little naughty for singing about the joy of smoking.

I know. You could have gone the rest of your life without knowing that. But then why should that be any different than anything else I tell you around here?

Anyhoo, I'm a little late in mentioning our high school girls' basketball team played in the State Finals in Birmingham Thursday night. We lost but it wasn't because we didn't put up a great fight. In fact, we dominated the first half and I truly thought we were going home with the trophy. I'm not one to rehash a ballgame, particularly one with rules and play strategies that I do not understand in the least. But pray tell me - if your team has 15+ fouls against you in one game half and the other team has 3, does it not appear that perhaps the officials may have been a little one-sided? We lost by 15 points and the other team got 30 points in foul shots. You have to give it to them, they did not miss. That game was won from the line. But, I will not be bitter. I'm so proud of our girls. The majoritiy of them also play on our softball team which are the reigning 2008 State Champs. You'd never know such talent could be so concentrated here in MiddleofNowhere, Alabama. It's thrilling to watch such excellence and to be brought to tears by the school spirit.

Speaking of spirit, practically our entire town attended the playoffs and it was literally a stand-the-entire-time-and-scream game. Don't you know all of us would die if we had to stand up for an entire church service and here we are jumping up and down like idiots for an event that nowhere rivals the thrill of being in the presence of God Almighty? I'm reminded of Nehemiah 8 and how eager the people were to stand in honor of God's word and then alternately to fall with faces to the ground when they understood the exposition of it. Oh, that our zeal for The House would match, or preferably exceed, that for the arena!

Don't know how I got off on that tangent but since I have, here's praying that same fervor will consume us this night and that we will worship God with an overflowing heart on the Lord's Day tomorrow.

The Weekend Comes and Happy Days are Here Again! Enjoy it, gf's.

It Is Through Much Tribulation That One Acquires Polenta

2009-02-25T15:19:00.009-06:00

Today I went grocery shopping with a new Rachel Ray recipe in hand. It is one that Luke pointed out that he thought sounded good. Anytime he mentions something that he finds remotely appetizing I try to make a point to cook it.

I'm certain that's in the Love Dare.

It is also in the Love Dare to brave the societal microcosm that is Walmart to find ingregients to said recipe. This particular one called for polenta and seeing as how there is a sizable Hispanic food section in our store, I assumed I'd have no problem finding it.

Typically when I see polenta it is in a bag resembling that of flour or cornmeal. You cook it in water much like you would grits. Also typical is how I see it when I don't need it and today it was nowhere in sight.

I found a stock guy in the freezer section. "Do you know if you carry polenta?"

"Do we have Puh-what?" I took that as a no and moved on.

I ventured back to the deli and asked the ladies there if they had polenta. "Yeah, we sure do. It's over there next to the chicken salad."

"What's that?", her friend asked.

"You know, it's that yeller cheese with them little red thangs in it." {I'm not mocking. That's exactly how she said it.}

No, no, no. Not pimiento. Po-len-ta.

Another dead end. I moved on.

I walked back toward the front of the store and an elderly what-I-thought-was-a-gentle man approached me. I thought he was going to offer to help me with my polenta woes but instead he said, "Excuse me. You have a big hole in your pants."

I completely freaked out and instinctively threw both of my hands behind me to cover my backside. I said, "Oh no!" He said, "Hee hee hee. Of course you have a big hole in your pants. How else would you get them on? Hee hee hee."

Pappaw had no idea how close he came to a hole in the esophagus. Pervert geezer.

After I got over that shock and trauma, I found another stock man and said, "Do you have polenta?" He said, "Isn't that the cheese with the red peppers? You can find that in the deli."

No. NO no. NOT pimiento. PO-STINKIN'-LEN-TA.

To give this sweet fellow credit, he offered to find the food manager and ask him about it. I saw both of them scratching their heads and then giggled as the manager started asking passers-by if they knew what polenta was. If I'm lyin' I'm dyin', a lady walking by said, "I think it is cheese."

"It's not cheese!" I said. Manager said, "Oh, well what is it? We have a customer who needs it."

"Yes sir, I'm the customer." And for the fourth time I tried to describe exactly what constituted polenta.

And as I'm explaining and even showing the photo of the recipe, a darlin' life saver of a woman walked by and said, "You can sometimes find it ready made in a plastic casing." And then suddenly it hit me. She was completely right. That wasn't my preferred way of buying it but if you add cream it reconstitutes quite nicely. She suggested I look in the Mexican cheese section.

For the record, polenta is not cheese. It is also not tofu which happens to be where I finally located the stuff. In the organic section no less. Something tells me adding heavy cream negated those health benefits.

So anyway, I finally, finally, had all the ingredients, came home, and cooked the recipe. Luke came in and said, "what are you making?"

"That recipe you pointed out in the Rachel Ray magazine."

"That isn't the one I was pointing at, Lisa. It was the quesadilla one on the opposite page."

Oh, the heck.

Let's just say by the time I finished whining he was more than happy to eat the polenta with a big 'ole smile on his face.

And by the way? If I do say so myself, the dish (Beef Polenta Bake) was fabulous. You can find the recipe here.

One of these things is not like the others...

2009-02-25T08:23:00.005-06:00

....One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

Did you guess which thing was not like the others?
Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong?
If you guessed this one is not like the others,
Then you're absolutely...right!

{from Sesame Street, by Joe Raposo and Jon Stone}

All singing aside, I really am excited to tell you about a conference, A Woman Inspired, taking place April 6-9th. I have no idea how I ended up being on the speaker roster with such an amazing group of women but I'll trust Jesus and The Amy's {organizers} have a plan and roll with it. My teaching is based in Psalm 37:3-5 and is called "Bigger Than Your Biography: Allowing God to Establish Your Personal Ministry".

And y'all, I have to brag on The Amy's. This conference is done with excellence and I can not even imagine the logistics that have gone into coordinating this event. I promise you won't be disappointed! It will be well worth the $24.95 registration.

What is totally fabulous is the fact it is completely online. You don't even have to get out of your pj's to tune into the sessions! Heck, I may not even change clothes to record. Everything is live which freaks me out just a little bit {Please, Lord, don't let me mess up!} but if for some reason you can't attend them all, your registration allows you to download free mp3's.

I know there are many more details I'm not covering but your best bet is to watch the video below and visit the web site to answer all your questions.

And yay! I have TWO free registrations to give away . If you are interested in receiving one, please leave a comment on this post only. I will leave it open until Friday, March 6th and will draw a winner Saturday the 7th. You will receive information at that time on how to access the conference.

Okay, so watch the video and don't forget to comment! Also, if you would be so gracious as to help spread the word, you can grab button codes here.

A Woman Inspired Online Christian Women's Conference from Amy Bayliss on Vimeo.

Spectacular Sins Book Study Chapter Five

2009-02-24T20:01:00.000-06:00

Hello ladies!

I loved this week's reading. Number one reason: it was not last week's reading. Number two reason: I have just never thought so much about the Tower of Babel, have you? I mean, it is one little paragraph in my bible. I certainly didn't consider it one of The Spectacular Sins. I won't read that little paragraph in the same way ever again.

Okay, here goes. And I must give credit to my sweet husband for helping me write these because, well, it's been a week.

1) What were the primary motivations of the people who endeavored to build the Tower of Babel?

2) Why did God consider is a sin to live in a city?

3) Of the five ways that Christ's glory is magnified by the spectacular sin of the Tower of Babel (pp 69-72) which one resonates with you the most, and why?

4) Can you provide an example of the way that the Gospel of Christ takes root in literally thousands of different cultures, despite language barriers, social mores, existing religious practices, etc.? What does this say about the "uniqueness" of Christianity?

5) How are you also guilty of sin in the ways the Tower of Babel builders were? Where do you seek comfort apart from the Lord?

6) My husband often says that at the root of every sin is pride (and I have yet to be able to prove him wrong). Was this true in the case of these people? How can you confront and rebuke your own pride?

You gals have been rockin these questions. Rock on!!

Love, Missy

Something tells me Moses' stuttering had nothing to do with a new lip gloss

2009-02-23T22:59:00.000-06:00

Ahhhhh, the greatness of mi casita.

And I'm not talking about my favorite Mexican restaurant EVER. I'm referring to the quaint home where I dwell with the five humans who adore me most on this earth. I know this because they were waiting for me at the door when I pulled into the drive. Never mind the first words out of their mouths were, "Where's my prize????" I know they really missed me. You have to be a mom to know love is the root emotion that fuels the frenzied ripping apart of the outlet store bags.

As much as I treasure spending a weekend teaching the Bible to a bunch of Jesus-lovin' girls, it's always great to return home and collapse onto my own sofa. As much as I love 'me' time, nothing thrills me more to return to the land of 'them' time. There is nothing God has called me to do that could ever justify neglecting the most important ministry He's given me - this family. Luke is so gracious in releasing me to be fully engaged in the subordinate calling God has placed on me but that doesn't at all alleviate the guilt I feel for leaving them to fend for themselves. Not that Luke doesn't take care of things beautifully. I'm just inclined to wife and mother them at any distance whether they appreciate it or not.

All that aside, this weekend really was a blast. I got to hang with my long time bff, Kelly. It is with great joy I introduced her to lip plumper. I've used it before but never felt the need to purchase any until I noticed last week that my upper lip has shriveled away to nothing in spite of my attempts to stay hydrated with nasty water. Not nasty as in our water is nasty. I mean nasty as in I hate it. Doesn't the H2O in Diet Dr. Pepper count for anything?

Apparently not because as I mentioned, I no longer have a top lip so when Kelly and I went in CVS and there were $5 Extra Bucks for buying plumper, I couldn't resist. {Coupon alert: I needed an eyeliner so I used my ECB's and got one for pennies..Go Me!} We couldn't wait to try it out in the car so I ripped open the package and we both put some on. {Another alert: It is a special friend with whom you can share lip care products.} I failed to mention to Kelly that plumper burns as if you'd swiped battery acid on your lips so she thought she was having an immediate allergic reaction. Imagine her relief when I explained there was nothing to worry about since the intense pain was actually a sign this must be some good stuff.

She wasn't impressed.

And y'all, I'm not sure if I am either. I don't know if the burn is in reality a placebo to make you think your lips look bigger or if the stuff actually works. I think my upper lip is making a bit of a comeback but again, it could just be a figment of my imagination. If it weren't for the big score on eyeliner, I would be in a pit of despond if I spent $9 on a cosmetic that didn't make good on it's promise. I'll need to think on this a day or so before I make my final judgement on my faith in Maybelline marketing.

I do wish you could have been in the car with Kelly and me when the numbness took full effect. Our conversation sounded something like this:

Me: Hey Kehwy. We bettew get back to da tabin so I can teach on Fiwst Cowimpians.
Kehwy: Otay, Wesa. But fuhst, wet's doh to Tahbucks.

So we did go to Starbucks. And got the most awesome Caramel Apple Spice.

And if it was way too hot to drink, we never knew it.

It Helps If It's Fun...

2009-02-19T19:58:00.005-06:00

So yesterday The Girl got out of bed complaining with a sore throat. It's been an all around rough week for her - she's just been much more tired and cranky than usual. Being the Mother of the Year I am, I told that sweet baby to climb back in bed so I could shower her with a day of pettin'.

In between bouts of studying for my retreat this weekend, I cooked breakfast and took it to The Girl on a bed tray. I kept her dvd's switched out and generally made sure she had a restful day. I've missed that stinker since she has left me for Kindergarten. It was fabulous having her back if only for a few hours.

Newsflash: Kindergarten isn't what it used to be.

Teacher sent home the work Sis missed in class for one day. There were 8 front and back pages. EIGHT!? And before anyone mistakenly thinks I'm slamming the greatest Kinder teacher ever, I totally know it's the system that has changed, not the darlin' women who have committed their lives to rooms full of 5 and 6 year olds. May the Lord bless and keep everyone of them, may His face shine upon them, and Lord have mercy may He grant them peace.

Seriously, though. What happened to those little padded nap mats? Finger paint? Being able to graduate knowing nothing more than your ABC's? Something has gone awry, girls. Don't misunderstand me. I don't want my kids to be ignorant but I'm not convinced overwhelming them as babies is producing the desired effect.

Case in point: I knew Sis had enough when she started banging her head on the table crying, "I can't take all the coloring. I just can't take all the coloring!" It just so happened I was finishing up my listener guides for the retreat this weekend and had somehow messed up the formatting so that my cute little border was cut off at the bottom so I joined her in the self-mutilation. I finally decided I could live with less than perfection. (Not to mention my head hurt.) I also decided that, no thank you very much, I'm not making this child do all those sheets in one night. So she closed her folder, I closed MS Word and we were both the happier for it.

I guess it was just a little funny that after all the homework distress she went to her room and colored a giant picture of Tinkerbell. When I asked her why in the world she was coloring when she couldn't take one more second of the homework, she said, "I only color what is fun."

That's my girl.

Things You Didn't Ask to Know...

2009-02-18T15:30:00.006-06:00

Don't you get so incredibly tired of me telling you how life has gotten in the way of blogging? Six months ago I would have distressed to the uttermost if I didn't find a way to update daily. I've chill-axed a bit since then and realized the blog is for me and not vice versa. The only bummer in all my crazy is that I haven't been able to read blogs much for several weeks. I'm woefully out of the loop and feeling awfully saddened and guilty over it.

So if you aren't mad that I haven't visited you in a while and you care at all what I've been up to, I have to tell you that on Valentine's Day I got to experience a first: A trip to a bonafide spa. (I can't ever say bonafide without thinking of George Clooney's wife and girls in O Brother, Where Art Thou.)

Now, I've had some spa treatments before but only at the hand of fellow students of the cosmetology program I completed in 1994. I was the official hair color guinea pig and had no less than 43 applications of Redken Shades in the year-long course. The cool red a.k.a purple red was by far my least favorite by the way. Thanks for that, Karen. I feel I still owe my own apologies to the girls on whom I practiced fake nails for the first time. They could barely lift their fingers for the glop of hardened acrylic hanging off the ends. The file was definitely my friend - and theirs too for that matter provided they didn't opt for the remover first. Our hands were bloody stumps by the time we finished learning the fine art of nail sculpture. So yeah, I was looking forward to going to a real spa.

Anyway, my bff Kim and I went to The Mountain Escape Spa with gift certificates we'd gotten for Christmas courtesy of someone very awesome. It was all I ever imagined and more. So serene and quaint tucked into the dream community that is Lookout Mountain, TN. Every house there looks like it was taken straight from the pages of Southern Living.

Kim and I got an hour aroma therapy massage, facial, and manicure. I loved every second of each service but I would have to say my favorite was probably the facial. I was only a little embarrassed when Olivia asked me what happened to my chin and I had to admit I'd burned it the week before with my curling iron. What a goober. I can't even explain how it happened except you shouldn't try to talk on the phone and touch up frizz at the same time. I've determined I could easily be a spa rat. The Hot Rock massage is definitely on my radar. I'd never be able to justify taking myself back, but if anyone is just looking for something sweet to do for his wife...???? That would definitely be in the Love Dare.

When we finished we met our families in Chattanooga to eat at Outback. After that we went to the Home Show. If you've never been to one, it's like a huge home improvement expo where vendors hawk their wares. Y'all may think that sounds like a snooze but for a girl who would rather spend time in Lowe's than WalMart, it really is great fun to daydream about how you'd build The Perfect House. The only reason I'm telling you about it is that I'm still jazzed over an awesome counter top. If we ever build or remodel again, I'm definitely putting these in the kids' bathroom. Have y'all ever seen such?? Very expensive but doable if you use it in a smaller space. I pretty much spent the rest of my time drooling over dressing room/ closet built-ins. Unfortunately, parsonages do not come with those.

Since the weekend, I've had my nose in 40+ books getting ready to teach a retreat Friday and Saturday. If you're just looking for some one's name to say to God, I'd be awfully appreciative if it happened to be mine. And speaking of books, I'm reading a really good one: Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It's not brand new but I've only just picked it up because it follows some themes I'll be teaching. Good stuff. You wouldn't be disappointed if you bought it!

Okay, I've got to get. What in the world are you girls up to? I seriously miss you!

Spectacular Sins Book Club Chapter Four

2009-02-16T13:52:00.002-06:00

Okay, girls. Better late than never! Let's get to it on Chapter Four of Spectacular Sins!

I'm not sure to what extent you enjoy deep theology but I have to admit that my mind wants to shut down when I feel myself beginning to think in circles. For me, the sovereign, He's-got-the-whole-world-in-His-hands view of God is the blanket I wrap up in when I can't tie a tidy bow around some deep concept of Scripture. This week, that idea is God's causative will versus His permissive will. When I read Proverbs 16:4 which says, "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble", the first questions that come to mind are : "Does that mean God creates evil and disease and calamity? Isn't that against all He is?" And when it gets too much to consider, my faith stamps "GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD" on it and puts it to bed.

And that's easy enough for me to do because I've never faced the devastations many of you have. It's easy for me to say because I have faith as a background where many people with these same questions do not. I suppose I love this book so because it gives order to the many beliefs I have but don't quite know how to express to those searching for a true representation of God's character. As much as I don't want to voice the words, I am also aware I am not immune to some unimaginable grief. God forbid calamity happen, but if it does, I want an overflowing reserve of Truth to bandage to my tire-ironed heart.

But there are many of you who have faced the worst-case-scenario. The child is gone. The husband left. The money disappeared overnight. What then? Is there a purpose for the evil or are the details of our lives left to random chance? Worse yet, did God cause it by not preventing it? All difficult but valid questions to which there is but one solution: We believe and trust God and we do not accept any answer to any question that in any way degrades His holiness and/or the fact He is FOR His children always.

I've said all of this to set up what is perhaps the foundational truth of this chapter as quoted from Frances Schaeffer: God is the God who is there. Page 59 states "We don't make Him, He makes us. We don't decide what He is going to be like. He decides what we are going to be like. He created the Universe, and it has the meaning He gives it, not the meaning we give it. If we give it a meaning different from His, we are fools. And our lives will be tragic in the end."

So considering Proverbs 16:4 already referenced, I back up to page 56 which says, "God has done this (made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble) in His own mysterious way that preserves the responsibility of the wicked and the sinlessness of His own heart. We should humble ourselves if we cannot explain how this can be. We are told that it is so. Beware of bringing to the Bible assumptions that are not taught in the Bible. That is how God's word is nullified."

We are told that it is so. When did that stop being enough? God told Eve it was so in the garden and yet she listened to the voice which asked, "Did God really say...?" The most dangerous place in which to find oneself is with one ear to the Word and one ear to the world. The Word says God's goodness and love and mercy and forgiveness and redemption and justice are so. The world tells us we are closed-minded and weak for swallowing an archaic religion without question.

We are going to approach this week's discussion a little differently. I know there was much more to this chapter than what I've presented but I believe this issue of why bad things happen to "good people" is one that is foundational in our arsenal of answers for those who do not yet believe in Christ. It's a huge hangup and one which we need to be able to address biblically.

So here is the one scenario I have for you today:

You are in a coffee shop reading your Bible. A stranger sits beside you and asks, "How can you believe in a God who allows terrorists to fly into towers or children to starve and die?"

Based on all we've learned so far, what do you say?

A Spectacular Delay

2009-02-16T09:14:00.005-06:00

Hey Girls!

The Spectacular Sin Book Club questions are on a bit of a delay.. Jam-packed weekend, stomach viruses, sleepovers, preparing notes for a retreat this Friday, yada yada.. You get how it is!

I'll have them up later today and oh my goodness is this week a mind-bending one! We'll be talking about God's causitive will vs. his permissive will and how both are necessary. It will definitely be a No Wimp Zone!

Y'all have a fabulous day...Be back soon.

Things You Will and Won't See in The Love Dare

2009-02-13T06:46:00.007-06:00

This has been the week for movie-watchin' at our house. As shameful as it is to admit, Luke and I haven't watched Fireproof before now. Seriously. What kind of religious people are we not supporting the one wholesome theatre production of 2008?

I'm glad we finally saw it so I would know what is in the Love Dare. I never think to pick up a copy at LifeWay so I was kind of vague on the content. Since we've seen the movie, Luke and I have been somewhat-jokingly compiling a list of things we've said and done that are and are not in the Love Dare. Everytime a moment strikes, one of us will proclaim it either Love Dare or Not Love Dare Worthy and then laugh our butts off. Here are just a few:

1. Having your husband say, "Don't get comfortable, I'm fixin' to get up.." when you sit down to snuggle on the sofa is SO not in the Love Dare.

2. Replying, "No!! It was just on the new release wall.." when your hubby questions if you are preparing for a romantic evening based on your chick flick movie rentals is not in the Love Dare.

3. Your hubby asking, "Will you please move those so I can eat?" when you've propped your feet in his lap as he is sitting down to eat a bowl of chili for lunch is not in the Love Dare.
{Are y'all noticing a trend of me wallowin' all over Luke every time he gets the chance to rest?}

4. Sneaking to buy your hubs a pair of shoes that he would never buy for himself is definitely in the Love Dare.

5. Hubs buying your daughter a rose every Valentine's Day is absolutely in the Love Dare.

6. Hubs playing baseball in the yard with the boys every day after school is in the Love Dare.

7. Hubs taking the day off from work to spend the day with you watching movies blows the cover off the Love Dare.

There were at least ten more to the list but dern if I can think of them right now. That's okay though because that same hubs who somehow makes me love him more every day just came home and it's time to give that man some undivided attention.

And yes, that's in the Love Dare, too...

As a matter of curiosity, what are some things on your Do and Don't list?

Hope y'all have a love-filled Valentine's Day!

Free Books for Ministry Wives!

2009-02-10T09:21:00.005-06:00

Well, it seems I have nothing to talk about lately but preacher's wives!{And no, I do not have a problem with that.} I'm afraid a couple of posts I did over the weekend related to those married to ministers were buried so if you haven't seen them, go here and here. I really need your input on one and I'm putting together a list of girls going to Beth Moore's Living Proof for PW's on the other.

Now, I have an exciting offer for you! Ever heard of the Lulu's Cafe fiction book series written by Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell? The first in the series was Desperate Pastor's Wives and the second, A Matter of Wife and Death. The series are based on the adventures of four bff preacher wives. How fun is that?

Well, the THIRD book in the series just released this week and is called Katt's in the Cradle. Here's the awesome thing...The generous people at Simon Schuster/Howard Books are offering a free copy to ANY ministry/seminary wife provided you'd be willing to tell about the book on your blog once you've read it. Pretty good trade as far as I'm concerned. Are you interested?

Here's how to claim your copy:

* Send me an email with your name and mailing address. Be sure to put "Katt's in the Cradle Book Offer" in the subject line so it doesn't get lost in my overflowing inbox. I will forward your requests to the publisher who will mail your books. Sound good?

* Remember, you must be a ministry wife/seminary wife with a blog to qualify. If your own pastor's wife has a blog, please be sure to tell her about this offer! Then she can let you borrow the book when she's done since you are the one who told her about it.

* After you've read the book, write a short post telling what you thought about it. That's it!

I clicked through and read all the synopses and I can't believe I've not bought these books before now. They truly look like fun reads and believe me, I need a break from Piper. I love him but, in the words of Missy, OH MY SKULL!

So get busy and get those emails in....I love being able to give you stuff!

Spectacular Sins Book Club - Chapter 3

2009-02-08T22:43:00.012-06:00

Chapter 3 ladies! I am so glad to join you once again!

I open this week's discussion questions with one that my five year old son, Shepherd, asked me recently. "When Satan became a bad guy angel and God kicked him outta heaven, did he lose his wings?"

Things that make you go hmmm.

Perhaps we should email Piper and ask him what he thinks?

Moving on...

1. On page 40 Piper tells us that the name Satan means "accuser." Do you ever feel accused? I know I do. Sometimes I lie in bed at night and obsess over all the ways I have failed throughout the day, or I relive all the sins of my past. Turn in your bibles (or click here) to read Romans 8:1-2. What does this verse say? If this is true, from whom are all those accusations of failure? What then should we do when our thoughts go there? What is the difference between condemnation of our sin by the Evil One and conviction of our sin by the Holy Spirit?

2. How does God allowing Satan to live bring glory to Christ?

3. Read the 'Eight Things to Do with Evil" and "Four Things to Never Do with Evil" lists on pages 50-51. Which of these do you have the most problem with?

4. Recall Piper's introduction, specifically pages 13-16 when he speaks of persecution of the Church. Since December I have been praying for Martha Samuel Makkar. She is an Egyptian sister in Christ who converted from Islam, and has faced persecution ever since. In December, she was arrested at the airport when she tried to emigrate to Russia. Martha was placed in prison, tortured, raped, and her two and four year old sons were denied food in an attempt to cause her to renounce Christ. She was recently released on bail and is awaiting trial. You can read her story here and here (and please join me in praying!)

How might the truths Piper has conveyed in this chapter regarding evil - the "weighty doctrine" - bring comfort to Martha and her family while she undergoes persecution for Christ?

Can't wait to hear what y'all have to say, sisters! I couldn't comment to many of you last time because immediately afterward my family got slammed by the flu (which God allowed in order to glorify Christ!) But this time, I'm ready God willing, so bring 'em on. :)

Love, Missy

**Note from Lisa: There are two weekend posts that PW's need to see...Be sure to scroll down (or click over here from your reader) after you've answered Missy's Marvelous Questions. Don't y'all LOVE her?"

Living Proof Ministry Wives' Conference

2009-02-08T16:44:00.005-06:00

So I've gotten an email or seven about the Living Proof Ministry Wives' Conference in March and whether or not I'm attending.

The short answer is no.

The long answer would include weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth but in the end, the answer would still be no. It's a bittersweet no, however, because I will be with my beloved church girls in the Smoky Mountains having our annual retreat. That definitely takes the edge off the sadness I feel for not hanging with some of the greatest PW's ever!

This conference is beginning to generate a lot of buzz and I know many of you are wondering who is going. In an effort to hook y'all up, I'm posting a Linky to sign if you are attending. (You don't have to write a post, just link to your home page.) If you've not heard about this event, go HERE for more info.

Y'all have a great time...*sniff*sniff* Hug one another and The Siesta Mama for me! And please, take great notes...:)

P.S. I've just updated the M2M Blogroll with several listings. They are marked "New". Please take some time to go visit these girls! Also, please see Saturday's post for lots more Ministry Wife related stuff going on...

Desperately Seeking Input

2009-02-07T17:09:00.006-06:00

Does your husband serve in some form of ministry? Looking to connect with others walking your same road? Then listen up because you may be interested in something brewing around here.

I've been praying since the end of last year on how to expand the resources available on this site. The M2M Blogroll has continued to grow and it occurred to me that you girls need to have the opportunity to introduce yourselves and share your own experience with the rest of us.

Would you like that? Seriously. I'm asking because I really don't know. I'm game but considering I'm usually the first to climb to the end of a thin limb, that's not always a good thing.

Here's the gist of what I'm thinking:

1. I will designate one day per week as a 'Get to Know You' Day. Except I'll try to come up with a snappier title than that.

2. I will ask for submissions from you and will post them on a first come/first serve basis. I'll come up with guidelines as far as what to include, word limit, etc.

3. I know there are many difficulties associated with a life in ministry and while I don't mean to minimize those, I would like for this particular feature to remain positive in focus. I've got something else in mind to deal with the hard stuff.

I get many, many emails from ministry wives in crisis and I want you to know I am honored that you would ask my input and invite me to pray with you. As much as I consider this a privilege the time has come for me to admit I can't do this alone any longer. I know I'm not giving your emails the response they deserve because of the volume of them. SO, again, in praying how to handle this I feel God has led me to create a Prayer/Wise Counsel Support Team made up of, who else, ministry wives with whom I can share these requests - with your permission of course. The idea is for you to contact us, allow all of us to pray for you, but then be willing for one of the women to offer a personal, individual reply.

In addition to that, I would REALLY love to host regularly scheduled, themed chat sessions where we can talk about all aspects of ministry. I crave real-time interaction and think this would be a great way for us to build one another up!

Okay, now that I've purged I would love to hear what you have to say. Obviously I welcome any suggestions and feedback on how to make sure these intentions of mine are done with excellence. I'd rather not do anything if it can't be done well. I certainly don't want any craziness or lack of organization on my part to end up hurting more than helping.

So, let me have it! Can't wait to hear your thoughts...

{Currently Accepting Title Suggestions}

2009-02-05T15:09:00.015-06:00

Hi! My name is Lisa and I'm having a fabulous day. Et tu?

A few weeks back my awesome sis-in-law Laura Beth asked me to talk about marriage at her MOM's group at Peavine Baptist in Georgia. I drove down this morning and !YAY! I just had the best time ever. In addition to meeting all these new girls I got to catch up with one of my long, lost ballfield bff's, Jennifer who is as crazy now as when our boys shared the baseball diamond a few summers back. What else can I say but that reconnection makes me giddy.

I don't know that I can properly express how much I love meeting a new group of women and seeing how other churches 'do' ministry. I can tell you right now, Peavine is doing mommy ministry well. I fell instantly in love with their leader, Tonya. She is definitely a homechick (my new favorite girlfriend word coined by Lindsee Lou). Tonya's family relocated to N. Georgia from Mississippi after Katrina. Best I can tell, she's settled in and brought her some Jesus along. I am always smitten with lay people who pour themselves out with abandon for no other benefit than to see others encouraged and lives changed. I didn't get a chance to visit with many of the mommies because they needed to run to a different part of the building to get their kids from childcare, but if you have come by for a visit and were there this morning, THANK YOU! I hope to have the chance to drop in on you again soon and in the meantime please come see me here from time to time.

After MOMs, Laura Beth, Frankie(my Mom In Law), Micah (my 2 yr old nephew), and I had lunch at one of my favorite home cookin' restaurants that I've missed terribly since we moved away. The food was scrumptious as always but the best part was the prayer. LB said, "Micah, do you want to say the blessing?" He said he did so we waited. Micah bowed his head, closed his darlin' little eyes and said, "Blessing." And that was it! Hysterical! I've always said you should never catch up on your prayer life at the dinner table and my boy has heeded that advice, I reckon!

And if my day had ended right then things would have been okay. Instead, I came home and Luke was waiting for me with a scary looking piece of paper.

It was a job application.

For me.

How's that for some Valentine romance?

There may or may not be more to share about that at a later date.

Speaking of later dates, LOST! OH MY GOODNESS! I just finished watching last night's episode and thank you, thank you very much, I knew Jin was alive! And as soon as Charlotte read the French on the wreckage, I knew they would see Rousseau. And I knew that Ben was behind freaking Kate out about Aaron. Can it be we are getting a bit predictable, Lost writers?

As if.

Here are a few questions I have:

1. Why didn't Roussea recognize Jin or vice versa when they met one another later on the island? Shouldn't she remember meeting him on the beach and him likewise?

2. The nosebleeds....Didn't Daniel stop that for Desmond by having him contact Penny - his Constant? Can't Juliette, Charlotte, and now Miles do that somehow or does it have to be someone off the island they connect with?

3. Richard has the most awesome eyelashes. Is he born with it or is it Maybelline?

4.. I'm stuck on thinking the young girl holding the gun on Daniel in last week's episode is either Penny's mother or Charlotte's mother. Remember how Daniel told her she seemed familiar? What do y'all think?

5. Sawyer is pitiful. Wouldn't it be nice if Kate could be in both places at once and Sawyer could have Island Kate and Jack could keep Off-Island Kate? I'm not sure it's biblical but it would make for an excellent episode or seven.

I have no idea how I started out talking about marriage with Jesus Girls and ending up hoping a woman can time-travel herself between two men. I'm surely hoping y'all can forgive my flakiness because I really and truly am not as schizo in person as I seem on the computer screen.

Lisa says to tell you she'll talk with you again soon.

The Ease of Compassion

2009-02-03T08:55:00.007-06:00

So I told you that last week I attended Travis' Live CD taping at Woodstock. I'll never get over the worship but that's not just because the music was so fabulous, it's because I brought worship home with me. By that I mean I committed our family to being a Compassion Child Sponsor.

Before the recording Shaun Groves (oh my gosh he is awesome..totally see why Sophie raves now) shared about the work of Compassion International. Now, if you read blogs AT ALL you are aware of the different girls who've travelled with this organization to bring awareness to their programs. I just love reading the Compassion blogs when they are on site. Word by word, you can feel the souls shifting of the ones ministering in these areas for the first time.

So why haven't I sponsored before now? Truthfully? It's because I'm a loser at follow-through. It wasn't that I thought I couldn't afford to send the money but rather I know how important it is to these children to have communication from their sponsor families. Ultimately I was afraid I would be a disappointment to the kid who was stuck with me. I thought I would need to send care packages. I thought I'd need to send cards for special occasions and since I have a stack of holiday cards for MY OWN HUSBAND that I never manage to deliver, oh lets say, across the room I just knew I'd fail at being the kind of sponsor a kid across the ocean deserved. And for those lame reasons, I just didn't.

Well, after hearing Shaun's appeal that Sunday I couldn't stand it any longer. It's like God was saying, "Lisa, how can you presume to teach the love and mercy of God when you don't practice it?" And then there's the passage in Isaiah 58:7-8ish(?) that I've heard many times but was the stake in my heart that day. It essentially says "True religion is caring for the poor." True religion. If there's anything I want more of, it's that. So, I took an envelope and asked God to help me not to be the world's worst Compassion Sponsor. Imagine being the first person ever booted from the program since the therapy the child would need as a result of my neglect would be more expensive than the other necessities.

With all that said, we are now sponsoring a 13-year old boy in India named Palivela. I received an email today confirming our commitment and I spent a while looking through the website. And y'all. Oh my gosh I'm still so excited.

I can email Palivela. RIGHT THERE ON THE SITE! AND A TRANSLATOR WILL GIVE MY LETTER TO HIM! Not that I don't intend to send real letters to him (there's that Intend word that always gets me in trouble) but an email letter is better than nothing, right? Y'all, I can do the email!

And guess what else!!!? They don't even allow you to send care packages! I can make a birthday/special occasion donation through the handy dandy website and a location worker will make sure Palivela gets a needful gift from us! I can do the special donations!

So I guess I'm writing this to reach out to any of you who may be hesitating in sponsorship for the same reason as me. If I'm the only flake who struggles in this area, please make me feel better and keep it to yourself. You can make me feel even better than that though if you will check out Compassion's website and see how easy it is to sponsor a child of your own.

The great people there have thought of everything to keep you from looking like a major loser.

Now that's some true religion.

Spectacular Sins Book Club Chapter Two

2009-02-02T17:37:00.003-06:00

I have to begin by telling you how incredibly proud I am of all the hard work you girls are putting forth in this book club! I know all this material is lofty but I truly pray that a fresh understanding and appreciation for the sovereignty of God is taking hold in your Spirit. Your answers are very insightful and I've enjoyed reading each and every one. FYI: I've had several emails from those who weren't able to start at the beginning but aren't sure if they can still participate. OF COURSE YOU CAN! Anyone is SO welcome to jump in every chance you get so please don't hesitate to join the discussion.

Many things resonated with me in last weeks responses but I got a little stuck on Kelly's (Love Well) quote here:

"I actually think it’s easier to magnify God in the big trials of life, because we are pushed to the limits then. We either magnify God or die. I find it harder to continue to choose His glory in the mundane details of life, when it’s tempting to slide into mediocrity, one inch at a time."

Is anyone but me feeling that one? I think Kelly's response speaks to where many of us live and that is our propensity to throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus only when circumstances are dire and not so much when we've had to clean up one too many poopy messes that day. Often it's not the tire iron to the heart that gets me, it's the constant yet lesser tappings that make me want to give up and try again later.

Obviously a woman reading who has lost a child or endured divorce or is battling a life-threatening illness may argue that mediocrity brought on by the exhaustion of motherhood or a lackluster faith born out of apathy are not comparable. On the most obvious level I wholeheartedly agree. But when we get right down to it, anything and I do mean ANYTHING, whether it be life's trivia or trauma that robs God of the glory due Him in my book is spectacular indeed. As we learn in Chapter Two, ALL things were made by, through, and for Christ and therefore we must surrender every single event in order to display His greatness.

Oh my goodness. I have no idea if that made any sense whatsoever. I'll be trusting the Holy Spirit to make the appropriate applications if any are indeed in order. :)

Let's get to our questions!~

Chapter Two

1. I loved your quotes so much from the first session I'm going to ask you to share your favorite from this chapter!

2. Re-read Colossians 1:15-16. Piper makes special mention that of all the things Paul could list that were made by, through, and for Christ, that he specifically mentions evil powers. In answering why Paul did this, Piper pulls an example from 2 Timothy 1:8 to show how he used weighty doctrine to address Timothy's practical issues of anxiety and fear that threatened the effect of his ministry. Considering Paul thought the 'heavy' things of God would help Timothy deal with everyday matters, how does knowing God created beings that He knew would turn from good to evil translate to your everyday life? (Use paragraphs 2 and 3 of page 36 to help form your thoughts.)

3. Five summary statements are given on p. 37 as to why God wants us to know the truth of Christ's sovereignty over 'rulers and authorities' and the way they are involved in the most spectacular sins of the universe. Which one is most meaningful to you? How does it comfort you and/or give you courage against the evil that we know has been disarmed by Christ?

4. Okay, this question is more of an assignment. Look at the previous commenter's answers and respond to one of her(his?) insights. If you are the first commenter, you can refer to this original post. Let's get some discussion going! :)

This was a short chapter so we'll stop here. Looking so forward to hearing your thoughts!

Dear Lisa...

2009-01-31T11:43:00.010-06:00

I absolutely love the movie '13 Going on 30' with Jennifer Garner and think it should be made mandatory viewing for every girl who ever deluded herself into thinking her teenage ideas and dreams would in any way resemble reality.

Missy's friend (Not a Bow in Sight) has a post here in which she asks us to write a letter to our 20-year-old self. I've purposefully blocked out my life at 20 but, thanks to my mom, here is a picture of me at 17 which is close enough and pretty well sums up all I really cared about during that period in my life: Hair and Clothes. {For the record, this wasn't daily wear. I was getting ready for my Senior Banquet.}

Dear 17-year-old Me,

You are not fat even though you are currently devastated over the size of your thighs. Don't worry, there will come a day when four babies will destroy any possibility of seeing your cut abs and collar bones again, but it is not this day. Enjoy the fact that your whole body fits in that size 2 dress because that thigh you think is so large now will pretty much double in size and half of you will not fit in the circumference of this frock.

Speaking of that dress, twenty years from now you will be mortified that you bought a barrette with matching ruffles as the skirt even though it can barely be seen because of all the back-combing going on. Matchy-matching is just not cute unless you are six. One bit of good news though...the black hose seem to be making a semi-comeback though I should tell you that if you've worn a look once you should never, ever repeat it in a later generation. Not that you won't be tempted to buy that sweater dress and leggings but please, for both our sakes, resist. Your future husband and children will thank you.

The color mauve is butt-ugly and pirouette dolls belong in B-Horror films, not on your bedroom shelves. And that little white lock box on your table? There's more money in that thing than you will ever carry in your wallet your whole adult life. You, my friend, are rich.

But you think you are going to be richer because even now you have plans to go to college and move away to the big city. You just wrote in your Senior memory book that you want to be the CEO of a major corporation. You want a brownstone apartment and you NEVER want a husband and kids. Oh poor honey, we'll get to that in a minute.

You see, the truth is you have all these big dreams and none of them will happen quite like you think. The full college scholarship you just found out about? It will be recalled because of a mystery unsigned paper. You will be devastated because, just like a vapor, all your plans will disappear and the only thing that will console you one little bit is that cute guy standing there when the smoke clears.

That boy is Luke. The one who drove you crazy with the various girls who like to show up at his house. The first guy you ever decided was worth a fight. The one with the mullet you think is so incredibly beautiful. News flash: That hair will have a song written about it one day and it won't be flattering. The good news is that when he decides to cut it all off he'll still be as cute as ever. Your hair deserves a post of its own. {A post is something we'll have to talk about when you find out about the Internet. Total space age stuff that we'll reserve for another conversation.}

And I've saved this last part for last. You might want to sit down.

You aren't moving to New York. You are going to marry Luke and have four children and twenty years from now, you'll live in a town of 800 looking at a picture wishing you could regain that figure and that cash-stuffed lock box. You'll love a show called Lost and wish you could go BAAACCCK and do a few things differently but will quickly realize that God is in control and you couldn't change a thing if you tried.

Oh. Yes, I did mention God. I know, it's a shocker but you should know you love Him and every day you are looking for ways to serve Him more. And that's a good thing because honey..are you sitting down?

You are going to be a preacher's wife.

Lisa? LISA?! Can someone help me here!??

Oh, what am I worried about? 20 years from now you are still here so everything turns out okay. Actually, things will turn out more than okay.

They'll be just about perfect.

Love from 37-year-old,

On Friends and Home

2009-01-30T20:59:00.004-06:00

UPDATE: I just want to thank all of you on Luke's behalf for your phone calls of concern since circumstances beyond our control made him unable to attend the conference. Such is life in the pastorate! More than anything, I think it is important we communicate that we don't begrudge staying behind when God has made it evident there is critical ministry taking place at home.

Luke will die when he reads this but I don't hesitate to equate his investment into the lives of people to that of Paul who said in 2 Cor. 11:28-29, "And besides those things that are without, there is the daily [inescapable pressure] of my care and anxiety for all the churches! Who is weak, and I do not feel [his] weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire [with sorrow or indignation]?" (Amplified)

If he weren't equally invested in our own family, I might feel neglected but though it may be most times to his detriment, he refuses to allow me or his kids to feel second place. It's important to me that anyone who knows us knows this about him. He's the same man at home that you see in the church house and I'm so proud to call him mine. So again, thank you for your calls but please don't consider him pitiful....consider him joyfully doing that to which he was called.

{However, while we are on the subject, he could use your prayers as could the multiple unspoken situations that God is fully aware of.}

****************************************************************

I'm waiting for the dryer to chime telling me Luke's jeans are done so I can put the finishing touches on his suitcase. He and 40+ men from our church and community are going to Woodstock Baptist a little later this morning for the Temptation Island Conference. I get very sentimental this time of year because it is through this particular event and a long-time friendship that Luke was connected with the congregation we now serve.

Back in 2005, our great friend Maury called me to invite Luke to come along to the conference. Maury and his wife Kim were some of our best 'couple' BFF's in our pre-Jesus days but since we had lived out of town for much of our born again years, we hadn't seen each other in quite some time. I assured him that Luke had nothing to do that weekend and not to dare listen if he tried to turn him down. {Luke is quite the homebody and doesn't go anywhere without being compelled no matter how much he knows he would enjoy the trip.}

Luke said yes. He didn't have much choice since I had his bag packed before we could really talk about it. I knew he needed some refreshment and I was all too happy for him to visit Woodstock since he, like me, esteems Dr. Hunt highly. I took Luke to meet Maury and I'll never forget the words out his mouth:

"Our church is looking for a pastor you know.."

And I knew. Right that instant. You PW's out there may can testify to the 'oughtness' that comes over you sometimes when opportunity is presented. I immediately knew in my Spirit we would end up serving that body even though several months passed before this was confirmed. I don't believe in coincidence and I know God used Luke's relationship with Maury to direct us exactly where He meant for us to be.

In reality, not only has orchestrating our current pastorate been on God's mind from eternity past, it has been brewing in Earth time for the past 20 years. I am freshly blown away by the premeditative mind of God each Sunday as Kim and I look onto the stage and see our husbands with songbooks and Bibles in their hands instead of a Budweiser (or Milwaukee's Best depending on how cash-strapped we were. Actually that was most of the time?) There was a day I would have expected the roof to split wide open if we all walked into a church. Now there would be collective wonder if all our seats were empty. Wow.

And that's what this time every year feels like all over again. It is a reminder of the oughtness of our call here. It's a remembering of the click of the key in the lock. It's hearing freshly the creak of the door when it opened. We belong in this place and this morning I am grateful all over again that God saw fit to send our friends to show us the way home.

With all that said, if you think of it, please pray for our guys and the 8000+ others who will be at the conference this weekend. {Are any of your hubbies going?} That they will not be as those in 2 Timothy 3 who are 'ever learning but never coming to the full knowledge of truth.' For our men and all those in attendance, may what goes into your heart come out through your hands. May lives be changed to the glory of God and the redemption of generations to come.

p.s. Maury, you just called. I was writing this beforehand so don't think I just fabbed it up because of how sweet you are to Kim and me..:))

My Thunder? It Has Been Stolen by a Ten-Year-Old

2009-01-27T20:09:00.004-06:00

If you've visited around this neck of the bloggy woods in the past day or so, then no doubt you've caught wind that a scant few of us decided to meet up at a concert down at a little church in Woodstock, GA.

By the way, that guy Travis? Boyfriend can sang. I take back everything I said here about the most powerful worship performance I've ever heard live. TC and Friends with the Woodstock Choir blew the gates off heaven. I was emotionally wrecked after it was all over not to mention my mascara was destroyed. I told Shelly {yay I got to hang with Shelly!} if a couple of hours of pure, unhindered adoration messed me up like that then Heaven was flat going to wear me out. Truly, Jesus is going to have to give me some kind of energized body and long-wearing cosmetics to keep me from feeling and looking like a limp rag for all eternity. {Okay, I know the theology breaks way down there but y'all know what I mean.}

There's a ton of stuff I'd like to tell you about the day but in the interest of brevity and non-redundancy, I just have to share one little funny with you.

The Siestas camped out in the foyer and ~~stampeded~~ proceeded calmly towards the front row when the doors opened at 5 p.m. Our killer front row seats were on the side of the auditorium next to the platform where Siesta Mama hung out and worshipped beside us for part of the night.

Now, to set up the story just a bit, in the midst of all the snot-slingin' praise going on, I didn't even notice she was up there. However, at some point I caught some movement and happened to glance up to see Beth standing there seemingly looking right at me. Then, she did this little scrunched up smiley wave that you would reserve for a bff.

"Wow" thought I. Beth gave me the bff wave. So, I did what any best girlfriend would - I gave her one back.

Thing is, I learned later it was for the stinkin' 10-year-old-doll-baby-daughter of my friend Brooke sitting right behind me. Thankfully, I'm not alone in my thinking because Deedra (who was sitting next to little girl) thought she was waving at her and she waved back, too. A bit enthusiastically from what I hear but I won't steal Deedra's thunder because it is just wrong to do that. Cute Little 10-Year-Old-Girl, it is just wrong.

Bottom line is that once again, I'm an idiot. I'm just glad this time my zeal didn't erupt into the diarrhea of the mouth that I had with this guy at Winter Xtreme.

And I hear a rumor that I'm the least of Pastor Johnny's worries. Word on the street (or FaceBook) is that he had a stalker caught on film at the concert. Now that girl is a fruit bat.

To my homies, Jenny, Deedra, and Brooke: I love you each so much and am so glad you we got to share this day together!

And to all my not-so-invisible friends, I adore each of you more every single time we get together. What a rowdy band we are and I'm so proud to be considered part of the gang. (Y'all do consider me part of the gang don't you?)

I leave you with a couple of pics I love:

Til Next Time !

Spectacular Sins Book Club - Chapter 1

2009-01-25T23:01:00.004-06:00

Hello my Spectacular Sistahs! (I could say Spectacular Sinning Sistahs, but, nah!) I am so excited to dive into Chapter One with you!

If I didn't know any better, I would say Lisa gave me the hard chapter on purpose. Oh my skull. I have prayed for wisdom because I sorely needed it.

I must say however, how much this book excites me, because of the topic of God's sovereignty. I spent twenty-five years with my behind in a church pew every Sunday, never once hearing the phrase "God is sovereign". Perhaps you are like me in that respect.

But I was just (tearfully) explaining to my husband, knowing that God is sovereign over all: the good, the bad, the joy, and the pain, is, for me, the source of the abundant life that Christ came to give. Knowing the One who loves me and sent his Son to die for me is in complete control of every. thing. has been my peace that passeth all understanding, even and especially when I am in the valley of the shadow of death. I knew the Lord before - but now I adore him, trust him, and find my joy in him. All because of an understanding of His sovereignty.

It is my prayer that every one of you will come to love the idea of and embrace the power of God's sovereignty as we work through this book! (This very book that the Father ordained before the creation of the earth for us to now study together!!)

Alrighty, let's go. Remember to post your answers in the comments, but please go ahead and post them on your blog as well.

1. We'll start with an easy one. What are the four reasons that John Piper gives for writing the book? Which do you look most forward to hearing Piper answer?

Here comes the hard part. I hope you read the footnote on page 24. If you are like me, you read it several times, then out loud, then needed to discuss it with someone. We're loving the Lord with all our minds! Answer these as best you can (it's okay if you are fuzzy - we're only in chapter one):

2. What is God's role in sin:

a. Does he allow you to sin?

b. Does he cause you to sin?

c. Does he allow temptation to come before you?

d. What resources does he give you to resist it? (quote scripture if possible.)

3. Are God's purposes sometimes accomplished through the sinful actions of man? Aside from the Crucifixion, can you think of another biblical example?

4. Piper states that his primary goal is to magnify Christ. What are some ways that a Christian might do that, even under intense suffering? What are some ways that we might do that, during our day-to-day frustrations and disappointments? Have you personally witnessed any examples of either?

5. On page 29 he writes, "We are pushing our way through a blood-spattered life that makes us feel connected to the world yet disconnected at the same time. We are here but not here. Love binds us to the tragic earth, and love binds us to the treasure in heaven." What thoughts does this provoke in you?

Can't wait to read your replies!

Blessings,

Missy

Do The Crazy Thing

2009-01-24T22:43:00.006-06:00

So, it's been an interesting week. It started out normal enough but by Sunday night, things got a little wonky.

You see, I got this email from darlin' Renee Swope. She just happens to be the fabulous ministry partner to Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 fame. In short, Renee explained that even though we really didn't know one another at all, God had compelled her to offer me two tickets to the Girls Night Out in Houston, TX. There was only one kicker: I live in Alabama.

Now I have to be honest with y'all. After the initial shocker of being contacted by Renee who I esteem highly, I pretty much resigned that God had made an enormous mistake and my word didn't He know that I live in Alabama and making such a long trip on such short notice was out of the question? Did He not know this was impossible?

No, He did not. You see, I've heard it told that God is all about making ways where there are no ways. He definitely lived up to His reputation.

I told Luke about the email and basically said, "Isn't it so encouraging to know I'm on this girl's mind? Isn't it so good of God to do that? Too bad He's forgotten I can't possibly go. I think He just wanted me to feel good by sending me this note through her. And besides that, WHY should I go? Why would I need to fly all the way to Houston to hear from God? Doesn't He know I can hear from Him right here in Alabama? " And truly, that was all we said about it.

Well that night was the Eleven Year Old Birthday Bash so I didn't have a spare brain cell to think about anything but keeping the Cokes and snacks replenished. I went to bed thinking, "I'll just email Renee in the morning to say thanks but no thanks."

Monday morning during my quiet time, I talked to God about this invitation. I told Him how sweet He was and how adorable Renee was to reach out to me. I told Him I was going to tell her no. And that's when He said one word: "Wait".

Wait? Wait for what? Wait for an airplane ticket to pop out of the sky? Wait for a hotel room to magically appear? Wait for a babysitter to take up all my slack so that Luke could exercise his ministry that was on overdrive this week? And there was still the unresolved Why Question. It just didn't make sense.

So I, being the good girl I am, waited. I took a pack of eleven year olds to a movie and while there I got a text from Luke. It basically released me with his blessing to see how God could work out the details. He believed God was in this invitation and encouraged me to consider it more deeply and not to brush it off based on the externals. How in the world do I deserve a husband like that? The answer?

I don't.

So I cried. Not because Mall Cop was all that moving but because once again I realized there is one person on this planet who will always believe in me way more than I believe in myself and will go a ridiculous distance to make sure I know it. How's that for loving your wife like Jesus loves the church? My man has that one hands down.

Anyway, I could get really detailed here but I'm trying to keep this novel rather than epic length. In short, within a twelve hour time period there was a plane ticket courtesy of my dad who has more frequent flyer miles than the beach has sand. There was a companion for the trip who was gracious enough to drive all the way from Austin to take care of me. There was a fabulous place to stay. And there was a mom and dad-in-law who were more than happy to come to the house to care for the kids while Luke cared for the flock.

So after all the questions of why, there remained one more: Why Not? Not one argument I had made was unanswered. There was absolutely no reason for me not to go. And after God showed off in the details, I had no doubt at this point that once I got to Houston, the why would be answered more fully.

And it was y'all. This post of Lysa's began the process of helping me understand. I can't really detail all God showed me here for you because my heart is still marinating in the conversations I had with some of the most amazing people. What I do know is my being there was absolutely no fluke. However, there is one overarching lesson I've learned through the whole experience that I'm not afraid to tell you.

I believe God wants us to be perched on ready to do The Crazy Thing. The thing that makes no sense. The thing for which there isn't enough money. The thing for which we are insufficient. I was much too quick to default into doubt instead of allowing God the opportunity to clear the highway and then praise Him when He walked with me along the way. I wonder what your Crazy Thing is? I'm not going to tell you not to be afraid because there's no such thing as courage where fear isn't present. What I will tell you is this:

Do it anyway.

Because excellent things happen when you do....Just look!

The whole bloggy group. Missy tells who everyone is here and I'm totally stealing her post so I won't have to rewrite it all. I have to give a special fist pump to Lysa who is just the most wonderfully encouraging woman with the true heart of a mentor. Thank you for building me up, sweet friend!

Me, Melanie, and Amanda. Linda and I had the added blessing of sitting near them during the event. Melanie's necklace is fab and even though Amanda may feel 9 months pregnant, VVPG looks three. Just beautiful!

Renee Swope. Girl, thank you so much for blessing me and being God's messenger this week. You make me wanna be brave.

Oh how I love me some Missy - wardrobe malfunctions and all. {Speaking of wardrobe - I really did have a cute outfit ready to wear but time and opportunity really didn't allow for any freshening up. What you are seeing is my straight from the airplane funkiness. I decided I really didn't care. } I kidded her that the red furnishings made us look like we were hanging at a brothel. Linda and I crashed in her house Thursday night and I think I scared the mess out of Magdelene. She woke up when we were getting ready to leave. I told her I was 'one of mommy's friends'. She looked at me with those beautiful eyes and started bawling. I finally convinced her I was one of the good guys and she was smiling at me by the time I convinced her to lay back down since it was weally, weally, weally early. And I only have one word for Shep: Superstar. That kid is Cool personified. Just like his mama.

***Squeal*** This is Lindsee, a.k.a. The Girl I Want My Daughter To Be When She Grows Up. When I figured out I was really doing this thing, I emailed her to see where she was in Houston hoping I might be close enough to her to see her for a second or two. Imagine how thrilled I was when she replied that she was going to be there! In the same church as me! So great seeing her!

And Linda, how do I not have a picture of us together???? Do you have one?? (She's in the group photo, girls.) Y'all, I saved special props for Linda. She drove all the way from Austin to get me back and forth from the airport. She is a dear friend and faithful prayer partner. I couldn't have made it to Texas without her!

I have no snappy endings. At this point you are probably just happy it's finally over.

The End.

If There Be Any Music Lovers Among You

2009-01-24T10:13:00.004-06:00

Wow. This has been one week where God has absolutely rocked my world from Houston to Atlanta. I'm working on telling you all about it but I have a more pressing question as I continue to work on study notes for my church's "Stronger" Retreat.

I love music - particularly as a way to reinforce the message of Scripture. My problem is I'm somewhat of a band snob and I don't venture out and buy cd's unless they are among about six of my favorite artists. Because of this, I know I'm missing some fabulous music. What I'm asking you is this: What are some of your favorite songs that reinforce the idea of being powerful, strong, standing our ground, etc. etc. You get the idea. I want to make an iPod playlist to both pump myself up and also to make available to the girls who are coming for the weekend.

Can't wait to see your faves!!

I Want to Go Baaaackkk..

2009-01-21T21:10:00.001-06:00

No, this post is not a tribute to LOST though it should be because HELLO, PEOPLE!! MY FAVORITE SHOW IN THE UNIVERSE IS COMING ON TONIGHT! Just don't get me started on ABC moving it to Wednesdays when I'll be in the church house. Since I am one of the only people in the civilized states who does not have DVR, I'll be streaming Thursday morning.

Now for the real point. {Oh, yes I do have one!} For those of you who are new around here, I'm the proud mom of three boys and a little stinker of a girl. Boy Two just had his eleventh birthday which we celebrated Monday since he was out of school for MLK.

Now once upon a time I was a little neurotic with the birthday festivities. Let's just say I've moved past the days of making table centerpieces from tissue paper, weighted blocks, dowel rods, and themed paper plates (though they were genius if I do say so myself) and have transitioned nicely into the non-party birthday. This year, Boy Two officially tired of pointy hats and noise makers and instead wanted a few friends to spend the night. The plan the following day was to go to the movies and walk around the mall.

Excellent stuff as far as I was concerned.

The sleepover was pretty uneventful until about 12:30 a.m. when Boy Two walked into my bedroom and said, "Dad, I need to ask Mom something." Now I was dead asleep but he persisted in talking to Luke who kept insisting I was asleep until I was no longer. I finally, very sweetly, said, "WHAT IN THE WORLD DO YOU WANT?"

Very, very sweetly.

Boy Two said:

"Mom, I was just wondering. When we are at the mall, will you walk at least two stores behind us?"

The kid woke me out of a dead sleep after midnight to ask me to be invisible.

I replied, sarcastically of course because that is our love language, "Gee, Boy Two. You sure you didn't want to bring a knife in here and stab me right in the heart while you are at it? That should slow me down."

He laughed and walked out not having any idea that in front of my weary eyes he had grown up just a little bit more.

Maybe I'm not transitioning so well after all.

Next birthday we are totally getting a themed birthday cake.

And some table decorations. Some really awesome, homemade table decorations.

Spectacular Sins Book Club Introductory Session

2009-01-18T23:00:00.012-06:00

TUESDAY UPDATE: WOW! You girls have no idea how much I am loving your responses. Your thoughts on 'Wimpy Doctrine' in Question 4 really have me brewing on how should be as alert to the absence of truth as we are to outright lies.

Obviously these questions require some thought and some comments are still trickling in. I'll leave the this post open until Thursday and then do some type of wrap up at that time. So far I see 18 of you but roll call said 40+. We're waiting, girls!! (And boys??)

Sound Good?

*************************************************
Welcome!

I am SO excited to finally begin our Spectacular Sins Book Club! I've shared with you on several occasions that the author, John Piper, is among my favorite theologians. Spectacular Sins has done for me in the area of God's Sovereignty the same that Desiring God did with the concept of Christian Hedonism. His writing is heady, but girls, if you're gonna go deeper you gotta think deeper.

So here's how this thing will work:

Each Monday there will be a post here from either myself or Missy covering the chapter for that week. When I say cover, I mean we will post questions to help internalize the material and give you the opportunity to share insights. A scholar I'm not but if you have a really deep question that I can't answer, then expect a visit from The Preacher. He's really smart. (And good looking. Can't forget that part.) Missy can probably answer her own questions because she's just awesome like that.

Please number your responses with the corresponding question and post your answers in the comments. At this point, Missy and I feel the best conversation will take place if all our remarks are in one place. If you are inspired to write your own post, by all means feel free to place your link in the comments but please know that for the sake of time and clarity that she and I will be responding on this post only. Also, please try to keep your answers concise so everyone will be able to read all the replies.

I think that covers the details for now so, without further delay, here are my thoughts and some questions for you from The Introduction of Spectacular Sins...

Introduction

1. Let's ease into this. I'm a huge quote girl so tell us, what is your favorite quote from the Introduction? What about it resonated with you? (Try to keep the quote to two sentences. I only say that because I find myself quoting entire paragraphs!)

2. Piper opens the book by describing the most spectacular sin ever committed - that of the murder of Jesus Christ. What does he say the commission of this sin actually accomplished? (p.12, paragraph 2) How do you interpret the phrase, "He made evil commit suicide in doing its worse evil"?

3. How is evil defined? (p.12, paragraph 3) How does the understanding that "the apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ" impact your thinking? How will you allow this truth to shape your thinking when you are tempted to ask 'why' in the midst of calamity?

4. I was stopped cold when I read, "The coddled Western world will sooner or later give way to great affliction. And when it does, whose vision of God will hold? And also, "Christians in the West are weakened by wimpy worldviews. And wimpy worldviews make wimpy Christians." (p. 13 paragraph 4). Continuing along that line of thought, what false teachings do you recognize as being popular but unable to prepare us for catastrophe? In what ways have you discovered you've been influenced by those those lies?

5. Piper states that the purpose of Spectacular Sins is not "to meet felt needs, but to awaken needs that will soon be felt, and then to save your faith and strengthen your courage when evil prevails." (p. 16) If you feel compelled, share a time when evil prevailed in your own life. Refer back to Question Two and give God praise if He has revealed how that evil served His glory. Also feel free to note any relevant Scripture God used for your healing. I know this will be a difficult exercise for many. Please know we will be so tender with your responses and will pray with you if you are in a place of suffering.

The Introduction concludes with one of my favorite thoughts: "There will be much to endure. Without a way of seeing the world that can deal with massive evil and unremitting pain under the supremacy of Christ, we will collapse in self-pity or rage."

Perhaps the chief complaint of the wayward believer or scoffing pagan is that God allows unjust calamity. My own conclusion is that, while we are designed to long for Heaven, we mistakenly expect to find it here. Think about that. We want eternal life. Freedom from sickness or sadness or pain. We desire an absence of evil. We want all that Jesus Christ offers to those who persevere through this present age. If we were given all these things on earth now, the Person on whom we place our hope would have no value. This earth stands in quickly deteriorating contrast for what is to come. Every heartbreak, every disillusionment, every catastrophe reminds me to lift my head, for my redemption draws nigh (Luke 21:28). God help us if this is all there is! Why hope for a Savior if the things for which we long can be provided by a president or friend or child? No, there is more and if Christ is not raised and if He has not prepared a better place, we are indeed to be pitied above all (wo)men.

And though we groan, let us not be found pitiful. Though we are pressed, let us not be crushed or destroyed because we were not prepared for suffering. These thoughts and many more are why I felt it important to introduce this book to you and for us to work through it together so that hopefully we will develop that 'spine of steel' we need to overcome.

So hang in here with us. I think you'll be glad you did.

Okay, it's your turn!

P.S. Feel free to use the button code above as a Quick Link in your Sidebar!

Desiring God Pastor's Conference Winners!

2009-01-18T08:44:00.007-06:00

I'm sorry I'm so belated in announcing the Commending Christ Pastor's Conference Ticket Winners. Here are the numbers:

RANDOM.ORG - Integer Generator: Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

21 12

Timestamp: 2009-01-18 13:56:33 UTC

Those are:

Cora and Lizzy

Congratulations to your hubbies, girls! I pray with all my heart this is a meaningful time for them both. Heck, I hope they can meet up at the conference! No sense in them not taking full advantage of their wives' invisible friendships, right? Please keep us posted on how it goes and again, I'm so happy for both of you!

Your info will be forwarded to Desiring God. Expect to hear from them soon.

By the way...If you didn't win it's not too late to register! Use the button in my sidebar for all the pertinent info.

Happy Lord's Day!

Some Stuff I Need to Tell You

2009-01-16T12:03:00.010-06:00

Wow. My last post was heavy, huh? Didn't mean for it to be. Sometimes I just have to purge the fire in my bones and when I read it later I wonder what I was thinking. I hope you heard my heart and that you know it bleeds for you. I'm really not an angry, snot-slingin', maniac though in print you may feel the need to wipe off the screen. I guess what I'm trying to do here is make up to you if I came across belligerent. I'm not sorry for what I wrote because I was compelled. I'm just sorry if it came across harsh because you couldn't see the concern that motivated it. (Nobody has communicated this by the way...it's my own tendency-to-second-guess-myself speaking here. And I'm not fishing for reassurance either. Just doin' some truth tellin'.) To make myself feel better, I'll just claim Luke's verse that he preached Sunday morning and say it is because I am jealous for God's people, his women specifically, that I get all bent out of shape. I just can't stand to see you (or myself) a compliant victim.

Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" just popped in my head. That couldn't have been from Jesus.

Anyway, I really intended to lighten the mood by making you a little video clip as a reminder for our Spectacular Sin Book Club beginning on Monday, but the truth is my hair isn't cute today and why would a girl video herself with a less than acceptable 'do?

Anyway, what I was going to tell you is REMEMBER OUR BOOK CLUB STARTS MONDAY! If you are participating, have your Introduction read. If you aren't playing along, please read anyway. I think you will still be able to gain from the conversation. Missy and I talked on the phone this past week (while she was on the way to Beth's Houston Bible Study - I'm so trying to get over my envy) and I can tell you we are equally thrilled and equally unsure the best way to present this material. I think we have a great game plan: We'll alternate leading weekly discussions and determine what we are going to do next by attempting to outdo the previous week. HA! I'm SO KIDDING! Just messing about the typical way we females do things - in comparison with one another instead of going to God on a thing. That's a total rabbit - let's not chase it.

In all seriousness, I love that crazy Missy and can't wait to team up with her to dig into some meaty doctrine. My prayer is that we'll serve it up hot and that you will throw aside any tendencies toward theological vegetarianism. I have no idea what the heck I just said but it came to mind so there ya go.

In other loose ends, I'm about to determine the winner of the John Piper Conference tickets a day late. I'll have the winners posted Saturday. Can't wait to see who gets to travel to Minnesota to hear all the fabulousness!

GAH! I just deleted my signature again!

We Rise

2009-01-14T08:29:00.012-06:00

There are so many times when I am studying for something I'm teaching that I refrain from sharing what God is showing me in Scripture because I don't want it to be a repeat for those who will hear it later. Well, I hate it for you today. One of the passages I'm digging on has me ON FIRE so consider this a spoiler alert if you want to wait for the expanded version at the 'Stronger' retreat.

How do you handle Disappointment? Disillusionment? Catastrophe? Flat-out Pain? What do you do when that roaring lion Satan pounces on you and has you lying flat of your back? I know what I've done. I've laid there believing if I just stayed still that maybe I could avoid the deadly blow that must surely be the only thing left after the beating I'd taken. So in effect, Satan's accomplished exactly what he intended by incapacitating me to the point of uselessness.

The good thing I've found about lying flat of my back is that, if I'll open my eyes, the heavens are there waiting to pour out wisdom and strength. A huge dose of both is found in 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:

"Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left."

Paul had just finished telling the Corinthians in 4:11 that he was "constantly delivered over to death for for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in the mortal flesh". Girls, I've been delivered over to some death but the question we have to ask ourselves is what are we going to do once it's been handed to us? What are we going to do when we are down for the count?

The answer?

We rise. We always rise.

I want you to read the passage I just quoted and notice the Paul's purposeful shift in perspective. He begins by telling the Corinthians all the horrors he has endured in what should have been his death but then goes on to explain what rising looks like. He died in affliction, in hardship, in great pain but he rose in purity, in the Holy Spirit and in genuine love. Why? So the ministry would not be discredited. So the death of Christ would be manifested in his willful decision to live even though no one would have blamed him if he stayed on the ground.

Rising is hard and rising in the Spirit is even harder. When a person in your life is the one who knocked you flat, our first reaction is to come up swinging. When calamity comes, our nature says we should shrink back in bitterness. When too much time has passed on our prayers, we wallow in impatience and doubt. And to what end? A blight on the reputation of Jesus Himself who promises rest for the weary, strength for the journey, and light for the way. Do not be the one whose fall causes offense, dear sister. There is more than you at stake.

Instead, look in your hands. In them are your 'weapons' of righteousness. A mean left hook of Prayer and the powerful right jab of Truth. Fight back! There's no more time for wimpy Christianity. No one ever accused me of being the queen of mercy and compassion but today, maybe you need someone to tell you to sternly to get off your backside and get back to this thing called LIVING. Don't you dare keep lying there in self-pity and defeat when your God has called you to bear His Name! {And I say that with all tenderness. Truly!}

If you're still breathing, then "Behold, Now is the Acceptable Time" (2 Cor. 6:2) to ask the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead to work that same energy in you, dear one.

And when He does (and I know He will because He promised - 2 Cor 4:14),

You Rise.

Save The Date!

2009-01-13T22:47:00.000-06:00

Something you may or may not be interested in....

Monday, Monday

2009-01-12T09:00:00.006-06:00

Ahhh, Monday. A new beginning to a new week that is so jam-packed I will only be able to face it by focusing on one day at a time. Today, I'm taking my happy self to McDonald's so I can get some real studying/writing done. I know that sounds like the most lame plan ever, but something about the gentle background noise of Fox News and the fountain of neverending Diet Dr. Pepper soothes me much more than the voices I hear from the laundry room screeching, "Wash Me! Fold Me! Put Me Away!" At a point in my life when I finally have the house totally to myself, I must leave it to think.

I'm sure there is a medical diagnosis just waiting to be made there but I choose to cry out to Jesus while sitting in the lap of Ronald McDonald. It works for me.

In the meantime, I'm basking in the greatness of this weekend. Luke and I went with our college/newlywed kids from church to Huntsville for a belated Christmas party/early birthday party for our teacher Clay and Number One Funnyman, Adam. We ate at Longhorn and I had the most fabulous mushroom stuffed filet. So much for the diet. I think I made everyone sick at the table with my bloody steak as I'm a huge fan of Medium Rare but it was, in short, delectable.

There's more I would like to share about our evening but it would include my once again divulging less-than-flattering details about my hubby's driving skillz. Let's just call him Aesop because in the end, a great "You can't just DO that!" moral lesson was learned by all. And yes, I'm being mysterious on purpose. My college peeps know the deal and we've all sworn to protect the Preacher's Honor. It's so wonderful to have a safe place!

Moving on, we had a fabulous church service yesterday. I'm not at all ashamed to tell you my man was on FI-YAH. He would be the first to tell you it was nothing he did but rather God moving on him powerfully to share a difficult but necessary word. It was a beautiful display of the Spirit and I won't soon get over it.

Okay..I'm losing my Mickey D. time so I'm off.

I'll tell Ronald you said Hi...

Would You Encourage My Favorite Sailor?

2009-01-09T22:23:00.004-06:00

SATURDAY UPDATE: Thank you all SO much for your outpouring of well wishes on Hayli. I'm overwhelmed at your precious responses and at how many of you have military backgrounds. Who Knew?! I got a text from her last night and she still hasn't been in the building where she has internet service so can I ask you to continue sending the love through the weekend? It's a lonely life for a sailor girl whose friends have all moved on from Boot Camp without her (She was anemic and held back awaiting medical clearance that never came). She LOVES mail call and so let this be our way to give her a whole stack of 'cards' for her special day. THANK YOU AGAIN! I feel like a mom who can't wait for her girl to open her Christmas presents! :)

I have a dear twenty-something friend Hayli who is newly enlisted in the Navy. To make a long story short, she is stuck in boot camp awaiting orders for her next assignment. I know God has delayed her for a reason because she has had opportunity upon opportunity to spread His name on her base. However, it bums me out that the poor thang is on duty today - HER BIRTHDAY!

She has a new blog called A Sailor's Nonsense. Can I ask my sisters in the Lord to go visit her today and give her a Happy Birthday blessing? It will thrill her beyond belief for y'all to say hi.

I knew I could count on you.

As you were. :)

Don't Try This At Home

2009-01-09T22:06:00.001-06:00

A couple of thoughts:

1. I've just got to have me one of those Wonder Woman leotards.

2. Don't be Ninjin' nobody that don't need Ninjin'.

3. Hat Tip to Maury for this piece of Redneck Excellence.

How Will You Answer Her?

2009-01-08T06:43:00.005-06:00

I only have a minute this morning but I wanted to share a verse I read in my quiet time...

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand." ~ Proverbs 8:1-2

I know each of us has different things by which the Holy Spirit shapes our walks. He's been hammering on me about finding my strength in Him as I daily, rather moment by moment, present myself a living sacrifice.

The thing about sacrifices is they are painful. Nothing was ever slaughtered that didn't get slashed and bloodied. (sorry for being so graphic this early in the a.m.) Do I eat it or not eat it? Buy it or not buy it? Go or not go? Serve or not serve? Have that conversation or not have it? In each one of these things, there's a decision to be made. There's a crossroads and waiting for us there is a woman called Wisdom.

She was the first of God's works and appointed before eternity and God graciously says, "Ask and I will give of her freely to YOU." To me. It bends the mind that the God of the Universe would set my feet on a path and when it is time to choose the right or the left, He will grace me with the same wisdom by which He formed the oceans and created mankind. I can KNOW what He wants from me. All I have to do is ask.

But in the asking is also the obligation to obey. Sometimes we don't ask because we don't want to know. May it never be! Though it kills us, my prayer for myself and for you today is that we will answer simply, 'Yes, Lord.' Even if I walk away from this thing limping, I choose You.

May every split in the road you face today be met with Wisdom! Be blessed, my dear family and friends!

Before It's No Longer Relevant...

2009-01-07T21:30:00.013-06:00

...I'd better tell y'all a bit about The Winter Xtreme Conference!

So I mentioned Luke and I were accompanying our youth directors to Gatlinburg to 'chaperon' the trip. Luke slept in a room with three teenage boys. I slept in a room with Tammy and Michealle (two other grown women) along with mine and Tammy's daughters, ages 6 and 9. We totally got the best end of that deal. It seems there is no happy medium in teenage boys and hygiene. They either have furry teeth and refuse to shower or reek of Axe body spray. Luke has been on an IV drip of Allegra since we've been home.

I can not even tell you how hard I prayed for these kids before we went up. I so much want to see the Spirit reign down and for them to start an outright revolution in our church and school. Our prayers were answered because SIX of them were born again at the conference. Let me be clear that I don't mean they had an emotional 'experience'. I believe with all my heart they fell under the unrelenting conviction of the Holy Spirit and that their lives will never be the same.

What's more, since we've been home another of our girls prayed for salvation Sunday night and then after the service another came to request baptism. My mascara has been a wreck for days. Here's to many more of looking like an emotionally overwrought raccoon! I'm so proud of each of them and the stand they've taken. Please join me in praying that God will protect their resolve and put an unquenchable thirst for relationship within them!

Now obviously that was the highlight of the trip but there were many more. In list format:

1. I finally got to meet darlin' Tammy Nolan!

We've been online friends for some time and I was so excited when I learned we would be in the same place at the same time. Her hubby, Tony, was the evangelist who led our kids to the Lord and I have to tell y'all, the man can bring the Word. I've been to many youth events and sadly enough, many of the speakers never even cracked a Bible. Tony preached the roof in on our heads and I SO appreciated that he was not afraid to proclaim the truth with great boldness.

He was also gracious enough to step out and encourage our kids after their decisions that night. The kids were a little shell-shocked and then later couldn't stop talking about how cool it was they got to meet him. Thanks again, Tony and Tammy, for being so humble and willing to reach out to us! (~~I have pics that I'll add as soon as dear Maury sends them to me. No hurry, really.:)~~ YAY, Maury! I have pics now!)

2. Third Day played the New Year's concert.

Do I have to say another word? My only disappointment was that they didn't play Born Again. I tried to yell out my request but Mac must not have heard me. That's the only explanation I can think of as to why he wouldn't perform the set list of a thirty-something dork in a youth conference.

3. New Song sang Arise My Love.

Y'all. By far the most powerfully, beautifully, exquisitely executed performance of a Jesus song I've ever heard. Next is Travis Cottrell's 'In Christ Alone' but since he wasn't there, I gotta spread the NewSong love. That performance should be the sound track to Jesus' return. {Oh I know the angels will sound better but short of that, NewSong wins.}

4. Rebecca Barlow's (of Barlow Girl's) Hair. (She's in the middle)

Another breath-stopping moment. That girl's hair was perfection. (They were all awesome but I'm partial to styles that might actually work on my head.) Karri (not pictured here)was sweet enough to ask her for styling tips on my behalf from the autograph line. I'm told a 1" barrel curling iron does the trick. I'm so buying one.

And shopping for a rock star vest that makes me appear to have a waist.

And taking guitar lessons.

I miss being cool.

Wait. I never was that cool. *sigh*

5. Speaking of not being cool..

I saw Johnny Hunt {Pres. of SBC, Pastor of First Baptist Woodstock} practically alone at his table and since I esteem him highly, I thought I'd go over to say 'hi'. (I was secretly hoping his wife was around so I could meet the First Lady of my denomination.) Being in the presence of such greatness, an unbelievable nervousness came over me and I babbled something like 'it's such an honor blah blah is your wife around blah so glad you're our president..blah blah.' All while secretly seething, "LisayouaresuchastupidheadjustshutupNOWjustgobacktoyourseatthisinstantandquittryingtotalktopeople whohavenoclueinthisworldwhoyouareyoustupidstupidhead." What a bafoon. Truly. I should have stayed in my paygrade and asked him what kind of gel he used.

Now that I've reminded myself of my humiliation, I think I'll go slink to my room and read some affirming scripture. Totally different post, but do we ever get over these juvenile feelings of acceptance/rejection? Let's think about that another day..:)

TTYL!

{Don't forget to sign up for the Spectacular Sin Book Club if you plan on playing along.}

New Article at CWO!

2009-01-06T22:15:00.001-06:00

I was so excited the other day to learn I'd won a Chronological Study Bible from my girlfriend Carrie's blog, A New Heart. I've been drooling over them for quite some time and just couldn't bring myself to make the purchase during the holidays.

In what ways are you being intentional about a closer walk with God in 2009? A CSB is just one of many tools to develop the intimate relationship with Him we all crave. I wrote a little article about that at CWO this month called, "Being a Well-Watered Woman." I hope you will check it out! Aside from that, CWO's editor Darlene has made lots of exciting format changes that I think you will love.

And yes, this is two posts in one day. Scroll down to sign up for the Spectacular Sin Book Club beginning soon!

'Spectacular Sins' Book Club Info and Roll Call

2009-01-06T22:14:00.006-06:00

The Holidays have come and gone and as promised, it's time to get started on our Spectacular Sins Book Club!

Before I give the particulars, I have to tell you I am so excited to co-host this little exploit with my dear friend Missy at It's Almost Naptime. I appreciate her insight, her love for God's Word, and her flat out funniness. I hope together we can facilitate a meaningful discussion on this all important topic of God's sovereignty over every last detail of our lives.

I don't want to jump ahead but I must share with you a paragraph from the Introduction to flavor of our considerations of this book. While speaking of the 'Success of Sin in the Providence of God' (p. 17) the author, John Piper, says:

"My aim is to show that sin and evil, no matter how spectacular, never nullify the decisive, Christ-exalting purposes of God. No, my aim is more than that. These spectacular sins do not just fail to nullify God's purpose to glorify Christ, they succeed, by God's unfathomable providence, in making his gracious purpose to come to pass. This truth is the steel God offers to put into the spine of his people as they face the worst calamities. There will be tenderness in due time. But if the back of our faith is broken because we think God is evil or absent, who will welcome Him when He comes with caresses?" {final emphasis mine}

Above all things, we must be thoroughly persuaded God is guarding his glory and our souls even when it feels like He's killing us - or allowing us to be killed. That truth is indeed the bedrock of how we process every evil that comes against us. If we are the display of God's glory, then we have the power to choose to whom we'll ascribe it. Will we allow it to be squelched by the darkness that so desperately wants to snuff it out or will we magnify it in the brilliance that is Christ?

Okay, I'm not going to get started but that's just a tiny taste of the awesomeness in this book! Moving on, here's how we are going to proceed:

1. The Book Club will begin on Monday, January 19th and will continue each Monday until we are done.

2. You can still order a copy of the book in my left sidebar. Have the Introduction read by the time we meet on January 19th. Don't skip it! It's as rich as the chapters!

3. Missy and I will be alternating as hosts of the discussion. This blog will be home base so there won't be any confusion about where to go and when. We will be doing some video, maybe some live chat. When we figure it out you'll be the first to know.

4. There are still other details to be worked out but I'll have those ready come time for the Intro. In the meantime if you have any questions, please ask them in the comments.

ONE LAST THING!

Let's do a Roll Call. If you are planning to participate, please leave a comment with your name and state. This will give us a basic idea of the size group and help us determine how to style the discussion (i.e. in comments only or asking you to write your own post, etc.) Most importantly, I want to know your sweet names so we can build some community!

Okay, so that's it for now. Yay! Let's do this!

It's Retreat Time Again! (Announcement for the Locals)

2009-01-04T15:49:00.014-06:00

For those of you in my area, (you know who you are, my Homies!), here is the official flyer for our annual women's retreat taking place March 13-14th in Pigeon Forge, TN.

The theme this year is 'Stronger: Preparing for the Fight of Your Life' and is based out of Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. After the personal, financial, social, and ultimately spiritual beatings we've taken in 2008, we need a time to gain fresh courage for the next round of battles. Spend a weekend in God's corner as He tends to your wounds and infuses you with strength to go back into the ring!

Several of you from neighboring churches have expressed interest in attending this year and I certainly hope you are still planning to join us. So I can be certain we've planned for adequate cabin space, please email me with the size of your group. When you do, I'll send additional conference details to help with your planning. There is also a registration form available at church for those of you in my home fellowship.

I'm beside myself in anticipation for what God will accomplish among us this year. I'm still not over how He bonded our group from the last trip! I love you all dearly and hope to see you there.

Blessings,

A Give Away for your Minister Man

2009-01-02T18:34:00.009-06:00

One of my favorite things to do around here is give you things. There have been some fabulous gifts I've been blessed to offer you in the past but I am literally clapping my hands and squealing to announce the coolest thing yet.

Because I'm married to a pastor, I know how important it is for ministry leaders to be on the receiving end of excellent teaching and encouragement. I am so thrilled to tell you that our friends at Desiring God have graciously offered TWO free registrations for their Commending Christ Pastors' Conference taking place February 2-4, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. {A $125 Value!}

YES, I'M SERIOUS!

So, let's think about this a moment. Before you enter there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself:

1. Will my minister husband be able to attend if he wins? Because we want to be sure the registrations make it into the hands of someone who can use them, I respectfully ask you not enter if you are unsure your hubby can make the event.

2. If your husband is not a minister, would you be willing to use this registration to bless your pastor and see to it that his transportation and hotel are provided so he has no excuse to turn you down? Speak to your church leadership about funding the trip or take up a love offering. There's no calculating the return on that investment!

3. Are you a reader with airline/hotel points who would be willing to make this a full-blown retreat package for the two men God means to rejuvenate? If He asks you to do such an amazingly generous thing, please contact me so I can add that to this giveaway.

Considering those things, here's how to enter:

1. Enter once by commenting on this post only.

2. Earn a second entry by posting about this giveaway on your blog and putting the button in your sidebar. Return here and leave a second comment with that link.

3. Deadline for entry is 10 p.m. CST Thursday, January 15th. I will use the random number generator to announce two winners on Friday, January 16th.

4. Be sure to leave an email address with your entries if you do not have a blog. Winners will be contacted directly by the staff at Desiring God with further instructions.

5. And by all means, if you are a minister man who happens to be reading, ENTER! There is no shame here! :)

John Piper. Mark Dever. Matt Chandler. Michael Oh. Y'all, this is some kind of line up. Do all you can to get the favorite minister in your life to this conference. He'll never get over it and you'll reap the benefit from his time of being refreshed in the Word.

Blessings!!

p.s. Oh, yeah. HAPPY 2009! I have lots to share about the Xtreme Conference soon and yes, I got to meet darlin' Tammy!

On the Road Again...

2008-12-30T12:06:00.006-06:00

Just when it seemed we had a few moments at home, it's time to pack up and head out! We are joining our youth leaders and 20+ teenagers for the Winter Xtreme Conference in Gatlinburg. Would you think I'm crazy if I tell you I'm so excited about going? Aside from all the great sessions, I am hoping to get to meet up with Tammy whose hubby Tony is one of the speakers. We've been blogging pals for quite some time and I keep missing her when they are traveling in our area. Not this time!! I'm stalking you girlfriend and I am going to hug your darlin' neck if it kills me!

Most importantly, I'm praying our kids get themselves an enormous dose of Jesus over the next few days and that they come back supernaturally empowered to walk that increasingly elusive narrow path. I am especially burdened for young girls in general and all they face in our culture. Please pray for the women who are going as chaperones on this trip that we will have a timely word for our girls as we seek to help them internalize the Word brought by the Bible teachers. (Oh yes, pray that for our men and boys, too!) I am sensing a bustin' loose in my prayer times for this event. So be it!

So I'm off to do more laundry than is humanly possible with one washer and dryer. However, I just got me a word that I should go at it like Zerubabbel. “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Contemporary Translation: "What are you, O mound of dirty clothes? Before me and my bottle of Tide, you shall be flattened! And I will close the empty baskets with shouts of 'Wahooo!'"

{Stupid, I know...I'm still allowed, aren't I?}

See you after the New Year!

Re-Capping and Re-Thinking

2008-12-29T16:50:00.002-06:00

Hello, Girls!

So I've been taking a blog break and I have to admit that putting my computer away for the past couple of weeks has been the best thing I could have done to clear my prayers and thoughts. Can we all just be honest and admit these things can fog our brains? I assumed I was only recapturing some time to be thoroughly focused on Christ and my family during the holidays, but the uncomfortable reality is that I've needed to re-boot and re-prioritize how blogging will fit into my life for 2009 - but I'm jumping ahead of myself. Let me back up and share a few of my favorite Christmas moments.

1. Bible Jeopardy.

My sister Christi and her hubby Rocky were the Pat and Vanna of one of our parties this year. They brought a game they had made set up just like Jeopardy (wait, isn't that Alex Trebec? And he has no pretty blond assistant?) Oh well. I still like calling them Pat and Vanna.

I would love to tell you that my team won the game but that would be a big fat lie. We were actually the biggest losers at -3700 points. I'm not even kidding. My team was myself, niece Kayla, and BIL Heath. Our motto was, "If you gonna go, go big." We chose the 600 point question every time and missed it every time. Heath had to work that night and was trying his best to hang with us until we got a question right. He finally had to leave or be totally late.

Perhaps the most humiliating part of the game was the fact that Luke and I missed all the Bible questions. To our credit, the OT references were obscure and not oft-quoted but that fact meant nothing to everyone who laughed at the pastor and his wife for completely blowing the Jesus category. Geesh. Pride doth go before a fall. And after it, too.

2. Dirty Santa.

We had another gathering with the same sis and bro's present. This one also included my sister Casey. Christi and Casey had shopped together and bought two purses they were going to fight for. In a piece of strategy worthy of the best Survivor episode, Christi ended up with both of them. It was pure genius. Just to show what a good girl she is, she gave the purse back to Casey. I got an awesome wicker laundry basket. So much fun.

3. The Christmas Story.

One of my absolute favorite times with the kids during Christmas is when we read the Christmas story. This varies between Christmas Eve or morning but this year, it was the morning of. Every year, we buy a 6-pack case of glass bottle Cokes that are replicas of old bottles. We drink our Cokes while Luke reads the story and then he prays over us all. Memories are made in the smallest details, yes?

4. Christmas Eve Movies.

We live about an hour away from family and don't get to be with them on Christmas Eve because we typically have Candlelight Communion that night. Instead, we take the kids to the movies on Christmas Eve day. This year we saw The Tale of Despereaux and enjoyed it thoroughly though my youngest boy who has read the book says the two are nothing alike. {Y'all know I love me some quotes. My favorite in this movie is, "Sometimes a broken heart grows back crooked." Don't know why that resonated, but the statement is sadly true.} Two other families joined us this year and we ate Chinese buffet together after the movie. It was pure, unstressed fun.

There are plenty, plenty more things I can tell you about. The kids' Christmas play was fantastic. My youngest son did the Cabbage Patch during the Jesus songs. I was so proud. The youth black light drama was powerful. My oldest son identified himself to us as "The top of the 'S'. Church in general during the season was magical. I've loved every moment.

So going back to the whole blog focus. Without going into too much detail on how the realization came about, it has become clear to me that I've concentrated more on stupidity than ministry. Instead of using my mental energy to create content that would be spiritually edifying, I've given you fluff and that is not really the intent of my presence here. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not going get all stuffy on you. I still intend on sharing the absurdities of my life if they are indeed that. However, I no longer will spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how to spin my daily life into entertainment. Sometimes I just do laundry and wash dishes and love on kids. On those days, I pray I find myself telling you more about how Jesus is revealing Himself in my studies instead of how I washed a crayon in the laundry or accidentally spilled a half-stew pot of chicken and dumplin's in the floor.

Does that sound heavy? I don't mean for it to! It just is what it is. 2009 is coming quickly and the word that God has given me to prepare for it is 'Stronger'. Proverbs 24:10 says "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" I'm done with wimpiness. I want to be stronger, better, more. {I have no idea how to punctuate that last sentence to read like I want it.} I want to live above circumstances, not whine because of them. I want to be powerful - not in my strength but God's. I can't do this life adequately on my own which is why in every area I have to clear room for Him and then dwell with Him there. That means if this blog is to continue, He'll have to be the largest part of it.

I hope y'all are feelin' me here. If you don't, please don't tell me. I might cry.

Okay. It's church time and I've got to get out of my pj's. I love you dearly family and friends - visible and invisible! I pray this will be a Stronger year for you, too.

Break or No Break.....

2008-12-26T15:12:00.004-06:00

....I just have to show you how awesome my kid is!

This is the youth blacklight drama that our kids have been working on diligently for the past couple of months under the fearless leadership of Cheryl and Shaunta. I had never seen this type of production so I had no idea what to expect. I knew my oldest son had been working hard on something, but I hadn't gone to any of the practices to know exactly what. To say I was blown away was an understatement. The live performance was powerful - to the point of making me burst into tears. I hope you find it just as shout-worthy! I can not say enough how incredibly proud I am of my boy and his friends!

(And if you are wondering, I'll be back soon...:)