The Preachers Wife

I’m finding more and more my Wednesday night lessons are very applicable to us all not just 3rd and 4th graders. Tonight’s lesson is about speaking kindly. You know, I have all to recently discovered that sometimes this is almost like climbing the highest mountain in the world. You have something standing in front of you, sticking it’s tongue out at you, and what do you say? Nothing. But I really want to say something. Usually I want to stick my tongue back out and top whom ever is sticking their tongue out at me.

And then there is that one that for whatever reason seems to put themselves up on this little pedestal and stare down upon you. With the holy-er-than-thou attitude they begin to explain (and for whatever reason it’s usually not hateful at all just full of cocky-ness) how wrong you are and how right they are.

Have I been guilty of saying things out of place? YES! ABSOLUTELY! Do I feel bad about it? Yes, very much so. I’m finding more and more as I grow up and lay aside those childish things that getting the last word in or speaking with a condescending tone does nothing for the kingdom. It’s very easy for us as human being to stand on our high horse, look down and begin to explain how just because you aren’t like me (I’m speaking for Christians not the lost world) that means I’m better than you. This does nothing but cut down God’s people. The lost world will do that enough. No, we don’t need to have a group hug, sing Kumbaya, and huddle around talking of God’s love 24-7 (there are times for all of those, well, except the group hug). We need to learn to be loving and understanding holding our tongue and attitude carefully in place. Realizing you, me, him, her, all of us are no better than the other. We came from the same dirt and we’ll all return to the same dirt.

Build up rather than tear down. Don’t point and finger nor let your tongue flap aimlessly. Be an appropriate example of Christ… after-all as He hung on the tree or received his beatings, mockings, and cruel punishment He never spoke unkindly. He bore it all out of love… as should we.

Tonight, I will be teaching about responsibility in my 3rd-4th grade class. I thought it was quite applicable to anyone not just the younger ones. The memory verse for tonight is: And whatsoever ye do, do it hertily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23

Can I say, I’m kinda guilty of not doing this one? Too often I go for pleasing those around me only because I can see them. I can see their faces when they are pleased or when they are not. Often times, I forget to put on my spiritual glasses and look at the Lord’s face. Is He pleased with my efforts? Is He pleased with what I’m involved in?

I’m the type of person who notices something needs to be done and just does it. That runs over into my spiritual life as well. However, sometimes I find myself just doing things and the Lord reminding me that He never asked me to do that. I take on some responsibilities sometimes that I was never called to do. What’s the problem? I’m taking away a chance for someone to do something pleasing for God. He may be calling them to that particular ministry and here I am, doing it “just because”.

Responsibility is a two edged sword. It’s wonderful when you are called to do it. But you should always proceed with caution. Mind you, each have their own gifts and talents that should be put to use. If you are not working for the Kingdom of God I encourage you to take on responsibility. If you are working for the Kingdom, be prayerful that what you are involved in is what the Lord would have you to be doing.

Lots of stuff happened this year! I can’t believe it’s over!!!

Top 10 of 2008

1) first full year as a married woman

2) put a new roof on our house

3) Hubby had surgery

4) some friends and loved ones went on to be with the Lord

5) saw several saved

6) went to South Carolina

7) travelled throughout KY for preaching appointments

held a youth revival and saw a young girl get saved

9) went whitewater rafting (so fun!)

10) had our first wedding anniversary

I hope 2009 brings many more exciting moments and blessings! Spend tonight praying out the old year and praying in the new just like me! What a better way to welcome a new year that the Lord has blessed us with?

Since Hubby has to work today (yes, another holiday), I’ll be heading to my parents house later this evening. Before I go, though I must finish my list of things that must get done before Christmas Day.

1. Bake cookies for my Aunt and Uncle
2. Bake a cheesecake for Hubby and my Christmas Day celebration
3. Put together sausage balls for Christmas morning to eat while we open presents.
4. Bake some bread. (I’m thinking I’ll need another oven. Anyone willing to part with theirs?)
5. Run to the grocery store to get the Christmas roast.  Yes, I’ve procrastinated.

I have plenty to do today. So, I’ll get on top of it. Merry Christmas!!

Today will be a very busy day. Because of my birthday do-nothing day, I’m overloaded with tasks to be done.

I’m going to the grocery, baking bread for the Wednesday night church workers, finishing the goodies for the kids, and sewing up some name tags. Not to mention my everyday chores. Whew, I’m busy. So, I’ll get busy.

Happy Wednesday!

I don’t know what is particularly wacky about it but I’ll just say that it is. Let me say, the pulled pork BBQ currently stewing away in my crock-pot smells deliciously wonderful. I wish this was a scratch and sniff screen so you too could smell it. You would thank me.

Because of the hurried-ness of this week, today I will be doing laundry, going to the grocery store, preparing, and teaching a lesson tonight. Plus, I’m plotting out what all to put in the volunteer baskets next week. I’m planning on putting in pumpkin and banana bread, but do ya’ll have any other suggestions? I could use some new bread  recipes in particular. Who doesn’t love a fresh bread out of the oven? Perhaps Atkins diet people. Do people still do Atkins? I haven’t heard about it in a while.

ADD moment.

I must get back. Lots to do and my mind is already in wandering mode, this won’t be good.

We all have them. I don’t know about you all but my list of things that “HAVE” to get done runs through my head in a constant rotation. I’m bouncing back and forth between dinner preparations, cleaning misc. items, grocery lists, where do I need to go today, time constraints, spending time with Hubby, and church work constantly. Often, more often than I care to admit, I have to refocus and say “okay, that can wait.” Now, may I say I don’t do well when all of the boxes don’t get checked from my to-do list. However, that realigning my life and goals to those that the Lord has set before me are far more important than my silly OCD moments.

Biblically speaking, my priorities should line up in this particular order:
1. My Father in Heaven

2. My Husband

3. Children (though I don’t have them yet, they will go here)

4. Family/Friends

5. Church Family

 I do struggle with keeping my life in line with the priorities that God has set before me. Yet, it’s for my own good. Somehow He knew that there would be a me out there who just wants to do it all and thinks (for whatever reason) she can pull a Superwoman and be whatever anyone needs me to be. Plus, because she has trouble saying NO, she needs boundaries and limitations. The priority list, it was for me.

So often we look around us and wonder why the Lord doesn’t do miracles anymore. In Biblical times, the lame were healed, blindness was reversed, the dumb could speak, the dead were raised, and miraculous things occurred to those who sought Him. We look around today and the news doesn’t publicize the mother of three who didn’t think she could feed her children throughout the winter but with the prayer and faith in Jesus’ promise to provide, she fed her children and herself abundantly. The news certainly doesn’t publicize the cancer that was healed by no-doubt the prayers of saints. However, just because we can’t flip on the evening news and see miracles doesn’t mean that they don’t happen.

It seems as though we are getting our news from the wrong station.

Let us plug into the Heavenly Evening News. He’ll tell you that guess what? Jesus is still at the right hand of the Father. And better? New souls were added to the Book of Life (and they were highlighted in red). Those prayer requests you’ve been hitting your knees about more and more these days? He’ll grant them. More so? Jesus himself will anchor the news and tell that soon, very soon, He’ll return. The best part? He’s taking you (if you are a blood-bought child of God). Miracles do happen. Did you just breathe a breath? Miracle. Is your heart beating? Miracle. Have you been saved? Miracle.

Miracles still happen.

Okay, so tonight I’m taking my kids down to the basement to enjoy our free Wednesday. Once a month each class gets a free Wednesday night for fun and games. So tonight, I’m going to overload the children with peanut butter fudge (they’ve been asking for it, it’s their favorite of all of the goodies I bake for them) and we’re going to play a game and watch a movie. Sounds like fun, hu?

Does anyone have any games that would be effective for 3rd and 4th graders? They’re so picky at this age it’s either “too hard” or “that’s for babies”. Any and all suggestions would be wonderful!

I would like to say that my stomach is still in turmoil over yesterday’s choice of meals. My husband had the day off and so we headed to town to get a few Christmas presents (10 presents down 6 to go). When we decided to have a nice lunch together. We haven’t had that opportunity in a long while so as it presented itself, we jumped on it. Let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious food. I ordered my staple (chicken quesadilla with a side of rice) and loved every minute of it. It wouldn’t have been so bad if we hadn’t come home for dinner and had chili on top of the quesadilla and rice. (Yes, Lord, I get it now… I’m older I can’t handle Mexican food and chili all in one night.) My poor husband was no different, either. I believe he ate at least 5 tums. We had a night of tossing and turning, heartburn, and crazy dreams. Speaking of, why does a mixture of foods tend to produce the wildest, craziest dreams ever?

Mine was no different. Apparently, in my dream, our entire church was going on a trip. The snag? I had to pack all of them up and no one would help. I had to remind the mommas to bring hair ties for their girls and the dads to bring extra towels– just in case. I worked the entire night trying my best to get everyone packed up. The kicker? They wanted to bring their pets. Yea, fun stuff. When the alarm went off, my lovely husband rolls over kisses me good morning and asks how my night was “I worked all night.” “Me too,” he answers. I can’t remember exactly what he dreamed but I’m pretty sure it had something to do with war.

Girls dream about getting every thing together, cleaning, and organizing the masses. Boys dream about fighting and war. Is this a trend in anyone else’s home? Are we the weird ones?

Hopefully I can fit a nap somewhere in my schedule, I’m in need to go pack more suitcases.