Wednesday, June 22, 2011

BOOKS FOR MW'S

Here are two books for MW's that Rachael Lovingood recommends (she spoke at the VBMB Leadership "Gathering" recently): A VIEW FROM THE PEW - by Susie Hawkins and
TEN THINGS EVERY MINISTER'S WIFE SHOULD KNOW - by Jenna Floyd.

I'd love to know if any of you have read either of these books or can recommend other books to share with all the MW's out there!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

HAVE A HAPPY DAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING SOME BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM YOU ALL!!!

Monday, June 20, 2011

DO NOT WORRY-GOD WILL PROVIDE!

Since yesterday was Father's Day, I've been thinking a lot about my father. He passed away 21 years ago but I still miss him so much. He worked extremely hard, loved his family, and was generous toward others. Growing up, I always felt safe and secure and never worried about having all my needs provided.

As an adult, I confess there have been times when I've worried about having enough to provide for our needs. As MW's, I feel sure many of you have worried about this same thing. Ministers rely on the contributions of their churches for their salaries and benefits. Churches can also call a new pastor and decide to let their old staff go. Sometimes they decide to ask a pastor to leave even though they have done nothing wrong. I know a MW who is going through this right now. Please pray for her and her family. Sadly, churches are made up of flawed humans and even though you would expect them to treat Ministers better than a secular business would, this is not always the case.

We should not lose heart,though. Just as I could always depend on my earthly father to provide for my needs, even more so-we can depend on our Heavenly Father to provide for us. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13) and in Matthew 6:25-27 we are told "therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

When you start to worry-remember,your Heavenly Father has your back! He will provide.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

WHO ARE YOU, REALLY?

In the book, In Our Shoes, by Rachel Lovingood and Jennifer Landrith, they suggest trying to describe yourself without using the words daughter, wife, or mom. (take time to do this). Is this hard for you to do? Sometimes we can lose "our" identity because we're too busy being what someone else needs or wants us to be. In their book, they ask "Do you ever hide the real you behind your husband's job description or your children's accomplishments?" These are tough questions to ask and think about, aren't they!

Now, think about these words from their book: " We are all the Designer's originals, created differently to fulfill specific purposes. Remember that you as a ministry wife-and as a woman, for that matter-were created for a purpose that's yours alone.
Strive to be the woman God designed you to be, trusting that He knows exactly what He is doing."

Pray and ponder these thoughts today and see what God may show you.