Typical Pastor's Wife I Am Not

Growing up in church, I was always intimidated by the pastor and his family.  They always seemed to have it all together.  The pastor would get up there each week and preach while his wife usually played the piano (except when I went to a Church of Christ church for a while in high school), and the kids were well behaved until teenage years when they rebelled.  Being a stereotypical PK.  Why is that?  Was there too much religion at home?  They rebelled against their parents' but in the whole picture, they rebelled against God.

If you have read any of my older posts, you know that I did not marry a pastor.  We were 12 years into our marriage before we started the church that David currently pastors.  It was about 9 years into the marriage that he started saying, "I feel the Lord is calling me to the ministry."  Reading older posts, you also would know that I did NOT feel that way.  Fighting God and my husband saying, "You have lost your mind.  I am NOT called to be a pastor's wife!!!!"  Boy, was I wrong in my thinking.

The Lord has done a mighty work in my heart.  When we move out of the way and allow God to grow us, He is able to accomplish such wonderful blessings in your life.  There is a reason the Lord does not reveal to us His plan but I sure wish I knew back then what I know now.  I might not have been so reluctant.  But, I also know that I HAD to go through that struggle.  It was His way of teaching me to trust Him as Lord and Savior.  If I knew the outcome, even if it was good, I would not have grown in my spiritual walk. 

I am a sinner.  I sin EVERY day.  Am I proud of it?  Absolutely NOT.  David preached on Romans 1:27-32 this morning.  The title of the message was "What is your besetting sin?"  Beloved, you and I both struggle with sins mentioned in these scripture passages. 

Romans 1:29-31 says:

²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 

 

 

How many of these do I struggle with?  More than I would like to admit!  Powerful message.  Hits me hard and makes me want to cry.  That is what the Word of God is supposed to do to us.  Either we accept it as truth or we can rebel against it.

 

We have grace in that we do not have to stay in our sin.  If we are in Jesus Christ; if we believe that God sent His Son to die on the cross to forgive us of our sin then we can have eternal life.  We can have faith in that!

 

So, I cannot play the piano.  I do not have it all together.  I fall every day and sometimes on my knees in prayer!  I just pray the Lord finds me faithful!

 

God Bless You!





BINGO

It was 3 years ago next month that our family began our ministry at SilverCreek Retirement Community in Olive Branch, MS.  Since they were a new facility in the area and did not have a chapel service we (David really decided for us) decided it would be a good idea to begin a ministry there.  So, we started having a worship service for the residents at 2:00 pm every Sunday afternoon.  It has been such a blessing to us to get to know the residents at SilverCreek. 

 

About a year ago, I wanted to do more than just go to SilverCreek on Sundays so I started calling BINGO for the residents once a week.  OH MY!  How much fun that is!  It isn't Christian-like but I still LOVE spending time with the residents.  They don't win money usually. (Fridays they do have $0.25 on which they anti-up for the specialty games.)  They win something called "Bingo Bucks".  They are allowed to spend those "bucks" on items at the auction that they host about every 3 months.  Some are these ladies and gentlemen are funny, some are forgetful (results of Alzheimer's or dementia), some are bossy, and some are just plain sweet!

 

Since we have had this ministry for 3 years now, the residents who have lived at SilverCreek for a while have watched my children grow up.  They comment on how big Caleb is getting and cannot believe that Erin will be 18 in the fall (she looks 12/13).  We have lost many residents to illness and death and some have not adjusted to the move and have moved back out.  Those who have stayed to call SilverCreek home and those whom we have gotten to know have started calling us "family."  Do you know how that makes us feel?  It is really beyond words how to describe the feeling of belonging to this place.  We do not get paid but it is so much more worth than any money could pay.  The staff, the residents, the atmosphere!  I have truly been blessed to be part of such a great place!

 

Babies!

My daughter and I went to a baby shower this afternoon.  I haven't been to one in so long and it was great to see all the little baby boy clothes.  The mom has 3 daughters already and will be giving birth to her first boy.  We went around the room giving advice on raising boys.  What advice would you give a new mom?

 

Here are just a few that I can remember:

• Remind them to take a shower. And use the soap.  On their bodies! 
• Enjoy the days of cuddling (this goes with either boy or girl)
• Let them get dirty!

There were many moms who had such great advice.  The best part about this group of ladies is their willingness to encourage and support other moms in their journey.  This group all homeschool.  Every family is unique and is raising their children differently, but we all have one thing in common.  We love our children!  Have you told your children how much you love them?  Go give them a hug or kiss right now and tell them how much they mean to you!

I Understand. I Just Don't Care!

It's sad.  Really sad!  How many Christians know what they should believe and do what they want anyway?  How many know they shouldn't be looking at those pictures on the internet? Or spending the night with a man who isn't her husband?  Why can't we live together first to see if we are compatible?  Why can't I get that tattoo or that piercing?  Why can't I go to public school like my neighbor friends?

There are many reasons why WE, our family, do not do particular things.  Mostly because we are instructed in the Bible that these are prohibited.  However, there are SO many circumstances that are not clear.  What do we do in those cases?  Especially when it involves our children and how we raise them.  Sometimes, we have to look at the whole picture.  It isn't easy.  It isn't easy to explain to our children what and why we are choosing to do this (insert your own scenario).  We do our best to explain things to our children and the older they get, the more... defiant they can be.  Even those who are doing their best to raise Godly children have to be careful how they approach these situations.  Sometimes we have to do what we believe is right in the eyes of the Lord, even if their answer is, "I understand, I just don't care!" 

T.I.T.U.S. Ministry

What is T.I.T.U.S.?  What does it mean?  What is it's purpose?


TITUS stands for: Teaching Inerrant Truths Using Scripture


It is a homeschool ministry that was the idea of my husband but mostly implemented by me.  Our church is small.  We preach and teach the truth of the Holy Bible.  And all the families in our church homeschool, at least those with younger children.  We didn't plan it that way.  It just sort of happened.


You see, our church, Christ Covenant Church of Olive Branch is a family-integrated church.  And most families who homeschool like the idea of being together throughout worship.


T.I.T.U.S. has monthly meetings.  We currently meet on the 3rd Thurs of each month. For 2014, we will be discussing "The Women Behind Those Famous Christian Men".  Our first lady to discuss will be the wife of Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham.  Our location changes but the date/time do not.  Contact me if you would like to join us.

I'm Back!

I am sure you missed me.  But, life has changed and I am changing with the times.  I will update you on what has been going on in my life soon!  I am not sure how to operate this blog correctly so bear with me while I learn.


New name, new blog info.  Our church began a homeschool ministry mostly for moms but we would like to equip and encourage all homeschooling families.