CHRISTMAS ALL OVER THE WORLD

The entire world is recognizing the birth of Christ! What an amazing thought! It was foretold so many years ago: " And many shall rejoice at His birth." Luke 1:14. Think about what we are celebrating this Christmas season. God has blessed us everyone!

"WHAT IF......"

Our church is involved in a debt retirement campaign right in the middle of the Christmas season! This involves a lot of prayer and soul-searching as to what God would have us give. It is one of the things on the pastors "vision list" that he wants to see God do in his ministry. (The pastor is also my husband.) As you know from previous posts he has pancreatic cancer. At this particular time he is dealing with some issues related to that.

When our church re-located out of necessity several years ago, we saw God provide miraculously through a small congregation of people who stepped out by faith and trusted God to provide. Pastor and I began to pray as to what God would have us give. I am like any other normal person and looked at the circumstances we were in financially. I was keenly aware that we had been unable to do much toward our retirement and that we were facing hefty medical bills. I had also let my nursing license lapse so that I could devote more time to ministry and family.

We did step out by faith and gave beyond what we pledged. Looking back, we have seen God provide for us in ways we could not have thought of. One of those ways was a medication became available for his cancer that turned his life around! He was able to function with more normalcy in his daily life. The drug itself was thousands of dollars per month which looked impossible to attain but God has provided it for 18 months through the company that makes it without hurting us financially.

I could tell you more but this post would be so long. Now we are praying about another financial gift. Things are difficult and uncertain again with the cancer and another drug. My point is that life is all about faith. We cannot see what lies beyond the next minute. We don't look at the circumstances, we look to The Lord for guidance. What would He have us to do not what can I do on my on? He alone knows the future.

God has shown Himself to be faithful time and again and now I need more faith for today. It was 10 years ago this month that my husband was given a short time to live! In that 10 years the bills have been paid on time and a life has been extended to bring glory to God!

What if we would all walk by faith, trusting in a mighty God? What wonders might He do among us? Who knows, maybe I will be posting another blog in a few years about how God has extended my husband's life. If not, I will still remember these ten bonus years He did give and how He provided our every need and more! "For we walk by faith, not by sight." II Cor. 5:7

HEART OF GRATTITUDE

There is nothing as wonderful as sitting in my sunroom on a Sunday afternoon, in the Fall of the year, enjoying the beauty of the season, except for........being in church on Sunday morning and drinking in Gods wonderful Word, delivered to us by the man of God, ( who, by the way, could hardly wait to go to church and deliver it to us.)

I sit in church beside a woman who has a hearing impairment. She reads lips and hears, if there isn't any background noise around her. Every service that she comes, she is filled with joy and gratitude to God for all He has done for her. I use my finger to guide across the hymns so that she knows where we are. I also point to the scripture we are reading so that she can follow along. Sometimes she will pat the hymn book or grab my arm and squeeze it when she gets the message of the song or verse. Today was one of those days that she was feeling extra blessed! It was oozing out of her as we talked before the service.

I noticed others who were sitting in church today that didn't have that joy in their countenance. They were there but something was lacking, perhaps gratitude to God for all His blessings this past week. It is easy to forget about the blessings when we choose to focus on the downside of our lives. I am sure each one of us could come in with gloomy faces and something to be sad about if we chose to do so.

What would a service be like if we all came into His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts? I sure would like to find out! I had an extra blessing today in that two of my granddaughters were baptized! I also had news of a great niece born yesterday, safe and healthy. God is so very good to us! What is in your heart today?

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

I have been thinking about the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. We have a tendency to focus on one aspect of a story in the Bible and miss some of the details that make all the difference. We do the same thing in our own lives. We look at one aspect of a situation and forget that God is in the details and that they matter very much to Him. Some interesting things to note in this story: when Hagar fled into the wilderness God appeared unto her, He told her to name her son Ishmael which means "God hears." She called the name of The Lord: "Thou God seest me."

We see later in the story that God came and spoke to her again in the wilderness when she thought all was hopeless. He provided for her and her son and showed her He had not forgotten her. All of us have had those wilderness times where we felt forgotten and unnecessary. It's wonderful to know that God sees us and is in all the details that make up our lives. What are you struggling with right now? Don't miss the point: God is in the details. That should give us a certain measure of peace. Take time right now and let go of the burdens weighing you down and allow God to take care of the details.

A CLASSROOM OF GRACE

"When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace." Thats what the songwriter said. Due to a lack of sleep and some other issues that have come up, I have been sitting in the classroom of grace! God continues to teach me that I must "rest" on His grace. (Interesting that I find myself saying "rest" when I am so completely exhausted.)

I have thought a lot about grace lately because I have become very aware of a greater need for it. Paul said, (and he should know) that Gods grace is sufficient for every need. The only way to become increasingly aware of it is to need it so desperately. Are you in that classroom of grace? Be encouraged to know that you are not alone!

"In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He HEARD me." PS. 120:1

A FIXED HEART

Shortly after my husband's cancer diagnosis I came across this verse: "My heart is fixed, oh God, my heart is fixed. I will sing and give praise." (PS. 57:7.) We have been asked many times how we deal with all that cancer dishes out. If we didn't have the assurance that God was in control, we couldn't bear it.

There have been many times when I sat by and watched him suffer unable to do anything except pray. I wanted to do something else, but what? These are the times when we realize just what our faith really means. If my heart were not "fixed" on the one that I have been trusting in all these years, I couldn't do it.

No one knows what will happen in the next minute. We literally walk on "fragile ground" so to speak, leaning on the Lord for grace to handle what comes. There is no need to live in dread of what tomorrow holds when our hearts are fixed on Him. "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." (PS 112:7.)

Can you offer anything else to your children other than this in the face of life's difficulties? All the money you can come up with nor the best doctors in the world can fill that void. When life gets very difficult, as it does for everyone, be sure that your heart is fixed on the Lord. Remember to sing and give praise to Him! This song is coming to mind now: "Stayed upon Jehovah."

GOD GIVES ME A SONG

Today is my sixtieth birthday! I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am. I have never had a birthday impact me this way before. It has been an emotional week for me. We heard of the home going of a pastor our son served under in Florida. He was "only" 56. I have also been impacted by news of great heartache in a church in our country that has impacted so many.

I began this day by writing down 60 things that I am grateful for. When I finished my gratitude list God immediately gave me the song "Great is Thy Faithfulness." That song alone was my birthday gift from the heart of my Lord! Listen to this list of things we are blessed with when we know the Lord:

Pardon for sin
A peace that endureth
His presence to cheer and guide us
Strength for today
Bright hope for tomorrow
More than ten thousand blessings
All my needs provided
Great faithfulness
New mercies every morning
His compassions never cease
He never changes

Can you sing with me "Great is Thy Faithfulness?" I am singing it loud and clear in my study right now and if you see me around town today you may hear that song coming from my heart. What a blessed person I am, to receive a birthday song from the Lord to me! Sixty may be my best birthday yet!

THE FRAGRANCE OF FORGIVENESS

I love this quote by Mark Twain: "Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it." If you are like me, you have many opportunities to practice forgiveness throughout an average day, be it in traffic, the checkout line or just around the home. Some things seem easier to forgive than others, but however trite it may seem, a small root of bitterness can bring great trouble to our lives.

Just last week I was pulling out of a parking lot and a man came around the corner facing me head on. The problem was he was looking down at something, a phone or some other distraction. I cried out to God for help and turned the car so as to avoid a crash. The man looked up at the last second and hit the brake about an inch from my car! I was so shaken that I just drove off and he looked shocked to say the least. I easily forgave that because I know how such things can happen if you look away from the dash for even a moment.

I have also faced larger things in life that are much harder to forgive. Especially when it involves a child or other loved one. I have had experiences that seemed impossible to put behind me. I am sure that you have as well. Unforgiveness comes at a high price. It can cost us our most valued assets such as: relationships, reputation and even our health.

There is much more to be said but not enough space to say it. Bottom line is that forgiveness is a choice like most other things in life. The Bible gives us this admonition: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. 4:32.)

THINKING ABOUT COMMITMENT

Tomorrow my husband and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary! I have been thinking back to that week of our lives when we were preparing for that day, July 28th 1972. I can hardly believe it has been that long! We met at Bible College our freshmen year and we have had an amazing journey!

We made a commitment to love, honor and cherish each other until death part us and that is still our plan. We consider the last ten years as bonus years because of a cancer diagnosis 10 yrs ago. Looking back, I see God's guiding hand in our lives. We started out living by faith, literally. We didn't have much of anything but God blessed our trust in Him and we have never gone without.

Our union was blessed with 3 wonderful children and 7 grandchildren all of whom are serving the Lord in their local churches. We have served in different areas of ministry in three different churches. This Sunday we are celebrating our 28th year in our present church. It is my husbands first and only pastorate. To God be the glory! Great things He hath done!

There seems to be such a deficit in the area of commitment now days. Whatever you choose to do with your life, there needs to be a sold out, no turning back attitude, be it marriage or ministry. Life is difficult for everyone but the payoff is worth it. There is something to be said for old-fashioned commitment. It is one of the best gifts you will ever give to your children and grandchildren.

BEYOND FEELINGS

Have you noticed in recent years that people live their lives according to how they "feel?" Sunday morning, before church, I got into a conversation with a woman about the length of my husband's sermons. She was very adamant in saying that he is preaching about ten minutes longer because "he is feeling better." I told her he never preaches according to how he feels or he may not be there at all! She refused to accept that even though I live with the man 24/7 and know for a fact nothing he does has anything to do with his feelings! (It was really a light-hearted conversation and we both were laughing about the fact that we didn't agree at all.)

It is easy to get into the pattern of considering one's feelings when going about our daily life. The world caters to people that live by their feelings. Advertising, entertainment, restaurants, all things that involve pampering ourselves, direct us toward the mindset that we should do whatever we "feel" like doing....or not! Does the word "impulsive" come to mind?

The Bible gives us many examples as to how to live our lives outside of the realm of feelings. Let me give you some to start your mind rolling: Daniel, just a teen when taken into captivity, yet he determined not to live by his feelings but according to his convictions. Esther, a young woman given a request that could cost her not only her life but the lives of countless others. Compare these young ones with our teens today! The difference is the thought of living by feelings wasn't an option. As for Daniel, we also see him as an old man in the lions den that still had not wavered!

I have to admit that I have also struggled with feelings. I used to count that as a strong point of mine but now I know for a fact that it is not. The enemy has been relentless of late, insisting that perhaps the path I chose to follow so many years ago has not counted for much. The ministry has never been easy but recent years have gotten harder as the world has become so much more prominent in the lives of professing Christians. There are times when I ask myself "What difference does it make?" The reason for this onslaught of thoughts has been an unusual amount of counseling recently. People want to do what feels good and not what is right. After awhile it wears you down.

What do we do when we feel overwhelmed by the urge to live by our "feelings?" We do exactly what Daniel did and that is to purpose in our hearts that we will not give in to ourselves! We go back to the Bible and we encourage ourselves in the Lord. We remember what He has done for us and where we have come from. We reflect on His goodness and review past victories and think about the joy that awaits us when we meet Him on that day and anxiously await to hear Him say "WELL DONE!" That was my goal so many years ago and it is my goal today.

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." (Isaiah 40:29).

EVERLASTING STRENGTH

There are times in the ministry when things become "heavy." You pastors wives know exactly what I am talking about. Many people, many needs. Most of the time they come to the pastor for "counsel" but their minds are made up already about how they will deal with their difficulty. It really makes you wonder if you have wasted your time. What people really want is a person that will agree with them rather than give them godly counsel.

There are also those well-meaning people that think they need to "help" the pastor because he isn't fixing things the way they think they could be fixed. That is also frustrating because they have no idea how many hours that pastor has spent counselling and trying to give encouragement to others. These people can also become part of the problem because they are going here and there trying to do their "fixing" and it changes nothing except to give the person with the problem someone else to tell their story to.

God is the only one that can mend the hearts and lives of people. A pastor that walks with God and loves his people is an added blessing but he can only do so much. The pastor has to go to the Lord for his strength and encouragement in dealing with the heavy hearts of his people. Early this morning God encouraged me with this text from Isaiah 26: 3-4: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Ahhhhhhhhhhh (That was my sigh of relief.)

LIFE ON THE EDGE

I can't believe that I have two grandchildren in their teens! My grandson recently got his driving permit and he and I have already taken a drive together with him behind the wheel! Where did the time go? A few short years ago he was in the "Peter Pan," "Davy Crockett," "Pirate" phases of a little boys life and now he is driving a car, playing sports and discussing life's challenges with me. Every opportunity I get, I encourage him through the difficult days of transitioning into adulthood. Anything that I can offer him to read to help avoid pitfalls, I will share with him.

I just re-read Dr. James Dobsons book: "Life On The Edge" with Grant in mind. I plan to give this book to him because it is a wonderfully written, practical guide for young people entering what Dobson calls "the critical decade" between 16 and 26 years of age. He addresses such things as vocation, colleges, lifelong love, money, power and other things that will impact them for the rest of their lives.

I highly recommend this to anyone going into this decade of their life or to parents and grandparents of these young adults. We must be pro-active in the lives of our young ones to prepare them for the future. I am so thankful to Dr. Dobson for this priceless contribution to future generations.

FRIENDSHIP

Everyone needs an Onesiphorus in their life. Onesiphorus was a man that was a true friend to the Apostle Paul. We read about him in II Timothy 1:16-18. Listen to what Paul said about him: "he oft refreshed me," "was not ashamed of my chain," "he sought me out diligently," he ministered many things unto me."

I have an Onesiphorus in my life. She has had a few pastor's wives in her life and continues to offer them her love and friendship when she is no longer in their church. One of them lives in another State but comes to visit often. On her recent visit, my husband commented to me that she really likes to come here to visit this friend. We concluded that it must be because it refreshes her to have this person for a friend.

I am thankful that this modern-day Onesiphorus has offered friendship to me, her current pastor's wife, as well as to the previous ones. She is kind and thoughtful and has the grace of God on her life. Everyone can use an Onesiphorus in their life. Not only do we need one, we need to be one for someone else.

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

Today is the 90th birthday of my dear mother-in-law! It is also the wedding day of my sweet niece Victoria. I have been sitting here praying for them this morning and thinking of their lives on this earth. One is starting a new phase of her life, the other is winding down hers. I remember the details of how God brought Victoria into our family. I was with my sister when we brought her home from the hospital. What a thrilling time that was for all of us! I also remember the details of first meeting my mother-in-law and how she blessed and impacted my life forever.

Its good to reflect back on days like this. It helps us to realize how very precious time is and how quickly it disappears. May God help us to realize the value of the people He has placed together in families on this earth. We should not waste time being at odds or in conflict with each other. Think about the people in your life. Do you treasure them and nurture your relationships with them? They are the only thing we can take with us to Heaven.

WHAT IS YOUR PLATFORM?

We just returned from my husband's three month CAT scan to monitor the growth (or lack there-of) of his pancreatic cancer. He is on a chemo that is going directly to the gene itself to alter the actual process of making the new cells. We really are fearfully and wonderfully made as the Bible states in Psalm 139! If you have had even the basics in Anatomy you cannot convince yourself that we just "happened" to come together the way that we did.

While driving home, he shared with me that several nurses and others who have assisted in his care over the last few years at this hospital facility, saw him and commented on how well he looked. The radiologist that has helped him so much for the last few years came in to speak to him and was amazed at his appearance! It was one year ago this very month that this doctor told him he could not do anything else to help him. My husband took the opportunity to share with these people how God has preserved his life for another year. He also thanked the doctor again for how he has helped him so many times by doing the procedures that helped keep his liver from being overtaken by cancer until this medicine was approved.

After we got home the phone rang and it was the same radiologist telling him that the cancer was still unchanged, no new growth, and that was great news! God has given my husband a platform from which to speak to others of the faithfulness of God in his life. The healthcare givers who have come to know him over the last six years are eager to see and hear from a modern day miracle of God.

Whatever the Lord is doing in and through your life at this very moment should be viewed as from His hand. He may be building a platform for you to use to direct others to Him. His ultimate plan for our lives is that they bring glory to Him. Don't waste any opportunities you have to do just that! "For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." I Cor. 4:9b

BEYOND DISAPPOINTMENT!

A quote by George Mueller:

"In leaning upon the living God alone, we are beyond disappointment and beyond being forsaken because of death or want of means, or want of love or because of the claims of other work."

"My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." (PS 62:5)

WHO IS LIKE THEE?

Once again the Lord has used music to minister to me. I had the song "Oh To Be Like Thee" come to mind several weeks ago so I googled it. Many choices came up but I chose an arrangement sung by the Clearwater Christian College Men's Ensemble on You Tube to listen to.

For weeks now I have been singing and listening to that song, allowing it to permeate my spirit as I worship the Lord early in the morning. My husband, hearing this from the adjoining room, commented about how that song is ministering to me. I can't even explain how much it is being used to do just that.

Why has the Holy Spirit directed me to this song at this particular time? He has been reminding me recently of my growing need of Him. The longer I live the more aware I am of how dependent I am on Him. I have been observing "life situations" from those that surround me, as well as my own, and have become increasingly aware of my need of the "ALL-SUFFICIENT-ONE."

I am so grateful for the presence of God in my life. I don't know how anyone can live without Him. Sometimes Christians forfeit that intimacy He longs to give us, crowding Him out with activity and self-sufficiency.

If you have a few minutes to get alone with the Lord, tune your heart to His and listen to this song. I know you'll be blessed.

"Who is like unto Thee, Oh Lord, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" EXODUS (15:11)

A GODLY HERITAGE

Not everyone has had the privilege of growing up in a godly home. I believe it is the single most important thing you can give to your children on this earth. Having said that, I also believe that God knows all about our parents and other ancestry and is able to use all of it for His honor and glory. Consider Ruth and Rahab as well as others that did not have a godly heritage but were a part of beginning one.

I heard someone say yesterday "You can't do anything about your ancestors but you can do something about your descendants." How encouraging is that? If you haven't come from a Christian heritage, it's very encouraging! If men and women would only get a grasp of what it means to rear their children and lead their families in the ways of the Lord! Sometimes pastor's can only watch as fathers and/or mothers decide to "check out" and go the way of the world. By that I mean they just let whatever will be take place regardless of the outcome on their homes.

If we don't intentionally cultivate a godly home, it simply won't exist. We have to be diligent in our daily life and tend to our families like a well-planned garden, weeding and planting accordingly. I love to see God start a work in a Christian's life, be it the mother or the father, and watch as they begin a godly heritage for their children and grandchildren.

If mothers and fathers would sit down with their children and ask them what kind of home they'd like to be a part of, I'm sure what they'd hear from their own children would redirect their thinking. What child does not want the peace and security that comes when a father leads his family spiritually and the mother supports him and encourages her children in the ways of the Lord?

The same way that one person can begin a godly heritage, it can also be stopped cold by one person that decides to go another path. If pastors could "fix" people's lives and homes he would. All that he can do is preach the word and pray that the Holy Spirit of God will do a work in people's hearts. Is yours a godly heritage? If not why not begin one now. If you have given up on yours, ask God to set you back on the right path before its too late.

A RENEWED FERVOR

I had a conversation with my pastor/husband last night about a comment someone made to me that caused me to question plans I had made for a series of women's meetings coming up in the future. He very wisely reminded me that anyone in leadership just forges ahead with the plans made not re-thinking everything because of a single comment someone made without thinking.

He then shared with me how difficult it is at times to study, prepare himself and plan events for our ministry, and have no "positive" feedback or excitement from those surrounding him. He has to wonder if he is the only one excited about the work we are called to here. I was really convicted when he said he keeps a note in his Bible to encourage him before he speaks. That note is from a spirit-filled sunday school teacher that shared their excitement about what God is doing in their class and their personal life. That small amount of encouragement has to be spread thin.

I often take it for granted that my pastor/husband needs to be encouraged. It's easy for me to forget because he does love his work and the life God has given him. Everyone gets weary when enthusiasm wanes around them. I can't imagine having the health challenges that he has and never complaining! I have observed in him an amazing strength that is not of this world.

Ask God to renew your fervor for the place where you serve. Be careful that you don't grow weary in well-doing whether you are a bus driver, teacher, nursery worker or hold any other position in the church.

HANDLE WITH CARE

One of the most difficult things a pastor's wife deals with is jokes or heartbreaking stories of fallen pastors or their children that have made sinful choices. The Christians reaction to sinful choices that destroy lives should be one of grief and sadness for those left in the wake of sin. I have heard other Christians repeat these stories in my presence, without regard that my husband is a pastor himself.

When people share such stories with others they are causing more damage and also setting themselves up to be the next victim. Scripture instructs us in Galations 6:1 to "restore" those that have wrecked their lives. My study bible states that the word restore is used when speaking of mending fish nets or of people mending their ways, bringing a person back to his former moral condition. The word is used in the secular Greek for setting broken bones, which has to be done "gently." The grievous and sensitive wounds caused by sin must be handled delicately. Unfortunately, in today's churches, we shoot the wounded and repeat the story to many others, leaving behind what looks like the aftermath of a tsunami for others to clean up.

If and when we hear of these things, we should immediately cry out to God on behalf of the wounded family. I'm talking sackcloth and ashes here, not "Lord bless these people." I refuse to stereotype pastor's children and believe that they are destined to be wayward. I did not let my children grow up with that mentality, in fact, I expected the opposite to be true. I prayed for them ( and still do) and tried to give them a normal life within the confines of a Christian home.

Why not love and encourage the pastor and his family? Create an environment that they feel they can be a part of without being watched for any wrong move. Rearing children is not easy for anyone. Let's not put impossible expectations on mere humans. Teach them to please God and all else will fall into place.

Don't be caught off guard. All Christians homes have a target on their back and the enemy is relentless. He will do what he can to hurt the name of Christ. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (JA. 5:16)