100 Days of Summer 55 - 73/100

08.13.19.  Some look forward to summer as a break from the norm adding vacations and extra outdoor dinners and quick weekend excursions. Some take a laid back approach to summer opting for more relaxed time to pursue the latest read or binge-watch a series on Netflix.

Our summer schedule has included all the above and, then some.

This year we launched a non-profit while continuing to press forward with the ministry. My weeks are full leading fitness classes and preparing for fitness classes. Together, Terry and I try to find opportunities to open our home and gather around our table. We live an abundant life full of God's blessing. We don't live large, but our hearts our large to live out the blessings and to make His name known. We pray for miracles. We see miracles. We encourage and receive encouragement. 

Encouragement. The bible speaks of just-right words being spoken at the just-right

time as a beautiful piece of museum worthy art, fine jewelry and a welcome change of weather. (Read Psalm 25:11-13.) This reflects how my spirit has received the 73 devotionals in the EMBRACED book, this summer. 

Each day, Lysa TerKeurst sets a table with nourishment welcoming me to slow down, sit and open my spirit to God's encouragement and, sometimes, rebuke. His rebuke is gentle, because it is savored with love. As I take it in, I'm both corrected and cherished knowing He won't abandon nor punish me with sullenness.

So, as a catch-up of exhortation, I offer standout Lysa-statements from my past very-busy-non-blogging days:

[God] can handle your honesty. 

Disappointment only stings as long as I let it. 

We must process our hurts through the filter of God's love, not through the tangled places of our hearts. 

Grace given when it feels least deserved is the only antidote for bitterness.

Healed people, heal people. 

In this set-apart place, God will give you much-needed special wisdom for the assignment ahead.

The voices of shame and rejection can come at you, but they don't have to reside in you. 

A depleted girl can quickly become a defeated girl when she lets emotions dictate her reactions.

Live from the abundant place, where you are loved and you won't find yourself begging others for scraps of love.

Are you doing this because you are loved or so that you'll be loved?

Proximity and activity don't always equal connectivity.

Do I walk into situations prepared with the fullness of God in me, free to look for ways to bless others?

If we give [a short-term setback] the power to refine [and not define] us, the hurt will give way to healing.

Isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken? He isn't ever caught off guard, taken by surprise or shocked by what happens next.

To dwell on hard things keeps us in hard spots and only serves to depend our feelings of emotional emptiness.

Wisdom will help us not repeat the mistakes we've made but rather grow stronger through them.

Our souls were formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of Jesus and truth.

Now, after that meal I can recline, pat my tummy and declare myself, "Full to the brim!" Until, tomorrow.

Follow The Twins

06.15.19.   Trust & Rest are complimentary words. In a way, they are twins. 

We see both in Psalm 23 frolicking in a meadow and making their way to the refreshing stream. Like lambs they are herded by the Good Shepherd to this scenic place. And, because they are twins connected by some unseen tether, they stay close separating just far enough each can sense the other twin's nearness. 

An onlooker could hardly distinguish the two until they moved together. Their DNA is so similar, but their personalities reveal the difference. 

Trust has that frisky nature. Meandering quietly along until he looks up alerted to something only he sees, kicks his heels, and darts forward, occasionally, headbutting another lamb. He makes it to the shore's edge, first, and calls out the invitation. 

Tenderly grazing along is Rest, the gentle-eyed sibling, who is in no hurry. Eventually he joins his brother and sees the best spot to kneel for a cool sip. Because the other sheep having been traveling in this herd for most of their lives, they've seen the twins in action and follow. Then, together, they find a nesting area in the grass to lay their travel-sore bodies and slumber deep through the night until morning's light wakes them. Strength being restored, they rise and follow The Good Shepherd out, again.

The relationship of the twins to the Good Shepherd is easily missed if not understood. In His wisdom, He has prodded and protected the herd for the entire journey in the direction that was known to Him. At times the landscape was treacherous, but from His vantage point, the path always visible. He knew each sheep from birth and watched them grow into the pet-names He lovingly bestowed. At times the herd would need a course correction, because they had wandered apart as they were busy doing what sheep do, but He found each one.

The Good Shepherd had watched little Trust and Rest move in partnership and encouraged them to continue. Each time, the flock followed the twin's behavior, He observed those sheep would be ready for the next part of the journey.

Dear Reader - Are you soul-weary? Your heart too heavy for another step? Perhaps your body aches from the daily journey weighted with a burden?

It's time. Time to follow The Good Shepherd who knows the path to the lush meadow where your needs will be met. It's time to Trust as He leads you to the safe and perfect place where nourishment awaits as a feast. It's time to Rest completely knowing He watches over you as your body, mind and soul are restored.

We can push ourselves to the physical and emotional limit, yet, feel like we have not done enough. Then, in our own weakened condition, we keep pushing until our body and mind give out.

I see this in ministry leaders and family leaders and business leaders. They work and pull and push and burn the blue light of technology late into the night trying to get an edge or get ahead not aware of the toll it's having on them and those around them. Y'all, even God the Creator rested! 

We go, go, go not eating right and not resting properly until utter exhaustion when the body begins to break down leaving the immune system compromised for a cold or some germ to take hold and the mind can no longer focus with clarity rendering decision-making and creativity lifeless. Our "machine" is forced to stop. Are you familiar with this cycle?

Probably the most debilitating is the weariness in your soul where nothing satisfies. The desire for anything feels dead. Passion has no flame. Isolation would feel so good if it didn't hurt so bad. Depression picks up a heavy blanket with its bony fingers, wraps it around your shoulders and clicks off the light leaving you to spiritually decompose.

Come to me, all you who are weary and 

burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

It's time. Time to evaluate your need to Trust and Rest in the Lord's best for you.

After this morning's quiet 5 minutes of praise and prayer, Lysa TerKeurst's words in the EMBRACED Day 15 Devo sparked my soul. Let me encourage you to order or download a copy either at Amazon (click this link) or at Lysa's ministry to women, Proverbs 31 (click this link). AND... for heaven's sake -- go eat and take a nap!

Meditate

Meditate.

If this word has you wigged-out because of associating it with a weird, mambo jambo of emptying the mind while listening to a zithy sitar and tabla drums, rethink the word. 

How about we look at it as thinking?

One of the first Bible verses I memorized as a child was during a summer VBS (Vacation Bible School) at my home church in Louisiana:

"...his [or her] delight is in the law [precepts, command, directives] of the Lord; and in that law doeth he [or she] meditate day and night" Psalm 1:2 (KJV). (emphasis mine)

Of course, it was in the King James Version! It would not be until several years, later, when I would be introduced to the American Standard Version (ASV) and the New Living Translation (NLT) and actually understand what I was reading.

In the above scripture, the psalmist understood the value of meditation. There are many references in the Bible to meditating. In each passage, the person was engaged in study or intentional thought instead of the ever-increasing mainstream practice of a transcendent disengagement whereby the practitioner hopes to move into a place of nirvana.

The following represents my opinion and experience of two types of meditation:

ACTIVE MEDITATION is "devoted thinking" in which the person is consciously engaged in reflective thought offering words of praise and thanksgiving. Active meditation might include a prayer list or deep study.

I recall a few years back of actively meditating in a word study in an Old Testament passage to better understand current news. The study within cultural context brought clarity and perspective.

Not to be confused as the opposite of Active Meditation, INTENTIONAL STILLNESS is simply a different conscious engagement. For me, this time is best described as being still and quietly adoring the Lord. In devoted awareness, I listen for His voice. I have my journal handy to jot down thoughts, words and doodlings with arrows and dialog bubbles and diagrams back to correlating thoughts. Sometimes, this meditation is more difficult to concentrate when I have a To Do list that keeps interrupting. When this happens, I actively order my thoughts back to the present by reading a Psalm or listening to worship music until my restless --and caffeinated-- brain focuses.

In both types of meditation, I am consciously engaged. My mind is full, but with different purpose. Peace isn't something hoped to move into, it is a result of spending personal time or meditation with the Lord. Just like a lingering fragrance, His peace prevails even in times of chaos and stills my mind even when I cannot immediately withdraw to aloneness with Him.

Limit your distractions. You know the best time to pull or push back to create a sacred boundary for precious time. Would you be willing to get up earlier in the morning to meditate? Turn off technology. Sure, you could let your thumbs swiftly type out prayers on your cellphone, but would the pop-up notifications break into the holiness of the moment?

Shame and guilt should be banished from this sacred space. The fact you want to spend time with God should not compete with feelings of inadequacy. Young moms and caregivers to ailing parents are in a season when meditation comes in snatches of time between naps and feedings and schedule demands. 

I remember the early years of being a new mommy, when folding warm, fuzzy towels fresh from the dryer was an active time for my mind to breathe prayers or reflect on His goodness. Spiritual and emotional strength would infuse my weariness in the minutes it took to empty the basket, fold and stack the laundry. God knows the heart. Posture of the soul matters so much more than the posture of the body. He honors those who seek Him in humility and in confidence.

"God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it" (Psalm 145:18, The Message).

Imagine the creativity and productivity flooding from a relaxed body. Imagine resolve emboldened by confidence from our Creator. Imagine meditation so sweet the effect is noticed by others throughout the day. Imagine this being you.

Right now, while this is fresh, set a time to meditate. I would love to hear back from you.

--"Sam"

Soul Feed

Weigh her soul.


Under nourished. 


What does she want?


She wants the burden lifted. She wants flight. 


Binging on empty calories from hours of social media and bubblegum books have left her sluggish. Not all, but some songs are sprinkled with sour lyrics and saucy themes. With too much salt, those seemingly tasty television series do little, but increase her thirst for that something she cannot quite figure out. Movies! Now, that's the dish to order! She's hungry and takes two...no, three slices with extra cheese!

Her insides want to escape the current mood which has attached itself from too much bad news and sad tales and of worldwide need. But, what does she need?

She needs to feast on the good and the whole and the sustaining. But, this soul is too weak, too numb, too groggy from the recent greasy, carb-load and, finally, succumbs to sleep.

Deep thirst awakens her soul. With focus, she is intentional to quench it with the writings of

others' books and blogs who, too, unwittingly starved their souls and are back to wholesome choices. Her soul drains the entire glass until the need for breath forces her to gasp and take search for sustenance. Ahhh.

"Taste and see." Mmmm, there it is! Soul food! She is satisfied with simple fare perfectly seasoned. Resolve is strengthened with this whole grain goodness of the Word. Desire for study with community is iron-fortified. Her soul is joyfully satiated! This soul feed is lasting, yet, resets the appetite for truth and prudence and living water.

The Dessert Menu: (suggested books & media & resources)
"A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash." -Proverbs 15:14 NLT
"An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies." -Proverbs 15:14 MSG
"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." -John 4:14 NLT

If this post resonates with your soul, please comment, below. I sure would like to hear from you.

Fitness and Your Witness

(First appeared as a guest contribution post on Sanctuary Ministry Wives - August 1, 2016 blog)

I’m in the ministry. I’ve got faith. Why do I need fitness?

Simply put, to honor God and bring Him glory in all areas of our lives.

The body, mind and soul all work together. One overlaps the other. Each affects the other. It makes sense that if Christ came to give us an abundantly satisfying life in body, mind and soul, the devil has a counter mission to steal, kill and destroy that body, mind and soul (John 10:10). But, God offers His strength to empower our choices, including our fitness and nutrition journey.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In 2012, my husband and I had transitioned from a state leadership position held for almost twelve years in our denomination to ministry more of missions-fundraising. Travel intensified from within one state to around the USA and the globe. Days and nights sitting in a car or plane or at meetings around the dinner table of high calorie and fatty meals were grabbed with convenience in mind. In no time, an on-the-go-sedentary life and poor nutritional choices piled on the weight. Additionally, we were genetically predisposed to health issues.

That December, my husband suffered a heart attack.

I sat up all night in a dark corner of his hospital room praying and observing the attentive cardiac team and listening to my honey’s breathing and all the various beeps from equipment monitoring his life on earth…his life with me. Being a Believer in God’s power for healing, I didn’t want to hear comforting words of well-meaning friends. I just wanted to sense the nearness of my Savior, Jesus Christ. And, I did.

A couple of weeks prior, God had been dealing with me about diet and exercise. Now, there was purpose. With our motivations being defined, we drove away from the hospital making a pact to pursue good health. We moved forward and have not stopped.

Allow me to offer 8 hard-learned suggestions to help you discover a healthier YOU.

(1) KNOW YOUR WHY. Knowing why you pursue something is much like knowing your calling to ministry. For it is in those difficult times, when it would be easier to throw up your hands in defeat, instead to wrangle resolve knowing what holds you to the commitment.

For us, the motivation to be physically fit was to live without fear and to live fully for God, family, ministry and ourselves.

(2) IT’S A LIFESTYLE. Shifting from years, even decades, with little to no thought toward the consequences of poor nutrition and no exercise has on your body, requires a complete change in mental process. You CAN do this! How bad do you want it?

I could make gravy and mac-n-cheese from scratch! I had to learn how to make low-to-no fat meals. We opted for food and beverages naturally sweetened. Discovering which fast food restaurants have something to offer was frustrating, at times. It’s not about restriction. It’s about the freedom of living and feeling better! And, when people start seeing the changes, you’ll know fitness has been your witness to draw others to Christ!

(3) FIND A FITNESS REGIME THAT MAKES YOU SMILE. The first TWO WEEKS of your new exercise regime will be the hardest. After the initial fatigue and muscle soreness, you may want to give up. Stick to it! Consistency is the key. If after a month (at least 3 times each week), you still do not like this particular brand of fitness, try something new for another month.

“If I’m moving, I’m winning!” This became and is still very much my fitness motto.

(4) FOOD PREPARATION. The two toughest challenges in a nutritional change are *not giving up and *preparing meals, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.

When I don’t prepare a menu or if I skip weekend food prep for the meals ahead, my hubby and I will end up making poor nutritional choices.

(5) HYDRATE. You simply must drink more water, especially during your fitness session. Tell-tale signs you may be dehydrated: Dry mouth and lips. Gently pinching skin beneath your bottom eyelashes, and it stays pinched. Feeling thirsty.

There are conflicting reports of just how much H2O a person should consume daily. MY TIPS: However much water you’re drinking, drink 8 ozs more. AND, let the first thing you consume in the morning and the last thing you consume each evening be a glass of water. AND, try flavoring your water with sugar-free mix-ins or fruit or essential oils.

(6) WELLNESS EXAM. If you can financially swing it -OR- if your health insurance covers a yearly exam, do it! You’ll have a good base of numbers to launch forward. Find out cholesterol, weight (ugh), blood pressure, thyroid (TSH) levels, etc, and then, you’ll know what type of nutrition to pursue. Don’t be overwhelmed if your physician suggests meds to control these areas. Typically, they opt for fitness and nutrition as their first prescription.

(7) ACCOUNTABILITY. Fitness can be fun. Fitness with friends is the best! Why? Laughter, support, and celebration! Fitness friendships spur one another on with encouragement and a healthy dose of competition… or, if you konk-out, someone is there to call 9-1-1! C’mon, I’m just kidding!

(8) CHEAT MEAL. Sure, those cravings for chips and fudge brownies will still be there, but it’s important not to destroy your hard work for a steady diet of them. Go ahead! Enjoy a cheat meal to get it out of your system! Then, get back on track. More than likely, you will notice the sluggish feeling these cheat foods induce.

I am happy to report my preacher-man is doing great! He gets me moving when I have a case of the Idontwannas! We brought down cholesterol levels significantly. Together, we run 5K and 10K races and half-marathons. Finding new places to hike while traveling for ministry is fun!

I never thought fitness would be a platform to share the Gospel, but it has become an integral part of weekly ministry for me! I became a REFIT® Revolution Instructor and absolutely love helping others to pursue a lifestyle of fitness and nutrition! FITNESS IS MY WITNESS!

It bears repeating, ministry, faith and fitness go together. YOU can do this!

Dessert Menu: (suggested books and media)

SanctuaryMinistryWives.com founded by Bridgette Tomlin

REFIT® Revolution founded by Angela Beeler

The Body Tithe Devotional written by Matthew Pryor

The Voice of God

Psalm 29. The voice of God. Powerfully exact with one word. Merely the sound of it strikes with lightening! 

I am frightened and more than humbled to realize there is surely an incredible degree to which His voice is tempered when speaking to tiny me.

God speaks. I am rebuked, but not annihilated.

Insignificance and favor and holy fear braid themselves around my soul leaving me without voice.

God speaks. I am extracted, yet remain whole.

With hidden pride, selfish motive and miserly method instantly clarified, I am rendered undone.

God speaks. I am pure.

Blessed with peace and strength, I am, now, full with His voice.

Can you relate?

Pride Abuse

Have you known of people in substance abuse? Individuals who are addicted to a chemical altering their mind, mood and behavior. After some time, the signs of abuse begin to appear outwardly on the body. Their body and brain are so accustomed to the intoxicating properties they cannot function without the next fix. Without intervention, this person will die.


Just as addictive is pride abuse. These abusers seek glory for themselves and live off the high until the next opportunity they can feed their gluttonous need for pride. Sadly, pride abusers fail to see the effects on their lives and on those around them.

How to detect Pride Abuse:

• A pride abuser is territorial. He/She dislikes sharing anything from the spotlight to authorship of an idea to the same room with someone who has similar talents and comparable strengths.

• A pride abuser is quick to interject self-praise into conversations, especially when he/she feels under-appreciated or under-praised or someone else is currently receiving the attention.

• A pride abuser is known by his/her mistreatment of others usually from a pedestal of power as in a leadership position. Rarely are the words like please and thank you uttered, much less any verbal attaboys. From some inner reasoning, this is viewed as a sign of weakness.

• A pride abuser will never ask for help...unless under duress.

• A pride abuser does not have healthy relationships. Most relationships are surface and do not extend past how they can serve the abuser. 

• A pride abuser feels entitled and deserving. All to often, this is expressed in excessive and extravagant indulgences. Typically, these self-indulgent treats are paired with ostentatious displays.

• A pride abuser will cleverly circumvent protocol or authority to push their idea ahead in attempt to get ownership or praise. Abusers are smart cookies! 

• A pride abuser's motivations are seeded in jealousy and a fear of losing status.

"Pride can disqualify us from long-term, effective ministry [service or employment]

quicker and more permanently than just about anything."

~Jodi Detrick, author~

How do we combat Pride Abuse in our own lives?

1. Recognize it and deal with it. Trying to deny it exists or passing it off as talent, confidence or taking initiative will cause the abuse to require more "fixes" to maintain the high.
2. Serve others quietly. Ask how you can assist with another's task list. Eventually someone will ask you, too!
3. Keep your mouth shut unless it's to give the praise to others. Boasting can deflate a good deed or helping hand.

Pride, as we all know, can have a useful place of balance in our lives. It is when pride tips the scale in its favor that use becomes abuse.

It's not all inclusive, but if this post registers with you, feel free to comment or pass the link along.

Smiling at 50: Empty-nesters

Christmas Trail Run - Arkansas - 2013

There are bushels of blogs, devotions and books dedicated to the seasons that women experience in their adult lives. College grad running toward the career of her dreams. Newly married. Mom. Empty-nester. The autumn and subsequent twilight winter years. 

I find myself in the empty-nester season when our only son recently married and our new puppy, Zuzu, has become our fuzzy, new child. Yes, we talk in high-pitched tones and pamper her with treats and sweaters and permit extended time stretched out at the foot of the bed, where she keeps my feet warm.

Facetime from India

It is that time in life when my hubby and I rediscover who we were pre-parenthood. What did we ever talk about before our "favorite son" (and only son) was born? Are we different? Have we met any of those newly-married goals we talked about deep into the night? I hope we are the favorite grandparents! What will that first grandchild call me? Where do we see ourselves in the not-so-distant future when it's finally time to retire? Am I going to be one of those pink-haired little old ladies with too much "rouge" coloring the apples of her wrinkled cheeks and stockings sagging around her ankles?

Seasons. Struggles. Transitions. Blessings.

I am a blessed woman. I love and am loved by my high school sweetheart. He is a hard

Mile 1 - post heart attack, 2013

worker and loves the God he preaches about at every opportunity. I get to accompany him on speaking engagements. And, sometimes, I get to sing or play the piano...like we did early on! When he's on fire in the pulpit and the words are flowing, I am certain my eyes sparkle and a little smile tugs at the corners of my lips, because I still find him attractive.

The weird and wondrous qualities of this stage are slowly emerging much like watching the image appear from a block of marble under the careful tooling of the craftsman. I love sleeping late or getting up early during the week however the schedule falls. We aren't tied to three meals a day. Sometimes, a a box of fudge brownie mix is as much a symbol of affection as a bouquet of roses. 

Running and fitness have become our new hobbies. He supports my training for the

Training Week 3, 2014

10K in April and says, "You've got this! You run faster than me." And, pushes when I experience the I-don't-wannas. "The sun's shining, today. How about we grab something to eat in Murfreesboro and do one of the routes on The Coffee Marathon?" Instead, we check-off two routes!

I'm a better me because of him. This empty-nesting season doesn't seem to bother him. Turning 50 doesn't rattle him or if it does, he covers it well. It's just another year. In celebration he wants to jump out of a plane with me and I want to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail with him!

I try not to fret about the color of my hair and the new "crows feet" to the side of my eyes. I have my honey, who compliments me and complements me no matter which season we walk through!

Smiling at 50 Training Week 3 Update: This week's bipolar southern winter runs me inside for cardio, one day, and outside on the next day for my training runs.

Valley of the Shadow of Death

In September of 2005, my son was diagnosed with a tumor in his left wrist. Imagine tremors quaking through me randomly each day throughout that month. Julie Wharton, my friend of many years, was beside me in a flash when she witnessed anxiety reach a point where I could not catch my breath. I do not exaggerate when I say fear would sneak up on my blindside, sink it's fangs into my jugular and chew.

Early in the process my husband, son and I used the Word of God (Bible) more like a table knife jabbing at something while blindfolded. But, then, it happened, that we got "our holy mad on" as faith was nurtured and our target came into focus. No longer wimpy saints, we wielded the Sword with spiritual strength, prayed the scriptures and aimed our hope, trust and faith into the heart of the matter!

To relieve stress, early morning jogs on the treadmill became a necessity. While in the middle of one such jog, Psalm 23:4 shot through my brain: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.

At the end of that eternal month, no longer did my son's wrist ache and it was determined the tumor was not cancerous! 

I learned quite a few lessons during the actual testing period: When you don't have enough faith for yourself, friends and family strengthen you with their faith; With what you've nourished your spirit will come to the top; and, God desires to communicate with you.

Today, I was mulling over faith when, again, Psalm 23:4 shot through my brain while jogging. It occurred to me many people go through the valley of the shadow of death via different routes. Death of a dream. Death of the body. Death of a relationship. Death of a job. You get the picture. 

You may be there, now.

Convinced the Good Shepherd keeps His word and accompanies us through the valley, I am certain His staff is used to rescue us from the ledge. However, what would His rod -a different shepherding tool- be used for? I believe it is significant or it would not have been mentioned.

Here's what I think...

When my steps slow because of apathy, disobedience, anger or self-pity, He prods me forward with a strong prompting to the backside. When I'm distracted from the goal, the rod's nudge to my nose redirects my attention. When I'm frozen from fear, despair or depression, I hear the sound of His rod tapping against the hard surface reassuring He's there walking near me. And, when I don't see danger stalking me, His skillful handling of the rod clubs-in the head of the predator.

Let your faith rise. Encourage yourself in the Word. Keep moving! Some valleys simply are not meant to be inhabited, but journeyed through.

Worry: The Big Scary Shadow?

Do you remember seeing an old cartoon where the cat is after the mouse, when from around the corner a huge, monster mouse seems to be stalking the cat, but it's just the shadow of the little mouse?

_____

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. Swedish Proverb

_____

Worry is just that. It's a big, hairy shadow stalking us. We cower in the corner awaiting the perceived dripping fangs to sink into our flesh and devour us.

Worry is never useful. It is destructive. It handicaps and diminishes us preventing clear thinking. As the mind begins to feed on its own natural reserves, our perspective is skewed or slanted and shadows play tricks on our mind.

The Bible asks this question: Which one of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life or an inch to your height? (Matthew 6:27)

My husband describes these worried imaginations as negative, mental pictures of the possible outcome of a circumstance. These imaginations are simply not real. And, worse yet, they are opposing ideas to God and His Word. There is no faith when worry is permitted to solidify into fear.

What should we do when worry begins to creep in?

1. Relax. Breathe.
2. Refrain from giving in to this crippling shadow-monster.
3. Recognize you're in a negative thought mode and retrace your steps back to the source of the thought asking, "Where did this start?"
4. Remind yourself of 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations and every thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and taking captive (arresting, disabling) every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Satan has been at his game for a long time and knows how to play it, but "...we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11) to "...steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10a).

If worrying has become a habit, you must decide to be intentional about vaporizing the dependence on its company. We don't need to allow it to pull up a chair and stay awhile, anymore. Amen?

Share your thoughts.

~"Sam"

Priorities (Third Priority Part 2)

Welcome back to the second part of Priority 3!

1. God

2. Family

3. Ministry (or Career)

4. Myself

Please know that these points are not just clever ideas borrowed from knowledgeable sages. Oh, no. Each point, often painful, was experienced by me. I offer them to you and trust you’ll avoid the emotional scrapes and bruises, which do eventually heal.

My suggestions with regard to relationships and ministry…

• Develop relationships with all ages in the church. Your ministry will have a broader reach when you are able to bridge those gaps.

• Be cautious of your conduct with the opposite sex.

• Support other departments associated with your church. It all comes back to you and your department/ministry. A mental image of the Olympic symbol comes to my mind. As the five rings interconnect, so should our support with other departments. The business world calls it synergy when the sum of smaller groups is greater than its parts. Translation: Stronger Together!

• No appearance at church or related events suggests that the staff wife doesn’t need the people; is a snob; is unloving; is sick or lazy.

• Don’t use your children as an excuse to get out of something. That’s called a lie. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

• Smile. Always be pleasant and friendly…even to those who have hurt you. Shake hands before service, when possible, and always following service, when possible. Recently God whispered for me to stay put after service on the front row of the church we attend when we're actually in town. I've been amazed at the conversations, prayer requests, encouragement and opportunities which have come toward me as I "stay."

• Don’t keep everything in. Why? You’ll establish and fortify walls of resentment toward anything and anyone to do with ministry. Find a mature believer or mentor – outside of your church – with whom you can confide. A mature outsider will allow you to vent and, in turn, can speak into your life. A mature outsider won’t compromise you or your husband’s ministry position.

• People will press you as a staff wife for information before they will approach your husband. Why? Women are notorious for being “loose lips” and gossipers.

• Keep confidences. Two exceptions: (1) Your husband, and (2) in cases of abuse, this by law must be reported.

Philippians 1:27 is a good word for ministry couples. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” You’ll look back in a few years in fond remembrance and know these were truly the sweetest days of ministry.

December 2012, will be the final installment of our PRIORITIES blogpost lessons.  If you missed one, go to the Archive and catch up. If you have a question or comment, please message or email me. Most people seem to like the privacy of our conversations and that's totally cool!

~"Sam"