hold on, don’t quit

Don’t let it steal your joy!

I’ve got your back girlfriend!

Life can be hard but  don’t let it steal your joy!

Things happen.  Sometimes it is things beyond our control.   It might be a direct result of something we have done.  Other times it is because of what someone else has done and it affects us.  Whatever it may be doesn’t change the fact that God is still God.  He will help us if we give it to Him.   Joy comes from God and is not dependent on circumstances.

I don’t have to look hard to find things that are attempting to steal my joy.    How I respond to those things is huge in whether or not I am walking around as the victim or the victor.  No matter the situation that I face, I can still have the joy that comes from God in the midst of it.  My hope comes from Him.   He holds me (and you) in the palm of His hand.   It will be alright!

I’ve got your back girlfriend!  We need each other.  When someone is hurting I may not have any answers but what I do have is compassion — letting someone know that they are not alone, that I am there, that I am praying with them, and that I’ve got their back.

Christians that tear down other Christians, I believe, grieves the Holy Spirit.  Look for the good, encourage others, and pray for God to develop His character in them.   Do you have their back or are you just waiting for them to mess up so you can stick it to them?

It has been a long week and I look forward to a better week ahead.  Even if it isn’t, God will still be right there with me and you.

To all of my friends who are facing huge obstacles  hold on, don’t quit, stand firm in your faith!   God specializes in working all things out for your good.  (Romans 8:28)

Jesus will still be there

“…When the going gets tough – When the ride’s too rough — When you’re just not sure enough  -  Jesus will still be there, His love will never change  – Sure as a steady rain.  Jesus will still be there.   When no one else is true – He’ll still be loving you.   When it looks like you’ve lost it all and you haven’t got a prayer – Jesus will still be there.”  Point of Grace

Jesus will still be there

Whatever tomorrow holds we face it with Jesus by our side.

til next time

christian?

A few months back we celebrated 20 years of ministry in a small town church.  20 years!  I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else in my life.

A lot of people have come and gone.   Babies have grown up and are now having babies.   What a joy that is to see!  There is the joy of  new life  and then there is the sadness as we have bid farewell to those who have gone on before us.  One day we will meet again  on that Golden Shore.  (Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.  Psalm 116:15)

There have been weddings.  I love weddings!  If I could do it over again I would have started a scrap-book with the very first wedding.

There are those who have moved away and those who have moved on.  There are those who have recently joined our family  (quick count and I am up to 23 in the last year and a half  – Thank you God!)

All in all, it has been and is my desire to be real in a world where so many people are trying to be someone who they aren’t.   I have good days and I have bad days.  Life happens.  Yet in and through all of it, God is there.   I am not the perfect Pastor’s wife (not by a long shot)  or the perfect pastor.   However,  I love Jesus and I am learning how to walk in love.  I am finding that to be a life long process.  Some days are easier than others – for sure.

Awhile back I was at a craft store with a dear friend and  saw this fairly large wall hanging.  We talked about what it had to say – about what it means to be a christian.  For our 20th anniversary she gave it to us.  Here is what it said.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I am saved.”   I’m whispering “I get lost – that is why I chose this way.”

When I say  “I am a Christian”  I don’t speak of this with pride.   I’m confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.

When I say “I am a Christian”   I’m not trying to be strong.   I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success.  I’m admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My faults are all too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say “I’m a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain.  I have my share of heartaches – which is why I seek His name.

When I say “I’m a Christian” I do not wish to judge.  I have no authority.  I only know that I am loved.

Christian?

What does it mean to you?

til next time

content and blessed

It’s Easter weekend and that means a busy Sunday for a pw.   I love Easter.    New birth is seen everywhere.  My flowers are popping up.  The trees are budding.  The grass is now green.  New life is all around me.

I can wear white shoes again!  (Yes, my momma taught me well — white shoes come out on Easter Sunday.  Some things you just never  forget.)

It is also the celebration of the resurrection of my Lord Jesus.  This is actually something that I celebrate on a regular basis but there does seem to be something just extra special about Easter Sunday.

This year Easter falls on my twin boys birthday.  While this could be a really great thing, it actually threatened to pull me down into sadness.  Not only would neither boy be here for their birthday but neither one would be here for Easter either.   Chris is celebrating with Galina’s parents and Andrew is on his way to the Grand Canyon on his Harley.

Yet the goodness of God shines in a bright way.  Long before I realized that neither boy would be home, plans were set in motion.    My dear college friend, Rosie, would be stopping here on her way back to MN after spending the last 2 years in Israel.

A get together was planned with another college friend (Donna) that we hadn’t seen since 1985 or 86?    I love reunions!   I was grateful for the distraction.  God knew that it would be just what I needed.

  We had a lot of catching up to do.  In between there were laughter breaks.  Sometimes it seemed that the main thing we were doing was laughing and we needed conversation breaks.

Laughter is hard on the tummy.

At one point there was a mall disturbance.  No it wasn’t us, but I did tell Rosie it would not be good for her to have survived the dangers in Israel only to be shot in a United States mall.   We quickly moved on.

   

  Rose was able to spend the night and stay for the early service and breakfast.

Then she was on her way to MN.

Easter services were even better than normal.  I love my church family.  With our nearest relatives 6 hours away the church has become our family.  What a great family we are blessed to be a part of.

It really does matter what you set your mind on.  I choose to look for the good and to be content with what God sets before me.  I am truly blessed.

til next time

friends

The last year has  been an eye-opening experience.  Just when you think you know people……….. they will surprise you.  This can be a wonderful thing!  Unfortunately sometimes it can be painful.

Treat people like you want to be treated…………………ah the Golden Rule. (Luke 6:31) Notice it doesn’t say treat people the way they treat you.

Some people, no matter how nice you treat them,  will still not treat you nice in return.   This is just how it is.

The Golden Rule does not guarantee that others will treat you the same way.   What it does do is build character and reveal the type of person you are.   God sees this  and He will bless it.

If everyone would follow the Golden Rule, this world would be a much different place.  Instead the mantra seems to be “looking out for number 1″ -  people are impatient and think the world revolves around them.  No way would they want to be treated the way they treat others.    Yet we do not answer for their actions but for our own.

Sometimes people will push our buttons.  Sometimes they will even do this on purpose.  I have a friend you who will make this statement “It is so hard not to be ugly.”   She recognizes that what she is thinking and/or about to say is not kind.   Yet it is hard to not treat people how they are treating you.

I make the choice every day to focus on those who are encouraging and have our back.    It has been a very difficult time for me personally.   I am grateful for those who have made the path a bit easier.    I am thankful  for the  Dory’s in my life who come along side me and remind me to “keep swimming, just keep swimming….”

Hard times make you aware of the difference between one-sided vs. two-way friendships.

For all of you who have poured into our lives this past year, have hung in there and have kept us in your prayers– thank you!   We are blessed to have such a wonderful group of people to call our friends!!!!!!

As the old song says “keep smiling, keep shining  knowing you can always count on me, for sure — that’s what friends are for.    For good times,  for bad times – I’ll be on your side forever more.  That’s what friends are for….. “

til next time

january 2, 2011

A friend asked me if we tape our Sunday sermon’s.   We don’t.

I was thinking about what I could do that would be helpful to those who have to miss church due to work or sickness.

The thought came to me that I could do a blog once a week highlighting the message.

So grab your Bible, as I won’t be posting all of the scriptures.  I  feel that it is important to look the scriptures up in your own Bible –  to stay familiar with the love letter that God has given to us.

January 2

Turn to and read Philippians 1:3-11

read verse 3 again.

It starts out by thanking God.  How appropriate that we start the year off by thanking God.

Prayers make a difference.  Pastor then showed us the huge stack of answered prayer requests over the past year.  (At our church, prayer requests are written down and then prayed for during the service.  In addition, Pastor prays throughout the week for each request  – keeping them in the rotation for a month) .  Thank you Jesus for answered prayer!

What about the ones that don’t go as we hope?  Those prayers are still effective.  Either the situation will change or our heart will change, sometimes both.  God also answers prayer by giving us the strength and peace to go on.

We are not alone.  We are a part of the body of Christ.

“In each one dwells the Holy Spirit, by the Holy Spirit we are made the people of God.”

read verse 6

“I am thankful that God continues to work in our lives.  Feelings come and feeling go, but our commitment to Christ can remain firm.

God is working in us”

read verse 9

“It is not just a matter of holding on but moving up!”

(sitting down the mic and and with great gusto Pastor illustrates this point)

“It is not just a matter of holding on but moving forward!”

We grow in our knowledge of God-

“I don’t care how long you’ve been saved – you do not know everything.  If you are saying ‘Oh man, this again.’ Then you need an attitude adjustment.

Don’t stall — continue to grow!“

We are to grow in our ability to discern, to recognize right and wrong.

verse 10 -  “that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,” (NKJ)

Approve what is excellent.  Grow in our ability to not cause offense.  Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they that love Thy law and nothing shall offend them.” (KJ)

God help us not to be an offense/stumbling block to others.  On the other hand there is the challenge to not be offended by others.  Remember who you are in Christ.  See people through the eyes of Christ.  We can walk in peace.

This is an area where everyone will have opportunity to grow in.

read verse 11

Be filled with the fruits of righteousness.  FILLED!  Again room for growth.

New Year — God what do you have for us?

…pray, fellowship, grow, service to those around us, various ministries within the church, opportunities for outreach …. letting God work in us and use us.

“May God’s grace be poured out in our lives.  May He continue to work in us and through us.”

til next time

(Quotes in bold and italics are from Pastor)

i’d rather laugh

Black Friday, to some,  is a day to stay away from any and all stores.   Not us!

We (my sister, niece, daughter, and I) were up before the dawn.

That is    O’dark thirty to some.

Coffee or energy drink in hand – whichever was the beverage of choice and away we go.

This year was the first year that mom was unable to go with us.    I tried not to give that a lot of thought.   This day was about fun and laughter!

The traditional breakfast at McD’s.

By this time we have already done what seemed like a days worth of shopping.

We had to make a pit stop at the house because the back-end of the vehicle could hold no more bags!

This was a first for us.

Although I did manage to stay in budget.

(Maybe I should mention that 4 rather large bed pillows were  purchased. LOL)

Here we are taking a break.

Black Friday is all about doing the unusual!

Matching socks and bracelets = lots of laughter and a little snickering from Curt.

So Galina decided to throw something at him.

She didn’t realize just how great a shot she was!

Priceless!

This, in turn, brought about yet another round of laughter!!

God knew we could all use a day of laughter and certainly that is what it was.  No doctor visits, no thoughts of doctor visits, just pure joy with people we love. 

We ended the day with pizza at Curt’s sisters.

A ‘friendly’ game of dominos?

With this tribe I use the word ‘friendly’ loosely.  Ah, but as you can see it was filled with laughter!

Now we are quickly approaching the Christmas season.   May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance!!  (Jude 2)

til next time

you have stress?

It seems that everyone I talk to is under stress.  For some it is one or two really huge things.  For others it is a bunch of little things that have piled up on top of each other causing an overwhelming sense of despair.  Whatever it is — stress seems to dominate many conversations.

Much  stress is a result of poor decisions.  Sometimes we make bad decisions and sometimes those around us make bad decisions that causes us stress.

Relationships are a huge source of stress.  Romans 12:18  “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  This is great advice for reducing stress.  We cannot control another person, but we do have control over what we say and do.

Family dynamics can be a huge source of stress.  Whether it is spouse, children, grandchildren, in-laws, siblings, etc — their actions can have an impact on the whole family. This one, in one way or another, seems to be the most common.  Maybe it is because we can choose to step away from friends who stir up strife, but family will always be family.

I consider it one of the highest compliments I can receive when someone implies that they don’t think I have any stress.   Now it may take me awhile to process it but the end result is that it is a compliment.

For the record, ministers are not immune from stress.  Truth is, they have the ‘usual’ stress that comes with living and then there is the stress involved in ministry.

There is a spiritual battle going on.  Ministers lead by example and are right there on the front lines.   If the enemy can take out the minister and/or family, he has won a great victory.  Much damage is done to the cause of Christ when a minister falls.

So what can you do about stress?  Take ownership of your own actions.  Whatever is happening to you – you are still responsible for how you handle it.

The Serenity Prayer is  a wonderful tool.  Use it!  Be sure to read the rest of the prayer.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

–Reinhold Niebuhr

Truth is stress will always be a part of life.  How you handle it will determine if you live stressed out or you live with purpose.  Don’t forget – God has a plan and He is in control.

He will work all things out for the good to those who love Him.  This is a promise we can depend on.  God isn’t stressed about whatever is going on and He wants us to lean on Him and trust Him.

Is it easy?  Not always.  But it can be done.  This is why I consider it a huge compliment when people imply I have no stress.

til next time

with faith – fear doesn’t have a chance

Fear is a powerful emotion.    I’ve heard it said that there are over 365 references to “do not be afraid” or “fear not”…. in the Bible.   One for each day of the year.  I have never bothered to count them because whatever the exact number is, the truth is that God does not want His kids to live in fear.

Fear can have such a hold on a person that it hinders them from enjoying life.  Irrational fear can be paralyzing.

This weekend I came face to face with a fear of death – not my death but my husband’s death.   Thank God he didn’t die but I can now say that I know what he will look like when he does.  Oh, to remove that image from my brain.  Once again reminding me of the importance of what we put before our eyes.  Our brain is a computer that stores all that we look at.

Long story short –

We were shopping with another couple (long time friends) when Curt’s stomach was feeling a little upset.  He sat down on a bench.  The next thing I know his head fell backwards, eyes were vacant, and his body was stiff.  I was sure he had just had a heart attack.

Time does seem to stand still.

He did come around,  but the EMT suggested that we take him to the ER.  The doctor wanted to keep him overnight for observation.  What would cause a healthy man (on no medication) to pass out?  (It is called a syncopal episode.)

I am grateful to our friends who made a horrible situation bearable.  It wasn’t at all what we had  planned, but it was an adventure.

He was released in the morning with orders to see his family doctor and have a stress test done.

Surprising to me, it was on the way home that I fell apart.  After all was said and done THEN the fear took over.  What would I do without him?   Will it happen again?  What caused it?  What if………………….?

Fear is a powerful emotion.

Yet even greater than fear is faith.

I was reminded, in a very fresh way, of the importance of gathering together with the people of  God.  It was during worship that God began to peel away the fear that had been consuming me.  As I joined others in offering praise to the One who holds all things together (Col 1:17) my head knowledge once again reached my heart.  For I know that God is in control.  I know that God will make a way.  I know that there is nothing to fear.  Now my emotions know that again too.

til next time

mother of the groom survival kit

“From diapers to drivers licenses to weddings! wow!  We’ve been through it all together.  Just want you to know – I still got your back girlfriend!  This little something is a “Mother of the groom” kit.   (for more on my dear friend Julie – click here)

As we were getting ready to leave to  spend a week with our son before his wedding, my dear friend Julie dropped off a bag.  She had specific instructions.  1. Do not forget to put this in the van.  (She wanted to do it herself but the van was having an oil change.)  2. Open said package upon arrival and not before.

Only God knew that this trip would take eleven and a half hours.  Normally it is a five and a half  hour trip.  We were pulling a trailer filled with furniture for Chris and Galina, rain was forecast  and the tarp was giving Curt fits.  Enough said –

By the time we arrived at our destination for the week, my nerves were raw and I was exhausted.   Then the package was brought in.

Inside was the card that started with the quote above.

The bag was filled.

As I began to pull out items, laughter took over.  What a wonderful release from all the stress of the aforementioned journey.

She added a few notes to some of the items.  Things like stain stick was pretty self-explanatory.  Hm, what is she saying?   Yes, she knows me!

Here are some close ups.

Gum – “Gum will sometimes help words from coming out.”

Lotion for – “before the receiving line.”

Germx for - “after the receiving line.”

Lavender room deodorizer.

Dove chocolate -” just because!!“  Mmmm so good.

Trail mix – “Energy snack!“

Fiber one – “Stay regular – It’s important!”

super glue – Chris actually asked me if I had some.  It came in handy!!  How did she know?

Beeswax lip balm – “You may have to kiss some toes! or bit your lip a couple times!” Hmm, kind of scary when someone knows you that well!!

Also a packet of sticky notes, 3 little notepads and a fine tip pen.  There was also a sewing kit – that I did need to use.

“Just in case, take 2 and text Julie” This was one of my favorite things!

The day I was going to the meeting at the nursing home for my mother, I sent a text to Julie thinking she was at work.  She was on break and was able to talk for a moment – long enough to share what God had shown her that morning.  It was just what I needed.  Yes, God is in control!

One cannot have too many kleenex when your baby boy is getting married to a wonderful girl.  I cry at weddings anyway.  So of course tears of joy were  on the agenda!

Also in the kit was a 3 pack of Certs, and a 3 pack of Tums (yes, those are mostly gone).  Lastly,  a small black purse was used to house some of the items.  Again how did she know that I did not have a purse to take to the wedding that was small and would look great?  I  hadn’t mentioned that to her.    My regular purse is green and pretty big.   This small black one was just perfect!

Well, there you have it.  The mother of the groom survival kit!  I don’t think I have left anything out.   It was absolutely the best!!  I highly recommend putting one together for your friend.

Thanks Julie!!!

til next time

who am i?

My life is like this picture.  I swim and people watch.  Oh, there are those who swim with me.  We have a good time.  Life is good!!!  It is meant to be enjoyed. 

Then there are many who watch.  See my husband and I pastor a small rural church.   People look to see if we are walking the talk.  Is it real??  

I have a heart for being real, in a world where so many people are trying to be someone that they aren’t. 

I love God and am trying to love others.  This, I find is not always an easy thing.   

My life is an open book.  I have good days and I have bad days.  Life happens.  The difference is that in my bad days God is still very much with me and that makes all the difference.  

Over and over He has turned rotten things into beauty.  He has met our needs in amazing ways.   There is nothing like the peace that comes from God when you are facing daunting circumstances.  You cannot make that kind of thing up no matter how hard one tries. 

 As you read my blog, you will find that I ramble about many different things but in all of them God is ever present.   I can’t help but bring Him into most things because He has shaped my life into what it is today. 

I have changed my About page and thought I’d post it as I haven’t written anything lately.    Welcome to my fishbowl. 

til next time