Sitting Idle

Yesterday I wrote briefly on how Brett and I both felt God talking to us and letting us know that we weren’t where we were supposed to be. In reality, it wasn’t only a few months that we felt like that. It was over a year. But when we first started feeling it we weren’t really sure on any direction that we were supposed to be headed. We had a very comfortable life. We had a routine that we stuck to daily and everything just flowed. Why would we want to change that? Because God said so.

Being married has its ups and downs. At some point in your life together, you are going to argue. And when Brett first went full time into the ministry as a worship leader boy did we have our disagreements. I’m not saying we didn’t love each other because we did and still do. But we noticed something changing about a year and a half before we realized we weren’t where we were supposed to be.

[We got along.]

All.
The.
Time.

Oh, I’m not complaining. It was awesome. No one was ever mad or upset. There was always laughter and more than enough time together. Sounds like everything would be great right? No. We knew we were missing something.  So the search started for the church and as I wrote yesterday we came to First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. You know what?

Everything changed.

That whole routine, everything working, and no getting along that I wrote about? Yeah.

Now, he has an extremely busy schedule. Most afternoons there is some kind of meeting, event, or other thing that is planned that he has to be at. I don’t mind at all because that part of being a pastor. I understand it. Although, we are working to try to find a happy medium to where he is gone when he needs to be but yet home too.

Now, as far as getting along goes, that’s a different story. Once we moved in the parsonage it started. It seems like it is always one thing after another. And honestly, it’s not even things that are worth fighting over. But we do. We’re working on it and it has gotten extremely better. Knowing how to discuss disagreements is huge in marriage.

When it all comes down to it, we know the cause of the disagreements. The devil.

We sat still for at least a year in a place we didn’t belong anymore. Yes, we were still growing the Kingdom but not how we were supposed to. So the devil left us alone. And now that Brett has become pastor and God is working through us and in the lives around us, the devil is basically unhappy and wants to do anything he can to destroy what we’re doing.

It’s not going to work. We’re not fighting each other, human flesh, but fighting a spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Satan knows that he cannot have either of us so he is going to do whatever he can to make it harder on us to grow God’s Kingdom. And in the end, the battle has already been won. Satan cannot win.

The next time you and your spouse are fighting, take a step back and think about what you are fighting about. Is it really worth fighting over? And where are you at your spiritual walk. Are you doing what you’re supposed to be doing or are you just sitting idle?

 

Quiet Days

I know it has been quite some time since I have written last (108 days but who’s counting?). A lot has happened during that time. We’ll call them my quiet days. And now I’m breaking the silence. My quiet days are over.  I have wrestled with God about this for a few weeks now and finally gave in. Because let’s face it, who really likes to argue with God and also think they can win? My point exactly.

Over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some of the things that I have learned and experienced; things that I am currently dealing with and things that have strengthen my relationship with Christ. I’m not going to go into many details now but I will give you an overview of what all has happened.

A few months ago Brett and I both felt God talking to us. He specifically was letting us know that we weren’t where we were supposed to be. At the time we weren’t sure where we were supposed to be or any details like that. So we prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Prayer works. Putting the pieces together, Brett realized that he was supposed to be preaching. But where? Oh God knew. After many resumes were sent, he finally got a call from First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. This is where we were supposed to be. After interviews, trial sermons, and the whole voting process, Brett accepted the position as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. Which in turn makes me the first lady, talk about pressure!

Where’s Cross Hill, SC? Ha. I had no clue either. But that’s a story I’ll be sharing with you.

Everything in our life has changed pretty much. It’s kind of bittersweet. The only thing that has really stayed the same is my job. Which where we live now isn’t that far of a drive. It gives me time to clear my head and give me the time to focus on what really matters most when I get home – my family.

The one thing that I want to leave you with today is this:
No matter what changes you are going through, God never changes. His love is always the same. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Isaiah 54:10

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

James 1:17

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above,

who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them,

He never changes or casts shifting shadows”

 

 

Have you been going through some changes lately?

 

America

Today is all about America, our freedom, and our soldiers; past, present and future.  So today, have fun! Celebrate, go crazy, wear that red, white and blue. Tell a soldier thank you. Have a cookout. Be safe. And thank our amazing God for this country!




How are you celebrating today? Comment below and let me know!

Our Perfect Posture

Psalms 95:6

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

2 Samuel 6:14-15

And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

Matthew 26:6-13

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.  And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?  For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”  But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.  For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

The definition of posture is the way in which you pose your body. This could be a variety of things such as standing, sitting or kneeling. It could also mean your attitude. You know, eye rolling, hands on your hips, crossing arms, that sort of thing. The posture of your heart is your attitude. How is it expressed? Through your body language.

Your worship posture reflects admiration and respect to God. The bible describes different ways to worship and praise God. Which includes kneeling and lifting hands up. This reveals humility and honor. The bible tells about how David danced before the Lord and the woman in Bethany that gave Jesus precious perfume. David’s dancing showed the joy in his heart and the woman in Bethany showed selflessness.

Another illustration is the story of Jesus. He lived a holy life before He was arrested and crucified. Jesus alone took on all of the consequences for every sin ever committed. He showed perfect posture. He was mocked and ridiculed yet He remained quiet. He never complained about carrying the heavy wooden cross on His back. His arms spread out with vulnerability and he never tried to hang on to His life. This posture showed humility, compassion, selflessness, patience and unconditional love.

What does your posture look like and do you ever think about the impact it makes when you are with others?

As a wife, you have the chance to show that same posture as Christ did toward your husband. Your attitude toward your husband plays a huge role in your communication with him. You can choose to be selfish and disrespectful through your body language or you can choose to let your posture show humility, compassion, selflessness, patience, and unconditional love. By choosing the second option, you will win your husband over with true love and fill your home with peace. You will also provide and atmosphere for intimacy This is a choice that you will have to make daily.

Challenge: The next time you are with your husband, check your posture. If it doesn’t reflect Christ, take a moment to pray and make an adjustment.

What is God teaching you?
Questions:

1. What positive and negative postures have you expressed towards you husband lately?

2. What affects your attitude?

3. By reflecting Christ’s posture, how can if benefit your marriage?

Are you a Good Wife?

Are you a good wife?
What is a good wife?
How do you start to be a good wife?

 Proverbs 31:11-12

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

I think that to become a good wife, it starts with your relationship with God. The more you grow in your walk with Christ, the more your heart and character will be transformed. In order to become a light to others in the world through our actions and words we must be completely focused on God.  When I go through different seasons in life, I rely solely on God. He is my strength, energy and hope. Without Him, there’s no way I could make it through those times. The closer you are to God the more your faith grow and the desire to be a good wife will increase dramatically.

 If you are a wife or planning to be a wife one day, guess what? You are called to be a good wife. There are times when you may feel like doing all this “good” is for nothing but do not grow weary. In time, you will see the harvest and its extraordinary fruit. What would you like to see different in your marriage? More intimacy? More laughter? More adventures? Have faith! Trust in God. Always pray. And constantly lean on Him to be your strength.

 Hang on though! It is going to be a bumpy ride. But you can do this! All the days of your husband’s life, bring him good. He is absolutely worth every but of it. No matter his sin, he is worth it.

Galatians 6:9

 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Peter 3:1-2

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Challenge: Put one of your husband’s needs above your own today

What is God teaching you?
Questions:

1. What motivates you to treat your husband good?

2. How can you be a good wife today?