"Catch..."

(oops it dropped)

Has that ever happened to you? I'm sure you're wondering what the question is about.

Mind your mind

This verse scared me:

"I'm a Pastor's wife"

Recently, I was visiting a church and when the altar call was made, a voice in my head said,
"If anyone approaches you to encourage you to go forward, say 'I'm a Pastor's wife' to them." Within seconds, the very kind Holy Spirit reminded me "that has nothing to do with it..." without a shadow of doubt that is true - very true - actually very, very true.

This quick encounter with the devil planting an evil seed in my mind got me thinking about how easily we (could) fall for his tricks and into his trap(s). When you hear about some Mrs Pastors' struggles it is easy to appreciate to why and how easily one can fall from faith without meaning to or even noticing. In other words, being a Pastor's wife is NOT = being born-again.

Philippians 2:12b (emphasis mine) says:
"continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]." (AMP)


This is one scripture every Christian must take to heart and act on daily - yes that includes all Mrs Pastors that are born-again. No position attained by acceptance of a marriage proposal or by ministerial appointment can secure your salvation. With all that we are faced with daily, we must continually check ourselves as we work out our salvation. Imagine what would happen if you had a garden and just left to self-sustain itself. Of course, the weeds will have a field day, fill your garden and choke your plants. Likewise, we must continually seek and root out weeds in our lives - the explanation of the Parable of the Sower tells us why - 3 times


Matthew 13:22 - And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit. (AMP)

Mark 4: 18-19 - ¹⁸ And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, ¹⁹ but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (AMP)

Luke 15:14 - The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. (AMP)


We must check our lives so we don't have thorns or weeds that will choke the Word that falls on the soil of our hearts. Yes, you are a Pastor's wife - so am I but w must remain Christians for any of that to ever matter. It's only Christians that will be found in Heaven...see you there.

"...the Lord will use a woman..."

A few months ago, I was sharing with one of my Mrs. Pastor friends on this and finally felt it was time to share this word the Lord had impressed on my heart last year.

It's no "Playing" matter...

...even if you're on a "stage" (Puns intended).

I believe that the world is our pulpit...not a stage. I understand what the original saying:
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players..." by William Shakespeare
implies but I no longer fully agree. This belief came to mind when I recently listened to a pastor who said something about the altar vs. a stage.

He talked quite a bit about how (very sadly) many altars have become a stage - with more Entertainers than Edifers being given the space to impact people's lives. He gave examples of the new 'trend' of inviting Comedians (who may not be Christians), to church.

I appreciate that church has to be an attractive place where the world - people of all ages -should look forward to coming to regularly. However this thought was implanted in my heart: Every word or act (including Acts) that proceeds from the altar MUST alter lives for the better (all puns intended).

The minute the altar stops altering lives, it is nothing more than a stage. A stage is the platform for entertainment - it rarely leads to encouragement and edification of people.


Today, we remember a man who used the pulpit effectively to his last day - Dr Myles Munroe - let me wrap this us up with something he said:

"The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation.

You are not important because of how long you live,

you are important because of how effective you live."

Our lives and ministries must be a donation to the altering and improvement of people's lives... and that's no "playing" matter.

Don't "band aid" it...

When I listened to Esther 4:4 recently, I was reminded about how easily we try to 'band-aid' situations - mostly because it's more convenient to do that. Let's read the verse first then I'll share a few examples and my thoughts.

Service an honour...

I had to stop when I came across this translation of this verse...and wonder if I ever "say" that not in words, but in action:

Spot on!

A few months ago, I was analyzing feedback received and this verse dropped in my spirit - it was spot on!
"Whoever watches the wind will never plant. Whoever looks at the clouds will never harvest."* 

I particularly like this rendition of the verse because it says "never," not "not" - and that's very telling for me. One thing we all know from experience, besides my writing about it** over and over again, is that
"Everyone has their right to (express) their opinion(s)." Similarly, we each have the right not to let others' opinions stick on us.

I agree with Les Brown that "Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality" if you do, you will never, ever "plant" or "harvest" anything.

What we each need to do is know what God thinks about what we want to do or have done and move on. You can never satisfy everyone - so focus on satisfying only one Person. No not you - God.

Don't ever let winds of words or clouds of countenance stop you - because they never stop.
Keep planting and harvesting as led by the Lord...because He's the only One Who's approval and reward we need and want.

This is my prayer for you - actually for us:

²⁴ The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; ²⁵ The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; ²⁶ The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).***

AMEN!

References:
* Ecc 11:4 GWT
** Water off a duck's back etc.
*** Num 6: 24 - 26 (AMP, emphasis mine)

Stay thankful

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I was reminded and led to thank God for everything.


Being a wife and even a Mrs. Pastor is a blessing we must never take for granted even though it is a very interesting life - experience altogether.


I'm sure we do this often already - so I know "I'm preaching to the choir" in suggesting that we take the time this week...and the rest of this month which I gather is "Pastor Appreciation Month" to be thankful.


Think about it:
To have people who can appreciate you and your husband (whether or not they actually do), is something to be thankful for.


More importantly, for God to have entrusted His precious possession - men, women and children - into your care is definitely something to be thankful for. 


I know that being thankful is easier said than do but it's really easy to do when you put things in perspective.


Happy Thanksgiving...may your reasons for thanksgiving continue to increase. AMEN!

The other Pastor's wife

My dear Mrs Pastor, have you ever been "the other Pastor's wife"? Strange question right?