Who is your standard?

A few months ago, when my husband parked, I told him that our car was not properly parked - it didn't look straight. When we got out of the car, I confirmed that indeed, our car was not parked straight and quickly "saw" why too- the car parked next to us, which we used as a "guide" wasn't parked straight either. That experience got me thinking about the question: "Who is your standard?"

Double-edged position

Some time ago, I was talking to a new "Mrs. Pastor". She'd been a "Mrs." for a while..."Mrs. Pastor" was just "new" for her. I was amused when she told me about how her husband seemed different each time he stepped up to the "Pastor-plate" - ok, let's just say "Pulpit".  

Have you noticed that about your husband? Does he seem like a different person when he's ministering - as if he's under Superior influence (as he should be) while the Word of God rolls off his tongue like the pen of a ready writer (Psalm 45:1b)? For me, there are times when my husband is ministering and I'm almost asking myself: "Do I know this man?"

- just because of how enlightening and enriching what he's saying is.

Indeed, God overshadows and takes control of any and every one who truly and wholly surrenders themselves to Him for His use. As Mrs. Pastor, we all have a unique position that is double-edged...and that can be dangerous.

Who's your mentor?

We talked about Mrs Elkanah last week. She's been on my mind for a while. I then started wondering if she had a mentor? Did or didn't she see the need for one? Would that account for how her sons ended up badly?

Let's take a few steps back: "Who's a mentor?"

Encarta defines a mentor as: "experienced adviser and supporter: somebody, usually older and more experienced, who advises and guides a younger, less experienced person."* Note that this definition has no restrictions...it doesn't say the mentor should be for only marriage, ministry, money or career matters - which means you can have one for all areas of life or different ones for each area.

Taking it a step further, "Does everyone need a mentor?"

Mrs S. Elkanah

Prophet Samuel was a force to be reckoned with...He was indeed a reward from God. His mother, Hannah, asked God specifically for a son and promised to give him back to the Lord. God did His part and she did hers...without delay.

She didn't spend too long with him. Shortly after he got into active service, he could (& did) hear God. In fact the Bible records that:
"Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground."

(1 Sam 3:19 - Amplified).

He must have been one of the most eligible bachelors of his time...Mrs Samuel Elkanah must have been the envy of other ladies...when she was the chosen one.

Living PIP

Earlier in the year, I heard a message and this topic popped in my mind:

 "Living PIP."

As we all know, a pip is the seed of fruit. Without a pip, so many fruits will not "reproduce" and they'd be exitinct - think about that...

Imagine not finding a particular fruit just because it lacked a living pip...the seed within it didn't reproduce as God intended from the Beginning.

Imagine life without oranges - those juicy, sweet oranges and other "pip-ful" fruits that we enjoy? Let's skip that...I don't want to imagine that either.

Travel light

Some time ago I was thinking about how our experiences shape us and, to a large extent, determine how we respond to people, events and/or situations around us - I know mine have and continue to influence me. With 10 days to the end of the first half of the year this seems like a good time to discuss this. The more I thought about it, the more it became apparent that we must all learn to "travel and live light." This is especially key for each and every Mrs. Pastor because we "travel" from life to life in our interactions with others.

I have a Father....

This coming weekend, we'll join the world to celebrate to celebrate Father's Day. You know, the best thing about being a Christian is that the Almighty God is our Father.

The Bible has so much to say about what a wonderful and faithful Father we have. So I was curious to see what others think about their fathers - or shall I say "Dads" as we call them these days... then I found this lovely poem written by the popular "Author unknown"

A Dad is a person

who is loving and kind,

And often he knows

what you have on your mind.

(Our Heavenly Father always knows what's on our minds) 

He's someone who listens,

suggests, and defends

A dad can be one

of your very best friends!

He's proud of your triumphs

but when things go wrong

A dad can be patient

and helpful and strong.

In all that you do,

a dad's love plays a part

There's always a place for him

deep in your heart.

And each year that passes

you're even more glad,

More grateful and proud

just to call him your dad!

Thank you, Dad .

for listening and caring

for giving and sharing

but, especially, for just being you! Happy Father's Day

When I finished reading it, all I could think was God does all this and even more for me - He never sleeps or slumbers... watching over and watching out for me - for us all. Even when I am faithless Him, He remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13*). I cannot thank Him enough for all He does - time would fail if I were to recount. I thank Him as much for all that He cannot do - He does not have the ability to lie, change or fail. What more can I ask from a Dad? 

While I am privileged to call God "Dad", I pray I can give Him pleasure so He calls me "Daughter" - I pray we all can...

Besides wishing our Heavenly Father a "Happy Father's Day"** - as we continue to make Him happy, let's take a moment to celebrate all the men in our lives. Young or old, they are either Fathers or Fathers-to-be. Join me to wish them a "Happy Father's Day"...and let's do something to make them happy too.

While you're at it, give yourself a treat and have a "Happy Daughter's Day" - you're a daughter of the Most High. Remember, this is the day our Dad has made, rejoice and be glad in it -

that goes for everyday too... 

God bless

Footnotes:

*2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. (Amplified)

**3rd Sunday in June is Father's Day; this year it fall on June 19, 2011.

Always in Active Service

Have you ever heard the term "AWOL"?

Well, it's a military term that stands for Away WithOut Leave.

It was interesting how this term dropped in my spirit...I'd be glad to tell you how.

The other Ministry

Sometime ago I was wondering what the right response would be if I felt led to do something that doesn't completely line up with the ministry my husband is doing - not that I've been led to do that - at least not yet (and doubt if it will ever happen).

Let me ask you these questions:

"As Mrs. Pastor, are you expected to always be beside your husband?"

"Is that where and how we will fulfill God's will? "

Is it likely for Mrs. Pastor to have a separate call from her husband's call?"

If you ask me, the answers will be "Yes", "No" & "Yes" -

may sound paradoxical, so let me explain...

Be set in your ways

...to be flexible. What a paradoxical statement - and yet that is the life we have and have to live as Mrs. Pastor - at least that's how I live.

People who know me know that I like (pre) planning as much as possible. I mean, it's such a good feeling to start off your day knowing what you hope to achieve; then it's so wonderful to look back on your day & have everything on your "To do" list ticked off as "done". Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Indeed - why?

Thomas Jefferson said:

"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."

This is profound (& very sound) advice especially when the choice is between what you need (or want) to do for yourself and what others need (or want) you to do for them - and even that needs to be carefully considered.