Robert's Rules

I don't know about you, but I always thought we were supposed to run a church according to God's rules and regulations. Well, here at Bankers we still run our church using Robert's Rules of Order, which, mind you, was developed in the late 1800s and NOT for churches. Businesses no longer use it, for obvious reasons. This "order" seems to me to be like walking through thick mud to get anything accomplished. But, as with most things at the church, they don't care to see that this way of doing business is neither done IN businesses (for which it was written) or in churches any longer. Sigh...However, David has decided to become an "expert" on dear ol' Robert to show these people just how idiotic it is. They got a flavor for it yesterday at a special business mtg we had. They are so intent on doing business this way, that David is going to show them exactly what that means. We're hoping this will allow people to see how unproductive and inefficient it is and they'll be BEGGING to change! :) Hey! I have an idea! What if we looked to SCRIPTURE for how to run a church. Now, THERE'S an idea!

As a pastor's wife I'm not allowed to share my opinion. For those who know me you know this is a huge frustration to me! Why don't I share? Well, it wouldn't do any good. I'm "just" the pastor's wife, and besides they think David tells me what to say anyway! HA!!! Now, that's funny! :) :) So, I sit in the pew and pray. I pray for wisdom for David as he moderates the mtg. I pray for the deacons to stand up for what's right, and I pray for the trustees to also do what's right. I would love to voice my opinion, but maybe praying is the best thing I can do.

Sometimes it's not easy being a pastor's wife. Ah well! I guess you could say I'm learning self-control! :)

Wholehearted Love

Do you love the Lord wholeheartedly? In our Wed. night Bible study we've just finished reading about the kinds of Israel and Judah. Most/all of them in Israel were bad, wicked, wretched. Some in Judah were good. I found it interesting that some were described as doing good in the eyes of the Lord, but didn't love him wholeheartedly. Due to this they inevitably went astray and their life wasn't as great as it could have been. This has really made me think--do I love the Lord wholeheartedly, with my WHOLE heart? Are there parts of my heart that aren't dedicated to him? I think if we're honest the answer is yes, there are parts of my heart that aren't dedicated to the Lord. How sad. We have the benefit of seeing how a less-then-whole heart of love affected the kings, but we don't have that benefit with our own lives. I was telling my women we may not have idols or "high places" that we worship like the Jews did, but there are certainly "idols" and "high places" that take away from our whole love for God. What are some of these idols? Food, toys, clothes, the need to have stuff, keeping up with the Jonses', watching junk on TV, not being kind to our family members, not respecting our husbands...I think this list could go on and on. I challenged my women to pray and ask the Lord to show them areas that are keeping them from loving him wholeheartedly. I encourage you to do the same. Let it not be said of you and me that we did good in the eyes of the Lord, but did not love him wholeheartedly, thus not living the life we could have lived in Christ.

Song of the Morning

I've mentioned that often in the mornings I have a song that runs through my mind. This morning it has been the simple chorus, "Spirit of the Living God." Here are the words:

Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me.

Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me.

Make me

Mold me

Melt me

Use me.

Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me.

May you feel his Spirit falling FRESH on you today!

Dogs--Lovable Nuisances

We have a beagle, I'm sure I've mentioned her before. Her name is Molly, and she has become like a child to us. She's 2 1/2 and full of energy--sometimes! :) She does manage to get a lot of naps in during the day--she has her pre-bed nap even! :) With the digging up of our yard over the past few days (due to laying new drainage pipes) we've had to move her chain elsewhere. The best place, unfortunately, was to put her at a tree that is right by on of my flower beds. I'm not much of a gardner, but I do enjoy pretty flowers and do put time into weeding (ok, not tons of time, but some does go into it! :) ) and watering. I go out last night to see my flower bed nearly destroyed!!!! My day lilies, which were days away from breaking from their blooms, were loped off. I had 2 other plants completely uprooted and turned over and then several holes were dug in various areas. Sigh...I tried to scold her, but it's hard when she's so blasted cute and just stands there wagging her tail, which in turn is wagging her, and "smiles" at you. Oh you stupid, lovable dog!!! She doesn't understand. All she knows is dad and mom put her by this GREAT dirt patch and hey! Mom has come out to see me! Sigh...what shall we do? The rest of the yard is a mud pit. Apparently, that all has to settle before new grass seed can be put down. Not sure how long that will take or how long it'll be b4 we DON'T have mud in the house. We were coming back in the house last night and got distracted talking to some other people. We look down and Molly is furiously rubbing her head/neck on something. What is it do you ask? You'll wish you hadn't! :) It was a dead bird complete with maggots!!! Oh yeah, that's our dog. I've attached a photo so you can see this loveable creature that God has given us! :) She is a hoot, despite her love for digging and rolling on dead things.

Stupid is as stupid does

How true are those words! You would think after 30 years of having this fair skin of mine and getting sunburned on countless occasions I would learn to wear sunscreen when I'm outside for extended amounts of time! I wish I could say I've learned this lesson, but alas, it appears I have not! Yesterday, we had our company picnic and the weather was so nice! We were sitting under a tree to eat and either someone moved the tree or the sun moved, either way, we weren't under shade for the whole time! My arms, face and chest are now cherry red...sigh. I know, I'm an idiot! How could I have forgotten? I don't know, but somhow I did. I wasn't at all hot until the picnic was done and I realized my SKIN was hot! Brother...

Learn from me! Don't be stupid! Put sunscreen on!!!!!!

Prayer...

I would like to ask for your prayers today and tomorrow, especially. I will be mtg with the powers that be to discuss my taking over the marketing for the Hillsdale Academy (started/sponsored by the College). I would love to have this job, it would really help us financially and well, I would love it if you would pray that I get the job. At this point everyone is in agreement for me to have it, we just need to get the Academy's headmaster to agree. I don't think we'll have any issues, but nonetheless, I would appreciate prayer! Thank you!!!

This week has been vacation Bible school at church. We've had a pretty good turn-out. The important thing is that the kids are hearing the Gospel.

Hope your Wednesday is GREAT!

BEWARE of RANTING WOMAN!!!

Today, I don't want to be a pastor's wife. I want to go give a piece of my mind to the people in the church who are doing things that just don't make sense. We don't have a budget for any ministry, let alone vacation Bible school, which is happening this week. However, the trustees want to plunk down $10,000 to pave portions of the parking lot. We won't be getting health insurance through the church anymore, but thankfully, we can get it through the College, where I work. The problem? What is the church going to do with the money they're saving by not having to pay for health insurance? What makes a group of people think that just because you're spending money that means you're doing something good for the community? I can't say any of this to these people because this would make my husband's job harder and well, he just doesn't need the extra headaches! The best thing for me is to be a sounding board for my husband and love and support him in his struggles. Don't we all feel like a mama bear when our loved one is being mistreated? I know I do!! Why is it we have to spend so much time on these ridiculous "problems" and issues when there are people around us (and the church) who will die w/out knowing Jesus. This just doesn't seem right. I don't understand. I can't understand. What causes a whole group of people to become so apathetic about EVERYTHING? What causes a group of people to have a vice grip on the money when ministry opportunities come a long but when something comes along to benefit US the money is shelled out? What causes a group of people to dislike seemingly everything their hard-working pastor is trying to do? Why do Christians have to be so horrible? Just think what a church could accomplish if they just put the energy they use to argue and disagree into actually winning people for Christ. We wouldn't know what to do with all the people! Our churches would be full to over-flowing.

Today, I don't want to be a pastor's wife. I just want to be a wife, who goes to church with her husband, and who doesn't have to deal with all this insanity. I want to be a woman who can go to church, use her God-given gifts and abilities to serve the Lord and hopefully bring others closer to Christ. I want to be a woman who sees all the old ladies and thinks they're just wonderful, without a nasty/mean bone in their little bodies. I want to go to church, sit in the pew and not be judge just SIMPLY because of who my husband is--heck, I want to sit in the back and not get glared at for taking someones seat.

Today I would rather be anything but a pastor's wife, but that's not what God called me to be. He didn't call me to be the wife of a dr, or a plumber, or a pilot. He called me to be the helpmate to a wonderful man who is dedicated to serving the Lord behind a pulpit. He has called me to sit in the front row and smile at all those old ladies and love them despite their prickly exteriors. He's called me to love the people of this church and to show them HIS love, however I can. He's called me to encourage my husband, hold him when he's down, pray for him to have wisdom, rejoice with him and help in any way I can. God has showed me that I need to be more creative in my ways of serving him in the church. Could it be, that by being real, loving and joyful is the way I need to serve him at Bankers? Could be.

It's still hard--not always wanting to be a pastor's wife. But, this is what God has called me to do and I need to be faithful in doing his will. Pray for your pastor's wife. She is holding a lot of burdens. Pray that today she is encouraged in some way by someone in the church. Pray that the Lord would show her how to better serve her husband and how to better serve Him. Thank the Lord for your pastor's wife and all she does for you and your church and her husband. I don't say any of this to toot my own horn. I just see things from a different perspective now and God has really opened my eyes to the lonliness a pastor's wife can feel. Love your pastor's wife today and let her know you love her and that you appreciate her!

Bringing Hope

How do you bring hope to someone who doesn't believe in the only Hope there is? One of my coworkers/friends, is an unbeliever. She has never set foot in a church save for weddings and funerals. She didn't grow up knowing/believing in God so why should she now? A few months ago it was found that her dad has cancer. After a round of treatments it was found on Tues. that he is in stage 4 (terminal) cancer, it has grown and not shrunk at all. How do I offer hope to her? I don't know. I don't have an answer. I tell her I'm praying for her, but does that mean anything? I sit and listen, offer my help in anyway she needs me. Does this mean anything? Is this showing her the love Christ has for her? What happens when her dad dies? What then? How do I answer the questions about why God didn't save him? These are things that I have been struggling with the past few months as I try and minister to her. She is a sweetheart and so much fun to work with. I have enjoyed getting to know her. However, I'm always left with the question of HOW? Are you struggling with this question? If not, and you're a Christian, I suggest getting to know someone who doesn't have the Hope we have in Christ. We can't very well spread this Hope if we don't know anyone who needs it. I'm glad to have this opportunity and until the Lord shows me otherwise, I'm going to keep praying for her, listening to her and being her friend. Jesus was a friend and told people about his love through that friendship. In this crazy world, sometimes I think the best witness we can give is a consistent life in Christ. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and praise His name!"

On a WAY less serious note, David's mom gets in today! We're excited to see her!!

The Turtle Who Tried to Eat Hillsdale

Usually, Molly is a quiet dog, doesn't do much barking, only when she wants in. Well, I guess yesterday she was raising cain and wouldn't stop howling, barking, etc so David went outside to see what all the commotion was! Low and behold there was a turtle out there about the size of a dinner plate! Thankfully, it was out of Molly's reach because he wasn't too happy with all the commotion. David got pictures (I've attached one here) and the 2 of them had fun watching the turtle "scurry" off into the weeds. We think this "little" guy is the culprit concerning our eaten tomato plants, but who knows? Could be the rabbits too! :) It's not all bad living in the country! :) :) Here's to turtles and beagles who don't like them! :)

Dive-bombing hummingbirds and a man with a bucket

With that kind of title how could you NOT want to read this blog? :) :) Last summer we decided to put up a hummingbird feeder. I, especially, really enjoyed watching the little buggers swoop in for their sugary treat! I finally got it back up the other day and already they're flocking. I was watching the feeder last night and noticed that a male (I know he's a male due to his bright red neck and green back) was perching on the hanger thing we have the feeder on. I then noticed that every time another hummingbird would come in for some food he would dive-bomb them and shoo them away! This was hilarious to watch. Was he sitting there waiting for his mate, his girlfriend, or just being a selfish little pest? Not sure, but it was funny! I'm hoping to get some photos of them one of these days. I would encourage you to get one of these feeders. You don't have to get the already-made nectar, you just make your own (1 part sugar to 3 parts water). You can add red food coloring if you want, but this year I decided not to and they're still coming. I'd say if you have kids, this would be an especially fun addition to your yard this summer! Just be sure to take it away in Sept so they fly south and don't freeze to death! :) We were given this ominous warning last year... :) :)

On to "Bucket Man"--as we're calling him now! :) David and I got settled into bed last night (about 10:30) and heard a truck pull in at the front--this is a common occurrence, as I've said before. It quickly became apparent that they weren't just turning around, so David went to the window just in time to see this man, carrying a big, 5-gallon bucket, sprinting between the house and church going back towards the neighbors on the other side of the church. We didn't see him for about 5 minutes and then suddenly here he comes (w/out the bucket this time) running again, hopped back into the truck and sped away. WHAT IN THE WORLD????????? We don't know. We don't understand. We were worried he planted some kind of explosive or started a fire, or something deviant, but this morning everything seemed fine. We are perplexed, to say the least. Sigh...we were left really wondering about this place, the rednecks here and their peculiar ways. We were then left to wondering (not the first time), how do we reach them? How do you reach a community that seems to have no hope?

Anyway, here's to dive-bombing hummingbirds and the Bucket Man!

Monday blahs

I often feel like Garfield, and share his hate of Mondays. But, then I have to wonder why are Monday's so horrible? I have no idea! I guess it could be that the weekend is over and we're back to reality and work. :) Work's not so bad, though, right? I mean, there are 1000s our there who don't even have jobs and need them. I always feel bad complaining about it being Monday. Could this be the Holy Spirit convicting me that every day is a gift from Him? Could it be that I need to be more conscience about serving Him and looking for opportunities to do so, regardless of the day? From here on out, I'm going to do my best to not dread Mondays, but see it as a chance to serve the Lord!

We had some weird weather this weekend. Friday the sky turned a yellowish-green color. We were trying to decide if we should head to the basement but took pictures instead! :) Turns out we were fine. Yesterday the sky got more and more dark and we were wondering why we weren't on the radar on the news channel for getting a thunderstorm. David got on line to check and it said we were under a storm watch. Well, the sky opened up and as David said, we "watched it come down!" I think weather people just pull things out of a hat 1/2 the time! Oh, and I took pictures of this oncoming storm too! :) After about an hour the sky turned brilliantly blue again as though rain had never even been a threat.

I hope you have a good Monday and can use today to find out what all the Lord has in store for you!

Earnest prayer

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you prayed so hard people thought you were drunk? That's what happened to Hannah in 1 Samuel. She couldn't have had a very happy life. We know that the other wife picked on her so bad she became distraught and cried. Thankfully, her husband loved her. In fact, he was upset that she thought she had to have children to earn his love. She wanted a child so badly that she promised to give him back to the Lord. How hard that must have been for her. She has a son and knows she must fulfill her promise to the Lord. She does and God blesses her with more children. This story has always been special to me. I've always admired Hannah's devotion to the Lord and her willingness to follow through even when it was difficult to do so. With my Wed. night Bible study we've been going through the OT (I think I've mentioned this...) and we just recently read the story of Hannah. I read it in a different light this time. Though I don't have another wife hen-pecking me, and I'm not miserable, I am without a child. It's been difficult. I have to pray daily that bitterness doesn't set into my heart. I have been slammed in the face with the fact/idea/whatever that maybe I haven't been praying earnestly enough for a child. I know that our society is way different then Hannah's was, and I can't say that I CAN give my child to a church when he/she is a year old, but there are other ways to give my child/children to the Lord. I can give them to Him on a daily basis, trusting Him to take care of them. I can give them to Him by knowing that wherever the Lord takes them (be it around the world or just in the US) that I let them go w/out making them feel guilty for leaving. I remember my mom saying that she did this (and probably still does). I never felt guilty for doing what I knew the Lord wanted me to do (and it's the same today). I never felt that my mom didn't want me to go just to stay with her for selfish reasons. I know it wasn't easy for my mom to let me go, but I also know she knew I had to do the Lord's will. What can we learn from Hannah from 1000s of years ago? Well, I can learn that I need to pray more earnestly--right now about having a child, but really, with anything in life. I can also learn that when/if the Lord does answer me with a yes, I have to remember that this blessing is from HIM and not due to anything I have done. I have to remember that it belongs to HIM and I have to be willing to let it/him/her go if that's what he asks. Is it easy to do? No, but I have learned in my 30 years that doing what GOD wants is FAR better then doing what I want. Not always the easiest road, but always the best road.

May you be encouraged today to pray earnestly for the things you want/need/desire. Scripture promises to give us the desire of our hearts (in Psalms), and in James it also warns that our prayers aren't answered because we ask with the wrong motives/desires. It's such a balancing act...Be encouraged though, that our Lord DOES hear our prayers and answers them according to what's best for us! Remember Hannah today. Read her story, it's not very long and is at the beginning of 1 Samuel. She has a lot to teach us about surviving under difficult situations and seeking/praying earnestly to the Lord for the desires of our heart.

Pea soup?

I have always been a bit befuddled when people describe a foggy morning/evening as "pea soup." It's not at all like pea soup. For starters it's not GREEN! I have never seen a foggy morning that was green looking. I've only seen pea soup a time or 2 and never saw any resemblance. Any thoughts from you, the public? Where on earth did we get the idea that foggy mornings and pea soup could be compared?

How many?

I know I just posted something, but technically that was yesterday's post (google was having issues so I couldn't post until today). For whatever reason, I often get a song going through my head in the mornings and it stays there. I have often wondered if it's God's way of helping me to remember his promises, his faithfulness, etc? I have been hearing a song on the radio--I don't know who sings it or what the song is called. The song is about Christ, coming to earth as a baby but is King and Lord and Savior. The chorus is what really strikes me. It goes like this...

How many kings step down from their throne?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?

There's more, but I can't quite remember it. Anyway, isn't it true and something to think about? What a wonderful thing to remember about our Lord! He stepped down from this throne in heaven to come be with us on earth. He abandoned his home of heaven, a perfect home, to come make a home here on this imperfect earth. He's the greatest, yet he became the least just so I (and you!) can have eternal life with him in heaven. If that doesn't stop you in your tracks, I don't know what will! What a wonderful God we have. I hope that you are able to find reason to praise His name today!

Funny times and tender moments

Who knew a 3 year old could be so much fun? :) I tell ya what! My niece Sophia is hilarious!! She comes up with the funniest things! Friday evening my sister, Sophia and I (and then Jamie later) went over to the church to do photocopying. David stayed at the house talking on the phone with his dad. Well, unbeknownst to us, it started to POUR rain while we were at the church. We discovered this when it was time to go back. So, Jamie picks up Sophia and runs and Ruthie and I followed...only to discover that David had locked us out!!!!!!! Sophia became very distraught and when Uncle David let us in she gave him a severe tongue-lashing. In a very dispondent voice, as though all the world would end, and with a measure of stern she said, "Uncle David! You left us out in the rain! I was getting rain all over my skin!" We couldn't help but laugh. It was hilarious! She just sounded so sad and horrified that she got rain on her skin! :) :) :) David was sure to give her a hug and apology, but we adults got a good laugh! :) This is only one of many little funnies this child said. When David invited us to partake in the Lord's supper (communion) at church on Sunday, Sophia said, "Before lunch???" She was confused why we'd be having supper before lunch. My sister did a great job of explaining what communion is. Sophia was watching "The Aristocats" movie and David noted that the voice who does Thomas, the alley cat, was the same voice who did Balou on "The Jungle Book." Ruthie or Jamie didn't hear what he'd said, so David said "He's Balou!" Sophia then promptly corrected her uncle and said, "No, Uncle David, he's not blue, he's orange and white!" Like, duh!!!! :) :) :) :) :) Oh this little girl, this precious child. She is a hoot!

We also had a very tender moment. Apparently, Sophia is discovering death, what it is, what it means, etc. She's so smart and really thinks through things. All of a sudden (or so it seemed to me) she said, "I don't want Grandma Hannah (who is my Gpa's new wife and is dying of cancer) to die." She was in tears, we were all getting teary-eyed. It was horrible. We tried to appease her by telling her that Gma would be in heaven with Jesus, but as it happens even with adults this wasn't too great a comfort and didn't take away the pain of losing someone. What a precious child she is. She is probably a lot further along in her preparation for Gma to die then the rest of us are. I pray her heart stays tender.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful time, ending with a picnic lunch at the park!