I know I havent posted in a long long while but I just had to say, this months article was SO good. Thank you so much Deanna. I am lucky to have a dh that tells me everyday how much he needs me and how helpful I am to him. You are right on in all you said and it was just an awesome encouragement.
Keep us in prayer as we have had some doors of opportunity open up and ,though they are not what we thought they were at first and are taking some different turns, if they come about could be awesome for us.
I have not read it yet, but I am going to right now. thanks, lori
__________________
...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
So much truth in so little space. It made me think of 2 PW's that I know of.
One in Florida who after years of resenting the time her DH had to put into pastoring his church, she left him. She admits it was for no other reason than she wanted to be # 1 even before God in his life....it's very sad. What blessings she is missing out on.
My current PW is just precious to us. A true help mate in every way. I love the way they openly praise eachother in front of others, not for show, just true feelings. Edie plays the piano, teaches, helps with youth trips, VBS, and countless other things. She is also VERY generous with his time. Although, I think because she is , we do try as a congregation not to take advantage.
She also makes herself available for help in counseling the ladies along side her husband. I once went to her because, as a newlywed to a new husband, I had concerns about sex that had to do with my biblical responses as a Christian wife, and I was not very comfortable discussing this with Tony. She dropped everything to spend time with me discussing my questions and let me know I was on the right path and gave me lots of encouragement. It was something small but something that was weighing heavy on my heart. I will always remember that meeting.
I hope other churches are as blessed as we are in the "helper fit for him" department.
Love, Lori
__________________
...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
I read the tips in Nitty Gritty this month and they are great. What a gifted writer!
I think many pastors have difficulty realizing that their ministry and their personal relationship with Christ are not synonyms. When they put the ministry first before their family, they may experience "failure in the womb of success". At an area minister's meeting , they had a guest speaker who expressed this. There are times that the ministry will come first but it should not be the normal and accepted mode of operation. If it is, it's not God's will. Paul said it was better not to marry so you'd have more freedom in ministry and the Lord's work. But when you are married, you are to love your wife like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Your mate's your #1 ministry and then your kids are. Finally, the church.
Sometimes, women need to realize that the husband is to come before the kids! He's your number one ministry! And Nitty Gritty did a great job making that point. Nonetheless,there may be times that the demands of little ones displace priorities (for a season) but it should not continue on as the normal mode of operation. Marriage is to be held in honor among all ...Heb 13:4 Man and wife have shared dominion (Gen 1:26-27) over their ministry and children that God has entrusted to them. Therefore, you learn to partner together or these things can tear you apart. The choice is ours.
Yes, Christ (cultivating a prayer life and study of the Bible) does come first! But be not deceived, we are not to be characterized with putting ministry and everybody elses needs ahead of our family. This isn't 'old school' . It's God's way and order of priorities. We are joint heirs. I've always said, "We are brother and sister in Christ before we are husband and wife." But that's a different post for another time!
My mentor has been in ministry 50+ years. She will tell you her husband never put the church first (as normal mode of operation). She also helped me with the nuts/bolts of this thing! Ministry will drain the life out of you, if you let it! So will children! But you have to purpose in your heart that the marriage has 2nd place next to his/her own personal relationship with Christ only. Thirdly, comes offspring,careers and ministries.
Of course there may be "seasons" of displaced priorities and one has to be flexible...nothing's perfect. Neverless, our personal time with Christ and our personal ministries are not synonyms.
