A Time to be Silent...

"A time to be silent and a time to speak..." Ecclesiastes 3:7

My last blog post was in February.  That is a long time ago, especially for somebody who loves to talk and write!  I haven't neglected by blog because I have been lazy or too busy.  I haven't written because the Lord had given me specific instruction to be silent. 

I have struggled.

I have fought. 

I have cried. 

I have wanted to write, but these past months have been about growth.  They have been about development and about God building a story in me that at the proper time I would be able to share.  I have learned a new discipline in my life.  The discipline of sitting and listening and learning from the Lord.  I have learned that in order to be a good writer and speaker, I have to be a good listener. I have learned that obedience begins with a willingness to listen.  I have learned to become a better listener to my husband, my children, my friends and most importantly, my Lord. 

As I have listened, I have changed.  My time of listening is not over, but my silence is!

Not too long ago, I studied a passage in Revelation 12:11:

"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and the by the word of their testimony."

 

 

Listening has brought about a new kind of Spiritual Warfare for our family.  When I read this, I knew it was time to share my testimony about God's goodness, mercy, redemption and grace.  The enemy is waging war and he works very hard at being loud and distracting when we are trying to be silent. 

 

I want victory.  Our testimony brings victory! When we share what God has done in our lives the enemy flees.  Satan can't compete with victory in Jesus!

 

There IS a time for everything, but time is short.  How are you spending your time?  Be wise with it!

 

"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."

Hosea 10:12 

 

 I challenge you to share your testimony with someone today-it may be just what they need to overcome the enemy in their life! 





For I Resolve...

Sometimes I open my Bible to study and I read things about myself-as if someone looked deep inside my soul and penned the words. 

Kelly and I leave in two days for our vision trip to Colorado with our Church Planting partners, Jeff and Danielle, and some of our prayer partners.  We are SO excited about the trip, but I have to admit that I have had some anxiety over the past week.  My mind has raced, "What are we doing?" "I don't know how to do this!" "Are we crazy?!". 

I cannot imagine that I am the only "Church Planting Wife", or Christ Follower on the planet that feels this way, so I am just laying it out there and being honest. 

I resolve that I am weak.

 

I don't feel like I know enough, I haven't studied or read enough books on "How To Be a Good Church Planting Wife".  I don't have all the answers.  I don't have enough grace.  I don't have enough patience.  I don't have...I could go on and on...

And just in the middle of my "I don't haves..." My Sweet Jesus sends me words from Paul:

When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence of human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness and with great fear and trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Seriously?!  That's it?  I can have fear and lack wisdom and not be completely prepared!  In fact, I can know NOTHING except Jesus and His story and that is MORE than enough.  More than enough!  I am so relieved!  I feel so empowered. 

I resolve that I know Jesus, and I can testify to His story and the way it has worked in my life. 

I can talk all day about the ways I have seen His power revealed and His grace and mercy poured out.  I can do this!  What's even better is that I when I do, the Spirit's power is unleashed and HE gets the glory!

  "All scripture is God-breathed...so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17

God breathed these words so that I may not be afraid, and so that you may be encouraged as well. 

If you are feeling like you can't do something that God has called you to do, look to the cross. 
If you are overwhelmed with life and circumstances surrounding you, look to the cross. 
If you are lacking wisdom, look to the cross. 
If you are weak and struggle with fear, look to the cross. 

Resolve to believe that the cross was enough.  Resolve to know Jesus. 

...so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.  To Him be the glory!

The Church Planting Wife

For almost seventeen years I have been "Kelly's wife".  For eleven years I have been "Zachary's, Noah's, Joshua's or AnnaFaith's Mom".  I have been "Vycki's Daughter", "Robbie, Matt and Jon's sister".  I have been junior high teacher, elementary teacher, Bible Study teacher.  I have been called MANY things and held many titles. 

This year, I will add one that will change me.  It is certainly the title that I am the most afraid of having, but at the same time, the one I am the most afraid of running from.  This year, I will become "The Church Planting Wife".

I am walking beside my partner and best friend as we follow God's call on our life to be full-time Church Planters.  Kelly and I will soon be settling into Northern Colorado to make our new home and most importantly to make disciples for Jesus.

When I was recently given the opportunity to join a book launch team for a book by a fellow church planting wife, I jump on board.  I was eager to read what someone a few years ahead of me had to say about the journey I was beginning.  Little did I know that I would open a book and read about my very own heart written by someone else!

Christine Hoover has become vulnerable and dug deep into places many of us don't want to go.  She has revealed frustrations, fears, sin, restoration, recovery and praise all in a few chapters.  Her interviews with other wives helped me to know I am not alone and most importantly, that I AM NORMAL!!  What a relief! 

I found myself wishing many times that I had this book years ago.  I believe it is helpful to wives serving in all areas of ministry.  Christine gently guides you through a heart "check-up".  Every nook and cranny of my heart has had a makeover!  I love how it is full of scripture, truth and real-life stories. 

The Church Planting Wife will be a book that is highlighted, post-it noted, wrinkled and worn in my collection.  If you are looking for encouragement...If you are looking for ways to encourage your husband...If you are needing a friend...If you are struggling in ministry..If you need a good read...please pick up a copy if this book.  You will be blessed!

I feel more ready to take on my new title.  I understand that our journey will be long and hard, but full of surprise and blessing.  We leave for our first trip to our future home on February 14th!  I will keep you posted on how things go, but in the meantime, be encouraged today.  God has a plan for you!  He desires to use you where you are.  Look for opportunities today to make disciples and love like Jesus does!

 

"I'm linking up with Christine over at Grace Covers Me today as she releases her book, The Church Planting Wife: Help and Hope for Her Heart, and collects heart stories from church planting and ministry wives. Join us?"