One With A Shepherd – Chapter 2

Posted on by Mary

Dealing With the Physical Demands of Ministry

Basically the author takes the entire chapter and gives 12 ways to lessen the physical demands of ministry! We do most of them but not all of them. I have a feeling we might introduce a couple more of them though!

My thoughts:

1. Focus in your area of giftedness. Do not expend your energies elsewhere.

I didn’t do this at our current church at first. I was putting my energies into stuff that were not my forte. I was becoming exhausted and luckily one of our very wise deacon’s wives came to me and said, “why are you involved in these things? They weren’t on your list of things you wanted to be involved in when you candidated!” She was right and I prayed about it and set those two ministries aside and I am soooo glad I did it!

2. Prioritize and Organize

Do I need to say no to something?  Yes I do! Lol! We need to constantly re-evaluate what we are doing and why! This is an ongoing process!

And there you have it my thoughts on chaper 2. Have a great day!

My Thorn

Posted on by Mary

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I have clung to these verses for years. It has served literally as my sanity! I know I am by no means Paul, nor do I care to be! (I like being a girl!). Though I do think that Paul is one of the best examples of a Christ emulator that we have!

Let’s start at the very beginning (because that is a very good place to start)!

At age 13 I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. I was the youngest documented child having this ocular disease at that point in time! At age 14 I had surgery but by 16 my eyes had returned to their pre-surgery selves and I was devastated. I knew what it meant..no driving…Ever! The next 6 to 8 months were rocky to say the least. I was struggling with the new identity that everyone was throwing on me…..that blind girl! I could have screamed…oh wait I did…MANY MANY times. That’s not who I was and I was not about to let it define me!

It was during this time that I got baptized and accepted a call into full time ministry, which at the time I thought was for missions but God had different plans!

While working through all this these verses became my peace. I remember in college taking these verses and applying them. I begged God, but to no avail. So I have clung to the rest! But when I finally accepted AND embraced this new me, I was bombarded by believers who said…. Continue reading “My Thorn” →

Good Morning Girls Goals

Posted on by Mary

Well yesterday’s assignment for the Good Morning Girls Bible Study was to write out our goals for our study. So I decided to share mine with you here.

  • Become more consistent in my daily walk with God.
  • Become more intentional with my husband and kids.
  • Become more purposeful in everything I say and do.

That’s it…a simple yet very powerful assignment!

Enjoy your day!

One with a Shepherd – Chapter 1

Posted on by Mary

Let me just start off my saying, I am REALLY enjoying this book!

Okay, so clearly I am not going to have enough time or space to share everything I have learned or that has impacted me in some way. I would have to transcribe the whole book and that is plagiarism!

So I decided to share two or three things that impacted me along with a VERY short summary of each chapter!

SUMMARY:

Essentially this chapter talks about the role of women, both young and old through the Titus 2 passage. Then the author applies it to both the older and younger pastors’ wives. (I am obviously a younger pastor’s wife with young children.)

AH HAH THOUGHTS:

1. It was a great reminder that my first ministry is to my husband and children. So many times we (as in pastors’ wives) get bogged down with everything that needs to happen and we forget about the most important treasures God has given to us.

2. Despite all the craziness our own discipline is super important and will also carry over to our own children.

Obviously we know these things…but we sometimes we need reminding AND re-energizing!

Bible Gateway

Posted on by Mary

Did you know that if you have an iPhone or iPad you have the oppurtunity to “purchase” an app that is beyond amazing! Don’t worry if you are an Android patron then your app is on it’s way! Why is it so amazing…..like I would leave you hanging!

  • It has all of the major translations
  • Literally hundreds of bibles in other languages
  • Bible helps (bible dictionaries and commentaries)
  • Bible reading plans (& the ability to share your progress via your choice of social networks)
  • Highlights and notes
  • The ability to contrast different translations right next to each other

And the biggest seller of ALL….

It’s FREEEEEEE!

So here is where you can find it.

BIBLE GATEWAY

ENDJOY!!!!!!