Discerning God's
Voice: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
God
never ceases to amaze me. I know
what He is capable of, yet am still amazed when He completes puzzles all around
me piece by piece. I marvel at His
masterpieces, from the simplest to the complex.
My
long time best friend's 3-year-old child died in January. Adrianna Kate Cavanagh is at home with
Jesus after battling neuroblastoma (a rare childhood cancer) for ten long
months. I cannot count the hours I
have spent with my friend Stephanie on the phone - which leads me to my book
review of Priscilla Shirer's Discerning
God's Voice: How to Recognize When God Speaks.
The
very week I began leading this study was the week Adrianna passed. If ever there was a time that I needed
to hear God's voice, it was then!
The opening day of Shirer's study focused on Habakkuk 3:17-18, "Though
the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the
olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in
the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be
joyful in God my Savior." It was
right after I typed that verse for Stephanie in an email and clicked send that
she called me with the news.
Thinking Adrianna was in remission, the doctors found the cancer had so
aggressively returned, she only had days to live.
Continuing
to lead Shirer's study, I watched the ladies in our group grow spiritually over
such a short period of time. I
watched myself grow, being reminded that the more intimate we are with God, the
clearer His voice will be. This
study is one of the most practical (for lack of a better word) studies I have
ever lead a group through. Shirer
is honest, wise and real. God
handpicked this study for me to lead during such a difficult time. You see, He knew I could not help my
friend discern His voice without first making sure I knew how to discern His
voice myself. Kristi is the wife of Dr. Jay Cook, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Pascagoula, MS and the mom to two beautiful kids!
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Recently, I was with a former Minister of Music and his wife. This woman has been just like a sister to me and when we get together, we just pick up where we left off. I was not prepared for the funny stories that they remembered about me. I especially was not prepared for them to share them with their new church members. It seemed everyone had a great laugh discovering that ministry really can make you laugh!
My time at the their church was awesome and I really enjoyed reminiscing, even though, embarrassing stories. Like for instance, one time I was coming down the stairs at the church and a deacon was coming up the stairs. The heel of my shoe caught in my skirt and I went flying! As I was flying the deacon acted quickly and stepped in front of me to catch my fall. He did. There we were... chest to chest. Nose to nose. Lips to lips....Get the picture....... To make matters worse, my skirt had flown up and on top of my head. Trying to save what little dignity that I had left, with the utmost care the deacon took my skirt off my head and let it fall back to it's proper place. Our minister of Music stepped around the corner just in time to see the aforementioned scene. Boy was I embarrassed. That deacon never looked at me the same again.
And then again this past summer, I am walking down the halls of the SBC Convention, and I fall flat on my face all because I had to wear my new Jessica Simpson platforms that I purchased at TJMaxx. I got such a good deal on these shoes and felt so good wearing them that I couldn't admit that I probably have past the age of wearing the height of heel I was wearing. I will go down fighting on this one. Oh yes, I do believe that's exactly what I did. There in front of all the "Baptist Biggies" I fell not once but twice in those silly platforms. (they looked so good) Well I bruised by pride and you know what else.
Speaking of shoes, we have our first contest. Check out how you can win a new book written just for Pastor's wives but intended to be a tool for the entire church! Lisa McKay's first (sure not to be the last) new book, "You can Still Wear Cute Shoes". This is our first contest and it will not be our last. If you would like to help us with our contests contact me on our contact form. www.contagiousjoy4him.
We are adding new editor to the staff in the next few weeks. Please pray for the direction of the team God is putting together.
Sincerely,
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| Do You Arrive in a Car or a Tornado?
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 As the New Year rang in, my mother-in-law drew some of her last breaths. At the funeral, my husband paid tribute to his mother who lived 80 years, over 50 of those as a pastor's wife.
She lived a life that impacted thousands. Every word measured. Every action counted. She poured her life into dozens and dozens of women whom she personally mentored. Today, those women are investing their lives into them women around them. Even in death, my mother-in-law's legacy impacts eternity.
As ministry wives, it is so easy to become overwhelmed with the busyness of ministrya nd never actually develop a ministry with eternal significance.
Sometimes I arrive at church as if a tornado just blew me in and dropped me, the baby, and diaper bag in the middle of foyer. With windswept hair and my dress hanging slightly off skew I rush to perform my task list rather than engage in ministry that will change someone's life forever.
Sound familiar?
Here are some sure fire ways to know you are overwhelmed with the busyness of ministry:
� You teach in the children's ministry (translation you beg for volunteers), lead multiple bible studies, and teach youth on Wednesday night,
� You are as equally adept as changing dirty diapers in the nursery as cleaning dirty toilets in the men's restroom
� You lead the VBS team, cook meals for those experiencing births and deaths (but wonder who will cook for your family when you die), make the coffee and set out donuts, and attend youth camp while the church phone lines are forwarded to your cell phone Dear sister, it is time to reassess things!
Don't take offense, I, too, have spent the last few days assessing the eternal impact of my life. Trust me, you want your life to count for more than carefully folding church bulletins and perfectly stapled handouts. All of these things are important and may be necessary for a church to function.
But if you say yes to everything, then you are being robbed of meaningful ministry.
God has not called you to a ministry of everything. He has, however, called you to a specific ministry. Listen to this:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:18-20Before this year comes and goes, ask God: What does the ministry of reconciliation mean for my life?
How can I develop a ministry that has an eternal legacy? Then DO what God has called you to DO!Let me know your thoughts,
Heather Moore
http//www.thedailykick.com
Follow this link to make a comment on Heather's article and to take our poll
Heather is a pastor's wife from Florida. She and her husband, Bruce have an adorable blue eyed, red headed daughter! Check our blog. You'll be glad you did.
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