November 15, 2011

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER


Dear Father,
When I wake in the morning, may I ask You to remind me of Your desire for me to respect my husband. May my words and actions towards him be ones that show respect. When I speak about him to others, may my words not be ones that tear him down, but that build him up. May the looks that I give him be given with eyes of love and honor, and not with scorn and ridicule. May I respect him for who You made him to be, and not for who I think he ought to be. May my love and reverence for You, be reflected in the love and reverence I hold for my husband.
In your precious name,
Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU


An Interview with Cheryl Skordahl



Cheryl Skordahl lives in Pipestone, Minnesota. Her husband Dave Skordahl serves as part-time Associate Pastor at Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Cheryl is her husband’s helper! She helps him by keeping their home clean and orderly; and also prepares healthy and nutritious meals. She sends him off in the morning with a yummy breakfast and a big kiss! They have two married children and seven grandchildren.

When I asked Cheryl what she thought her ministry was now at Christ the King Free Lutheran Church she said, “Since both of our children are grown and I don’t work outside the home, I am grateful to have lots of time to also work within the church.” “I was asked to be the coordinator of the Cradle Roll.” She said, “Which I accepted wholeheartedly as a ministry to the young families at our church.” In addition to giving Bibles at the time of baptism and distributing the Cradle Roll brochures Cheryl also organizes a meal to be delivered at the time of birth and pays special attention to visiting with the young moms at the church. “ In the future,” she said “I plan to organize a get-together time for young moms and their preschool children.” “ In addition to Cradle Roll, I am on the Campus Vision Team – a team the congregation elected to review the church building structure and make recommendations for changes to the Board of Trustees.” I also am on the Church Decorating Team.”

I asked Cheryl the question if she were to encourage our pastor’s wives or Seminettes what words of encouragement would she say? “ The words I would use to encourage all Pastor’s wives and Seminettes would be to listen and obey the Word of the Lord.” “Then,” she said, “Do all you can whenever you can to further the Kingdom of God.” Cheryl said, “Since there are different phases in life, the “doing” will be different from time to time.” “When the children are young, build the Kingdom of God in them.” “Later,” she said, “will come a time to spread your wings and move beyond the home.” “Remember, she said, “throughout all of life, your responsibility lies in hearing the Word of the Lord and obeying it through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I asked Cheryl to share with us her favorite verse from scripture. She shared Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Thank you Cheryl, for these uplifting and encouraging words.


September 10, 2011

FOCUS



There isn’t a one of us who doesn’t desire to become an Excellent Wife. For some it appears to come so easily. They seem to be the perfect example of the Excellent Wife. Maybe their personality type displays these excellent qualities easily with what seems to be no effort on their part. Then again, age may be the key and over time they have been tempered and they have indeed learned how to become an Excellent Wife. Truly it is a process of becoming. We do seek to “become” but we will never fully arrive at the “perfect” until we’re HOME!! You’re in safe company here (we haven’t arrived yet!) as we journey together in our understanding of what an Excellent Wife is. During the 2011 year we will discuss the Foundational Truths of the Excellent Wife and also the Faithful Commitments of the Excellent Wife. New topics concerning these areas will be posted six times a year (every two months). Please join us.


WORDS TO INSPIRE

LOVE, the WIFE’S C H O I C E
From the book THE EXCELLENT WIFE by Martha Peace



Did you notice the emphasis on the word “Choice?” How could you help but notice? It could be an insignificant word, but I “chose” to give it emphasis. No matter what has happened between a husband and wife, if we choose to ask, the Lord can give love for each other that was never dreamed possible. We need only ask, and the Lord will give.

Even under trying circumstances, we can show love to our husbands because God’s “grace is sufficient” (II Corinthians 12:9). God will give us supernatural power (grace) to show love, if we obey God by thinking loving thoughts and doing loving actions toward our husbands. There are times when we need to put our feelings on the shelf, even go directly against feelings and do what we know is right – showing and acting love to our husbands.

Martha Peace says, that when godly love is expressed between husband and wife, they will often experience tender feelings and a sweetness that they never experienced during the early years of “romantic” love.

We as women are usually good at choosing to be neighborly – sharing a cup of sugar, giving garden transplants, getting together for no other reason than just to be together. “Love your neighbor” is the way the Bible says it in Matthew 22:39. We are reminded to give our husband’s this same kind of consideration. She says, in fact, that our husbands are our closest neighbors! Wow, that’s worth our consideration, isn’t it?

The author teaches that there are three categories of sin that will destroy love in a marriage: Selfishness, bitterness or fear – and often a combination of these three.

Selfishness: It is revolutionary in our American culture today to hear someone express the “Deny yourself” concept. The idea of “Putting others first” is so foreign. Yet that is exactly what God asks us to do. If husbands and wives are to have joy and fulfillment in marriage, each must put themselves aside and place God and others first.

Bitterness: Wives may express that they feel “hurt” and “resentful” toward their husbands. These emotions are how women feel when they are bitter. If you feel ungrateful, vengeful, have a loss of joy or excessive sorrow, are critical or brooding – you may be manifesting bitterness. Since bitterness hinders biblical love, ask the Lord to reveal the percentage of your fault, then take responsibility for that percentage by the “Put Off-Put On” method as recorded in Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart… and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

Fear: A common struggle for many wives, fear makes it difficult to love our husbands. Whether the fear may be that he will die, leave you, or even abuse you in some way, the key to overcoming fear is to trust God and love your husband. I Peter 3:6 says “do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

Love is the character quality on which we must concentrate. Memorize I Corinthians 13:4-7 and write out each aspect of love within this Scripture. What concrete ways can you express love to your husband through your thoughts or your actions?


NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD


A WIFE’S LONELINESS



There are many examples of loneliness in the Bible. Some of these are Elijah, Jeremiah and Paul. There are also many reasons for loneliness. One woman’s loneliness may not be another woman’s.

Loneliness just like anything else can become the main thought pattern of your life. When it becomes the only thing you dwell on it will draw you away from the Lord.
It will capture you. That is when the focus becomes on us and not on the Lord. The tempter then can take us into many areas of loneliness but we must remember that the Lord can overcome these things. He is powerful. Sometimes we get so ensnared in the loneliness that we cannot focus on what the Lord can do for us to help us with the loneliness.

There is a chorus of a song I like to sing when I am lonely.


You’ll never be lonely again never again.
If you will open your hearts door to Him,
He will brush away your tears and forget your
Foolish fears, you’ll never be lonely again.
Never Again.


Now some may say, this little chorus is talking about coming to know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. The songwriter may have been talking about that but for me, when I am lonely there are many different things that make me lonely. Sometimes it is tears and sometimes it is foolish fears. If I open my heart to Him I won’t be lonely. The circumstances may not have changed around me but I will feel and know His presence and I will feel peaceful.

There are many Bible verses that we can use during our lonely times.

Psalm 9:9,10 says The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Those are powerful words for any of us who suffer with loneliness. Be aware that loneliness can be a struggle that we deal with all of our lives but also be aware that God is the one to give the victory during those lonely times. He wants to hear you say to Him that you are lonely and that you need Him to help you. Don’t delay always pray.

CHECK IT OUT


Life Interrupted, Navigating the Unexpected
By Priscilla Shirer



I don’t usually select a book because of it’s title, but the title of this book caught my interest. In Life Interrupted Navigating the Unexpected Priscilla Shirer wants to help us see that life’s interruptions are really God’s divine interruptions. In our lives when something doesn’t go the way we planned we often blame God for this interruption in our life. Priscilla reminds us that God is there, “He is right in the middle of every interruption.”

By taking an in depth look at Jonah and how he dealt with the interruptions in his life, Ms. Shirer shows us how we need to seek God’s forgiveness for our sin and allow God to use these interruptions for His glory. She also reminds us that our God is a God of second chances.

This paragraph from the book sums it up pretty well, “My purpose in writing this book is primarily to help folks like you and me learn how to see our life interruptions as divine interventions and begin surrendering to the authority and sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ. I also want to remind us to receive and respond well to our second chances when we’ve blown the first ones.”

I wasn’t expecting to learn so many lessons from the life of Jonah, but the author has done a good job of showing me how I need to learn from Jonah and let God have control of my life’s interruptions.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME


Falling Forward



Fall is in the air! Here in the UP of Michigan, the leaves are at the very beginning stages of displaying their beautiful autumnal tones. The evenings are getting cooler, the air is getting crisper, and before we know it our church and family schedules will follow their new Fall agendas. It's a great time of year for new starts in terms of our home habits and organizational plans.

I'm sure you've noticed that there are many totes, baskets, bins, and bulletin boards on the market. Sales are in swing now as students prepare for their academic year. Managers of the home - take advantage of these good markdowns and products in helping your home function more smoothly.

I've read two pieces of advice when it comes to storage of items family used on a seasonal basis and for keepsake items that aren't on everyday display. The first was to keep labeled cardboard boxes in the garage. I did this for a few years and decided it was not the best system. The boxes got dusty from being in the garage, temperatures fluctuated from lows to highs, and in some regions bugs feasted on cardboard. The next tip I found was the best. Use transparent plastic totes with self locking lids. It's still a great idea to label the totes with an adhesive sticker and a sharpie marker, however being able to glance through the tote's walls and see what's inside saves a lot of time hunting and pecking when you're searching for an item.

A great tool for keeping track of school papers/medical records/receipts is an expandable pocket folder. I've lost more time than I care to think about looking for an important paper I sat down in a special place so I wouldn't lose it, only to not remember where that special place was. There are many bright and cheery colored folders to choose from, and the usually run around $3.00. Choose a different color for each category of papers you need to keep track of and store them all in one place.

Calendars are another tool that make the running of the home easier. I have found that the super large perforated paper ones that you can find at your local super store for under $5 work the best. Have the current month up where everyone can see it. For us that's on the side of the refrigerator. Those big sheets give ample room to record everyone's comings and goings.

I pray as we fall forward into Fall, it will be a with a renewed zeal, joy, and commitment in serving our families for His glory.

IDEAS THAT WORK

HEALTH for BODY (Physical), SOUL (Mind, Will, Emotions), SPIRIT (Spiritual)

MAGNESIUM



The average American does not consume enough magnesium. 90-95% are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is the most important mineral in your body and participates in over 300 hormonal reactions!

Magnesium deficiencies lead to: insomnia, sleep-disorders, fatigue, body-tension, headaches, heart-disorders, low energy, high blood pressure, PMS, muscle tension, backaches, constipation, kidney stones, osteoporosis, accelerated aging, depression, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, muscle cramps, spasms, irritability, eye twitches, neck pain, difficulty swallowing or lump in throat after eating sugar, loud noise sensitivity, uptightness, salt cravings, chocolate cravings, etc. Consuming proper levels of magnesium relieves all the above problems and also helps: prevent and reverse kidney stone formation, relieve fibromyalgia and chronic pain, treat asthma and emphysema, etc.

The recommended daily allowance is of magnesium is 320 mg for women and 400 mg for men. Ideally, we should be getting 500 – 700 mg per day. People with chronic kidney failure should be careful with magnesium because toxic build up could occur; however, it is difficult to reach toxic levels with people who have normal kidneys. You will know if you have too much because the result will be diarrhea. Easy fix – just back off on the amount of magnesium. Magnesium and calcium intake needs to be about 1 to 2 ratio. If you take 500 mg magnesium supplements then you should take 1000 mg calcium supplements. You may need to adjust if you get good amounts from your diet.

Magnesium rich foods include a variety of whole foods, nuts, seeds and green vegetables. AVOID: refined processed foods.

Supplement with magnesium citrate. Peter Gilliam’s CALM or Magna Calm are two excellent products; used on a short-term basis because magnesium from foods is best.

Yogurt and probiotics help build beneficial bacteria and yeast in your intestines which help absorb magnesium. 1 T. Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar in ½ cup filtered water ½ hour before meals helps magnesium absorption too.


Get your calcium/magnesium levels corrected and most of your medical symptoms will disappear.


HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING


Chicken and Biscuit Pie


Ingredients
FILLING:
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cups vegetables of your choice (left-overs or frozen ones that have been thawed)
Salt and pepper



BISCUIT TOPPING
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3/4 cup milk



Instructions
Melt the butter on the stovetop in a Dutch oven or other oven-safe sauté pan with high sides. Stir in the onion and celery, then cover the pan and cook them for 7 to 8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the flour, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly brown it.



Whisk the chicken stock into the pan. When it starts to thicken, whisk in the milk. Add the sage, thyme, chicken, and vegetables, continuing to stir until the mixture is heated through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.



Remove the pan from the stovetop and heat the oven to 375 F. Meanwhile, make the biscuit topping by combining the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients. Add the milk and stir briskly, just until the dough pulls together.



Flour your work surface and turn the dough onto it. Using floured hands, knead the dough two or three times, then flatten it to about 1/2 inch thick. Using a small round cutter, cut the dough into biscuits and place as many as will fit, barely touching, on top of the filling. (You can bake any extras separately, on a lightly greased pie plate, for about 15 minutes.)



Bake the potpie until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly, about 20 to 30 minutes. Then let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving it. Makes 6 to 8 servings



Recipes by Disney family fun.com





Apple Dumplings


Ingredients
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Premade pastry for an 8- or 9-inch 2 crust pie
4 small, cored baking apples
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water

Instructions
Combine the raisins, cranberries, walnuts and spices in a bowl and set aside. On a lightly floured cloth-covered surface, roll out the pastry into a 14-inch square, then cut it into 4 squares. Place a cored apple on top of each square and fill the center with the raisin and cranberry mix.



Cover each apple with its pastry square by bringing the opposite corners up over the fruit and pinching them together. Then, seal together all of the pastry edges, moistening them with water if needed. Place the dumplings in a glass baking dish.



In a saucepan, bring the brown sugar and water to a boil, and then pour it over the dumplings (a parent's job). Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven, spooning the syrup over the dumplings a few times, until the crust is golden (about 40 minutes).


TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Dear Father,
We confess that our idea of love is so far from Your own. It is far too easy for us to buy into the world's definition of love and forget what Your standard is. Feelings come and go, but your command to love our husbands is based on Your Word, not on our emotional state. Remind us to be faithful in expressing love for our spouses as a reflection of our love for You. During times of loneliness in our marriages, turn our eyes and hearts to You to fill the empty spaces in our lives. As we grow in the realization that with You, we are never alone, may we praise You for being our ever faithful guide and comfort.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

An Interview with Sherri Scavo



Sherri and her husband Pastor Craig Scavo serve Faith Lutheran in Durant Oklahoma. They have two grown children and one grandchild.

When I asked Sherri what her ministry was in the church she immediately said, “My biggest ministry is supporting my husband.” She has been involved in youth, music and WMF ministries. She replied, “I let the Lord draw me into the ministry He wants me to be in.” “The Lord took me into a ministry once that I didn’t think I felt comfortable with but it turned out to be a blessing.”

When I asked Sherri if she could encourage the pastor’s wives what would she say to them she responded with, “Be aware and present in your congregation.” “It is not about the ministry that you do it is just being aware of the members of the congregations.” “This is true for the seminettes as well,” she said, “letting your fellow seminettes know that you care.”

Sherri gave an example of a practical side to being aware and present in the congregation. “For instance, she said, “if there is a lady who is not very vocal but is extremely sensitive in your congregation and the Lord prompts you to call her and you do, you then are being obedient to the Lord.” “Maybe she just wanted someone to visit her and for you to just listen.” “By doing that we show that we care for her.”

“All of us women can be aware of other women and respond to them by letting the Lord lay that woman on our hearts.” “Even by letting them know that you are going to pray for them.” “ It isn’t being a fixer but it is just being aware of what God wants for us.” She said. “ During the 6 years that I have been a pastor’s wife, I have learned that in the ministry just be who you are.” “God uses you for who you are.” “Don’t try to be somebody you are not because they will see right through it”

Another encouragement that Sherri shared with me was to always respond to someone who asks you to serve in this or that capacity with, “I am going to pray about that and talk to my husband and I will get back to you.” Sometimes we are too quick to say no or yes and when we choose to do this properly there is not a negative response. “After all who will argue with you when you say you have to pray about it and talk to your husband”?

When I asked Sherri if she had a favorite Bible verse she said yes and it is placed on my fridge. It was one that she had from seminettes. I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing (ESV)

“Be aware and encourage one another.” “Don’t get wrapped up in the negativism of the world.” She said. “Be an encouragement to your family, husband and your fellow believers and non-believers.” “Non-believers recognize when individuals are encouraging.” “When we have the spirit of positivism and not negativism, that raises the question, what is in her to make her happy”?

“In seminettes we encouraged each other in those times of long hours and separation from family.” She reported. “We were there for each other to build one another up during this wonderful, blessed and yet trying experience.” “Always encourage our husbands,” she reminded. “They constantly need encouragement they are not only Pastors but men with daily struggles.”

“ Just like eating is a daily practice so is reading the Word.” “We cannot do any of this with out the Word of God feeding us.”


July 1, 2011

FOCUS




There isn’t a one of us who doesn’t desire to become an Excellent Wife. For some it appears to come so easily. They seem to be the perfect example of the Excellent Wife. Maybe their personality type displays these excellent qualities easily with what seems to be no effort on their part. Then again, age may be the key and over time they have been tempered and they have indeed learned how to become an Excellent Wife. Truly it is a process of becoming. We do seek to “become” but we will never fully arrive at the “perfect” until we’re HOME!! You’re in safe company here (we haven’t arrived yet!) as we journey together in our understanding of what an Excellent Wife is. During the 2011 year we will discuss the Foundational Truths of the Excellent Wife and also the Faithful Commitments of the Excellent Wife. New topics concerning these areas will be posted six times a year (every two months). Please join us.

WORDS TO INSPIRE

HOME, the Wife’s Domain
Based on the book THE EXCELLENT WIFE by Martha Peace





I enjoy genealogy as a hobby. In my census research, I have noticed that under the category “occupation” all of the women in my families’ past have answered with the words “keeping house.”

What does the Bible say about “keeping house?”

When studying the Proverbs 31 woman, I note that 9 out of the 22 verses refer directly to her work in the home. The Titus 2, 3-5 directive says that women are intended to be “workers at home.” In I Timothy 5:14,15 it states that women are to “keep house.” Martha Peace says that the Greek word for “keep house” is oikodespoteo, that means literally to “guide or rule the house.”

The Biblical concept of a “worker in the home” is not popular in today’s culture, but God gives a clear directive that He intends for women to work in the home and do a good job of caring for their families. Younger women are usually highlighted, as they have children to watch over and train as well as a house to be kept clean. THE EXCELLENT WIFE says that a wife who is gone with too many activities or work may not have the time nor the energy to keep her home as it should be kept, which I agree with. Older women also need to take homemaking seriously and influence their grandchildren in the ways of the Lord. No matter what our age, we need to care for our husbands – even more so when the husband is a pastor!

A personal inventory about the role of homemaking for the Christian woman may include the following questions:



What is your heart set on?
Are material possessions of too much importance?
Are your children/grandchildren high on your list of importance?
Do you have the Biblical mindset of housework being “homemaking?”
Have you bought into the pervasive cultural attitude that a woman who stays at home is an “non-person” and has little value?




A frequently quoted axiom is “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” We smile as we read this quote but a frown comes quickly when truly “Mama ain’t happy.” Either the extreme of perfectionism or laziness can cause emotional stress in homemaking, so both must be avoided or happiness will be destroyed. God wants us to set the tone of joy, optimism, and delight in the Lord and in our families, so consider meditating on Psalm 145:5-10 – read it repeatedly and incorporate the verses into your life. As you go about your daily chores sing hymns and praise songs with “with thankfulness in your heart to God.” Smile and share with your family members what wonderful things God has done for you and for them. A wife’s home is her domain. With the Lord’s strength, make yours a home where faith grows in a calming, soothing, and reassuring atmosphere.



NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

The Wife’s Fear-Anxiety





Fear is crippling to the mind, heart and body. It can immobilize you to where you cannot even move out of your home or car or situation. Sometimes your heart races so much you can’t even hear you’re thinking process. Fear is very real. If you have experienced fear in this way it cannot be stopped by just telling yourself to not be afraid. It takes a lot more than that. It takes God actually moving you in baby steps. Sometimes you may have to ask the Lord to help you just walk from the edge of the house out to the curb to get your mail. It takes a divine intervention to get you out to the curb. It is better to take just the baby steps one at a time. Not pressing you to go huge steps. I will just go to the curb and get the mail. Lord help me to just do that. Fear is not a good thing to have and it certainly draws away from the Lord but it is also a very real fact for many women. It doesn’t matter what your fear may be it is still a fear. That fear can drive us. It totally consumes us sometimes so that it is a part of our life on a daily diet. That is when we need to ask the Lord to control our fear. God recognizes that we have the fear. He wants to give us peace of mind heart and soul. We have to put our full trust in Him and lean on Him even to get out to the curb to get the mail. “Jesus says, Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” The mind plays a big part in FEAR. If your mind is thinking about the FEAR all of the time, your mind is not peaceful. Therefore in order to keep a peaceful mind your mind must be concentrating on Him alone. God does not want us to have FEAR. He wants us to be full of joy and not crippled by one of Satan’s plots. Sometimes God uses other Christians to intercede for us. Sometimes the voice of a believer can calm us and God uses that person to calm our hearts. Intercession is a wonderful tool to be used for those who suffer FEAR. Psalm 34:4 says “I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” The point here is that you must seek the Lord and go to Him to help you from the FEAR. What about you? Is there a FEAR in your life that has grown so much that it has hindered you from drawing near to the Lord?

CHECK IT OUT

The Power of Hospitality
by Chuck& Kathie Crismier




As a young pastor’s wife I really don’t think I embraced the idea of hospitality. I would like to think that I didn’t recognize it as my “gift” BUT in complete honesty, I don’t think I was thinking of hospitality as a gift. Truth be told, I was trying to NOT even think of others! Probably at the expense of many lost opportunities on my part. HOSPITALITY IS TO BE CULTIVATED IN EACH OF US. Do you agree? It probably is to be the natural overflow of Christ’s love in us expressing itself to others in hospitality. However, how it displays itself in each of us may differ! This book, The Power of Hospitality is intriguing and enlightening. Read it to see how “an open heart, open hand, and open home will change your world!”

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

GETTING AWAY





Home. We appreciate it more when we can get away from it and slide into some degree of anonymity. Often, we are more grateful for it when we come back from time away to once again enjoy our own beds, our own coffee makers, and our own routines. Do you have a get away planned for this summer? Even if it is a mini-vacation, a few days away from our normal household demands can bring us back refreshed and more appreciative of our God given homes.






My dining room looks like a laundry room and camping store exploded within it's walls. Usually, this would make me as nervous as my dog in a lightning storm, but it actually makes me one happy momma. Why? Because it means that preparations for our upcoming vacation are well under way. At the time of this writing, I'm anticipating seeing many of you at the AFLC Annual Conference. While this is a very enjoyable time for us, it is still part of our "work" as we participate in discussions and hear updates on the various ministries within our church at large.






The day after Conference officially begins our vacation. While our plans have never included a cruise, resort, or five star hotel, we still feel like we are getting away grandly while we stay in our tents and cook over the Coleman stove. Long, long, long ago, I used to feel guilty at taking two weeks to devote to JUST family. That guilt I quickly found to be false, and threw it away and began to accept the blessing of spending uninterrupted time with my husband and children.






One of our children has already flown the nest, and this year finds us taking our second camping adventure without him. Our missing him serves as a reminder of how important it is to take the time to create memories with the other children still at home. His leaving also reinforces our conscience decision to take vacation even though for us it doesn't involve cruises or resorts.






Another deciding factor for us in getting away, is that it makes us better servants when we come back home. Even though we return with loads of dirty laundry, gallons of sand in the car, and the inevitable buckets of rocks and pine cones, we arrive refreshed and ready to be used as God would use us.






Time is short, children grow and go, and what is left is memories. What better reason for getting away?



IDEAS THAT WORK

HEALTH for BODY (Physical) SOUL (Mind, Will, Emotions) SPIRIT (Spiritual)

The Soul


The Soul. It consists of your mind, will and emotions. It is what makes you - you. Have you ever desired to be well in these areas? Have you ever desired to help people on this level? A few articles ago, I mentioned stress as the number one root problem of most of our diseases. Stress has its beginnings in our mind, will and emotions. That is one of the reasons that our Lord says to take our thoughts captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Does it stand to reason that we need education for healing in this area?

This past month, I had the privilege of attending The Healing Academy sponsored by Wind of the Spirit Ministries. This 4 ½ day seminar dealt with: Jesus’ Model for Ministry; Abba, Father; Healing of the Human Spirit; The Holy Spirit; Word of Knowledge; Forgiveness and The Healing Process; The Power of the Spoken Word; Judgments and Vows; Emotional Healing; Human Sexuality; Healing from Sexual Brokenness; The God of All Comfort; Deliverance; Physical Healing; Scriptural Guidelines to Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit; and A Service of Healing and Wholeness. It is important to have education but education without experience is just head knowledge. The sessions give you education plus practical, hands-on experience in the classroom.

Why do I mention this? So, you will have a resource. They respond to requests for seminars. For pastors and their wives, they suggest they attend a pastors and wives seminar first because of the honest, sensitive nature for your own healing. Then, prayerfully, consider a seminar for your own church.

Any interest for a pastors and wives seminar? Contact Lori at loriawillard@gmail.com or 218-463-3756.

Pay attention to “soul” in these verses: Psalm 19:7, Psalm 23:3, Psalm 119:175, Psalm 142:4, Isaiah 55:3, Matthew 16:26, Mark 12:29-31, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 10:39, James 5:19-20, 3 John 2.

Resource: www.wosm-nw.org

HERE'S WHATS COOKING

Grilled Peaches


Ingredients


3 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons freshly ground black peppercorns
2 large fresh peaches with peel, halved and pitted
2 1/2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled


Directions


1. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the white sugar, balsamic vinegar, and pepper. Simmer until liquid has reduced by one half. It should become slightly thicker. Remove from heat, and set aside.
2. Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place peaches on the prepared grill, cut side down. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the flesh is caramelized. Turn peaches over. Brush the top sides with the balsamic glaze, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Transfer the peach halves to individual serving dishes, and drizzle with remaining glaze. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.



Rhubarb Crisp Recipes


Ingredients:


1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups sliced rhubarb
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla


Preparation:


In mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, butter and cinnamon; mix together until crumbly. Press half of the brown sugar and oats mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Top with the sliced rhubarb. In a saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and the 1 cup of water and vanilla. Cook together until clear, then pour over rhubarb. Top rhubarb with remaining crumb mixture and bake

(allrecipes.com, about.com)

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Dear Father,


As we tend to our homes, give us a spirit of joy in our service. While we clean, organize, prepare, and plan, help us remember that our roles in the homes are of eternal importance in Your eyes. As we repeat the same tasks again and again, help us to praise You again and again for our families, homes, and plans that You have for our good.


Do not let us be gripped by fear and worry as we are faced with pressure from without and within to do something of more importance in the world's eyes. Whether we have employment outside the home or not, help us see the value in creating warm, hospitable homes for our family and friends as of first importance.


Father, thank You for being the cornerstone of our homes, and of our hearts. May our work be a reflection of our love and gratitude to You.


Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

THE INTERVIEWS IN REVIEW




It has been six months hearing from many of our pastor’s wives through interviews.

What has been the main theme for all the interviews? From the oldest Pastor’s wife to the youngest we have heard many things but some things remained the same for all the interviews. Let us look at some of these. The first one is when I asked what they thought there ministry was in the church that they served with their husbands every lady said, “First it is to my husband” Not one lady was coached to say this but each lady said that it was their first ministry. We give Glory to God for all of these women who have been such testimonies to us. The second one was to their children. Taking care of their children needs was the ministry that they felt God leading them in. The third area then varied from one lady to the next with each one of them having different interests from crafts, music, children’s ministries, Bible studies and many more.

Now the other important thing that we have noticed is that when asked “How would you encourage each of our Pastor’s wives they all said to stay in the Word of God at all times to not leave it. This is a key to all of us who are in the ministry and to those wives who will be going into the ministry. Each time these ladies shared they also said that prayer is the key. The other main thing that was shared is that we are to be good listeners to our husbands. They need us to be sounding blocks and to pray for them in each situation. Another main theme that was said by many is to be who you are. Some like to send quick breads to the shut ins. Others like to visit the sick with their husbands and still others like to talk on the phone with some of the women who never get phone calls. Whatever it is that God has you to do in your church home just be who you are don’t try be like someone else. Sometimes we like to compare ourselves to other women and that only brings frustration.

This has just been a little taste of what has been shared over the last six months. For those of you who have not been able to read the interviews we hope that this gives you an insight of what was shared.