Archive for My Family

What’s New Here and Some Great Links

May 23, 2013 Sarah Beals One comment

I haven’t been online as much lately as I usually am, because life has been just a tad bit busy with all five kids in the house, three of them looking for summer jobs and a full motherhood and ministry schedule.

I spoke last Saturday at my sweet friend Tonia’s ladies tea about cultivating your own soul. I was struck with how God ordains everything, including the topic I spoke on as I listened afterwards to women who told me their struggles and how God used his word to calm and strengthen them. I also thanked God for sitting me across the table from an extremely joyful, godly older woman who encouraged me for a good part of the day. That was a gift and her wisdom was like a shot of happiness in the arm to me.

Plus at our own church we had music seminars and this week we are all involved with a church outreach project, Upward soccer camp. Also, I’ve been intentional about where my mind spends its free time, something that I am constantly evaluating. The mind really has the power to drive our emotions, so I want to be sure that it is meditating on good stuff during my “free time.”

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I wanted to share what’s new around here lately.

Emily is graduating from High School and looking for summer work. She’s enjoying having Rebekah home for the summer and Lord willing, this fall, they’ll both be tromping off to college together. Emily wants to pursue a degree in Violin Performance while Rebekah changed her major to International Business. This kid loves economics and politics. Who knew? :) (I did a double take as I overheard her asking Peter if she could borrow his copy of Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell to read this summer.)

We are almost finished with school although Hope needs some remedial math during the summer. She got behind in math because I chose to stop lessons for a few weeks after Christmas to master her multiplication facts. Well, I can’t say that they are mastered, but they are much quicker than they were. My friend was kind enough to let us use her Teaching Textbook curriculum for the summer! Woo hoo!

This summer I am coordinating VBS at our church– RIGHT after soccer camp is over, I am all over that. lol

My summer is pretty much scheduled out already, and I am guarding my free days like they were gold so that we can get to the most beautiful beaches in the country on Cape Cod. :)

Some articles I enjoyed and wanted to pass along:

A helpful checklist as you plan your summer. Summer Planning Questions by Kara Chupp. I’ve found this an excellent tool.

Isn’t it great that we can give God our day and trust Him with it? And then our summer?

Has God given you certain opportunities in his providence? When God brings someone to your door, that’s one thing. They are there and you had no choice in the matter. We know each interaction is pre-ordained.

But each invitation to a function, party or outing, each ministry opportunity, although they don’t take God by surprise, really needs to be prayed over. I’ve said no to several good “ministry” opportunities because after prayer, I’ve felt that it would take me away from my main ministry–my own family and helping Peter. Then other times, God just seems to give us both a peace about it, and feel God leading us to say “Yes”, be willing and follow. Prayer and an open mind to what God is doing and where He is leading is key to prioritizing your summer free-time.

Green Thumbs, Dead-Heading and Following God by Karen Ehman. I can relate on not having a green thumb or even pinkie…and on the need to constantly dead-head the sin in our lives.

Aristotle Wouldn’t Friend You on Facebook by Meghan McBride Kelly. Loved this article and couldn’t agree more. THIS is why you should use lists on FB. You don’t want just anyone seeing your life!

“Do the Next Thing”: Helpful advice in any stage of life from Elizabeth Elliot via Gracelaced. Short, practical, sound.

I’m also currently reading:

Witness by Whittaker Chambers  This book should be required reading for every high school student. One of the most intriguing books ever about the famous Alger Hiss Trial. This is Chambers autobiography of how he became a communist in America, left the movement after 10 years, and then exposed those in high levels of government. The “Letter to His Children” is worth the read, even if you don’t finish the book. It gives surprising insight into why one becomes a communist. Although I think it is OOP, you can get it used on Amazon.

Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman. Actually, I am re-reading this. Powerful truths here. If you are running your own show (aka controlling, self dependent) then God is not.

 

Do you have any summer plans that you’re excited about?

*post contains Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for supporting JFD.

My Family

Thoughts on Complaining {from my teenage daughter}

February 19, 2013 Sarah Beals 7 comments

Today I have a guest post from my second daughter, Emily, who has been doing a personal study on complaining. She wrote this for a teenage audience and I asked if I could share it with you. Maybe you have a teen daughter that would benefit from the thoughts of another teenage girl trying to follow God?

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I don’t know about you, but I’m a big complainer. 

If my mascara runs onto my cheek, I complain.

If McDonalds is out of Honey Mustard sauce, or I don’t look just the way I want, I complain.

Before this study, complaining didn’t seem like that big of a deal to me. I mean, yeah, I knew I wasn’t supposed to complain, but I never really thought about how big this sin really is.

In Numbers 11:1, it says that when God heard the Israelites complaining, He sent fire down and it consumed them.

That seems like a big deal to me—God consuming people with fire, just because they complained. I’m glad that doesn’t happen to me every time I complain, or I’d be dead many times over.

There are some things I say that I don’t realize are complaints—until someone points them out to me. Little things like, “Ugh! My phone’s out of battery again,” or “My hair never works for me,” are everyday complaints that we throw out there without thinking, when, in fact, we are so blessed to live in a place where we CAN say things like “My phone’s out of battery.”

I’m sure you’ve all heard the quote “Someone else is happier with less than you have.” That is so true. God has blessed us with so much. How dare we complain when a little thing like wet smelly laundry gets in our way?!

Philippians 2:14 says “Do all things without murmuring…” That’s pretty straightforward. It doesn’t say do MOST things, it says ALL things.

Jesus died on the cross for every single one of our sins. That means that He died for every one of our complaints. I think that if we double check ourselves before we say anything, we would be much better off. If we think to ourselves, “Is what I’m about to say going to edify the people listening (Ephesians 4:29)?” we’d keep ourselves in check.

Another verse on being content is Philippians 4:11. It was written by Paul the apostle. He was in jail, writing to the Philippian believers. He wrote, “…I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content.” That’s humbling. I’m pretty sure none of you reading this are in jail, but even if you are, they are nothing like the jails back in Bible times. They were dark, cold, damp places that probably had rodents running around in them. And Paul was content.

Wow. Now that smelly laundry pile doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Or the shoes being a bit snug. Or the tooth paste falling into the sink instead of the toothbrush.

The definition of the word content means to be satisfied with what one is or has. It also means not wanting more or anything else.

By saying he was content, Paul was saying he was satisfied with being in jail. Don’t get me wrong, Paul was no idiot. He was saying that if God wanted him in jail, he was perfectly happy there. There was nothing he’d rather have and nowhere he’d rather be, if he was in God’s will.

So, what’s the solution for a complainer?

If we stop thinking about ourselves and the things we don’t have, and start thinking about the people around you and the many, many things that God has blessed you with, it’s much harder to complain. If we change the thought “Ugh, my phone’s out of battery again” to “Thank the Lord I have a phone” it edifies the people around you and ultimately brings glory to God.

Christian living, Guest Post, My Family

Power’s On {and with it, I noticed a box in my breezeway from Stitch Fix!!)

February 12, 2013 Sarah Beals One comment

 

We have full power today! PTL!

So thankful for God’s protection. We prayed for protection with the kids, and then thanked God last night with them again for answering our prayers, because…

Yesterday, while I was driving on some slick back roads, my car (or rather my mother’s Tahoe which I was driving) began to fishtail out of control. I was talking to my cousin Krissy at the time, thankfully on speaker phone, because I needed both hands to “control” the car. I fishtailed several times and finally did a 360 in the road, screaming like a crazy woman. Thankfully nobody was around and I didn’t go off the road. I suspect that if I had been driving our minivan, which doesn’t have 4 wheel drive, I would have ended up in the trees.

The only real damage that was done was to my nerves, and to my cousin Krissy’s ear drums–poor thing! She was as scared as I was, I think.

We took a chance and came home with the kids last night, even though we were in the dark still. We had a generator running for heat, so we figured that we’d be fine to sleep at home. This morning at 5 a.m. the power came on.

Thank you all for praying for New Englanders. Certainly, worst things have happened, like the hurricane Sandy, or Katrina, but when your family is cold, and there’s not much you can do about it, you really begin to feel vulnerable. And of course, we are vulnerable. We have no guarantees here for one more day. I am reminded of a handwritten sticky note that my daughter put under her bunk bed at college: “Live every day as though it is your last, because one day, it will be. ”

Thankful for today, and heat!! :)

Oh, and look what came in the mail today.

This box just appeared in my breezeway once the lights came back on! he, he

My first Stitch Fix. What is Stitch Fix? It’s a personal shopper for those who hate to shop.(There’s a small waiting list to use the service, but only a few days, I believe.)

You fill out a style profile, set your price range and modesty range, schedule a date for your first shipment, and they do the rest. If you don’t like it, send it back free of charge.

What I loved about this idea of Stitch Fix:

1) I don’t have to shop.

2) Someone is sending me updated styles that I probably wouldn’t have chosen on my own!

3) I get to try new brands and select the “modesty” level that I want.

4) I can try it on at home.

5) Shipping it back costs zip.

This cute sweater was in my box. A style I would have NEVER picked out on my own, but that looks adorable! They give you these little style cards with ideas on how to wear the item as well. LOVE.

Sign up to try Stitch Fix here with my referral link.

What made me nervous about trying Stitch Fix:

1) I was afraid that I’d get wild styles that I wouldn’t like.

2) Afraid that I’d love something that would be too expensive and then have to send it back. Ahem. This is just life. Grow up, Sarah.

I forgot that I scheduled it for 2 days before Valentine’s Day so I’d have something fun to wear when we go out to eat. In fact, this week, I forgot all about Valentine’s Day. :)

When I have more time, I’ll give you a detailed run down of what was inside the box.

For now, it’s off to do 5 days worth of laundry after the storm!

Have you used Stitch Fix? What are your thoughts about using a service like this? Love it or hate it?  Does it seem extravagant to you? Or do you like the idea of trying new styles that you know you’d never have the fashion sense to pull together yourself? Tell me your thoughts.

My Family , ,

Slow, Simple, Less Stress. That Sums Up our Media Fast.

February 4, 2013 Sarah Beals 2 comments

I have to admit that I was surprised by one element of our media fast: I felt less stress. There was a layer of simplicity to life that took me back to when my kids were young and we didn’t have a computer. Although I love computers (and always have) I think a part of me would be fine going off the grid in real life. Life seems so much simpler and focused. Slow, in a good way.

In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we are doing a modified version of it this week.

I don’t have much in the realm of spiritual things to say this morning. I feel as though I’ve been overwhelmed with good material this past week, and I’m still processing it my mind. I’ll try to do it justice at some point this week, but the topic is grace. Seems the more you learn about grace, the more you realize you don’t know. Common grace adjectives like “amazing, undeserved, irresistible, and debtor to grace” take on new meaning.

I started a study on grace about three weeks back in my personal devotions. As I was reading, one question kept plaguing me: The Bible says that there is something that teaches us to say no to sin. It teaches us to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts”, and teaches us to live “sensibly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” That something is grace. Why grace, I asked myself? In my mind, I would think the law, the commandments, the doctrines of scripture would be what teaches us how to live. Why grace? More on that later, when I can organize my thoughts.

Until then, some pictures. Missed you all and prayed for you this past week. Those of you who emailed me specific prayer requests, know that I prayed for you every day as I was washing my dishes. Your names are on my windowsill so I wouldn’t forget.

Did some cooking with Hopie

watched my niece, Summer. <3

 

tried my hand at crocheting a scarf.

worked a little more on this english cottage watercolor

 

 

Weather was so nice that we played outside.

Went ice skating on Grandpa's bogs with cousins.

Taught this study to my watercolor co-op kids. They did great.

My girls love target practice with bows and arrows. Too much Narnia?

 

 

 

Christian Parenting, My Family

Thankful for Time Away

January 18, 2013 Sarah Beals 3 comments

Sometimes, you just need to get away. :)

This week, we got to go to this gorgeous, historic inn in the White Mountains. Peter arranged this for me before Christmas, because he is a man that dwells according to knowledge. I love that about him. :)

He knows my tendency to be a little tired, burnt out, need-to-be-recharged after Christmas, so this trip was a little gift of love to me. (For those of you in the area, he got a Groupon to stay here which made the stay very affordable!)

Mountain View Grand Hotel in the snow.

For three days I just drank in beauty of my surroundings inside and the beauty of the snowy White Mountains outside.

Gorgeous oil paintings, built in book cases and window seats adorned each hallway in this inn. Lovely!

My favorite spot to read...right by the fire. This spot was a visual feast. Plaid wicker with leather cushions and needlepoint pillows, warm paint colors and textured rice-paper wall paper. Gorgeous!

Beautiful woodwork and fireplace in the dining room.

We spent time reading by the fire, playing games with the kids, swimming and sledding, eating meals that I didn’t have to cook (ahem :) ) and enjoying God’s magnificent creation outside.

Covered bridge in Littleton, NH

 

This old red barn was behind the inn. It was full of animals for the kids to visit. :)

 

I did quite a bit of reading while I was away. I read my friend Joy’s (from GraceFull Mama) new ebook “Cultivating a Heart for Motherhood” while I sat by the fire. You can and should get it free here! It will encourage you younger moms!! I especially love the part on consistency in child training and having fun with your kids! :) )

Peter read this sermon over the few days we were away. It deals with selfish ambition and looking for greatness in all the wrong places. Here’s an excerpt:

There are two kinds of ambition. There is the ambition to be approved and applauded by people, and the ambition to be approved and applauded by God. There are those who want to gain fame and attention and influence and power. The measurement of the ambition to be great before people is always How many serve me? How much power do I exercise over others? How wide is the extent of my influence? Who of us has not suffered many times from this desire to be known, to be admired, to be considered great?

But Jesus points out that true greatness is never found there. The measure of true greatness is How many do I serve? How many can I help?

We discussed how even in the church, people tend to “respect” or get excited about certain people, but not others, even though God forbids this kind of partiality. When someone enters the church and experiences coldness, what message does that send about our Master?

Everyone will go out of their way and give a warm “hello” to the well dressed, the influential/admired guest speaker, the rich family. But are we quite as talkative and friendly when the poor, the dirty and disheveled, the physically handicapped come in to the church? Is the rush to greet them the same?

William Barclay makes this observation on welcoming the Lord when you welcome a child:

Now, a child has no influence at all. A child cannot advance a man’s career, nor enhance a man’s prestige. A child cannot give us things; it’s the other way around. A child needs things. A child must have things done for him. And so Jesus is saying, “If a man welcomes the poor, ordinary people, the people who have no influence, and no wealth, and no power, the people who need things done for them, then he’s welcoming me. And more than that, he’s welcoming God.”

Anyway, I would encourage you to read this sermon as well. It was a blessing. (We also enjoyed this one last week as a family, about hypocrisy in worship that is rooted in traditionalism. Peter warned the kids about “worship” that was just going through the motions or worshipping with a heart that is clinging to sin and won’t let it go. God doesn’t want our forms of religion. He wants a pure, true heart. “spirit” and “in truth.”)

I am thankful for the blessing of time away. God must know that I need that, because He often provides them for us. “Every good gift is from above.”

Do you need to refresh your soul, but maybe can’t physically or financially get away? I’ve been there, myself, and sometimes you just have to be creative, girls! :)

Here are a few ideas that I have used in the past:

Trade off child-care with a friend.

1. Then, order “in” lunch, light a candle, find a cozy spot, grab a blanket and just read God’s word or an instructive book.

2. Go somewhere beautiful–a hotel lobby, a library, a local tea room. Sit and read or just admire the order and grandeur.

3. Go out for coffee with a friend, or go antiquing, sit in a park or visit a nursery and admire the gorgeous flowers.

4. Work on a project in your own home that you’ll enjoy on a daily basis. Arrange some flowers, add some inexpensive art work that makes your heart sing, sew some pillowcovers for a spring-y, fresh look for your couches. Be creative. You can add pops of color with just a yard or so of cheerful fabric and an hour or two of time. :)

I might be weird, but whenever I go away to a beautiful place, like this inn, I take note of the things that I loved and that made the place feel beautiful and comfortable. Usually it is a small vase of flowers, fabulous fabric, candlelight and crisp linens. Be self-aware, and take notice of what makes you happy. Perhaps it is as simple as a plate of chocolate. :) jk

How do you make time for beauty and refreshment when you can’t get away?

My Family, Nature ,

Thankful for the Messes

November 1, 2012 Sarah Beals One comment

I am thankful that my house is sometimes messy.

I rarely post pictures of my hair a mess, the kitchen sink full of dishes, or laundry folded on my kitchen table.

But today, I am celebrating the messes, because kid’s messes mean that there is life and activity at home right now.

Someday, all will be silent, and clean and tidy and perfect. “Someday” will come sooner than I can imagine, I am sure.

But today, my life is violin cases scattered on my couches, Playmobil cities that overtake my living room, cake decorating paraphernalia and icing on my counters, computers and homeschool books on my kitchen table.

And I am glad of it.

Joy, My Family , ,

In Love With Autumn

September 19, 2012 Sarah Beals 9 comments

The thought of autumn makes me sigh. After the craziness of the new school routine wears off, I settle into the rhythm of chilly nights and sweater weather. Darkness comes earlier each night, which affords more time for reading, talking and sipping warm tea.

I love fall foliage and outings for lunch with my mom, sisters and friends, choosing Mums and pumpkins for our front steps, making an occasion of visiting by the fire pit, baking apple and pumpkin everything.

Today we all went to observe my dad’s cranberry harvest. More info on cranberries here.

Sea of red berries on the Harju Bogs, Carver, MA

Holly with a wet handful of berries.

Front row seats

Emily and me

Hope reaching for berries.

What could be better than mud, dirt, grass, vines, water and berries? Let's lie in it! :)

Isn’t it a gorgeous sight?

And let’s not underestimate the charm of a good pumpkin lattes.

What’s your favorite fall activity?

 

 

 

 

My Family, Nature

NYC Highlights, and How To Dress Like Jackie O

August 13, 2012 Sarah Beals 5 comments

This weekend we went to NY and got to roam around for a couple of days, sight see and eat some great Italian food.

Some highlights:

We ate at  Eatily which is Mario Batali’s restaurant/marketplace extraordinaire.

Homemade pasta at Eatily

We also got to eat at Becco, Lidia Bastianich’s restaurant. Will you just believe me when I tell you that I ate some delicious homemade pasta this weekend? I think I want to buy a pasta attachment for my kitchen aid mixer now.

Late dinner at Becco

 

The cheese, crackers, olives and dipping oil could have been a meal in itself. It was so good I wanted to stick the rest in my purse--but I refrained. :)

We got to see the Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater, and I have to say, it was 10X better than in Boston.

With Bek, inside, waiting for POTO to start.

 

We also got to see the place where Jackie Kennedy Onassis lived. (If you are from Massachusetts, like it or not, the Kennedy’s are part of the culture.) Jackie loved to walk in Central Park and she lived right across the street from it on Fifth Avenue.

image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was a fashion icon and held an air of grace that is legendary. If you are curious about her, you might enjoy peeking at these sites about JKO:

The inside of her apartment looked like this: here

View her clothing at the JFK Presidential Library online

All I can say is that I love her sense of style. It was always classic and understated. (of course, she was bone thin as well, so she would have looked great in a brown paper bag!)

If you want to dress like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, here are some tips and observations about her sense of style:

1. She wore white on the bottom and black on the top. She was often seen in a   black top or turtleneck.

2. Don’t slouch. She had perfect posture and it emanated grace and poise.

3. Own a neutral shift dress. She wore neutral, classic colors, especially a beige/gray (graige) mixture and was often in one color head to toe. (monochromatic wardrobe)

4. Less is more. She was always understated but stunning.

5. Own a lovely set of pearls.

6. Choose necklines that are round, boatneck or bateau.

7. Keep makeup natural looking with a pop of lip color.

8. Own a fabulous pair of sunglasses. Hers were round and have become iconic for her look.

9. Wear feminine cuts that make you look like a lady. Check yourself in the mirror…if you look like a man from the back, change up your wardrobe!! Get rid of shoulder pads that make you look like a linebacker.

10. Be positive and wear a smile. A gracious woman is always in fashion…a negative, harsh woman, no matter what she puts on, is always offensive.
Do you also love the style of Jackie Kennedy? What other elements of style did you notice about her? DO share. :)

 

My Family, Random, I know!, Uncategorized , ,

Five Things I Have Learned About Ministry Life

August 1, 2012 Sarah Beals 6 comments

After last week’s Missionary Wives Series, I’ve had several women ask me to write about our ministry life and what I’ve learned.

So, today I am going to give you five things that I have learned so far in ministry life. These five thing have brought me sanity as I walk beside my husband in the church. Not that I am an expert by any stretch, but this is what I’ve learned.

—->I am using the term Ministry Wives to cover all the bases: missionaries, pastor’s wives, youth pastor’s wives, evangelist’s wives, etc…Henceforth and forever known as MW’s for the sake of this article. Mkay?)

Snow Camp with our Teen Youth Group.

1. Being married to a ministry man does not completely define you as a person. 

If Peter became a plumber tomorrow, I would still be Peter’s wife. When pastor’s wives become defined by their husband’s occupation, they just become weird. My identity is in Christ. I am a member of the church. I am Peter’s wife, and he happens to have a certain job/ set of responsibilities at our church. If that changes, I am not going to have an identity crisis or wonder where my value in the church lies.

 

2. An effective pastor’s wife has a right relationship with God and others.

My main priority is to be in God’s word and reading and growing myself. If I am not doing this, my “ministry” is ineffective, and I am doing the ministry harm. We all know that God’s word teaches that my relationships with others shows my true relationship with God.

You cannot properly represent Jesus Christ while you are giving “one of His sheep” the cold shoulder. The end.

You cannot show others the transforming power of the gospel if it hasn’t changed you. If you want to be effective, live out the scripture. When you mess up, make it right scripturally.

3.  An effective MW is teachable and communicates knowledge humbly and lovingly.

Pastor’s wives get all weird when they believe that everyone is looking to them for answers.

Enough with dropping “religious phrase bombs” at every turn. These include but are not limited to dropping the names of commentaries they are reading, names of obscure puritans that nobody has ever heard of, using theological terms that they can barely pronounce but make them feel important to use, or phrases like “as I was reading Hezekiah last night” etc…

Nobody has all the answers, and anyone who tells you differently is selling something. Knowledge is a gift–a blessing– and it needs to be used humbly, not sinfully to bolster your own ego or pride. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies another believer.

We all learn from each other. A friend in another ministry once confided that she knows that God uses her sisters in the church to encourage, rebuke and minister to her. She loves spending time with them, because she knows that God has her IN the body, (vs. ABOVE the body) for her own growth and good.

This woman is godly because in her humility she recognizes that SHE is growing, so she is setting the right example for her husband’s congregation. (and, I might add, this makes her approachable and her husband’s congregation loves her from what I can see.)

I am thankful for my friends in the church who help me with child raising issues, and give me godly advice when I need it. You can’t benefit from the body if you are isolated from everyone else. We need each other.

 

4. An effective MW wife is approachable, yet not in your face.

There is a fine line between being friendly and being “in your face” in an uncomfortable way.

And I am thankful for my mother in law’s excellent example in this area.

People love my MIL, because she is always available to listen and care and she is consistently kind and gracious to the congregation.

A smile and genuine listening goes a long way toward making someone feel at ease.

The opposite—being “in someone’s face” and trying to be overly friendly —makes them suspicious of you, and makes your husband’s ministry look desperate.

Some good news: the whole of church attendance does not hang in the balance of whether or not you greeted every person who entered the door.

No need to run around the church like a chicken with your head cut off trying to speak to every person in the building. It really isn’t up to you–whether they come back or not. You are not a one man band. You are part of the whole.

Say hello to a new-comer, yes, because you love them for Christ’s sake and NOT because you are trying to get them to attend your XYZ church. Don’t even ask if they have a “home church.” That really is NOT the issue. The issue is do they know Christ personally?

On Sunday, seek out the people that God lays on your heart. Listen to the people who come to you for comfort. Encourage the hurting.

5. People will be as  sincere/loving/open with you,

as you are

sincere/loving/open with them.

Many pastor’s wives feel lonely and ineffective. If you read any ministry manual you’ll see that this is a common problem.

I believe this is due to the fact that ministry women have believed the lie that somehow their situation is so special and complicated

and

that they imagine themselves in such a high and lofty position in the church that they cannot possibly form friendships with the female laity. (pride)

Bingo. Satan wins.

Satan isolates MW’s by deceiving them into thinking that they cannot have friends in the church…even though this is not seen in scripture anywhere.  And even though Jesus himself had friends. Hmm…think about that for a moment.

This is crucial because many ministry wives wonder why other women don’t come to them when they have problems, and why other women in the church don’t respect them. People go to the people that they KNOW care about them.

The old adage is true:

Nobody cares what you know until they know how much you care.

People will NOT warm up to you:  {read: YOU disqualify yourself from being able to effectively help people…}

  • if you ask all the questions and then keep them at an arms length distance by never giving them a glimpse into your own heart.
  • pretend you never struggle with sin, and act as though you can’t relate with their struggle.
  • if you seem like the moral policewoman of the church. (Do you feel led to let everyone know whether you would do it that way or not? Not your job…unless you are asked of course.)
  • if they never know what kind of mood you’ll be in. You might be super saint one minute, drive-by-advice-spewer the next.

So there you have it. This is what I’ve learned thus far.

I know this list is incomplete. What would you add?

A Wise Woman, ministry, My Family ,

Things You’ll Like, Kids Pics and A Free Ebook

July 11, 2012 Sarah Beals One comment

First off, I have to show you a picture that a sweet German lady named Rebecca emailed me of my Rebekah in Germany:

Rebekah in Germany. (right of the conductor) She'll be home in 16 days...not that I am counting! :)

And here is my second daughter, Emily who is at two weeks of CIT training at the Wilds of New England. Here she is getting ready for her trip {snicker}

Em getting ready for camp. Sorry for the grainy pic. I only had my phone camera.

 

Wanted to share some things that you might enjoy on the web this week:

This article:

 

YES, Lord Changes Everything.

“Many of our struggles in life—at least in mine—are the result of one of two things. First, our internal responses to undesired events. Second, our failure to surrender to God’s clear call.”  read here

Can you actually thank God for the unimaginable in your life? That thorn in the flesh? That undesired outcome? That disappointment? Yes, because God’s grace is sufficient.

 

This sermon on Forgiveness by Mark Minnick:

Perhaps one of the finest sermons on the topic of forgiveness ever? I think so.

Click to Listen Here, then hit download.

An Unforgiving Spirit is NOT Godly.~ Mark Minnick

Do you struggle with forgiving others?

Have you made excuses for your own sinful behavior because the other person did not “apologize” to you correctly or never made things right? Have you compounded the original sin with additional sins like gossip, slander, division, disunity, bitterness, an unloving spirit toward that person?

Do you realize that when you do this, you are not godly?

Do you realize that whether or not a person has apologized correctly is not the issue. For you, the issue is with your unforgiving spirit.

An Unforgiving Spirit is NOT the spirit of a person who has received grace. A person who has received grace is eager to forgive like Christ did, eager to keep unity and eager to make peace.

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