Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Sitting Idle


Yesterday I wrote briefly on how Brett and I both felt God talking to us and letting us know that we weren’t where we were supposed to be. In reality, it wasn’t only a few months that we felt like that. It was over a year. But when we first started feeling it we weren’t really sure on any direction that we were supposed to be headed. We had a very comfortable life. We had a routine that we stuck to daily and everything just flowed. Why would we want to change that? Because God said so.
Being married has its ups and downs. At some point in your life together, you are going to argue. And when Brett first went full time into the ministry as a worship leader boy did we have our disagreements. I’m not saying we didn’t love each other because we did and still do. But we noticed something changing about a year and a half before we realized we weren’t where we were supposed to be.

[We got along.]

All.
The.
Time.

Oh, I’m not complaining. It was awesome. No one was ever mad or upset. There was always laughter and more than enough time together. Sounds like everything would be great right? No. We knew we were missing something.  So the search started for the church and as I wrote yesterday we came to First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. You know what?

Everything changed.

That whole routine, everything working, and no getting along that I wrote about? Yeah.
Now, he has an extremely busy schedule. Most afternoons there is some kind of meeting, event, or other thing that is planned that he has to be at. I don’t mind at all because that part of being a pastor. I understand it. Although, we are working to try to find a happy medium to where he is gone when he needs to be but yet home too.

Now, as far as getting along goes, that’s a different story. Once we moved in the parsonage it started. It seems like it is always one thing after another. And honestly, it’s not even things that are worth fighting over. But we do. We’re working on it and it has gotten extremely better. Knowing how to discuss disagreements is huge in marriage.

When it all comes down to it, we know the cause of the disagreements. The devil.
We sat still for at least a year in a place we didn’t belong anymore. Yes, we were still growing the Kingdom but not how we were supposed to. So the devil left us alone. And now that Brett has become pastor and God is working through us and in the lives around us, the devil is basically unhappy and wants to do anything he can to destroy what we’re doing.

It’s not going to work. We’re not fighting each other, human flesh, but fighting a spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Satan knows that he cannot have either of us so he is going to do whatever he can to make it harder on us to grow God’s Kingdom. And in the end, the battle has already been won. Satan cannot win.
The next time you and your spouse are fighting, take a step back and think about what you are fighting about. Is it really worth fighting over? And where are you at your spiritual walk. Are you doing what you’re supposed to be doing or are you just sitting idle?

 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Quiet Days


I know it has been quite some time since I have written last (108 days but who’s counting?). A lot has happened during that time. We’ll call them my quiet days. And now I’m breaking the silence. My quiet days are over.  I have wrestled with God about this for a few weeks now and finally gave in. Because let’s face it, who really likes to argue with God and also think they can win? My point exactly.
Over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some of the things that I have learned and experienced; things that I am currently dealing with and things that have strengthen my relationship with Christ. I’m not going to go into many details now but I will give you an overview of what all has happened.

A few months ago Brett and I both felt God talking to us. He specifically was letting us know that we weren’t where we were supposed to be. At the time we weren’t sure where we were supposed to be or any details like that. So we prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Prayer works. Putting the pieces together, Brett realized that he was supposed to be preaching. But where? Oh God knew. After many resumes were sent, he finally got a call from First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. This is where we were supposed to be. After interviews, trial sermons, and the whole voting process, Brett accepted the position as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Cross Hill. Which in turn makes me the first lady, talk about pressure!

Where’s Cross Hill, SC? Ha. I had no clue either. But that’s a story I’ll be sharing with you.
Everything in our life has changed pretty much. It’s kind of bittersweet. The only thing that has really stayed the same is my job. Which where we live now isn’t that far of a drive. It gives me time to clear my head and give me the time to focus on what really matters most when I get home – my family.

The one thing that I want to leave you with today is this:
No matter what changes you are going through, God never changes. His love is always the same. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.


Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

James 1:17
“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above,
who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them,
He never changes or casts shifting shadows”
 
 
Have you been going through some changes lately?