DINING IN EGYPT

I was swimming downstream, running on level ground, flying high, life was good and I was blessed. Oh sure, there were battles, but God was my champion and we always won. My steps were light and every day I could sing, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Even the “Valley of the Shadow of Death,” which I had never walked through or even been near, held no fear for me, because God had promised to always be near. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;” could life get any better? Not only was God supplying my needs and guiding my steps but now He was going to show my enemies how highly He favored me. Mercy and goodness were following me and my cup was definitely filled to the max. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the current changed, my paddle broke, a mountain rose up and the engine died. The enemy was advancing and I felt like a one-woman army. Lord, where was that table you were preparing for me?


The account of Joseph has been used numerous times as an example of the faithfulness of God and the perseverance and patience, on our part, as we wait for the fulfillment of God-given dreams. Joseph was thrown in a pit and sentenced to prison before he was brought to the palace. Finally the dreams God had given him as a young man would come to pass. This wasn’t the way he had pictured it so many years ago. Perhaps Joseph had imagined that he would become a wealthy man in his community, live in a beautiful mansion on a hillside surrounded by friends and family; admired by all. His father, mother, and brothers would all come seeking his advice and benevolence which he would graciously bestow upon them at their humble petition. No, it definitely was not as he had envisioned it. Yes, he was wealthy and lived in a beautiful home but it was not in his beloved homeland. Joseph was far away from his family and friends; alone in “enemy” territory. According to Genesis, Pharaoh promoted Joseph to rule over the kingdom, under him, with the specific task of preparing for the coming famine. During the seven years of plenty, Joseph stored one fifth of the harvest. The years of plenty came to an end and the famine began, as Joseph had foretold in Genesis 41:31, “but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.”

How many times have we been enjoying smooth sailing and abundant blessing, when up pops a storm or a trial that seems to totally erase the memories of the good times from our mind. If we’ve been just cruising through the times of plenty, we may find ourselves hungry with nothing in the storehouse during our famine. If, as Joseph did, we are praying, laboring, glorifying God and storing up during the years of blessing there will be something from which to draw during the lean times. Genesis 41: 53-54 tells us, “Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.”

One of the striking things about this account of God’s provision is that God did not provide for His people in the Land of Israel; GOD PROVIDED THE BREAD IN EGYPT. He “Prepared a table for His people in the presence of their enemies.” God doesn’t always get us out of the trial or stop the storm to show His faithfulness. Many times He prepares a table and provides bread right in the middle of Egypt. Once again I read Psalms 23 but this time verse 5 takes on a whole new meaning, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” And I realize His goodness and mercy has been following me through the darkness and I am DINING IN EGYPT.

STEP ASIDE? BUT GOD...........

“What do you mean; I don’t get to lead the people into the Promise Land? You do understand that I was the one who spent the sleepless nights, worrying when they wouldn’t obey. It was me, God that had to climb the mountain, TWICE, to get instructions on how they should behave. And I would like to remind you, that you wanted to destroy them; just wipe them right off the face of the earth, but I pleaded with you, God, to spare their lives. I even offered my own life in place of their sorry carcasses. I have traveled through the wilderness with them for 40 years, when we could have crossed over after about 39. I’ve listened to their whining and complaining, rejoiced over each new birth, helped them bury their loved ones and counseled them endlessly to solve their petty little problems and now you are telling me that Joshua gets to march triumphantly into the Promise Land? Why if it wasn’t for me, Joshua would have grown up a slave in Egypt. You really want me to step down, let go and let Joshua lead them to the next level?” Now the Bible doesn’t record that this conversation actually took place but what if you or I had been Moses? Would we have been so willing to let go of the ministry we had labored so diligently to build, just as God was ready to take it to the next level? Just when the Promise Land was in sight?


1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. We start out so humbly, just thankful for the privilege of being called; as time marches on the ministry begins to define us and we forget that it is God that calls and determines the times and seasons of our life. There are several examples, in the Bible, of great men who were called for a season, then stepped aside so that the next part of God’s plan could be fulfilled. Of course, Moses had to relinquish his leadership to Joshua, who God raised up to lead the Children of Israel to the prize. David had to transfer his dream of building a great temple to his son, Solomon because that was God’s plan. John the Baptist was born to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. In his words, according to John 3:30, “He must increase but I must decrease.”

God was not impressed that Moses was a great leader; He had called him to lead. God was impressed with Moses’ humility. Numbers 12:3 records, “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” God was not impressed that David was the King of Israel; He had anointed him to be king. He wasn’t impressed by the many songs he wrote; God gave him the songs. God was impressed by David’s love and awe for Him and his willingness to recognize that God was creator, provider, his rock and Savior. Psalms 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Finally, God was not even impressed that Paul was an Apostle. It was God that struck him down then raised him up to become a great Apostle. He wasn’t impressed with Paul’s education, his missionary travels or the fact that he wrote most of the New Testament. God was impressed that Paul had kept the faith and finished the course. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Ministry does not make us important to God; we are important to God because He created us, washed us in His precious blood and filled us with His Spirit. God is not impressed with our titles or our accomplishments; only with our faithfulness to His will and His plan. There comes a time in each ministry when it is time to let go and let God begin the ‘next phase” with the next leader. It may be gut-wrenching to let go until you realize that God has a “next phase” for you also. When we realize that our identity is found in Jesus Christ and not the ministry He has called us to or the title that has been bestowed upon us, it becomes a blessing to reach forward, place the baton in our teammate’s hand and let go as they move forward.

LORD, HELP THE PASTOR; WE NEED REVIVAL

“Dear Lord, PLEASE, either change these people or change the situation, I can’t take it anymore.”  Have you ever prayed this prayer over someone in your life that is a constant thorn in your side and has just gotten on your “last nerve?” It maybe your neighbor, a co-worker, husband or a long-time friend that you can see needs a complete overhaul. Perhaps your pastor is your prayer focus; he could use a little more fire in his sermons, the worship leader would benefit from a few hours seeking God for the right songs and the pastor’s wife just hasn’t been as warm and caring as she should. “Actually, Lord, our church needs a major REVIVAL, please help the Pastor.” If this is your perception, the most dangerous thing you can do right now is PRAY.


When it comes to INTERCESSION, the only prayer God hears is the prayer that involves a blessing on the other person. God is really not open to “GET EM” prayers. He is much more concerned with your heart and your attitude, right now, than He is with your neighbor’s. OK, before you get all self-righteous about God’s concern for your neighbor, consider that your neighbor, pastor, worship leader or pastor’s wife may be praying the same prayer in regards to you. It is very dangerous to pray with this mindset because this is when God always begin an operation of PAINFUL PROBING.

Every time I begin to pray about a problem I see in someone else’s life, God gives me an opportunity to change my own life. There have been times, I’m not quite ready to change and so I cut my prayer time short and continue to fuss and fume. We serve a relentless God, when it comes to creating a clean heart in us. The next time I kneel to pray, God is patiently waiting to dig at the roots of the real problem; my perception and attitude. When I finally surrender and allow Him to pull a few weeds and brush away a few dust bunnies I missed, my focus and prayer changes. Suddenly, I realize my neighbor is doing the best she can with her situation, the Pastor becomes so anointed, preaching messages that produce unexpected insight and the worship leader has chosen just the right songs to lead us to the Throne of Grace. The most amazing thing is that I find myself in a church that is “smack dab” in the middle of revival.

So if you are still convinced God really needs to change the people in your life and you are happy with yourself, just the way you are, DON'T pray for revival. But if you desire to be everything God desires you to become, than you can pray Psalms 51:1-2, 10, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” I guarantee, if you sincerely pray this prayer and allow God to finish what He started IN YOU, the Pastor will receive help and the church will experience revival.

THE SONG IS REALLY NEVER FAR AWAY

Psalms 40:3 and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.


The song became a part of me when I was just a little girl. Over the years it took root in the deepest part of my heart. As I nurtured and cared for the song, it matured and blossomed until one day the blossom was plucked and trampled, the stem shriveled and the roots became dry; my song was in danger of being forgotten or even worse, dying. I still loved God, I knew He was continuing to walk by my side, I had the comforting assurance of salvation, but the “spirit of heaviness” had quieted my song. I had entered an unfamiliar place in my life, unsure of even my identity. I now understood the Israelites statement in Psalms 137: 1, 2, & 4. “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 4How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? I was in a strange land, how could I continue to sing the Lord’s song? I couldn’t even remember the words.

For many years, Steve and I had been in ministry, mostly pastoring small, start-up churches. It was hard work, exhausting and trying at times, but it was the Song of My Heart. After all the years of working with few resources, wearing a different hat to fulfill the current need and pouring our lives into people who often opted for the bigger, program-rich church, we were so excited when God opened the door to pastor an established church. My song was never far from bursting forth with a joyful melody. I loved being a Pastor’s Wife. I loved sharing in the success of our congregation, crying with them as I shared their burdens, praying for them daily, and blessing them with little things I picked up with them in mind. Suddenly, we were thrust from the position that we knew God had placed us in. I felt as if the beautiful flower of my song had been ruthlessly pulled off the stem and trampled underfoot. Who was I? I had no role in the familiar life I had lived for so long. I found it hard to pray. Who should I pray for? How should I pray? Many days my devotion time was spent with just tears, no sound. Other days, it was spent in thanksgiving but with a joyless voice. Most of the time I went through the motions because it was the only lifeline to my song as the smothering spirit of heaviness settled over me. Thank God the story isn’t over and the song was really never far away.

As I continued to “go through the motions,” the thanksgiving turned into praise. A quote from Pastor Joel Chipman sums up this metamorphosis so well, “You can’t wear the coat of the Spirit of Heaviness at the same time you wear the Garment of Praise.” What I thought was “going through the motions” was actually God restoring my song. The many tears were being used to water and strengthen the wounded roots of my song. God was using the words of thanksgiving to become new and tender sprouts that would once again burst forth into joyful song at just the right time. As God softly sang the song He had put in my heart so many years ago, I realized exactly who I was and always will be; His child, His chosen vessel. The only thing missing from all the things I loved about being a pastor’s wife is the title. I can still rejoice in other’s successes, there will always be someone to encourage along the journey, I can always find a sister who needs her day brightened by a little gift selected with her in mind and there will always be many needs to bring before God in prayer.

CS Lewis said, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” My song was never really far away because I never let go of the Giver of the song. I may have temporarily forgotten the words and some of the words have changed but, my best friend, Jesus was always right by my side softly humming the tune as He carried me through the storm. If you feel you have lost your song or maybe it hasn’t been sung in so long you’ve forgotten the words, find a quiet place to get in touch with the one who knows your heart. God put the song there, He knows the words and He will sing them back to you. The song is never really far away.

GOD'S WILL FOR 2012

My greatest desire, for this year, is to seek, find, and follow the will of God.  I know that I am not alone, but it is the desire of every serious, dedicated Child of God.  Now comes the hard part; transforming the desire into reality.  The “seeking” and the “following” are the easy parts of the process.  The “finding,” however, can become an almost insurmountable roadblock.

I know that God has this AMAZING plan that uses me to do AMAZING things so I look for an AMAZING door to open.  I fear that many times have I missed all the small but important steps God was trying to lead me down because I was waiting for the AMAZING event that would shine the light on my destiny.  Now I have been at the seeking phase for enough New Year beginnings to know that the best place to start is on my knees and in the written Word of God. 

I love the way God sifts through all my complicated, lofty thoughts and makes the process so simple.  Last year as I prayed for more faith, God showed me that there was nothing wrong with the AMOUNT of my faith. Actually, He had provided me with the just the exact measure of faith I required.  What I really needed was to use that faith to believe that God was in control and allow Him to choose the outcome and finish the work.  Back to the Will of God….If you truly SEEK Him and LISTEN to His voice, He will not leave you hanging.  The still, small voice of God took me to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I love succinct, simplicity of the commands of God. 

How do I fulfill the Law of God?  Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

How do I receive the Desires of My Heart?  Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

What is the Will of God for 2012?  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

So, I enter 2012 with the peace of God in my heart, knowing His will for this year; REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS.  I will REJOICE in the God of my Salvation, PRAY over each situation and GIVE THANKS for God’s provision in my life.  Join me and enjoy a Blessed 2012.

2011 REFLECTIONS; WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN; WHAT WAS; WHAT IS TO COME

The worn calendar of 2011 has come to the end of its usefulness; there are no more pages to be turned and only 3 more days to mark off.  It is time for reflection on “What could have been; what was, and what is to come.” 

It really began December 31, 2010, celebrating with many people I love and had come to love.  Yes, where else?  CHURCH!!!  I love being in a church service on New Year’s Eve.  It is so joyful, so full of promise.  There is always great food, fellowship and so much love; this service was all that and more.  The music was beautiful; the worship dynamic, Steve preached a “forward-looking” sermon and presented the agenda for the coming year.  The power of God fell in the service, people were renewed in the Spirit and we had the general feeling that “God was well pleased.”  My humanness reflects and says, “If only it had ended there,” but my spirit man understands I still need some “testing and proving.”

I hear so many people expressing how happy they will be to wave goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012 as the clock strikes midnight.  Really, does a minute in time or a page on a calendar make the difference?  Or is it all the experiences over the last 525,600 minutes of 2011 that will carry you into 2012 with a different perspective.

Once again in human terms, 2011 was not one of my best years.  It was full of tears, brokenhearted nights, unbelievable stress, depression, previously, unexperienced health problems, endless hours on my knees, answered and unanswered questions.  In spiritual terms, however, 2011 was a GREAT year, full of blessing and amazing encounters with God.  It is not the EXPERIENCE that makes the difference; it is how you “COME OUT” on the other side of the experience.  What did I learn?  How did I handle the situation?  Have I been changed into the person God needs me to be?  Or, am I bitter?  Do I blame everyone including God?  Have I become vindictive?  Will I remain unchanged and have to go through the “fire” again?

Reflections on what I have learned in 2011

When God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” He means it.  The distance between you and God can increase only if you move away.

Always go into the year with anticipation and dreams but be willing to allow God to shape, mold and change the dream.  Realize that there was nothing wrong with your dream; it may remain unfulfilled due to timing, outside circumstances or uncooperativeness.

Remain soft and pliable in the Master’s Hands.  It may be tempting to put up a shell to avoid being hurt again but nothing hurts worse than God breaking through the shell to get to our heart.

Faith is not just asking, believing it hard enough, and then receiving it.  Faith is praying about the situation, believing that God is well able, accepting that the outcome is in God’s hands, and LEAVING it there.

And finally My Friends; Trust in the promises of God; Ask Him to show you everything He is trying to teach you in the midst of the storm; Rest in His peace; and Allow Him to choose the ending blessing.

As the clock strikes midnight, closing out a year of unbelievable heartache and unbelievable blessing, I carry a resolve into 2012.  I resolve to enjoy every moment, whether through laughter or tears, knowing God is working.  I resolve to let the Love of God shine brighter through my life than ever before as I walk out in a dark world.  I resolve to seek after, listen to and follow as God leads me down the path He has prepared for me to walk in.  I resolve to LAUGH LOUDER, JUMP HIGHER and PRAISE MORE FERVENTLY than I did in 2011.

I HAVEN'T WALKED THIS WAY BEFORE

During the last 3 months. I have experienced several things in my life I had never before experienced.  The stress and pressure has been tremendous and at times debilitating.  Through it all, God has been an ever present help.  Because of the stress and strain, I feel I have temporarily lost my writing voice.  I am filing notes and I know that God will restore it at the proper time.  Please pray for Steve and I as we relocate and begin to walk down a totally new and unfamiliar road. 

With God's help, I will begin to write again.  I know it is in there fighting to come out.  I love you all my readers.  God's richest blessings to all of you.