Orphan Sunday

Today is Orphan Sunday. God has so graciously adopted us as sons and daughters and I can hardly think of a more beautiful way to celebrate his love by living that out in the challenging call to adopt or to support someone who is trying to bring an orphan into their home. I have known for years that God is calling me and my husband to adopt and he still has not opened up the door quite yet but my heart longs for that day. So open up your home, or pray for those who desire to adopt, help fund someone who is adopting and please pray for the thousands of children worldwide who have yet to find a loving family. Through God's grace may we reach out in sacrificial love to those who are fatherless. God may we be your hands and feet no matter the cost.

What is the Gospel worth?

My heart has been so heavy lately. My spirit is weary. The past two weeks God has been turning my world upside down as he has challenged every aspect of my life. Where is my heart? How do I spend my time? Is my life truly being lived out in a way that brings glory to the Lord and points others toward the Savior? Does my faith cost me anything? Because it should!! Every day all over the world Christians are secretly meeting to fervently study God's word. They sit for hours on dirt floors without cushioned seats, without fancy lights and professional worship bands. They don't even have comfy air conditioning. They just long for the word! Why do they meet in secret? They meet behind closed doors because their faith could get them thrown in jail. Their faith could cost them their lives. I live too comfortable a faith. Sometimes I wonder if it could be called "faith" at all.

November 17th marks the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Allow the Lord to stir you out of your comfort zone to have a genuine heart for the nations. Pray for unreached people, pray for hearts to be softened, pray for missionaries, maybe even ask God if you have been called to go...are you willing to ask? Are you willing to listen?

Take a few minutes out of your day and encourage a brother or sister in chains for the Gospel. It's not much of a sacrifice...only about 96 cents....are you willing to sacrifice 96 cents? My heart is burdened. Will you join with me in asking God to show you how to live a life of sacrifice for Him? What is the Gospel worth to you? What is the Gospel worth to me?

http://www.prisoneralert.com/

Youcef Nadarkhani

Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: October 2009
Days Imprisoned: 737

Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old pastor from Rasht, about 750 miles northwest of Tehran, was arrested in October 2009 after he protested a government policy that required children, including his 8- and 9-year-old sons, to study the Quran in school. Youcef told school officials that the Iranian constitution allows for freedom of religious practice. As a result of his protest, secret police called him before a political tribunal and arrested him for protesting. The charges were later amended to apostasy and evangelism of Muslims. Youcef was tried on Sept. 21–22, 2010 by the 1st Court of the Revolutionary Tribunal and sentenced to death on Nov. 13 for apostasy.

The pastor is imprisoned in Lakan prison, where authorities have used various methods, including medication, to convert him back to Islam.

After Youcef refused to convert to Islam, his wife was arrested, put on trial without an attorney and sentenced to life in prison. She was later released after an attorney appealed her sentence. The Nadarkhanis’ children were cared for by a relative while they were both in prison.

Verdict Referred to Supreme Leader
VOM contacts report that Pastor Nadarkhani's verdict has been delayed again by the court in Gilan province. The reason for the delay, according to his attorney, is that they have referred the case to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is highly unusual for the court to ask for the legal opinion of the Supreme Leader.

Please continue to pray that Youcef will be pardoned. Pray also for his wife, family and those supporting him.

Casting A Vision

Looking back over my life so far I am humbled to see how God has grown my faith, and this is no testament to my own piety. It is a resounding cry of the Lord's goodness in a sinner's life. His mercy is ravishing. In high school I was filled with passion, and abandon, qualities I wish I had more of now. However that passion had little knowledge behind it (at least it seems that way now that I am 10+ years older). Since graduating high school there are two huge truths that I have only since realized. Now these may seem a bit ridiculous to some of you but a few years ago these truths were life changing for me.

#1- The Bible is ONE big story pointing to a merciful God redeeming, and calling a people to himself. From Genesis to Revelation we see the Gospel!!

#2- The purpose of our marriages, our families, our jobs, our down time, our parenting, our gifts, our entire lives is to bring glory to God. Everything we do should scream out the greatness of the God we serve. Everything!!

Those two truths have marinated in my heart for a few years but now it has come full circle. Jon and I are actively teaching truth to a sweet group of believers. It has been amazing to see the light bulb come on as they understand some aspects of truth for the first time. It is an honor although absolutely terrifying to realize that we have the privilege to help lead these people into a deeper understanding of God. All of this makes me realize that I need to be seeking the Lord daily because there is no way that either of us can do this on our own.

One Year Ago Today

I can't help but take after my mom today. When I was growing up every year on my birthday she never failed to say the phrase, "____ years ago today..."

Well one year ago today I was in labor and my little boy was preparing to enter the world. It's just so hard to believe. I can remember the early morning hours of Aiden's birth like it was yesterday but it wasn't. A whole year has already passed. Seriously?!? Tomorrow we get to celebrate Aiden's first birthday. I can already feel the tears welling up.

I just had to read through Aiden's birth story again...I want to remember every moment I can because it was just truly amazing. This little boy is so precious to us. We can't thank God and praise Him enough for this gift. Love you little boy!!

Loving The Church

I have not posted in quite some time. I even made my blog private for a while because I was so discouraged and frustrated with ministry. This is hard...loving people is hard. The pastor from our last church in Louisville, KY used to say that the church is full of sinners saved by grace so it's inevitable that as sinners we will eventually sin against each other. Our sin will come out. Words will be said, feelings will be hurt (hopefully not intentionally) and that breaks my heart but it's true. The church is a broken body that will not be completely healed and made whole until Christ returns. Meanwhile we must ask the Lord to grow us, teach us and make us more like His Son. We must learn to love each other, serve one another and work in unity to bring God glory and tell others about the hope we have in Him. May the grace we've been given allow us to extend grace to the bride of Christ, his Church. People are watching. What will they see?

The Church

I have come with one purpose
to capture for myself a bride
by my life she is lovely
by my death she’s justified

I have always been her husband
though many lovers she has known
so with water i will wash her
and by my word alone

So when you hear the sound of the water
you will know you’re not alone

Chorus:
‘Cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church

I have long pursued her
as a harlot and a whore
but she will feast upon me
she will drink and thirst no more

So when you taste my flesh and my blood
you will know you’re not alone

Chorus:
There is none that can replace her
though there are many who will try
and though some may be her bridesmaids
they can never be my bride

The Unveiling

There are lots of books written for pastors. They even have schools specializing in training those called into ministry. But what about a pastor's wife? Often times they don't realize what they signed up for. While their husband is busy teaching, preaching, visiting, and counseling, many pastor's wives find themselves struggling.

This little blog is my perspective on life in the ministry fishbowl. I'll honestly share some of my struggles, burdens, passions, frustrations and joys of life as a pastor's wife. Being younger and very new at this I do not claim to have any answers. This is just a place for me to share my life experiences as I learn day by day to rely on the Lord in this crazy world of full time ministry.

If you are not a pastor (or a family member of one) then the stresses, challenges, and difficulties of those in ministry probably don't ever enter your mind. If that's you, I hope this blog serves as a gentle reminder to pray for those serving in ministry. And for those of you deep in the trenches of ministry: may this little blog serve as a reminder that you are not alone.

Change is Coming...

I've been gone for too long but have no fear...stay tuned because this blog is about to get a complete overhaul. New name, direction, look...everything. Creativity is brewing and I have a million things to talk about. Ministry is not for the faint of heart and living as a pastor's wife has a lot that goes with it and I think I need an outlet. I can't wait to start anew so check back soon!!