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The "B" Word
by Shannon Parish

The following is an excerpt from a letter I received from Donna (Wisdom4hm) . . . "You know, I do a lot of counseling (my husband and I do) and one day I was praying about what to do for all the hurting ministers that were showing up on my doorstep. God spoke so clearly to me. He said the number one thing to do, is ask..."What are you willing to do about the situation?" If they are unwilling to do anything..... I was to let them know, it would be fruitless to proceed any further. No matter who is, (or was) at fault, they must be willing to own the problem and do all they possibly can to bring about restoration. Then he told me to hold them accountable if they agreed to a certain thing...and then did not work at it, I was to tell them I could not help them, because I was only responsible for doing my part, not theirs. He also told me this would prevent me from being overwhelmed. I would be able to help the ones who truly wanted help...and not carry the burdens of those who were playing games. No one has to remain a victim, for God is more than able to provide our needs.

It goes back to God's principle, you have to give it all to gain it all. If those who truly want help are willing to put God's words into action in their lives they will see positive results. Unfortunately, many want someone else to do it for them."

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That got me to thinking. . . "Why is it so hard for us to set righteous Boundaries and take a strong stand in "Tough Love"? We leave ourselves AND OTHERS wide open to be devoured by the enemy because we refuse to set Godly Boundaries.

For ourselves, we somehow have swallowed the twisted Word of "God " that says we must NEVER hate, love everybody and turn the other cheek. (What that translates into is - love even the enemy, because hate is wrong - and let him and everyone else walk all over you.) You may not even be aware of that response in your life. Your mind knows one thing, but how you react is another. Therefore, we MUST set Boundaries so that we aren't just putting a welcome mat outside the door to be robbed of our health, peace, joy, family, marriages, and churches. . . . . . . . . all because we could not discern where to say no.

Here is a thought in regards to Boundaries that we need to set in relation to others. Whether it is the person who is "the squeaky wheel", or the person who has fallen into sin and deception. . . . . we are NOT their Saviors. If we are acting like we are, or they are acting like we are - we are standing in between them and God. God cannot deal with them like He needs to, because what we do by being available at all hours of the day and night, is enabling dysfunctions to continue. They will look to us, rather than God - and we then cause them to sin in becoming an idol. If it is sin which they have fallen into, then we are standing in the way of God being able to deal with them accordingly. When we do that, we create an atmosphere that gives the allusion that their weaknesses, or sins are okay, and their hearts become hardened to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes to the point of no return. (1 Corinthians 5)

It's no wonder that the Body of Christ hasn't grown like it should - the pastors are too busy playing Savior. Their lives are destroyed as well as their congregations. Perhaps what we agonize over each day is our own fault. We stand in pride, cloaked by well meaning intentions of "serving" God, all because we really can't trust God to do His job. We foster an attitude of a "you-listen-to-God-for-me-and-get-my-answers" kind of apathy and idol worship. It's no wonder that pastors are falling into sin, burning out, divorcing or dying young. They are carrying a load that does not belong to them, all because they truly did not trust God, had too much pride and didn't set BOUNDARIES!

(Well! I didn't mean to take that road - but - well I guess I was preaching to myself as well! Please, dear ones, set your Boundaries - the enemy is on the prowl!)

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Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.
 

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Satan's favorite entry point is always through someone close to you
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L I G H T B U L B C H A N G I N G C H R I S T I A N S T Y LE
By FirstPatG (Sandi)

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, since his/her hands are in the air anyway.

Q: How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. God has predestined when the lights will be on.

Q: How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10, as they need to hold a debate into whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb they may not go ahead and change it for fear of alienating those who use fluorescent tubes.

Q: How many Anglo-Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They always use candles instead.

Q: How many evangelicals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Evangelicals do not change light bulbs. They simply read out the instructions and hope the light bulb will decide to change itself.

Q: How many Atheists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But they are still in darkness.

Q: How many Brethren does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change?????

Q: How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10, one to change it and 9 others to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Q: How many televangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send in your donation today.

Q: How many campfire worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.

Q: How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: The whole congregation needs to vote on it!

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three, one to cast it out and two to catch it when it falls!

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Twenty one, one to change it, and twenty to share the experience!

Q: How many conservative Anglicans does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three. One to change it and two to storm out in protest if the person changing it is a woman!

Q: How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. If God wants the light bulb changed He will do it Himself!

Q: How many missionaries does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10. Five to determine how many can be changed by the year 2000, four to raise the necessary funds, one to go find a national to do the job!

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Urgent things are seldom important. Important things are seldom urgent.
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No man ever successfully governed another life until he was first able to govern himself. ............John G. Lake (Pro 16:32)

LEADERS

To know how to do a job is the accomplishment of labor To be available to tell others is the accomplishment of a teacher To inspire others to do better work is the accomplishment of management To be able to do all three is the accomplishment of true leaders. ~ Author unknown ~
(Submitted by Hrt2Sing (Teri)

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
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For your Exploring Pleasure,
click on these hyper links and find something new to investigate!

NEW! NetNoir Gospel Interests BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

A Joke A Day

Last Weeks Sites Marriage Partnership

Your Church

The Cyber Hymnal

(If you have discovered a web site that you think others would be interested in, please let me know, and I will put it in our newsletter. Just click & drag the sight from your Favorite Places and drop it into your letter.)

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Make checks payable to Sarah's Tent and send in care of LIVING STONES CHURCH / P.O. Box 964 / Broomfield, CO 80038-0964 / USA ~ (Sarah's Tent is a World Wide Internet Ministry hosted by LIVING STONES CHURCH and as a co-operative effort of churches and pastors throughout the United States.) __________________________________________________________________

Joy In The Kitchen is an extension of Sarah's Tent An online ministry devoted to gathering together God's silent warriors, the wives of pastors and ministers of all denominations and cultural backgrounds, as well as their families, for fellowship, support, laughter and prayer. Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24-25

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We'd Like to Hear from YOU
Do you have a question that you would like to ask other Pastor's Wives, an inspiring story or testimony, a funny happening from your congregation, children, or from your marriage? Perhaps you enjoy writing and would like to share your gift with us. . . . . . Please feel free to contribute, comment and suggest. This newsletter is for you, and from you. Just drop us a line at SarahsTent@aol.com

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JoyfulArt, (Shannon Parish) and her husband, Pastor DP (Dewayne Parish) are senior pastors of LIVING STONES CHURCH / P.O. Box 964, Broomfield, CO 80038-0964 / 303-487-1333 To visit JoyfulArt's home page, please click here: JoyfulArt
http://ionanet.com/ppl/Shannon/shannon.htm

Contact JoyfulArt if you are interested in becoming a more involved part of Sarah's Tent.