~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Good leaders must first become good servants.
Robert Greenleaf
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THIS
ONE THING I DO. . .
By JoyfulArt
"That's crazy!" they say, "What
makes you think that you can get all those
different denominations to speak to each other,
let alone become relational?" Too numerous
to count are the times I have heard these words,
or words similar. Whether it was from a person I
was speaking to, or thoughts echoing in my own
mind.
"You live in a dream world!" they've
told me. "Time to get your head out of the
clouds." "It will never work!!"
others have said, and "It's been tried many
times before, you are wasting your time."
Still, I cannot deny what God has placed in my
heart. The vision is so great I can taste it. At
times it appears as though I'm only walking
through yesterday, because I'm already living in
the future!!!
An amazing thing is happening in the Body of
Christ in these last days. The visionaries are
laying down their differences and picking up
their swords and shields. They are turning back
to back, and are pressing in to help defend one
another from the onslaught of the enemy. Not
quite as much are you hearing the accusations of
brother against brother that one is right and the
other wrong. Those who have a passion for their
living, mighty, awesome God are realizing
finally, that they don't know everything after
all. And in laying their pride and stiff
neckedness on the altar they are opening their
ears to the voice of God in their brother and
sisters mouth.
Of course there will always be disagreements
and opinions which differ. But the truth will
always ring out when it comes from the mouth of
God. No one can dispute Jesus words when he said
in Matt 6:33-34 ". . . seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
It was a simple word. "Seek ye FIRST the
KINGDOM OF GOD, and take it one day at a
time."
He didn't tell us to seek to be the biggest
church, or the most knowledgeable person in the
pulpit. He didn't tell us to prove to as many
people as possible that WE were right and they
wrong. . . no, He commanded us to LOVE. That is
the Kingdom of God. A kingdom where unconditional
love, mercy and forgiveness rule and reign. Where
the fear of God is greater than any self worship
or fear of man. Only a true visionary and leader
will turn his back on the past and the
criticizing words of people who do not see, to
press in to a higher calling. That of dying to
their own flesh daily in order that GOD may be
glorified, and His will carried out, not our own.
I praise those who have chosen the greater
thing. . . the ONE thing. . . to lay down what
they knew in the past in order to seek the
Kingdom of God, that they might please Him who
sent them. God is deeply pleased with the one
leader who would pray for his or her sister or
brother, and not criticize them for how they
believe. To the leader who finds him or herself
offended by the misunderstanding of another, but
chooses to go back and love anyway, asking God to
reveal to them what was in their OWN heart
instead. . . I say, "Thank you!!! You
exemplify Jesus to me." People can follow a
leader who is willing to learn, and humble enough
to admit faults and look inside their own hearts.
Those are the leaders that can be trusted. And
THOSE are the leaders which God will use to build
HIS Kingdom - because they have said to the
world, that HIS Kingdom comes first. . .at ALL
costs!
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to
have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Nearly all men can stand adversity,
But if you want to test a man's character, Give
him power. . . " Abraham Lincoln
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHANGE MEANS GROWTH, AND GROWTH MEANS
CHANGE
Note from JoyfulArt
Periodically we get mail that praises and
thanks us for the effort that is put into Sarah's
Tent, and the blessings it brings. It warms our
hearts to know how dear this ministry has become
to so many. In last weeks newsletter I put in an
announcement of another development in Sarah's
Tent, which is a ministry geared to the special
needs of Staff people. We were blessed to receive
a letter from one of our family members who
brought up some very valid questions that needed
to be addressed. I am so thankful that she wrote
us so promptly and addressed these concerns of
hers, if she had not, we would not have been able
to address them here this week. The following is
her letter followed by our response. The
parenthesis are mine since her letter was
addressed to one of our staff.
Dear (Sarah's Tent), I was wondering if you
could tell me why the need to split up pastor's
wives from other minister's wives? I have been
able to make only one of the chats for Sarah's
Tent and didn't know if something had been
happening that had caused this decision. I find,
being in a multi-staffed church, that all of the
wives have the same needs. I have also found that
it is advantageous for the pastor's wife to have
the support of the other staff wives. We all live
in glass houses and all have husbands who deal
with the same things.
If you have a few minutes, would you mind
enlightening me? I am concerned that we will miss
the input we need from others in order to
maintain an objective and comprehensive
viewpoint. ~ PM
* * * * *
Dear PM,
No, nothing at all has happened to cause any
kind of split. I really thank you for asking
about it however, in case others get the same
idea.
We saw a need for an additional chat to be
available for Staff Wives which would address
issues unique to them. Kellie and her husband Tim
have a passion to help others along the emotional
trail of serving under other leaders.
There are many questions and feelings that
need to be validated among these faithful people,
which may or may not be addressed in our regular
chats. There are so many who need to know that
there is a place of fellowship available without
the fear of offending a pastors wife who may be
in the room, or being afraid to bring up an issue
that they are dealing with because of being
concerned they may be 'pounced' upon.
You might look at it like having another baby
in the family. That baby will grow and be
nurtured by the Sarah's Tent family and may even
have babies of it's own. What it does is provide
even more options and resources for all to make
use of. Staff wives are still welcome to any
chats sponsored by Sarah's Tent, as well as
receive the newsletter. Nothing is being taken
away. . . just more being added as a means of
meeting more needs and creating greater
fellowship and support unique to the needs of
each individual.
Hope this answers your question! Again, thank
you so much for addressing this with us!!! Pray
for Kellie and Tim as they seek God on birthing
this new baby. They are working closely to us and
are very dear to us. They both carry the very
heart beat of Sarah's Tent and I believe are sent
by God to come along side of us in what God is
doing to help bring about unity in the Body of
Christ. ~ JoyfulArt
** If you have any concerns, comments,
suggestions or praise reports that you would like
to share, please drop us a line!!! We love
hearing from you!!! Just send to: JoyfulArt
(Shannon) Put in the Subject line,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A man who wants to lead the orchestra
must turn his back on the crowd.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
BUDDY LIST
My Buddy List was empty, I was all alone
There was not one Buddy, on this puter phone
I looked at my list woefully, tears within my
eyes
If my Buddies were around, they were in disguise!
I was in despair, no Buddies could be found
Like a lonely puppy, I wondered all around
I went into the chat rooms, one by one by one
And still I found no Buddies, my gosh, what have
they done?
I began to panic, my hair now stood on end
As nervous little eyes, searched for just one
friend
My mouse was all aquiver, as it searched the net
And I called out to Jesus, "Dear Lord,
there's no one yet!"
My mouse bumped into Jesus, and I looked up in
fright
I said to him, "Dear Lord, there's no one
here tonight"
He looked into my eyes, with such a sad, sad
smile
Then took me by the hand and said, "Come,
let's talk awhile!"
His hand now touched my puter, the screen became
quite blank
And in my chest, my heart, well it just sorta
sank
He said, "Your heart, my son, it now needs
some revival"
Then he handed me, something called "My
Bible!"
And as I searched it's words, my heart began to
rise
I'd begun to slip, and never realized
Within the words I found, such mercy, love and
grace
As I looked up at Jesus, a smile lit up his face!
He said, "Well now you're ready, your
motives now are right"
"You may go my son, and shine that precious
light"
Again he touched my puter, the screen now came on
line
He said, "Now find your Buddies, and share
this love of mine!"
Thanks Buddy :o)
© Jay L. Zumbrum
In Jesus Precious Name
And for His Glory
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your
sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ability may get you to the top - but it takes
character to keep you there.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Notes From YOU, and Frustrations Too!
Every once in awhile you write in and
ask for help in finding information or feed back
from someone else regarding something that
interests you. Also, when you become a member of
Sarah's Tent, you will remember that one of the
questions you filled out on our questionnaire is
regarding what your greatest frustrations are.
The numbered articles below are some of the
recent feedback we received from our new family
members. :-) (Now you will see that you are not
alone in your thoughts!)
"I would like a schedule of the chats,
information on e-mail support and the buddy
system. I'm also looking for program ideas for
woman's meetings at church and Bible study
ideas." Send reply's to: Rosemary at laredon@eohio.net
FRUSTRATIONS:
1. "People need to hear the Grace
Message"
2. "greatest frustration - the demands of
time (or maybe lack of time) on my heart - my
father-in-law died in May, my mom died 3 weeks
ago - hard to minister when your heart aches so
much."
3. "Safe friends who will not judge/
right off other ministers who are human, have
real feelings, issues like anyone else.
Encouragers like Barnabus who believed the
best."
4. "Developing and deepening my own
spiritual walk. My heart is finding others to
share our spiritual journeys without judgment but
with challenge, grace and love."
5. " Finances!!! To reach the lost and
bring restoration is on our hearts!!"
6. "My greatest frustration is trying to
convince Christians to serve God. The "don't
care" attitude is real frustrating. "
7. "Getting our people to be committed to
the business of the church and taking their
responsibilities seriously. . . . It's a hard
place to be in. as if you say something you might
offend him and he would quit and no one else is
available to do the job.This is the case in many
of our committees. "
8. "People's demands/expectations in
regards to the kids!"
9. "This answer would take some time and
space. " (We hear you Sis!)
10. " Probably having my children and
grandchildren all so far away from us. We have 2
daughters in the States, and a daughter,
son-in-law and 2 grandchildren who are
missionaries in Bulgaria. We will soon be leaving
our 17 year old son behind also. "
11. "complacency in parishioners and my
health "
12. "Discovering what it is (God's call
on her life) for sure...What is on your heart?
The demands made upon his (husbands) time from
the conference which make his full time
ministerial work very difficult to attend to with
continuity..."
13. "waiting"
14. "The lack of repentance in the Body
of Christ - as well as the fear of a living
God."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nothing is more common than unfulfilled
potential. Howard Hendricks
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Running with the Vision
We are anticipating the start of a new chat
for those who are still preparing for what God
has called them to do. It will be open to anyone
who has heard the call of God for service in the
ministry, as well as for those who have heard the
call and are wondering what to do next, and need
support, or those who are still waiting on God to
open the door. Staff members are also welcome, or
those who feel the call to go on staff under a
shepherd. This will be a ministry for fellowship
and support.
We have prepared a questionnaire with a list
of questions for those who have already went
ahead and moved into their office. This
questionnaire will help us minister more
effectively to the next generation of God's
leaders. If you would like a questionnaire,
please contact TSteven913@aol.com
or PrasHm@aol.com
Also if you have already received one, would
you please return it as soon as possible. We're
really excited about your input.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK! RAVE REVIEW!!
I just love it when a letter comes back with a
comment regarding something that was read in the
newsletter. Even more so when I know that they
actually tried out one of the recipes!! This
letter came in from Ema B Dot. Thought it just
might make you curious enough to try it
yourself!! So here is the letter, as well as the
recipe she was looking for.
Good Morning Shannon!
This may be an impossible request - and then
again it may not??? Someone submitted a Zucchini
Bread recipe several weeks back.. I copied the
Recipe -- made the Bread and loved it... (it had
pineapple..mm..mm). I went over to a lady friends
home and we made some more - and then I gave her
the Recipe -w/o copying it!
AHA! Decided I could do the 'searching' myself
and I just found it! Thanks anyhows - I know
you'd have found it for me!
Ema
(Joy in the Kitchen #29)
ZUCCHINI BREAD
3 c. flour
3 eggs
1 c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. nuts
2 c. zucchini
1 c. pineapple
1 c. raisins
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together and bake in loaf pans, 350
degrees, until brown. Apples can be added instead
of zucchini.
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A sense of responsibility is the clearest
indication of mature leadership. John Maxwell
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
Please send prayer request to C.O.P.E.
Ministries (Christians Online Praying by Email)
in care of Mama Brrr@AOL.com
DON'T FORGET TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR PRAISE
REPORTS!!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ BAMPRAYER@aol.com
For special prayer JUST for marriages. This is
a ministry from Born Again Marriages FirstPatG
and her husband are the heads of Born Again
Marriages and have notified me that they are
offering prayer especially for Pastors Wives and
their marriages. If you would like to visit their
web page. . . click here: BAMWEB
Sandi has let me know that their computer at
the BAMPRAYER address got a virus and wiped out
some information, including the names of some of
those who wished to pray SPECIFICALLY for Pastors
Wives. If you are one of those people who has
contacted her in the past regarding this, or
would like to be involved in this VITAL ministry,
please contact her at BAMPRAYER@aol.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHUCKLES
Submitted by Job33-4@Juno.com:
A man was driving along the highway, and saw a
rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He
swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but
unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the
car and was hit. The driver, being a sensitive
man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to
the side of the road and got out to see what had
become of the rabbit.
Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The
driver felt so awful he began to cry.
A woman driving down the highway saw the man
crying on the side of the road and pulled over.
She stepped out of her car and asked the man what
was wrong.
"I feel terrible," he explained.
"I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed
it." The woman told the man not to worry.
She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk
and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to
the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents
of the can onto the rabbit.
Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped
up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped
down the road. 50 meters away the rabbit stopped,
turned around, waved at the two again, hopped
down the road another 50 meters, turned, waved,
and hopped another 50 meters.
The man was astonished. He couldn't figure out
what substance could be in the woman's spray can!
He ran over to the woman and demanded, "What
was in your spray can? What did you spray onto
that rabbit?"
The woman turned the can around so that the
man could read the label. It said: " 'Hare
Spray' Restores Life to Dead Hare. Adds Permanent
Wave."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For your Exploring Pleasure,
(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.)
NEW:
Blue
Mountain Arts' Electronic Greeting Cards I
received a wonderful online animated card today
from this site. Thought you might enjoy looking
at it too - and maybe making someone else's day!
CHURCHMOTHERS:
E- mail List
archive.html
at genesis.acu.edu These two sites are
related and are especially tailored to CHURCH
PLANTERS. This is another online ministry which
brings support to those who are church planters.
There is an extensive e-mail list and many
resources which have been archived for you to
review by topic, and from several years ago to
today. Be sure to check this one out!
LAST WEEK:
Sonspot
- Open Your Eyes And Look Into The Son Nice
site, contains links to other Christian sites.
Bible links and music links to name a few.
IN CHRIST
MINISTRIES Contains descriptions and links to
some of the best Christian sites on the Web.
JAF
Ministries The disability outreach of Joni
Eareckson Tada. Joni, a quadriplegic as a result
of a diving accident in 1967, is an
internationally known advocate for the disabled,
radio host, author, conference speaker and
mouth-artist.
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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