~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Blessed is he who, having nothing to say,
refrains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.
__________________________________________________________________
A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an online
ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
_______________________
Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
______________________ IT'S BEEN ONE
OF THOSE WEEKS!!
By JoyfulArt
Weeks? Did I say weeks?? I meant MONTH!! This
has been one glorious and challenging
month...while I digest all that has happened
during this month as pastor's wife, friend,
mother, and just plain ole me.....please enjoy
these wonderful articles sent in by several of
our other pastors wives. God supplies when He
knows that we are overloaded! Amen?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phil 4:19 19 And my God shall supply all
your need according to His riches in glory by
Christ Jesus. (NKJ)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Just as I am?
By: CWEIMER4..Christina
Another Sunday is here. Another day to grace
the doors of our churches. We get ourselves and
our children ready and we start to head out the
door, usually alone because our dear husbands
went before us. As we begin to leave there is one
last thing we grab. An essential thing, in our
eyes, for survival of the day. That thing is our
masks. We grab that mask of joy
(happiness/contentment) and screw it on real
tight. We want members to see this secure, happy,
confidant, loving, self-assured, blessed woman.
There is only one problem with wearing a mask.
No matter what it looks like, there are always
holes where the eyes go.. The eyes are the
windows to our souls. Now some may only look at
the mask and say, "My what a beautifully
radiant woman. She is expressing so much joy on
her face." While others will see right
through it and think, "She has a smile on
her face but something isn't right. Her eyes seem
troubled."
Oh to let go of that mask and to be willing to
show others the pain you really feel. We live a
lonely life as a pastor's wife. So afraid to show
others how we really feel. If we did would it
hurt our husbands ministry? The things we wrestle
with in this world, would members still accept us
if they knew? How would it be if we left our
masks at home?
One thing that we have forgotten in all our
pain and hiding is that God knows. He is the
author of our Joy. He called our hubbies into the
ministry, but He knew that one day we would be
married to them. He has been there for us all our
lives, guiding us to the point of being a
pastor's wife.
He knows your pain, your struggles, your
hurts, and your desires. He has guided you all
this way. God is not a cruel God. He doesn't
bring you all this way to say "Hey, I was
just kidding, you're on you own now."
This pain, these trials, these tribulations
are but for a time, a season. Perhaps if we were
to leave our masks at home others would say,
"I see her pain, but there is joy (a hope)
in her eyes." God has given you a joy (a
hope) that can carry you through the hard times.
We do not need to doan a mask to prove we have
the joy of the Lord. (Easier said than done I
know)
I wonder how much growth our churches would
experience if we allowed them to see us for who
we really are. God knew that you would be at this
church, at this time of your life, with these
people. Because of this fact there is a purpose
in placing you and them there. God said I will
never leave you nor forsake you. Each of us are
here to help each other. Oh dear child of God....
He wants so much for you to see His love and to
experience the joy that is within you.
As you head for church again this week
consider leaving that mask behind. I know it will
be a frightening, scarey thing. However, by doing
this you may discover and find that joy you
thought was lost. They shall see you as you are
and through it they can help you as you are, and
LOVE you as you are.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life." (NKJ)
* * * * * *
TO THE PASTOR'S WIFE, WITH LOVE...
Scanning through the List I See
It's not Just another Day
For on This Day not Long Ago
A Lady came to Stay
She's made her Mark in Someone's Life
Perhaps one Day she'll Know
Just how much God used her
To help Another Grow
She's not just Some Woman
Sitting in the pew
She's got Mercy in her Basket
And Spreads Kindness right on Cue
With Patience she does Teach Each Day
Just how good the Lord has been
To those Near and Far - especially to her Kin
Her heart is filled with Love you know
Temperance is her middle name
And though she doesn't know it
Respect of Many she has Gained
Charity and Faith she says
Must First begin at Home
So each day she's learned to Give
To widows left Alone
And to the Helpless Little Ones
With No Mother of Their own,
She Sprinkles Love and KisSeS
And Gladly Shares her Heart and Home
As the End of this day is Dawning
She may not think she's Much
Though just as God has Blessed Her So
She Too has Many Touched!
Ema B dot
Caldwell ID
~ ~ ~ ~
No Weapon Formed against me shall
prosper!
By PrasHm
Isa 54:17
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall
prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against
thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the
heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their
righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (KJV)
Never has that verse come more alive to me
than in the past few weeks. My husband and I felt
the time was right to relocate and buy our first
home after years of renting. We had prayed and
after looking for only a short time a home seemed
to leap out at us. It was in the right area,
large enough for our family and then some, and
the price was seemingly fair.
Everything seemed to go along rapidly at first
and we were overjoyed that owning our first house
was so close at hand. We were sure we had heard
from the Lord in this, but then I prayed the
prayer of "If anything be hidden, Lord, let
it be revealed…" . Guess what? It
was!!!
Suddenly there was one unexpected delay after
another in closing. This went on for OVER a
month. We were praying and asking the Lord to not
let the devil steal our blessing, but still I
would add "If anything be hidden, Lord, let
it be revealed…". After almost a month
and a half of living out of boxes in our rental
home the owner decided that if the finance
company would give him verification that we were
approved then we could go ahead and move in and
not have to sign another rental agreement. We
moved and then a week later went to the closing
table. We signed all the papers and put our down
payment in an escrow account because the original
termite report was over 30 days old now and we
had to just get another clearance from them. The
house didn't pass! Another pest company was
called in and they found even bigger problems
under the house than the first—powder post
beetle infestation and damage, termite damage,
brown rot, wood so rotten that it could be broken
off with your bare hand. Not to mention that some
floor joints didn't even touch the floor!!!
The hidden had been revealed!
The owner had scammed us and the devil was
trying to beat us down. But , neither one of them
had reckoned on our Father taking care of us. He
says that NO weapon formed against will prosper.
That includes the ones we know about and even the
ones we don't know about! What a sense of
security that should give us if we are born
again!
Consequently, the contracts that we had signed
at the closing table were made void and the first
contracts binding us to the house were expired
due to the amount of time that elapsed. Isn't God
an AWESOME GOD!!!!!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I Jn 4:12 If we love one another, God
abides in us, and His love has been perfected in
us. (NKJ)
~ ~ ~ ~
The Loft View
By Nets4Him
I was waiting where they told me to at the
Denver Airport. Right by the rental car place. I
know I was a little early, but their flights were
arriving a little earlier then mine so, where
were they? Ofcourse, I never had "seen"
these ladies, but I sure knew them. One of them
had been in "The Tent" when I found it
a year ago, and she welcomed me with open arms.
The other gal I had just started corresponding
with, but I already loved her. I checked to see
if the car had been picked up and the car rental
lady said yes. So, where were they? After 15
minutes or so, I started to wander a bit and at
that same time two ladies stood up and we saw
each other......they were on the other side of
the steps.
We had NEVER seen each other. After hugs we
went to get our car (which turned out to be a
Ford Explorer) and went to the mountains.
I picked the loft to sleep in. That way I was
away from the activity, but not totally. It was a
comfy little area, with a seat by the balcony. I
had visions of me reading in the seat and
relaxing. It seemed that as soon as we were
together, and realized there were bodies and
faces that went with screen names, the fun began.
We listened to all types of Christian music,
relaxing, up beat and ofcourse Gospel. God was
with us that weekend. You could feel Him all over
the place. In the beauty of the mountains, the
peace on the walks and the warmth that came with
the fellowship and hugs from these terrific
ladies. One thing that really struck home for me
was that these women traveled from all over the
country (three different time zones) and were all
different denominations. Denominations and
locations were not a hindrance for us though, we
all have been in similar situations, shared
similar joys and frustrations and were there to
support and love each other. The best part was
that we all worshipped the same God.
The loft was a good place to sleep. I guess I
was the one that slept the most. I was able to
read for a few minutes in the loft chair, but
mainly I was downstairs with the rest of the
group. The neatest sight was waking up in the
morning and gazing up and out of the window. From
my bed I could see the one of the mountains with
snow on it. I am so glad that I was given an
opportunity to attend this retreat. It was good
for my head, heart and soul! Thank you God!!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LETTERS
Dear Sarah's Tent,
The retreat was so awesome. I think the thing
that the Lord really gave or said to me durring
the weekend what that He was very pleased with
the unity that was there. There were pastors
wives there from all over the country from the
west coast to the east coast and a few in
between, and we were all from so many different
denominations.... baptist... methodist...
nazarene... and yeah even a few of us
pentecostals :-) yet we all got along and just
loved all over each other. Durring praise and
worship time no one got upset over anyone elses
style of worship. No one quarled over silly
little denominational differences. There was
truely a sence of unity in Christ that I will
NEVER forget. I truely feel that the Lord is
pleased to see His children breaking accross
denominational and geographical lines and saying
what is important is NOT our denominational
differences or simularities, what is important IS
that we are HIS children, sisters in the Lord and
that is going to be what our focus is going to be
on. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! I praise the Lord that I
went, it was unlike any retreat that I have ever
been on and I will never be the same!
Love in Him,
Julia
~ ~ ~ ~
Subj: blessings
Date: 98-05-15 17:14:15 EDT
From: HFTW@MAF.Org (HFTW)
To: SarahsTent@aol.com (SarahsTent)
Shannon and the gang,
I read each week your newsletter and it is
still so refreshing. I wish there was a way to
share the fellowship as you have just shared but
the miles prevent. You know when God's ladies get
together all Heaven must declare His glory. We
also have a ball in Albania, singing and
praising!!
I also like your prayer chain and urgent needs
posted. As little Noah had his finger torn off,
we also prayed in Albania for him. With a 6 hour
difference it almost gives round the clock
coverage. As you go to bed I am starting my day!!
As I came up in a fundamental Baptist church,
we were sometimes so fundamental we were
independent of any other fellowship. It took the
field of Albania to learn that the same God is
the God of all and we have great fellowship with
others. We have all denominations there and the
ladies get together and share. Several weeks ago,
you wrote about the denominational lines and the
love that is shared between them. In the US it is
more difficult to cross those lines, but I am one
who will continue to love across the barriers
because God has not put them there but man
himself.
You know, God sent His son Jesus for all of
us, no matter the denomination. If more could get
passed this point and share the wonderful gospel
of His love and His Son's gift, we might be more
of a witness for Him. I have had to learn this
lesson the hard way. As I went to Albania, I
thought what I knew was the only right way. As I
began to meet other missionaries, I quickly
learned that they loved the same Lord I did and
we did have lots in common to share.
The essentials of our faith is the common
denominator and His love and Holy Spirit within
us is so real.
Thank you for the part in ministry you share
and keep it up!!
Now a note from the field:
Albania has been in the news lately. It really
is not so much Albania but Kosova and the ethnic
Albanians there. Please pray for peace and God's
mercy there. There are not missionaries in Kosova
that I know of now due to the troubles. There are
some in nearby Macedonia.
The people of Albania continue to be more open
to the gospel and a renewed reality of
discipleship is prevalent. What an awesome
challenge. As missionaries return, Hope also
returns to the people. Before the March 97 crisis
there was over 600 Protestant missionaries in the
country. Today there is barely 250. Pray for the
laborers to return to the field. We do see summer
teams coming this summer as in the past and pray
the lord of the harvest will bring it in.
God has continues using Hugh, my husband in
village medical ministry areas. The Health
foundation now covers 6 villages that the
government has just left with no medical care. I,
Debbie, continue with the missionary clinic. We
actually see more Albanians in a week than we do
missionaries and this is good. It is also a means
to share God's love and message of salvation to
them.
Our love and prayers with you all, Debbie
Hoffman
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: Joy In The Kitchen Volume 2 Issue 12
Date: 98-05-14 17:18:49 EDT
From: LouBear55
To: SarahsTent
Hi Shannon,
This issue was so amazing........I almost felt
as if I was right there in the midst of your
celebration of life in the Lord!.......I was
moved to tears several times as I witnessed in my
heart's eye the joy of meeting the first time and
the love shown there from the foundation God put
there in your spirits before your meeting. I too
was so elated as each of you met and got to know
each other.......(I almost felt like being a
pastor's wife so I could go to the next
one......hehehe, of course this is kinda
impossible....LOL..)
I will continue to pray for all these
wonderful ladies that God and you brought
together for His glory, honor and your
refreshing.........these are truely dear, dear
women of God......and I am honored to be
associated, if indirectly, with them all through
you!
God bless you and keep you,
I love you,
Louie.......
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEXT RETREAT
July 30 - August 1
1998 Dothan, Alabama
Host for this time is: Carol (Justaservn)
For more information: SarahsTent@aol.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I Jn 4:11 11 Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another. (NKJ)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
POT LUCK!
Gertrude Carwile of Union Hill Baptist Church,
Brookneal, Va. gave me this recipe in 1973. My
preacher loves it, I think yours will too.
Chinese Chicken Casserole
4 cups diced chicken
4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups diced celery
1 cup diced cheese
1 large onion, diced
2 eggs beaten
1 can mushroom soup
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 or 2 teaspoons salt
1 cup water chestnuts
4 cups cracker crumbs (don't crumble them too
fine)
Combine all ingredients except one cup of
cracker crumbs, which you will sprinkle on top
prior to baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 45
minutes. Enjoy!
Be sure to check out ministry tested recipes
at: Doffycook's
Nethome
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1 Pet 1:22 Since you have purified your
souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in
sincere love of the brethren, love one another
fervently with a pure heart, (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
Sarah's Tent Prayer Chain Send requests to SarahsTent@aol.com
(Especially tailored prayers for Ministry
Leaders)
~ * ~
C.O.P.E. Ministries (Christians Online Praying by
Email) C.O.P.E.
Ministries Home Page http://members.aol.com/PrayWOCsng/COPE
Prayer requests: Michelle at LazarusArb@aol.com
or to Sherry at Jcjspj@aol.com
~ * ~
BAMPRAYER@aol.com
For special prayer JUST for marriages. This is a
ministry from Born Again Marriages. If you would
like to visit their web page. . . click here: http://www.bornagainmarriages.org/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah's Tent Book Club
Contact WeesaS@aol.com
or SarahsTent@aol.com
for more information.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pattie's Picks
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Higher
Faith Outreach
(http://www.angelfire.com/tn/higherfaithoutreach/index.html)
This is a neat little page with many links to
other sites. It includes devotions, Bible verses,
poems, jokes, and pastor encouragement.
Christian
Reader WEB Resources (on AOL through
Christianity Online) This is a site that has
several sources for daily devotionals on the web,
Bible verses, and other fun places to go.
KJV
Topic List (Christianity.net Topic Search)
This allows AOL users to access a topical search
through the Scriptures. This is a handy place.
The
Pastors Wives' Prayer And Praise Page
(http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/5892/Prayerpraise.html)
This page is run by a pastor's wife who invites
all to visit her site with the following words:
"Welcome to my little corner of the world
and place where I hope you can find rest and
peace and solace. A place where you, as a
PASTOR'S WIFE can, hopefully, find a friend with
whom you can share and come to know as someone
who genuinely cares..... A garden of comfort
where you can just come and "SMELL THE
ROSES"....This is a dream of mine since
beginning my home page to have a haven for
pastor's wives to have an opportunity to give
prayer requests and praises and just to know
someone understands and has gone through some of
the same things you are perhaps
experiencing."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you have any web sites you would like to
recommend, please send them to PattieRWR (Pattie)
We'll be happy to write reviews for the
newsletter!
____________________________________________________________
PRAISE REPORT
Praise God, the monitor was
replaced...and now I'm back in business! The Lord
Provides!!
__________________________________________________________________
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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