~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
"OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY"
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A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an
online ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
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Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24, 25
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OLD THINGS
By JoyfulArt
Imagine if you will, a vast area, darkened by
time passed. A road leads through the darkness
toward a doorway on the verge of being opened.
Light streams out from under the door
illuminating the remaining shadows of the week
coming to a close, signaling the passing of yet
another year.
Some of us find ourselves limping to the
finish line at the close of this year, and still
others leap with joy and excitement at the
wonders of the past year. Each one of us bring
expectations shaped by events from the past
tucked neatly in the luggage we bring into the
new year.
Possibilities and endless vision abound with
some, while others, wounded from long exhausting
battles stagger at the prospect of yet another
year of war, their hope deferred, disillusionment
crippling once healthy souls.
Truth is, nothing that happened in the past
will determine the future. Only the choices we
make on how those past events affected us will
shape the future. God's Word clearly warned us
that blessing and cursing await us. That perilous
times lay ahead and persecution abounds. Why
then, are we often taken by surprise when these
things happen, opening us to terrible wounding?
Could it have been that our expectations were
fallible? Could it have been that when we
approached the opening door of the previous new
year we ignored the warnings and carelessly left
our armor on the porch?
"Oh but I had armor!" Some will
protest. Yes indeed, you had armor. But take a
look at the manufacturer of that armor. Was it
made in Pride Paradise? Perhaps it was in
Beautiful Bitterness Bay? Only armor fashioned
with the love and truth of God will withstand in
these last days.
"I had a great year!" Still others
will gleefully shout, indignant about why the
limping, wounded ones are struggling so. How
easily we forget our own fears, doubts,
woundedness, weaknesses, and yes, prideful issues
when we enter a season of incredible blessing.
Why is it that when things go so well we smugly
reason that we have some how struck the
"right formula" for success?
"Oh you don't understand" Still
others gently speak "I am extremely thankful
for all that God has blessed me with!"
"What is your secret?" I ask.
"Experience has taught me that nothing is
certain, except God's boundless love."
"I learned to lay everything at the gate as
I enter the next year, allowing God (Who knows
the future) to take my hand and lead me."
"From the wounds I received in my years of
battle, I learned things from those painful
moments that I would not have learned otherwise.
Only those moments in time could have taught,
prepared and equipped me the way I needed to be
equipped. In the years of abundance, I learned
God's incredible love, matchless grace and
abundant mercy. His patient, loving Holy Spirit
taught me truths that stood apart from my own
knowledge. Truths of simplicity, humility,
thankfulness and trust are shaping my character
and very being...if I have an ear to hear."
"I dare not be smug in entering this new
year, nor careless in my blessing and
thankfulness. Only God knows what lies ahead, and
I choose to keep my eyes on Him and Him
alone".
Take a breath. Reflect on the past events of
this year. Look into the darkness and see where
your soul has come from, what choices did you
make that glorified a risen Christ? What choices
reinforced stubborn flesh and a hardened heart?
Lay your burdens and treasures down at the gate.
Take off the kingly garments and filthy rags.
Lift your hands to the King of kings and Lord of
lords as you take a leap of faith. As David
danced before the Lord, all things laid aside,
express praise like never before - you made it
through another year!
"Easy for you to say" "No, it's
not easy for me to say. I am learning daily. When
I cry out to the Lord to give me a heart like
His, or that I haven't it in me to enjoy the
ministry anymore, my heart beaten and stonelike,
I hear a voice whisper gently... "David was
a man after God's own heart".
Even though he was an adulterer, murderer, and
deceived many, God called him a man after His own
heart. How could this be? It is because David,
when confronted with himself, was quick to
repent. Quick to repent and turn around, laying
all things at the feet of God's throne. David
knew his weaknesses, he knew tragedy and he knew
glory. He knew that without God, he was nothing,
and that with God, all things were possible. He
was honest with God and never stood in a posture
of arrogant religion. He knew his humanity.
Know your humanity. Know the humanity of the
people you serve. Know the Majesty and Love of an
Awesome God. Know that He has your future in His
hands. Lay those things that burden you down, lay
the treasures in earthly things, come and open
the door to your future. With God, all things are
possible! With God before you, who can be against
you?
~~~~~~~~~
Emmanuel ~~~ our God is with us
What shall we then say to these things? If God be
for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:31
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Reflecting
From: PattieRWR
1998 has been such a busy year! I am filled
with both joy and pain thinking about it, but
mostly I am thankful for what the Lord has taught
me. So, as Christina asked me to reflect on 1998
as we face the advent of 1999, I hope my words
might bring not only comfort and encouragement,
but also a jumping-off point for you to do your
own reflection on the year.
I began 1998 by reading It's Time to Be Bold
by Michael W. Smith. That book is a great
challenge to believers to be bold in our witness.
I learned that I need to be bolder but also more
open, both personally and in my ministry as a
pastor's wife.
In the spring, I felt bogged down in my
responsibilities and started to burn out. I
remember thinking I was going absolutely crazy!
When I went on a pastor's wives retreat in April
here in Arkansas, I learned some great truths.
The best thing I learned was that I need to serve
the Lord out of passion, not out of position; out
of the Spirit, not the flesh. That is a hard
lesson that I think will be one that I will be
learning over and over . . . and over again!
Our church began home Bible studies this year,
and the ladies' study has been of Kay Arthur's
book Lord, I Want to Know You. Just two months
after we began, we lost one of our deacons in a
horrible car accident. His wife, our dear friend
and Bible study leader, is still recovering in
the hospital. Many have come to know the Lord
through that circumstance, and even though we
mourn our loss, we have learned to praise God for
what He is doing in the lives of our church
members and in our community.
I guess my struggles this year have been
against myself! As a first-born child and a
type-A personality, I'm a bit of a "control
freak." It is very hard for me to trust in
the Lord, to "let go and let God." But
oh, dear sisters, when I do! The pain is less,
the Lord is near, and things just aren't quite as
bad as they seemed before.
A character on a TV show said one time, that
if you reflect on the past year and have tears,
whether of joy or of sorrow, it's been a good
year. I think that's true. So, as I finish this
article with tears in my eyes, I realize I
wouldn't trade it for anything!
~ ~ ~ ~
"...For I know the plans I have for
you, "declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
~~~~~~~~~~~
What's New?
Email groups ..... Opportunities for you to
speak with others....
1. Are you too busy to go into the chat
rooms.. but would love to speak with other
pastor's wives? We are looking to start an email
group for the pastor's wives to get to know one
another better... are you interested? contact
SarahsTent (This will begin in January... for
those of you who have signed up already)
2. Sarah's Puptent is an email discussion
group designed to minister and connect those in
start up and small churches (30 or under in
regular attendance) who need or want
encouragement, advice, Godly prayer, etc to each
other. Email Exousia113@aol.com
to join and get that week's topic.
3. "Run with the Vision" is designed
to encourage and support nonpastoral staff and
their wives. If you are interested in joining us
or if you would like more information, contact
Kellie PrasHm@aol.com
or Teri teriunderwood@mindspring.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please Hear What I'm Not Saying
submitted by Phywmgf
Don't be fooled by me.
Don't be fooled by the face I wear,
For I wear a mask, I wear a thousand masks,
Masks that I am afraid to take off,
But none of them are me.
Pretending is an art that is second nature to me,
But don't be fooled,
For God's sake don't be fooled.
I give you the impression that I am secure,
That all is sunny and unruffled with me,
Within as well as without,
That confidence is my name and coolness is my
game,
That the water's calm and I am in command,
And that I need no one.
Don't believe me, Please!
My surface may be smooth,
But my surface is my mask,
My varying and ever concealing mask.
Beneath lies no smugness,
No complaints.
Beneath dwells the real me,
In loneliness.
I idly chatter with you in the suave tones of
surface talk.
I tell you everything that's really nothing,
Of what's crying within me.
So, when I'm going through my routine,
Please don't be fooled by what I'm saying.
Please listen carefully, and try to hear what I'm
not saying,
And what I'd like to be able to say,
What for survival I need to say,
But what I can't say.
Only you can call me into aliveness,
Each time you're kind, and gentle, and
encouraging,
Each time you try to understand because you
really care,
My heart begins to grow wings.
Very small wings, very feeble wings, but wings.
With your sensitivity and sympathy, and your
power of understanding,
You can breathe life into me, I want you to know
that,
I want you to know how important you are to me,
How you can be a creator of the person that is
me, if you choose to.
Please choose to.
Do not pass me by.
It will not be easy for you.
My long conviction of worthlessness builds strong
walls.
The nearer you approach to me, the blinder I may
strike back.
I fight against the very thing I cry out for,
But I am told that Love is strong walls.
In this lies my hope.
My only hope.
Who am I, you may wonder.
I am someone you know very well-
I am a hurting person sitting beside you in this
room,
I am every person you meet on the street.
Please don't believe my mask,
Please come behind it and glimpse at the real me.
Please speak to me, share a little of yourself
with me.
At least recognize me,
Please
Because you care.
~author unknown~
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Instead of saying.. Lord I need for this to
happen today... I want to be successful in this
area... I need to find relief in that area.. Why
not instead say... Lord this is your day.. I give
it to you.. all that it has I know that you will
be there ... Do your will for my life.. and when
the day is done, I will know that you were with
me through it all...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Prime Rib (like you can
afford it on a pastor's salary ha ha)
Place roast on rib bones in open roasting
pan... Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Insert meat thermometer into thickest part,
making sure it is in the center of roast and not
resting on bone or fat.
Roast in 325¡F oven until internal
temperature reaches 140¡ for rare (1 3/4 to 2
1/2 hours) 160¡F for medium (2 1/4 to 3 1/2
hours) 170¡F for well done (2 3/4 to 4 hours)
When roast is done allow it to stand at room
temperature 15 minutes for easier carving..
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)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God has a plan for your life and you have
a choice: You can be pulled back from running
ahead; You can be dragged along kicking and
screaming; OR.... You can follow, putting your
trust in the one who knows the plan.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEEDING PRAYER?
Contact Sarah's Tent at SarahsTent@aol.com
, and not only will we pray, but your request
will be sent to the proper prayer chains as well.
Just be sure to send your praise report when God
moves on your behalf!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CHUCKLES The Month After
Christmas
sent in by Justaservn
'Twas the month after Christmas, and all
through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a
number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a
lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the
cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you,
please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---
I said to myself, as I only can "You can't
spend a winter
disguised as a man!"
So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be
banished
'Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a
bore---
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lambiee's Links
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THE JERUSALEM
POST DAILY INTERNET EDITION
http://www.jpost.com
If you're interested in what's going on in
Israel, here is the Jerusalem Internet daily
news! It speaks for itself; check it out.
Pastors,
Clergy, Church Leaders - Dealing with Infertility
& Pregnancy/Infant Loss
http://www.hannah.org/church.htm#partner
This is a beautiful, sensitively written and
researched site that would be great for anyone to
read through, for our own sake, or for the sake
of a loved one or church member. Excellent advice
and resources are available here.
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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
Joy in The Kitchen Volume 2
Issue 45
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