When God Says STOP! 
By Christina Weimer

I am the kind of pastor's wife that is always on the go.  Whether it is for church, family, friends, or at home, it seems that I am always doing something.  Many who know me will attest to this fact.  I love doing things in life.  I enjoy wearing the many hats that come with being a wife, Pastor's wife, mother, teacher, and crafter. There is, however, a downfall to having this type of personality.  When God tries to get my attention and tries to get me to slow down, I am not an easy one to listen to that still small voice.

God does not always speak with a voice that booms over the mountaintops.  In fact it is during the times when He speaks in the "still small voice" that His glory shines the most.  There are many examples of this that can be found in the Bible.  Elijah did not hear God in the earthquake or the fire.  Instead it was in the still small voice of God that Elijah finally heard God (1Kings 19:12-13).  It was a small voice, of sorts, that told David that he would be able to face the giant, despite all apprehension of the Israelites.

When I am so busy doing the things of life I often forget to listen to that still small voice.  It is not that I don't want to hear it.  Instead, I have let life whisk me up in the busy-ness of it all.  Many of us have been in that situation.  For myself I find that I am quite often in this situation.  However, God loves me just as He loves those who are attuned to that small voice.  God finds a way to get my attention and my focus.  He allows things to come into my life that will cause me to stop, slow down, and listen.

Over this last year many of you have asked what happened to me and why have I not been involved with Sarah's tent as much.  Well, as many of you know, God chose a baby to tell me to stop.  My life needed to slow down.  I was doing far too many things and God was having a hard time getting my attention.  I kept a break neck pace about my life and felt I could keep that speed going indefinitely.  WRONG!!  God wanted me to stop and allowed the future hope of a baby as a means to an end.

It was very difficult for me to stop.  As I am sure it is for those of you who are just like me.  You want to keep going.  You have so many thoughts, ideas, plans, and hopes in your head that you just have to keep going.  You are doing many good things, but are they all necessary?  I found out that many could survive without my help.  It was OK for me to stop and let someone else do the work that the Lord needed to have done.  It was also OK for it not to be done at all.  That still small voice can only be heard in the quiet times of our lives. 

If we allow God to speak to us we will hear the blessings and plans that He has for us.  We will turn our eyes on Him and not on ourselves.  It can be very frustrating to stop, especially if you are a go-getter like myself, but when it does happen don't fight it.  God is telling you to stop for a reason.  He is preparing you and encouraging you towards a higher calling.

I am thankful for the "STOP" that God put in my life.  Over the last months God has blessed me in so many ways.  Thank you for all who prayed for me during this pause in my life. I pray that God will bless you in return.  

My life will continue to be changed because of this "STOP" in my life, especially in regards to the child that came with it.  I named my son Luke, meaning bringer of light, because I knew that God was using this little one to bring a new light into my life and the life of my family.  May you find a new light in listening to the still small voice of God.  More importantly, I pray that you will listen when God says STOP.

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Never Be Discouraged

There is really nothing we need to know
or even try to understand
If we refuse to be discouraged
and trust in God's guiding hand.
So take heart and meet each minute
with faith in God's great love,
Aware that every day of life
is controlled by God above...
And never dread tomorrow
or what the future brings,
Just pray for strength and courage
and trust God in all things.
And never grow discouraged
be patient and just wait
For "God never comes too early
and He never comes too late!"

- Helen Steiner Rice

______________________________

Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Psalm 51:8

______________________________

RETREATS!!

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Thanks, Vicki ( BNDLIGHT@aol.com ), for sharing one of your extra-good recipes with us today. 

 This is my favorite "One Shake" recipe for all meats.  I just love spices.  It works well on roast and fried eggs too.  Anytime I have a piece of meat I am salt and peppering, I use this.  I have it in an empty spice shaker, labeled "Vicki's One Shake"

ONE SHAKE 

2 1/2 tablespoons paparika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon chili powder (or cayenne)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon lemon pepper 

Makes approximately 2/3 cup of mixture.

Dot loves to hear from you and answer your questions.  
You can reach her by writing to: DOTMI@aol.com 

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A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, "I'm Mr.  Sugarbrown's daughter." Her mother told her this was wrong. She must say,

 "I'm Jane Sugarbrown." The vicar spoke to Jane in Sunday School, and said,  "Aren't you Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter?" She replied, "I thought I was, but  mother says I'm not."

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Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 31