B90X: Blogging my way through the Bible

I have moved my blog! I have moved to godandreason.wordpress.com so that people who don't have google accounts or whatever will be able to post comments if they like. I am currently blogging my way through the Bible: one post per book of the Bible so come and join me!

Pastors' Wives

Quiet, polite, smiling, hopeful, sweet, .....in short a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down.

I often think it is unfortunate the standard that we hold pastors' wives too.  We require them to be perfect in every way or face the disappointed public.  It's not that I think we shouldn't hold them to a higher standard....I'm just not sure that we are holding them to the right one.  

Maybe we should look at pastor's wives from the perspective of what the pastor needs in order to be able to lead his church, rather than what the church thinks they need from her.  For example, a Pastor needs his wife to not only be his biggest fan, but also his biggest protector.  Many people think that this means a pastor's wife should follow quietly behind her husband ready to catch them if they fall, but I propose a different course of action.

I think it would be more effective for a pastor's wife to secretly go before her husband and his ministry in order to take some of the bullets for him.  When the President comes to town his security detail does not follow quietly behind.  He is completely surrounded by them.  He never steps foot in a location where his team of protectors has not gone before him.  

How about a biblical example... the bible often compares a husband and wife to Christ and the Church.  When you think about Christ's time of ministry, it would be a mistake to forget about John the Baptist.  His entire life was devoted to preparing the way for Christ.  He had his own calling and by following after it he created a great set-up for Christ to walk into when the time came. John the Baptist certainly didn't impress the religious... but what would have been the consequences if he had not gone after the passion that God had placed in his heart. I truly believe that John the Baptist took some of the bullets for Christ that allowed Christ's ministry to be what it was.

I think that a Pastor's wife has just as high of a calling as her husband.  Often Christ places a burden for her church in the heart of a pastors wife, that we stifle by asking them to fit into the social circles.  I am ready for a new generation of pastor's wives; those that are ready to follow after their own calling, which will in turn prepare the way for their husband to walk in.

So to the world I say, watch out!  The next generation of Pastor's wives is rising up ready to have the tough conversations with the women of her church about what it means to submit to their husbands.  Who are not afraid to stand up to church members in gossiping situations.  Who are willing to get down on their knees in front of the church on beg for Christ's presence.

Yes, they will certainly take some bullets, since these are not the social graces we are accustomed to, but maybe it will allow our pastors to walk in more victory.

Passionate, Conquering, Brave, Loving, Selfless, Wise, a heart after Christ.  

...These are the words I hope describe the next generation of Pastors wives.

When Satan Throws a Curve Ball, God Always knocks it out of the Park

Last night, Nightline broadcasted a simple yet controversial debate on the existence of Satan.  It was fascinating to see the droves of people lined up to witness the debate with their different perspectives on the issue.  On the way in, one girl even stated something to the effect of, "if Satan walks in and sits down on stage, then I will believe he exists.  But that's about what it will take!"  Others argued Satan's existence based on biblical terms.  To be clear, I believe that the Bible and EVERY word in it is true, and that includes what is written about Satan.... but that is not what this blog is about.

As I was watching the debate, I began to feel a sadness for the people who claim to be Christ followers and yet do not believe in the existence of Satan.  To not believe in Satan would completely rob my life's testimony of the overwhelming victory I have in Christ.  Let me explain:  Think about running a mile. You can run every day, and hope to enjoy the exercise, even compete with yourself and set goals for your run times.  But if you never run in a race you will never FULLY experience the victory possible by coming in first!  To rob God of his great enemy, and to say that we are all just here to better ourselves and enjoy the ride, leaves a great empty feeling inside me.  When is the race?  Where is the victory? 

I know that God has called me to run a great race before crowds of people watching me (Hebrews 12:1.)  I know that he has a purpose for every little evil that I go through...I have lived through too much to refuse that.  The greatest testimony I have is PROOF that He ALONE is all-powerful.  I feel sorry for those that don't get to see the work that Satan does in this world because then they also do not get to experience the awing work of God when he uses Satan's plans to achieve God's will in the end.  I have learned, over time, to rejoice in the troubles that this world, and Satan as it's current Prince of the Air, bring my way because I have learned that more often than not these troubles are a set-up for God to move; more simply a curve ball for God to knock out of the park.