It Is Just Jesus

Yesterday, I spent some time thinking as I was cleaning and organizing at our new church building.  

I thought about how it seems God is on the verge of "blowing it out of the water".  The phrase, blowing it out of the water, means to utterly destroy something, such as a plan.

Hmm...boy, do we young pastors and pastor's wives have plans?  We learned all the "techniques" and "procedures" in college.  We have a little life experience in this thing.  Now for the "plan" to just work.

Nope.  God doesn't work that way.  

Can you recall any two times that Jesus healed someone...the same way?  One person he made to dip in muddy water seven times.  One person he put spit and mud on their eyes.  One person had to touch the hem of his garment.

Why didn't Jesus simply say..."All blind folks who want to be healed - follow this five step procedure for healing."?

Maybe it was because he wanted to show that...

It isn't in methods.

It isn't in traditions.

It isn't in a plan.

It is just Jesus.

Do you have a financial plan of getting out of debt today?  Do you have a method for rearing your children?  Do you have a plan for building your youth group or Connection Group?  Are you steeped in traditions for building that church?  

We have a new building, new music pastor, new hospitality ministry, new nursery facility, new church calendar...and oh so much more.  But that isn't what is going to blow it out of the water for Sierra View.

Plans, methods and traditions are good.  

Just don't forget in working those...

it is just Jesus.

Three Ingredients to Connect With Your Teen Girls' Class

*Rachel Wolfe is a wife to Adam and mom of 3 kids-Kylee, Evan and Jack.  She has taught a teen girls' Sunday School class for several years in her church.*

There are 3 simple ingredients needed every week in your Sunday School class to instantly reconnect with your teen girls. 

• “Funny”. 

 You need to be funny or have something funny to laugh at. Not one teenager I know wants to hear another teacher after being in school all week. Not one teenager I know wants to hear another teacher that early on a Sunday morning. Not one teenager I know wants to hear another teacher tell him what to do. Jokes, YOU TUBE clips, games, sarcasm, stories, ect. 

Connect with funny.

• “Food or Candy”.

 Try the best you can to make a snack or buy a snack of some size, shape, or form. Nothing screams louder that you love those girls than something yummy to put in the stomach that early in the morning. 

Connect with food or candy.

• “Quick lesson with ONE DRIVING POINT”.

 Don’t cram the Bible into them in your minutes of teaching. Give that Bible lesson with ONE DRIVING POINT that they will take home with them and think about a few more times that week. 

Connect with ONE POINT.

You need to reconnect EVERY WEEK. 

When they feel reconnected to you, they will feel loved and they will let you influence their lives. 

The Feeling That Never Goes Away In Our Hearts

One feeling that never goes away as a pastor's wife is the feeling of failure.  

Failure.  Every single week.  

This failure always involves others.

 Because that is what ministry is comprised of.  People.  People with feelings.  People with needs.  People with expectations.

And more often than not, we fail all three.

To those who call me pastor's wife...I am sorry.  If you only knew the sadness we feel when we have not met your needs.  The sorrow we feel when we hear that you felt neglected.  The disappointment in ourselves we experience when we know we have failed you.

May I ask three things of you?

1.  Keep open lines of communication.  We can't read minds. We deal with multiple personalities.  Different personalities prefer different types of love.  Can you help us out?  If you have a need, please tell us.  I do this with my husband.  Even after 12 years of marriage, he can't read my mind.  I just straight up tell him my needs.  
This way, he is not struggling to "figure it out"...feeling defeated because he did not meet my needs...and I am not hurt because he didn't "figure it out".

We want to meet your needs...we really do.  Sometimes we just can't see them.  

2.  Don't judge the church on our failures.  
Churches are families.  Families are many people - all who will fail you in some way.  Don't blame the church when it is really just the people that have failed.  Forgive, let go and come back in the family.

3.  Turn the hurt around.  Sometimes, the best way to heal after being wounded, is to find another wounded and patch them up.

For when we take our thoughts, emotions and feelings off ourselves...and concentrate them into a deed of love and kindness towards another...suddenly, we seem pretty small and our God seems pretty big.  HE is magnified.  And others are loved.

Isn't that what we seek?  Love?  
What better way than to spread His love for then 
we in return receive the love we had been seeking from others.  
Except now, we have received the PERFECT LOVE of our perfect Savior.  Wow.

Yes, your pastor and pastor's wife WILL fail you.  No doubt.  Seek your needs in the One who will NEVER fail you or forsake you.

We love you.

Devotional: There Is A River

Often when I have a very busy week, it leads me to feelings of anxiousness and restlessness.  Such has been the month of February.  We have been in the middle of a big move for our church.

  Last night, my husband arrived home after Community Outreach, working at the new facility and attending the start of a new area church...he shook my hand and said, "Hi, I'm Eric."  Such explains the month. LOL!

  So, in the midst of this busy and crazy time, there has to be a place that we can go to...a place of that will sustain you with strength and nourishment for your soul.

A favorite Psalm I love to read has this verse in it:  

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High."

You see, many cities have rivers running through them.  It is a way to "sustain" the city making trade possible with other cities as well as making agriculture possible.

Yet, Jerusalem has no such river.  What sustained Jerusalem?  GOD.  Wow.  What an amazing thought!

What will sustain you?  GOD.  

Whatever circumstance of life you may be in...perhaps a life illness, a ministry move, a job change, infertility, or perhaps just the complex busyness of normal life...go to God.  

HE is the river to sustain you with strength and nourishment for your soul.

Ten Ways to Refill Your Soul

One of my favorite times of the day is my drive home from work in the mornings.  The first thing I do is turn on CSN and listen to Pastor Greg Laurie.  After a long night at work, with a tired mind and exhausted body, listening to the preaching rejuvenates my mind and restores my spirit.  It is like filling my cup back up when it has been emptied from the cares of life.  

Refill your soul every day.

1.  Read your Bible.  Slowly.  Thoughtfully.  Mediating on it.

2.  Listen to the Bible being read.  You Version Bible app is perfect for this.

3.  Be at every church service at your home church.  Soak in the words that the Lord has given your pastor.  Believe me, I live with a pastor.  Much prayer and study  goes into those messages.  Take notes.  

4.  Listen to the sermon again that week.  We videotape our Sunday morning sermons and they are available on our website at www.svbcreno.org.

5.  Listen to other good pastors and teachers.  I listen to CSN-Christian Satellite Network.  They have wonderful teaching throughout the day and all week long.

6.  Read good books.  I get lots of great free books on my Kindle and am always reading a couple at a time on my I-Phone.  Stimulate your mind!

7.  Do a Bible study.  Pick a subject that you struggle with...something you want to grow in.  

8.  Pray.  Out loud.  There is healing is releasing your thoughts to someone - especially the the Great Physician.

9.  Do something kind for someone.  

10.  Drink an extra cup of coffee.  :D

Roadblock to Communication in Marriage

How are your communication skills?  This tends to be my problem...

How true this is.  Moms are problem solvers...all. day. long.  We are already in the mode of finding solutions, making decisions and getting the job done.  So then our husbands come home and we have all of our life together figured out.  What we shall spend on groceries this week, what repairman is the best deal for the car, where to eat for our date.  The list could go on and on.  

Our husbands come home and we engage in conversation, we will input our thoughts and opinions.  They are best, right?  And God forbid if he has a different opinion on where to go out to eat!  We fall into the mode of simply listening in order to form a reply and not to really understand.

Most of the time, my husband really doesn't care.  He lets me make most of the decisions because we have a mutual trust in our relationship.  And some times, when he does care, I need to really listen to understand and not just reply. 

Do you need to make a change in this area? 

Recipe: Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing

My husband adores ranch dressing.  Yet, it is not kind to the waistline.  This is a recipe I have been wanting to try and finally did today.  A-mazing!  I LOVE the low fat/calorie count.  Regular ranch dressing is 73 calories and 8 grams of fat...for 1 tbsp!  And who uses ONE tbsp. of dressing on anything?  This is a super tasty alternative for salads, baked potatoes, veggies, etc. for the whole family.  Hidden Valley has such a wonderful flavor.  Mmm!!

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

1 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup reduced fat milk
Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together and let chill for at least 2 hours before servings
Preparation time: 2 minutes

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is about 1/3 cup

PER SERVING: 87 calories; 1g fat; 7g carbohydrates; 11g protein; 0g fiber

Building Renovations - SVBC

There are many ways to encourage your pastor. 

One way is to jump in and help on building projects.  Many folks have went the extra mile in the few changes that my husband wanted completed before our grand opening service on our new building.  I think of Bro. Larry who spearheaded all the building and drywall, etc. of the expanded nursery and lobby/front entrance.  My husband said today...if it wasn't for Bro. Larry, this would not have been done.  I also think of Bro. Gary and Bryant - one of our teens.  They worked the entire day (Bryant volunteered his day off school for President's Day) to paint the majority of what you see.  And they did a fabulous job!  Bro. Josh has also been 100% in backing Pastor and organizing workers and getting the job done according to my husband's wishes.  Bro. Tom has been doing the electrical that is much needed - he is our neighbor. :)  Bro. Jake is also one of those who has the gift of know how and is a tremendous asset.

There are many more volunteers and each of you is appreciated so very much!

Door from the lobby to the Fellowship Hall.

This is our expanded nursery.  Can't wait!

Where we will hold Sunday School classes and Junior Church.

Newly expanded front entrance/lobby.  This used to be the nursery.

In the far back will be the Welcome Center.

No, there is no greater way to show love to a pastor's wife...than to support her husband and the work God called him to.

"I Am"

I can't handle it.  

Why does it take us so long to admit that sometimes?  We are stubborn.  Prideful. Arrogant.

I know I am.  I am physically exhausted.  Mentally spent.  Emotionally broken.

And I come to the realization that I need to let God help me.  "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

 

I have always known He is there.  I have always known that He cares.  I don't always unleash my grip on my life and put it in His hands.

What has you down today?  Finances?  Family relationships?  A hurtful person?  Give it to God to handle.  

Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?  What a crazy question is this?

A thermometer:  Expands or contracts according to the temperature around it.

A thermostat:  A device that automatically responds to temperature changes and activates switches controlling the equipment.

As the ladies in our homes, we should strive to be like a thermostat; not a thermometer.  A thermometer will quickly change according to feelings.  If our kids set us off with bad behavior...and we respond with anger...we have become a thermometer. 

 We have allowed our actions to be controlled by the atmosphere around us.

Let us strive to be the thermostat in our homes and in our churches.  It is difficult.  We have to accept our surroundings - other's hurtful behavior, strife, anger, indifference - and we have to not change as a result in our spirit and in our attitude.

 We have to be the one that is not changed by the situations and atmosphere around us...and even more so, we need to be the one to CHANGE the atmosphere around us!  

That is what a thermostat will do.  The temperature drops to 73 degrees...it turns on and "works" until the temperature in the room is back to 74.

So the challenge is...whatever may come your way this week, a depressed husband, fighting children, a disputing church member, a gossiping friend...

do your best in the Lord to change the negative atmosphere into a positive one.

"The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace..."  Galatians 5:22a

Starting Seedlings for Your Garden

Gardening and baking are two forms of therapy for me. :)  This week, I planted my seeds to start my seedlings for my garden.  Ahh...love dirt on the fingers!

There are many ways to start seedlings.  This is a great way that I like to use.  It is the Jiffy Professional Greenhouse.  It has 72 pellets that you simply moisten with warm water to expand and plant your seeds.  I purchase mine from Wal-Mart.

You may not have a garden area...consider a container garden!

This year, I am doing cherry and roma tomatoes, green beans, jalapeno peppers, green peppers and pickling cucumbers.  

On a side note, did you know to plant flowers among your garden plants?  They will attract bees which are needed to pollinate your plants to produce the actual fruit/vegetable.

The girls, of course, wanted to help.  They counted out the seeds and put them in each pellet.

We also planted cilantro, basil and oregano.  I want to put those in pots this year instead of my garden boxes.

Then you cover it up, set in a warm place and wait from them to sprout. :)  

This is a great project for kids to learn...but personally, it is really for me.  Happy sigh.

Four Christian Married Sex Life Resources

Today is Valentine's Day.  The day of love and romance.  Does your marriage need a restart in this department?  

Outlined below, you will find four excellent Christian married sex life resources. 

The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex: (And You Thought Bad Girls Have All the Fun)

Author:  Sheila Wray Gregoire 

Sexperiment:  7 Days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse

Authors:  Ed & Lisa Young 

Red-Hot Monogamy

Authors:  Bill and Pam Farrel

Is That All He Thinks About?   How to Enjoy Great Sex with Your Husband

Author:  Marla Taviano 

Holiday Decor: Valentine Goblet Centerpiece

I love candles.  They make my home feel cozy and warm.  And special.

Here is a super simple idea to bring a little romance into your home for Valentine's Day.  This idea is from Better Homes and Gardens.

goblets or any type of fancy glasses

heart shaped floating candles

sparkly confetti

Fill the glasses.  Add the candles and confetti.  Arrange on a tray...along a mantle...or the center of a table.

Gorgeous.  

Recipe: Jif Peanut Butter Fudge

Valentine's Day is approaching...here is a great recipe for fudge to share with your family, friends or neighbors to show them the love. :)

Jif Peanut Butter Fudge

INGREDIENTS:

Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

3 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup PET® Evaporated Milk

1 2/3 cups Jif® Creamy Reduced Fat

Peanut Spread

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with aluminum foil and then spray with a no-stick cooking spray.

2. Combine sugar, butter and milk in large saucepan, stirring constantly on medium heat, until mixture comes to a boil.

3. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

4. Add peanut butter. Stir until well blended. Add marshmallow creme and vanilla. Beat until well blended.

5. Spread in prepared pan. Cool.

6. Cut into candy-sized pieces. Store in covered container.

Christian Ladies Blog Suggestion

For those ladies who enjoy encouraging blogs, here is a new blog that I am thrilled about!  It is Mrs. Terrie Chappell - wife of Pastor Paul Chappell of Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, CA.

We were introduced to the Chappell's ministry two years ago when we first attended Spiritual Leadership Conference.  We fell in love.  We had such the best time together and was refreshed and encouraged.  And boy, don't we as pastors and wives need that?  

This June will be our third Spiritual Leadership Conference and we are excited!  We are registered and anticipating another fantastic trip. 

I encourage you to visit Mrs. Chappell's blog.  You will be blessed!

http://terriechappell.com/blog/

A Simple Baby Shower Alternative

Baby showers.  

Sometimes, you just want something simple.  And grown-up.  

I dislike decorating.  I dislike games.  I dislike crafts. I am not good at it and end up with the cheap Dollar Tree decor.  Bleh.  Games...those are for kids.  Not a 36 yr. old woman. 

Here is a simple idea for a simple baby shower...

Invite the ladies to a restaurant.  We like to choose Olive Garden...what lady doesn't love Olive Garden?

Everyone pays for their meal.  The hostess pays for the guest of honor's meal.  The hostess provides a cake.  

Gifts are brought as normal.  I have always enjoyed the tradition of purchasing a children's book instead of a baby shower card for the mom.

You can have games if you like.  Totally not necessary but I can't be a total bah humbug! :)  If you decide on games or door prizes...go with gift cards.  Your guests will adore you. 

This is a simple and enjoyable time to spoil the mom - grown-up fashion. :)  No pink and blue decorations, no baby jar food tasting, no awkwardness.  

Just good food and good talk.  And the waitress does the cleaning up and dishes. ;)  Amen sisters.

Tips on Hosting Dinners in your Home

As a pastor's family, we like to have folks from our church over to our home. This is an important personal touch that is needed in establishing close relationships with your church family.  Perhaps you aren't a pastor's wife...you too can do this!  This is really a lost art in this day and age.  Let's bring it back! 

Here are a few tips to help you when hosting...

1.  Invite several couples or a couple families at one time.  
Even in a smaller church, it would take a long time to have every person family over to your home.  Since you are already cooking extra, why not have more than one family or person over?  This helps in two areas.  You are not hosting every week and those people get to know someone else in the church.
Our goal is to host two dinners a month.  Including our family, we usually have 12-15 people.  We have had up to 22 people.  Whew!

2.  Have several meal plans that work well for a group. Soon, I will share some of my meal plans that work well for groups with still the home cooked touch. Sometimes, the planning of the meal is more laborious than the actual preparation.  LOL!

3.  Utilize crock pots!!  
If you do not own more than one crock pot, this would be a good investment to make.  The key to hosting is preparing as much as you can before the guests arrive.  Then you are able to fellowship and be with your guests (which is the purpose of the meal anyway). :)
Last night we hosted a dinner.  I made a large baked ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, fried okra and garlic and herb French bread.  I was able to make the potatoes, gravy and corn ahead and simply keep warm in crock pots.  The ham stayed warm in the roasting pan on top of the stove.  The only thing I had to do last minute was fry the okra. 

4.  Eat in a sit-down fashion.  
I borrow a table and folding chairs from the church and add it to my dining room table and we all sit down at the table to eat.  I realize this may not be possible in some homes...but get creative!  Rearrange and do what you can to sit at tables when you eat.  

5.  Be attentive to guests' needs.  
Keep a close eye on drinks - does anyone need a refill? Make sure the serving dishes are refilled so the guests feel they can eat their fill.

6.  Always serve dessert and coffee. :)  
This is the topper to a really great meal.  Even if you aren't a coffee drinker, you will be surprised how many of your guests are.  Start the pot of coffee at the beginning of the meal and it will be ready to serve. Don't forget those special creamers for your guests.  Perhaps consider a hot drink bar in your home.  A place to serve coffee, teas and cocoa.

7.  Try your best to have the meal ready to serve at the time you asked your guests to arrive. 
If you ask your guests to arrive at 6pm, they come ready to eat at 6pm.  Try to keep that schedule as close as you can. You will irritate your guests if they have to sit and wait 30-45 minutes while you finish mashing the potatoes and setting the table.  Hungry guests are not happy guests! :)

8.  Have your table set and ready to go.  
I have the tables set with tablecloths and their place setting before anyone arrives. My daughter likes to make homemade name tags for each place.  When they arrive and it is time to eat, everyone sits at their place and we have prayer.  Then everyone serves themselves buffet style on our buffet.

Life Is About the Choices You Make

We are entering a busy and exciting time for our church.  God has opened the doors to move into a larger facility...I mean, a really gigantic, big deal for our church family!  You see, we started out in a conference room at the Hampton Inn...moved to a cafeteria of an elementary school...got booted from there because of the janitor quitting...being homeless for three weeks...moving into a strip mall and have been in three locations in that same strip mall...and now, a fully furnished, 4,500 square foot church building.  Wow. Talk about a lot to take in!

In addition to moving, we are doing some small renovations to the interior.  Moving the nursery and opening up the lobby and adding a Welcome Center.  We are also installing a baptistry, choir risers, screen and projector in the main auditorium.  

With the addition of our new music pastor and his wife, Bro. Josh and Jenny Musser...they will be heading up our new Hospitality Ministry which includes ushers, greeters and parking lot volunteers.  They also are leading the new choir and praise team into our new order of service on Sundays.

Next weekend, we will be having our first mini couples retreat.  

So, this is a time of craziness.  I am trying to fit all that in - in addition to my full-time job, babysitting, home school and regular household duties.  

Priorities. 

Priorities is defined as an authoritative rating which establishes precedence.  

In days, weeks and months like these, I need to have established priorities.  

Why don't some establish priorities in their lives?

1.  They are too busy.

2.  They are simply surviving.

3.  They feel priorities are too narrow and restrictive.

4.  They simply have too many important things.

Have you ever taken the time to sit down and establish your priorities?  Life is really just about all the choices you make.  And good choices require established priorities.

One area that I try my hardest to keep in the right priority is my husband.  Often, he desires for my attention and help from anything to just companionship to church work.  I constantly remind myself that he comes first before my housework, job, children, etc.  And the by-product, we have a great relationship because of our priorities to each other.

What area of your life do you need to establish your priorities?

Recipe: Chicken-Broccoli-Stuffing Casserole

One of my all-time favorite recipes is this one.  There are never enough leftovers to enjoy though. :)

Chicken-Broccoli-Stuffing Casserole

2 lbs. chicken breasts
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
2 cans (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayo
1 (6oz) box of cornbread stuffing
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cut the chicken into 1 inch squares and cook until no longer pink.  Steam the broccoli.  Make the cornbread as directed on the box.

Layer the cornbread stuffing first in a 9x13 baking dish.  Top with chicken and then broccoli florets.  Mix the soup and mayo and spread over everything.  Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until bubbly at the sides.

Mmmm!!

To The Moms Who Always Say No

When managing a household like we moms do on a daily basis, it is important that we tackle problems.  
The key is to be solution-oriented.

Some days, I feel like all I say is...NO.  

Here is a simple example of being solution-oriented:

"Mom, can I have a cookie?"  

"No, but you can have a yogurt or apple slices with peanut butter."

This is an effective way to deal with your children.  
Simply telling them no all the time without giving a solution will create frustration for your children.  
And for you.

My husband and I recently discussed an area of child-rearing that we encounter a lot.  Technology and the use of it in our home.  Technology is so prevalent in the 21st century even down to a toddler.  It is important to be solution-oriented in this area.

Our solution:  Technology privileges are earned.  
This is our plan:  Our children use the My Job Chart.com to record their daily chores.  As a parent, we choose and set the rewards.  So for options on their Reward Chart, they may choose Video Game Time, Computer Time or TV/Movie Time.  I set the points at 100 so it is very reachable if they simply do all their morning and evening chores for one day.  

I now don't have to say NO when they ask if they can play a game on the computer or watch a movie.  I simply state the solution..."Check to see if you have enough points." :)  

So whatever problem or situation you may encounter...
learn to be solution-oriented.