Prayer partner

Early this morning something that has been on my spirit just compelled me to write.

Is he your prayer partner?



Prayer is an essential part of the believer’s life, Or at least it should be and for the Christian husband prayer is essential for a vibrant and thriving marriage. 

Ladies when you go into meditation for the BOAZ God has for you please pray for some BOAZ traits!!!

1.  Servant
2.  Giver
3,  Lover
4,  Respected
5,  Protector
6,  Integrity
7.  Prayer Partner



So many want, look and pray for every one of the qualities listed above but prayer.  For some men prayer even as preachers, leaders, and head of household is a personal and private act that we as their wives should not be a part of.  They will ask us to pray, they will say they pray for us but to  include us in their prayer life or schedule as a part of their spiritual exercise is sometimes a missed act because he doesn't feel it necessary.  Many times they miss out what is going on with you personally and vise versa.  Through prayer many hurts, disappointments, insecurities and just an overall bad feeling comes out when you and your spouse are sharing in devotion and prayer. 


Prayer while it should be personal, should also be activated corporately in your family.   You should have a personal prayer relationship, a martial prayer relationship and a family prayer relationship.  When you don't you will see how imps will strategically place themselves in the very place you have left uncovered.  There is a reason Christ said where two or three are gathered.




Matthew 18:19-20 ESV /    
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”


James 5:16 ESV /    
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  


There is a reason that the old saints use to say a family that prays together stays together.  Not a husband that prays by himself or a wife that prays by herself or a child that prays by him/her self.  A family!!! 
Prayer makes not only you stronger but you and your spouse stronger and you and your family stronger. 


In this current day and time we need praying families, praying couples and praying people.  We have to build ourselves up to be ready and prepared to fight the spiritual demons that have been sent to attack the body of Christ; and the devil always starts at the family. 


Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”


 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV    
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Love
P-Dove!!!

When the Devil wants YOU to QUIT!!!!

WOW.....Is the only thing I can say!!!

-Family and Friends Battling Cancer
-DPS (Detroit Public Schools) Private joke some would understand
-Mother In Law has another stroke
-Car accidents and break downs
-Children trying to be adults but life seems so difficult
-Every time you think you ahead financially you are 199 miles behind
-Trying to get healthy but stress says pull yourself together, LOL
-Family member having a heart attack
-Family Drama
-Surgery
and the list could go on.

ALL of this in less than three months!!!

So when do I break Lord, when do I quit?  As I am writing this now I am literally laughing and just enjoying and basking in the realization that the devil one and only job is to steal, kill and destroy!!! HE WANTS YOU TO QUIT!!!

So I stepped back and realize the small blessings that I may have overlooked.

-Should be missing a check but I am being paid.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY
-Kids financial aid is working itself out
-One got accepted in Grad Program and the other graduates this year!!!! YAY
-The Family Drama let us know there was a thief in the camp.
-Other family drama gave us a spiritual insight that our families are suffering from the demonic spirit brought on them from family members infidelity and some hereditary demons.
-Mommy's career is going in the right direction
-Every month God has blessed us with another financial blessing, opportunity or increased our territory.
-Every time we need him he has just stepped in right on time.

SO I pray my little rant blesses someone to do what I just did.  STOP, BREATH, REALIZED who is attacking me, WHY I am being attack and to WHOM I belong too.   I can't quit!!  I am tired of hearing of another car breakdown, or another situation but in every situation be ye content.

So What I pray for you is that you are encourage to see that the Devil never takes a break....he don't get weary or tired!!!  I pray you realize that you must carry your sword in your heart at all times:  Just a couple pieces of my sword!!!  BE ENCOURAGE!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding- Proverbs 3:5
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

JUST REMEMBER HE STEPS RIGHT ON IN JUST WHEN YOU NEED HIM MOST!!!!

Dotties People-Just when I need him most

The Butterfly

So as I re-read a post from a while back "Love's Sacrifice" I am simply in awe on how it blessed my soul.  So in honor of my two butterflies I am writing this post to hopefully encourage every young lady that sometimes you have to go with-in yourself to find yourself.


Lets look at the evolution of a butterfly.  When it starts out as a worm/larva it is vulnerable to the environment.  It may be a caterpillar or a worm, but at the end of the day it is limited to where and what it can do. 


As the evolution process goes on God creates in the caterpillar an innate instinct that it has come to a point in itself that it must find refuge in a cocoon.  It in essence has to go within itself, cover itself (for protection) and hibernate to heal and rebuild itself to the true person with in.  Everything starts with an egg, here is the real awesome thing the first shell is to birth but the second shell/cocoon is for rebirth. 


The bible says he gives us brand new mercies everyday.  We become a new creature in him everyday, but sometimes to truly find what God is trying to tell us we sometimes have to put our selves in a cocoon.  Block ourselves from the struggles of this world, shelter ourselves from the storms and the waves, cut ourselves for the negative forces that may wear us down and just go into a quiet, secluded place that only you and God resides.

Let him talk to you, heal you, restore you, love on you and minister to you. Let him create in you and recreate you.  Sometimes it is a hard and painful process. Looking at the caterpillar, what energy it must take to weave yourself into a cocoon.  The fear process of cutting yourself off from what you know.  The darkness you must feel all alone.  Yet understand the caterpillar does it so naturally because he/she trust the process that God is taking it through. TRUST THE PROCESS!!!

Romans 12:2

      

         And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Yet when the cocoon hardens and the process of healing, learning, evolving and rebirthing is finish, you will be so surprise on how you come out. How you will fly to heights unknown even to yourself. Well I am praying on what butterfly I will be and when I will come out, but until I get there I just want Sis. Garrett and Sis. Spencer to know I got some pretty good examples.


 So to my beautiful eggs, caterpillars, butterflies, remember I am in this fight just like you. We are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends and just like the name of my Blog we must walk in faith everyday-WIFE!!! 

When God Says it is over with!!!

Sometimes you hurt so bad.  We want to share so much, we want to cry to those who have hurt us, we want to share with our love ones but they just don't want to know!!!


But when God says it is over!!!  My LORD!!!


You really don't know when it happens, why it happens or what has happens but when God says it is over. The hurt starts nulling, you start seeing the witness, the testimony and you ask a lot of questions? 


But when God says it is over!!!


You see how others are going through similar struggles. How the devil is trying to destroy not only you, your testimony but others in the same manner.


But when God says it is over!!!


You realize you are not healed.  You may be in the healing process.  You may be still be in the infection process, you may still be at the scabbing process, or you may just have baby skin on the wound.  Look you may be shattered to the point of dust and be in the remolding process but When God says the crying, self pity and self-indignation is over!!!!  You don't understand why but you just know that God is doing something.  You know that no matter what you have to trust him to fix it and get over it!!! It HURTS!!!!  IT HURTS, IT HURTS, IT HURTS But when God says it is over, he puts a fight in you out of no where and no matter the hurt you have go on!!!

 

Finding Me....

As many times as I have sung this song to minister to others.  Never has it ministered to me soo.  As I am asking the Lord to encourage me, I have to take some crucial steps to find me.  So I am praying that as I share my struggle I bless someone to find the strength to find themselves.


1.  Look in the mirror and see who you are.  Not the one that shows your complexion, your hair length, your teeth, your eyes, nose or ears.  Not the mirror that shows how much weight you have gained, or how your shape has changed but the mirror of your life.


2. Look at the mirror that shows your inner worth. You feel you have no worth, you feel so lost, so broken, so fill with disappointment, despair and hurt.  You prayed, you have cried, you have prostrated yourself on the Cross. You reached up to Christ for the life line and you know he is carrying you because you would have surely drowned by now, but will he heal you.  You feel like a lonely ship on a dark and r


3. Evaluate the people you have lost and evaluate what value they placed in your life or what were the sucking out of your life.


4. Look at the family that has turned their backs or shun you and evaluate was it because they didn't understand your love, where their views of you tainted by lies of others or did you not live up to the expectations they place on you.


5. Look at your friends, are they placing any value to your existence or causing you just to exists. 


Now evaluate your purpose?  Do you have a purpose are you walking in a daze not knowing what to do where to go, who to trust or if to trust. 


As you go on this journey to find yourself, remember even Jesus was abandoned, refused, abused and broken.  It is hard to see that, even harder is you are flesh and not Jesus.  Your strength is not Jesus, your mind is not Jesus!  You are in Jesus, Jesus is in you but the flesh, mind and spirit has been so broken so many times you feel as if you are not shattered pieces but at the state of the original form of glass, sand!


It is even harder when you have no one to lean on and you feel even Jesus has turned from you. You wonder what have you done to make this race so hard to run? You tell your soul to take courage because the Lord will make a way somehow, but WHEN???


So in this quest of finding me.... I encourage me to Lift my eyes up unto the hills from whence cometh my help.  Psalms 121:1

 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Encourage myself in the Lord....because I am the Corinthians Song!!!  7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death works in us, but life in you.

When I read the scripture that this song was structured after, I realized that this is the road that we chose, being a Christian!  YES it is so hard, Ladies it is hard.  People will take your love and trample all over it.  They will take your fight and declare it everything but what you intended it to be.  They will lie, defame and do everything to destroy your character and your inner worth. At the end to do one thing destroy your ministry and break your spirit.  Don't be fool the devil uses everybody, your mommy, daddy, brothers, sister, husband, children, pastor, church family, friends and foe.  He has no respect of person.


Yet what do you do when you are broken?????? Cover yourself in his blood.  That is all you can do.  Trust him even-though you are afraid to trust.  Engulf yourself in his word and trust nothing no one says, but him!!! Hear me!!!!  It was flesh that hurt you, now you MUST hear and trust no one, nothing but the BLOOD!!!  Pray that you know the difference!  Still Finding ME!!!!

The harsh fact...I need help

So some thought provoking conversation at women's meeting this week.

What should be expected out a Pastor's wife? What do you feel is your duty as a home provider and What are we representing to our young ladies with regards to our dress?  Great conversation and great insight.

So we are going to do a group discussion/forum and I am going to share it with as I learn.

Our topic Monday geared to Dress and Cleanliness.

 One of the young ladies said, "my mom always said a women with a dirty home has a dirty heart."  "A woman with a clutter heart has a clutter home."  She went down the line.  Than she brought out my mom's favorite saying a women that is always put together usually has a dirty home.

I went home and quite frankly working full-time, raising three kids, owning my own business, pastor's wife, and whatever else I am called to do, has me stretched to then.  My home is clutter and lately so has my mind and heart been the same.  How did the women of old do it?  They had less help.  My mom had to cook dinner, keep a house, run my father's errands for his business, do his books at one time, in the missionary department, choir and was working on her books, poetry and music career.  She was also self employed (many did not know this)  She did big in Avon, Shackley and Diamite as a sells rep.  Yet every night I would remember her ensuring our home was not only clean but she would take a bath that would have the whole house in this beautiful aroma, get dress all pretty and wait for daddy to come home.  Many times daddy didn't come home but that was her ritual.  Pregnant or sick she kept it together and daddy never help her with house work.

So now I look at myself.  Once before I went and sought out assistance. Why, because I was able to accomplish more when my home was clean and organized.   When I walk in my house and everything is in a dis-array I can not accomplish anything.  I end up starting a project and going to bed; to only feel defeated the next day.

We often get offended when older women of wisdom give advice but one thing I do know for sure 8/10 they are not talking from judgement but experience.  These ladies had me rolling and one of the first things one of the older woman told me was,  "Sis. Finley I don't mind sharing with you because of how you receive it."  I laughed but she is right. I have watched so many young ladies wear this chip on their shoulder because a older woman says something to them. Even worst, their husband gets angry and say well my wife doesn't have time to do all that she is taking care of me?  All you are doing is advocating a very wrong behavior. (especially for those that have girls) Contrary to what many believe in Proverbs it never states how much a woman is giving it up to her husband, causes her to have virtue.  It does how ever speak on her being a helpmate!!!  Thus you are to be in control of your home so that he does not have to worry about that.  Now this has nothing to do with a man helping a woman around the house.  Please Pastor can help me anytime, but it doesn't negate our biblical duty as his wife.

  http://avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31-woman/

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13: 2)

  I personally decided Monday to remove clutter out of my life.  My mom had three-six children in her home every day for over 35 years of her married life.  Either my dads other two sons and hers or she was homeschooling someone else's and I have never walked into her home and saw in a disarray unless she was looking for something.  I want to be a woman of God that can train her daughter to be a well put together lady, a business woman, a confidant, a prayer warrior and a home provider.  And ladies your home being clean and clear of disorganization and clutter fits in that box.   

I was blessed yesterday have a conversation with Helena a Christian, homeschooling mom of 7.  She owns her on cleaning, interior decorating and organization business.  Our consultation is in two weeks. :) She said Michele, I understand how you feel and that shows that you want a loving pleasant home.  When I asked God how I could bless others I said help them achieve a peaceful and organized home.  She say's it is hard with kids trust me I have 7 all are still home, but my husband doesn't come home to a dirty house. Why, because when he comes home, I want him to have my attention without, having to move a plate off the coach to sit down!  LOL  She say's I wake up better knowing my home has order.  She said don't fret that is my gift and God showed me that along time ago.  Now what I tell my clients is embrace that God has someone here to help you bring balance and order back into your home. !!!!   That right there was a shouting moment for me!!!  Like I told her I keep three rooms pretty much clean all the time ,my main floor, but my home has no organization.  I want God to know that I appreciate every thing he gives me.  Not just my children, my car, my husband or my church home but my Home, Home!!!  I want it to look like how I feel about my blessing.

Just a personal confession

Eyes Wide Open....

Sometimes you look at your life and realize you have just been walking with your eyes shut!!!!
Not on purpose!!  You are so busy with life that your eyes are literally shut to what is going on around you.  Today walking into Children Hospital for my oldest Daughter's doctor appt, I saw a beautiful young lady with cerebral palsy or some disease that would affect her spinal development. Her smile lite up the whole parking lot.  Everyone that was able to walk their children into the door, or watch their children run and talk on their own had to  have realize how bless they were right at that moment!!! OR Was their eyes even open?  That beautiful young lady was content and happy despite her circumstances.

We wrap ourselves so into our own problems, concentrate so on our on environments, situations, circumstances and life challenges, we miss the hand of God molding and sculpting our lives showing us how so bless we are despite our circumstances.

Are your Eyes Wide Open,

Have you sat down and realize that no you don't have a mansion but you have a beautiful home.
Have you look around and realize you are not a millionaire but you can afford dinner?
Have just touched your spouse and realize you could be alone in this world?
Have you realized ....?

Today I pray that everyone that reads this post open their eyes WIDE OPEN!!!

I pray that God will anoint those eyes and give you a clear vision on how he has enrichly bless you no matter how much or how little you have.  I am so grateful for all of the blessings he has allowed me to see but those that he reveals to me daily in the stillness of my thoughts.

When I see my daughters laugh or hear my son talk to me about something I have no clue about;  When I catch my husband looking at me intently with a smile that only we share, when I get to laugh at one of my mommies quirky ways, or laugh at my niece's or nephew's because they have eaten a whole pan of rolls.  The big things God does for me are huge, but it is the little things that I overlook that I just want him to know I am so grateful.  I want him to know I delight my self in him.  Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

I am grateful that with my eyes wide open I can see the hills from which cometh my help!!!  I am just in awe of all that God can, has and will do for me.  Ps121:8

. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.  6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Please every GET UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES WIDE AND SEE THE GLORY OF GOD!  IF A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE MIDST OF HER CONDITION WE SHOULD TOO!!!

A Generational Problem....Breaking the YOKE!!!!

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

In my family my dad always talked about people.  It was just how he was raise.  I mean daddy could be cruel and mean and would tell you well you know that is how I am.  A couple a years ago I repeated something my dad said about my Uncle Earl that I thought it was true for the longest, and until I verbalized it I never understood how damaging it was to my Uncle.  He knew that daddy felt that way and that he told the whole family he was this person that he truly was not, but for years it was okay and justified for dad to say it.  It wasn’t until I saw that hurt on my uncle’s face that I realized the cycle that was perpetuated in my life and my husband life just by repeating that statement.   A generational curse enters in through the gateway of our sins knowingly or unknowingly! Yes the sin/curse is broken by salvation but unless all parties are saved than all parties are not free from the curse.    

Exodus 34:7, "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

"

 So now fast forward to me now…a 46 year old woman that still suffers the verbal abuse from friends but especially family members and for the longest because that was how I was taught that it was okay!  I should just take it because it is family.   If I speak up for myself, I am angry, bitter, unforgiving,  a woman that doesn’t know how to shut up, controlling, wow the list goes on!!!   If I quote a scripture or say God didn’t ordain something all of sudden I am a holier than thou Christian or trying to be a preacher or I have even heard the one I am over-stepping my husband.  If you correct the person than you are wrong because  “You know that this person gets angry and don’t really mean what they say”  or “Michele that is just how they are they didn’t mean no harm” or  “Honey you are a Christian, what would Jesus do”

 I am grateful for a husband that once told me, “ Michele, I don’t curse at you never ever allow any one even your own family members to curse you.”  That was such a poignant statement that it to this day makes me shutter in my seat.  Why because in my house to demean or belittle a woman was common and okay.  God says love her like Christ loves the Church, I have never heard Christ demean a woman but women first you have to love yourself.

  I Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

Would you mistreat your temple than don’t let anyone else!!!!

SO GOES THE GENERATIONAL CURSE OF DEMEANING WOMEN, ALIENATING FAMILY AND BACK BITING HOW DOES THIS STOP???  Break the chain (Repent or come to Christ), stop the cycle (being apart of the Gossiping and back betting and demeaning behaviors) and pray!!!

Well today I am learning to love myself enough not to allow those that cannot love me back around my family.  I don’t want my daughters to grow up feeling as if every time they leave a room someone is talking about them.  I don’t want my son to feel like he is never good enough.  My daddy did what he was taught.  In his defense he always was trying to prove something to someone because they always said Garrett won’t be any good.  Yet the same Uncle’s that he use to bad mouth so, takes care of his daughter as if she was his own and visits him at least once a month.    He and his wife check on my mom all the time and truthfully the person dad said he was is nowhere near to be the truth.  I know this because he step back and allowed his actions to show his truth.  I declare this day I want the YOKE BROKEN! The Gossiping, Demeaning, Lying and Back Biting that goes on to STOP!  I do not want it to continue on in our family, I don’t want the continued abuse between each other to continue, but for it to stop we must stop, step back and let God! 

We must learn to stay out of the way of the evil one and pray for them that despite-fully use you and mistreat you. When we continue to stay in the chain of the generational curse we continue to perpetuate it.  GOD CAN NOT WORK IF YOU ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO FIX IT.

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  

So that means you must not center yourself around them or continue to perpetuate the environment that allows their abusive behavior, because than you allow the devil to take you out of God’s will and purpose.  You do however have to pray that God will change them, give them a clean heart.  Be good to them and whenever you pray for someone you are being good to them.

 Matt. 5:44 God’s word says, “ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you;”

 It doesn’t mean you love someone less to demand respect!  It just means you love yourself like God loves you.   

DO SOMETHING PRAY!!!

Just one of those days :) Count it all JOY!!

Just one of those Days J

So last night I had a bad fall.  Those that know me know since I was a child I have always been prone to falls.  My equilibrium or something, the doctor has yet to find out why but anyway I have adjusted over the years. When I was young it was at least twice a week now it is about once every three months. Well anyway the key to this fall is water on my ceramic floor I couldn't see.

Isn't it funny how the devil seems to always have something up the road we just don’t see. Today mines was the fall from last night.  I feel on my bottom so I didn't think I had any injury nor did I think I would be sore BUT this morning… My weekly Mondays are Tuesday’s!!! The day I have to get up and get it moving I realized I am not the same old gray mare.  I AM SO SORE!!!!     

I had so much planned today…get caught up on a client, get to my other client’s early, get the women’s day program printed, take the girls to library and to practice and guess what I just don’t feel like it.

Today is just one of those days that as I planned out my activities to be a productive and effective Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur and Pastors Wife …I am hitting rock bottom.  So today is just one of those days I am going to count it all JOY, thank God for my willingness to serve HIM and place it in His hands that all get done.

Maybe God allows for the falls in my life so that I can sit down and let Him handle it for me.  Sometimes he wants me to realize I am not supper woman, and everyone's Matador!!!  He wants me to allow him to be my Matador….the  one who leads the charge in my life endeavors. 

So as I decide which one of the activities I am cancelling out for today… I pray I encourage someone else that today and every day should be just one of those days that you must realize you are mere flesh and blood nothing without the assistance of Christ.  So I cry out I am more than a conquer;  Romans 8:37, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

I can do all things,….Phill 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

and most of all THE LORD is my SHEPHERD!!! Psalms 23:1

A Pastor's Wife Rant, LOL Volume 1.1

Well here I go again, LOL!!!  Pastor Wife on a rampage…. So at a meeting I attended the question was asked, “What is the Role of the Pastor Wife in the 21^st century?”  My question was, why it has changed.? Truthfully I allowed for  my question to be misunderstood because the road it took was quite interesting, but what I truly meant is why all of a sudden do we have (Pastor Wives, First Ladies whatever title you prefer) to have such a dramatic role versus the role of the older church. 

I remember a time where the Pastor’s wife was considered the Mother of the Church?  A humbling role A thankless role, but a much needed role none the less.  Now the ladies dub the Pastor’s wife often time is too busy doing everything else in the church, preaching, administration, fashion show, gossiping, etc to be a mother to her own children.  I am not trying to condemning but questioned.  She was respected.  She was honored for her loving attributes and humbling ways.  She was often the one that handled the younger children and talked to the younger women.

I once heard an older Pastor Wife say to another pastor’s wife, I am so proud of you young lady you have gave us a voice in the church, when I turned around the young lady’s son was climbing on the pews and her daughter was waddling up on the pulpit. I know I know I am very old school.  NO my kids never ventured near the pulpit and climb over the pews, me and my switch will still be getting happy!!!  There is no reverence in the church because we the person God gave charge of the Children have dropped the ball.

Our new pastor wives dress any way and some of our older ones do too.  Now I like my dresses above my knee and no sleeves are okay for me, but my dress is not ever on my butt and in certain arenas I feel uncomfortable with my dress at my knee.   Yet I would never go up on a stage with tight pants, underwear showing and other things showing and call myself my husband wife.  I am just saying…  The clothes that I wear to church are different from the set for work, but my dress standards are the same all week. 

One of the older mothers stated that it is because that all ministers are not called, well quite frankly that ain’t got nothing to do with his wife.  Let me tell you this, my father wasn't saved but it didn't keep my mother from being saved.  One thing about a marriage is although we become one we will still stand alone in judgment.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  2 Cor 5:10   So whether that man is called or not his wife as a Christian should still feel obligated to represent herself as a Christian.  We must be set apart.

The ladies don’t know I sit back and listen and I gleam wisdom from them and sometimes it is not always in the direction they may think.  I respect them so but I do feel that we as Pastor Wives have forgotten our first calling and it is not to the church it is to Christ!!!!!  My hierarchy is simple, Christ, Husband, children, than church.  Sorry but God didn’t call me he call my husband.  As his wife I accept certain responsibilities but if it is not in line with God’s word than I am not really impressed.  Basically ladies and gentlemen there is no reference, title or specific responsibilities for a Pastor’s Wife or First Lady.  There is however a well-defined definition and list of responsibilities as a Wife and Mother, which for me is my first calling.

 Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV / 443 helpful votes

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV 

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,

Proverbs 12:4 ESV

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Titus 2:1-15 ESV 

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Did  you know that if your husband leaves his pastorate you are no longer a pastor's wife, but you are still a church member, you are still his wife and you are still your children mother!!!!  So, I am merely a member of New Truth, who so happens to be married to their pastor! I am honored by their love and treasure their respect but I often remind them I am sinner saved by Grace.

I pray that my life is an example to others and do not create an air of superiority or royalty in that role.  Because quite frankly as his wife my biggest job is to ensure his home is well maintained, his children are reared and that I am a helpmeet to him in every aspect of our marriage and that does not always include his ministry!!!  My role as a church member is to be the best member I can be.  That may call me to sing, it may call me to teach, it may call me to help my husband as secretary, nurse or cleaning crew, but foot I have that job at home anyway!!!  As always, just my two cents!!!

Please check out the links below don’t agree with everything but good read…

http://www.9marks.org/blog/she-questions-potential-pastor%E2%80%99s-wife

http://blog.tifwe.org/four-principles-of-biblical-stewardship/

http://www.sats.edu.za/userfiles/RebuliSmith_PastorsWife.pdf

http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_a_good_wife

In AWE OF HIS AWESOMENESS!!!!--JUST AMAZED

In AWE of HIS AWESOMENESS!!!!

When I sit and think on how precious and wonderful God is, I just want to dance, dance, dance all night.  I love to sit in the stillness of the day or night and listen to God just whisper sweet words to me. They are like sweet kisses that make me warm all in side. I love knowing that because of my trust, belief and love of him…He has given me joy beyond compare and love unimaginable. 

I bask in the joy of knowing that no MAN can speak life into my life or death into my life but the Son of God is life and life more abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.John 10:10

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 2 Timothy 1:1-10

 I am in awe in the very simple things He gives us every day to let us know that we are His children and He calls us his own.

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God (Galatians 4:7).

When I open my eyes it is Jesus, When I place my feet on the ground oh it is Jesus, When I take that deep fresh breath, Jesus; When I look around and see my Boaz, Jesus; When I walk into each child room, no harm no danger Jesus; When my cupboards are full (not running over but never running out) Jesus, When he carries me through my midnights, Jesus; When he gives me my Sunlight, Jesus; When he cover my love ones, Jesus;  When he watch over my enemies, Jesus; When he protects me from the seen and un-seen, Jesus; with my angels camp all around me I know Jesus protects me, my precious King!!!

Have you ever just sat back and wonder where you would be without his favor without his love without his inner peace.  This morning when I woke up and thought about all of the news I have been given in just these last few weeks and then I think of the promises he made ME!!! When I think about the re-connections!  Even when I receive bad news, He is always there to cover ME!!!  See when you truly have a relationship with Christ you don’t need anyone to tell you what He will and won’t do for you. I have been blessed to have men and women in my life that don’t just talk a talk but walk a walk.  My baby brother believing and trusting God for something and look at God!!!  My husband wounded and worn from his father’s death but him using his lost as a foot stool to a better relationships with men LOOK at God!!!  My son trusting God for something, Look at GOD!!! My mom knowing that God had told her something and trusting and believing and LOOK AT GOD!!!  No matter what the Nay Sayers or the devil may say, when God tells you something you believe God, NO ONE ELSE!!!!!  He will show you if you are in His will or not.  Always remember God’s will, will not have be disrespectful to his people, rude or haughty to his people, ugly to his people or boisterous to his people.  He will give you a quiet spirit a loving spirit a kind spirit yet a confident spirit. 

You may need encouragement but mommy always told me that the bible says, “Ye search the scriptures”

 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39 

Pastor, keeps telling us we have to read his word for ourselves, we must have a dedicated prayer life and devotion life. 

I go back to when I was growing up and I would hear mommy sing I go to the garden alone (not with anyone else) while the dew is still on the roses, the voice I hear falling on my ear….And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me that I am his own.  I am simple like Donnie McClurkin when he sings….I am AMAZED!!!!

Everybody's MOM......Hannah's Prayer

So many times we as women take on the position “Every (bodies) Mom”  Collecting bodies (children) as we grow, I guess I am no different. J   In my devotion reading today I was reading a testimony on how a young ladies whole outlook on her Christianity changes just because of a prayer challenge.  God is funny…these last few months I put myself on a prayer challenge writing down every time the praying spirit comes over me.  It has truly been an aww opening experience.  Nothing Earth shattering has happened other than God has opened my eyes to see things that have been evident to me all along but for whatever reason I couldn’t see.

Like this young lady, I don’t remember this Prayer in the bible. Note: a bible scholar I do not claim to be, but I usually remember my bible stories pretty well.  Yet when I read it I remember when I had my first born.  My prayer while I was pregnant and when I had him was this: “ Lord please bless my son, give him all of his limbs, his bodily functions, make him normal, heal him Lord (because they knew he was sick) give me my son, please Jesus.”  It was a pretty simple prayer, but my heart was broken and contrite and I meant every word.  I was only a scared little girl myself…yes I was 25 but now I know I was just a baby myself!!!!

When he came out of his surgery to correct his kidney’s and Dr. Baraza gave us his prognosis “A normal little man that would grow up to be as tall and big as me” is what he said!!! (The Doctor was over 6’3) I simply cried all the way home holding my precious preemie and said “Lord, thank you for answering my prayer it is what I have been praying for nine months (he was two months at that time) and you bless me with prayers I give this child back to you and I will raise him to love you and honor you and he will serve you Lord.”  I was simply a baby myself I had no idea what I was praying and I was definitely not in God’s word the way I should be, but from that day on I prayed that over each Child I had.

The moral of the story is this…..Trust God ladies with every fiber of your being, but don’t forget to cover our babies.  Now that my babies are growing up God has blessed me with so many adopted babies through various means, college, church, nonprofit programs, and friends.  They don’t think they are adopted but they are mines.  I pray for them every day, I ask God to cover them, protect them, shield them from all hurt and danger and make them normal.  When I go into a youth class I pray Lord let me teach them to serve you for the rest of their days. 

Now granted because of my stance on children I must pick up a new baby every day, foot I only sent two off to College but it feel as if I have at least 10 boys in college, and six girls and I pray that none of them read this post because if I forget one I won’t hear the end of this, LOL!  God knows I love the children and if my little pieces in their lives help them live for Christ all of their days than to God be the GLORY!!!! Because I love being Everybody's MOM!!!! :)

Hannah’s Prayer… I Samuel 1:27-28 “I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord

Somebody just loves them some me!!!

Somebody Just Loves them some ME!!!!  WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT???


Long time people, but each day has been one of contemplation and meditation.  As I am reviewing the spoils of my life, the test that have turned into Testimonies, I am forced to ask the Question: Lord why am I still here….

Looking back I see so many times God should have, could have, foot I know many that would have and did just turn their backs on me!!!!   But God…. My friend, my lover, my confidant, my counselor and my savior love me in spite of me!!!

When I look over my life I wonder why he loved me so much to honor me with a husband that loves me.  To bless my womb with children that adore him, and still keep me in-spite of the things that I think, do and say!!!

As I look at how wonderful my life is.  My babies Aleisha and Alex are excelling in College, they are making waves and connections that only God could have given them.  I look at Aaliyah who has truly been faithful in what she does and how despite what society may want to say about home schooling is constantly being showed God's mercy and favor.  I look at my Arri..as outspoken as she is, she is the most gentle and loving grandchild toward my dad.  Constantly every day going in to feed him, care for him, play games with him and the other residents.  I think of my Husband who juggles life challenges as if they are water on a ducks back, and still has time to be with his family and always loving on me.  I look at my siblings all are of sound mind, not in jail, married and I believe happy.  I look at my mom and all that she has been through doors just opening for her....so yeah I ask God why do you love me the way you do?

Why Do you Love me so Lord????

This is a question that I think we all should sit back and think about… Sit back and take inventory of your life (FOR REAL) not what you want, or don't have but look at what could have been, what should have been, and what isn't.  Look at how many times he has dug you out of the ditch of life you didn't see.

The song said I should have been dead sleeping in my grave….Lord you know you been so Good!!!

The old hymn says One Day at a time Sweet Jesus!!!!

Precious Lord take my hand lead me on and let me stand…I get weak I am tired I am worn…..

As I ponder this question I realize God just loves him some ME!!!!!!!!  I am the child of the Most high KING and when I am weary he sends his court to carry me a little while longer…..

You may be one of the people in his court today sent by just to tell me to carry on, or the smiling face in the car next too me.  He could have come when my husband just sneaks a sweet kiss under my ear, or through a song on a radio, whom ever he sends it is why I am still here… To tell you

Lord Keep you Day by Day in the pure and narrow way…. To testify to somebody that God is so good.  He is so wise and so loving. Yet the most prolific statement I hear in my spirit is:  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.Psalms 37:35.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19  Because I am standing on the promise of Christ my King...Through eternal Ages let His praise Ring!!!!  Y'all God loves him some me...I don't know about no body else but I am bless, bless better than blessed!!!!!!  So I love the Lord!!!

Hope through the darkness of death......

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

So looking back over my very few years of life I realized something so profound….I have hope in the darkness of death.  It may not make sense to people that do not have the spiritual connection and relationship with my lover, my friend, my confidant and my redeemer Jesus!  He is my everything.

While doing some reading with my husband I was so humbled by a scripture that I had to look back over my life and realized that somewhere along this road called life, I am internally encouraged by the ever resounding sound that Where I am there you will be also.  John 14:3b 

I don’t fear death per say like I use to and I don’t worry about life like I use to.  By no means will I say I am perfect or that doubt and fear does not seep up in my mind, but I am encouraged to know that I have hope in all of my situations.  I have hope in the darkness of trouble, the darkness of trials and tribulations, and the darkness in the calm before the storm and in the storm.  When the storms are raging in my life I have the love of Jesus to carry me through.  The sweet assurance that he lays me down in Green Pastures, he prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies…and Guess what my Cup runneth over.

In these last few years of my life I have had Men of God tell me your husband ministry will go nowhere without  them.  I have had people say we would never be blessed, but if they could see me know.  If they knew the God that I serve. No our life is not easy, it is not glamour filled but it is BLESSED!!!  We have been through heart ache and pain, sunshine and rain, but the best is still yet to come.  Yes and we are still favored.  From flying in on regular clearance to being bump up to Expedited Clearance to sitting in extended room sitting to being bumped up to first class.  That is the type of favor God blesses his child with.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have^[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Yet where I really get my praise on is when I listen to my son’s theme song of life…Yelp by Rick Ross of all people…THESE HATERS CAN’T HOLD ME BACK….I think about this Christian walk and how so many Christians seem to think that they have the power to hold another’s destiny in their hand.  To change life or death.  As I look over my life, over my children life, over my husband’s life, over those that I love, the only one that has it all in his hand is the Master.  My warning to all that feel that way is, don’t you think somewhere you are beginning to think that you are the god and not GOD?!!!  Saints we have to stop letting power, envy and arrogance go to our head.  We will not all get our way.  Nor will everyone go this road the same way, but one thing I know that if you chose Jesus as your guide, no matter what man sees, what life looks like to you or others…your hope MUST remain in Jesus.  He is our only hope through the dark tunnels of life and death.

My hope lies in nothing less but Jesus love and righteousness.  If you won’t be used to bless me I am assured He has an arsenal full of favor warriors for me especially since I just want to be a blessing to someone else. I am a living witness as my mommy would say!!!

Be Blessed and remember You GOT FAVOR OVER your life if God is the Lord of your Life!!!! Hope in the midst of darkness rather that be life or death!

Love's Sacrifice

Love and its sacrifice…..

I read a story on last week and I myself said I don’t know if I could do this.  Yet the sacrifice of love…. that this woman did was so beautiful  I understood so much about the saying when mommy would say sometimes you will give 100% and he will give 0.  Sometimes he will give 100 and you will be 0 but those are the times that will truly show if you or he really loves.  See can you love me when I ain’t giving nothing, when I am so wipe out at life that I just can’t.  When failed hopes and dreams has destroyed me from within; when family has hurt and destroyed my trust so that I stop trusting?  What is your LOVE Sacrifice!

 http://theweek.com/article/index/99512/the-last-word-he-said-he-was-leaving-she-ignored-him?fb_action_ids=545614482177517&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582#

This story is long but worth the time if you question if you are really in love.  See not to long ago my mother said her commitment was not to my dad but to God.  Her marriage was not for the world’s glory but God.  So what is your love sacrifice?  A couple of months ago a man I admired so past and I literally watch a light go out in his wife.  I knew there was something I admired much in her but I could never place it, was it her love for Christ (Yes) her love for her Children Yes) her love for her husband (Yes)!!!

 Pastor and Sis. Wendell Spencer

 See I know from her testimony her love sacrifice was a lot, because I am a pastor’s wife and sometimes not because they don’t want to but they just can’t you have to fill in the gaps for them because they are carrying everyone else’s burdens.  Sometimes you have to pray for him when he don’t know it because the world and his flock will severely misuse and abuse him and sometimes you just LOVE on him to build him up because THAT IS WHAT a Love Sacrifice is!!!!  Real Talk ladies….  Stop looking for him to always be the one carrying you.  Loving on you, respecting you, building you up and supporting you.  Trust and believe if you become one with your man sometimes you will have to give 100%, and sometimes he will be the 100% but that is loves sacrifice.  50/50 days do come and they are beautiful.  70/30 is good too, but I have had a couple of 100% and 0% going both ways and I am here to tell you they may have been some hard days and low moments but Guess what the Oneness between DeeFin(Pastor Finley-for those political correct people) and I is more beautiful than the 50/50 days by far!!!!!    Real Talk!!!

Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  ¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.