Attention Pastors Wives!Written by Kathy Pedeaux
A T T E N T I O N P A S T O R S W I V E S!"No More Bags" by Kathy Pedeaux Wouldn't you agree that life is too short to live with bags over our heads? Pastor's wives and women in full-time ministry have for too long been deceived into thinking that they must perform roles that have been dictated by church politics, and stereotyping of functions of Pastor's wife. This is when we feel like putting a bag over our heads, pretend to be someone else or just to hide from people and responsibilities that were never meant to be ours. It is destructive for church as well as precious women that fall into this trap. It is destructive for church because it directly affects pastor through unhappiness, fear, and frustration of wife. Secondly it is destructive to wife because it promotes fear, insecurtiy, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. One of saddest and most damaging things in Kingdom of God is an unhappy Pastors wife. Read next months article to find out more about "Freedom from Anxiety in Ministry." Anyway, I have great news for you ladies! John 8:36 says, "So if Son has set you free, you will be free indeed." God has created all of us in so many unique ways. How boring it would be if all Pastor's and their wives looked alike, acted alike, and did everthing alike? Let me tell you a little story. In beginning of my husband and I's journey into full-time ministry, we were invited to a regional meeting of officers of a certain denomination. It was a dinner engagement with a small agenda. All wives were invited to attend. I was so excited because I was going to be able to meet other pastors wives and glean from their experience and have opportunity to rub elbows with some higher-ups in organization. I sat down so proud next to my husband and thought, "Let party begin." I began to realize just after a short time that these women around banquet table were miserable, did not want to be there, and had no interest in talking to me at all. Their faces seemed to tell a horrible story of years of being something that they were not. Since I wasn't a member of their church, they had nothing to loose by not being affectionate, loving, outgoing, articulate, confident, women they were suppose to be. My heart began to become grieved for them and I began to pray and ask God to help me never to come to that place. I talked about this with my husband and I made a decision that night to always try to be myself. I didn't want to be in ministry if it was like that. There were so many other things that I could do to glorify God in workplace, and in ministry. Today my life's goal is helping people realize their dreams in Him, and especially Pastors and their wives. I have never had so much fun, been so fulfilled and been so in love with my husband! You can have your cake and eat it too! Jesus has come to give us life and give it more abundantly! God has called each of us to be what He has called us to be, not what others expect. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in Holy Ghost! Let's live in that!
| | THOUGH THE VISION TARRIESWritten by Irvin L. Rozier
THOUGH THE VISION TARRIESHabakkuk 2 verse 3: For vision is yet for an appointed time, but at end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Have you ever had a vision from God? Have you ever had a clear word from God that he is going to do something? Do months and years roll by without vision being fulfilled? Have you almost gave up on your vision? Has devil whispered to you, "God didn't give you a vision, God didn't speak to you, you might as well give up....look at you, waiting for something that is not going to happen." Well, my friend, I am here to tell you that God is not man; He does not lie. All throughout Bible, stories are recorded of men and women who have received a vision or clear word from God but they had to wait for it to be fulfilled. Time does not permit me to tell full stories of Noah, how he found grace in eyes of Lord, received a clear word from God but had to wait days and years for word to be fulfilled. How about Abraham and Sarah? God gave them a clear word that they were going to have a son although this seemed impossible. Sarah even laughed at thought. Yet God fulfilled his word at right time. How about Moses, who had to wait 40 years for his vision to be fulfilled? He was humbled in wilderness before he could assume position that God had created for him. I could go on and on about clear words from Lord, visions and dreams, and answers to prayers that were delayed for God's purposes.
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