Friday Rewind.

Holy Moly can I just tell you that busy is not better, and today as Friday is hitting I crave being a Mary and shoving the Martha 6 feet under.

The last week or so has been insanely busy.

In ministry there is times where you can control your schedule and times where you can't.

I let it get out of balance a little bit this past week and I'm pulling the reigns tight, so if you want a piece of me take a number and I'll see you in March, okay or on Pinterest.

Saturday 4th - House of Prayer in the PM.

Sunday 5th - Church, & Super Bowl Party @ Friends.

Monday 6th - Date Day with my hubby!!! (I preserve that as much as humanly possible!)

Tuesday 7th - Caught up and worked on Valentines & went to grocery store)

Wednesday 8th - Church in the PM

Thursday 9th - Bible Study in AM & Hubby and worship practice in PM

Friday 10th- I spoke at Mops (family time that night @pizza hut and ice cream!)

Saturday 11th - Dinner party at our house for 25 people

Sunday 12th - Church in AM, Soup dinner for missions after service, Valentines Banquet in PM

Monday 13th - B0o only got a date lunch because hubby had to go to mtg. Sectional Council in PM

Tuesday 14th - Valentines Day - I organized my oldest daughters party at school, awards ceremony and family dinner.

Wednesday 15th - Real Life Rally meeting & Church

Thursday 16th - Board Dinner PM

Friday 17th- TODAY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!

Saturday 18th- Pinewood Derby in the AM, but we are not participating we will go and say hello and have a family day.

Sunday 19th - Church, Business Meeting (annual) PM.

In the middle of this my hubby had a sinus infection that he lovingly passed to me, okay I asked for it. He wouldn't kiss me because he didn't want to get me sick but I MADE his kiss me, and well he's better and I'm not. Bottom Line, MY FAULT.

My youngest got the same thing.

My two older all had puking episodes somewhere in the middle of that.

I am 100% convinced that we all got our sickness ailments because we were run down and exhausted! This momma will be pulling the chains a whole lot tighter and protecting my babies and hubby a whole lot better. I control my calendar, and I should. I understand their are busy seasons, and my husband and I are 100% all in, but if we are exhausted and run down everyone including our family will get left overs.

Balance = Good Thing.

Team player - great thing

However sometimes people on your team need a time out, before they burn out.

I remember in our church planting day's trying very hard not to fill the calendar to overflowing so our volunteers wouldn't burn out.

Busy isn't better.

What's on your calendar that you can purge ?

Are you being intentional with your church calendar ?

Vision.

Have you ever been apart of something that you just got, and understood the importance of ?

I remember when we planted our church, and how we wanted to make the vision that God gave us so clear that our congregation could repeat it and say it within a 30 seconds to anyone who asked. Doing this allowed them to know our hearts, see where we were going, and take ownership.

Love God, Love People, Change The World.

Love God - Using discipleship to grow people's relationship in the Lord, and that everything we do must come under us Loving God.

Loving People - Loving people right were they were. intentionally loving them. How often do you recognize your leaders ? People who greet, run the nursery ? They must feel loved and valued.

Change The World- The great commission going out into the all the world and sharing the gospel.

Could be thru providing quarters at the laundry mat, free childcare, giving water bottles to people when they come out of the bar at 3:00 in the morning. The list is endless, but basically to serve.

I know several churches that have such a "Simple" approach to their vision and church.

WE as a body of believers and ministry leaders complicate things so much .

We have programs for programs and we keep our calendars full and busy.

We spin a bazillion plates at one time praying that one won't hit the floor while the others are all spinning.

However is your vision or lack of vision so complicated that you aren't even taken care of your first responsibilities.

1) Your relationship with the Lord

2) Your relationship with your spouse

3)Your Children

4)Your Ministry/Job

So often #4 dictates #1-#3 umm how backwards ?!?!?

My friend Melissa Elswick recently said in an online conference.

“Tip the scale toward ministering to our family first, our children are our most important disciples. Don’t just say yes to a good thing… say yes to a better thing… your family.”

My friend Angie and her husband planted a church and have had a huge life changing event, but in that so much good has come. I know Jon & Angie will someday be able to share how out of balance people have come in ministry. Check out this post here. If your critical of her thoughts, I can pretty much tell you that's the Holy Spirit tapping on your shoulder saying (cough cough).

So back to my main point - Vision.

Keep it simple. - Great Book to read on this.

Keep it follow able by people in your church.

Become Fearless but Fear the Lord (If God is leading you to do something, but you don't want to ruffle feathers, you will ruffle more by sitting and doing nothing, and you will lead your church to a slow death, and probably your family.)

Most of all Have a Vision. (winning souls isn't just enough, people want to see and understand the "how" behind it, and know what happens once they find Jesus). Not only does a lack of vision not lead the people in your church, but you'll go thru staff so quick because they have nothing to follow.

If you have lost the vision, you have lost the passion or your church is controlling the way you Pastor or lead your doing nothing more than prostituting yourself to believers trying to get them to buy into a mystery of your ministry.

Eventually, you will loose them because they don't know where they are going or what to follow. All ministries in your church should support the main vision of the church, if they don't peace out, that ministry needs to go away!

Last story, I remember when we were felt God leading us to pass off our church plant to someone else. The feeling of starting over, moving or having to go to another church, and learn their problems (all churches have them) was exhausting.

However, I feel so strongly if we would have stayed the church would be falling apart because God was done with us at this church. Staying longer would have been detrimental.

Part of having Vision is realizing when you have done what God asked and when it's time to move on. You may be holding your church back or you could be missing a HUGE blessing God has for you!

Final thoughts - If any of the above is you, it's never to late to shift the tide. Have a simple vision that is the umbrella of your church that all other things fall under. If it's not under the vision umbrella - it's gone.

Don't exhaust yourself, your family, your staff, your friends, and mostly your relationship with the Lord all for the sake of busy, and lack of vision.

Failure = Success

Today I'm a guest over at Sharpen Her with Tricia Lovejoy. Every Wednesday she host "Wednesdays Are For Women". Go check out my post, and while your there make sure you read thru her blog. You'll love it.

Also, their church Mountain Lake Church host a conference that is awesome. It really put so many things in perspective for our family, Velocity 2012, is for sure something you don't want to miss. Check it out and gift it to each other (you and your spouse) for Christmas! Such a life building time to meet and connect with other women in ministry! Your husband will also come out with so much wisdom! It's a must! Pop over and tell Tricia I sent you!

Friendship Perspective.

I thought this post would take me a few days to write, however as I wrote it, I saw my passion come to life on my keyboard.

This is a very guarded area by many. A touchy don't go there. I am going to go there, even at the risk of offending someone. Why you ask ? Well I get weekly emails from women in minis

try who are lonely and don't feel like they have a friend in the world.

Did you know you can have thousands of people around you and be so alone ? Yes it's possible, and I know this for a fact.

After an email I got tonight, I sat and cried to myself.

Women in ministry are so alone. Big Church, Little Church, it doesn't matter.

I once read that there are people who want to be your friend because you are in leadership and it looks cool. There will be people who DON'T want to be your friend because your in leadership. There are people who will want to be your friend because they don't care about either!

I am sooo blessed to have that best friend! Can I tell you he is my husband.

If your married and your in ministry he is going to be your safest friend.

Now if your like me you want a girlfriend, someone to shop with, get your nails done with go on play dates with. My "other" best friend is In Michigan. She is 1000 miles away. She was someone I prayed for. A gift from God. She reminds me that my Best friend is my husband and doesn't ever try to replace that.

I remember the lonely times before I meet Cheryl and my marriage was not great.

In those moments I wish I had a girlfriend.

Women in ministry can I share with you a secret....

There are soooo many resources out there for you to have a friend.

I have a Girlfriends Blog Roll so you can find like minded women who understand your position. Leading and Loving It is fabulous, plus an awesome church planters website coming soon.

It's going to be up to you to decide if it's safe to have a friend in your church. All churches are different, all people and areas of the country are different. Use the Lord to guide you and pray.

I think it's possible to be a friend to everyone and everyone to be a friend back, but not everyone was made for your living room couch and your intimate thoughts.

So today ladies I encourage you to look around and be a friend. I am here for you and am praying that God would give you the perfect person, even if it's an internet friend 1000 miles away or on the other side of the ocean.

I also encourage you to remember to make your hubby your #1 BFF. He after all was a gift to you.

If you are apart of the body of Christ and have a ministry head a pastor and wife, remember they are genuinely trying to love everyone and while you may not be best friends, it takes an effort on both sides to be friends. They cherish friendships that are genuine, because they are hard to find!

Straighten Your Crown

Though the cherry trees don't blossom

and the strawberries don't ripen,

Though the apples are worm-eaten

and the wheat fields stunted,

Though the sheep pens are sheepless

and the cattle barns empty,

I'm singing joyful praise to God.

I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.

Counting on God's Rule to prevail,

I take heart and gain strength.

I run like a deer.

I feel like I'm king of the mountain!

Somedays lady's everything is wrong, but just remember your a princess and it's time to straighten your crown and do a cartwheel and stand on top of the mountain and have the strength to say we will make it.

Praying for you today!

Sunday Night Meltdown.

Last Sunday I had a conversation with a friend at Starbucks, and we got onto the topic briefly about being raw. I said sometimes I leave blogs in "waiting" or on "hold" until I have gotten over the emotion of what I was writing about and can read over it again, and change the tone.

Today I ask myself is that being real, or is that having wisdom ?

I am going to dare to say it's a bit of both.

So I have decided that your going to get a raw me on Sunday Nights.

When I'm tired.

When I'm emotional.

When I don't have much left.

Why ? Because that's the real me.

Maybe just maybe it will reach out to someone, who thinks they have to hide....

thinks they have to carry it all.

Maybe it's just for me.

So Sunday Meltdown 2/20/11

Creating a culture of people who willing will serve is difficult. We do have some awesome volunteers and I can't wait to see God bring us the ones we are praying for.

Children's Ministry is an area that I think will be ever growing, ever changing and ever evolving. Did you know that I don't feel "Called" to Children's Ministry ?

What I do feel called to is serving in a capacity that God needs me to, which means serving in Children's Ministry and other areas to allow others to be in service.

Did you know I'm not perfect and make mistakes in this area ?

Yup.

We are praying feverishly for God to provide for our needs in this area. We are needing to split to 3 rooms, and need more workers, and we would love to hire a children's/family Pastor. I love this problem. It means we have the opportunity to speak into the lives of children every week.

Will you pray for some solutions to this problem ???

So although I don't feel called I do what I need to do to make it work, and help create an environment where the children can thrive and learn about Jesus.

Okay enough about our awesome children!

Sunday's sermon: Put A Ring On It.

I actually saw this sermon title last year, and forgot about it, but as my husband and I were working on our Love Struck series this title came back to my mind and just fit.

The sermon was on SEX.

Yup we went there. So many people are shocked that this would be discussed in church but guess what EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE else is talking about. So why not know what God says about it ???

We established the Marriage and the Marriage bed and what God intended.

We went over pain,shame,regrets.

We talked about how it's not a bad word and how it is intended to be a beautiful thing when used in it's proper context.

We gave several ways to keep to a commitment and to honor God.

Did I mention my hubby and I did this together ??? It was really fun, and only a little awkward. (His parents come to our church)

Then we decided to help be the solution. When we looked around us, talked to couples and heard what they all had to say we knew that offering a wedding was the best option. So many say it cost to much, just not sure where to start.

So this summer WE ARE HAVING A WEDDING!!!

We will be doing pre-marital counseling for any of the couples who are wanting to honor God with their commitment.

Then we will be providing Wedding Decorations....

A Cake.

Invitations to send out.

Flowers to carry.

We will also be providing a photographer.

Why are we doing this....

So many churches want to point out the sin...

Point out how awful you may be for having sex...

For living with someone...

We want to point you to the truth...

We want to help you honor and follow God...

We want to take you back to your

"Once Upon A Dream"

Pearl of Great Price.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the look-out for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value,he sold everything he owned and bought it! (Matthew 13:45-46)

I am about to explain my limited knowledge on how a pearl is created. Please don't correct me if I'm wrong because it would just ruin my whole story. :)

Inside an oyster is a tiny muscle in the course of the oyster’s development, a foreign substance such as a grain of sand gets into the little muscle and irritates the oyster. In response, the oyster covers that irritant with a secretion. The longer the irritation is there, the more the oyster coats it. Pearl oysters vary in size and can be quite rough and ugly. Yet what is happening inside is a combination of rainbows, moonlight, and bits of flame. Once the oyster accepts the irritation as part of itself, the pearl begins to develop. The worst storms, gales, even hurricanes will not dislodge it. As time goes by and this oyster is finally pulled up from the bed where it has been for many years, it is opened only to reveal a beautiful pearl.

So why I'm a telling you about a pearl you ask ? You see I am pretty sure it represents most of our lives (in ministry or not).

1. God sees something in you (like he did the oyster)

2. He plants a special seed in you and covers you with his Grace

3. When chosen sometimes it's ugly, we cry because it's not what we had planned and we don't want to embrace it.

4. However we say "Yes"

5. Overtime the outside is so ugly as we are growing, but what God is doing in our hearts is amazing!

6. Sometimes it takes years for God's beauty to be unveiled to the World and those around.

Specifically for you in Ministry, Adoption ect... God planted something amazing in you! He in-trusted you with something... what an honor, and privilege (I understand it doesn't always feel that way).

I know that sometimes that little spec of dirt or seed that God planted in us to something BIG sometimes feels at a stand still, but just remember every pearl comes out a different size, shape and color and yours may not look like anyone else's but it was God given,and God planted.

Embrace the Pearl of Great Price.

Remember the scripture above he gave up EVERYTHING to buy that one great pearl.

Some of you have given up everything and putting all your eggs in the pearl that God has asked you to nurture and carry!

Be thankful that God choose YOU!!!

There are things to embrace while going thru those small tough hard beginnings or those long overworked days.

While your in the oyster being beautified what can you embrace ???

Shocked. Sad. Not Surprised.

So last week I posted this poll and out of the 87 plus of you that follow my blog and the 1000 or so that hit it weekly only 20 of you took the poll.

My heart was so sad to see the results.

The question was: "What is the biggest area that is hurting your marriage ?"

This was geared more towards ministry women but really goes for anyone.

40 % said Lack of $

30 % said Disconnected

25% said Ministry taking up to much time

5% of you said Young Children.

Which one am I shocked over you ask ? That only 5% of you say young children and 30% said disconnected...

I would like to hear your take on this. Click anonymous or send me an email girlfriendwithapurpose@gmail.com

I have a couple post that will be coming up to hopefully hit on these topics! Love you girls and please know that your not alone!!

Giveaway Time!!!!

I would love to introduce you to a blog friend of mine. Here name is Rachel.

Rachel & Her friend Andrea just started a new business together.

Here is a little bit of information about Andrea & Rachel.

We have been great friends since 7th grade!! Our memories together include chats at our lockers, pop quizzes. youth group, sleepovers, P.E. (yuck!), boys, primping in between classes (mostly to impress those boys!), and our high school Senior trip. We've been friends through both high school and college graduation, both of our weddings, and three pregnancies. Most importantly, though, we've shared laughter, tears, prayer, and support. We thank God for the friendship He's given us!

Why Twenty 6?

When we decided to start a business/blog together we thought long and hard about a name that would represent our long-standing friendship. We found a scripture passage that sums up our feelings perfectly:

Proverbs 20:6

"Many can say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?"

Hence, the name Twenty 6!!

What's in your Etsy shop?

Both of us have always been very "girly"! We love feminine and pretty things. Andrea has had fun exploring the world of "girl stuff" since she had Alaina in 2009.

We sell a variety of things that girls ages 1 to 99 will enjoy. You will find adorable handmade bows as well as personalized bow holders which are hand-painted by Andrea's sister, Lisa Dickson. We are so excited to share her wonderful artistic ability with you!

Twenty 6 Shop continues to be a work in progress. We have some exciting additions planned, so check back often for new products and great sales!

We can't tell you how excited we are to share this friendship journey with you. We hope that Twenty 6 Blog is a warm and welcoming place to all who visit, and we are looking forward to meeting many new friends!!

So now the give away part.

Go to their blog and follow then come here and tell me you did :) - 1 entry

Go to their etsy shop and tell me what you like - 1 entry

Here is what your going to win.

A reader will get a "friendship bracelet of their choice" including free shipping. I will run the contest until this Tuesday at midnight... so spread the word.

Leading & Loving It

Okay chics 2 day's in a row! What a miracle!

I wanted to introduce you to a great website.

Leading and Loving It

It's led by a great group of Ministry Wives from around the country, and they are hosting 2 events in the future

A FREE virtual conference!!

AND...

So hoping that i can make this but it's our anniversary and usually I'm in Michigan at the Women's conf. during this weekend... we will see!!

Go to Leading and Loving It and check out the daily blogs and on top of that these great events!! Oh and tell the girls Rachael from Girlfriends With A Purpose sent you!!