Thursday, December 11, 2014

Doors


What do you think of when you see a door? Why are we so afraid to walk through them? I love doors and the way the look. I've been wanting to paint my front door RED for the longest time. Doors can be inviting and they can also be scary because we never know what will be on the other side. Our family is going to a transition in our life and even though we don't know what's on the other side we are excited to see what God has planned for our life once we close a door and open another. So no matter what we are going through in life we know that this won't be the last door to close or open. Don't be afraid to face whatever is on the other side because you should always remember the following verse. Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. My prayer is that you walk with the confidence of knowing that God is next to you, guiding you. He will never forsake you.

Clarinda

Thursday, September 11, 2014

BE FEARLESS

I'm not exactly sure what this means but if it means what I think it does then life is about to get interesting. I never thought this year would get here as soon as it did. Next week I'm turning 40!!! Wow, when did that happen? I ask myself where did the time go and then I remember where it went. 18 years went to school, 19 years when to raising a beautiful daughter, 2 years went to raising and having another baby and 21 years went to being with my husband, 15 years went to one employer and the numbers just keep coming. I have a very blessed life when I think of how I spent most of it. Sure I've made many mistakes and said things I regret but through  each moment in time I've learned something; at least I pray that I have. Some things I'm still learning as the days pass along and I know I'll still make mistakes. When I think of 40 I think of someone who is a lot wiser than they were 20 years ago. Someone who is fearless. That fearless person is someone I would like to meet within myself and I know when I do things will get even more interesting in my life. So my prayer for myself is to embrace 40 and allow God to unleash what I myself have been suffocating and keeping a lid on. I'm ashamed to think of how much I wasted being afraid. It's quite sad. I'll enjoy the rest of the days until I turn 40 on the 16th. I really want to be fearless and  that is my goal and wish for my 40th Birthday. BE FEARLESS.

Clarinda

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Post by Jessica Florea....I'm DONE!!

I'm Done! http://www.isleepwiththepastor.com/

"I'm done!" Those magic words I would say whenever my husband and I got in a huge fight. No, not done with marriage, but done with church and ministry. Unfortunately, I am guilty as charged of using these two words as a tool to hurt. The enemy had whispered the lie in my ear that church was all that mattered to my husband and not our family. And afterwards, he handed me a sword of bitterness to swing on the days our marriage got rough.

How many of you have believed the lie of church being first over your family? It is a believable lie. Just look at what your husband does. He is a pastor called to full time ministry. Turning "off" is hard, and almost every conversation turns into a ministry related one. Every day is centered around the ministry you and your family is called to. Why shouldn't it be? If Jesus, and heaven is the end goal then my life and my husband's life should center around church and ministry, right? Wrong.

Our lives should center around Jesus. He should be the center focus and in the middle of everything we do. God called our family to pastor a church in this season. The devil knows how much work, joy, pain, and TIME it will take. Pastoring a church is one of the hardest and greatest jobs in the world. But unlike most families, pastoring is kind of like mothering. It is full-time around the clock. Unfortunately, us pastors' wives forget that. Kind of like dads forget all we do as mothers for the family. Sometimes we can't comprehend just why our husband can't turn off, and want to listen to us after he has just listened to five other church members for the day.

Don't forget how much work and time it is pastoring a church. When you forget, the devil will be sure to whisper the lie in your ear. The church is not your husband's other wife. A church is just a huge responsibility, and in this season it might need a little more time given to it. Give your husband a little more grace and mercy. I am for sure not giving the pastor an excuse. He still needs to give to his wife's needs, and he needs to love her like Christ loved the church.

Pastor's wife, those hard days. The days that you believe the lie. The days your needs aren't met. Jesus knows, and he is right there with you. Take it to Him. Don't use the words, "Im done." This will create bitterness, and breed animosity between you and your husband and the church. When the going gets rough, love anyways and pray fervently for your husband and the church God has called you to. You will have those days, ministry is hard. But, God knew you were the perfect one to pastor's wife His church. He equipped you with all you needed where He called you.

xo a girl who sleeps with the pastor

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

My Husband Ralph.............

There are no words to describe how much I love my husband. He is the greatest. We met in High School and began dating the summer of 1992 or 1991. I think 1992. My husband wouldn't be happy that I can't pin down the date but I do remember it was in July. He is the greatest and God has truly blessed me with a great God fearing man who loves me despite my faults. Neither of us are perfect by any means but he never gives up on me and knows I have more to give than anyone. He knows my moods and he knows when I say "fine" it's not always fine. I have to admit it does bother me but it also makes me feel loved. He is my best friend and my constant and I can't imagine doing life with anyone else. He is the father to our two beautiful daughters and I can't wait to see what our future holds. He is a Pastor and has a heart for our city and for those that are lost. I proudly serve alongside him and in my opinion were a great team. I love you Ralph!!!

Your Partner In Crime..................

Monday, March 10, 2014

Final Story: Courage, Self-Awareness, Kindness, Soul-Care and Vision



Welcome Back!!!

Yeah it's been awhile since I've blogged but I was just too busy with things going on that I got sidetracked. I was finally able to finish the book by Jodi Detrick and I just wanted to finish out with some of the great points she gave from her book. I pray that you enjoy these points and that they apply to areas in your life. Again, I recommend anyone in ministry to read this great book.

Chapter 6: Courage
Great leaders make gallant efforts to take risks, even when the odds are overwhelming and the outcome uncertain.

Some women in the bible were braver than they believed, stronger than they seemed, and smarter than they thought. By looking at their lives we glimpse why Jesus-hearted women must be brave if they're gong to lead and last.

If you give fear the upper hand it will displace courage every time. And if those who serve in ministry don't deal with their personal specters of fear, they will be stunted as leaders-or possibly taken out of the game altogether-no matter how gifted they are otherwise.

Chapter 7: Self-Awareness
A wise, Jesus-hearted woman in leadership will guard against defensiveness and self-protectionism.

Having people who honestly tell you the truth is critical.

Jesus modeled for us a non-fragile leadership that cultivated authentic loyalty while allowing for honest expression of thought.

Chapter 8: Kindness
The heart of a great leader and her true effectiveness is based on, and sustained by, kindness.

But being a "first-clapper"-especially applauding those in the rookie stage of life and ministry-is a great place to begin.

Self-righteousness catches the mistakes and misdeeds of others.

We don't correct every small error that others makes.

We don't show others up.

Your demeanor says more than you realize about the kind of leader you are.

Just a few, kind words make all the difference.

Proverbs 16:24 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Chapter 9: Soul-Care
Not getting enough sleep or exercise. We forget to leave any white space in our busy calendars just to be: be with our families and friends, be engaged in activities that replenish, be quiet and hear God's voice, be still enough to let His love refill our depleted souls....just be.

When your are sustaining your activity for God with very little relationship with God, you will crash.

But God works to grow us as we help others grow, even when we haven't arrived yet.

We can talk honestly about what God expects of us, and what He provides for us, even when we're still on the journey to live out both fully.

Life with ease starts on the inside as we answer Jesus' quiet, simple invitation to the weary and burdened-to those who have lost their enthusiasm and sense of peace about life.

Rest well, Listen closely, and Produce nothing.

Three crucial components of soul-care to consider: (1) Limits, (2) Boundaries and (3) Replenishment.

1) Life without limits is not good for us.

We humans live life best when we live it in portions, honoring the God-designed limitations placed upon our existence.

2) Enough is Enough (Boundaries)

Limit the number of times I check my email or social media per day.

Live with fewer luxuries.

Limit the number of meetings, speaking, writing or coaching assignments per month.

Limit personal expectations.

Take care of relational obligations.

Replace worry with trust.

"Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear," "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength."

Limit the times I say yes.

"Don't let others, or even needs, set your priorities. Needs and opportunities are not necessarily true indicators of God's will."

3) Replenishment

Gods plans for us to live as a light source for others while we're on our way to see Him face to face, we had better make sure we have, and keep, enough lamp oil to burn brightly through an extremely long and dark night.

God doesn't ask me to solve everyone's problems for them, even in my area of experience or expertise.

He gave attention to the one He was with, in the moment.

When it came to the crowds, Jesus wasn't intimidated. Yet He put space between Himself and the throngs.

Jesus didn't hesitate to withdraw from the multitudes for prayer and solitude.

We simply must be replenished because life drains us.

Chapter 10: Vision
God sometimes conceals, and also reveals, secrets in smallness-if only we have the vision to see.

We catch that vision in different ways: through the inner desires God places in our hearts, by outer circumstances that stir us, and because of the gifts-those God-given talents, abilities, and interests-that beg to be used as an expression of our faith and love.

There's one thing about a vision-once it captures your heart and stirs your passion, it becomes a rudder that steers the course of your life....if you pull up the anchor of hesitation and go with it.

The right vision starts and ends with seeing God more clearly.

Don't let others define or limit your God-given vision.

Vision requires feet. Vision requires us to act on what we see.

Jesus-hearted leaders keep their vision open to course correction.

Jesus-hearted vision shows us the unseen, the things that others miss.

Rest in knowing that your vision is just one part of the bigger picture God sees, and oversees, with great precision.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Passion

Steven Furtick Sticks and Stones Message
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/sermon-series/sticks-and-stones/

This is an old well not that old sermon from Steven Furtick on Passion. He had four great points regarding passion in people. Isn't always true when we are passionate about something is what we always think about. I know some passionate people that I get to serve with every Sunday. These individuals love what they do in and for the house of our God. There are so many things that we can be passionate about. Think about what your passionate about and how that ties into your relationship with Christ? He gave us those passions but are we using them for selfish reasons or for kingdom reasons?

Point#1 Passionate People carry out small assignments with a willing spirit

Point #2 Passionate People must guard there strength or it will become a double weakness

Point#3 Passionate People interpret intimidation as an invitation to something great. Things that intimidate you; we must press pass the intimidation but see it as in invitation to experience God in a greater way

Point#4 Passionate People will fight to the finish in the battles that matter the most.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Five for Friday

So much has been going on these past two weeks and I honestly don't know what happened when but here are some pics from the past week.
 
Micah is learning how to Multi-Task. Watching TV and working on her laptop.
 

I went to Corpus for a Baby Shower of a friend. They have been so faithful in serving in His church and He has blessed them with a Baby Girl due in April.
 

Micah making sure her stuffed animal is ready for dinner.
 

We've gone to Soy. For Micah that is. She's been suffering from some constipation so we made the switch to see if it will help.
 

Eating her sister's Ice Cream. Once she saw Elena eating it she had to have it. She had it in her hair and all over her bib and hands.
 
The joys of memories.
Happy Friday and Happy Valentines Day!!!