Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Wholesome Programming????
Check out my blog on our Family Page....
http://www.thejohnsonsstory.blogspot.com/2013/01/wisdom-wednesday-boob-tube.html
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Don't forget about the pastor!
I was searching the web and reading articles today. I found this on Crosswalk.com and thought I would share.
Here are 12 words of encouragement for pastors:
Choose your friends wisely… but choose friends. Don’t attempt to lead alone. Too many pastors avoid close friendships because they’ve been hurt. They trusted someone with information who used it against them. Finding friends you can trust and be real with means you’ll sometimes get injured, but the reward is worth it.
The church can never love your family as much as you do. Your family needs you more than the church does. They can get another pastor. Your family doesn’t want another you. You’ll have to learn to say “no,” learn how to balance and prioritize your time, and be willing to delegate to others in the church....
If you protect your Sabbath day, your Sabbath day can better protect you. You’ll wear out quickly without a day a week to rejuvenate. God designed us this way. Take advantage of His provision. Take time to rest. You may not rest like everyone else… for me rest doesn’t mean doing nothing… but you need time away from the demands of ministry regularly. Lead your church to understand you can’t be everywhere every time. You owe it to yourself, your family, your church and your God.
You have influence… use it well. The pastorate comes with tremendous power and responsibility. It’s easy to abuse or take for granted. Don’t. Humility welcomes the hand of God on your ministry.
No amount of accountability or structure will keep you from temptation if you’re heart is impure. Above all else, guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23) Avoid any hint of temptation. Look for the warning signs your heart is drifting. Keep your heart saturated with God’s Word and in prayer.
Let God lead. You can do some things well. God can do the impossible. Whom do you think should ultimately be leading the church? You’ll be surprised how much more effective your leadership will be when it’s according to His will and not yours.
If you can dream it, God can dream it bigger. Don’t dismiss the seemingly ridiculous things God calls you to do. They won’t always make sense to others or meet their immediate approval, but God’s ways will prove best every time.
Keep Jesus the center of focus in the church. You’ll never have a money problem, a people problem, or a growth problem if people are one with Jesus.
Your personal health affects the health of the church. Take care of yourself relationally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This, too, requires discipline, balance, and prioritizing, but if, to the best of your ability, you strive to be healthy in every area of your life, as a good shepherd, your people will be more likely to follow your example.
The people in your church deserve authenticity. Not only will be honest about who you are help keep you from trying to meet unreal expectations, but it will help the people in your church be transparent with you and others. Don’t be someone you’re not. Be someone worthy to follow, but make sure you’re living it… not just teaching it.
You’ll never make everyone happy. If you try, you’ll be very unhappy… and very unproductive.
Your calling is to a person… Jesus. That means you are working for Jesus. You ultimately report to Jesus. It is the pleasure of Jesus you are seeking. There will be days your calling is challenged by others. You’ll be tempted to cave in to the pressure of those with the loudest voices. Don’t forget who holds the title to your life.
Here are 12 words of encouragement for pastors:
Choose your friends wisely… but choose friends. Don’t attempt to lead alone. Too many pastors avoid close friendships because they’ve been hurt. They trusted someone with information who used it against them. Finding friends you can trust and be real with means you’ll sometimes get injured, but the reward is worth it.
The church can never love your family as much as you do. Your family needs you more than the church does. They can get another pastor. Your family doesn’t want another you. You’ll have to learn to say “no,” learn how to balance and prioritize your time, and be willing to delegate to others in the church....
If you protect your Sabbath day, your Sabbath day can better protect you. You’ll wear out quickly without a day a week to rejuvenate. God designed us this way. Take advantage of His provision. Take time to rest. You may not rest like everyone else… for me rest doesn’t mean doing nothing… but you need time away from the demands of ministry regularly. Lead your church to understand you can’t be everywhere every time. You owe it to yourself, your family, your church and your God.
You have influence… use it well. The pastorate comes with tremendous power and responsibility. It’s easy to abuse or take for granted. Don’t. Humility welcomes the hand of God on your ministry.
No amount of accountability or structure will keep you from temptation if you’re heart is impure. Above all else, guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23) Avoid any hint of temptation. Look for the warning signs your heart is drifting. Keep your heart saturated with God’s Word and in prayer.
Let God lead. You can do some things well. God can do the impossible. Whom do you think should ultimately be leading the church? You’ll be surprised how much more effective your leadership will be when it’s according to His will and not yours.
If you can dream it, God can dream it bigger. Don’t dismiss the seemingly ridiculous things God calls you to do. They won’t always make sense to others or meet their immediate approval, but God’s ways will prove best every time.
Keep Jesus the center of focus in the church. You’ll never have a money problem, a people problem, or a growth problem if people are one with Jesus.
Your personal health affects the health of the church. Take care of yourself relationally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This, too, requires discipline, balance, and prioritizing, but if, to the best of your ability, you strive to be healthy in every area of your life, as a good shepherd, your people will be more likely to follow your example.
The people in your church deserve authenticity. Not only will be honest about who you are help keep you from trying to meet unreal expectations, but it will help the people in your church be transparent with you and others. Don’t be someone you’re not. Be someone worthy to follow, but make sure you’re living it… not just teaching it.
You’ll never make everyone happy. If you try, you’ll be very unhappy… and very unproductive.
Your calling is to a person… Jesus. That means you are working for Jesus. You ultimately report to Jesus. It is the pleasure of Jesus you are seeking. There will be days your calling is challenged by others. You’ll be tempted to cave in to the pressure of those with the loudest voices. Don’t forget who holds the title to your life.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Follow the Leader
I found this poem on another church planter's wife's blog, so fitting and thought I would share...
I want to scream “This is not what I signed up for”
He gently reminds me I surrendered my all to Him.
I feel hurt, forsaken, alone.
He brings scripture to my mind about Him never leaving me.
I want to run,
I am not sure if I want to run away from the life I have
Or run to Him begging for understanding.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
He gave His all for me,
But I do not want to give Him my time.
My mouth speaks words of being willing to be uncomfortable for Him.
My heart fills with anger the moment something becomes out of place in my perfect world.
The words He speaks to me seem contradictory.
He reminds me His plan is perfect.
I muster up the strength to tell Him I am willing
He tells me He knew I would be
I am humbled
He leads me to the path I will walk down
With my hand in His, together we take the first steps.
I want to scream “This is not what I signed up for”
He gently reminds me I surrendered my all to Him.
I feel hurt, forsaken, alone.
He brings scripture to my mind about Him never leaving me.
I want to run,
I am not sure if I want to run away from the life I have
Or run to Him begging for understanding.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
He gave His all for me,
But I do not want to give Him my time.
My mouth speaks words of being willing to be uncomfortable for Him.
My heart fills with anger the moment something becomes out of place in my perfect world.
The words He speaks to me seem contradictory.
He reminds me His plan is perfect.
I muster up the strength to tell Him I am willing
He tells me He knew I would be
I am humbled
He leads me to the path I will walk down
With my hand in His, together we take the first steps.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Freedom of Speech
I have refrained from getting on the social media soap box about Chik-Fil-A.
Yes the status updates and comments about Chik-Fil-A have completely taken over my newsfeed the last few days.
Have you seen it today? That is ALL anyone has posted about.
Did I have my Chik-Fil-A today? YES I DID!!!
My thoughts on the situation: Dan Cathy said in an interview that the company was very much supportive of the family, with a puase, and then the words that have been heard worldwide....
"THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF THE FAMILY UNIT".
No he didn't ;) Yes he did!
So what does the bible say?? Here are a few!
Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
1 Corinthinas 6: 9-10 - Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
So if you look at scripture, the Bible clearly condems homosexuality & same sex marriages.
Am I saying that this sin is greater than another?? NO.
Based on the Bible this is wrong. Mr Cathy was slammed for stating what he believed in. In no way did he Gay Bash! Why should someone be slammed for stating their beliefs!
This weekend we were in the local mall and two female girls, they couldn't have been more than 13 years old, walked right out in front of me and my two girls holding hands. REALLY!
#1 where are your parents???
#2 My 7 and 10 year old don't need to see this back-to-school shopping.
America has lost its value along the way! WE do have freedom of speech and freedom to believe what we want. We don't slam you when you openly show PDA in front of us! Don't slam a good business man because his business is based and ran on christian values.
I supprted my Chik-Fil-A today!
Did you???
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thick Skin
Am I the only one that feels like being in the position of "minister's wife" it is a must to have thick skin.
Like many church planter wives, you are thrust into the ministry. As you have read in my previous posts the ministry that I have been thrust into is the Children's ministry.
There have been so many times when I have felt completely out of place because of the way that people talk about the church. As I know this shouldn't bother me, it does! My husband has poured so much into this church from the beginning. So many hours that are not even to be counted. I am learning to let things roll right off of me, but it is a virtue that I have not quite accomplished.
My prayer for today is to not hold grudges against those that speak negatively of our church or my husbands role as a preacher/pastor/boss. Lord please forgive me for getting angry with those that speak unkindly of him. Let my heart be filled with Love and Joy all the time. Lord help me to see the good in people when it is really hard to see. Lord I thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Amen
Please pray with me as well.
Like many church planter wives, you are thrust into the ministry. As you have read in my previous posts the ministry that I have been thrust into is the Children's ministry.
There have been so many times when I have felt completely out of place because of the way that people talk about the church. As I know this shouldn't bother me, it does! My husband has poured so much into this church from the beginning. So many hours that are not even to be counted. I am learning to let things roll right off of me, but it is a virtue that I have not quite accomplished.
My prayer for today is to not hold grudges against those that speak negatively of our church or my husbands role as a preacher/pastor/boss. Lord please forgive me for getting angry with those that speak unkindly of him. Let my heart be filled with Love and Joy all the time. Lord help me to see the good in people when it is really hard to see. Lord I thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Amen
Please pray with me as well.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
HELP!!!!
Planting a church is some hard work! I thought that the actual planting was hard and a lot of work......hahahahaha! I am sure most Church Planter / Preacher's wives are thrust into the ministry. Sometimes by choice, sometimes not so much by choice. Well in the planting of the church I agreed to help with the Children's Ministry. WOW!!! Being a church plant for military and military families, we have A LOT of kids. We have outgrown the structure we had in place a couple of times. And once again we are having to re-do the children's ministry. This time we are adding two more classes. While these are WONDERFUL growing pains. They sometimes can be just that....PAINS! While I work with the children's ministry, my hubby continues his work on our church. My house is severely lacking in LOTS of areas right now. Really look what I found in the dirty clothes..
This is what our dirty clothes hamper looks like. The house is DIRTY!!! Not to mention, my work at my job is stacking up to the ceiling. And just when I think I am beginning to get on top of things, we have a phone call to visit at a hospital, counsel with someone or just a family event that needs our attention.
This week things have really been put into perspective for me. All of the things that we do, don't matter if we lose our family in the mean time. It is so important that in anything we do our main focus should be on God and everything else will fall into place. It is so easy to lose focus. It is easy to place importance on things that do not make a difference. My priorities from this point forward: 1) God 2) Family 3) the church. Some could get angry with me that I put the church last on my list. I think this is the way everyone should prioritize their list!
I have to quit blogging I need to get back to work!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Job Description for Preacher's Wife
I found this on the internet and thought is was cute and yet so true :) Enjoy!
HELP WANTED: Pastor’s wife. Must sing, play music, lead youth groups, raise seraphic children, entertain church notables, minister to other wives, have ability to recite Bible backward and choreograph Christmas pageant. Must keep pastor sated, peaceful and out of trouble. Difficult colleagues, demanding customers, erratic hours. Pay: $0.
The story continues,
The basic job description for pastors’ wives hasn’t changed in a century. But pastors’ wives have. The rise of megachurches, dual-career couples and women’s independence have complicated the role and in some cases intensified the frustrations. A recent spate of scandals involving prominent pastors has underscored the challenges their wives face. Eight in 10 pastors’ wives say they feel unappreciated or unaccepted by their husbands’ congregations, according to surveys by the Global Pastors Wives Network (GPWN); the same number wish their husbands would choose another profession. “Wives’ issues” is the No. 1 reason pastors leave their ministries. The divorce rate among ministers and their wives is 50%, no better than that of the general public.
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