I ran across a fascinating book title the other day: The Light Belongs In the Darkness by Patricia King. It grabbed my attention, because it seemed so wrong to me-- light and darkness do not co-exist. Light forces darkness out, it drives the darkness away.
God spoke to me through that title. No, I didn't hear a voice in my head. It just seemed clear to me, almost as if the thought was spoken aloud: "There is your answer to the question you always ask: Why did God send a depressed person to Alaska to live in darkness?"
I belong here, because my light was meant to shine brighter in the darkness.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Thursday, April 06, 2006
The Life of a Pastor's Wife
I really think I should write a book someday, with a title along these lines:
THE LIFE OF A PASTOR'S WIFE
The first thing I want to do in this column is to express my love and appreciation to you and offer my prayers for a blessed Holy Week. So many will come under your influence who do not understand the cross — or redemption. Please help those you serve this next week to grasp how "high and wide and deep and long" is the love of Jesus (Ephesians 3).
The second thing I wish to address is the emotional and spiritual health of your spouse.
With so much attention being given by the media to the tragic death of Pastor Matthew Winkler, including a recent article in USAToday (4/3/06), I thought it appropriate to give some thought to the mindset of a pastor's wife who was so frustrated — depressed, maybe — that she would shoot her husband in the back.
I admit I do not know any more than you do about the motive of Mary Winkler, but I do interact a great deal with clergy wives. And I sense their concern — and even, at times, their futility.
Oh, I realize that not all clergy wives struggle with the challenges presented when you share your spouse and family with a congregation. But I have not met many who have not had their moments.
Here is what I hear: "Our family needs more balance. It seems we are owned by the church." "Sometimes, when I see how my husband is treated by the church leaders, I wonder if it's all worth it?" "I'm concerned about my husband's health. He does not sleep well, eat well or find time for himself."
When they talk about themselves, so often it is in the area of their own identity or relationship. "I'm not sure who I can trust." "So many of the expectations for me are unrealistic." "If we didn't work here, I'm not sure we would even attend this church." "Sundays are my roughest day of the week." "I feel a heaviness in my heart that I can't describe."
Well, you know the rest. As couples in ministry, you must keep talking, keep observing the one you love. Don't be afraid to ask how the other is doing, and take time to be together. And, if you have a problem — please get help!! Call us on our toll-free Pastoral Care Line at 877-233-4455. Ministry should be a joy — full of love and respect for one another.
Happy Easter! —HBL
Taken from: The Pastor's Weekly Briefing
"Focus on the Family -- Pastoral Ministries"
Volume 14, Number 14 April 7, 2006
THE LIFE OF A PASTOR'S WIFE
The first thing I want to do in this column is to express my love and appreciation to you and offer my prayers for a blessed Holy Week. So many will come under your influence who do not understand the cross — or redemption. Please help those you serve this next week to grasp how "high and wide and deep and long" is the love of Jesus (Ephesians 3).
The second thing I wish to address is the emotional and spiritual health of your spouse.
With so much attention being given by the media to the tragic death of Pastor Matthew Winkler, including a recent article in USAToday (4/3/06), I thought it appropriate to give some thought to the mindset of a pastor's wife who was so frustrated — depressed, maybe — that she would shoot her husband in the back.
I admit I do not know any more than you do about the motive of Mary Winkler, but I do interact a great deal with clergy wives. And I sense their concern — and even, at times, their futility.
Oh, I realize that not all clergy wives struggle with the challenges presented when you share your spouse and family with a congregation. But I have not met many who have not had their moments.
Here is what I hear: "Our family needs more balance. It seems we are owned by the church." "Sometimes, when I see how my husband is treated by the church leaders, I wonder if it's all worth it?" "I'm concerned about my husband's health. He does not sleep well, eat well or find time for himself."
When they talk about themselves, so often it is in the area of their own identity or relationship. "I'm not sure who I can trust." "So many of the expectations for me are unrealistic." "If we didn't work here, I'm not sure we would even attend this church." "Sundays are my roughest day of the week." "I feel a heaviness in my heart that I can't describe."
Well, you know the rest. As couples in ministry, you must keep talking, keep observing the one you love. Don't be afraid to ask how the other is doing, and take time to be together. And, if you have a problem — please get help!! Call us on our toll-free Pastoral Care Line at 877-233-4455. Ministry should be a joy — full of love and respect for one another.
Happy Easter! —HBL
Taken from: The Pastor's Weekly Briefing
"Focus on the Family -- Pastoral Ministries"
Volume 14, Number 14 April 7, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Songs that Still My Soul
The words to some precious old hymns appear on this post, "Words That Shake My Soul". I like to think along the lines of calming, and quieting my soul, rather than shaking my soul. Hebrews 12 talks about an "Unshakable Kingdom", but only after the author urges entering into rest. Hebrews 6:19(NIV) says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
I believe we are in a time when all things that can be shaken will be shaken. But there is rest for our souls, if we have HOPE in Christ.
The Hymn-writers knew that kind of hope. "It Is Well With My Soul - Be Still My Soul - I've Anchored My Soul (Haven of Rest), etc., etc.." It was that kind of hope that made the musicians play "Near to the Heart of God" as the Titanic was sinking.
To whom or what would your soul cling, if you were surrounded by such tragedy and chaos, as the recent ferry-boat sinking, the 9-11 explosions, or the Katrina flooding?
"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6Hebrews 12:25-29 (The Message)
I believe we are in a time when all things that can be shaken will be shaken. But there is rest for our souls, if we have HOPE in Christ.
The Hymn-writers knew that kind of hope. "It Is Well With My Soul - Be Still My Soul - I've Anchored My Soul (Haven of Rest), etc., etc.." It was that kind of hope that made the musicians play "Near to the Heart of God" as the Titanic was sinking.
To whom or what would your soul cling, if you were surrounded by such tragedy and chaos, as the recent ferry-boat sinking, the 9-11 explosions, or the Katrina flooding?
"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
Hebrews 12:25-29 (The Message)
25So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn't get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? 26His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time--he's told us this quite plainly--he'll also rock the heavens: "One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern." 27The phrase "one last shaking" means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. 28Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom!
Thanks be to God!
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
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