Have You Experienced Ministry Burnout Too?

Have you ever been drained or burnt out in ministry?  Ever felt like you couldn't possibly pour into another human being ever again?  Or maybe you became bitter while serving the Lord?  I've been there, my friend, and I must say it isn't a fun spiritual place to be.  

For several years my husband and I ran a homeschool group.  (And, no, I don't believe homeschooling is for everyone, but that's a different post.)  Anyhow, with running an organization like that I was able to use several of my talents and skills and some of my spiritual gifts.  After a few years into the ministry, I came to realize that I was spending the majority of my time in administering things, as well as, handling conflict.  Every leader knows that dealing with conflict is a crucial part of their role.  However, for me, my heart and passion was to encourage and equip the women, but my leadership and administration roles always took precedence.  

Why the Bible Calls Me the Weaker Vessel...& a Link Up!

When I was a single gal and new in the Lord I was going through the Bible learning what the Word had to say about being a godly wife.  As I read the following verse in 1 Peter, I must say I was rather insulted by it!

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.  1 Peter 3:7

What?  Why would I be a weaker vessel?  I'm just as strong as a man.  I'm independent and I can take care of myself!

Then I started to date my man and that's when the Lord began to dish me out some humble pie.  And to this day I still don't like the taste of that stuff.

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

Did you know that God has given every single one of His children a gift?  Not just any old gift that can rust away but a spiritual gift hand-picked by God specifically for you!  Yep, He has.  He has given all of His kiddos a special ability to serve Him so the Body of Christ is uplifted and encouraged. Now, that's my kinda gift!  

Well, as a new believer I wanted to use my gifts for Him but I didn't know what they were.  So I just decided to jump into ministry hoping I'd figure them out along the way.  I tried several different ones and I kinda felt like Goldilocks going from one bowl of porridge to the next hoping to find the right fit for me!

Stay Engaged to the One You're Married To...& a Link Up!

Do you remember the time of your wedding engagement?  How you were just so giddy and in love with your man?  You longed to see him.  Perhaps you couldn't wait to be held in his arms and receive that sweet tender kiss from him.  And you were so filled with excitement and anticipation as you were about to become his wife! 

He wooed you didn't he?  Pursued you?  Hung on your every word?  Complimented you?  You felt treasured and special.  You knew he was the one for you.

But now that you're married, it's easy to see the problems, bad habits, self-centeredness, and insensitivities that he has.  Your man is no longer focused on you because his focus has shifted. (Just like yours has.)  Perhaps now your husband is consumed with providing for you and the kids. Maybe he's focused on schooling or finding a new career, job, or building a business.  Perhaps he has fallen and gotten knocked down in life.  Maybe he has experienced a chronic and debilitating illness or lost a job or maybe he just can't figure life out and he's having a hard time getting back up again.  

Can You Hear the Lord's Voice?

Many years ago I thought there was something spiritually wrong with me because I didn't hear God speak to me.  You know what I'm talking about....when you hear people say, "God told me this." "Or the Lord put it on my heart to do that." 

The Bible talks about the sheep knowing the Shepherd's voice. 

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  John 10:27

We, as children of God, are obviously the little ewe lambs and the Lord is our Shepherd, right?  Well what happens when the little lambs don't know what the Shepherd's voice sounds like?  

The Main Ingredient to Grow Your Marriage

Today I spent some time thinking about you, dear reader.  Yes, you.   My recent post, 20 Reasons a Wife Doesn't Want to Have Sex, has stirred up some openness in women as they've shared their hearts and hurts on infidelity, pornography, sexual abuse, marital/sexual problems, etc.  

I've read countless testimonies and comments from hurting wives all over the internet and my heart is just broken for all who are in painful and struggling marriages.  I literally wept for you.  I know that sounds absurd, but it's true.  

Now let me just say right now that I'm not the weepy, overly-emotional, feeling-oriented, type of gal.  And being a woman, I'm not sure why that is.  I've often thought it was because I had more testosterone in my body than most women.  Or maybe it was because I was raised with all boys and have boys myself.  Soft and delicate are two words that are not common in my vocabulary.  Or perhaps it's all the walls that I've built around me that keeps me somewhat numb, closed off.  I tell you all this because it's not in my fleshly nature to be so open and compassionate to....a complete stranger.  I'm more of the reserved kinda personality.  Guarded is a better word for it.  I tend to keep people at arms distance for fear that I might be rejected or attacked.  Yeah, that's how I roll. (And no, it's not that time of the month for me, either!)

Anyways, I tell you this because God was moving in my heart for you.  So I wanted to share with you something that will help you grow your marriage, no matter how good, bad or ugly it is.  

20 Reasons a Wife Doesn't Want to Have Sex...& a Link Up!

Many, many years ago I couldn't wait to experience my honeymoon.  The day when I could finally know my husband on a sexual level.  But now the honeymoon is over and real life has begun. Yet, I can't help but think back to that first night, as well as, the early months of our relationship.  Oh how I longed to be with him!  And the idea of not desiring to be intimate with my husband was never a thought that crossed my mind.  But after 14 yeas of marriage, that newness that was once there has diminished, and life has crept into our relationship.

So this got me to thinking about wives in general.  I often hear how many of them don’t have much of a desire to be sexually intimate with their man.  And I have wondered what has changed for them.  You see, I personally do not believe that any new bride had intentions of avoiding or depriving her man of sex when she said yes to his marriage proposal.  But something has happened in their marriage.  There is a break down of some sort that is causing her to turn away from him intimately.  

The #1 Secret to a Great Marriage

It's the most simplest concept you'll ever hear, yet it's THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO DO on a daily basis!

So........ what's this one little secret that will make your marriage great?

Why We Believe the Lies from the Enemy

I turned sweet 16 this past Friday.  On July 6th, 1996, it was the day I became a born-again Christian, a new creation in Christ Jesus.  And as a babe in Christ I had so much to learn (and still do!)

Not too long after my Christian journey began, I heard of false prophets.

False what?

What's a prophet?  Never heard of one.

How was I suppose to know what these liars had to say was a truth or a lie when I didn't even know the truth?

Don't people realize the Bible is a BIG book and you can't read it nor understand everything in it overnight?

Yep.  Those were pretty much my thoughts on the matter.

I'm Married to a Crummy Husband & a Marital Oneness Monday Link Up!

My husband and I are so different.  In fact, you can call us opposites.

I've often wondered what I was thinking when I married him.  I mean, after all, this is not what I thought married life would be like!

Sometimes he's so rude in the way that he speaks to me that I feel like he never considers my feelings.

He just doesn't understand me.

He hardly ever spends any time talking to me like he used to.

All he ever wants from me is sex.

He's certainly not very affectionate like he was when we were dating.

He throws a fit every time we have a disagreement.  Or he doesn't say a word.

I don't like they way he handles conflict with others.  Sometimes he does absolutely nothing about it and sticks his head in the sand.  Other times I wish he'd handle things my way because I'd be much more caring and gentle.

I don't think he works hard enough.  Or he's always working and he's never home.

I wish he'd make more money for our family.

I'm not sure he knows how to parent our children well enough.  Sometimes he acts like a distant father.  Or he acts like a child himself.

He never helps out around the house.  Or he expects the house to be in perfect order.

He's a tight wad with the money.  Or he does a poor job handling the money.

Perhaps if he was a better spiritual leader, maybe all my problems with him would disappear?

Unfortunately, these are the many things that I hear from wives about their husbands.

Other Vessels Pouring Out this Week...

Some of my favorite posts that I've read this week were the following:

How's Your Reputation by Good Morning Girls

Has it ever occurred to you that your reputation makes an impact on your husband's reputation?  Well, it does!  Jen writes, "Your spiritual life is not just about you and Jesus. It starts with you and your Savior, but it leads into and affects the lives of your husband and children and into the public square of your community."

Getting What You Give by Always Learning

Whether it's in your marriage or with others, Lori writes about reaping what we sow in relationships.

Mother in Laws Who Mock Our Values by Bible Love Notes

If you have a mother-in-law who doesn't share your same faith and values, then this post will help you to deal with some of those problems.  I thought this was a great post written by Gail.  

What Changed? by One Flesh Marriage

This post is written by a man's perspective about how his marriage went from being on the rocks to a good marriage and then to a great marriage.  He shares how his wife was instrumental in making those changes, first with baby steps and with hope.

The Great Water Balloon Alternative by Home with the Boys
This post was just plain fun!  If you've got kids or grand kids and (hot weather) then check this activity out.


Live a poured out life for Christ,

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Reading List 2012

I'm a little late to the reading party seeing how this is July, but I know that God doesn't care!

July

Forgotten God:  Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan
Wisdom for Today by Chuck Smith

August

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

September

Helper by Design by Elyse Fitzpatrick

October

Real Marriages by Mark and Grace Driscoll  (I'm curious about this one being that I've never heard him speak but I do know that controversy surrounds his name!)

November

How to Make Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah Mally

December

A Sacred Marriage:  What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy by Gary Thomas


So many books....so little time!

Sister, what are some good books that you're reading?


Live a poured out life for Christ,

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I'm linking up with:  Sarah Mae,

When Your Life is a Mess and You Don't Know What to Do

Welcome back to The Power of the Holy Spirit Series!  If you’re new here, then I encourage you to take the time to read the first two posts in this series, My Burning Bush Experience and How Often Do You See Your Best Friend?  

Sometimes life is a big fat mess and we just don't know what to do or where to turn. I've been there, my friend!  But today I wanted to share with you how to grow in your biblical understanding so you can navigate through this world and make the right decisions.  And one of the things that's needed to make wise choices is hearing the Lord and growing in your faith. But first I wanted to give you a glimpse into where my spiritual journey began.

I didn't know a whole lot of Truth, (the Bible) when I was a new believer.  I wasn't raised with learning the Scriptures and seeking the Lord.  When I got saved at 26 yrs. old, I spent the next 15 months of my walk alone.  Outside of my Pastor teaching from the pulpit, I didn't have anyone in the flesh teaching me how to navigate the Christian life, however, Jesus was always with me!

During the first 6 months of my new found life in Christ I went from church to church to church hearing how Jesus loved me and died for my sins.  While I appreciated hearing this important truth, I needed more instruction.  I needed to be equipped so I could walk through this life in a Godly way.  And although I read my Bible from cover to cover during that time I'm sure I didn't understand even half of what I read!

Can Female Friendships Threaten Oneness? and a Link Up!

Sister, I've got a treat for you!  Since I'm in the midst of writing my series on The Power of the Holy Spirit and today is Monday, the day I write on marriage, I thought I'd invite a special sister in the Lord to co-labor in the faith with me and share with you about marriage instead.

Elizabeth is our guest and she writes at her blogging home called, Warrior Wives.  Just the title of her blog alone resonated with my spirit and then when I read her words I knew she had a deep understanding for wedded bliss.  So without further ado, here's Elizabeth....