We are all called to ministry. Called to be the hands and feet of Jesus tending to the needs of those in our lives…the whole person…both physical and spiritual. I can make a list of those to whom I am called to minister. There is my husband, my sweet children, my Bible study group, my friends, my co-workers, my students, my neighbors, my barista….etc. But this spring I had the honor of a special assignment: minister to a missionary.
Harvey Jones was an important businessman in the state of Arkansas. He started a delivery business with a mule team and a wagon when he was 18 years-old, and over the course of a lifetime built the largest trucking company in the country, The Jones Truck Line. He and his wife, Bernice, were community minded and loved supporting children and young families.
Today over on the Women Living in Faith podcast, Gretchen and I discuss the topic of deception.
As Christian, we are often deceived in believing that the conflicts we get caught up in are struggles with the people or situations in our life. This is so not the truth.
We are fortunate in Northwest Arkansas to have so many great attractions. One of the most unique is the Crystal Bridges Art Museum. Nestled in the woods just north of the Bentonville city square is a mecca for art enthusiasts. Last time I visited, Harrison Ford was there. WHAT??!!!?
Aside from the amazing collection of art on exhitbit, my favorite aspect of this experience is enjoying the shear beauty of the architecture. There is just too much to take in on one visit!
Last weekend the weather was absolutely perfect! When we woke up on Saturday, we packed a cooler and a picnic lunch and headed out on a day trip to Devil’s Den State Park. We hiked the Devil’s Den trail. The last time we took this particular trail our son was in a backpack carrier. Even though he is only 3 and 1/2, he is extremely athletic. He loved this 1.5 mile trail through the Ozark Mountains.
Growing up, my mom and her sisters had a set menu for every holiday. Among the many southern casseroles which were staples, I always looked forward to Aunt Susie’s Cherry Cream Pie (a no-bake cheesecake). She knew I liked it so much that she would make an extra for me to take one home.
Since I have been married, I now take it with me to all my in-law gatherings, because it isn’t a holiday without this blissful dessert!
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
If we are all honest, we would admit that we struggle with the issue of pride in one way or another. I remember in college sitting with one of my Bible professors, Dr. Ken Neller, and asking him if I would get over my struggle with pride. Fast forward 15 years and I am still wondering the same thing.
As I have walked through Beth Moore’s book Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free from Spriritual Strongholds, I have learned so much about pride.
When I walked into Braum’s, I saw her sitting in the corner. She had that familiar look on her face. You probably know the one I’m talking about. Desperation had lead her to indulge her kids with a sweet treat of ice cream just so she could sit in crowded solitude for the five minutes it took them to eat it.
I have been there too!
The momma heart in me wanted to run over, hand her a $100 bill that I didn’t have, and tell her I would watch her kids while she went out and got a massage.
Last week I told you about my new favorite book Surprised By Motherhood: Everything I never expected about being a mom by Lisa-Jo Baker.
In the book she talks about losing her mother at the age of 18. She reflects on different parts of her childhood as she tries to “piece together scraps” and parent her own children through memories.
One memory was of her mom showing up late to pick her up from school. She said that she could “smell the popcorn on her breath” and that she knew that her mother had been to the movies. Lisa went on to say:
Sweet Friend,
I need a cup of coffee today with you!
I just need a moment to exhale…
Parenting is hard!
I never would have imagined the amount of physical and emotional energy it takes to raise a child. The one thing that was really surprising to me was the spiritual aspect of it all. The burden I have to lead my child to the LORD is overwhelming.