I’m buried in books for five more weeks as I complete classes for my seminary degree.  One class is a masters level Old Testament class.  I’m constantly amazed to discover how much I don’t know, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about the archeological finds and verifying manuscripts found over the years that keep on confirming biblical history.  Pray for my poor brain!

I finally submitted the proposal for a next book–one for pastor wives. I’ll pick up working on that manuscript after Christmas, so if you have any great ideas or topics you’d like to suggest for it, let me know (click “add comment” below or email me.)  This is going to be a really great one!! I really enjoy encouraging pastors’ wives, and since I’ve spent most of my life in that role, it will be really fun to share tips and encouragements for that very important group of leaders. I’ll keep you up as this project progresses.

Steve and I led a deacons and wives retreat last weekend for two southern Indiana churches, and it was such fun.  One lady shared this gift exchange game, and I thought you might enjoy using it over the Christmas holidays. (I know! I know! It’s still not Thanksgiving yet. But if I file it away, you may never see it.) We’d used it years ago, and I’d lost the script. It’s easy, quick and fun for any age.

Keep on shining!

PASS-AROUND GIFT EXCHANGE

If you have a gift-exchange at your Sunday School class party, here’s a fun way to distribute the gifts.

The group sits in a circle, and each holds a gift. As the poem is being read (with deliberate emphasis on the words “right” and “left), each person passes his gift to the person on his right or left when the words “right” or “left” are read. At the end of the story, everyone opens the gift they are holding.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas when RIGHT through the house
Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse–
The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there.
The children were nestled RIGHT snug in their beds,
while visions of sugarplums danced RIGHT in their heads,
And mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter’s nap,
When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there rose such a clatter,
I sprang RIGHT from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the RIGHT window I LEFT like a flash;
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
LEFT a luster of midday to objects RIGHT below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleight and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick;
I knew RIGHT in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came;
and he whistled and shouted, and called them RIGHT by name:
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!
To the RIGHT top of the porch! To the LEFT top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash RIGHT away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
when they meet RIGHT with an obstacle, mount RIGHT up to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they LEFT flew,
with a sleighful of toys and St. Nicholas, too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard RIGHT on the roof,
the prancing and pawing of each little RIGHT and LEFT hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning LEFT around
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT from his head to his LEFT foot,
and his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung RIGHT on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His RIGHT and LEFT eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples were RIGHTmerry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was LEFT drawn up like a bow,
and the beard LEFT on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was RIGHT chubby and plump, a RIGHT, RIGHT jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his LEFT eye and a LEFT twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings; then turned LEFT with a jerk
And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose,
and giving a nod, he LEFT up the chimney he rose.
He sprang RIGHT to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
and away they all LEFT like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he LEFT–out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

I returned Thursday from five days in Texas, attending my daughter’s wedding shower and working on preparations for her January marriage. What a blessing to spend time with my precious daughter! But that’s not why I’m exhausted.

We drove home from Kokomo just a few minutes ago, where Steve and I led a Deacon and Deacon Wives Retreat for five churches. It was beautifully hosted by Pastor Mike and Shanna Sawyer at Indian Heights Baptist. God is certainly using those enthusiastic leaders across that area of our state. But that’s not why I’m exhausted.

I’m trying hard not to over-stress with my final heavy semester of seminary classes and research papers and tests and books. It’s extremely time-consuming, but will be worth the effort when it’s over! 

I’m exhausted, though, because as I prepared a bio for a new book proposal for a book about pastor wives, I began counting my speaking engagements for the recent past. No, I certainly don’t consider myself a fabulous speaker, but I love the opportunities God gives to encourage pastor wives and deacon wives and Christian women. 

Many times every month, I travel across Indiana with my husband and his work with Southern Baptist churches, and I’ve enjoyed dozens of opportunities to speak at ladies retreats and conferences in our state. 

In addition to Indiana engagements, I realized I’d been in 26 states and three foreign countries in the past year and a half, with speaking engagements in twenty of those…

• Indiana,
• California,
• Colorado,  
• Delaware,
• Florida,
• Georgia,
• Hawaii,
• Illinois,
• Iowa,
• Kansas,
• Kentucky,
• Maryland,
• Michigan,
• Minnesota,
• Missouri, 
• Montana,
• New Mexico,
• North Carolina,
• North Dakota,
• Ohio,
• Oklahoma,
• South Carolina,
• Tennessee, 
• Texas,
• Virginia,
• Wisconsin,
• Mexico,
• Cuba and
• Ukraine.

In the past couple of years, I’ve had 50 speaking engagements at national, statewide, associational or local church events–women’s conferences, retreats, luncheons, training for pastor and deacon wives and women’s ministry leaders.

When I see that big picture, I’m overwhelmed. Exhausted! On a week by week basis, it doesn’t seem like that much! 

Maybe that’s why the Lord instructed us to “cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for you.”  I sure can’t handle this fun schedule alone, but with God, “all things are possible.” 

Well, maybe I’m not so exhausted…

Praising God for the opportunity to encourage His followers. Please keep us in your prayers.

Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry is featured in a two-page spread in B&H Publishing Group’s new Ministry Resource Catalog! 

—–

Ladies Retreat Idea:

The Whitewater Association’s women’s retreat today was such fun! I enjoyed facilitating a packed classroom of pastor wives, and encouraging them in their ministries.  I also had the privilege of leading a class about women’s ministry, and had a great group of women in that class, too. 

Their retreat theme was “Tree of Life” using these Scriptures:

First, the true wisdom “is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her” (Proverbs 3:18).

That true wisdom can be none other than Christ (I Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3).

One lady created a beautiful wall-sized tree visual with the Scripture and theme, and breakout classes centered around wisdom from God. 

One thing I especially enjoyed was the relaxed schedule. Though they had plenty of group time and breakout classes and music and testimonies, the overall time felt calm and very relaxed.  Fun retreat!

No matter your age, there is a younger woman in your church that God would have you mentor. 

I love encouraging women on this topic, and enjoyed leading a retreat on the subject.  Here’s one of the handouts.  Take a look at these simple tips to get started:

A Few Small Hints for a

Mentor

Do it.  Mentor. Be mentored. Set an example for others by mentoring.

Who will you mentor as a Christian woman? _______________________________________________________________________

Informal or informal. Make a plan.________________________________

First:

1      Be reverent in the way YOU live…

1      Not slanderers

1      Worthy of respect

      1    Teach what is good.

Then:   

Spend at least a few minutes together every week.

             Can only teach if you spend time. When? ___________________

             Listen carefully to her story.        

Use Titus 2:3-6 as a checklist guide after each meeting together: Encourage her…

1     To love her husband. Teach by example and encouragement

1     To love her children. Learn her children’s names. Be there when it counts.

1     To be self-controlled. Model self-control in difficult areas: Spending, eating, time management, priorities, temper, chocolate.

1     To be pure. Modesty. Motives. Priorities

1     To be busy at home. Not busybodies

1     To be kind

1     To be subject to her husband

Be approachable.

Speak well of her.

Introduce her to your friends.

Sit by her occasionally at church…

Remember the pig. (Proverbs 11:22)

Love her in spite of her imperfections.

Invite her to your home at least once.

Occasionally write a Scripture for her.

Help her discover and use her spiritual gifts.

Occasionally invite her out for coffee or lunch.

Recommend great Christian books you enjoy.

Include her in ministry with you when possible.

Set an example of joyful service in the church.

Put her birthday and anniversary on your calendar.

Pray for her daily. How can I pray for you? How has God been working in your life this week?

Always pray aloud for her. Bible study? Read same Christian book? Chats?

Set a great example for younger women in every area of life–body language, dress, attitude.

Just returned from a women’s retreat with Southside Baptist Church, and thought you might enjoy a couple of ideas I observed there. 

1)  Permeated theme.  My theme, “SHINE!”, was used everywhere! They prepared mini-skits for promotion in the church. For example, one lady arrives onstage laden with floodlights and Christmas lights and lanterns, etc. She states, “I heard they’re going to SHINE at the retreat, and I wanted to get a head start!”  There were stars and lights and candles everywhere–nametags, ceilings, notebooks, gift bags, entryway, etc. 

2)  Smile Prayer.  The team invited Sarah Bohrer and Heidi Hackney to lead worship–can’t beat that team!  Sarah also led a sun-up devotional time outside on the patio. Her conclusion was a time of encouragement and prayer like I’ve never seen before. She asked everyone to stand silently in a large circle. As they prayed for others in the circle, they were to make eye contact and smile as they prayed silently.  It was a very special time of silent (and personal) prayer for one another.

3) Photo Finish.  I’ve used this idea for staff parties, but it was absolutely perfect for a ladies retreat.  On the first evening of the retreat, the entire group was posed for a group photo. The next day, as ladies departed for home, they were presented with a small shine-themed gift, and a copy of the group photo. What a lovely surprise!  One team member’s husband took the photos and had copies made. If budget allows, you could even pick up cute frames at the dollar store for the photos. 

4) A visual promo idea. This church uses their group photos for its annual retreat promotion. They post a few group photos from previous years, labeled “Class of ‘02″ or “Class of ‘07″ and a caption, “Will you be in the ‘Class of ‘08′ Photo?”

Ladies’ retreats can be a great time of spiritual refreshment and growth, and can offer a fabulous opportunity for Christian fellowship.  Southside’s planning team did a wonderful job. It’s worth the effort!

What a fun weekend! I got to participate in Ohio’s state Baptist women’s retreat, leading a breakout class about Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry book. They had a huge crowd of joyful ladies, and the setting was gorgeous.

And I had the privilege of sharing at the annual Ladies Day at Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville IN. You wouldn’t believe what a lovely event they planned.

Over the weekend, though, several different women shared their own personal story of salvation with me.  One lady from another country told how, at an extremely troubled point in her life as an atheist,  she knelt and prayed for God to find her! Then, she said, “I met David Jeremiah!” She didn’t actually meet him; she found him on the radio, and proceeded to devour his teachings, prayed to receive Christ while sitting in her living room, and discovered that she needed to find a local church for discipleship and service. “So here I am!” she said.  An active, faithful member of the church, she continues to grow in her love for Christ.

They had a lovely setup for a book signing in Ohio, with sofas by a fireplace, and an opportunity to sit and visit with ladies who came.  Three different ladies told me about how they found Christ as their Savior. Three more amazing stories of a great God providing an eternal plan for an individual person. 

As I reflected on the weekend, many blessings could be listed, but the greatest one was hearing the life-changing story of how women found God’s salvation.

And after all that, Steve and I got to spend Sunday with our wonderful son in Ohio on his birthday. What a blessed weekend!

Debbie Hammond, wife of our North American Mission Board President, hosted a wonderful conference for wives of state leaders during the State Leaders Summer Meetings in Atlanta this week.  What quality leaders we have in our denomination’s ministries!

Months ago, Mrs. Hammond had invited me to share with these ladies at the conference.  Her team planned an adorable theme - “You Can Always Spot a Lady” - using ladybugs as a springboard to encourage these important leaders.  When my new book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, came out, she told me how thrilled she was to find a little ladybug on the cover art. Did you even notice that little bug? Isn’t God good to work out small details?? 

Nice Surprise!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Mrs. Hammond provided a copy of my new book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministries, for each attender.  Pray for the spouses of Baptist state leaders across our nation. 

Marriage matters…

Our daughter, Autumn, is engaged to be married to Yale Wall!  Marriage matters.

Aunt June and Uncle Ferris celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last week.  Marriage matters.

Steve and I will celebrate 37 years of marriage this month.

Marriage matters.

I just spent a week teaching the Deacon Wives track for Ridgecrest’s Evangelism/Discipleship week. Each of those women in the class spent the entire week learning how they can serve alongside their husbands. As I observed their commitment and excitement about serving God AND encouraging their husbands, I was reminded again…marriage matters.

Exciting days area ahead for Autumn and Yale.

And June and Ferris.

And Steve and I.

And all those deacons and wives. 

I’m so thankful that God gave me the gift of marriage to my husband. 

Proverbs 5:18
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

At Indiana’s East Central Association women’s retreat this weekend, I get to lead a breakout session about “How to Plan a Mission Trip.”  I love giving fun little tips, and I’m looking forward to the class.

However, for basic planning, there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel! I found these fabulous instruction guides, already prepared and ready for you to go. There is even a downloadable book about planning a mission trip. 

You’re going to love these: (more…)

I’m heading up to Lake Placid, near Muncie Indiana, for a weekend ladies retreat with the East Central Baptist Association churches.  Can’t wait!

The retreat theme, “The Aroma of Christ,” intrigues me.  I found a new table game called P.U.! It has scratch and sniff cards with smells, such as roses and skunks, etc.  Of course I bought the game, and I’ll use it as a fun illustration…

Interesting, though, that all smells aren’t sweet.  And the “aroma of Christ”–the scent of a Christian–smells differently to those who are being saved and those who are perishing…

…to one it’s the fragrance of life

…to the other it’s the scent of death.

      And it’s right there in the Scripture:  WE are the aroma of God. 

       Please pray for a blessed weekend with my “sisters” in Christ.  I hope the scratch-n-sniff cards hold out!

 ——–

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 states: 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.  And who is equal to such a task?”

The harvest is ripe.