It’s an older post, but still worth a gander if you haven’t see it already. Death by Ministry by Mark Driscoll is an excellent read.

Two things.

First, apparently we’re famous. Check us out in the article, The Lonely Life of a Pastor’s Wife by Gracie Bonds Staples in yesterday’s edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Second, if I build it, will you come? They say we (i.e. pastors’ wives) are lonely. Well, I know I am on occasion, and if the comments and emails I get are any indication, it seems many of you are too. One way to fight loneliness is to find someone else who understands your situation. (Yes, so profound.) I don’t know about you, but it’s not like I come across other pastors’ wives very often, mainly because most of the people I associate with on a regular basis are the people in our church and since my husband is the only pastor, that makes me the only pastor’s wife in the near vicinity.

So, I had a thought. If I started a forum/message board just for pastors’ wives (and/or ministry wives), would you be into it? I mean, do you think you’d participate? It’d be a place where we could connect, get to know each other and talk about stuff that’s unique to our weird lives.

Just thought I’d throw that out there to get a pulse on where you all are at. I know life is busy and maybe the last thing you need is another time-sucking online activity. I certainly don’t need to spend all kinds of time and energy getting a forum started if I’m the only one who’s gonna be in it. That would make me feel really lonely.

So what do you think?

We (Brian and I) got into a discussion recently with several others about the concept of being “fishers of men” (Luke 5:1-11).

Here’s one of the reasons he is the pastor and I am not:

Brian: We are all called to be “fishers of men” but being a “fisher of men” doesn’t necessarily mean we are all called to be evangelists. Some of us are called to make the fishing pole, some are called to gather the fish, some are called to cast the net…

Me (without thinking of course): And some of us feel called to throw the bad ones back.

OK, so we’ve been out of town for the last five days at a conference for leaders in our denomination. I thought I’d have the opportunity to do a little email, posting, etc. Why I thought this, I have no idea, because conferences are always jammed packed with whatnot. Then throw a few kids under the age of five into the mix and suddenly, trying to do anything other than survive the chaos is completely out of the question. So, I have had no virtual contact in five days and I feel very out of sorts not to mention way behind.

Anyhow, the conference was great, mostly because it was comforting to be in the presence of other pastors and leaders doing the same stuff we’re doing. I was grateful to be reminded of the purpose in it all. I can’t tell you how good that is because sometimes I wonder if we are completely out of our minds.

I love being inspired by someone who has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to accomplish something great. Few things give me more hope for the future and courage to press on in my own endeavors.

The following may sound like a shameless plug, but I assure you I have no connection to this organization in any way. I’m simply impressed by one woman who has allowed herself to be used by God, has been committed to following His voice and has impacted thousands of lives in the process.

I’m talking about Nancy Alcorn. If you’ve not heard of Nancy, she single-handedly started a ministry for troubled young women in the 70’s. Today, Mercy Ministries is a powerful force in the lives of hurting women around the world. It’s a program that offers professional help & Christ’s love for those struggling with eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, sexual addictions, depression, suicide and more. Mercy Ministries accepts no state or federal funding and provides their services free of charge to accepted applicants. Yes, that’s right, the program is completely free to women who have a strong desire to see their lives turn around.

Though I’ve never met Nancy, I imagine a conversation with her would reveal some challenging times in her journey. When she began by herself in the 70’s, I wonder if she ever imagined Mercy Ministries would turn into what it has today. She may have started small, but thank God she started.

What will you start?

It happened once at the post office and once in the parking lot of a local strip mall. This time it happened in the candy aisle of the drugstore at 11 pm. I’m talking about seeing the same casual acquaintance in the most random places around town.

Despite not knowing each other well, my overseas experience as a kid and her ministry has led to a common interest: missions. It’s this topic that inevitably comes up when we run into each other.

For the last several years, my friend has single-handedly run a ministry targeting international students in our area, teaching them English, building relationships and sharing the Gospel. It hasn’t been an easy program to keep going. Recruiting people to help her has often been like “pulling teeth.” In particular, she’s had a hard time finding others to train as leaders. But something happened this summer that changed all that: She got cancer and has a 50% chance of survival.

As I listened to her story–how people are getting saved and how she now has not one but four people eager and willing to lead, I was amazed at her faith and her peace about the future. One comment she made has stuck with me. She said something like this: “I didn’t think it would be in my weakness that God would come through so strongly.” And isn’t that they way it is. When we’re open to Him having full control of our lives, we will be amazed at how and when He works.

Obviously my friend doesn’t like having cancer, but it seems clear it has catapulted her to a new level in ministry and God’s grace is sustaining her as she needs. It was so inspiring to see real faith in action. I pray I can have the same attitude…come what may.