Author: RefreshHer

Husband · Pastor

I’m Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello, Dear Readers! I have truly missed being able to connect with you here! It took a little longer to get Internet connections to our newly constructed house, but it was probably a good break. It has given me more time to get settled into our new home as well as participate in a couples retreat, direct a wedding, make a trip to Kentucky and host a couple gatherings – all in the last two weeks! Things have been busy, but very wonderful!

The view from my devotional chair

While we were moving and getting settled, so many people were a blessing to us; they refreshed us.

  • Some brought food and beverages on the day we moved.
  • Some helped me pack before the move.
  • Some helped me unpack after we moved.
  • Many sent cards of congratulations on our new home.
  • Some have come to visit and welcome us!
  • Some have given gracious gifts for our new home.
  • Many have prayed for all the details and let us know how they were praying.
  • Many have rejoiced with us in God’s provision. It’s harder to rejoice than to weep with those that weep. Seeing others’ joy in our blessing is really special.
If someone you know is moving, consider how you could refresh them at this time by looking at the list above and asking the Lord what He would have you do. Moving is a daunting task, so whatever you do for them will be really appreciated! If you can only pack up one cabinet of dishes, it will be one less cabinet they have to pack. If you could only have time to bake them some cookies for the day of their move, it will help fortify them on that exhausting day. The point is, do something. You will be refreshed as you encourage them!

Back to our desire to encourage our pastor and our husband:

Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from bitterness when her husband is criticized. Pray that her prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that she will guard her mind and heart. (As a pastor’s wife, I know how much I need this prayer! Thanks in advance for those that will pray this for me!)

Your Husband: Plant seeds of faithfulness into your husband’s heart by praising his integrity and loyal actions. Write him a note expressing how much it means to you that he has honored his marriage vow.
*Note: If there has been unfaithfulness in your relationship, thank the Lord that your husband is still with you, and thank your husband for it too. Keep building. God can make beauty from ashes!

I can’t wait for the days ahead! I have pictures of our house to show its progress. Though things aren’t decorated yet, I’m pretty well unpacked. I have some devotional thoughts I’ve been thinking about and some great new recipes to share too, so keep tuned! I’m back online! 

What have you been up to since we last met here? I missed you!!!!

Love and hugs,

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Stay Tuned…

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Hello Friends!

Please forgive my absence this week – our internet didn’t get set up earlier this week as we hoped. I have missed being able to blog this week, but I’ve had fun getting settled in the new home the Lord has graciously given us!

I’ll be back as soon as we’re online!

With love,

Prayer

Cottage of Content

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What a wonderful and very full week and a half this has been! We have moved out of two houses (my MIL’s and ours), moved into ours, gotten partially settled in, gone to The Wilds to speak for Family camp, cleaned the parsonage to ready it for selling, and then added all the other regular routines of ministry and life into those busy days. But you know what? It’s been so great! Our hearts are rejoicing in God’s goodness to us.

Last week while I was unpacking, I came across a little decorative plate that came from my Grandma. On it is written:

As I was wandering o’er the green,
Not not knowing where I went,
Perchance I saw a pleasant scene,
The cottage of content.

 It was at that moment that I knew what I was going to name our new home…The Cottage of Content! This is the place the Lord has given us. It may not be to someone else’s liking, but it’s PERFECT for us! We love the location, the layout, the style, the yard…everything! It has everything that I prayed for, and then some! 

Luke 11:11 says that if a son asks his father bread, will he give him a stone? Of course not! There were other houses that we liked, and prayed about, but they were “stones.” The Lord kept back this “bread” for us. He knew we needed to wait for it to be ready. He wanted to give us the best, as a wise, loving Father.

How wonderful when God provides! Whatever you’re praying about, don’t quit! Keep asking. God is a loving Father who doesn’t want to give you a stone; He wants to give you the best bread to satisfy you! Then you can accept what He gives and be perfectly content with it. You, too, can have a “Cottage of Content!” Just wait.

If you could name your house, what would you call it?

With love,

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Hello From The Country!

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We’re still working on getting our internet set up out here in the country, so I don’t have a typical Monday post for you. However, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that my oldest daughter, Whitney, is launching her blog today! You’ll find her blogging about all the things she loves at Come Home For Comfort. Be sure to stop by and tell her I sent you!

I’ll catch you (hopefully) tomorrow!

Husband · Pastor

Freshen Up Friday

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Has your marriage reaped any of the fruit from your encouragement?  Keep at it!  You’ll see it come in due time.

This Sunday when you head to church, give your pastor some verbal encouragement.  Tell him you’re praying for him.  Tell him what you’re asking God to do in his life.  Tell him you appreciate him!

Pastor’s Encouragment:  Ask God to protect your pastor’s marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ’s relationship with the Church.  Pray that your pastor will tenderly cherish and lead his wife, and that she will respect and encourage her husband, submitting to his leadership.  Eph. 5:23-33

Husband’s Encouragement:  Tell your family why you love your husband.  Do you praise your husband to his relatives and yours? Does your husband’s mother know how much you love him? How about your dad? Perhaps you can drop a word of praise into a conversation or letter. Be creative in letting your relatives know that you respect your husband, love him, and support him—in spite of whatever flaws and weaknesses he may have.

Keep working at your marriage every single day!

See you in church!

Be refreshed,