"For David's Sake" / Mrs Bo Roloson

Mrs Bo Roloson

Pastor's Wife

“For David's Sake”

And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: 1Kings 15:3-4

 I was reading this passage while in college and was immediately struck by the phrase, “for David's sake,” which is mentioned 10 times in the Bible.  At the time, I was thinking about how I could make a difference in the lives of those who would come after me.  But in recent years, I began to think about me and about how I came to where I am.

 I often think about how I became a Christian and how God worked in my life to bring me to Hyles-Anderson College. I can clearly see the Lord's hand in my life.  I am a first generation Christian. I didn't have anyone in my lineage that paid a price for me to be a Christian, or did I?  

 I recently visited my grandmother when my grandfather passed away. My grandparents had lived on the 38th parallel in Korea.  At that time, it was still one country.  They had suffered through the Japanese occupation, which  was demoralizing, only to have to endure the Korean conflict.  My grandmother suffered the loss of several babies.  She sold much of her jewelry and precious things to bribe the soldiers from harming them.  My grandfather was given the job of burying the corpses, some of which were his friends.  My mother spoke of how she was often so hungry, that she would eat the beetles in the rice paddies.  There were times when they had to flee their home and hide in caves in the mountains.  Understandably, I cannot speak of all the atrocities that were inflicted upon them. Afterward, they lost their land, their house, their heritage, and their families.  They received no compensation for anything, but instead, were forced to migrate to Seoul.  They had been farmers, with a very successful plantation.  Living in the city was absolutely foreign to them. But they didn't give up on living or on each other.  They worked multiple jobs, until they were able to immigrate to America.  At the passing of my grandfather, they had been married for over 70 years.  Life was not easy, but quitting was not in their vocabulary.

 I knew bits and pieces of their lives as I was growing up, but truthfully, they were just facts.  Only as I have gotten older have I realized the incredible price that they paid.  How could I ever complain about anything that was bad in my life?  How could I ever thank them enough?  They didn't know that I would become a Christian.  But they did intend to give my family a better life.  (After coming to America, they were both saved.)  

 My grandmother is 90 years old and as feisty as ever.  She told me at the funeral that all she wanted for me is to love the Lord and be happy.  They endured so much.  And somehow the Lord used that to bring me to where I am. Had they given up at any time, I don't know that I'd be where I am today.

 Certainly, my grandparents' story is not unique, but it is MY heritage.  It makes viewing life so differently.  I am very blessed to be a child of God.  I have a wonderful and loving husband.  There are five kiddos who call me mom, for which I am very grateful.  And they had a great part in it.  Knowing what they have endured has fueled my resolve to serve the Lord with a greater vigor.  Prayerfully, the Lord will allow me to be used in such a way to make a difference for the future generation.  

Thank you to the aged! / Ms Sara Oprzedek

Ms Sara Oprzedek

1st & 2nd Grade Teacher

Northwest Bible Baptist Church

Elgin, IL

"Thank you to the aged!"

Titus 2:3-5

3 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Have you ever heard a preacher preach on the aged women teaching the younger women in the church? Yes? So have I ;) I have been in my church for 27 years... plus 9 months in the womb. Every time this message is preached, it reminds me of how good God is to have put me in this ministry with a wonderful group of "aged women". If there are any "aged women" out there that are wondering if you are making a difference... the answer is YES!!! I would like to take a moment and speak on behalf of the younger women. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! From the moment I was born, I had an amazing group of ladies teaching me in the nursery. Though I don't remember every lesson, you taught me the right attire for church, how to sit still for service and pay attention, how to be kind to the other children, etc. As I grew older, I went to our Christian school. Again, I was surrounded by godly women who prayed for me and lead me in the right direction. The education I received was outstanding. They pushed me past what I thought I could handle... preparing me for real life :) After I graduated from high school, I went to Providence Baptist College to become a teacher. My desire was to give back what the "aged women" had invested in me. I now have been teaching for 5 years and still have many women cheering me on, ready to help in any way they can. So if there are any "aged women" that want to quit and give up on the ministry, PLEASE don't! I am a product of you, and still need you. Someday I hope to get married and have children, and there will be more questions to come. 😊

Response or Reaction / Mrs Hannah Flaugher

Mrs Hannah Flaugher

Assistant Pastor's Wife

New Hope Baptist Church

Independence, MO

Response or Reaction

My hubby and I have been married for a wonderful 6 years, and 5 months. Before marriage, I often heard married ladies talk about how it takes time to learn each other: Dislikes, likes, habits, routines etc. Although, I never really put much thought into that, until after I was  well into our first couple months of marriage.  By nature, I am a really strong leader, and have trouble following. Even if I know it’s the best way. I’ve always been a strong leader, and have never enjoyed listening to someone “directing” me. I don’t want to start listing all my faults, but at the beginning of our marriage, I truly did struggle with submission, and following my hubby. I didn’t realize just how much it really was a problem, until my Dad heard me reacting with a snotty, rotten attitude to my husband, rather than responding with a submissive spirit. The Lord used my Dad that night to lovingly jerk a knot in my tail, regarding how I had been treating my husband. I SO needed that. My Dad explained to me that, when my husband asks me to do something, no matter how small I think it might be, my husband has trusted me with that task! I started thinking about the virtuous woman, and how her husband trusted her with different things. Proverbs 31:11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” It was such a wakeup call. I took that night as a kind of “starting over” point. I made it right with my heavenly Father, and then with my sweet hubby. I felt so refreshed, not having that tension between my hubby and I.  Submission is such an important piece to having a harmonious, God honoring marriage. (I Peter 3:1-5) (Eph. 5:22-33) Colossians 3:18 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. The word “fit” means appropriate, right, proper. It’s what the Lord commands of us wives. It’s not a suggestion. Many times I have just wanted to burst out with all the reasons why I may not have done as he asked. As a young mother of 3, stay at home Mom, piano teacher, Assistant Pastors wife… I could very well just react and say, “Don’t you know I’ve been busy with our 3 kids all day?!? Don’t you realize I didn’t even get a shower today because the kids have been so crazy?! I’ve been doing my piano lessons all day, and I was just too tired! A very un-heartfelt, snarky Sorry! Those are excuses that would fit into my current station in life, but, if you try, I’m sure you can think of some excuses that would fit you. I understand, things happen, and things slip our minds. But, if that does happen, and your hubby comes to you upset about the situation, a soft answer, wrapped with a submissive spirit, can so quickly change the distressed heart of your hubby. I want to be part of a marriage that is full of joy, happiness, love, rest… Not a marriage that is packed with feelings of tension, bitterness, animosity.  I so want the blessing of the Lord on our marriage. I want to have a marriage that our children can look back at, and remember that God was honored. There are so many different parts to submission. This is the part that the Lord has been speaking to me about this past week. 

Just Take God at His Word / Mrs Lydia Bryan

Mrs Lydia Bryan

Evangelist's Wife

West Park Baptist Church

Salisbury, NC

"Just Take God at His Word"

        I was raised in a Christian home by loving parents but as a young girl, I realized I was lost and needed to be saved.  There in the living room of our home, I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart and trusted Him as my Saviour.  During my teen years and even later on I struggled with periods of doubting my salvation.  Questions would creep in like "Did I say the right words?"  "Did I really mean it when I prayed or was I really sincere?"  I believe the devil uses his tools of discouragement and doubt to hinder and defeat us as Christians and keep us from being effective as soul winners.  How can we go and lead others to Christ until we have that assurance of our own salvation.  I am so thankful that through prayer and reading the Scriptures that I got it nailed down and have peace in my heart that I know that I am saved!   

      An elderly man in our church would often stand and testify of his salvation and he would say "I Just Took God At His Word".    Salvation is simply taking Him at His Word. Trusting Him alone and nothing else.  It doesn't matter if on somedays we don't feel saved - we are not saved by feelings. Someone once said:  "Be my feelings what they will, Jesus is my Savior still! ". Our salvation is based on God's Word - Romans 10:13- "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Having Compassion / Mrs Chris Richter

Mrs Chris Richter

Pastor's Wife

Liberty Baptist Church

Fircrest, WA

Someone I admired greatly once said, "Be kind to everyone for everyone is having a tough time!" What a true statement!

     We could all think of someone we know that is going through some kind of trial. Life can be very tough at times. This is not a surprise to us if we are faithful 'every word' Bible readers. We see in Scripture that we will go through much tribulation. Not very encouraging, right? What is encouraging though is that we also read we have a Comforter that goes along side of us and helps us. How could we make it if we didn't! I need the Holy Spirit active in my life. I've experienced His Comfort. The Bible also tells us we can have a part in helping our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ make it during their difficult times as they walk their journey in this life.

     Jude 22 tells us "And of some have compassion, making a difference." I Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

     In Jude the word compassion means to have pity, show mercy, by word or deed. In I Peter 3:8 it means to have a fellow feeling, mutually commiserative- which means to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity. In other words, being able to put yourself in their shoes- in your mind. Imagine how you would feel if it were you.

     Bro. Jack Hyles use to take time and cover his eyes for a bit to experience what it would be like to be blind. He wanted to feel, even if it was for a moment, like they felt.

     Can you imagine with me for just a moment, walking around your house, getting into your car, running into the store, cooking dinner, combing your daughters hair, ironing your families clothes, (the list could go on) and in a moment you are on your back never to move again! You know how we are as moms, we hear our child cry out and our first impulse is to get up and run to their aid. Only now you can't because your new life has you confined to a chair or a bed! Or getting the news that a loved one has gone on to heaven and now you live life with an empty seat in your home. Perhaps imagine getting the news someone dear to you has decided to walk a path contrary to the Word of God. I believe if we would take the time to imagine how it would feel to be in others difficult situations, we would be able to have more compassion and be able to pray from the heart, with tears. We as Christians seem to sometimes carry around a judges gavel instead of a tissue to dab the corner of our eyes when we hear of the hurts of others. We want to cast judgment on why they are the way they are and condemn instead of showing the compassion that is needed.

     Everyone needs a friend! Everyone needs someone in their corner, cheering them on!

     We are all made of the same dust. We are all capable of the same sin. We will all go through a trial of some kind as we live this life.

     Let's make a difference by showing compassion because we need each other!

Who Cares For the Pastor / Mrs Amanda Rasbeary

Mrs Amanda Rasbeary

Pastor's Wife

Lighthouse Baptist Church

Wylie, TX

Who Cares for the Pastor?

During my 17 years of being a Pastor’s Wife, I have seen many good, godly people start out in the ministry… and fail. I have also seen pastors and missionaries serve on, despite the darkest of personal valleys. Many times, these dark times trace back to doubts about their calling. Now, in theory, everyone in the ministry should love and serve God and others all their life without a shadow of doubt that they or God made a mistake when they were called into the ministry or to the specific church they are in now.  Yet, every Monday there are pastors and missionaries all around the world ready to throw in the towel.  Why do they have these doubts? Simply put: their people don’t communicate with them. The Bible says in Galatians 6:6, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”  Now, I don’t believe that most church or staff members purposely ignore their pastor; but something is lacking, and it is up to us as church members to correct it. 
What can be done to help these men of God to rally? Do you remember the story of Aaron and Hur holding Moses’ hands during the battle in Exodus 17: 10-12? You must support your pastor. I believe that if the people of God would care for their Pastor, we would not see as many quit. You say, “We pay our pastor well!” While finances are part of the equation, what I mean is how you minister to your pastor. Do you realize that most pastors take the weight of every church member’s life on his shoulders, as well as his own personal problems? Yes, pastors do have problems outside the church: sick or difficult family members, financial struggles, health problems (either their own or their wife or children), even spiritual plateaus that seem like brick walls; especially since’ being spiritual’ is his life.  You say, “Oh my, Mrs. Rasbeary, I never thought of it that way!”. I would say “I know, and that’s why I am writing this article!”  
The little things make the difference. Here are a few that I think will do the most good.
1. Remember he’s human. He has faults and weakness just like everyone else! Even a spiritual man of God is not perfect. I’m not saying a church should overlook gross sin, but remember he’s the man of God, not God! Sometimes he says the wrong thing, or becomes irritated at little things. Make it a matter of prayer, not a matter of personal criticism. This is even more important if you are on staff, or work closely with your Pastor; especially in small church situations. It will be your attitude tward honoring the preacher that sets the tone for the church.  2. Notice the extra things he does: planting flowers, changing lightbulbs, cleaning toilets. These are not his job, but he and his family simply does them because there is no one else that will. There are a few things you can do to show your appreciation. You can thank him or brag on him; you can offer to do it for him next time or set up team of people to rotate the job. In some situations, you can pay to have it done for him. Let me caution on this one point: make sure if volunteers do tasks in the church, it is done well or the pastor may have to go back and fix it! Any of these things will show him that you know his time is valuable, and appreciate how much he does. 3. Make special days special. Please don’t forget birthdays and anniversaries!  You say, “The church didn’t throw me a birthday party, so why should we do it for the Pastor or his family?” I tell you why: because he loves and prays and worries for you like you were his child. That’s one
of the things a church seldom sees: the inward devotion and care of a Pastor interceding with God the Father on their behalf. As a Pastor’s wife, I see what happens when he knows that someone is going astray, or falling away. He prays for them, encourages them, and even tries to correct them; all the while knowing that if God does not get their attention, how can he? Let him know you are grateful for his love and support.   There are many things that can be done that aren’t big and grand. Maybe a simple thank you card signed by the kids in your Sunday School class would really make his day special But really, should the Pastor’s wife have to plan the church or pastor’s anniversary and buy the cake? Should she have to take the collection for his birthday? Should the pastor have to ask for a Christmas bonus or a raise? All these things can be done by church members in a way that they can afford.  Deacons and trustees can plan a private meeting, and vote to do something extra special when the occasion and finances permit. But this ought to be a consistent effort by the church, not an every five year occurrence.  While I was writing this article, my friend (who is also a pastor’s wife) called me and asked me how she could help her church understand how important it is to encourage her husband. She doesn’t want to outright beg them to organize something, but her husband didn’t even get a card for his birthday! I know this pastor personally, and he is always there for the people of his church- even to a fault sometimes. Despite this, no one communicated this love back to him. Of course, he won’t ask it, but if he is like any other man, he will wonder what he is doing wrong if his church family does not show any sort of love towards him. 

This lack of communication leads to self-doubt and discouragement, and in worse cases, down right depression.  A man of God is usually an “all in” type of personality.  When he feels he is not doing what God sent him to accomplish, he may struggle with his self-image and his ability to fully do God’s will.  Why do so many preachers quit? Why are so many hindered? Why do some battle with depression or even take their own lives? I believe that like Elijah (Elijah 19:9-18), they think they are alone, and have failed God. Let’s take the man of God’s hands like Aaron and Hur and hold them up. If you don’t, you may see the battle being lost just like the Israelites did. It won’t just be the pastor who goes down, it will be the church too.  These acts of kindness are not a magic cure, and will not heal every pastors aching heart. Some have been hurt so bad that it will take a while for them to recover. But it’s never too late to start! A little bit of communication will go a long way for those who just need that extra push.  Are you willing to hold up the hands of the man of God?

All Things Are Possible / Leighann Peoples

Mrs Leighann Peoples

Pastor's Wife

Faith Baptist Church

Cordova, AL

All Things Are Possible

Last week my parents came into town for a visit and we all decided to take a hike on some beautiful nature trails here in Alabama. Which by the way, they were beautiful! While we were hiking we spotted this tree growing from the side of a rock. It was amazing as we stood there for about 10 minutes just talking about how incredible God is that he could allow that tree to grow out of that rock! As the days have passed I have continued to think so often about that tree and then this spiritual application came to mind. Matthew 19:26 says But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible!!!! According to the normal life, that should have been impossible for that tree. It had no fertile soil to take root in, that we all know is quite necessary for a tree to grow from, but God saw fit to make it possible for that tree to grow from an impossible situation. I don’t know about any of you but daily I think many times, the task that  I want to accomplish for the Lord seems impossible. I even think daily, how is this possible that this incredible God that created this universe would love someone as such as I. I also think how is it possible that a perfect man would love me so much that He would shed his own blood for such a sinner as I, so that I can spend my eternity in heaven. But with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible. Literally everyday I am burdened with the fear of how it seems impossible to raise my children to stay pure in this wicked world but through this tree God said to me, “You’re right Leighann, if you are the one doing it it will be impossible, so let me do it.” God showed me I must give it to him and I will show you that with Me ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I don’t know what you’re going through, what seems impossible right now in your life. Could it be you see a happy healthy marriage as impossible, or maybe you see those lost loved ones and think its impossible that they will ever get saved? Or maybe the situation you are in and you think it would be impossible for God to use you or that it’s impossible for God to love you for the wrong you have done? Maybe you think how can I be forgiven and have hope in this world after the sin I have committed? Well I have a good reminder for you, Its possible, not with man but with God. Give it to him, take your hands off and give him control. He is worthy of our trust! I just want to encourage us today, whatever it is that we see as impossible, remember; with God all things are possible. But we must allow Him to be in control. Take our hands off and say here God. If he can allow a tree to grow from a rock what isn’t possible for Him to do in your life?