An Adventure in Ministry

  Yesterday after a challenging, yet beautiful conversation with one of my friends, she prayed over me, and something she said hit a nerve. She prayed for the many hats I wear and I was reminded of this picture I took the other day while playing with my little girl.  As I pondered the prayer and the picture, this poem began to form: My Many Hats To some I am a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend; To others I am a minister in a list that never ends; I wear the hat of cleaner, of gardener and cook, I even wear the hat of the writer of a book.   I wear the hat of mentor, of a pastor and a mate, I also am a carer and the one who advocates; There’s the paperwork and letters the admin and finance, And I like to wear a creative hat if I ever get a Chance!   The list is overwhelming of the many hats I wear, Often it’s the greatest joy but sometimes I despair! The pile of hats can sometimes slip I fear that they will tumble, That’s when I usually turn t...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that testing your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"  James 1:2-4 As you know, this year I asked God to give me a word to take with me through 2018, and I he gave me the word Joy. I decided to take some time to study what exactly Joy means and where we can see it used in the bible. The verse from James was one I came across immediately. At first I skipped straight past it, as I wanted my word to mean that everything in the next year will go great and that I might have a rest from trials and struggles. However,  I soon felt the Lord lead me gently back to it.  As I began to really get to grips with this verse, I started to question how joyful I actually am, and whether it manifests itself in times of trial in my own life.  James calls us to consider it 'pure joy' ...