michellesingleton.com // Confessions of the Preacher’s Wife

After a night of Lazer Tag and Bowling fun, a carload of middle school kids headed to our house for pizza and a sleepover.  Such energy!  Such humor!

Nathan and his friends were actually rather quiet and busyed themselves unlocking new levels on a Wii game.  Juliana and her girlfriends got louder and sillier as the night turned to dawn.  It has been my experience that a house full of middle school boys are actually easier to manage than a house of middle school girls… but both are fun! 

This age is such an interesting time of development in kids’ lives.  They have some wacky ideas which are really a combination of weird humor and brilliance.  And they still will listen.  In fact, they are very interested in what adults have to say.  They want our input! 

The topic came up of what makes a girl “hot.”  I listened to what both the girls and boys had to say.  Then I was able to talk to them about the importance of looking at a person from the inside out instead of just their outward appearance — We talked about godly characteristics and qualities that God wants to cultivate in our lives.  It made for some interesting discussion… so glad I was there to offer my point of view.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

Based on the traits listed above, how would a car of middle school students describe you? 

Something to think about!

I love to hear from two of my friends, Audrey and Til, retired Wycliffe missionaries.  They gave their lives to translating the Bible to further the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I want to share from their July update:

Eleven years ago, the Ketengban New Testament was dedicated in Southeast Asia.  Recently, a celebration was planned as translators returned to visit the people among whom they worked.  Several hundred Ketengban dressed for celebration with feathered headdresses, nose bones, bows and arrows.  There was dancing and chanting in honor of the people who had brought the Word of God to them in their own language.

However, not everyone was celebrating.  On the edge of the crowd stood a somber group of eight young men.  They too, were dressed in full traditional garb, but they were also covered in white mud from head to toe.  They stood expressionless and silent, never moving, never joining in the celebration.

The elders explained:  “Today we celebrate you who brought God’s words to us in our own language.  But we don’t want to forget what life was like before we had the Word, so we asked these young men to cover themselves with mud and to stand apart, silent and somber.  They represent our lives before we understood God’s words to us.  We were like dead men walking.  We didn’t know God or His Son.  We lived in guilt, fear and constant warfare, always under the power of evil spirits who terrified us and caused us to fear one another as well.

Now we are alive in Christ and free from our dark past.  We are part of God’s family — no longer outsiders silently watching from afar. But our children, being born after the coming of God’s Word, don’t remember what it was like to walk as dead men.  We want them to understand our past so they will fully value what they have with Jesus and always give thanks to God.”

A complete story can be read at:  http://wycliffeusa.wordpress.com/2010/06/30

What a picture!  Their story reminded me of the importance of remembering my past and how I was a “dead girl walking.”  Yet now, I am alive in Christ because of what Jesus did for me at Calvary.

Join me in thanking God today for His free gift of salvation ~ and for workers who give their lives to take His Good News around the world!

Rob and I don’t dress in formal attire as much as we did when we first got married.  Seems like now we find ourselves wearing “parent clothes” at soccer games… just like most parents we know.  But this past Friday night was different.

Rob rented a tux and I wore a friend’s evening gown.  Juliana did my hair and makeup (took her a total of 10 minutes) and even helped me accessorize.  And I have to say, my man still looks real good after all these years!

What was all the hoopla?  RAV… a celebration of 100s of volunteers who make Southbrook tick… the people who impact our community, our country, and our world for Jesus Christ.  Yes, we rolled out the red carpet for our fabulous volunteers.  Every single one of our volunteers are completely necessary, extremely important for carrying out God’s mission for Southbrook to impact the world for Jesus Christ. 

The following Bible verses tell just how important each of our members are to God and to the body of Christ.

I Corinthians 12 (NLT) 

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

I am so proud to be part of the the body of Christ at Southbrook.  It is a privilege to serve alongside my Christian family.  I applaud all of you Brookies… you are so deserving of Red Carpet treatment!  Thank you for the many ways you show the love of Christ.

I love you, Southbrook!

“Mom, Guess what I did in my free time?”

“I don’t know Juliana.  What did you do?”

“I read my Bible… I couldn’t get enough!”

That was just some of the news Juliana shared with me about her camp experience ~ the hope and prayer of Christian parents… that their kids could not get enough of God’s Word. 

It really shouldn’t surprise us when our children dig in deep to their Bible time and get hooked.  Why?  Because in there, they find the greatest love story ever told, life and unleashable power…

Hebrews 4: 12 (NLT)  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

I am not always the best wife.  When Rob told me (read his blog today at www.robsingleton.com ) he was going to an island in the middle of Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains to find a tree where God called him into ministry several decades ago… I’m sad to admit, I laughed.  And it wasn’t necessarily the nicest of laughs either.  Just between you and me, I wondered if Rob was coming unglued.  Really?  A tree?

But on his first phone call home he announced that he had found the tree!  I was still skeptical.  So 10 days later when I joined Rob in New York, he took me to “the tree.”  It was undeniably, exactly as Rob told me the tree would be ~ exactly!

Later that night at dinner, after Rob excitedly shared that he had located the tree, several missionaries and pastors at our table told of other famous theologians and pastors, including Rev. Billy Graham, who had a “special tree” where they had heard from God.

Well, just how did that make me feel?  Like a failure.  I love Rob dearly and one of my deepest desires is to be a supportive wife.  But, I had fallen short.  And God does not take laughing lightly.  Remember what happened after Sarah laughed at God… He allowed her to have a baby at the age of 90!  (Genesis 17–18)  Thinking of being pregnant at 90 grabbed my attention.

God used these events to remind me that He wants a relationship with us and that He speaks to us in many ways including:

1.  Through nature: Ps. 19:1–4

2.  In our hearts: Rom. 2:14–15

3.  Through others:  Pr. 12:15

4.  Through his Word:  2 Tim. 3:16

5.  Through Jesus Christ, the Living Word:  John 1:1, 14

Jesus doesn’t just give good advice; he has experienced every trial we have. He knows how hard life can be—but he also knows (and He is) the way out. 

How will God speak to you today? 

Amazing!  That’s how I’d describe Saturday’s Southbrook Staff & Spouse Retreat.  The day began early at Charlotte’s Whitewater Rafting Center with devotions by Pastor Rob… then we were off to some serious mountain biking… several of us have the bruises and scrapes to prove the seriousness of the morning… then lunch… then a high ropes course (in the rain ~ total fun!), then a Wild and Crazy Whitewater experience… followed by a yummy BBQ dinner and more teaching by Pastor Rob.

As the pastor’s wife, I came away with 3 things:

1.  Never has our Southbrook staff been stronger in their desire to exalt Christ…

2.  Complete unity and harmony…

3.  Total commitment to Impact the world for Jesus Christ…

God will continue to do BIG things through us and under the direction of our leaders… as we move forward this August exalting Christ! 

Come aboard for the ride of your life!

All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.   Jude 1:25 (NLT) 

What a refreshing time away we’ve had!  But, as always, it is good to be home!  We’ve missed everyone and where have we been you ask?

Rob spent the last 2 weeks at the Word of Life Bible Institute (Schroon Lake, New York) with the kids and I joining Rob for the last week. 

Rob and I are pictured above with Harry Bolback (co-founder of Word of Life and retired Brazil missionary).  He shared incredible stories which celebrate God’s work through this man’s willingness to serve Jesus and bring people to Christ.  He and his wife were an inspiration and great encouragement to us.

Here is what our days looked like:

• 6:00am personal quiet time
• 7:00am morning run
• 8:30am breakfast meetings with missionaries, pastors and ministry leaders from all around the world
• 9:30am – 12:30 Intensive Bible Study with Dr. Erwin Lutzer (senoir pastor of Moody Bible Institute), Dr. Ray Pritchard (Keep Believin’ Ministries), Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (Prophecy Today) and others..
• 12:30 lunch meetings with missionaries
• 1:30pm Free Time (Rob and I opted to take advantage of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains and do some hiking, biking and jet skiing on the lake)
• 4:00pm Personal study time
• 6:00pm dinner meetings with domestic and international ministry leaders
• 7:00 – 9:30pm More Intensive Bible Study and personal study time
• 9:30pm Rob and I walked hand in hand to Stewarts (downtown Schroon Lake for coffee and a candy bar ~ I felt like we were in college again! Just for the record, Rob ate the daily candy bars alone except for one day when I caved in and got myself a York Peppermint Pattie ~ there! True Confessions!)
• 10:00pm – ? Personal Bible Study

It was one of the more refreshing weeks of our marriage.  We both heard from God regarding His direction for our ministry at Southbrook and for our lives and our family. 

I have not been more renewed and rejuvenated than when I’ve spent several hours each day of the week earnestly seeking God and His direction… and at times this meant being silent and still and letting God do all the talking.  Our time at W.O.L. once again proved the importance and value of spending purposeful time seeking God while removed from the daily distractions of everyday life…  I highly recommend taking several days away for the purpose of quiet time with God for all Christians who are serious about increasing their faith and discovering how God would have them fit into His plan. 

One ministry leader quoted Howard Hendricks:  “Lie low.  Exalt Christ.”  This summarizes our time at Word of Life.

Can’t wait to share with you some of things God has revealed… be on the lookout!

Diane, one of my precious friends, shared with me some words her mother told her just before she left for college.  Diane was hesitant about leaving home.  She had grown up in a close knit family and it was hard to leave.  Diane’s mom had also been recently diagnosed with cancer and Diane felt the uneasiness that accompanied the uncertainty of her mother’s health.  But her mother encouraged her to move forward with her life.

Here are Diane’s mother’s words:

“The only reason a child would not move forward in life is if something were terribly wrong.”

Diane went on to college.  Her mother died 4 years later.

But her mother’s words have been a comfort to Diane as she raised her own 3 children.  Through each stage of her kids’ lives, she encouraged them to “move forward” and offered prayers of gratitude to God for the blessing that her children were able to progress to the next phase of their life.  Through the years, her mother’s words reminded Diane to avoid holding on to her children too tightly as she nurtured them in the Lord.  Diane’s children are making wise choices and have become respectful and responsible young adults.

Every day I see signs that both of my children are growing up.  And I have loved each stage of their lives.  I am sure that the middle school years will be no different.  I want to follow in Diane’s footsteps by thanking God that my children have been able to move forward. 

Will you join me in counting God’s goodness and His Blessings?

Last week our house was so quiet.  No practical jokes.  No bathroom humor.  No stinky soccer shoes.  No crumbs on the kitchen countertops.  Something was missing.  Nathan was missing.  And our home just didn’t seem quite right.

Nathan was away, having a ball at Camp Lurecrest.  And when he came home, we talked for hours (seriously for hours ~ which is amazing for a 13 year old boy). 

Nathan told us hilarious stories of food fights, boat races, leaps of faith, wall climbing, cabin raids, water sports, rope swings, the iceberg, professional pirates, old friends, new friends and of treasures in heaven. 

The theme of this year’s camp was Matthew 6:20–21 (NIV): 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Pray for the middle schoolers in America ~ That they would seek Jesus, the greatest treasure of all!

For whatever reason, Juliana is a shopper.  She didn’t get this from me… shopping is one of my least favorite sports.  Juliana has also learned the skill of bargain hunting ~ and she is quite good at it!

Mom, Juliana and I were driving home from the beach and Juliana got the craziest idea to stop at a Dollar Tree where everything in the store sold for $1.00.  She promised us “it would be so much fun!”

“Why not?” 

So the 3 of us kept our eyes open for a dollar store sighting.  About an hour outside of Charlotte we all hollered at the same time, “There’s one!”  I swerved into the parking lot and in we marched ~ ready for serious shopping.

62 minutes later, we were laughing so hard our sides were splitting.  We left the store with 3 large bags full of our treasures:  shoes, fun foodies, surprises for Nathan, Rob and my dad (we left the guys at home), toiletries, cool glasses, supplies for decorating school lockers and more! 

Total dollar amount for our newly purchased treasures:   $17.83

Total cost for the giggles, laughter, fun-loving memories:   priceless!

And even me, the non-shopper, would do it all over again for the fabulous hour spent with my 2 very best girlfriends: Mom & Juliana

May God bless you with a day of laughter and treasure finds with your best girlfriends!