Sunday, September 16, 2007

Reflections...Kay, Beth, and Priscilla Could Host A Talk Show!

In the Deeper Still Listening Guide the schedule says "Panel Discussion" but this Saturday afternoon session had all the laughter and banter of a talk show. Women were asked to submit questions for the panel on our Deeper Still blog and I think we ended up with four or five (or was it six) pages of questions! There was no way to answer all the questions in the time frame allowed. However, Kay, Beth, and Priscilla gave us a good sampling of the questions from "What is your favorite lipstick color?" to "How do you balance life and ministry?" Reflected are a few of the highlights!

Question: If there was a movie made about you, who would you want to play you?
Priscilla: Beyoncé.
Beth: I think I would want Beyoncé to play me too!
This led into a discussion concerning Beth's dancing abilities. (Priscilla demonstrated Beth's dancing.)
Kay: Lucille Ball (Now imagine Kay acting out the scene from I Love Lucy when Lucille Ball is working in the candy factory stuffing candy in her mouth and down her shirt!)

Question: If you could talk to one person from the Bible who would you choose? (And you can't say Jesus!)
Beth: Paul.
Kay: Daniel.
Priscilla: Priscilla, of Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:2, 18, 26). (This is who she is named after.)

Question: What led you into ministry? Did you feel called to ministry? How did you know it wasn't a whim, but truly of God?
Your spiritual gifts are given to you to edify the body. God will use the body to affirm those gifts. What did I continue to be put in the position to do? Where did I feel the pleasure of the Lord? 1 Peter 4:10 your gift is a gift of grace. The ladies referred to Romans 12. Stay within the sphere of your gift. You will often find yourself gravitating to people with the same gifts. The ministry, the gift, the effect are all of God. Aspire to obedience. Jeremiah had a passion in him, fire shut up within him-conviction upon me (Priscilla). Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to ministry and the opportunities. Don't despise the opportunities God puts before you. Beth referred to Jabez-serve within our boundaries; you don't have to serve large crowds. Watch the pride, often we aspire to be something that is not of the Lord.

Question: What is humility?
It is those who the Lord esteems. God gives us, throughout life, constant opportunities to be humble. One question to ask yourself when facing criticism or other difficult things to hear: "But did it humble you?" Embrace your lack. Let this mind be in you. We look on the things of others. Just love others. John 1:20-John the Baptist, an incredible example of humbleness, he deflected attention away from himself. The message is to point them to Jesus. The two disciples left John to be with Jesus and this was not a threat to John.

Question: How do you balance life? How do you balance the daily demands of being a wife, mother, engaging in life, and find time to take care of yourself?
God will meet you where you are. You cannot do 1000 things to the glory of God. We have are kids involved in too many things. Kids are stressed out by being involved in too many things. Figure out how to do less-which ends up being more. Pray for us that we will love Jesus more. We face false guilt from the enemy, especially when we are in demanding phases of life. We think if I can't spend an hour with God then it is not worth it. Practice the presence of God. Concentrate and meditate on one verse. It is better to understand one verse of the Bible in a way that transforms you rather than checking a quiet time off the list for the day. The bottom line is that we can't do what we are called to do. It is going to take God working in us and through us to do all that needs to be done. Reference was made to Deuteronomy 6 and going about the day teaching your children. Learn when to rest your body…physically, mentally, emotionally.

Kay shared: If you are a mother, God has equipped you to be a mom. Your priority is to put the home first. Be more purposeful as a mother and a parent. Devote yourself to motherhood, no matter how you feel. They are your children and they are in your heart. Excel as a wife and you will never regret it. There is no guarantee but it is a guilt free conscience.

Question: How do you get your husband to speak your love language? (And somehow this question led into a lot more than what is shared below!)
It may be rough and tough at times, but hang in there. Kay and Jack married 42 years. Two deepest fears of a man: Ephesians 5-fear of being ruled over by a woman and Ephesians 5:33-and see that the wife respects her husband. Studies often show that the women who are more dependent often have a better marriage. Here, in this panel, you have three strong women but working at their marriages. Kay reminded the women at the event that it is the male ego-God gave it to them. Don't challenge his authority.

Beth shared that the one of the best lessons on submission she ever heard was by Dr. Tony Evans (Priscilla's dad). If women understood the true meaning of submission you would not fight it. Submission is learning to duck so God can hit your husband. Referring to 1 Peter 5:6 and being humble. This type of submission is true in marriage, in the workplace, or anywhere. Bend the knee. Christ was equal with the Father as the head. It doesn't demean you to have a head or authority over you.

Priscilla wanted to address the single women-Live in the freedom of the Spirit without feeding the flesh. Live a joyful life. You have great opportunities. All people who are married are not happy. Unhappy singles make unhappy married people. Work it out in advance. Loneliness is not a reason to get married. Many people are lonely in the marriage and in singleness. Find contentment in the season you are in. Sex outside of marriage is wrong. Take advantage of your singleness to serve the Lord. The ladies referred to 1 Corinthians 7:34 and undistracted devotion to the Lord.

This short summary doesn't begin to capture the roars of laughter or the truth of scripture applied as Kay, Beth, and Priscilla answered the panel questions. It is a joy to hear these women of God share God's word, their experiences and insights, their very lives with us. I'll watch their "talk show" anytime!

"We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us." (1 Thess. 2:8 HCSB)

Posted by Michelle Hicks on Sep 16, 2007 at 08:01 PM