Katie, Valerie, Alicia, and Haley
Tag Archives: Stress
Wise Wisdom from a Woman-Wise Wise Man
Filed under Family, Humor, Marriage, Relationships and Family, wisdom
Make the Time
There is so much I’ve got to do, and very little time to do it. So many things on my critical to-do list that it’s probably impossible to get them all done.
In the midst of all this I have a small list of things I want to write about, including some more in-depth responses to readers.
But here’s the thing I must remember… I may not have much time to write, but I must make the time to read. My blog is not as important as His book.
Filed under Bible Study
Grody, Nasty, Stinky Work
It’s Monday…not manic…but it’s Monday, and I had planned to do some more writing on the subject of depression.
However, I am writing this post on my iPhone just to show you what I am up to.
We have no air conditioning, and we can’t exactly afford to have a professional come out and work on it at this point. We have dealt with the heat for the last month, but now something has to be done, because there’s only so much one can take, especially one’s wife.
So, after taking some cues from an actual heating & air guy, I found the possible culprit that had led to lots of water on the basement floor – a corroded pump.
Just to make it clear, I have 40 bankers boxes full of books from my personal library stored down in this basement. Any water that would leak out of this air-conditioning unit would destroy thousands of dollars worth of theological works, some of them irreplaceable.
So, it is left up to me to clean up this pump and make it work again. As you can see from the pictures, I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Therefore, if you don’t hear from me for a while, I will truly be depressed! And then I will have a lot more to write about, I suppose.
On the other hand, you could pray for me so that this will go well! That way I can finish the evening with a smile on my face and less sweat on my forehead.
…And a happier wife!
UPDATE: 10:00pm and it’s out of my area of expertise. My wife still loves me, and she’s not too upset, just disappointed like I am. Oh well. At least it’s not that hot tonight; actually comfortable.
Filed under blogging, Depression, Weather, writing
Going to Africa!
Thanks!
I give praise to the Lord for all of your prayers and financial support! As of last week all the needed funds for my mission trip to Zimbabwe had come in. What a blessing! What an answer to prayer!
Yes, I needed between $2,500-$2,700 in a relatively short amount of time – right during the time when I my income was greatly reduced – and you folks stepped up to the bat and hit a home run!
I can’t wait to send out “thank you” notes to all that I can.
Stress
Now, I have to admit that all is not fun and games, however. Even though I have received all the need funds to make the trip, I am still having to pinch pennies as I purchase the necessary items to take with me – and the luggage in which to carry it.
It has been a long time since I’ve flown, and back then things weren’t so strict. Also, back then I didn’t worry about taking all the stuff I’m having to take this time. Even more stressful has been the challenge of determining what size of suitcase and carry-on to buy. Believe it or not, I had to borrow a measuring tape from a store clerk so that I could make sure what I bought was under 62 inches, and still I was so confused I didn’t even get anything.
Buying luggage is worse than shoe shopping!
And there’s more… It’s less than a week from my departure and I’ve still got to find enough clothes, change the starter on my daughter’s car, paint, clean house (and garage), try to get registered for my next round of seminary (pursuing an M.Div.), prepare for Sunday’s sermons, do some visiting, drive a bus for a field trip, schedule guest posts on this blog, and do a LOT of praying!
It’ll Be OK
You know, the Lord has brought me thus far, why should I worry? I could really use a few more dollars to finish up getting a few supplies, but God will provide. I don’t yet understand all the luggage stuff, but I’ll get it sooner or later. Somehow I’ll get a good portion of my to-do list done before I leave – I hope.
I believe God has something great in store for me. I don’t know what it is, but it will be what’s needed and what’s best. My prayer is that it will include a safe trip to Zimbabwe and back to the States, back home. I also pray it will include personal revival, along with stories of many in Chinhoyi coming to Christ.
But whatever happens, God is in control, and it’ll be OK. Just keep praying for me, would you? And prayers for my family would be appreciated, too!
Thanks!
Filed under ministry, places, Thanksgiving
Just Mow
“Just Mow”
I have so much to write
But it was to0 long a night.
The stress of it all, all the phone calls
I slept till I saw the light.
Yeah, I “saw the light”
I don’t have to write!
This is my blog, I’m not on the clock
There’s nowhere a paycheck to write.
So, it’s a beautiful day
The weather is great
I’ll crank the John Deere, put buds in my ear
And just mow all my stresses away.
– Anthony Baker
Filed under poetry
Yes, I Get Stressed
“How are you doing, Mr. Baker?”
What a question to ask a person lying on a hospital bed, attached to a bunch of colored wires, and aching from a harpoon in the back of his hand!
“Well, If I was doing good I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure.”
Long story short, my wife took me to the ER because I was experiencing chest pain. The pain (a sharp, sickening feeling in my upper left chest) began to look suspiciously like a heart attack. It wasn’t, though. It’s all related to a possible ulcer, or whatever. Mostly stress.
Stress
Stress can cause a lot of problems, and pastors are subject to some of the most stress of any vocation. Bi-vocational ministers experience even more. And, because I’m lying here as the result of stress, causing my family to worry, racking up more medical bills, and wasting valuable time, I can’t help but feel guilty.
“If stress is the cause of all this,” I said to my wife, “then it makes me wonder how ‘backslidden’ I actually am?”
Now, why would I say that? Well, we’ve all been taught to “cast our burdens upon the Lord.” I’ve preached plenty of times how that “worry is a sinful” because it is “not of faith.” You see, of all people I should be an example of worry-free living. I should be able to testify to the fact that “His grace is sufficient.” But the fact is that I’m human. I do get stressed. I do worry.
Physician, Heal Thyself
It’s easy to say, “don’t worry.” It’s easy to say, “don’t get stressed.” But it’s a totally different matter when you find yourself charged with the keep of men’s souls. It is not only for myself and my family I contend, but the spiritual welfare of many, who at times, could care less.
Some have said, “Well, that’s your own fault…don’t worry about me…you live your life, and I’ll live mine.” What they don’t understand is that watching out for their lives IS my life.
For what it’s worth, if you have a pastor, keep in mind that he cares for you (or at least he should). It’s not only his job, but it’s his heart.
(NLT) Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
In conclusion…I’m doing OK, but I need to keep in mind my God is in control. Other than that, thank you, Liz (my nurse) for getting me out of that “second stick.”
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, fitness, God, ministry, Preaching
The Recovering Legalist 