The Marriage of Truth and Love
“Do you solemnly swear (affirm) to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
While it may no longer be mandatory in every courtroom, this promise of truth is traditionally affirmed with left hand placed on a book, right hand raised. The same book used to swear U. S. presidents into office.
The book remains closed, yet held as a mighty writing considered worthy to swear and affirm by. The Bible. The Holy Scriptures. God’s truth to inspire man’s truth.
Why we need God’s help in truth.
The Bible describes truth as a fundamental characteristic of God, the creator of all things including truth. Biblical truth is defined as that which is from God, born of God. Jesus, born of God, declared, “I am the truth” (John 14:6). God cannot tell a lie. Lies originate from the enemy and the world system the enemy controls. But. God. Is. Truth. He is the giver of truth.
July 2, 2015 at 9:47 am | Uncategorized
The Nobody and Somebody Everybody Knows
The Band Perry wedding
By Karen Friday
Reposting this article in celebration of the famous couple’s event that took place a year ago this month, June 2014. Going to the chapel…
I leaned toward my husband with a revelation, “These people think we are somebody.”
A somebody event. The marriage ceremony of two somebodies of fame. My husband had the honor of officiating the wedding. As the pastor’s wife and a family friend, I was invited to attend.
Although they tried to maintain privacy, word leaked to the press and on social media.
We made our way down the street to the small chapel—dressed in a tux and long gown—where a crowd had gathered outside. Fans were being kept behind police barriers marking how close they could come to the area.
June 25, 2015 at 8:40 am | Uncategorized
A Father Who Never Leaves
“I love you.” His voice reassures as he tenderly kisses my forehead.
Hopeful imagination of my biological father. A time he was absent in the life of me and my twin sister.
A girl can dream.
Being young in age and the passing of time have a way of causing memories to escape. I had forgotten what he was like.
We moved from Texas to Virginia and were fortunate to have a wonderful stepfather come into our lives. A man who, along with my mother, cared for and loved us as if we were his own daughters. To this day, I am grateful for him.
But line 7 of my birth certificate held a name.
June 18, 2015 at 8:54 am | Uncategorized
6 Greatest Blessings and Joys of Being a Pastor’s Wife
Last week I shared 6 Confessions and Lessons Learned From a Pastor’s Wife. Part 2 covers blessings and joys.
“Bless your heart!”
I identify myself as a pastor’s wife at speaking events, in my writing bio, and introductions. We are blessed to have three in my family. My twin sister, Sharon and younger sister, Wendi are also pastor’s wives. A spiritual triple threat. Not one person with three skills, but three women who are a threat to spiritual darkness. When God confirms a calling, it punches the devil in the face. It’s when God throws punches!
Discovering I’m a pastor’s wife, sometimes the response is “bless your heart.” In the south, “bless your heart” carries the connotation of empathy for the person’s situation. But it’s also admiration for courage or honor in taking on certain roles—“bless your heart for doing that.”
June 11, 2015 at 9:15 am | Uncategorized
6 Confessions and Lessons Learned From a Pastor’s Wife
By Karen Friday
Resentment sent me a friend request. I could choose to ignore or accept it.
As a pastor’s wife, joy and blessings have befriended me on the journey. However, the path is also filled with hard places. Resentment, discouragement and their friends want to join the posse.
We have served in 8 churches over the past 30 years and my husband is currently the lead pastor at Believers Church.
I have learned some valuable lessons along the way about “friend requests.”
6 confessions and lessons learned:
June 4, 2015 at 9:18 am | Uncategorized
Debunking: Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Mentality
By Karen Girl Friday
Let’s make a deal … with God.
A mentality is floating around in many Christian and church circles. The Prosperity Theology. God wants me to be happy. And healthy. And if that isn’t enough—for most of us, it isn’t—God wants me to be prosperous. To have an over-abundance of goods and services.
Happy, Healthy, Wealthy. I only need to believe, ask, and God will do it.
Debunk #1: Believe
A lack of belief (faith) is keeping me from all God wants me to have.
There’s a popular Christian slogan, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” While I understand the awe-inspiring faith behind the statement, whatever God said (in the Bible) is settled regardless of whether I believe it. Scriptural truths are not up for dispute or reaching an agreement between me and God.
May 28, 2015 at 9:31 am | Uncategorized
How to Overcome the Spills in Life
Spilling of Waterfalls and Tears
It’s been years since I watched Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa spilling over the edges of the earth. There’s no way to stop it—you can’t restrain that kind of force.
No more than I can restrain tears spilling over the edges of my face. “Lord, let me remind you I am speaking to a ladies group in less than twenty-four hours. And I am speaking about you.”
Why tears? The two days before did not go as I had planned. I latched onto words murmured in the negative; and felt burdened under the weight of a hectic schedule coupled with what seemed like a myriad of responsibilities.
Overwhelmed. Discouraged in every “hat” placed atop my head—a defeated mindset fitting inside each one.
May 21, 2015 at 8:38 am | Uncategorized
Thriving Member of Jealous Anonymous
My cover is blown. Having come to terms with my problem, an intervention is not necessary. I’m ready to make a public confession. My name is Karen Friday and I am jealous.
I remember experiencing jealousy as early as elementary school. Two girls were the best of friends without wanting a third to join them. What friend qualities did I not possess? I didn’t like the boy who won the spelling bee—he gloated.
Through the years, I pretended to be happy for the girl who beat me out of the lead part of a play. The boy who was a show-off at a state oratorical contest and took home the top prize.
Jealousy began to rear its ugly head in many aspects of my life. Characterized as the “green-eyed monster,” jealousy has the ugly factor. Have you ever seen an attractive monster?
Two ugly and often secret components of jealousy:
May 14, 2015 at 9:39 am | Uncategorized
I’m A Mom Who Can’t Always Make It Better
Caleb Friday
“This will sting for a few seconds.” I blew my breath on the newly scraped flesh.
I ran toward my four year old as he limped nearer. The tears flowing down his cheeks multiplied with the sight of mom and blood oozing from his knee. A kiss, bandaid, tear-wiping, and mom-cuddles will “make it better.”
My kids had their share of boo-boos. Especially, Caleb, our son. A Ninja at heart. Bike wrecks, jumps off high things, roller skates would not cooperate with his feet, and many run-ins with the concrete at the swimming pool. Usually the lifeguard’s whistle was too late. Busted chin or bottom lip—corroboration that hard surfaces are not our friends—and adversaries of mothers.
Knees, elbows, and shins are tender places. The good Lord knew how to construct the human body, this I know. “The padding is sparse on certain parts, Lord.” (As if I have a case in point.)
May 7, 2015 at 9:32 am | Uncategorized
I Need to Borrow Superman’s Cape
By Karen Friday
Shoulders back. Head and chin up. I trust it will fit nicely. Superman’s cape.
A few heroines sport capes too. Those won’t do. There’s a need to stand tall—to fly—to take on something bigger than my wildest dreams and shoot for the moon. (I’ve never hit the moon.)
I admit, a daily selection of wrinkle-free capes already hang in my wardrobe.
Independent cape: Want-ads aren’t placed in the local newspaper. I work alone, not part of a superhero team. No sidekicks or aspiring heroes necessary. I can save myself, save you, and save the day!
Comic book cape: My life is captured and illustrated on colorful pages. Children and collectors everywhere marvel at my cape-wearing-stories. Performing heroic feats, villain knock-outs, then receiving the adoration. Hero worship.
April 30, 2015 at 9:27 am | Uncategorized