Ester 5:11-14, Part One

I'm doing a Bible study by Beth Moore called, "Esther." I highly recommend it. Yesterday I studied the text from Esther 5:11-14 (please read it so you better understand what I'm saying). Haman is having major issues with Mordecai. He is consumed with anger and hatred for Mordecai. After attending Esther's banquet with the king he is flying high; that is until he sees Mordecai at the king's gate. He goes home and throws a party for his wife and friends to tell them how awesome he is. After bragging about how amazing he is he mentions in verse 13 that "all of this (awesomeness) gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."

Then his lovely wife comes up with a solution that blows my mind. She recommends that Haman build a 75-foot high gallows to have Mordecai hanged on. What? That is your brilliant solution? Way to go, Zeresh!

There are a few things that I want to talk about so I'm going to split this post into two days. I'm stealing a bunch of stuff from Beth's study. She has much better things to say than I do! The first thing I want to focus on is Zeresh, Haman's wife. As you read this, think about yourself and your role in your husband's life and ministry.

Haman was a pretty difficult person to be around, I assume. Just reading about him makes me want to kick him in the butt. Imagine being married to him? He's throwing an "I'm Awesome" party and then right in the middle of it he decides to throw a pity party for himself about Mordecai. His wife, who I'm sure knows him inside and out, decides to come up with a quick solution to the problem. Maybe she wants to shut him up? Maybe she hates conflict? Maybe she knew that Bobby McFerrin was going to write, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and so, out of spite, she decided to say it first? Maybe she genuinely cares about him and hates seeing him in so much pain? Maybe she hated Mordecai as much as Haman? Whatever the reason, she blurts out the first thing that probably came to her mind, "Have him killed" and then "Go with the king to the dinner and be happy." Now that's some good advice, huh?

Think about your marriage. Think about how you handle yourself when your husband gets down on himself, gets angry at someone else, or gets frustrated with you. Do you try to fix the problem immediately? Are you rash in the way you handle the situation, possibly speaking before you really think it through? Do you ever offer advice that you wish you could take back? Personally, I hate conflict. I'll do almost anything to avoid it. My biggest problem is speaking and acting too quickly, without proper thought or prayer, often just to avoid a problem.

Dr. Karen Jobes points out that, "Zeresh counsels him simply to eliminate immediately the cause of his dissatisfaction." Beth goes on to say, "What kinds of risks are we taking when we pursue the immediate elimination of dissatisfaction? Often our advice for our loved ones is pure and selfless, but other times we want our family member to get some resolution because he's about to drive us over the emotional edge."

Beth then goes on to talk about Jezebel and the power she had over King Ahab. In 1 Kings 21:1-16 Ahab is being a baby because he didn't get what he wanted. Jezebel takes charge and solves the problem herself. Why does the solution always include the death of someone? These Bible women are nuts!!!

Two of the conclusions Beth makes are that as women we have tons of persuasive power-both positive and negative-in our homes. And second, women need and crave peace. What are we willing to do to get it?

She asked the following questions for reflection. Answer them honestly and think about them not only in terms of your husband, but also in terms of the people in your life.

1. Do I have a low tolerance for the discomforts and upsets of those around me?

2. Do I feel pressured to come up with solutions to a loved one's persisting problems?

3. Do I ever grow weary enough of my loved one's problem that I could be tempted to give advice normally uncharacteristic of me?

4. Do I tend to get inordinately wrapped up in my loved one's conflicts with people and develop strong feelings like jealousy, resentment, or hatred toward their opponent?

5. Do I tend to take a quick trip from passionate to irrational?

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From Zero to Three Jobs in 30 days!

As I mentioned before I started a Pampered Chef business. So far it's going really well and I'm meeting tons of new people which is awesome (and the main reason I'm doing it).

Vince also asked me to be his part-time Administrative Assistant (unpaid, of course!!!!). I'm not sure how I feel about that other than nervous. There is a fine line between church and home that I don't want to cross. I'm excited to use my gifts for Verve, but the whole pastor/boss/husband thing has the potential to go bad. If you have any suggestions for me I'd appreciate it.

I've also mentioned that I started working out with my friend Melissa. She and her husband own a gym called Fitness 19. Their Administrative Assistant just quit and so they asked me if I would take the job. After much prayer I decided to take it! It's part-time, during the day while the kids are at school. The best thing is that I get to make my own schedule each day, which will give me the flexibility I need.

School started for the kids on Monday, which totally bums me out. I'm one of those moms that actually likes summer vacation, minus the whining every time I have to run an errand or go to the store! Other than the occasional complaint, it's lots of fun. I don't have too long to grieve their absence because they go to a year-round school. The track they got assigned to has from Thanksgiving to New Year's off. I think I can get used to this!

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Everybody Hates Kuma!

Every group has one of them...

The EGR (Extra Grace Required) person who monopolizes the group, causes others stress and makes you, the leader, want to rip out your hair.

Our EGR person is Kuma, our 2-year old Pomeranian dog.

Everyone hates Kuma. He is a madman on a path of destruction and distraction. When people talk about him they refer to him as "Satan's spawn" or "pure evil." In general, he's an OK dog, but once launch team meeting starts he becomes this insane burst of annoying that can't be stopped. Here's some examples of his evil.

1. We eat dinner together every week. He preys upon the least suspecting person and pounces on their plate when they least expect it.
2. During our meetings we often find him on the counter or table searching for food. I have to run out in the middle of Vince talking to get him down.
3. He runs around like he's lost his mind. He's a flaming extrovert and the crowd charges him, I guess. He bolts through the house and often runs into things, like his crate or the wall.
4. He scoots his butt all over the area rug, making people throw up in their mouths.
5. If we put him upstairs he barks incessantly. If we put him outside he barks incessantly. If we put him in his crate he barks incessantly. It's like he's possessed...and determined!
6. The ultimate Kuma faux pas happened last week when, in the middle of Vince teaching, he mounted a small child and began to hump her.

So what are some of the distractions in your group? How do you deal with them? How do you deal with your EGR people or animals? I'd love to hear your stories.

Just so you don't feel like I'm ganging up on Kuma, I'll share a few other examples of launch team madness:

1. Our first night a girl fell into our pool.
2. Several weeks later another child fell into our pool.
3. No one is allowed to play in our backyard during launch team anymore!
4. The best one happened last night when my 12'x12' gazebo completely blew apart in my backyard. I was literally screaming for help! It was me against the wind and the gazebo until some guys showed up to rescue me.

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7-Month Anniversary!

7 months ago today we arrived in Las Vegas, our new home! It's hard to believe that 7 months have gone by. On one hand I feel like I've lived here forever, but on the other hand I feel like we just got here.

I got home from my trip to Buffalo and felt a little lost. When I think about "home" I don't think about Las Vegas. I picture my living room in Virginia Beach, Forefront, and all things East Coast. After spending a week away from home I started feeling homesick, but I wasn't sure what home I was sick for!

Sometimes I think, "God what in the world are we doing here? This place is whacked out!" But then God reminds me of the reason we moved here and I shut up!

We're at a crossroads of sorts with Verve. We're trying to figure out if we're going to rent the movie theater weekly like we planned, or if we should lease a permanent space. Vince had a meeting with a guy who is leasing an amazing space right on the highway. Vince totally low-bawled him on the price and the guy accepted. He also agreed to put an air conditioning unit in the back. This was a huge answer to lots of prayer. It reminded me that even though I can't always see God in Sin City He is in fact moving and working and doing miracles!

One of the couples who moved here has two little boys. One of her boys was feeling homesick for family and got a little weepy. His Mom asked him if he knew why they left the people they love to move to Vegas. He said, "We left the ones we love to work for the One we love the most." Well said, Nate!

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Lots of Celebrating!

Thursday was my 15-year wedding anniversary! How I'm old enough to have been married for 15 years is beyond me! Ha! Vince planned the perfect date; he took me to see Cirque Du Soleil's Ka. It was amazing! One of the perks of living in Vegas is the unlimited options for entertainment.

Tomorrow is Marissa's 8-year birthday! We're headed to Disneyland to celebrate her big day!

We had a sleepover birthday party with a bunch of her friends on Friday night. The little girl drama was overwhelming. They love and hate each other within minutes. Unbelievable! Despite the drama she had a great time and is still on cloud nine!

The kids and I are headed to Buffalo to visit family on Wednesday. I'm so excited to see everyone and get out of this heat! I'm also pumped to see some green outside. My parents are still living in the land of dial-up Internet, so I won't be blogging. I can't deal with the speed....or lack thereof.

Blog ya later!

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