.........Musings of an Avant-Garde Pastor's Wife.........

Fear & Faith

2011-12-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

My husband is a born and raised Arkansan, from a tiny farm town set in themiddle of the Ozark Mountains. I, on the other hand, am a born and raised citygirl from the suburbs East of Dallas, Texas. Since our first year of marriage,my husband and I alternate holidays between our two families; Thanksgiving atone family’s home and Christmas that same year will be at the other.

This year Christmas was spent on the farm in the Ozarks. One day during ourstay, my husband decided he would go for a little hike up to the top of thebluffs behind the house. If you knew my sweet husband, you would know that hehas a fear of heights but he insisted on reliving some childhood memories bygoing to the top and I was not going to crush his spirit. Shortly after he madeit to the top, Eric sent me a text message with a picture of the view fromwhere he was. It was absolutely beautiful! Then, once we exchanged a coupletext messages, he realized and admitted that going up was a bit easier and muchless intimidating than the idea of going down.

Have you ever thought this way in regards to your faith? I know I have,probably since the beginning of my faith journey. When you are encouraged andmotivated, you feel unstoppable and your faith grows stronger with everyaccomplished step. Then, as soon as your initial goal is achieved, yousometimes get side-tracked. Another mountain or obstacle shows up and youimmediately get intimidated. Have you ever experienced this? (Surely I’m notthe only one!)

The more I experience this as an adult, the quicker God seems to remind me(or maybe I just listen a little more now) that fear has no place in our faith.I was recently reminded of the beautiful verses in 1 John 4 about the comparisonbetween God’s love and our love. The one that echoes the loudest for me isverse 18. Here is what it says:

“¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfectin love.”

It is a sobering reminder that we are made in the image of God, which is thepicture of PERFECT LOVE, so we are completely capable of driving out fear withour faith & love. Just as faith is our shield in the armor of God, love canbe a tool to bolster the faith we have.

Where does your faith need to be bolstered? Are you willing to push throughthe intimidation to accomplish the things you once feared? Be reminded of thatperfect love that drives out fear and you will find encouragement andmotivation you need to grow in your faith.

Mirrors: An Encouragement for My Sisters

2011-11-29T21:34:00.001-08:00

As women, in general, we look inthe mirror often. We usually pass by one or two every morning before evenleaving the house. As I was thinking about mirrors, these three kept coming to mind:

Full-length mirrors – they allow us to vieweverything from head to toe

Handheld/Makeup mirrors- they allow us toview things in extremely close detail

Fun-house mirrors- they allow us to view ourselves in distorted ways

(probably how we often think of ourselves sometimes)

After a while, I kept thinking of a fourth mirror, but it is one of a moremetaphorical variety and that is a mirror of the heart. This mirror allows usdo look deeper than surface level; into our true intentions and into the mostearnest parts of who we are.

Altogether, when we think of mirrors, a word that comes to mindis “image”. God’s image, however, is not really avisible image like we are first inclined to think about. Image refers to arepresentation. When we look into those physical mirrors, we see an accurate (orsometimes innaccurate) representation of what we really look like, but lookinginto the metaphorical mirror can be a little harder at times.

As believers, we have aresponsibility to live a life that immulates, or represents, the character ofGod and the idea of the “mirror of the heart” is to hold ourselves accountableto that. God's image is one of integrity, humility, love, mercy, compassion,etc. The list can go on and on for days, but those characteristics alone canseem intimidating enough, but don’t let that ever discourage you from living aholy life. We have been prepared, in advance, for this type of living! What ablessing!

From the beginning, God let usknow in Genesis Ch. 1 v. 26a & 27 what His intentions were in creatinghumanity. Verse 26a says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, inour likeness…’” and verse 27 goes on to reiterate what God said and did, “SoGod created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; maleand female He created them.” The fact that God has clearly shown how He createdus can be enough encouragement that we can truly live lives that reflect Hisvery image. It seems very unlikely that God would state something so powerfulwithout it being attainable for us.

The questions we should be askingourselves and each other, is ‘Where is the mirror of your heart?’ and ‘Have youactually looked in it today?’ We must be humble enough to look into it everyday. Sisters, EACH of you has been created in the very image of God. Don’tforget that! God had intentions for you to be able to live holy and pleasing livesso don’t be discouraged. He has faith in YOU. Let your faith be something youreflect into this world and have confidence as you represent the image you werecreated in.

He Rode in on a Donkey! Now THAT is obedience!

2011-04-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

I have been reading in the book of John lately, and a couple weeks ago I was reading the story of Lazarus in Ch. 11... Wow! It's such a powerful chapter. The beginning of the Crucifixion starts to unravel at the end of this chapter as Caiaphas was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for all of humanity. But that's not the best part! To see the story unfold as the words leave the Caiaphas' lips... it is like an immediate signal for Jesus and he does an 'about-face' and heads to Jerusalem. This was a BIG DEAL! The Disciples knew that it would mean trouble for Jesus if He went there, but Jesus left Judea and it is made public that people began plotting His death.
   I can't even begin to imagine what that would have been like in person, but as we have less than 2 weeks left until Easter, I just want to encourage you to think about what these weeks were like for Christ. He began to fulfill the prophecies from the Old Testament and I can't help but to think about what a heavy burden that had to have been for Him. I am almost 27 years old... I can't fathom being 6 years older and going through what He did. I am so grateful that I will never have to, but we have SO much to learn from every piece of the puzzle that culminates into the 'Easter story'.
   Focus on the seemingly "smaller" prophecies, for just a moment, that began to come to fruition. For instance, in Ch. 12 v.15 the simple act of riding in on the donkey was a fulfillment of a prophecy (Zech. 9:9)... riding on a donkey. By all rights, that seems rather simple to do. You find the nearest donkey, hop on, and give a sturdy 'H'Yah!' and get movin'! Easy, right? For Jesus, though, that was just one of the first on a long checklist of many prophecies to be fulfilled before His ultimate purpose on earth would be revealed. I wonder what it felt like to ride into Jerusalem on that day, for Him. What did it feel like? Was He anxious? Was He proud, scared, sad? Did He have more than one donkey to choose from? I wonder about it all.
   All I do know, is that He knew His Father had a plan and He obediently followed through until the end. I also have faith that the FULL ending has yet to come. I have a genuine faith that He will return to earth to fulfill the last bit of prophecy and create a brand new EVERYTHING! What an amazing promise!!!!
   So, until then... If Christ can anticipate all that He did and still fulfill every prophecy thus far, SURELY I can be obedient in a time of uncertainty, today. Jesus understood what God was doing and STILL proceeded to be obedient! Being that Jesus Christ was fully human AND fully God, I can't help but believe that He still had to have felt at least little anxiety about the whole "dying on the cross for our sins" thing. I don't mean for that to sound any less Holy or Anointed, but if He had emotions like I do, as a SOLELY, fully-human human, surely HE understood and experienced that same spirit of being anxious that we are all familiar with. For crying out loud, when Jesus left the disciples between the time they finish the Last Supper and when He gets arrested... He asks this of God,“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Then in the next couple of verses Luke mentions that Jesus had to be relieved of His anguish and strengthened by an angel/heavenly being. I just can't get away from this idea that Jesus genuinely understood sadness. Even more than that... I cannot help but to feel sad for Jesus. I mean, I really can't move past the emotions of remorse for Christ. I know and absolutely believe in the FACT that the victory has been won and that death was crushed beneath His feet... but as the sweet song of praise goes "... it was MY SIN that held him there until it was accomplished... " How Deep The Father's Love For Us

Sorry- I got a little side tracked. What is my point? I mention all of that to say this:
  If Jesus could obediently endure the worst of the worst, knowing that He would inevitably face death... then we can give Him our 'everything' in this current moment in faith. Period. We shouldn't have to find a reason or try to justify the WHY of trusting & obediently following after Him. We need to focus on the HOW. If all we do is focus on giving reason to our belief, we will never grow in our faith. We have to seek HOW to be obedient instead of WHY to be obedient. When we do that, we are putting faith in Christ and in HIS ultimate example of HUMBLE obedience.

Don't forget about humility and how it has a rightful place in our response to the obedience of Christ. He humbled Himself in 2 major ways that deserve all our adoration, praise, honor, and glory; becoming fully human (while still fully God) and dying the death of a lowly thief by dying on the cross.

My encouragement to you, brothers & sisters... DO NOT forget the little things leading up to the Resurrection. It has a place in your story of faith... HOW will you be obedient? Ask God where He is working and ask Him HOW you can meet Him there!

Sweet Savior, I am so sorry for taking part in your sadness, anguish, sorrow, and the burden of the cross. While I am eternally grateful for Your sacrifice, I apologize for being the burden and cause of your death. To You, oh merciful God, I sing my praise. It is Your Name, alone, that has power! To God Be The Glory!!!

-slm

PLEASE READ: Helping Women on the Other Side of the World

2009-10-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

I happened to record Oprah the other day... which I never do... I just happened to be flipping channels and the promo for that day's show caught my attention and so I set the DVR up to record it. The show was an amazing one and I learned about an organization called Women For Women International (WFW). Their website is www.womenforwomen.org and the organization "...mobilizes women [in war torn countries] to change their lives through a holistic approach that addresses the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments."
The organization is funded by sponsors as well as general donations. When you become a sponsor, you become a pen pal with a woman from one of these many war torn countries:

The sponsorship program only costs $27 a month and in WFW's words: "Women begin in our Sponsorship Program where direct financial aid from a sponsor helps them deal with the immediate effects of war and conflict such as lack of food, water, medicine and other necessities. Exchanging letters with sponsors provides women with an emotional lifeline and a chance to tell their stories —maybe for the first time. As their situations begin to stabilize, women in our program begin building a foundation for their lives as survivors."
I have never really openly expressed my passion or my heart for this kind of service and ministry to women, but this is an incredible thing they... now WE... are doing! While there isn't necessarily a religious affiliation to this organization, it speaks straight to the heart of Christ; loving and providing for the needy and simply doing so in His name! Praise Jehovah-Jireh! My God- Provider!
WFW is definitely not a 'hand-out', but rather life skills and resources that not all the women in these countries can afford. Even if they can afford to receive this practical education... some women are beaten, burned, raped, and even killed for just seeking the slightest independence. It is a terrible injustice to these women , but WFW is doing so much to teach the communities of these simple life skills.
Here are the FIVE main core beliefs of Women For Women International:

Equality: All people are free and equal in dignity and rights: civil, political, social, economic and cultural.

Empowerment: The women who we assist are the leaders in their own lives. Tools are provided for each woman to rebuild her life.

Respect: The women we support choose their own value system. Options are presented to each woman but she is responsible for her own choice.

Diversity: Women are not simply refugees or victims of war but are survivors and individuals. No two women require the same support to heal, and no two societies can be rebuilt in the same way. Communication among women of varied backgrounds, national origins, race, and religion – both those who need assistance and those who offer it – must honor each other’s differences.

Investment: The one-on-one approach deals with macro issues through micro solutions. By strengthening local chapters we attempt to build or strengthen civil society in the countries where we work.

It truly is a beautiful thing to be involved in! My prayer is that the love of Christ would flow through the words on my letters and translate to my sister through WFW. In the next 4 weeks I will receive my sponsorship kit and will learn who my sister is. I cannot wait to being this new ministry! If you are a woman reading this, PLEASE PRAY about doing this as well! What an incredible thing to be able to do for someone! Please pray for me as I begin this new chapter in my life as well. If you decide that this is something that God may be calling you to do, please let me know! I would love to hear what is going on with you and your sister as well!

-Back in the blog scene-

Sherrill Lynn Moffett

It's Been A While...

2009-07-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have typed a blog post, but I figured it was about time to get caught up!

This summer has been CRAZY for the Moffetts! We have been going and going and going nonstop since May! Our lives have been consumed with family visits, church camps, conventions, rallies, VBS this week, mission trip next week, jewelry party after that, and then a wedding the next week after that... the list goes on and has plenty of details that have kept us busy just preparing for those events! I always looked at the summertime as a time of rest & relaxation... not this year! Don't get me wrong- I certainly am not complaining about my life, I will just be grateful for the Fall and a possible break from the hectic life we have been living lately!

Eric and I joined the Arkadelphia Health Club around the end of May with the summertime special, but we haven't set foot in the gym in the past two weeks, and this next week will make 3 because of VBS! I REALLY miss my Zumba and Pilates classes! However, I think we are going to continue our membership beyond the summer, because we really enjoy it as well as NEED it! As a result of summertime business and stress from it all, I have begun a new relationship with Mr. Haagen Dazs Coffee flavored ice cream... but I think I need to break up with him! He is no good for me what-so-ever!!! ha ha

As I wrap this up, my last thoughts are focused on tomorrow being the first day of our Boomerang Express themed VBS. I hope the tape holds up over night for all of our decorations!

25 New Things

2009-02-08T22:47:00.000-08:00

1- I cannot stand bad grammar! It puts a bad taste in my mouth!

2- My favorite time of year is when the breeze is crisp and you have to cover up with blankets and over sized sweatshirts.

3- I paint and sometimes it actually looks like art!

4- Some days I dream about performing on Broadway. I desperately want to get back on the stage someday!

5- I recorded a CD at my friend's dad's studio in TN and plan on recording another one sometime in the future. (It only got into the hands of family members... or at least that is what it was intended for... but my dad made copies and if you know my dad... you know that's always good for an embarrassing time!)

6- I hit a frog while I was driving in the rain on the first day I had my driving permit... and I cried about it. What a dork!

7- I love to write music/lyrics. It has become a crazy obsession! (If only I could play the guitar and piano good enough!)

8- Whenever I get the opportunity... I LOVE to ride ATVs/4-wheelers!!! I can spend hours just riding around on them! I really want a 4-wheeler of my own one day!

9- The first concert I ever went to was to the NKOTB... New Kids On The Block... when I was 5 or 6 years old! My mom took me, a friend, and my older cousin and it was amazing! I think that was a point in my life when I became enamored with performing!

10- I named a stray dog 'Miley'... yes it was after Miley Cyrus. (I'm not ashamed!)

11- I am just as bad a 'pack-rat' as my hubby.

12- Stress, to me, is normal in everyday life.

13- Even though I am from Texas, I 'rep' the Hogs like any good wife of a native Arkansan should! But I still hold on to my A&M Aggies charm on my charm bracelet!

14- My dog, Katie, was my sister and best friend growing up.

15- I think accents from other states and countries are so beautiful! They add so much to people's personalities. However... I hate mine!

16- Texting is not a genuine method of communication to me! Don't get me wrong... I still use texting almost every day... but listen to this...
STORY- Once upon a time I was calling a student to inform them about some events at the church we were planning and (true story)... I hadn't even finished leaving my voicemail message when they texted me this "Hey! I saw that you had called... what's up?" ... SERIOUSLY?!? If you saw I was calling... why didn't you answer your stinking phone!?!?!?! ha ha ha It drives me crazy how much texting has removed so much personal communication. (Okay- I'm off my soap box now. ha ha)
17- I had a blowout once because I was reaching over to roll down the passenger side window to let a bee out of the car while I was driving! (STUPID!!!) The marks are still on the bridge in Rowlett, TX on HWY 66/Lakeview Pkwy.

18- I have always wanted to be considered a deep thinker... but I fear that people assume I am only silly and goofy.

19- Barbies were my obsession when I was a little girl!

20- Guys with ponytails make me laugh and make me feel a little creeped out! It just reminds me of white-trash 90's guys... cerca the Billy Ray Cyrus mullet days!

21- Sadly, I admit I love to dress my dogs up in sweaters and costumes! It's probably got something to do with reliving my Barbie days or something crazy like that...

22- I have a new found respect and love for public transportation since I rode the Metro in France! I think we need more metro systems and more DART transportation methods!

23- It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I realized where or what the endzone was on the football field! I always thought it was the 5 yards before "the touchdown place"... ha ha!!!

24- I absolutely LOVE checking the mailbox and my e-mail in hopes of receiving personal mail! I don't know what it is about a letter or e-mail that I love so much.

25- My childhood crush was Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT) from Home Improvement. One of my best friends, Katy Miller... she says she goes by Kate now but she knows I will forever call her Katy, ANYWAYS... we made up a club that met together in her backyard play house for JTT Club Meetings! We were so cool!

Thanks for reading this. You should do it too- it's fun!

I Would Walk 500 miles: A Change of Plans

2008-11-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well... I may have been a little over-zealous in my attempts to train for the Little Rock half marathon in March. Instead of training to do a longer distance walk/run, I am altering my training schedule. I will now be training to (hopefully) fully RUN the Little Rock 5K the same day of the Marathon, in March. I think this goal is a LOT more attainable. So to those of you who have been so great to hold me accountable: Thank you, and please keep it going! (I still need it!) And if you want to join me in the training process, let me know and I will share my researched plan!

These are a few... a LOT... of my favorite things:

2008-10-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

As Fall approaches, I am reminded of all of my favorite things. With Fall being my favorite season, it only seemed appropriate to post about ALL off my favorite things! It makes me happy, and I hope you talk about your favorite things!

*The smell of freshly cut grass!

*The smell of blooming gardenias

*Losing weight!

*Singing my heart out in the car

*Designing clothes!

*The smell of burning leaves or burning trash back in the country.

*Performing on the stage!!!

*CAMPFIRES!

*Puppies!

*Riding up mountains in gondolas!

*God's promise!

*Putting on makeup and changing my hair color!

*Weddings (mine in particular!)

*The smell of rain on the hot pavement!

*River Rafting

*Camping & hiking!

*Going to Schlitterbahn with my daddy!

*The changing of leaves in North West Arkansas!!!

*Taking pictures!

*Sharing the love of Jesus with as many people as I encounter with no judgments or biases!

*Listening to my husband preach!

*Visiting family!

That's enough for right now... I'm sure I will think of more later!

-Sherrill Lynn M.

"I would walk 500 miles" or something like that...

2008-08-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Beginning September 1st... I will officially begin training to run/walk in my very first half marathon... specifically in the Little Rock Marathon... emphasis on the HALF and walking portions! Never the less... I am going to do this!!! Hooray for motivation! Anyways... your encouragement will gladly be accepted and any pointers would be GREAT! This is going to be a long road... but I've wanted to do this and by telling everyone, I am creating a sort of accountability with you, my friends. Thanks for reading this!

My life, lately.

2008-07-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't kept up with the whole blogging scene, but I find more and more reasons to start picking it back up again. So.... away we go:

June 10th was mine & Eric's 2 year anniversary... TWO YEARS! I couldn't believe it!

June 16-20 was a milestone week. It was marked as the week I became more involved with our local Carey Baptist Association as the Children's Camp Choir Director and Eric as the Children's Camp Pastor. It also was marked as the week I new I had to quit my job at the Chiropractor's office after being there for almost a full year. I was stretching myself in too many ways and could no longer committ to giving them what they needed, nor could I committ to the ministry Eric & I were called to Sparkman for. It was definitely an eye-opening week. The following Tuesday was when I quit, and it was bittersweet... but definitely the right decision.

July has already been a very busy month... really the whole SUMMER has been a whirlwind and I'm not too sure it is going to slow down anytime soon!

Our church just finished our VBS last week and it was a BLAST! Mom came up for the whole week to lend her services and her awesomeness to help us out. I am so incredibly blessed to have a little mama who loves entertaining kids and doing arts & crafts!

I started my new job at the Ray White Lumber/Saw Mill. Eric likes to tell people he has me "stacking logs at the mill." YEAH RIGHT! I sit in the air conditioned building and sit at a desk answering phones, doing typical receptionist work, and laughing my behind off at the crazy people who come into the office. I also listen to men gossip all day. Let me just say RIGHT NOW... guys definitely gossip!!! Young & old alike... they gossip just as much as women! Anyways... I really love my new job!

Eric and I haven't really gone on any actual vacations, but we have been traveling quite a bit to see our families this month and we will be venturing to TX again for another seudo-vacation tonight. It will be the first Sunday we've had off in a long time, so that should be nice. We will be visiting a church in Ft. Worth and spending time with some friends; Levi, Charla, Micah H, Amory, etc.

Then... the day after we get home Micah B. & Samantha B. will be carpooling their way up to good old Sparkman for a get-away to our little chateau. THEN... the day after they leave we will have Gilley, Andrew, Al, and Bobby B. traveling to Sparkman for a get-away of their own. What can I say? Eric & I love when our friends and family visit!

On the flip side, we just found out that our 1 and 1/2 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Lucy, has heart worms. We have to find her a smaller kennel/dog run for when she goes through treatment, so that she doesn't over work her sweet little self. Oh goodness we love our dogs!

That has been the latest news from the Moffetts. Now I can post about more things.

Thanks for reading.

Just another day in... paradise??

2007-08-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

Just another day in... paradise??

A town of 500 in the Piney Woods of South Arkansas never struck me to be the type of place I would ever dream of living. However, God has placed Eric, myself, and our two precious dogs here in that very place! Sometimes it is hard to stay here and live in a place so different from the Dallas, TX metroplex where I grew up. I OFTEN miss the business of DFW traffic and the proximity of which EVERYTHING was within reach! But this is home for now. Be with me, Lord. ha ha