JulieAnn Pratt

I just received devastating news that a friend from our early years in ministry, a wife and mother, passed away suddenly yesterday. She was the same age as me. She and her husband were married only a few years after my husband and I. Her daughters are 5 and 1. And now her dear husband is left without the love of his life, and is left to raise two [beautiful] children by himself.  How is he going to tell his children? What is he going to tell his children? This is what he is struggling with. Death is a word we avoid in our culture. We have even invented euphemisms for it like “passing away” or “gone to be with Jesus.” These words aren’t really wrong or bad to use, but why don’t we like to talk about it? Especially with our children.  It is a part of our Christian life.  And it is something that should be discussed with your children. In an age-appropriate manner, of course. Here’s some points you can make with your children – or maybe you need to remind yourself… (more…)

So if you are in the ministry, you should be able to relate to this…as is often the case, we have spent most of our years in ministry living in houses that weren’t necessarily what we would have chosen. Or, as is the case now, in a parsonage, or church-provided house. We are so grateful for our home; it gives us the ability to live and work more effectively. BUT, this kind of lifestyle has it’s down side, too. (more…)

These are pictures of my family, and my “extended family” – my students.

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Hello! Do you find yourself always looking for God’s will? Here’s something to mull over… We spend so much time praying for “God’s will” in so many situations and for so many reasons.  Should I take this job? Where should I send my kids to school? What’s the best decision for… ? At least I pray that way to God sometimes (like this week, for instance). ) And God reminded me, as He’s so faithful to do, that He has already told me what His will is.

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