May. 16, 2009 - Questions Answered

Questions Answered

As part of the sermon on Biblical Womanhood vs. Feminism, our pastor asked me and other woman that was participating, questions to answer. Here are the questions I was asked and how I answered them.

Question 1

According to the Bible, do you believe that women were created inferior to men or created equal with different purposes? What was God's intended role for women?

Chapter 1, verse 27 of Genesis says, "So God created man in his own image in the image od God he created him; male and female, he created them." Man and woman, both, were created in the image of God. So, I beleive that makes us created equally. He also created male and female. So although we were created equally in His own image, He created us differently, for specific roles. When those roles are combined together into "one flesh", then the image and glory of God can truly be reflected.

Throughout the Bible, the roles of men and women are clearly spelled out. Genesis 1:15 says "God took man and put hime in the Garden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 1 :18 says, "God saide, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helpmeet (or a helper) suitable for him." Man's role in verse 15 is that of a provider and protector. In verse 18, woman's role is that of a helper to assist man in providing and protecting. In Genesis 1 : 28, God calls both to be parents, "God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and mulitply; fill the earth and subdue it..."

I see the man's role as being the protector, the provider, the head of the household, religious instructor, and father. I see the woman's role as being the caretaker, the helper, the keeper of th ehome, teacher, and mother. The 2 roles combined work together to carry out God's plan for raising the next generation in the fear and the admontion of the Lord.

Question 2

Have you been treated differently by family or friends? And would you say that Biblical Womwnhood is under attack today?

Most definitely! It is being attacked by society and by a somewhat surprising source, other women. Society views someone like me, who has a degree but stays at home to be a mother and a keeper of the home, as wating my intelligence, my education, my degree, and my life. I have had family members tell that to me to my face. And you should see the look I get from some women I am introduced to for the first time and they ask me "Tafy, what do you do?" When I say, "I am a stay at home wife and mother.", that is when the look comes. A look of pity with a hint od disgust and contempt behing it. Then, comes their one word response of "Oh!" If I add that I homeschool my daughter, a look of amazement comes over their faces and they say "How do you do it? I can't imagine being at home with my kids all day long." And as for the idea of being submissive, well, this story tells it all. I heard a woman say about another woman, "I just know she isn't educated., because no educated woman would be that submissive to their husband."

How do we as Christian women and Christians counteract the influence society has over thinking like that? I think part of the problem is that the modern day church doesn't spend enough time celbrating and stressing the importance of Biblical womanhood role, or passing on that knowledge to the younger women of th echurch. I certainly wasn't taught about my role by the aged women of my childhood church. Titus 2: 3-5 is very clear on this point.

Question 3

What words of encouragement can you offer to the women here today?

Prayer. Patience. Practice.

Prayer. Pray for whatever area of Biblical womanhood you need to work on. Pray and ask God for guidance and help.

Patience. Your transformation won't happen over night. It will take time and patience.

Practice. You have to work on the area you are struggling with. You will have moments of weaknes. At times, you will fail completely. When you do; pick yourself up, dust yourself off, pray for help, give yourself time, and get to work again.

Prayer. Patience. Practice. And remind yourself of Phillipians 4: 13, "I can do all things through Jesus Christ whom strengthens me."

May. 12, 2009 - My Testimony

On Sumbitting

Realizing and understanding my biblical womanhood role has been a process, a journey really.  One God started me on long before I knew I was on it.  It started when Matt and I were married.  In our 21 years of marriage, we have faced some pretty big difficulties.  We got through them with the Lord’s help and by learning to trust in him.  Matt had an easier time with the trust thing. On the other hand it is hard for me to turn over control to someone else.  When I finally gave the control over to the Lord, life was so much easier.  I still can worry but I don’t carry a burden with me as long. Learning to trust and turn things over to Him led to me to the next phase of my journey. 

Since she was born, we have tried to raise Jessica in the fear and admonition of the Lord. With that as our guide we decided to homeschool Jessica from 7^th grade through graduation for religious reasons.  As I researched homeschooling, I came across families with the love of the Lord in their hearts.  Homeschooling was more than just teaching their children, it was way to live out their life and pass on their faith. The mothers in these families were amazing.  They had their problems but they had a peace and joy about them that is hard to describe.  They loved their family and it showed through their words and actions.  

I started reading books they recommended.  My eyes were open  to my role as a woman of God.  I realized if we were homeschooling Jessica for religious reasons, maybe it was time for me to practice what I preached.  I began implementing what I had learned from the scriptures.  But one verse bothered me.  I didn’t quite know what it meant.  “Wives submit to your husbands.”

"Wives submit to your husbands" has been used by many people in the context of what they believe.  Feminists use to say "see the church wants females to be slaves to the males” Male chauvinists have used it to excuse their behavior toward women.  Preachers have even used it to wield authority and power over the women in their congregation. I thought I knew what it meant.  My mother and grandmothers always showed deference to my father and grandfathers.  I thought they were submitting to them, but something about their submissiveness just wasn't right but I could not put my finger on it. I wanted to know what God meant. I prayed and asked him for his guidance.  He told me to read all of the section of scripture.

Eph 5:22-24; "Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which He is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also should submit to their husbands in everything."

     God said "You are to submit to Matt as you do to me." "How?"  "You trust in me and have given control to me in everything.  Do the same for Matt".  Even though I could feel the flesh side of my sin nature bristling in rebellion, I said "Okay".  God continued, "You go to him with most things anyway, now go to him with everything, and do it with the right attitude an attitude of honor and respect for his position as head of the household."  I cringed with regret because I knew exactly what the Lord was taking about.  Whenever I consulted Matt about something and I didn't like what he had to say, I sulked hoping to change his mind by my behavior.  Whenever he put his foot down, so to speak, I would obey but I would be furious and mumble under my breath at him, and he would get the silent treatment.  I knew I could only willingly and respectfully submit with God's help.  I said okay lord I will give your way a try but you are going to have to give me a nudge when I start crossing the line. 

I s I started on the hardest phase of my journey, submitting completely.  I started going to Matt with everything: was my choice of clothing appropriate? what should I do about a problem I was having with Jessica?, How do I respond to a remark made by my mother?  I can't say I always agreed with him or didn't get mad.  There were still times when I sulked or started to give him the silent treatment but God checked my motives.  I still had a long way to go but it was getting easier.  In going through this process of learning to submit completely, I had several realizations.  First, I had found the peace and joy those other women had.  I was enjoying my role as a wife and mother more.  Serving my family had become a joy instead of a burden.   Second, a veil had been lifted from my eyes and I saw what was wrong with my mothers and grandmothers submission, for it was once my own.  They submitted up to a point but used pouting and manipulation to get their way.  I want that pattern to stop with me.  I have already started preparing Jessica to submit to her husband by teaching her to submit to her father with the right attitude.   Third our love and our marriage was getting even stronger.  We had always had a strong marriage but we had our share of fights.  Those have all but stopped.  We still have strong disagreements for after all we are human but they are resolved quickly.  Finally I have a whole new freedom I never experienced before.  Yes, by submitting completely, I have freedom provided by his protection.  I no longer have to endure the pressure people can put on you when they try to push you into doing something for them.  The pressure stops when you say “I will have to discuss it with my husband”.  It has also freed me from obligations other family members try to put on me.  He has become my shield, protecting me from the world trying to take advantage of me.  

I am now in the reward phase of my journey reaping the benefits of putting my faith in God and his plan of submitting completely.  A friend of ours jokingly refers to me a spoiled.  He is right.  Although I am not spoiled in the traditional sense, I am spoiled because I am loved, cherished and protected.  I won’t apologize for my belief that women should submit to their husbands.  God thought it was important enough to his plan for us that he put it in His word.  We can’t pick and choose the guidelines in the bible that we want to follow.  We can’t add to what it says or take away from it.  We can’t analyze it within a cultural context.  The bible is God’s plan for our lives written for all to understand.  All we have to do is follow and live it.  

May. 11, 2009 - An Awesome Week...

...And An Awesome Purpose

I have been absent for over a week from the blogging world and I have missed it a great deal. My absence was due to the Lord working through my life to bear witness of His greatness, glory, and love.

Our pastor and my DH have been working on a sermon series for the past several weeks. May 3rd was the first Sunday in the series. The series is on different worldviews, the Biblical worldview and the secular worldview. Our pastor thought this would an excellent issue to address especially in this day and age where the 2 views seem to have melded into a worldview that appears to be godly but at its very roots it is Satanic. He thinks the day is coming very soon where Christians are going to have to defend their belief in God and know the Biblical truths to defend ourselves  against the onslaught to come. He believes the heat on Christians will be turned up and our rights will slowly be taken away in the days leading up to the glorious appearing of Jesus to call His children home during the Rapture. With all the "Hate Crimes" legislation plowing its way through Congress and the "Fairness Doctorine" to come, I believe he is right. Many people I have talked to feel the same way.

This past Sunday, Mother's Day, the sermon was on Biblical womanhood verses Feminism. At our pastor's request and DH's blessing I assisted with the sermon. It was like a round table discussion between the pastor, DH and I, and another couple. I was to give my testimony and answered questions the pastor asked me. So most of last week was spent writing out my testimony and coming up with answers to the questions I was going to be asked. I must admitted most of last week I was stressed out over my testimony and answers. On top of all that preparation, I was cooking a Mother's Day dinner for my MIL on Saturday, as well as preparing food for the meal for my mother on Sunday. (Thankfully, my brother did most of the cooking for that meal. Also, let me mention my monthly cycle chose this time to show up and it was a bad one. Could Satan have been trying to stop me from talking?)

By Thursday when I felt like I was going to crumble, a calm came over me. My testimony was perfected and I felt really good about it. All of my questions were sound and based on scripture. Friday and Saturday were full days of cleaning and cooking. They went smoothly. The meal Saturday night was delicious and we all had a good time. Saturday night, I slept well. The nerves I expected to keep me up didn't appear. Sunday morning, I had no nervous stomach. Showtime Sunday, I was still calm and for the first time in my life I was not nervous in the slightest talking before a big crowd.  I know that was all the Lord's doing. He wanted the message preached and He gave me the calm to do it.  I know this morning as I sit here and type, He was preparing me for yesterday for a long time. He has put all the right people, blogs, and books in my path to guide me to my new-found purpose in fulfilling my Biblical womanhood role. All the words I spoke, yesterday, were words He had been laying on my heart for a long time.

It just amazes me to look back and see His hand at work leading me up to this point of being able to calmly and freely share my testimony with the women of my church home. I plan on posting my testimony, the questions I was asked, and the answers I gave. To God be the glory!

Apr. 7, 2009 - A Sad Decision...

...But A Necessary One

Last week was a very busy one for me as I prepared for our Rook Club to meet at our house on Saturday night. We take turns hosting the club every month, providing snacks and prizes. We have been in this club for about 7 years now. The club was started by a group of people that are members of our former church. We still were members at the time we joined the club. We have throughly enjoyed our time in the club. It was a fun way to spend time with other adults. Sadly, this month is to be our last.

Our decision was a long thought out process. We had been discussing it for some time now. It was getting harder to work our schedule around everyone else's. Some how our schedule didn't matter as much to the others as their's did. We really didn't have a problem with that. We just thought it was a little inconsiderate. The amount of time we played each evening began to shorten as people needed to get home sooner, which is curious because all of the children are much older now. There were other little things that were bothering us but nothing we really couldn't deal with until one of the couples quit. That left an opening which left room for a new couple.

They found a couple to fill in for awhile. DH and I didn't know them but we tried to get to know them. After awhile, all the other couples asked if it would be okay for them to join. We weren't really on board with the idea but what could we say. We agreed. DH and I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and tried to get to know them better. As we got to know them better, we realized these weren't the type of people we were comfortable being around.(Now don't get me wrong, DH and I aren't snobs. There are just certain types of people we don't like to be around.) In this couple's relationship, the wife rules the roost. I am embrassed by the way she talks to her husband. As we were discussing Obama and the decisions he has made, she made it very clear that she was all for him. I don't hold that against her for she has the right to support whom ever she wishes as president. However, I have a big problem with her claiming to be a Christian and pro-choice. Those two claims are the total opposites of each other.

DH and I have come to realize that as born-again saved Christians there are people we shouldn't be around. What do I mean by that statement? It is this simple. In 1st Corinthians 5:11 Paul tells us not to assoicate with a person claiming to be a brother in Christ but acts the opposite. DH and I have firmly become to believe this. We don't believe so we can use it to be mean or exclude people we don't like. We believe it because it is what the Bible says. The churches of today are full of people claiming to be a Christian. The churches are weak and ineffective because of it. Many people don't believe we are to judge people, but that is not what this scripture says. Pauls tells us we aren't to judge those of the world but we have a duty to judge those claiming to be brothers but aren't living accordingly. Paul tells us to expel these people from among us and there is a proper biblically procedure for that. Sadly, not many churches are willingly to do so. So until they do, DH and I have agreed to not assoicate with people like this. We will be friendly and polite but will not allow those type of people to be in our inner circle of friends.

No, we are not coming up with our own criteria of Christian living. We are holding up lifestyles to the scrutiny of the Bible. We realize people are only human, sinful, and make mistakes. We aren't talking about misteps and mistakes .We are talking about people who call themselves Christians but blatantly and unapologetically live according to their own wants, wishes, and desires. (People who live together without being married. People committing adultery. People living a homosexual lifestyle. People who make unscrupulous business deals.)   We aren't being dismissive in our decision. We are trying to hold ourselves up to a higher standard. We are trying to be not of this world. We know we aren't perfect. We know we are sinful and will continue to sin. We know we will fall short. However, we have set ourselves on this course and we will not stray.

Christians need to start taking a stand on things. We can no longer sit around and be complacent. There are too many out there claiming to be somethng they are not. It is time we set ourselves apart, not self-righteously but humbly with the love and the word of the Lord in our hearts.  

Mar. 27, 2009 - The Duties Of A Deacon...

...And of His Wife's

"Likewise, must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lurce; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanders, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1st Timothy 3:8-13.

In the baptist churches in our area, the term deacon is spoken of in awe and gives one with such status a great deal of respect. However, sadly due to the fallen state of men, few men live up to the qualifications set aside in the Bible for such a position. We have personally known men, who have accepted this honor and then don't show up for meetings, carry out their duties, or even attend church regularly. Many use this position on a resume to advance themselves in their careers and in the political arena. Again, due to the fallen state of man, we have known men who have not had control over their wives, children, or household. These men don't have the respect or authority over their families then how can they gain the respect of those they are to minister to in the church.

On the other hand, we have known men who do live up to the qualifications of a deacon and carry out their duties with the love of the Lord shining and reflecting in all they do. We have also know a man that was elected as an elder in his church. When he made a bad decision concerning matters in which the church was invovled in and after some problems he and his wife were having with one of their children; he resigned his position becuase he felt like he wasn't living up to the duties or qualifications as an elder. What courage! What character! What one would except from a true man of God!

Several months ago, our pastor approached my DH with the idea of becoming a deacon at our little chapel. He said the little chapel has very few men that the board of elders feels like have the qualities needed to be a deacon. They  believed DH had those qualities and would like for him to consider it. DH did alot of praying and soul-searching. He talked it over with several godly men who were good friends. We talked about it alot. I encouraged him and told him I thought he would be really good at it for he has a heart to help people. Although I did tell him at one point, I didn't want him to do it for the simple reason I am a very jealous person. I don't like sharing his time and attention. He had several questions he needed the preacher to answer. One of his big concerns was how much more time would it take away from DD and I. He is already quite invovled in church activities and is out there as many as 3 nights a week. He and I are very adamant about our family coming before all else except for God. "God, family, everything else" is our family motto. Once those concerns were addressed, he gave them the okay to put his name up for a vote.

As I was looking up the qualifictions and duties in the Bible for a deacon, I realized I had a role to play in my husband's ministry. Me, was I worthy of the responsibility? Was I qualified? I love the Lord, Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I love my husband unconditionally and submit to his authority. But, can I do this? At the most basic level, I am a very shy, private person. It takes me awhile to open up to people, but once I do watch out. I also have a hard time letting other people touch me. I despise shaking hands and really don't like people I don't know hugging me. I know as a wife of a deacon, I am going to have to do things that will be outside of my comfort zone. Can I do this? I know that all things are possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. I also know DH wouldn't have been offered this honor if God didn't think we can both do this. I haven't shared any of these fears with DH. He has enough on his mind without worrying about my fears. As I said earlier, I am a very jealous person when it comes to DH's time and attention. It has taken me many years, with God's help, to get over him sharing his time with other people. I know if I can conqueror that selfishness with God's help, I can conqueror any fears I may have. With the Lord's help, I will "...be grave, not slanders, sober, faithful in all things." 1st Timothy 3:11.  With the Lord's help, I will be like the woman in Proverbs 31: 11-12, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."  If there are any older, wiser, and experienced deacons' wives out there reading this, I would love to hear from you and any advice that  you may have for me.

This past Sunday, March 22nd, my husband was humbled and honored, as the little non-denominational chapel we have been attending for over a year, voted him in as a deacon. I know that my husband's character and faith make him fit to serve the Lord in this capacity and in this ministry. I just hope that I prove worth to the task of being his helpmeet in this important ministry. 

Dec. 11, 2008 - In Times Of Trouble HE Is Our Strength!

Troubling News

The past 2 days have been rainy, gloomy, foggy, and down right nasty, but we have received almost 3 inches of rain which I am very grateful for. We have been out in all of the weather; taking DD to her final exams, grocery shopping, and various appointments. Today was the last day for exams, all of the groceries are bought, all appointments are taken care of. The only thing left to do is decorate my MIL's house for Christmas. I plan on doing that tomorrow, then hopefully all of our running around will be finished.

DH called me this afternoon on his way home. I am use to this. He does it frequently. We were getting supper out. I thought he had a question about our order. When I said hello, he said I survived it. I said survived what, the weather? He said no, the first round of lay offs. My mouth hit the floor and my heart dropped to my stomach. We knew things at his furniture factory had slowed down. Overtime has been cut, but business was still decent. They have been getting 40 hours a week. The management had told them things were going to be tight but it would be okay. This kinda of came as a shock, maybe not a really unexpected shock but still a shock none the less. I was speechless for the rest of the conversation except for a few yeses, nos, and a grunt.

When he hung up, tears started rolling down my checks. Thoughts began to race through my head. For you see, I was born a worrier. I have always been like that. DH has told me I am a worrier plenty of times. However, I am slowing getting over it. With my DH showing me the way and with a great deal of patience and mercy from the Lord, I am not near the worrier I use to be. So as soon as the tears and racing thoughts appeared, they were brushed aside with a sense of peace that could only come from the Lord. It was as if He gathered me in His embrace and said," Dear child everything will be okay. Even if there are tough times ahead, I will be with you every step of the way. I will provide for your every need. Trust in Me."

Does that mean the lay offs aren't in my thoughts? No. Does it mean I won't think about it or worry about it? No. They will be there. They will try to take over. The Evil one will use them as a opportunity to try to get the best of me and shake my faith in God. But, with the Lord's help, love, grace, and mercy I will overcome them. We knew times were going to get tough and I believe they will get even tougher. However, I have a Friend on my side that will not let me down. He will be there with me and every step I take. We will get through these tough economic times just fine. The Lord will provide all of our needs.

"But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble." Psalm 37:39

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; amd with my song will I praise Him." Psalm 28:8

"I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliver; my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." Psalm 18: 1-3

Nov. 15, 2008 - Good Morning!

Good Morning! Everyone!

It is a cloudy, rainy, windy morning here in the foothills of NC. It has been foggy and rainy for the past 2 days, but the wind has started blowing today. The windy conditions are causing leaves to rain down from their branches.

I love days like this. It is as if God is pulling a warm, comfy blanket over the earth and urging us inside. He is telling us, "Snuggle under My warmth, rest, relax, enjoying time with your family, leave the hustle and bustle behind. Glory in the works of My hand. See how I make the seasons change and the beauty within those changes. Take time to acknowledge My creaton."

Dear Lord, I do glory in Your creation. I thank you for the works of Your hand. Thank You, for the rain that replinshes and renews the earth. Lord, in these troubled times the beauty of Your world helps remind us who is in control. When we falter, start to fear, and forget that You are in control; help remind us of that fact. Lord forgive me of my faliures and sins. Wash me anew once again with Your grace, mercy, and love. It is Your Son's name I pray. Amen and Amen.

A Realization

As I was going about my work as a housewife this week I realized that I really love being a Keeper of the Home.  I enjoy cleaning, cooking, and baking. I enjoy taking care of my husband, my daughter, and our home. I am so blessed to able to stay at home and do my God-given duties.

I enjoy that feeling of accomplishment you have when you have finished cleaning a room or finished a project and you stop to stare at your hard work. I enjoy the sounds of my family eating and enjoying a meal I have prepared, whether it was the homemade chili beans, cornbread, and salad made from lettuce out of our graden, or the homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade honey whole wheat bread.  I relish in their appreciation for the homemade M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies I baked for them and they love so much.

I love as evening falls. Everything is picked up in its place. The lamps are on casting a warm glow all over the house and in the yard. Supper is on the stovetop or in the oven. DH walks in the door from a long day at work. Oakley is jumping up and down and barking, waiting for her greeting. DD is standing there waiting to tell her daddy the news of the day. And I am waiting there to get my hug from the love of my life, grateful for his love and hard work. All is well and comfortable in the home I was put in charge of to keep and guard. My duties are far from over but the love within these walls and the love of my heavenly Father gives me the strength to carry on with love in my heart and a smile on my face.

Oct. 13, 2008 - The Golden Sunshine Was Beckoning Me......

To  Come Out & Play

This morning, I woke up decided I would stay inside and do paperwork.  I had thought about going outside to work in the garden, but decided I didn't feel up to that. My sciatic nerve has been bothering me. I had an appointment with my chiropractor at 9:00. I would go to it, come home, sit, and relax.

On my way home, the sun started beckoning to me. It seemed to be saying, "Come outside. Soak in my warmth. Relish my rays. Observe and enjoy the world your Creator made."

Back home, I made up mind. Once the beds were made and the house straightened up, I went out in the sun's warmth. The sun was golden, sparkling of of the dewy grass. Grass that was a glistening green from the recent rains and the warm sunshine. The wind had a chill to it, that comes with the fall. The sun's warmth was warming the air making for a comfortable day with the wind providing a cooling effect. The sky was varying shades of blue; from a brillant deep clear blue in the middle, fading to a lighter blue, then almost white as it neared the horizon. All of creation was displayed proclaiming and praising the work of the Creator.

I went to my garden beds. I sat as I worked to lessen the impact on my back. I cut back my Irises, again. I cut them back after they bloomed, but they always require an extra pruning. I pulled up some tomato vines that aren't producing anymore. While I worked, I observed the world around me.

A hawk flew over head, for awhile, letting out its unusual call. I watched it as it soared and rode the currents. Soon the crows came with all of their cawing as chased the hawk away. All manner of birds were out on this beautiful morning, flying about and singing their songs. I watched the big chickens as they roamed the yard foraging for bugs and seeds to eat. God's creations are so unique and beautiful in their own way.

How can anyone deny that we have a Creator? All they have to do is look out their window. How could all of this just evovled out of some blob? There is a master painter's work at hand in the world.  All of His creation proclaims His very existence.

Psalms 148: 3-13 explains exactly how I felt sitting out in His creation.

"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him ye heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all the hills: fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent: his glory is above the earth and heaven."

Take some time is the busyness of the day to go out and enjoy the works of His hand.

Sep. 30, 2008 - Not Conforming To The World's Values

Doing Without What The World Must Have

The sermons at chapel have been on The 10 Commandments for the past several Sundays. It is amazing how the Lord works because we recently saw a show on a religious tv station about the very same thing. 

The commandment that has stuck out in my mind most is the 10th commandment: "Thou shall not covet your neighbor's house. Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exdous 20:17. The show we were watching on tv called this commandment the gateway commandment. Why? Because, it is coveting that leads to someone to stealing, to commiting adultery, and all other manner of sin. Coveting is what is leading this country down its path of destruction,  the causethe economic mess our country is in, and even to the gas shortage we are experiencing in this area. Everyone wants what everyone else has.

When I sat down to write about this, I was puffed up with self-righteousness, proclaiming to myself I don't covet. But you see that is a lie. I do covet, maybe not material things, but I do covet. I see a big family and I covet. I don't stop and think of the family the Lord God has blessed me with. I see a person full of the joy of the Lord and I covet. I don't stop and try to work on finding that joy for myself. Oh, I do covet. So of you may say that coveting is just part of being human. It is , but as a follower of Christ who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior you are called to be different from the rest of the world's humans.

Romans 12: 1-2 " Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Once we have been blessed with salvation, we are to be better, different from the world around us. Not self-righteous, but different. The love of the Lord is suppose to shine through us. It can't if we covet. Sure, there will be times of weakness, when we will covet. But, our God is merciful. He will hear our pleas asking for forgiveness and once again He will freely give it. God is so good!

So in order to live more simply in this fallen world, our first step must be admitting that we have coveted and ask Him for His forgiveness. Next, we have to live it out. We can't want the new gold earrings our friend has. We can't want the new wide screen tv our family member has. We have to start teaching our children, they don't have to have all the new gadgets and toys their friends have. If and when we can afford these things, then we can go and buy them. However by the time you have the money, you may find out that they weren't really needed after all. Learn to be content with what the good Lord has provided you with. It is a hard lesson to learn. You will fail many times, but the trick is you have to keep on trying. Practice makes perfect., practice and alot of prayers.

Lord, Jesus, thank you so much for all of the things you have provided us with. Thank you for providing us with our most basic needs, not wants, but needs, in the form of shelter over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our back. Dear, Lord, I confess I have coveted and have known the taste of the green-eyed monster. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me each day to look upon the material things you have blessed us with and learn to be content and thankful. It is in your Son's name I pray. Amen and Amen. 

Aug. 19, 2008 - Putting The Lord First In Your Life

Making The Lord Your  1st Priority

It shouldn't amaze me but it does. When you put God first, your life goes so much easier. Chores don't seem to be a burden and never- ending. A week ago, I was in a mood. I felt like doing nothing and did nothing. I felt like I was drowning under my "Things To Do List". I knew what the problem was. I wasn't spending time with the Lord in prayer or reading His word. Once I got off my duff, bowed my head, and opened my Bible; I felt so much better, like a weight had been lifted off of me. And, Oh!, the amount of work I completed.

Last Wednesday, I woke up at 3:30 am. I couldn't get back to sleep. When DH left for work, I got up. DD was spending the night with my mom and dad. I had the house to myself. I opened up my Bible and read a chapter in Jereimah and in Proverbs. I said a prayer, and then I got busy with my chores. I straightened up the guest bedroom and DD's bedroom. I cleaned our bathroom and bedroom. I gave our shower a good scouring. I cleaned the living room and kitchen. I even washed, dried, folded, and put away clothes.  For supper, we had turkey sandwiches out of the turkey breast I put in the crock pot.

Thursday was busy, too. I slept later. Opened my day with prayer and Bible study. I took care of my morning routine, then, went to the garden to get off the tomatoes. Back in, I washed and cut the tomatoes. I put them on to cook. DD juiced them for me. We canned 8 pints of tomato juice. I deboned the turkey breast I fixed yesterday in the crock pot. I made a Lime Jello pie. I peeled, cut, and cooked apples to make applesauce. A wicked thunderstorm blew up in the afternoon. We got 1.2 inches of rain out of it. The wind was really bad. We even got some hail, but we are very thankful for the rain.

Friday, DD and I went to our small town to grocery shop, buy birthday presents, and clothes shop. I dropped her and the groceries off, then went to finish the rest of the grocery shopping. DD got off from work at 11:00. He helped his dad clean the pool up which was trashed by the storm the day before. Back home, we ate lunch then took a nap. We didn't do much the rest of the afternoon.

Saturday, DH went to prayer breakfast at Chapel. I straightened up the house and washed clothes. DD worked on her cleaning chores. I popped a movie (Forever Amber) I got in the mail in the VCR to watch while I made my dad Banana Nut Bread. DH took off the trash when he got home and mowed grass.  After lunch, we went to my grandmother's to pick up more apples for applesauce.  We then got cleaned up and took a nap. We headed up to my parents'  house for my nephew and my birthday dinner. We had an enjoyable time, except for a incident with my mom. (I need to learn to forgive and over look the things she does but sometimes the things she does cuts deep.)

Sunday, after Chapel, we headed to DD's parents' house for lunch. Afterwards, we helped my SIL decorate for our nephew's 1st birthday party. The theme of the party was Elmo. He loves Elmo. The party turned out really well and he did a wonderful job on his cake. His mom gave him a piece of it. He dug into it and smeared the icing everywhere. It wound up in his bellybutton, too. He thourghly enjoyed it. He was too interested in his presents and by the end of th eparty he was so tired he fell asleep. We helped clean up and then headed home. I had gotten so hot ( I think I was actually having a very long hot flash), when we got home I took a bath and turned the air down until it was frigid in the house. It was like I was hot from the inside out. About 3 hours later, I finally got cooled off.

Yesterday, I had to go to our annual sub. orientation meeting. I hate going and could give all of the speeches, if they would let me. This makes my 10th year going. Some how we get stupid over the summer and have to be reducated as to what our jobs are. In the afternoon, I started on the apples. The end result was 3 more pints of applesauce in the freezer. DD and Oakley are very excited about this. Both love applesauce. Yes, our dog loves applesauce. It was the only thing she would eat when she had Kennel Cough. Strange, I know.

Well, I am off to get ready to take DD to her first on campus class. Please, pray for her. Have a wonderful day!