He is enough.

It has been a very busy few weeks (month) around our house and it has not allowed me much time for writing.  My silence is certainly not for a lack of learning by any stretch!  In fact, the truth is quite the opposite.  (I am still waiting to find a nice digital voice recorder that I can bring into the shower with me -the only place I seem to have time to organize out my thoughts lately!) 

My husband and I continue to walk through a very difficult season and my children continue to, well, be children.  There has not been a moment for me to just "be" and I confess that at times, I have been frustrated at that.  Part of me longs to just sit and do nothing for a whole day.  No cooking, cleaning, teaching, disciplining, respecting, obeying, ,correcting, changing...  But when I really think about how that would be, I find one word comes to mind:  unfulfilled.  Yes, I would probably enjoy it for a few hours -maybe even most of the day.  When the sun sets, however, and I looked back on that day, I know that it would feel very empty without the "busyness" of my life. 

Another thing I am learning continuing to learn in this season is that God. Is. Enough.  Just when I dont think I can take any more and I am ready to stand on a mountaintop and scream to the world all my problems, He covers me in grace and strengthens my resolve to go on. 

I confess that I dont understand a lot of what we are walking through right now.  There are so many questions I have and I know that others would have the answer.  Why cant I just ask them?  Why cant I be counseled by someone?  Why wont You let me confide in someone what we are going through?  Every time I have approached someone about counseling me through this, God places a clear "no" in my path and reminds me that He is enough. 

So, I continue to walk with Him alone.

And He IS enough. 

♥

Being a Humble Servant

The alarm was set with a few minutes to spare in case things didnt go as planned.  What I didnt plan on was having to get everyone ready all.by.myself.

Thankfully I had gotten all our bags and things we needed to bring ready the night before.  It was just the people (all 6 of us) that needed to be up, dressed and out the door at 6:15am.  We ended up about 15 minutes late and I was frustrated but not too upset -it happens and I did my best to be on time all things considered. 

Then it happens.  On the drive, I mentioned that hopefully light traffic so early in the morning will help and we wont be too late.  His response was, "Its not my fault we are late."  It wasnt even as much what he did say as it was what he didnt.

I recoiled, turned and looked out the window while I stewed.

If it wasnt his fault then whose was it?  Mine!? 
Was I the one that kept sleeping past the alarm?  No. 
Did I wait until 10 minutes before we needed to leave to get up? No.
Was he the one that had stayed up late the night before to get as much ready as possible? No.

So if it wasnt my his fault and it certainly wasnt my fault, whose was it??

Then something happened.  My eyes could see for a moment what my heart knew...

My husband is up early every day and works hard from 8 to 4 (usually later) and then works around our house most nights.  His job is demanding and stressful.  He provides for our family and protects us.  He is good at all the jobs God has called him to fill.  So why did I expect him to get up earlier just to help me do mine?

Selfishness and probably even a little pride.

See, I never told him I wanted, needed or planned on his help.  He had watched me making lists and planning out all that needed to be done that morning and not once did I say, "would you do...".  So how can I be upset with him for not helping?  Not stepping in to what I so carefully planned.  He is no mind reader any more than I am. 

"Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Mark 9:35

We are all called to be servants.  Well, if we want Gods best we will be anyway.  Jesus was the greatest example of this.  "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45  He did deserve to be waited on, served, and yet he would not even allow it when the tried to serve him.  (John 13:5+)  He was the King of Kings and yet the Servant of servants. 

Then comes the pride part. 

"for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Luke 18:14

Being a servant and doing it all with no help -not expecting help- is humbling.  Even harder?  Being a humble servant with a godly heart.  To be joyful in serving and putting all others and their needs ahead of our own. 

"do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus"  Philippians 2:4

Sometimes our words and our actions are right -we are servants and we appear humble- and yet our hearts are way off.  We are not cheerful or joyful but playing the martyr.  "Look at how hard I have it."  or  "Look at me and all that I sacrifice for my family." 

I dont want to do it all so that I will be praised for what I do.  I want to do what I am called to do so that others can see Christ in me.  And I want everything I do to be completed with excellence as if for God Himself and not man/woman/child.  In reality that is the case anyway.

"Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God ; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies ; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  1 Peter 4:11

♥

Currently

I am currently walking through a season in my life where I am being refined, tested and tried in so many different areas.  As it all started, I really didnt think it would be a long season -whoa! was I wrong! 

This journey in discovering Gods created purpose for women -for me- I am realizing more and more how every aspect of our lives is affected by this relationship with Him.  Even more importantly is that I am realizing more and more that He cares intimately about every aspect of my life and it is that intimacy that brings my relationship with Him to a whole new level. 

Currently I am:
Learning how to mother a pre-teen.
Growing as a mother of 4 (vs 3 -it really is different!).
Practicing the hard "art" of submission to my Husband and Gods Word.
Being convicted about time management but not sure how to move forward.
Learning how to deal with anger in a Godly way. 
Trying to finish a school year for the pre-teen. 
Incredibly burdened for the lost in my life. 
Nursing a broken heart for a friend who is suffering greatly. 

There are so many "little" areas in my life where God is working.  Some of them are big in and of themselves but mostly it is just the overwhelming picture of all of it at once that gets to me some days.  I am also learning that -just as I tell my kids- we need to take it step-by-step and moment-by-moment.  Focus on one thing at a time and do that one thing with excellence.  Then move on to the next thing and do that one thing with excellence.  Gods grace will cover all the rest. 

♥

Looking back

It is easy to get discouraged in life. 

So many mountains to conquer. 
So many trials to endure.
So many things to learn and grow in.

Even in the midst of joyful times, it can be overwhelming when we think that every moment we are to be learning and growing closer to and more like the Lord. 

A new baby brings joy and challenge.
A new marriage brings joy and challenge.
A new friendship brings joy and challenge. 

It is easy to feel like we are never going to get it.  We are never going to change.  We are never going to learn.  And yet, we do. 

I just spend a bit of time looking through a journal from several years ago.  It started because I was looking for something -a small detail- and in order to find it, I had to wade through many entries from that season of my life.  It was a good season -one full of life and joy. 

As I read, I noticed two things...
1.  Even in the midst of the good of that season, there was hard times and areas where I was struggling.  It was a financially hard time as well as emotionally. 
2.  I really have changed!  Good changes.  Growth changes.  Maturing changes.

Its true.  Things I used to struggle with (attitudes, actions, emotions) have been replaced with new struggles.  Some I have overcome, some I have simply avoided.  Many that I still struggle with daily.  Interestingly, there are also things I used to delight in that I dont nearly as much anymore.  The key is remaining on that uphill incline -always moving onward and upward. 

Being able to look back and see where I was compared to where I am now is a blessing and a source of encouragement to me today.


♥

Ebb and Flow

Have you ever noticed that the normal, everyday events of life can easily lead to a complacency or even a "laziness" about our relationship with the Lord?

Yeah, that is one of the reasons we encounter trials and tribulations as it strengthens and even increases our Faith.  Remember this post in James?

I have recently noticed that it isn't just the hard times though.  When I am rejoicing over events in my life, I do so loudly to the Lord.  I praise Him and I thank Him.  I talk with Him a lot in those times as well.

The "middle ground" is where I have noticed that I seem to almost neglect Him.

You know...  The seasons when the kids aren't overly disobedient or super obedient; your husband is mostly loving and easier to respect; the bills are being paid and there is still enough money for some food -just not your favorites; schedules are manageable though maybe not as full (or empty) as you would really like.  Things aren't spectacular but they aren't terrible either.

Those are the ones that I notice days can go by that I don't spend a great deal of time talking with Him.  Yes, I still read, pray and have a quiet time but not the same as during the seasons of "hills" and "valleys" in my life. Not like the days when I feel I cant even breathe without His help.  And not like the days when I am so joyful that I am bubbling over with gratitude to Him.

Maybe its me.  Maybe I am just so extreme during the super-good and the super-bad that I use these in between seasons as a breather of sorts before the pendulum swings the other way.

Or maybe I need to even out my focus just a bit.  Maybe just enough to remember that He cares about the "middle ground" in my life as well.

After all, He makes the sun rise for me every morning and the moon to take its place at night.  And He does it every day -not just the good ones or the bad ones.  He is intimately interested in every moment of my life -and yours.

♥

Childfree -the choice

I was browsing Facebook groups -actually trying to find out where our group was listed- when I happened upon this group:

I'm not childless, I'm Childfree and lovin' it!

My curiosity got the better of me and I visited their page to read and see what they were all about. Here is their info section:

This is a group for men and women that have decided not to have children…it’s called childfree and not childless (that’s people that want kids but cannot for medical reasons). The childfree movement is non political and non religious…it’s such a bunch of people that have chosen a childfree lifestyle. The creator of this group, Natalija Harbinson, is not a man hater! In fact I love men which is why I’m not married….I’m a procrastinator….. Do I want the blonde guy or the arty guy or the nerdy scientist this week? It’s not a man hating or woman hating group…or anti-marriage… or anti-commitment….in fact, my aunt has been married for over 30 years but they didn’t want to have children. I don’t hate kids…I am an aunt to two little girls. It’s just that I want to enjoy my life in a different way. I realise that children would only stress me out, make me irritable and less responsive to the man in my life. I also don’t want to push a watermelon out of my punani and I have a billion other reasons to not want to be a mother. So let’s celebrate contraception and the choice me have made! Long live the childfree lifestyle! I’m just glad we live in an era where this lifestyle is possible, even though it’s still not accepted as the norm…..


Common things we hear from people with kids:
- It’s a blessing from God! (God’s only son was killed and Jesus didn’t have children)
- You are selfish!
- Don’t you like kids?
- You’ll feel differently when you have your own kids
- Who will take care of you when you’re old?
- You’ll change your mind!
- You’ll never experience the joy of being a grandparent
- (From my parents): “What if we had made the same choice? You wouldn’t be here”

What the childfree want to tell parents:
- Think of all the kids in our country that need to be adopted and are stuck in children’s homes; why didn’t you adopt rather than procreate?
- There are millions of starving kids in the world already ; why add more?
- I like to make love, not babies
- It’s a lifestyle choice like those that follow an eco-friendly way of life.
- It’s my choice, it’s nothing personal to children or parents. Let us be!
- Why force someone who doesn’t want to dance the Tango, to dance the Tango? I know what I want and don’t want out of life. Why make me miserable?


Once I got passed the shock that anyone would feel that way.  (Yes, I realize that is a selfish viewpoint), I started to wonder why anyone would feel that way?  There were several "responses" that I would have said to someone I was discussing this with.  "They are blessings..."; "You'll change your mind."; "Dont you like kids?"... 


But I realized that every one of my responses and their retorts back are like band-aids to the real issue at hand.  Its like focusing on the grass stains on your jeans and completely overlooking the fact that they are torn and tattered beyond repair.  The whole outlook is off.  


So what is the real issue?  


Woman was created by God to be a mother.  To be a nurturer.  We most often think of this as bearing our own children but it can be -and is- much more.  


Yes, our very bodies speak to this face.  We have cycles which enable us to become fertile and conceive.  We have a womb in which a baby is knit together and grows into a completely unique individual from only two cells. (Will leave that awesome rabbit trail for another day!)  We have breasts with which to nourish babies and our bodies create the most perfect of food for them -without our doing anything.  Even the fact that our arms are where they are and bend where they do show Gods perfect design.  


What about those who are unable to bear children?  What about those who never marry?  How are they called to be "mothers"?  


It is by design.  It is one of Womans created purposes.  To be mothers.  To be nurturers.  


Some women will bear their own.
Some women will adopt.
Some women will nurture others via school, daycare, etc.
Some women will nurture other women.
Some women will nurture our elderly.  


If are striving to live by Gods design, one of the natural roles we as Gods woman will fill is a nurturer.   That is part of Gods best for our lives.  That is His plan for all women.  


So someone choosing a "childfree" life is not choosing Gods plan.  They are not choosing Gods will.  But what is sad to me, is when you think of the fact that by choosing to remain "childfree", they are not choosing Gods best for their lives.  They are missing out!  They will always be searching for something to fill that void in their lives -the one thing that will create true fulfillment and contentment in their lives.  


Choosing a "childfree" life is not choosing Gods best.  Why would anyone choose It truly breaks my heart...


Psalm 127

• 1.
 
• Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keepsawake in vain.

• 2.
 
• It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors ; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

• 3.
 
• Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

• 4.
 
• Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.

• 5.
 
• How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128

• 1.
 
• How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.

• 2.
 
• When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.

• 3.
 
• Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.

• 4.
 
• Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.

• 5.
 
• The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

• 6.
 
• Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel !

   

♥

Prayer, Faith and Strength

I love the book of James.  There is so much in this short book. Its one that I read over and over -and is probably my favorite book in the Bible.  I have found myself there again lately. 

The past few days I have been thinking about Prayer.  Specifically, the way I pray.  Even more specifically, the attitude behind my prayers.  A bit of a mindset change has been happening and its a good one. 

When facing hard issues, struggles or circumstances in life, do you pray them away or do you pray for your own strength to endure them? 

For example, which of these would characterize your approach...

Your children have pushed you to the limit:
"Lord, please make them obey and listen to me!"
or
"Lord, please help me to have the patience I need to train and correct my children in the way that You have commanded me."

An argument with your husband:
"Lord, why cant he see how difficult he is being?  He doesnt deserve any respect or love from me.  Open his eyes, Lord."
or
"Lord, this is so hard.  I dont want to respect or love him but you have commanded me to do so.  Give me the strength I need to obey you and love You through him.  Open my eyes and show me what I can do different."

Facing illnesses, injuries, death, etc:
"Lord save them!";  "Heal them.";  "Restore their life."...
or
"Lord, move in their lives.  Reveal Yourself to them.  Work in their lives to bring about Your perfect will for them -even if it means taking them Home to you."

We think we know so much but really... we know so little.  So many times we come crying to God, begging Him to do our bidding and when He says "no", we pout or grumble and think He is holding out on us. 

But many times, the answer isnt "No, I wont move in this situation", it is "No, you arent asking the right question."

James chapter 1 reminds us in such a simple and yet pointed way that our suffering, our trials are for a reason -to test our faith and bring about endurance (v3).   Just like a runner that has to slowly build up to the marathon distance, our faith must also be built and strengthened little by little.  And with no "exercise", those muscles are never strengthened. 

We are meant to grow and be strengthend by the hard sitautions in our lives. We are never promised a life of "ease" or one where everything is perfect.  In fact, we are promised the opposite!  Jesus Himself told us that in this life, there will be trouble.  But take heart, because He has overcome this world (John 16:33) and if we are in Him, we are partakers of that victory as well (1 John 5:4). 

"But I'm not the one struggling, its him/her/them..."  -Chances are, if someone close to you is struggling with something that is affecting you, you need to grow and be strengthend as much as they do -maybe just in a different way.  Maybe you are being taught patience.  Maybe you are being taught to obey even if the other person doesnt deserve it.  Ask Him, He will show you where you are to grow as well. 

So dont pray that God would change the situation.  Dont pray that God will change the other person.  Dont even always pray that God will take the trouble away. 

Instead, pray that God will change you to be more like Him.  Pray that you will be the godly woman that He is trying to grow you in to.  Pray for strength, mercy and grace to make it through the situation.  That is exaclty what He has promised He will provide. 

And He never fails. 

♥

Giveaway Winner Announced

The first Giveaway from God and Woman ended March 31st.  The gift is a copy of "The Incredible Longings Of A Woman" audio teaching set. 

And the winner is...

Megan S!!


Stay tuned for the announcement of my next giveaway sometime this week


♥

Christ Is Our Example

Christ Is Our Example -1 Peter 2:21-25


21.For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22.WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH ;
23.and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24.and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness ; for by His wounds you were healed.
25.For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 
(Italic bold emphasis mine):
 
21.For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 
We have an example to follow in all situations.  We need no other example.  Christ lived for 33 years on this earth and endured every temptation we do and yet He remained sinless.  Pure. Perfect.  Though we will fail, it isnt for lack of knowing the right way but rather when we choose to follow after our own lusts and sinful desires.  (James 1:14)


22.WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
Not once did He lie.  Not once did He even tell a half-truth.  He did not use coarse langauge or tell off-color jokes.  He did not loose His temper just because someone rejected Him in public. He didnt even loose His patience with His disciples when they just wouldnt listen to what He was trying to tell them.  The only time (we are told) that He did loose his temper wasnt really "loosing His temper" but rather a righteous anger at the House of God -His Father- being dishonored by the people.  (Mark 11:15)  He certainly never would have yelled at the store clerk for being rude; Yelled at the kids for not making their beds; Gossiped about a friend who is not living according to Gods Word...  He was perfectly sinless. 

23.and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously ;
So though He was being beaten and did nothing to deserve it... Though He could look into time and see my face and sinful acts as the cause of His suffering... Though at any moment He could have ended it all and destroyed them, He did nothing.  He didnt even threat to do something in return. They beat and bruised Him so badly that He was barely recognizable as human let alone our Lord and yet... "He did not revile in return".  Though He would have been completely justified in retaliating, He did nothing. 

24.and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness ; for by His wounds you were healed.
MY sins were the reason for His pain and suffering.  He didnt sin -I did!  He didnt deserve the punishment -I did!  He did nothing to deserve death -let alone death on a cross -but I did.  I still do.  He stepped in to time and payed for my sins -your sins- in the only way possible -death. The holy and righteous blood of a perfect and sinless sacrifice.  By and through Him is our only access to Heaven and Eternal Life. 

25.For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
And oh, how I do continually stray!  There is not a day that goes by that I dont fall in my sins one way or another.  There is no way I would even be able to get back up and go on again if it were not for His leading.  He is faithful to pick me back up and place me where I belong.  Then He lovingly leads me and holds me until I can again find my way.  Even then, He doesnt leave me.  He is always with me -guarding and protecting me -my very soul. 
 
God and Woman
Creator and Creation
Strength and Weakness
Guardian and the Protected
Shepherd and the Wandering Sheep
 
God and Woman...  We are nothing without Him.  We are everything in Him. 
 
 
♥


The Case For Easter: A Journalist Investigates The Evidence For The Resurrection

Easter Charm Winter Sale Jewelry Bracelet Collection

Children's Rhodium Plated Pewter Heart w/ Pink Cross Pendant by Bob Siemon, 14"

Lamb Necklace w/ Cross Pendant Gift Boxed

A Simple Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father...  Thank You for this day.  Thank You for the sun -even when it is hidden behind clouds.  Thank You for the air we breathe and for the fresh new day that You have given me.  Lord, it is only by and through You that I can face this day and all that it will hold.  The good and the hard are both from or allowed by You.  All of it for a reason.  Please... help me to embrace them both. 

Lord, fill my home with Your Holy Spirit.  Let myself, my children and my husband be touched by You and Your presence.  Fill our home so that we cant help but be touched by You.  May we be changed by You and filled with a desire to be more like You -moment by moment. 

May You be glorified in my life today.  Not because I deserve Your grace or Mercy but so that others will know You and want to know You more. 

Lord, live in Me.  Be my Strength. Be my Comforter.  Be my Everything -just as You have promised.

Amen.

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Devotions for a Deeper Life A Daily Devotional

My Utmost for His Highest

Sterling Silver 16mm Cross and Praying Woman Heart Locket

The Winnans MP3: Praying Women (Gods Leading Ladies Album Version)

Holy Bible Story

A resource I found and wanted to share...

http://www.holybiblestory.com/

From their site:  "We provide Holy Bibles, Bible story books, religious DVD's, and other religious materials. Bibles and other religious materials are great for whatever church ministry and as gifts suitable for any occassion."

They have a resource directory and lots of childrens items as well as a nice selection of Bibles in several translations.  (Though it appears some are still being added.) 

Take a minute a browse through their site.  (Make sure you check out the DVD's they have listed!)

♥

A Contentious Woman

"It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman."  Proverbs 25:24

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A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Prov T-shirt Large White

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Contentious.  Thats a word that sounds bad even if you dont know the meaning.  In fact, I knew it was bad and had never bothered to look up the meaning before today.  And I just knew I was never that kind of a woman!

Well, here is the definition of "contentious":
1 : likely to cause contention (cause a fight or arguement)
2 : exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes
synonyms: belligerent
 
Oh... Thats what it means??  Hmmm.  Well, thats ok.  I still am not that way. 
 
I dont start fights for sure.  And I try to avoid any type of confrontation if at all possible.  In fact, I will avoid a situation or person entirely if it means that I can avoid conflict.  Nope.  I dont like to fight or stir up the waters at all.  
 
But is that all it means?  
 
What about the times we have interrupted someone in order to correct a minor point in the dicussion?  ("No, Mary, that skirt was beige not tan.")  Thats quarrelsome.  Then we allow that minor point to become an arguement back and forth.  ("It was tan." "No beige!")  Even if it didnt continue, it will surely make a relationship "wearisome". 
 
Sometimes the part that we exhibit is a "perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes".  Perverse can be replaced with "cranky", "corrupt" or "perverted".
Wearisome is pretty easy -tiresome.  Making someone weary. 
 
Do you have a friend that is always late?  Always calls at the wrong time?  Does your husband always leave his clothes in a heap right beside the hamper?  Do your children always leave toothpaste all over the sink? 
 
How do you react to those situations?  Is your tendancy one of disputing or arguing?  Are you characterized by an attitude of crankiness that is quick to dispute and quarrel? 
 
A woman searching after Gods created purpose for her life will not be a "contentious woman".  Instead she will live at peace with all those around her.  And those who live with her -her husband and children- will know better than most the true condition of her heart. 

So if you see my husband or children packing their bags and moving into the corner of the roof, give me a tap on the shoulder and remind me not to be contentious, ok?

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"Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Cor 13:11
 
"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another."  1 Thes 5:12-13
 
 
♥

First Giveaway Announced!

Ok, so the actual announcement and details of my first-ever giveaway has taken longer than I had anticipated.  Two reasons, really.  First being that I have never done one and have been trying to figure out the best way to have people enter.  The second is that the item I want to offer has been available on cassette tape only and many people dont have cassette tape players anymore (I didnt until I got one just for this!).  I had to figure out a way to convert it to digital in case my winner doesnt have a tape player.  Now that all that is in order, I am ready to announce:

I am offering "The Incredible Longings of a Woman" audio set!  You will be able to choose your format:  Audio cassette set (pictured) or as audio file on CD.  The set includes 4 tapes: 1. To Be A Beautiful Bride; 2. To Have A Home; 3. To Bear Children; and 4. To Live Happily Ever After

This teaching set by Audrey Broggi has blessed me many times.  Though I have probably listened to it 3 or 4 times now, each time I hear something "different" -or at the very least, "new" to my heart.  I know it will be a wonderful blessing and source of encouragement and conviction to any woman. 

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment here with a link to your blog or website and then write an entry on your site linking to mine and letting other women know about this giveaway!  (If you prefer not to comment publicly, you can still created a link on your site and then just use the "email me" option to the right and send me a message with your link instead.)

I will stop taking entries next Wednesday, March 31st and will announce the winner on Friday, April 2nd!  

*I will be holding a monthly giveaway so keep checking back!*

♥

Hear, Speak, Anger

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."  James 1:19-20

I used to talk a lot.  Too much, really.  I was raised in a busy home with 5 (4 girls to boot) children and there was never a shortage of conversation -or people thinking they had to be heard.  (Same as most homes, I would imagine!) 

Then there's my anxiety.  If I am nervous or anxious, I tend to chatter.  If I am trying to explain something and I just cant get it out right, I keep talking until I am finally able to get my point across correctly.  The more nervous I am, the faster and longer I talk!  Well, I do have to say I am not that way now nearly as much as I used to be.  (What can I say, I'm a work in progress.) 

Slowly but surely I am learning the beauty of being quiet.  Of just listening.  It is amazing what you will hear if you just stop talking. 

This quality was modeled before me in a few key women that God placed in my life a few years ago.  They are the ones I try to immitate when I am not sure how to handle a situation.  Their quiet and gentle spirits always come to mind.  I have tried to picture one of them yelling at their children or being in a rage with their husband and I just cant.  They taught me what it looks like to be "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" -and for that I will forever be grateful. 

Anger in and of itself has never been something I struggled with -until lately.  My personality has always been phlegmatic so things that upset me were "water off a ducks back" until they became so hard that my melancholy came out.  Chalk it up to post partum hormones or just the hormones of an aging woman but anger is suddenly an issue for me. 

Where this verse hit me is that a person who gives in to anger can never achieve the righteousness of God. 

Verse 21 goes on to say, "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls"  and later in Verse 26: "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."

Anger always leads to spouting off our mouths and saying things we aught not say.  Especially if you remember that our sinful thoughts are as if we said them. 

So if we can be quiet and slow to speak, we will also be slow(er) to anger.  If we can master our tongue and open our ears, we will be that much closer to achieving the righteousness of God! 

♥

A Give-Away

I am gearing up for my first-ever give-away and I am so excited about it!  I wanted to offer something special that has meant a lot to me and helped me grow a lot in discovering Gods created purpose for women.  It is my hope and prayer that the person chosen will be blessed as well -I know God has just the right person in mind already! 

So... be watching this week for details and how to enter!!

♥

Loyalty and Determination

I just realized something...

During this hard season I have proclaimed my loyalty, my support and my determination for learning and growing through our struggle.  Its all true.  But.. my attitude has been all wrong.  I have been playing the martyr with a "poor me, its all so bad and hard" attitude -which in the end, really isnt loyalty or support. 

Yesterday I dug my heels in the ground and have a renewed vision of my created purpose as my husbands helper.  Though the worlds eyes will not agree and tell me I am crazy, I will joyfully and cheerfully support and encourage my husband as we walk this road together. 

A cheeful attitude is my chosen road and God will provide the joy on the journey just from my obedience. 

Thank you, Lord for opening my eyes and helping me see...

♥

Repentance

Repentance does the heart good. 

And not only when to God -though the first and most important place to start.

Even when its in attitudes and thoughts you didnt think anyone else knew about... they probably do.  And if they dont, they still deserve your repentance.

Its like a fresh new day with no mistakes.

The rain-washed world before the dirt flies again.

A freshly snow-covered ground with no footsteps in it. 

Repentance...  when its honest and true, there is no better place to start. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Tale of Two Sons DVD: Repentance

The Gospel According to Jesus (The Lordship of Christ; The Nature of Saving Faith; The Call to Repentance; The Cost of Discipleship; The Sovereignty of God in Salvation; The Lordship Controversy)

My vision for this site

My main goal for this site is to glorify God.  I am hoping that you will see growth in my own life as I learn Gods created purpose for women but I also hope that you will be encouraged, convicted and motivated to grow in Him yourself. 

I want this site to be a safe place to be "real".  Life is hard.  Walking through life as Gods woman is even harder.  Honest discussions and compassionate advice is encouraged.  If you are perfect and looking for a place to fellowship with other perfect women, this is not the place for you. 

Encouragement:  You are not alone in your struggles each day.  Though my struggles may be different from yours, Gods Truth to us all remains the same.  We are to love our husbands, love our children, be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind and subject to our husbands. 

Conviction:  First of all, the Holy Spirit is the one that convicts so please understand that if something is discussed here and it convicts you, I was not talking to our about you (mostly because I dont know you *wink*) but rather because God is trying to show you a better way.  His way is always better.  Secondly, we tend to think of "conviction" in a negative way but in reality, we should welcome it.  Our own conscience bears witness to Gods truth imprinted on our hearts and He uses them -our conscience and conviction- to bring about His good in our lives. 

Motivation:  Sometimes we need to "pull up our bootstraps" and just obey what we know is right.  Even when (especially when!) its hard to do so.  The ultimate goal is to glorify God and to walk in His best for our lives but we will also see that His best for us is for a reason.  True satisfaction and contentment in life can only come through living in His will for us. 

I want to try and keep entires short and light -though just by nature some will be deeper and many will have "to be continued" endings. 

**Most Importantly**
I am just an imperfect woman.
I am a sinner and I make a lot of mistakes.
I dont have all the answers and likely never will this side of Heaven.
I will do my best to explain scripture accurately but I encourage you to still take my words and compare them with Gods Word yourself. 


A note about ads and offers posted on my site. 
Some -though not all- of the offers listed here are through affiliate relationships that I have.  If you make a purchase through those links, I will get a small commission.  Examples: Amazon and DaySpring.  If you are looking for items these sites sell, I would be very grateful.

So grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even water, open your Bible and lets learn together!

Trust and Obey

When I have a "down" day or season in my life, when it all seems too hard and a big part of me doesnt even want to try anymore, His Word always keeps me on track.  It encourages me.  It convicts me.  It motivates me.  More and more I realize that being in and staying in the Word of God should be a primary focus and there is a reason we are to do so.  If we dont know His Word it makes it very difficult for us to stand on His Truth and Promises. 

NASB Thinline Bible       NASB Zondervan Study Bible   
New American Standard Gift & Award Bible; Black Imitation Leather

Here is a litte example of how knowing His Word will help you.  You dont even need to know the reference, only the Words given to us by God Himself.
A running conversation that God and I have some days...

"I cant do this anymore!"
You dont have to.  I will do it for you. Rest in Me.

"It hurts to much."
I know.  I will comfort you.  It hurts Me too.

"Its too hard."
You can do anything through Me.

"No, I cant -I'm not strong enough."
I know.  But in your weakness, My strength is shown. 

"Ok... I dont want to do this anymore."
Dont you love Me?

"Of course I do"
Then just obey. 

"But how?  How do I get through this?"
Dont you trust Me?

"You know I do."

Then let Me show you the way.

"I want to but I'm so weak and afraid"
 Remember -I will be your strength.  And I will never give you cause to fear.

"Show me how"
Read My Word, talk to Me... Trust in Me.  I will never leave you for forsake you.  I will always be your comfort.  I will give you strength and show you the way through.  I will never allow it to be more than you can handle with My help.  Only trust in Me and obey My commands.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I cant tell you the number of times the above "conversation" has happened.  It all comes down to "Trust and Obey" but sometimes we, in our stubborn-ness, pride and fear, need to be reminded why and how we can trust and obey Him. 

The old Hymn "Trust and Obey" has been running through my head.  What a better place to close this thought than on those words.  Memorize this song and repeat it over and over when it all seems too big and too hard. 

Trust And Obey

John Sammis, 1887

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

 

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

 

 

God and Woman

God.

Definition:
"The Supreme Being; the eternal and infinite Spirit, the Creator, and the Sovereign of the universe; Jehovah"
 
 
Woman.
 
Definition:
1. An adult female person; a grown-up female person, as distinguished from a man or a child; sometimes, any female person.  2. The female part of the human race; womankind. 
 
 
God and Woman.
 
Genesis 2:21-22
21.So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept ; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  22.The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

 
God is the Creator.  Nothing is created without a purpose.  Nothing is created without a design.  Therefore, God has a created purpose and design for His creation.
 
Woman was created by God.  Woman was created with a purpose.  Woman was created by a specific design.  Therefore, woman has a specific purpose and design in Gods creation. 
 
Simple logic and reasoning shows us that the relationship between God and Woman is that of a Creator and His creation.  So what is Womans purpose?
 
We are told the very first purpose for woman was because it was not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18).  Woman was created to be a helper suitable for man.  We most often think of this as in a marriage relationship but this created purpose for women applies to the unmarried as well.  (Remember, the comparrison of the marriage relationship and the relationship of Christ and the Church. Eph 5)  Wife is certainly a created purpose for women, as is mother/nurturer. 
 
But what about the relationship between God and Woman? 
 
If we are helpers to man, mothers and nurturers to children, daughters and sisters, we are all part of the family of God.  Joint heirs in His inheritance.  Partakers of His Grace and Mercy.  Worshipers of His Glory and Majesty. 
 
And more.  Much more. 
 
How do YOU define the relatioship between God and Woman? 
 
 
 

Do I love my childen enough...

"Teaching the younger women to... Love their children..." Titus 2:4

It almost seems silly to think that we need to be trained and taught to love our children.  Doesnt that come naturally?  Isnt it instinct?  How can you teach someone to love someone else anyway?

As women, we were created to nurture -whether we bear children or not, that is part of our created purpose.  So the desire and even the ability to be nurturers is within each woman.  The understanding of how to "love their children" is something else altogether.  It isnt just a matter of "warm fuzzies" and showing affection all the time.  If we truly love our children, we want the best for them and that sometimes involves training and discipline that doesnt always feel so good. 

This one entry will not begin to discuss all the aspects that are involved with training and disciplining our children but something happened today that made me stop and think... 

Do I love my children enough to drop everything and attend to them?

We have been dealing with attitudes and the way we react to situations that upset us the past few days.  With 4 children between 4mos and almost-12 years, there is a wide range of understanding and expectations in that regard but the biggest issues have been whining and screaming.  (Did I mention that one is a 2 year old "all boy"?!  It was time for "boot camp" and a refresher for the older ones.)  The past several mornings our devotion and Bible time has included a reminder of the expectations as well as the consequences should the choose to disobey.  This morning was no different in that regards.  The difference was that we had to be out the door for an appointment and the house was hectic. 

As I was in the bathroom, head over the tub washing my hair, I hear the 2 year old running down the hall towards my (locked) bedroom door -screaming all the way.  My thoughts were as follows (and pretty much in this order)...
I dont have time to deal with this.
He's not bleeding and nothing is broken I am sure.
But I just put the shampoo in my hair!
Just this one time I'll pretend I dont hear him.
Maybe (the oldest) will deal with him. 
Yeah, I know its my job but...
(Then I "heard": Do you love him enough?)
Ok...  Im going...

I grabbed the towel and wrapped my still-shampoo-covered hair in it and went to my son.  He needed my correction and discipline.  I didnt want to stop washing my hair and I didnt want to make us even later that we already were but I had to address his needs first.  And training and discipline is indeed a need for our children. 

Do you love your children enough to drop everything to address their need for correction and discipline?  Their very souls depend on it. 


A few very inexpensive books on child training that I recommend:

    

Also:

 

Comparisons

I am a "comparer" (is that even a word?).  All my life I have looked to others as examples of how I am to live my life.  In my younger years, my comparing looked a lot more like following as I stuggled to keep my equilibrium between doing the things I knew I should be and those that everyone else was doing.  I fell and rebelled a lot in my teens.  

As I have grown, my following turned more to true comparing and learning by example.  I watch godly women who seem to have it all together -at least most of the time -but also arent afraid to be real and show us (me) how they work through the hard times.  Now many of those women are my friends and I am not only able to learn by their example (good and bad) but also to encourage and be encouraged by them. 

Something that helped me a lot was keeping this in mind:

Dont compare yourself to other people -especially women.  Compare yourself only to Gods Word.  That is the only Truth to follow. 

It will still seem hard when you look at the beautiful pictures we are given of Godly women in scripture but we will also see those who fell.  And we can learn just as much from those who did not live righteous lives as we can from those that did.  In fact, I can think of only one example of a woman who did seem to have it all together in scripture -Mary.  And yet she was human and therefore was not immune to sin either. 

So when we see other women who seem to never struggle with anything and their lives are in such perfect order, beware.  The fascade of perfection is just that -a fascade.  Dont try to be like "them".  Strive, rather, to be more like Him and what He has called us to be.

God And Woman's Resource Store!

Looking for books on Biblical Womanhood; Godly Mothering; Being a Helpmeet; Growing into a Godly Young Woman?  Check out the resource store on Amazon:

God And Woman's Resource Store 

New books, videos and other resources will be added frequently so be sure to bookmark the link for your future reference.  I have also added a link in the sidebar.

If you are looking for something specific, I would be happy to give some suggestions just email me here. 

Titus 2:3-5

3.Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4.so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

5.to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Read the whole chapter here.
 
There is so much packed into those few verses.  I desperately want my life to exemplify this woman. Not because I want to be some perfect woman but because I want God to use my life and bring glory to Himself through me.  I dont want people to see me but to see Him in and through me. 
 
I confess, there are some days when it seems impossible.  I just cant do it.  Think about it, every moment she is to be all of these things: 
Reverent in their behaviour:  worshipful, solemn -A state of constant worship in my busy life?
Not gossips: Including listening to someone share gossip with me.
Not enslaved to wine: With a boss who offers a glass at every encounter and is offended by "no thanks".
Teaching what is good: Still need to learn what that one even means??
Encourage others:  My own burdens seem so heavy sometimes.
Love my husband: He isnt always easy to love!
Love my children: Somedays..........
Be sensible: showing good sense, reasonable, practical -Ha! Sometimes, maybe, but always?
Be pure: In my thoughts too, Lord?
Be a worker at home:  What about the days I just want to be lazy?
Be kind:  Even when it hurts?
Subject to my husband:  Oh yeah, then theres that one... 
 
And if I dont, then Gods Word is dishonored.  If I am a Christian, those who are searching for Him will look to me as an example.  Such a heavy burden to handle all on my own!
 
Thats when I am reminded that I dont have to.  Its true, I cant do it on my own.  In my fallen, human nature, I wouldnt even want to.  But He doesnt ask me to do it alone.   He gives me all I need.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
 
It is then that I see the beauty in the Titus 2 woman.  She emulates true beauty by her very presence.  Not because of what she has done or looks like on the outside.  Rather, because she simply lets God work through her.  The Titus 2 woman isnt an ordinary woman... she is Gods woman. 
 
I want to be that woman. 
 
 

It Really Is About Me

There is a recurrent theme around our house lately.  The frustrating interesting part is the way my own words of instruction, correction and reproof to my children keep coming back to me!

"She made me do it"

"Its not my fault"

"If he didnt {fill-in-the-blank} then I wouldnt have..."

"If he..."

"If she..."

If brother hadnt taken her toy away, she wouldnt have thrown a fit.  If sister had helped him clean the kitchen, he wouldnt still be working on it an hour later.  It seems as though they naturally push the reason for their disobedience or bad attitudes onto someone else. 

Oh wait... They do come by it naturally:
11.And He said, "Who told you that you were naked ? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat ?"
12.The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate."
13.Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done ?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
(Genesis 3:11-13)
 
Adam, as the head of the family, was asked first about his sin and he quickly passed it off as Eve's fault: "the woman...gave it to me"; but also as Gods fault(!) "the woman whom You gave me...".  Then Eve quickly pushed the reason for her deception off onto the serpent: "The serpent deceived me...".  Neither one of them was willing to stand before God and say, "Yes, I did it." 
 
Our children do the same thing -by nature. So what do we do?  How do we, as the woman God has called us to be, correct and train them?
 

"You are not responsible for anyone but yourself.  You cant control what other people do or say but you can control the way you respond and react."  ~Me!

 
I have said those words so many times to my children in the last few weeks that I now make it as far as the first few words before they finish it for me.  The thing is... now I am hearing those words in my head when I am reacting to others!  It is much easier to correct them than it is to correct ourselves, isnt it?
 
The Truth is the same for us as it is for them.  I am to obey God regardless of whether or not others are.  We start teaching this lesson to our children with "Honor your father and mother..."  (Deut 5:16) when they are tiny and gradually introduce the concepts of "loving others as yourself", "doing unto others" and the Fruit Of The Spirit.  But they all come down to one simple command:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind."  Mark 12:30

If you love God, you will obey Him.  Period.

No where does He tell us that we must obey Him only if the other party involved is obeying Him too.  Its not ok to dishonor our parents just because they do something wrong.  Its not ok to neglect teaching and training our children because they are being difficult.  Its not ok to dishonor our husband because he said or did something that hurt us.  Our command for obedience is not conditional.

It doesnt matter how much my children test and try me -I am to be patient and kind. 
It doesnt matter that I was treated with disrespect -I am to have self-control. 
It doesnt matter if I disagree with someone -I am to act in peace.
It doesnt matter how my husband has treated me -I am to love, honor, respect and obey him. 

If I am truly walking in obedience to the Lord, I will obey Him regardless of all other things.  By obeying Him, I am loving Him. 

You see, I dont obey because the other person deserves it but because I love God and in order to truly love God, I will obey Him.  And He does deserve my love and obedience!

When my children test and try me, I am patient with them because God commands it, not because they deserve it.
When I am disrespected I keep my self-control because God commands it, not because the other person deserves it.
When my husband treats me unkindly I love, honor, respect and obey him because God commands it, not because he deserves it.

In order to love God, I must love others.  In turn, God loves others through me. 

And lest you think it sounds easy, it is not.  However, God equips us with all we need if we will only choose to follow Him.  He will also never ask us to face something we are unable to endure and will always provide what we need.  (1 Cor 10:13)

So, you see, sometimes it really is all about me.  Its all about the way I choose to respond.  Will I choose Gods way or my own?  I want to always choose Gods way and I know that He will always help me.