Red Alert!

Battle Stations. That is what my 7th grade girls' class is studying this month. We've been talking about the wiles of the devil and how he tries to influence us for evil. We've talked a bit about temptations and how to fight them off -- just submit to God and resist the devil and he must flee! (James 4:7) We've talked about how we fight in a spiritual battle rather than a physical one.  But, just like a physical battle, we don't go in without armor or weapons. God has given us everything we need to defeat the enemy and the end comes in the book of Revelation/our future!

I'm grateful to have been able to team up with one of the boys' Ranger commanders who is teaching the girls about archery as our unit project.  He asked us this week to find a verse in the Bible that has to do with archery or bows and arrows.  I found mine easily as it happens to be one of my favorite sets of verses:

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

To sit up late,

To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

So are the children of one’s youth.

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

It is vain for you to rise up early,

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them...

These verses tell me that I don't have to be in control of the battle. This battle belongs to God. In fact, if I don't let Him be the builder and the guard, then all my efforts will be for nothing. I can't live this life in my own strength; I must depend on Him.  

These aren't easy words for me. I tend to be control-freaky. I like to make the decisions and carry out the plan. But, if it is my decision and my plan -- even if it all works out -- these verses tell me that it has no value in God's kingdom. Why? Because I didn't rely on Him, my faith wasn't strengthened, I have no testimony, and only my will was done.

All the things I try to do in my own strength are vain and useless. God can provide all I need even while I'm sleeping, these verses say. I can just sleep, and He can get the job done!

What a relief!

The last part compares children with arrows in the hand of a warrior. I have two arrows. I want them to be straight and not vary from the path that God has for them. But, sometimes, they (like me) are a bit crooked. In the spiritual realm, they have to be whittled, or stretched, or smoothed or whatever you might do to arrows. In the physical realm, they must be fed, and cared for, and talked to, and taught, and loved, and prepared. At times, they must be punished or rewarded.  

At times, we practice with these arrows. We put them in new situations to see how they fly. If they fall short of our target of expectations, we bring them back and sand them down and try again. We don't leave them in the quiver. Arrows are made to be sent out.

God's Nature Reflects God's Nature

Today I walked down a single block in a very small town.  On my right was a lovely landscaped retention pond with a fountain bursting forth from the center.  Nearby a tall white heron stalked its dinner.  On my left, in an even lovelier ditch -- lovelier for its wildness -- was a mini-woodpecker.  I've never seen one on the ground before...taking a break from pecking.  His Clorox-white feathers were startlingly clean, his brown feathers ruffling in the light breeze.  Just feet from him, waddling in the tiniest puddle were three ducks, as alike as they were different.  Each had its own pattern of brown and white, all distinguishable as separate and individual.

Hidden by his very stillness, a blue heron stood tall behind these diminutive ducks, thinking I could not see him.  I am so glad I saw him -- and all of the rest of those creatures.  They reminded me of my God's infinite creativeness, His perfection, and His power.  "God is in the details."  Why make so many different kinds of birds?  Why not just one?  And why not all the same color?  Because He could.  Because it is part of His nature.  Because He could not make a world devoid of COLOR and full of care.  He did not create ugly.

When you look in the mirror you can know that you also are a part of His masterpiece.  You are unique and specially designed.  God did not create anyone else who is exactly like you.

For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead...Romans 1:20a

Judging Others - Or What About Hitler?

I was having this conversation with a woman, an owner of a kid-oriented Christian business -- someone I have a lot of admiration for.  She was debating whether it was okay to hire someone who was a homosexual and finally reasoned that it was, because "we aren't supposed to judge others."  While I appreciate her heart -- her desire to be loving -- I cannot agree with this position.  It took me a long while to think of my comeback, but here it is:

Really?  What about Hitler?  Would you hire Hitler to work with the kids?  If you say "No," are you being judgmental?  After all, he was just a sinner, like you or me.  If you say yes, you would hire him, then I must ask:  Are you crazy?

At some point, a "judgement" can and must be made.  Different people draw their lines in different places, but we all draw lines.  And it is important to be led by the Holy Spirit as to where to draw yours.  The Bible says we should "Judge not, lest we be judged."  But that is a judgement for those outside the church -- the unregenerated.

Within the church, we are told to expel those who claim to know Christ but who choose to live in habitual sin (Titus 3:10-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).  How could we do that without a "judgement-like" process?  The judgement (or "fruit inspection" as my pastor likes to say) is to be done gently, lovingly, truthfully, and with an attempt at discipleship.  But, the ultimate choice lies with the offender.  If they do not accept rebuke and repent, they are no longer to be welcomed in the body.  That would be like knowing you had an operable cancer, but letting it stay and grow inside of you.  Once they are out of the church for a while, we are told to treat them (habitual sinners) again as unbelievers and try to woo them back in.

But, we are NOT told to put them in positions of leadership.  The Bible is clear that leaders within the church (not the building, but the body) must be held to even higher standards of behavior (Titus 2:3-15, 1 Timothy 3:1-13).  We are also told to not be "unequally yoked" (1 Corinthians 6:14; this can apply to marriage or business).

Yes, of course, we want unbelievers to feel welcome and loved.  But, we must make sure that we are influencing them, not letting them influence us.  God's Word does not change for political or social reasons.  And love, true love, is tough -- wanting to help someone avoid sin and hell, rather than making them (and ourselves) feel good in the moment.

Some of you may feel threatened or judgmental about what I have written.  Please feel free to comment, but without any vulgarity please.

The Book of Beginnings - Part One

I'd like to start a series here, going through the book of Genesis, spouting out things I have learned over many years.  This certainly won't be a complete analysis, because what I know is probably pitiful compared to what can be known about this book!  Some parts may be very brief and others more extensive.  I would also love to hear your insights and thoughts about verses as we go.  But, let's begin at the beginning and see how it goes!

GENESIS

First of all, the book of Genesis was most likely written by Moses, although the first few chapters may have been handed down by previous generations (maybe even beginning with Adam's notes) until they reached his hands for editing.  Genesis is part of both Jewish and Christian holy scripture.


The word "genesis" is defined as "the origin or coming into being of something."  This book is all about origins:  the origin of the universe, man, sin, redemption, nations, government, marriage, and much more.

In Genesis 1:1, we see that God created, and thereby transcends time, space and matter -- the three dimensions of our universe, all in one fell swoop.

In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth.

Time:  In the beginning.         Space:  the heavens        Matter:  the earth

He was already there, in the beginning, so BEFORE the beginning, if you will.  Before there was time, space or matter, there was God.


And that is just the beginning!

God's Resume

A few months ago, we were challenged by our Sunday school teacher to write out God's "resume." Certainly, it can't really be done.  And, of course, His real resume is the Holy Bible.  But, here is a weak stab at it from my perspective.  What kind of references would you give Him?

YHWH "I AM"

v     Address:  “…Enthroned above the circle of the earth…”  Isaiah 40:22

v     Phone:  “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3

Objective  

I am come that [you] might have life, and that…more abundantly.  John 10:10

EXPERIENCE

Creator, Self-employed 
About 4004 B.C.

Created the universe from nothing, including the sun, moon, stars and planets.  I created life on Earth, including plants, animals and people.  I completed this project in 6 days.  Genesis 1:1

Deliverer, Egyptian Enterprise 
About 1550 B.C.

For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and [I] brought back the waters of the sea upon them.  But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.  Exodus 15:19

Savior, Father & Son Enterprises 
About 33 A.D.

I provided a way for man to escape the death sentence of sin.  I sent my Son, Yeshua, to die on a Roman cross and take away the sins of the world.  John 3:16

Provider, Anywhere
All the Time

I “shall supply all your needs according to [My] riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

King, Israel & the World
Now and Forever

For the Lord [YHWH] is a great God, and a great King above all gods.  Psalm 95:3

EDUCATION

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of [Me], who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

REFERENCES

Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the nation of Israel, Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James the Lesser, and even Thomas, Stephen, Paul, and many more upon request.  Even “…the demons believe, and tremble.”  James 2:19

Road Trip!!!

We need a long road trip!  That's how I felt when I listened to The World's Greatest Stories as told by George W. Sarris.  We LOVE to listen to CDs while traveling, especially fun and exciting stories!  Mr. Sarris' versions of Daniel in the Lion's Den, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal and all the others really fit the bill.

In reality, you don't need a long road trip to enjoy these stories, although each volume is approximately one hour long, most are generally broken into five stories so you can start and stop in ten to fifteen minute increments.  The BEST thing about these stories is that they are word-for-word from the Bible!  You can get King James (my choice) or NIV versions.  The NEXT BEST thing is that Mr. Sarris uses a wide variety of voices (his own) and sound effects that help grab your attention and keep it.  As your child listens, they aren't getting a watered down or fictionalized version of the Bible -- they are chewing on the real Word.  If you listen over and over, I'm sure you and your child would soon have many parts, or even whole stories memorized.  Currently, there are 6 volumes of stories...here is what you can get for only $7.95/each volume.

Volume 1 = The Prophets
The Blazing Furnace
The Handwriting on the Wall
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
The Prophecy of Jonah

Volume 2 = The Life of Christ
the Real Story of Christmas
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
The Healing of the Blind Man
Things Jesus Said and Did
The Real Story of Easter

Volume 3 = Beginnings
In the Beginning
A Lame Man in Lystra
A Jailer in Philippi
The Story of Ruth
The Raising of Lazarus

Volume 4 = Joshua & Esther
The Battle of Jericho
The Book of Esther

Volume 5 = Joseph & His Brothers

Volume 6 = Defeating Giants
David & Goliath
Namaan the Leper
Micaiah the Prophet & Josephat the King
The Sacrifice of Isaac
Gideon & His 300 Men

There is also a series of CD messages on homeschooling dads, dating, impacting our culture, and more for only $4.95/each.  You can find those here.

The narrator, George W. Sarris has some pretty impressive credentials.  He has worked commercially in New York as the principal spokesman for radio and TV commercials for Burger King, Duracell, Pizza Hut, Sprint, UPS, Honda and others.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Speech and a Master of Divinity.  He has served on the staff of the Mass Media Ministry of Campus Crusade.

These stories are aimed at ages 4 and up, and I think would be enjoyed by everyone!  I have teens, so they smirked a little at first, but later I overhead them quoting bits of the story back and trying to imitate the voices!

As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I was provided the World's Greatest Stories:  the Prophets, Volume 1, KJV version, plus a Sampler CD free of charge in exchange for an honest review.   For more TOS reviews of this and other products, click here.  I hope you will check out this series of stories and invest in them for your family.  Truly one fun way to meditate on God's Word!

Shameless Plug

After working almost 30 years in the space program, my husband has landed a great new job at home.  He has incorporated as Digital Worship, LLC.  His vision is to design apps for Apple and other hand-held devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android) that are helpful in the Christian and homeschool and education markets.  

This week, his first app appeared in the Apple store!  Dad's Prayers is designed to encourage parents to pray for their children.  Paul has compiled a bunch of sample prayers taken from his own prayer-life, backed up with scripture.  You can use them as a skeleton on which to build your own prayers for your own children.  

This is a FREE app, intended as the first-fruits offering of Digital Worship.  If you have an Apple hand-held device, we hope that you will download a copy today and also share with as many parent-friends you may have!  You can find all the information here.

We'd love to hear back if you find this a useful tool or if you have suggestions.  And, hopefully, soon we'll have more and different types of apps to share with you!

In My Lifetime...

Men started letting women open doors for them.
Men stopped offering chairs to women.
Women began cussing, without making excuses for it.
Women started wearing short skirts and decolletage shirts and considered it "business attire."
The word "gay" stopped meaning "happy."
Men started kissing men and women started kissing women on TV.
Our President declared that America wasn't a Christian nation.
Our currency lost its gold backing.

Jesus may return.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  2 Peter 3:9-14

Have a Minute?

This article originally appeared in the Pitter Patter newsletter of my MOPS group, oh many years ago.  It made me stop and think all over again!  I have updated a few things to make it timely.

I got caught at the last ladies’ meeting here at church.  The Pastor's wife was speaking and she asked everyone to close their eyes for a minute just to think about Jesus and concentrate on Him.  So, I bowed my head and closed my eyes and I prayed a prayer of thanks for Christ saving me and giving me everything I have.

Then I started listing off in my head all the things I needed to do later in the day.  Then I looked over at the lunch buffet to see what we’d be eating later.  Then I wondered about who the next speaker was going to be.  Then I thought, okay, I’m ready to move on, here.  And then Alice said, “Okay, that was ONE minute.”

It really cut me to the heart.  I had been racing so fast in my mind that I thought at least 10 or 15 minutes had passed.  I did not have ONE minute to spare for Christ – the one whom I supposedly have given my life to.  Not one minute.

I tell you what.  The next few weeks may be extremely busy – Thanksgiving, birthday parties, Christmas parties, and getting ready for the holidays...how much time will I stop to meditate on God’s Word?  How much time will I reflect on God’s goodness?  How much time will I spend in prayer?  How much time will I devote solely to Jesus?  How about you?

Can we take ONE minute to think about God’s greatest gift to us?  In this moment of silence, thank Him for sending His Son, Jesus Christ to save us in order to give us a relationship with God.  It is offered to us so freely -- if we only take the time to receive it.  If you haven’t received it yet, you could use this minute to ask God to reveal Himself to you.  He will.  He is waiting for you, to show you how much He loves you.

Does Anything Last?

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 

Every thing we see around us is seasonal and temporal. That includes our trials and tribulations, our triumphs and jubilations. All of it will pass away. Some things pass quickly. The fight you had yesterday with your husband is almost forgotten. The pain you had in childbirth barely recalled. The big plans you laid in your teens and twenties? What were they?

We have changed. Our hopes, our dreams, our bodies. We do not look, feel or act the same as we always did. And our circumstances change around us: our friends, our dwelling place, our day to day employment.

But, there are other things that never change. The glory and compassion of God. The importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The names written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  I am so glad I can count on God's Word to remain the same.

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is,through the living and enduring word of God.

For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERS,
AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:22-26

Where's the Fruit?

I have a habit of buying bad fruit.  The honey dew melon I cracked open at lunch today looked really good on the outside, but it was still green and hard in the middle.  That is why I generally buy pre-cut-up melons.  They are more expensive, but I can see and feel what I am really getting.  The Lord is able to do that with us: 

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

The Lord can cut right through that outer show that we put on and see exactly what is in our hearts.  He knows our inner thoughts, our true desires, and our real motives.  Yikes.  Look away!  Look away!  I am not ripe!  How can I know if I am ripe?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

If these things are showing up in more and more abundance in my life, then I am walking in the spirit.  I pray today for more fruit. 

The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part 7

The Proverbs 31 woman is RESPECTFUL TO HER HUSBAND.

v. 21-23 says

She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes coverings for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

when he sits among the elders of the land.

This woman is obviously a Girl Scout.  She is prepared.  She is planning for the future! She is NOT sitting around in her houserobe and curlers all day long.  She makes herself presentable and her family presentable.  She doesn’t do it in a way that makes people look at her, however.  She does it in a way that makes people look at her husband.  She is so supportive of him, that they think HE has it all together.  I think this is an important aspect to consider for those of us who are married.

Sometimes, I want to make a point or win an argument in public, but I need to consider, how will this make my husband look?  At times, I have had to hold back what I want to say until later, when we are alone and say, “Now, about what you were talking about, did you mean this?”  I can ask him in a nice way to communicate his feelings or ideas to me without embarrassing him in public or making him look like he doesn’t know what he is talking about.  This goes back to “being trustworthy.”  He should be able trust me to guard his reputation and his ego in public.

I wish I was more trustworthy in this area.  Many times I try to turn things off as a joke and end up not edifying my husband, but tearing him down in little ways.  Good resources for reminding me (besides the Bible) are:  Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs and The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace.

The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part 6

Please forgive the fact that the last post was also titled "part 6," I have fixed the error.  That one was "5" and this one is "6".

The Proverbs 31 woman is GENEROUS.

v. 19-20 says

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hands grasp the spindle.

She extends her hands to the poor;

And she stretches our her hands to the needy.

The Proverbs 31 woman is hard-working, but she is not selfish with what she gains.  She makes sure there is enough for her family, as well as for those in need.  This is a hard one, but one we have to realize.  It is not important in life to accumulate goods.  Sometimes we think, well, I worked hard for this, I deserve it –- no matter how frivolous or useless or self-seeking the “thing” may be.  When we look around us, is there someone else who doesn’t have shoes, or food, or a place to stay?  We need to think about them more often before we go “play.”  

When my children were young, our MOPS group provided a Christmas and an Easter outreach -– a chance for us to give to those in need.  The people were easily identified and their need was evident to us.  By doing so, we taught our children that to give IS better than to receive!   Now, they give their own money in those seasons to buy chickens and blankets and gospel tracts for people in Asian countries (through Gospel for Asia).  They pray over our sponsor child in Haiti (through New Missions).  They have often gone with me to deliver meals to homeschool moms who have had babies or who are going through hard times.  They have seen me hand money to strangers standing at the side of the roads with signs in their hands.  [I know that isn't always wise, but God can use it to His glory anyway.] 

I am certainly not tooting my own horn here...I do not do nearly enough in this area!  I am just putting forth different ideas that we have tried at different times.  I'd love to hear what things you have done as well.  Please comment below!

[It may be important to note that the Proverbs 31 woman does take care of her family first.  Sometimes people choose to live in squalor because they can’t get away from the guilt of having something when somebody else doesn’t.  I don’t think that is quite right.  The Bible talks about giving so that others live “equally” with us, not that we should be poverty-stricken so others can be rich.]

The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part 5

Remember that I wrote this a few years ago, but rather than update it, I'll leave the potty-training references for those of you who are in that stage, although I am moving towards the student-driver stage. Which one is scarier? I'll let you know!

Repeated again: The Proverbs 31 woman is a WORKER.

v. 17 says
She girds herself with strength,
And makes her arms strong.

How many of you are stronger now than you were before you had kids? Toting around 30 pounds on one arm while pushing a grocery cart with the other is no longer such a big deal to me. God seems to give us a natural strength to get things done that maybe we never thought we could.

Again, the Proverbs 31 woman is a WORKER.

v. 18 says
She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.

If I could leave you with only one thought today, it would come from this verse. The Proverbs 31 woman “senses that her gain is good:” She knows that what she is doing is important! What you are doing today, matters for a lifetime! It may seem at times to be monotonous: household chores mixed up with tea parties and potty training, but it is all important. You are training your child. Some things you are consciously training and some things you are unconsciously training, but everything you do will have an effect on your child.

Think about how much more like your mother you are now than when you were, say, thirteen years old. Your children will be like you too. You can help them to be hard-working, loyal, loving, friendly, and devoted to God. Your example is a HUGE influence on their life -- positive or negative.

Just understanding that gives me reason to keep going. Sometimes I really feel like I’ve had it. In fact, just last week I had this strong feeling that life as a mom was too tough for me. But, then I have to think, what example am I showing Holly and Elijah? I don’t want them to quit when the going gets tough. I don’t want them to complain and whine either, like Mommy does!

Where Can Casey Go?

Joshua 20:1-6

The Cities of Refuge

The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in the hearing of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand. And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’”

In recent days, the world has watched the trial of Casey Anthony. We saw all the evidence – or lack of evidence, depending on your point of view – right before our very eyes. We were allowed seats in the courtroom and we became jury and judge within our hearts. But we did not get to push any buttons to actually choose. Only 12 truly appointed men and women got to voice their votes in a way that counted. Her fate was decided without me. The problem is, I know too much – or think I do -- and so do you, and so do literally millions of others.

I just wonder, where will Casey go? She has been acquitted and will soon be free. But will she ever be truly free? Where can she go that she won’t be recognized? Where can she go where she will be treated as completely “innocent?” Our voyeurism has stolen from her a basic right – the presumption of innocence -- that we are innocent until proven guilty.

I heard recently that in Scotland they have a third category for judgment: guilty, not guilty, and “not proven.” At first, I thought, that sounds great. We want to put a mark on those people who we think are guilty of getting away with something. But, upon further reflection, I know that is definitely NOT the American way. How would I feel if I had not been proven guilty, but everywhere I went people acted as though I was guilty?

I pray that Casey can find a city of refuge, to be free from the assumption of guilt, and move on to find the true source of refuge in Jesus Christ – the only real hope for anyone of us.

The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part 2

The Proverbs 31 woman is to be GOOD TO HER HUSBAND.

v. 12 says
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

That sounds so simple. Of course we want to do good for our husbands. We are not putting arsenic in his food or even swishing his toothbrush in the toilet when he isn’t looking. But, at 5:17 PM when I have a hot meal on the table and Paul isn’t home yet and I’ve got one kid screaming in my ear and the other one pulling on my leg, what ARE my intentions for him? Am I thinking, “Oh the poor dear, must be stuck in traffic again?” Or am I screaming on the inside: “Just wait until that so-and-so gets home; he can take care of the kids and I don’t care if his food IS cold? I’m going to go take a bath and see how he likes just being stuck all alone here!”

When I feel more like that, verse 12 gives me something to shoot for. Do him “good and not evil.” Sometimes I have to repeat that verse until it clicks. “Doing good” means saying uplifting and edifying words to my husband; "doing good" means washing his shirts without him asking me; "doing good" means greeting him at the door with a smile instead of shoving kids into his hands and pouring out my day like acid in his face.

In the book, The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace, she says “The goal of the Christian husband and wife in their marriage is to have a oneness that is characterized by a loving spiritual and physical bond that glorifies God and thereby enhances personal spiritual growth (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-33; Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 13:4)” [pg. 33]. She references Luke 17:10 which says, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘we are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'”

“Giving of yourself to your husband is not going above and beyond the call of duty. It is only doing as you ought. You ought to be kind to your husband. You ought to be open, transparent and honest with him.” [pg. 32].

The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part 1

This speech was originally presented to my MOPS group. I will be breaking it into bite-size thinkable pieces for this blog.

It is popular today to knock some of the old TV shows and say that Leave it to Beaver is not realistic. Instead, Roseanne is supposed to be the typical family of today. That may be true. I grew up in a home that was more similar to Roseanne’s home (with sarcasm, lack of communication, and lack of true confrontation), but watching a show like that gives me no hope for better. I love Leave it to Beaver because I can see things in the Cleaver household that I do want to emulate and strive for. Maybe I will never do housework in my best dress and high heels, but I can work toward listening to my children, communicating politely and lovingly with my husband, and keeping my family together in harmony rather than acrimony.

I feel the same way about Proverbs 31. It gives me something to shoot for. It isn’t today’s list of things to do. I couldn’t possibly accomplish everything in a day, a month, or year out of my life. But I can try to do some of these things over time. And I already do. And so do you.

Proverbs 31 contains the words of a woman! A mother, just like us! This mother was trying to give wisdom to her young son, Lemuel, the future king. This is her advice regarding the type of woman he should find to marry. I think she did want him to find someone, so this list can’t be totally unrealistic.

First, the Proverbs 31 woman is to be TRUSTED.

v. 10-11 says
An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her.
And he will have no lack of gain.

So far, so good; we all want to be rewarded with rubies, right? And the biggest quality for us to have is to be trustworthy. What does being trustworthy mean to you? [Think about that.]

To me, that means my husband doesn’t have to worry about me when he is planning our life. He knows he will get a big “thumbs-up” for the plans that he makes for our future; that he will get a smile when he asks me to do him a favor; that he will not be yelled at or belittled or looked down upon.

The Bible often tells men to “love” their wives, but women to “respect” their husbands. I think this is a critical difference in our makeup. A man is made to need respect. If he doesn’t have it, he feels less than a man. [Read: Rock Solid Marriage, by Bob Barnes, especially pp. 196-199. One sample paragraph: "It has been said, "Behind every successful man is a great woman cheering him on." Cheering him on because he's worthy of her cheering? Probably not. In the same book that tells husbands to love or cherish their wives, it says, "the wife must respect her husband" (Eph 5:33 NIV). Why? Because her husband is respectable? No, it doesn't say, "and to those of you wives who have respectable husbands, respect them."]

A Timely Word

Where does it go? We are always looking for it. We can never find it when we really need it. It comes and then vanishes like a bubble, without even a little pop. The evidence is all around us though. My daughter will be studying for her driver’s test this year. My son is in “training” for a para-military organization. So, time does exist. And time does fly!

I remember Holly’s first dance recital when she stood on stage with a bunch of other cute “munchkins” and we cheered amongst giggles as she wiggled her hips from side to side and then performed a somersault! This week, she will dance on that stage for the 11th time! Her instructors no longer stand up front reminding her what to do – she remembers it all! She makes quick costume changes. Her ballet, tap and jazz moves are so much more complicated and deserving of applause. She has shown herself dedicated and responsible in many areas of her life. Where did my little girl go?

I remember Elijah running around in the backyard with Nerf guns – okay, he still does that, but they are much bigger now. And now, I’m told, he may be taken into the woods to learn to shoot M16s! He keeps his room neater and he is showing a new commitment and perseverance level we haven’t seen before. Where did my little boy go?

Don’t get me wrong, I have always enjoyed the “getting older” bit. I loved seeing them graduate from diapers, training wheels, and I Can Read Books. But, now I think, “Our time left together is short.” There may be schools, jobs, marriages, and family obligations that will part us in the not-so-very distant future. Is there enough time left to teach them what they really need to know? Is there enough time to ensure that they are stable in their faith and ready for the persecution that is coming? Is there even enough time to just “be together,” without the rush, rush, rush of life pushing all around us?

Are we just “running to and fro” (Daniel 12:4) or are we running to something worthwhile? Are we “using our time wisely?” And what does that mean? And what does that look like? If all else fails, I know: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

If they walk in the truth, and we walk in the truth, then when this life fails, we shall have the gift of all the time of eternity.

The Waffle Lesson

Below is an object lesson I wrote for my daughter’s Missionette class, so the examples are juvenile and relevant to middle-schoolers, but I hope we can all find and apply a piece to ourselves.

A lot of times we organize our life like a waffle. We put our family in one square, school in another, dance class in another. We may act the same in one square as another or we may act totally different. Here is a square for friends, here is a square for boys, here is a square for enemies.

One day, we get “saved” and we try to shove Jesus into an empty square. Maybe we add a church square too. But our waffle squares never mix. If I have a fight with my mom in the family square, then I go to the school square and forget all about it. I get into trouble in science class, but later in my friend square, I laugh about it. Then, I see some girl who used to be in my friend square go over to my boy square and start flirting with the boy I like. So, I beat her up, yell at him, go home, eat dinner and get ready for bed. Then, just before I close my eyes, I remember my Jesus square. I say a minute-long generic prayer about all my problems and go to sleep.

That is how it is sometimes. But, is that how it is supposed to be? No. When I gave my life to Christ, I gave Him the WHOLE waffle. I died to self (Mark 8:34-35) and told Him that He could live THRU me -- He could use my body, my mouth, my brain -– for HIS glory. So, Jesus doesn’t get a square. Jesus is the syrup. He comes and fills EVERY square.

When Jesus fills up the family square, then HE lives obedient to my parents inside my body. Jesus showed ultimate obedience to authority/parents when He died on the cross, so I know that He can do the dishes, clean my room and speak respectfully THRU me.

When Jesus fills up the friend square, suddenly I am a good influence on my friends. I don’t follow them to R-rated movies, I don’t curse, drink, smoke, skip school or act mean. Jesus was the ultimate example of love -– He died for His friends in order to give them life. So, I know He can be a great friend THRU me.

When Jesus fills up the boy square, suddenly I have pure thoughts about boys. I don’t want boys to sin in their thoughts or actions because of me. So, I dress modestly, speak kindly and encourage them in their Christian walk. Jesus is the ultimate bridegroom, so I know that He can live purity THRU me.

I know that Jesus has a plan for my future, so I don’t have to fight for it! He will live the perfect life THRU me if I let Him fill up all my squares.

…We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

This One or That One?

My daughter's Missionettes class is studying "Creation" this month. Last week, I walked around class and offered each girl a chance at winning a penny. I held out two closed hands. They had to decide which one held the penny. If they guessed correctly, they won. If not, they lost out.

This was an object lesson you might use with your children. There are two options available for us: evolution and creation. They are complete opposites. One relies on an intelligent, personal, and powerful God to accomplish everything. The other relies on a floating speck of hydrogen. You cannot have both of them; you cannot meld them together. You must choose one.

The world tells us that we can make up our own minds about what is true. But, is that true? Or is it like the penny game? You can make whichever decision you want, but only one will be a winner! Choose wisely.