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As the holiday season approaches, invitations to a wide variety of activities are often extended to us. Frequently, in our haste, we don’t take the time to consider how to biblically respond to these invitations so that we will be known as a gracious guest. While it is important for both men and women to be gracious this post focuses on women since, according to Solomon, “A gracious woman attains honor . . .” (Proverbs 11:16).
Read MoreMaking A House A Home
THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE
Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season. Tantalizing aromas, gala events, and clandestine shopping trips consume much of our time from late November to January 1. Easily caught up in the activities of the holiday season, it is easy to neglect the most important present to offer others—the gift of gratitude
Read MorePLACING THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES
A blond-headed, blue-eyed daughter, I looked like the perfect blend of my mother and father. As others commented on the likeness, my parents smiled inwardly knowing that it was their heavenly Father who had chosen the custom matching of their adopted daughter as He had “made a home for the lonely” (NASB) or, according to the King James Version, had set another solitary in a family (Ps. 68:6). Older when they commenced the adoption process, Oliver and Mary Ennis were willing to commit to nurturing a child. Eventually they welcomed to their home an abandoned child with pneumonia. She had lain so long on her back that the back of her head was bald. As you may have surmised, I was that abandoned child.
Read MoreCHOICES THAT PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY SEASON
I love summer so it is a bit challenging to me to walk through the craft, card, fabric, and department stores and find holiday supplies displayed. However, I also know that good stewardship challenges me to plan ahead so that my holiday season is truly focused on the event it is meant to celebrate rather stressed-filled because I made poor choices in late summer and early fall. Just as my management skills propel me to plan ahead so I experience a fantastic rather than a frantic holiday season, so I must begin early to make spiritual choices so that I maximize the potentially rich experiences.
Read MoreHOW DO I CULTIVATE A HOSTESS’ HEART?
The attitude of the apostle Paul is one that all women who desire to cultivate the heart of a hostess must embrace. As we study the scriptural passages that challenge us to practice hospitality most of us can reflect on a time when we tried to extended friendship to others and were met with rejection.
Read MoreDO YOU HAVE THE HEART OF A CHRISTIAN HOSTESS?
The characteristics of a woman possessing a hostess’ heart were modeled by my mother. She could, and often did, invite someone home from church because she had not only prepared a tasty meal for her family, but enough extra to include others. I grew up “helping in the kitchen” as a young child; later, as her health failed, I assumed much of the food preparation responsibilities under her supervision. When I enrolled in college and chose Home Economics as my major I realized that I had learned the food preparation skills at home; my college classes helped me align the academic principles with my existing skills.
Read MoreWHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23
If we are going to create a peaceful home ambiance we must monitor what we think. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that we are to be careful about what we think because it will affect everything that we do.This is especially true in the management of our homes.
Read MoreLAUNDRY BASICS--JUNE’S HINTS FOR THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER
Laundry is like our bills, always needing attention! It seems like a pretty mundane task with little or no spiritual ramifications on the surface. However, a closer look reminds us that believers are to be faithful with all of their possessions (1 Corinthians 4:2). The wise woman of Proverbs 31:27 cares for the needs of her household. One of the primary needs of a household is clothing and its maintenance.
Read MoreIS YOUR HOME WORRY FREE?
What is the climate of your home? I am not referring to what the thermostat is registering but rather its emotional climate. Does a sense of peacefulness greet your family members and guests or is there a cloud of worry that hovers in the atmosphere? One of the most important contributions you can make to a nurturing home environment is to sweep worry from it as quickly as you gather the shards of a broken glass.
Read MoreTHE SINGLE WOMAN’S HOME
As a Christian woman, trained as a Home Economist, I never expected to be single past my mid-twenties. However, the Lord had a much different plan for me and has gently matured my attitude toward singleness, as well as the purpose of marriage. I know now that I should marry only if our united lives would be more effective for the Lord than either of us are in our single state.
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COLLEGE TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
Why is your child considering college? Is it simply the next step on the academic ladder or has God placed a vision for how acquiring a college degree will provide preparation for God’s plan for his or her life? As you read this post may I encourage you to make two “tip” lists—one for you and one for your child. Or better yet, have your child make his or her own list.
Read MoreFASHION VERSUS FAITH—MUST THEY BE IN CONFLICT?
Summer is my favorite season of the year with one exception—too much skin is exposed. While lightening the color depth and fabric weight for spring and summer garments, at the same time the fashion industry tends to minimize the amount of fabric that they contain. As a Christian who desires to please your heavenly Father, you have the challenge of selecting clothing that brings glory to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So, you are faced with a dilemma—must fashion and faith be in conflict? If you wholeheartedly embrace biblical standards of modesty, must you eliminate from your wardrobe anything fashionable? Let’s take a look at what Scripture teaches.
Read MoreTHE HOMEMAKER’S HEART AND THE USE OF HER SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Last week I posed the question, “What would be your response if you carefully selected a gift and presented it to someone dear only to have him or her leave it wrapped?” I pray that you were able to meditate upon the suggested principles along with the definitions of the Spiritual Gifts. This week let’s expand our study as we consider the question, “What is the benefit of prayerfully using your Spiritual Gifts to their maximum potential?”
Read MoreTHE HOMEMAKER’S HEART CHERISHES HER SPIRITUAL GIFTS
What would be your response if you carefully selected a gift and presented it to someone dear only to have him or her leave it wrapped? A myriad of emotions undoubtedly flood your mind as you consider such an ungrateful response on the part of the recipient. Putting the question in the context of Spiritual Gifts is there a possibility that you might be neglecting to unwrap the ones our Lord graciously custom selected for you? Let’s identify some principles that will help in identifying and using your Spiritual Gifts to glorify their Giver, your heavenly Father.
Read MoreTHE INCREDIBLE SEARCH FOR A GODLY WOMAN BEGINS IN MY HOME
It’s Mother’s Day, and the pastor announces the Scripture topic for his sermon: The Incredible Search . . . The Quest for Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God Begins in Your Home. Inwardly you groan. Oh, great. I am going to leave today’s service on another guilt trip rather than encouraged and edified. Perhaps I can plan my week’s menus or work on my Bible study while appearing to look interested.
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