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 God’s gift of unmerited love to us (John 3:16) is there a possibility that you might be neglecting to unwrap the one our Lord graciously custom selected for you by choosing to withhold love to others even when they are undeserving?
Read MoreMaking A House A Home
DOES YOUR HOLIDAY PLANNING INCLUDE TABLE TALK TECHNIQUES?
When you think about holiday gatherings is including uplifting, positive conversation a part of your planning strategy? The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 4:5-6, provides us with a challenge to develop Table Talk Techniques so that so that our wisely chosen words will bless and purify those gathered at our table. Studying and meditating upon how our heavenly Father used food as a means of communicating His love and provision for His children provides some potential Table Talk topics. Consider the thoughts that follow to stimulate you to formulate your Table Talk Techniques.
Read MoreCHOOSING TO WRAP YOUR HOLIDAYS IN PRAYER
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and for many it ushers in a season of blessings garnished with stress. The holidays can be a hectic time, where shopping, gift wrapping, cooking, and party planning are added to already impacted schedules. The stress level increases when we choose to meditate upon where the time and resources will come from to fulfill everyone’s holiday expectations. This increase in stress that often detracts from the reason and joy of the holiday celebrations.
Read MoreIS YOUR FOCUS FOR FALL FEAR OR FAITH?
Fall is traditionally the season of greatest changes—students transition to new schools, those in the workforce begin new jobs, and parents experience the “empty nest syndrome,” to name just a few. What is your reflex reaction when change occurs—fear or faith in your heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally and promises to give you peace and contentment in the midst of potentially challenging situations (Jer. 31:3; John 14:27)?
Read MoreEXPLORING GOD'S SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO WOMEN
If we are going to be known as godly women we will make cultivating a lifestyle that pleases our heavenly Father our top priority; to cultivate such a lifestyle means that we must think like Him, and to think like Him we must have His mind. Proverbs 1:7 explains how to know our heavenly Father’s mind. . . we reverence Him.
Read MoreSINGLE AND SERVING
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. Rather than marriage simply providing a “permanent roommate” 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.
Read MoreSUMMER 2016--CONTENT OR DISCONTENT?
Developing a heart of contentment can be challenging even in the midst of the summer season when the living is supposed to be "easy”. Contentment is defined as “having an ease of mind or satisfaction.”[ Contentment, from a biblical perspective, is much more than mere satisfaction with life. For the Christian woman the dictionary definition of contentment merely reflects the outward manifestations of an individual’s deep, inner convictions. Drawn from the Greek word arkeo, contentment primarily signifies sufficiency or satisfaction. Scripture teaches that godliness with contentment is great gain (Ps. 37:16; 1 Tim. 6:6), God’s promises should lead to contentment (Heb. 13:5), and those who seek contentment from money are never satisfied (Eccles. 5:10). Believers are instructed to exhibit contentment in their callings (1 Cor. 7:20), with their wages (Luke 3:14), with their possessions (Heb. 13:5), and with the food and raiment one has (1 Tim. 6:8). Would you like to reflect back on this summer as one that reflects that application of 1 Timothy 6:6 which teaches that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment”? Perhaps the following strategies will assist in fulfilling that desire.
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CALLED TO MOTHERHOOD
I love the month of May because it offers an opportunity to celebrate Motherhood! Whether you are single never married with no children, as I am, or a mother with a full or maybe even overflowing quiver, if you are a Christian woman you are called to motherhood. I am always saddened by those who choose to create a “pity party” on this special holiday. Though our gracious heavenly Father deemed for some of us to remain unmarried, barren, or childless, He did provide us with the opportunity redirect our maternal instincts toward spiritual motherhood. We all have the opportunity to have someone call us “Mom” and, Lord willing, affirm our impact on their lives (Prov. 31:28) at this season focused on honoring Motherhood.
Read MoreDO I CHOOSE TO LOVE AT ALL TIMES?
I enjoy studying the lives of men and women of the Bible because they allow me to envision the application of Scripture (or the lack of it). First Corinthians 10:1-12 is a reminder that every event recorded in Scripture was written for “our instruction”—so it seems reasonable that we would look to biblical friendships as a guide for ours. One of the classic descriptions of friendship recorded in Scripture is that of Jonathan and David (1 Sam. 18:1-4, 19, 20, 23:16, 2 Sam. 1:17). The qualities of their relationship provide a wonderful role model for the Everyday Homemaker.
Read MoreBEYOND SANCTITY SUNDAY
The light from the 58 candles on the courtroom bench cast a warm glow as I entered the historic room. I was honored to be a part of the “Evening of Prayer Where It All Began” sponsored by the Texas chapter of Concerned Women for America (CWA) on the evening prior to the anniversary date of the U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized the murder of unborn children. Stepping into the courtroom the gravity of the decision made January 22, 1973 was magnified as CWA’s Texas Director Ann Hettinger opened the evening with the reading of Psalm 139:13-17.
Read MoreTHE GODLY WOMAN'S 2016 PRIORITIES
Are you viewing 2016 through the lens of the media or the Word of God? The media reports that, among other things, family values are crumbling, lawless is rampant, the weather system is producing unprecedented damage, the education system undermines parental authority, the economy is literally bankrupt, and morality is at an all-time low. However, as a woman seeking to please God 2016 extends the opportunity to establish priorities rather than resolutions that will allow you to experience a fruitful year in our Lord’s vineyard!
Read MoreARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE THE GIFT OF FAMILY HOSPITALITY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
My role as a Home Economics-Family and Consumer Science educator in Christian institutions for the majority of my professional career provides me with a wonderful opportunity to work with young women desiring to learn to practice the Titus 2:3-5 mandate. The mentoring relationship we establish allows me to know them in at a more intimate level than a normal college/seminary professor. As we study and acquire skills together they often share that they frequently felt that they were “ministry orphans.” Moms extended hospitality to a variety of individuals and frequently prepared yummy food items to be shared at other events. Having done so the family was left with a quick meal through the fast-food restaurant, a sandwich hastily constructed then eaten “on the run,” or a plate of macaroni and cheese made from a box—again.
My heart is always saddened because women choosing this management strategy communicate a strong message to their family that they are more focused on “looking well to the needs of others” rather than following the prototype of Proverbs 31:27 who first “looked well to the ways of her household” and then “opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (Prov. 31:20).
Read MoreARE YOU WILLING TO EXPAND YOUR HOLIDAY GUESTLIST?
What is your reaction when you think of the holiday season? Did you know that the holiday season is actually a “holy-season” that should bring us closer to the event or person we are celebrating? Contrary to current practice, Thanksgiving Day is rooted in an occasion focused on thanking God for His provision rather than parades, football games, and shopping at odd hours. Our study of American history reminds us that the Pilgrims had experienced an incredibly difficult year, yet they chose to be thankful. Christmas is the birthday of our Savior who was born in the humblest of circumstances and gave the best gift ever—salvation. So, what are some ways that you can make this holiday season one that is “holy”?
Read MoreDO MY CHOICES REFLECT THAT I WALK WISELY?
A study of the character of the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 teaches us a significant character quality—she possesses a heart open to learning from the experience or wisdom of others. Biblical wisdom, “is both religious and practical. Stemming from the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28; Psalm111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) it branches out to touch all of life, as the extended commentary on wisdom in Proverbs indicates.
Read MoreDO YOU HAVE CONSECRATED CHINA?
Now the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. For the LORD said to Moses,“They shall offer their offering,one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.” and the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nashon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah. His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundredand thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary,both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering.
NUMBERS 7:10-13 NASB
As you approach this blog post an initial response could be, “this post does not apply to me—I do not have china,” and that may be true, but you do have vessels in which you serve food. These vessels may be bone china, stoneware, earthenware, plastic, stainless steel, pewter, enamelware, silver, wood, or paper. The material from which our vessels are made is not the question—rather the question is, have the vessels been consecrated to our Master’s use?
Read MoreI WILL LIKE . . . VIGNETTES OF WOMEN WHOSE LEGACIES IMPACT THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
Who are your role models? Perhaps you have several in your life—one role model may excel professionally, another in raising children, another in hospitality and yet another in Bible knowledge. I am blessed to have a number of Biblical and earthly role models who provide me with the stimulus to walk worthy of my calling (Ephesians 1:1-3).
Read MorePRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS THE WOMAN WHO HONORS HER EARTHLY FATHER
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,” (NASV) or, according to the King James Version, had set another solitary in a family (Psalm 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 MoreTHE QUEST FOR BECOMING A WOMAN WHO PLEASES GOD
It’s May, the typical month for pastors to select sermon texts that challenge women to choose to become women who please God. Consider Ruth’s response when her pastor announces the Scripture topic for his sermon: The Incredible Search . . . The Quest for Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God. Inwardly she groans. 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.
Read MoreDO YOU OFFER TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS?
The phone rings, the answering machine responds, I hear my beloved friend’s voice, but I know that she is not at home. You see, I am calling to inquire about her physical condition that prompted her admission to the hospital several days prior to the new year. The fact that her husband is not answering the phone tells me that he is probably still at her bedside. Having experienced a reaction to her most recent chemotherapy treatment, she is in an unconscious state. Memories flood my mind as I recall her kindness as a friend
Read MorePRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS THE WOMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS SINGLENESS FROM HER HEAVENLY FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE
If you have read other of my Blog posts you know that 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. Rather than marriage only providing an intimate, nurturing relationship, I know now that I should marry only if our united lives would be more effective for the Lord than either of us is in our single state.
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