According to gardening experts, the difference between an attractive plant and one that is floursing is dependent to a bit of early season pruning. Often called heading back or pinching, pruning a budding plant before it blooms can increase flower growth by making the plant produce more branches. Budding plants can be cut back multiple times during the growing season or pruned again after blooming to encourage a new flush of flowers.
Read MoreMaking A House A Home
ARE YOU MARCHING FOR BIBLICAL FEMININITY?
Beginning in January 2017 and fast forwarding to March 8, 2017 the voices of twenty-first century society again shouted loudly to us as women to free or liberate ourselves from the bondage of our ancestors, “do our own thing,” demand equality, gain personal fulfillment in life regardless of the impact on others, and take control of our bodies. Writing on March 6, Madeline Farber of Fortune Magazine reported, “On Wednesday, women and men across the U.S. will participate in A Day Without A Woman—a movement that seeks to show the vital role women play in both the domestic and global economy. It also aims to bring attention to the lower wages, sexual harassment, discrimination, and job insecurity that women often face .”
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ARE YOU A SAVVY SHOPPER?
Proverbs 31:18 challenges women seeking to please God to refrain from wasting time, money, fuel, or any other resource. Application of this verse insures that she operates her home on a budget (a plan for spending), that monthly it balances (not too much month at the end of the money), and that she consistently makes wise consumer decisions (she “perceives that her merchandise is good”). As an educated seamstress and nutritionist, she recognizes quality. With practiced eye, she seeks out a bargain that reflects excellence. At the same time, her knowledge and skill allow her to make the best decision of whether to make the purchase, pay for the service, or personally perform the task.
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SPRING CLEANING THE HEART AND THE HOME
Many women looking for a theme verse for spring cleaning their homes would instinctively gravitate to Proverbs 31:27 and its description of the godly woman as “looking well to the ways of her household.” Others might select Titus 2:3-5, focusing on the character and responsibilities a woman should practice so that God’s Word is not discredited. First Corinthians 14:40 may also be a logical choice with Paul’s words that “all things should be done decently and in order.”
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GETTING BACK ON TRACK
A new year stretches before you with the opportunity filled with the potential to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father and to increase your ability to fulfill the special plan He has just for you! You are more likely to fulfill that plan if you are spiritually and physically fit. How are you beginning the new year? Are you approaching it with a solid understanding of the nutritional requirements necessary for spiritual and physical vitality or are you randomly starting it without a deliberate dietary plan?
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GIVING THE GIFT OF UNMERITED LOVE
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?
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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.
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CHOOSING 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.
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IS 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)?
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EXPLORING 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.
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SINGLE 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.
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SUMMER 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 MoreSIT, LISTEN, PONDER, SERVE
How would you describe a woman who is an effective servant in our Lord’s kingdom? Well organized, hard worker, and flexible might be words you would select. Words like sit, listen, ponder, and then serve probably would not be on your list. Why? Because they do not appear to produce an immediate outcome. Yet management experts tell us that if our time is limited to complete a project we will make more progress if we plan first and then take action.
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DO 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.
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BEYOND 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.
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THE 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!
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ARE 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”?
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DO 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.
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