The Women's Ministry from my church had its annual Spring Conference this past weekend. We had such a blessed time! Martha Peace, the author of the well-known book The Excellent Wife was the speaker. She spoke three sessions, but session 2 was the most impacting for me. She started out by giving us a historical background of the feminist movement. Then she explained how we have been influenced by this movement and how we can change. I plan on sharing all 12 of the points over the next few days.
How We Have Been Influenced - 1. Women don't have to be in full-blown rebellion against men to have been influenced. Ex. "I'm going to do something for me."
How We Can Change - 1. Counter this by turning your focus from yourself to God. (Rom 12:2, Phil 2:3)
How We Have Been Influenced - 2. We think and say things like "What about me?" "What about my needs?" "What about my rights?"
How We Can Change - 2. Understand that the "needs" theory is unbiblical. A God-honoring thought would be "It can be tough at times living with other sinners but whether I have my way or not, I can glorify God. Through Christ I can learn to be content and I can be grateful to Him and delight in Him." (2 Peter 1:3, Phil 4:11-13)
How We Have Been Influenced - 3. Submission of a wife to her husband is an outdated concept. Today, the emphasis is on mutual submission.
How We Can Change - 3. "Being submissive to my husband (unless he asks me to sin) is a primary way that I can serve the Lord Jesus. This may not be popular today but this is how God has chosen for me to glorify Him." (Eph 5:22-24, Col 3:18)
7 comments:
Oh thanks so much for posting on this topic!!
When I read that Martha Peace was going to be at your church I hoped someone from BBC would blog about it! Her writing has been such a help to me.
Those three points convict me deeply. I often allow myself to think about how my needs are not being met; a matter for prayer I think!
Caryn,
I thought the 2nd session was excellent as well and now I'm reading The Excellent Wife. I'm not very far into it, but God is using it to change my attitude and my heart already.
It was great seeing you there!
Barb
I am looking forward to reading more!! What a timely and refreshing reminder as the way to look at my dear husband, and family.
It sounds like it was wonderful. Yes, it is amazing how feminism has crept into all of our thinking without us knowing it. I have read several books that have brought it to my attention. God and those books have really helped me change my thought processes and how Jeff and I want to raise Faith.
Thanks for sharing.
Beth-Renee
I'm so sorry I missed the conference AND your testimony!- I heard it was powerful. I can't wait to get the CD's. I hope they recorded the testimonies too...
Caryn,
Thanks for posting these! I didn't make it to the conference, but what you have written so far is a real encouragement to me. I look forward to the rest of your notes.
Thanks for all your comments.
It's not easy posting a series like this. It's most definitely convicting & countercultural!
I've been tested with #2 the past few days. Kempton is involved with a conference and my kids have been a handful. So, I've had several times where I've had to confess resentful thoughts toward my husband and apologize to my kiddos for being harsh.
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