Me, influenced by the feminist movement?!?!

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 Submission of a wife to her husband is an outdated concept.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)

Ignore the previous contest, but thanks Noel!

I just realized that I should have started the 10,000th visitor contest like a week ago because I'll probably hit 10,000 before most of my regular visitors even know about it. However, I'm so happy that I only had one comment at this point because I have the privilege of acknowledging a dear friend & spiritual mentor of mine...Noel Piper.

She has been a wonderful example of Biblical womanhood to me. Whether we're having lunch, sipping on tea, or sharing pics (we both love to take pics), I gain a dose of wisdom from her. She is so easy to talk to, laugh with, and full of Godly advice.

Thank you so much Noel for your friendship. The times I've shared with you reminds me of Proverbs 13:20a - "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise."

You are a blessing to me!

CONTEST!!!

As of right now, there have been 9,983 visitors to my blog!

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When will I get my 10,000th visitor???

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Whoever guesses closest to the actual day & time, will get the prize!!!

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(Not sure what the prize will be yet :-).

Looking for a great gift idea???

My friend, Tiffany, & her friend have a handmade bracelet business. It's called Legacy Bracelets. I bought one for myself in Jan '08 and then in Jan '09 for my mom's birthday. They are soooo cute and such a precious memorabilia. You just decide on a bracelet pattern, send your pics and names, dates, &/or verses you want and they do the rest! Below are a few pics of the bracelets I purchased.

For my bracelet, I chose the "Tiffany" pattern.

I put our wed. pic and then name & date, then each child with their name and birthdate, & ended it with a verse.

For my mom's bracelet, I chose the "Autumn" pattern. I put their wed. pic, our wed. pic, and my bro & sis-in-law's wed pic, and the grandkids, and ended it with a verse. My mom absolutely loved it & couldn't wait to show it off!

No Rocks Gonna Cry Out For Me!

Yesterday, Kempton & I returned home from a great retreat with all the Pastors & Wives from our church. We spent 3 enjoyable days at the Miracle Lodge. We had such a blessed time glorifying the Lord through singing, praying, praising, walking, playing, laughing, and eating. There were many unique sights, but what caught my eye the most were the "Word" rocks that were in various places throughout the site.

Each morning, I would take a walk and stop by one of the rocks and pray. On one morning, my heart was heavy with various concerns, so I just stopped & leaned on the rock. Then I prayed the promise that was written on the rock and cried out all my burdens to the Lord. It was such a defining moment for me watching my tears roll down that rock. I felt so hopeful, joyful, & peaceful after that. The end of that verse says, "I shall not be shaken." At that moment, I knew the Lord was reminding me that He alone is holding me up and that, by His grace, I will not be shaken. PRAISE THE LORD! I'll probably never forget that moment when I cried out to the Rock on the rock!!!

By the way, here are a few other rocks that I saw...

As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Luke 19:37-40

Who Said Pastors Are All Preach & No Play???

All I Want To Say Is...

Jesus, Thank You
Words and music by Pat Sczebel

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul I want to live for You

© 2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

Listen to the Song (scroll down to Disc 2, Song 11)

Have a Blessed Easter!!!

Freedom Bounds

Speaking of crayons, I remember how much I liked to color as a child. Now that I have young children, I get an “excuse” to color again :-). Staying in the lines was a big deal to me. I actually liked having those boundary lines which helped me to have a beautiful picture in the end. Many people have a negative view of boundaries. They see them as enslavement, restraints, & limitations. However, good boundaries are set so we can grow, thrive, and be safe which actually produces freedom. That’s what I’m reminded of when I read Psalm 16:5-6.

I enjoyed reading various commentaries on these verses. Many have expounded on them, but they all come to the same conclusion which I've summed up to --God is worth gaining, He is the One that sustains, and He is ALL that is needed!
For example, David (the psalmist) said, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot” (v.5). He means that God is all that he desires and needs. God is his chosen part. In Christ, all his joy, contentment, & comfort are found.
David also said, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” (v.6). He is referring to the lines that God used to divide the land for the Israelites (Numbers 26:55-56). His “boundary” lines fell on a pleasant, desirable part and his beautiful inheritance is the Lord!

If you are a child of God, you have these same blessings (Eph 1:3-14)! Yes, there are boundary lines in Christ. However, these lines help us to put on the works of the Spirit & put off the deeds of the flesh. Only in Christ’s freedom bounds, can we fully obey Him, enjoy Him, and delight in His presence.

May these truths encourage you to look to Jesus during this Holy Week. He died so that you could live, and now you have a beautiful inheritance…YES INDEED!

Time to Come Out of the Crayon Box!

Okay, here's EVERYONE'S chance to comment. Yep, that includes all my lurkers, secret visitors, & those who haven't commented for a while.

What's your favorite color???

(If you don't have one, pick one now :-)

Warm, Fuzzy Feelings Vs. Holy Habits

Here's an excerpt from the book I'm reading, The Legacy of Biblical Womanhood by Susan Hunt & Barbara Thompson. This section is in Q & A format.

Q (younger woman) - "I long for the intimacy with God that I hear other women discuss. But most of the time I feel as though God is far away from my real life."

A (author) - "It is important to distinguish between warm, fuzzy feelings and the intimacy of holy habits. In our culture many women are "experience junkies" and depend on new levels of excitement as substitutes for intimacy. The intimacy of the Father-daughter relationship is nurtured by the holy habits of prayer, Bible study, private and corporate worship, obedience, communion with the saints, and thanking Him in all things. These habits are not superficial seven-minute moments with God on our timetable. They are life-dominating, mind-renewing, transforming disciplines of God's grace. God uses the fruit of these habits to sustain us through emotional upheaval and circumstantial chaos." (p. 104)

Moms of Children with Special Needs

Read this short reflection from a mom who has been down this road before us. It really blessed me and gave me some spiritual nuggets as I continue to walk this hard; yet joyful road. I actually think that ALL moms would be encouraged by this!