We switched schools this year. My oldest daughter did her first year of school at a charter school in town last year. I chose that school because it is a great school. This school year my husband said he would really rather our kids (now 1st grade and kindergarten) go to our local public school.
I've turned over in my head the idea of homeschooling but my husband said no to that. I'd love to send my kid's to private school if we could afford it but we can't, so that eliminated that. The next best thing, besides homeschooling, for me would be a charter school. They tend to be smaller schools with higher academic achievements and without a lot of the liberal agenda (yup, I said it!) that public schools have.
It was REALLY hard, I mean REALLY REALLY hard to submit to my husband in the area of school for our children. Probably harder than any other situation. These are my kids we are talking about. I want the best for them. I got on my high horse and stated that, obviously, I knew better seeing as I'm with them all day. I felt that he was just being stingy with money and trying to save a buck at the cost of our children's future. Are you laughing at me yet? It's OK, I'm laughing as I write it. But I really felt that way at that time. I brought up the subject often with my husband to try and get him to see my side. His stand was that lots of kids go to public school and turn out fine. To me that just wasn't a good enough argument. Lots of kids grow up in poverty struck homes or abusive homes and turn out fine. Again, feel free to laugh at how emotional and ridiculous I was being.
So the next thing I did was to pray that God would change my husband to see my side. Go ahead, keep laughing at me. Do you think God changed HIS mind? If you know me personally, you'd know that my kids were enrolled in the local public school, so no, God didn't change my husband's mind. Instead, God changed my mind and heart.
My conversation with God went something like this:
God- Whose kids are these anyway? Didn't you dedicate them to me?
Me- Gee, God, when you put it that way.... the kids belong to you. But don't you want the best for them too, like me?
God- What if this is the best for you kids? Did you stop to think that maybe I know what I'm doing? That I have a great plan in all of this?
Me- Not really, no. How can public school be the best for my kids? I want them to grow up to be Godly people. To do good things like serve other, tell other's about you, be a light to the world when they grow up.
God- Why do they have to wait until they grow up to do those things?
Me- OK true. They can be a light to the world now. Probably even in their school. But what about all the ugly stuff they will see? More kids means more influences on them. I feel like I'm going to have to spend what little time I have with them each day counteracting all the negative they got at school.
God- Just a small part will be negative. Which they will face at some point in their life anyway. It's better for them to deal with those things now when they have your influence and guidance instead of when they are grown and need to make those choices on their own. They will be better prepared for being a teen and adult.
Me- sure. But, it's such a big change. I feel lost in the shuffle. Out of control really. Can you help me have peace about this?
God- Of course. I'm going to make sure you have great families around you who also send their kids to that school. Did you happen to notice how awesome those kids are?
Me- I DO think all those kids are awesome. And they have been in public school for years. Even the kids that are now in Jr. High and went to that public school are on fire for you and are great kids! Thank you Lord for helping me see that my kids are exactly where YOU want them to be. Thank you Lord for settling my heart about all this. I should probably go apologize to my husband huh?
God- Ya think?
Since that conversation with God I have been abundantly blessed with other moms who have sent their kids to the same school coming along side me and answering all of my questions.
I've been praying that God would use my kids in that school to show the other students God's love. The second day of school my daughter told her 1st grade class that God loves them, that He is everywhere and that they should come to our church. God really has a plan. It REALLY is great than our own. Trust in God's plan for your life. You will not regret it.
************Please do not leave me comments about why homeschooling or private school or whatever kind of school is better. There is good and bad about all schools. I would encourage each set of parents to pray about the decision and make sure that is what God wants for you kids. I know many of my friend that have done that and none of them are all in private or all home schooled or all public. Each situation and each child is different because God has a unique plan for each child's life. For us it's public school. And we really are loving it and seeing God's hand in it.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Me, God or satan? In that order.
I've been trying to be acutely aware of God's hand on my life. In trying to keep that perspective daily, I've realized a few things.
1. We do A LOT to ruin God's plans for our lives.
2. Satan plays a part in all this. Read Job 1:1-12
3. God has His hands on a lot more than we give Him credit for.
So I've come up with a great question that we need to ask ourselves if we are trying to see God's hand in our lives. That question is "Me, God or Satan?"
First we need to look to see if we are the ones causing the problems. For example, if I were speeding in my car and I got pulled over by a police officer. Satan did not cause the police officer to give me a ticket, I DID. Right?
How often would we like to blame things going wrong on Satan? I'd love to say that Satan is the cause of every time I lose my temper and yell at my kids. But that is really just my fault.
Another situation in which we would like to blame Satan is when things break. My car broke last week and the first thing I did was blame Satan. See, I had just gotten done with a whole day of learning how to be a great leader at my church. I got the opportunity to worship God and make plans to start a new ministry at our church for our community. So my first reaction was to blame Satan when my car broke. He was trying to ruin this wonderful day for me. But then I stopped and thought, did I have anything to do with this? The answer was yes. I ignored the rattling sound in my car. To be honest, even the check engine light was on. So was it really Satan trying to steal my joy or me not taking care of the maintenance of my vehicle?
On the other hand, there was one evening when my family was sitting down to dinner. I had been praying for God to help show Himself to me and an amazing thing happened. At dinner each night we go around the table and each say a prayer. Youngest to oldest. Most of the time my 3 year old just says the word "amen" and then we move on to my 5 year old. But this night, my 3 year old started to thank God clearly and correctly for several things. Then it was my 5 year old's turn. That boy usually has such sweet prayers that melt my heart but tonight it was even sweeter. He was praising God! It went on for a few minutes and then my 6 year old daughter who's prayers mostly consist of "Thank you Lord for this food, amen" started to praise God also. I was already in tears by the time it was my turn and how could I do anything but thank our Creator for this moment and everything else? It continued with my husband. While he was saying his prayer I strongly felt the Holy Spirit there with us. God answered my prayers to see Him that night. Absolutely. Right after dinner, however, our freezer and refrigerator broke. It was not our fault, It definitely wasn't God's fault. I truly believe that Satan tried to ruin our special family moment. But my husband and I were aware of that and praised God out loud while rushing around trying to save our frozen and refrigerated food.
I believe that every good thing is from God. But, sometimes I believe that God does things that seem bad to us which turn out to be blessings. Take for example the other day. My husband leaves town for several days often. So it was not a big surprise that he had to leave town this week. But we still didn't have my car or refrigerator completely fixed (yup, both my fridge and car broke the same week). My husband is great at fixing things so he tried to fix both. He thought he had the car running enough to drive it to his uncle's car shop where they could finish the job that week while he was gone. He decided to take the greyhound bus to save money (and leave me with his truck) so we could buy the part for the fridge that we needed. That morning, the car wouldn't start again. So I had to load the kids and his stuff into the truck and drive him to the bus station which was suppose to be right around the corner from his uncle's shop. But the station was closed down. If he had driven to his uncle's shop and then walked (in 100 degree heat) to the bus station only to find out that it was shut down, he wouldn't have made the bus in time. I believe that God made sure that my car did not start that morning, knowing that my husband wouldn't have made it in time to get to the new location (even if I drove down to pick him up and drive him there). Because I drove him to the station and then to the new location, he made it in plently of time to depart. By the way, he said he loved taking the bus. He slept half the way and then played traveling games with the other passengers. How great is God?!
God DOES take care of us. He has provided us with a friend who stored my freezer food until another friend of ours could lend us his extra refrigerator. He provided us with friends who will trailer my car down to our uncle's shop where they will fix it. Everything will be taken care of and most importantly, God will be glorified for what He did for us.
Lord, I pray that you open our eyes to see every little detail that you do for us daily. I pray that we remember to praise you in every situation. Help us to cry out to you when we need to. And to take responsibility for our wrongs when we are the cause. Help us to clearly see Satan's tricks to steal our joy. Thank you Lord for this day. Amen.
1. We do A LOT to ruin God's plans for our lives.
2. Satan plays a part in all this. Read Job 1:1-12
3. God has His hands on a lot more than we give Him credit for.
So I've come up with a great question that we need to ask ourselves if we are trying to see God's hand in our lives. That question is "Me, God or Satan?"
First we need to look to see if we are the ones causing the problems. For example, if I were speeding in my car and I got pulled over by a police officer. Satan did not cause the police officer to give me a ticket, I DID. Right?
How often would we like to blame things going wrong on Satan? I'd love to say that Satan is the cause of every time I lose my temper and yell at my kids. But that is really just my fault.
Another situation in which we would like to blame Satan is when things break. My car broke last week and the first thing I did was blame Satan. See, I had just gotten done with a whole day of learning how to be a great leader at my church. I got the opportunity to worship God and make plans to start a new ministry at our church for our community. So my first reaction was to blame Satan when my car broke. He was trying to ruin this wonderful day for me. But then I stopped and thought, did I have anything to do with this? The answer was yes. I ignored the rattling sound in my car. To be honest, even the check engine light was on. So was it really Satan trying to steal my joy or me not taking care of the maintenance of my vehicle?
On the other hand, there was one evening when my family was sitting down to dinner. I had been praying for God to help show Himself to me and an amazing thing happened. At dinner each night we go around the table and each say a prayer. Youngest to oldest. Most of the time my 3 year old just says the word "amen" and then we move on to my 5 year old. But this night, my 3 year old started to thank God clearly and correctly for several things. Then it was my 5 year old's turn. That boy usually has such sweet prayers that melt my heart but tonight it was even sweeter. He was praising God! It went on for a few minutes and then my 6 year old daughter who's prayers mostly consist of "Thank you Lord for this food, amen" started to praise God also. I was already in tears by the time it was my turn and how could I do anything but thank our Creator for this moment and everything else? It continued with my husband. While he was saying his prayer I strongly felt the Holy Spirit there with us. God answered my prayers to see Him that night. Absolutely. Right after dinner, however, our freezer and refrigerator broke. It was not our fault, It definitely wasn't God's fault. I truly believe that Satan tried to ruin our special family moment. But my husband and I were aware of that and praised God out loud while rushing around trying to save our frozen and refrigerated food.
I believe that every good thing is from God. But, sometimes I believe that God does things that seem bad to us which turn out to be blessings. Take for example the other day. My husband leaves town for several days often. So it was not a big surprise that he had to leave town this week. But we still didn't have my car or refrigerator completely fixed (yup, both my fridge and car broke the same week). My husband is great at fixing things so he tried to fix both. He thought he had the car running enough to drive it to his uncle's car shop where they could finish the job that week while he was gone. He decided to take the greyhound bus to save money (and leave me with his truck) so we could buy the part for the fridge that we needed. That morning, the car wouldn't start again. So I had to load the kids and his stuff into the truck and drive him to the bus station which was suppose to be right around the corner from his uncle's shop. But the station was closed down. If he had driven to his uncle's shop and then walked (in 100 degree heat) to the bus station only to find out that it was shut down, he wouldn't have made the bus in time. I believe that God made sure that my car did not start that morning, knowing that my husband wouldn't have made it in time to get to the new location (even if I drove down to pick him up and drive him there). Because I drove him to the station and then to the new location, he made it in plently of time to depart. By the way, he said he loved taking the bus. He slept half the way and then played traveling games with the other passengers. How great is God?!
God DOES take care of us. He has provided us with a friend who stored my freezer food until another friend of ours could lend us his extra refrigerator. He provided us with friends who will trailer my car down to our uncle's shop where they will fix it. Everything will be taken care of and most importantly, God will be glorified for what He did for us.
Lord, I pray that you open our eyes to see every little detail that you do for us daily. I pray that we remember to praise you in every situation. Help us to cry out to you when we need to. And to take responsibility for our wrongs when we are the cause. Help us to clearly see Satan's tricks to steal our joy. Thank you Lord for this day. Amen.
Monday, August 6, 2012
I am loved by my Savior!
I had to take time off from blogging because it was getting in the way of my family life and quiet time with God. I was getting so wrapped up in "the will of God" that I was loosing sight of just being with Him. Being able to pray to my Savior and feel His love surround me is a feeling that I crave. Yes, I want to dive into all the different aspects of being a Follower of Christ. But I need Him as my friend more. I need to take the time out of everything else and focus completely on praising Him, thanking and acknowledging Him for all my blessings and reading about all He has done for me on the cross.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Christ loves us. What more do we need in this life? Do I REALLY need to be a biblical scholler to be a Christ follower? Do I need to know the bible backwards and forwards? Or can I just stop and feel loved by my Savior?
This next week is going to be hectic. My 2 older children are starting school and my church is hosting the Global Leadership Summit on telecast. We can get wrapped up in just making sure we are spending our required 10 minutes a day in prayer and reading the bible, not retaining any of it and go on to the more "important things".
I pray that this week, BECAUSE it is hectic, I spend more time in the word, more time celebrating the blessings that God has given me and remember to show Christ's love to others.
My Gorgeous Family
Lord God, I want to thank you for my beautiful family. That I live in an amazing town with amazing friends and family there. That I have an incredible church filled with Christians who know what it means to walk with You daily. I pray that you strengthen their walk with You and show them your unconditional love this week. Amen.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Christ loves us. What more do we need in this life? Do I REALLY need to be a biblical scholler to be a Christ follower? Do I need to know the bible backwards and forwards? Or can I just stop and feel loved by my Savior?
This next week is going to be hectic. My 2 older children are starting school and my church is hosting the Global Leadership Summit on telecast. We can get wrapped up in just making sure we are spending our required 10 minutes a day in prayer and reading the bible, not retaining any of it and go on to the more "important things".
I pray that this week, BECAUSE it is hectic, I spend more time in the word, more time celebrating the blessings that God has given me and remember to show Christ's love to others.
My Fun Parents and Siblings
Lord God, I want to thank you for my beautiful family. That I live in an amazing town with amazing friends and family there. That I have an incredible church filled with Christians who know what it means to walk with You daily. I pray that you strengthen their walk with You and show them your unconditional love this week. Amen.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Not choosing sides yet
For the purpose of this journey, I am trying to be very careful not to choose sides yet. I can see why people each believe their side is correct. I would like to just look at this debate from scripture and see where that leads us.
Again, Eisegisis is when you try to import a subjective, preconceived meaning in a text and exegesis is an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively.
The next verse I'd like to dissect today is in Ephesians. Paul is writting to a church and says a few different time "God's will". This particular passage is talking about spiritual gifts which is something I'm very interested in right now. Using an exagesis look at this passage, lets see what we come up with.....
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 2:1-14 NIV
I felt it was important to include all those verses together because it would be easy for us to change the meaning of just the verses that talk about God's will if taken out of context.
From these passages it's easy to see that it was God's will for us to be His children. It's also easy to see that Paul is telling them that God in fact does show us what His will for us is suppose to be. He does have a plan for us.
The last section I want to dissect here is found in the second paragraph which is verses 11 and 12. I want to look at a different version to see what it says
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." New King James V.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." The Message V.
Normally, I'm not one to run to The Message version. But I really like how this one is stated. We were made for the praise of His glory (NIV & NKJV), we were made with the overall purpose for His workings (Mess.). That's so cool!
So now I ask, is this going to happen on it's own and we should just keep on keeping on with the way we like to do things and God will work everything out for His glory? Or do we need to seek out God's "designs on us for glorious living"? I'll keep seaking that answer out.
Well, it says we were made to praise Him. So lets make sure we take some time to do that today, and every day!
http://youtube/novUqj3rfE4
Again, Eisegisis is when you try to import a subjective, preconceived meaning in a text and exegesis is an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively.
The next verse I'd like to dissect today is in Ephesians. Paul is writting to a church and says a few different time "God's will". This particular passage is talking about spiritual gifts which is something I'm very interested in right now. Using an exagesis look at this passage, lets see what we come up with.....
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 2:1-14 NIV
I felt it was important to include all those verses together because it would be easy for us to change the meaning of just the verses that talk about God's will if taken out of context.
From these passages it's easy to see that it was God's will for us to be His children. It's also easy to see that Paul is telling them that God in fact does show us what His will for us is suppose to be. He does have a plan for us.
The last section I want to dissect here is found in the second paragraph which is verses 11 and 12. I want to look at a different version to see what it says
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." New King James V.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." The Message V.
Normally, I'm not one to run to The Message version. But I really like how this one is stated. We were made for the praise of His glory (NIV & NKJV), we were made with the overall purpose for His workings (Mess.). That's so cool!
So now I ask, is this going to happen on it's own and we should just keep on keeping on with the way we like to do things and God will work everything out for His glory? Or do we need to seek out God's "designs on us for glorious living"? I'll keep seaking that answer out.
Well, it says we were made to praise Him. So lets make sure we take some time to do that today, and every day!
http://youtube/novUqj3rfE4
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
God using you VS. God's will for you
I had a great conversation with a friend yesterday about God's will for our lives versus God using you where you are or where you choose to be.
Some people believe that you should just go out and make good choices and that God will bless you for those good choices. While others believe that we should first pray, fast, and allow God to show us where He wants us to go do good things at.
Well which is the right way? As I looked into what the bible says that God's will is I realized there was a lot more than I had originally thought. Which has sparked another series idea for me. So we will now look into the different facets of God's will as it is found in the bible.
First, I'm reminded of the verse in Romans 8:28 that says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God will use you where you are and where you choose to be in life. It's amazing how God can use a "mistake" in our lives and turn it into something beautiful. He's really good at that.
Does that work in all situations though? Is it saying that you can continue to go about your life previous to being a Christian and that God will still use you? Well, yes. God will use your choices for good. Are you living up to the potential that God wants for you? Obviously not. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!". And then in 1 John 2:15-17 it says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
You can use this debate for every situation in life. Your career choice, your family size, where you live, what church you attend, what type school you want for your kids, ministry, material purchases. The list goes on. So how do we know if what we want for our own lives is what God would choose for our lives if He had free reign to makes those choices for us? You tell me.
I will continue to look at what the bible says about God's will for our lives in a series that I will start now. Not sure how long this series will be because I've just begun to research this. I hope you will join me and comment about your thoughts or verses that have spoken to you on this subject.
Some people believe that you should just go out and make good choices and that God will bless you for those good choices. While others believe that we should first pray, fast, and allow God to show us where He wants us to go do good things at.
Well which is the right way? As I looked into what the bible says that God's will is I realized there was a lot more than I had originally thought. Which has sparked another series idea for me. So we will now look into the different facets of God's will as it is found in the bible.
First, I'm reminded of the verse in Romans 8:28 that says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God will use you where you are and where you choose to be in life. It's amazing how God can use a "mistake" in our lives and turn it into something beautiful. He's really good at that.
Does that work in all situations though? Is it saying that you can continue to go about your life previous to being a Christian and that God will still use you? Well, yes. God will use your choices for good. Are you living up to the potential that God wants for you? Obviously not. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!". And then in 1 John 2:15-17 it says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
You can use this debate for every situation in life. Your career choice, your family size, where you live, what church you attend, what type school you want for your kids, ministry, material purchases. The list goes on. So how do we know if what we want for our own lives is what God would choose for our lives if He had free reign to makes those choices for us? You tell me.
I will continue to look at what the bible says about God's will for our lives in a series that I will start now. Not sure how long this series will be because I've just begun to research this. I hope you will join me and comment about your thoughts or verses that have spoken to you on this subject.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Summing up Titus 2 woman with a song...
I was trying to think of a post that would sum up the whole Titus 2 woman journey we have been on. As you can already tell, I am not eloquent when it comes to things like that. Nor am I a great speller. So the only thing that came to my mind that seems to fit is a children's song I learned in church many many years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqFrXwpTI-w&feature=colike
Next week I turn 30 and yet this song still applies to me today.
I hope you are encouraged by this song today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqFrXwpTI-w&feature=colike
Next week I turn 30 and yet this song still applies to me today.
I hope you are encouraged by this song today.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
That the Word of God may not be blasphemed
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." NKJV
We are at the end of our Titus 2 Woman journey. It's been great. The last part is "that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
We definitely do not want our actions to be showing something different than what our words are. It makes me think of those people who cut other drivers off on the road and drive kind of crazy while having a "I <3 Jesus" bumper sticker on their car.
It also makes me think of James 2:24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. We do not want to be a hypocritical Christian. And as unfairly as it may be, we are looked at and judged by the world much more closely when we call ourselves Christians. Of course we are going to stumble and make mistakes but those mistakes and stumbles will be used against us at times. So we have to be careful that we follow all the Titus 2 guidelines as best we can so that others will see Christ lifted up, which should be our ultimate goal anyways.
The other thing it makes me think of is our blasphemous words. Cuss words, swear words, using God's name in vain.
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name". Exodus 20:7
I'm very guilty of doing this. I can blame the Army for making it a comfortable place to use curse words regularly but if I am to be in the world and not of it, this simple command should not be overlooked or made into an excuse. It's plainly written that we should not do it. So why is it so hard? Maybe it isn't hard for some of you. But I am often around people who cuss and when you are around something often, over time you become complacent.
So I'm going to try harder to be careful of my words because I do not want to cause others to stumble so the words of God will not be blasphemed.
I think this post was more for myself than for you guys today. If I'm wrong, let me know.
We are at the end of our Titus 2 Woman journey. It's been great. The last part is "that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
We definitely do not want our actions to be showing something different than what our words are. It makes me think of those people who cut other drivers off on the road and drive kind of crazy while having a "I <3 Jesus" bumper sticker on their car.
It also makes me think of James 2:24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. We do not want to be a hypocritical Christian. And as unfairly as it may be, we are looked at and judged by the world much more closely when we call ourselves Christians. Of course we are going to stumble and make mistakes but those mistakes and stumbles will be used against us at times. So we have to be careful that we follow all the Titus 2 guidelines as best we can so that others will see Christ lifted up, which should be our ultimate goal anyways.
The other thing it makes me think of is our blasphemous words. Cuss words, swear words, using God's name in vain.
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name". Exodus 20:7
I'm very guilty of doing this. I can blame the Army for making it a comfortable place to use curse words regularly but if I am to be in the world and not of it, this simple command should not be overlooked or made into an excuse. It's plainly written that we should not do it. So why is it so hard? Maybe it isn't hard for some of you. But I am often around people who cuss and when you are around something often, over time you become complacent.
So I'm going to try harder to be careful of my words because I do not want to cause others to stumble so the words of God will not be blasphemed.
I think this post was more for myself than for you guys today. If I'm wrong, let me know.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Obedient to their husbands.... a MUST read
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." NKJV
Ugh! Here is the one I was most fearing.... "Obedient to their husbands". I am the least qualified person to be writing this blog, let me tell you.
When my husband and I first got married, I was 22, I thought I knew exactly how I wanted my marriage to go, and how my husband was to treat me. Likewise, my husband felt he knew exactly how he wanted his marriage to go and how I should treat him. As you can imagine, the two did not agree. So it was not shocking when after just a few years our marriage was about to be over. We couldn't agree on anything. I kept wanting to have my way and he kept needing to have his.
I am very fortunate to say that I have an amazing Christian mentor and friend who had the courage to tell me that I was not putting God first in my marriage or following what the bible says a wife should act like. It hurt to hear, but she was right. She sent me verses on cards that I place everywhere so that I could read them and be reminded of God's love through this hard time and how I needed to treat my husband.
I can't say that it was easy, or that everything changed overnight. But slowly, by my actions speaking louder than my cruel words had been, we started to repair our marriage. The more I read the bible, the more I began to realize just how much the world had influenced my ideas of what a wife and marriage looked like.
Satan has worked very hard to destroy what God wanted marriage and family to be. Why? Because God uses marriage to build couples up individually and as a unit to do and be amazing. I have learned so many lessons from my husband. Often times those lessons have been that I am more selfish than I realized, that I'm quick to judge others, and slow to listen. I would probably not have learned those lessons as well if I remained single because it wouldn't have mattered.
Whether us women like it or not, God designed the Husband as the head over us.
Ephesians 5:24
"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." NIV
You know what I think when I read that? That's impossible! Everything? I have to submit in everything?
So one time I gave it a try. I tried to submit in everything for just one single day. Guess what happened. At the end of the day, I was exhausted. And my husband noticed. He told me thank you for working so hard and showing him love in so many different ways. And then he gave me a back massage. I know some of your husbands probably do that often, but that was a big deal for mine. I felt like it was God telling me "you deserved this reward". Well of course I wanted to do it again the next day, and the next. No, I didn't get a back massage each night. But my attitude was different, my husbands attitude was different, the whole atmosphere was different. It was calmer. It was rewarding.
God will reward you for being submissive to your husband. It's not easy, especially when we are not getting along or I know his decision is going to make my life harder. But God does rewards us.
I have encountered people, especially women, in my life that question it. Calling me out and saying I should not act this way. I was the same way before God got a hold of me. They are looking at marriage with the worlds glasses. God wants to give you His glasses for marriage. You get those special glasses by reading His word and then acting on it.
Hope this was an encouraging moment for you today.
Ugh! Here is the one I was most fearing.... "Obedient to their husbands". I am the least qualified person to be writing this blog, let me tell you.
When my husband and I first got married, I was 22, I thought I knew exactly how I wanted my marriage to go, and how my husband was to treat me. Likewise, my husband felt he knew exactly how he wanted his marriage to go and how I should treat him. As you can imagine, the two did not agree. So it was not shocking when after just a few years our marriage was about to be over. We couldn't agree on anything. I kept wanting to have my way and he kept needing to have his.
I am very fortunate to say that I have an amazing Christian mentor and friend who had the courage to tell me that I was not putting God first in my marriage or following what the bible says a wife should act like. It hurt to hear, but she was right. She sent me verses on cards that I place everywhere so that I could read them and be reminded of God's love through this hard time and how I needed to treat my husband.
I can't say that it was easy, or that everything changed overnight. But slowly, by my actions speaking louder than my cruel words had been, we started to repair our marriage. The more I read the bible, the more I began to realize just how much the world had influenced my ideas of what a wife and marriage looked like.
Satan has worked very hard to destroy what God wanted marriage and family to be. Why? Because God uses marriage to build couples up individually and as a unit to do and be amazing. I have learned so many lessons from my husband. Often times those lessons have been that I am more selfish than I realized, that I'm quick to judge others, and slow to listen. I would probably not have learned those lessons as well if I remained single because it wouldn't have mattered.
Whether us women like it or not, God designed the Husband as the head over us.
Ephesians 5:24
"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." NIV
You know what I think when I read that? That's impossible! Everything? I have to submit in everything?
So one time I gave it a try. I tried to submit in everything for just one single day. Guess what happened. At the end of the day, I was exhausted. And my husband noticed. He told me thank you for working so hard and showing him love in so many different ways. And then he gave me a back massage. I know some of your husbands probably do that often, but that was a big deal for mine. I felt like it was God telling me "you deserved this reward". Well of course I wanted to do it again the next day, and the next. No, I didn't get a back massage each night. But my attitude was different, my husbands attitude was different, the whole atmosphere was different. It was calmer. It was rewarding.
God will reward you for being submissive to your husband. It's not easy, especially when we are not getting along or I know his decision is going to make my life harder. But God does rewards us.
I have encountered people, especially women, in my life that question it. Calling me out and saying I should not act this way. I was the same way before God got a hold of me. They are looking at marriage with the worlds glasses. God wants to give you His glasses for marriage. You get those special glasses by reading His word and then acting on it.
Hope this was an encouraging moment for you today.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Be good
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." NKJV
Well today should be an easy one, its on being good. The NIV one says to be kind.
Proverbs 28:8 says "Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." and later in the chapter it says "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses."
So as you can see it got me thinking about the poor. It's so easy to be kind to my family and friends when they need something because at some point I get something in return. It's a whole different thing when you are kind to someone who you do not know, knowing you will never get anything in return. Often times not even a thank you. But God clearly wants us to help the needy. There is SO many ways to help. No matter what step of life you are in. You can help someone else that is less fortunate than you.
Our church did a 3 day life lesson about how it is to be poor. We were given dry beans and white rice rations for 3 days per family member. That's all we could eat. Let me tell you, it was not easy. Most of the people who participated in this lesson at our church HATED it. Several people said that they'd rather just give the poor people money or fast for a day instead of having to eat what they eat for only 3 days.
That lesson has really stuck with me and I remember it often when I see a homeless person. I have to stop and give them food or money. It's one thing to see a sad looking African child with flies on his face on TV and give money, its a whole other thing to actually do a missions trip to Africa and live for a few days the way they do.
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49
Are we as Americans, arrogant, overfed and unconcerned? Are we willing to help the poor, to do good, and be kind? I'd love to hear how you are helping others
Well today should be an easy one, its on being good. The NIV one says to be kind.
Proverbs 28:8 says "Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." and later in the chapter it says "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses."
So as you can see it got me thinking about the poor. It's so easy to be kind to my family and friends when they need something because at some point I get something in return. It's a whole different thing when you are kind to someone who you do not know, knowing you will never get anything in return. Often times not even a thank you. But God clearly wants us to help the needy. There is SO many ways to help. No matter what step of life you are in. You can help someone else that is less fortunate than you.
Our church did a 3 day life lesson about how it is to be poor. We were given dry beans and white rice rations for 3 days per family member. That's all we could eat. Let me tell you, it was not easy. Most of the people who participated in this lesson at our church HATED it. Several people said that they'd rather just give the poor people money or fast for a day instead of having to eat what they eat for only 3 days.
That lesson has really stuck with me and I remember it often when I see a homeless person. I have to stop and give them food or money. It's one thing to see a sad looking African child with flies on his face on TV and give money, its a whole other thing to actually do a missions trip to Africa and live for a few days the way they do.
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49
Are we as Americans, arrogant, overfed and unconcerned? Are we willing to help the poor, to do good, and be kind? I'd love to hear how you are helping others
Friday, June 1, 2012
Homemakers
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be
reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things— that they admonish the
young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet,
chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
may not be blasphemed." NKJV
If I haven't lost a lot of friends from the last posts I've done about alcohol and how you dress then this one is probably going to do it. Let me just point out that I did not write this. God has it in the bible because HE wanted it there. I'm just the messenger, don't shoot me!
Homemaker.....
Just to be on the safe side, lets look up the other versions of this verse.
NIV says "to be busy at home"
The Message says "keep a good house"
NLT says "to work in their homes"
Do we care to argue about which translation is right so we can go about our lives without having to change anything? I don't.
I feel I must add here for those of you who do not know me that I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom. I do feel that is the ideal situation for pre-school aged children. I do believe God designed us mothers to be their first teachers in all things that will carry them throughout the rest of their lives. Such as what is right and wrong, manners, basic school (colors, shapes, numbers, letters), how to clean a home and guide them in the direction that God has for them. I am not saying that everyone should do it. I know several mothers who could not handle staying home with their children all the time and the better situation was for them to be in childcare somewhere else for at least a few hours a day. I know several mothers who can not afford to stay home with their children (which is a topic of debate for another blog post).
The bible makes it pretty clear where God wants us to be. In the house, cleaning it. Which is so basic. I tell my kids "If you want to go do anything extra, you need to take care of the basics first which is cleaning your room and cleaning yourself. Then we can go do other things". I think God feels the same way with us. First make sure everything is in order in your home. I do not think that means cleanliness necessarily, but just part of it.
Our jobs as women is to keep the house. We make the home. We make the home a safe place where our husband and kids can go to for love and comfort. We show that in caring for our loved ones (laundry, clean linen, homemade meals, good conversations). Being available for them for errands, homework, chauffeuring, games, stories, crafts. If we work outside the home we need to make sure all those basics are still taken care of. If you have all those basics covered and you feel God is leading you to a job that takes you outside of your home then go in peace to that job. God will give you the strength to be the wife, mom, and employee if He wants that for you.
I know I touched a nerve with some who wish to ignore this part of the bible. Talk to me about it. Do you find something else in the bible that makes you see these verses differently than what I'm posting today?
If I haven't lost a lot of friends from the last posts I've done about alcohol and how you dress then this one is probably going to do it. Let me just point out that I did not write this. God has it in the bible because HE wanted it there. I'm just the messenger, don't shoot me!
Homemaker.....
Just to be on the safe side, lets look up the other versions of this verse.
NIV says "to be busy at home"
The Message says "keep a good house"
NLT says "to work in their homes"
Do we care to argue about which translation is right so we can go about our lives without having to change anything? I don't.
I feel I must add here for those of you who do not know me that I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom. I do feel that is the ideal situation for pre-school aged children. I do believe God designed us mothers to be their first teachers in all things that will carry them throughout the rest of their lives. Such as what is right and wrong, manners, basic school (colors, shapes, numbers, letters), how to clean a home and guide them in the direction that God has for them. I am not saying that everyone should do it. I know several mothers who could not handle staying home with their children all the time and the better situation was for them to be in childcare somewhere else for at least a few hours a day. I know several mothers who can not afford to stay home with their children (which is a topic of debate for another blog post).
The bible makes it pretty clear where God wants us to be. In the house, cleaning it. Which is so basic. I tell my kids "If you want to go do anything extra, you need to take care of the basics first which is cleaning your room and cleaning yourself. Then we can go do other things". I think God feels the same way with us. First make sure everything is in order in your home. I do not think that means cleanliness necessarily, but just part of it.
Our jobs as women is to keep the house. We make the home. We make the home a safe place where our husband and kids can go to for love and comfort. We show that in caring for our loved ones (laundry, clean linen, homemade meals, good conversations). Being available for them for errands, homework, chauffeuring, games, stories, crafts. If we work outside the home we need to make sure all those basics are still taken care of. If you have all those basics covered and you feel God is leading you to a job that takes you outside of your home then go in peace to that job. God will give you the strength to be the wife, mom, and employee if He wants that for you.
I know I touched a nerve with some who wish to ignore this part of the bible. Talk to me about it. Do you find something else in the bible that makes you see these verses differently than what I'm posting today?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
"Chaste"
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
"Chaste" is the section we are looking at today. Chaste means free from obscenity. Of course as wives we should not cheat on our husbands or lust after another man that is not our husband. If you are struggling with that I suggest you seek counsel from a Christian counselor. Usually church offices can give you a good one.
I'd like to talk about being free from obscenity as it pertains to our clothing. Please do not think that I am being judgemental because that is not at all where my heart is coming from.
I grew up in a christian home. we had rules as to what we were allowed to wear. When we turned 18 our parents said that we were allowed to make our own choices which included how we dressed. I think I wanted to rebel a little so I started to dress in a provocative manner. Yes, it definitely got me attention from the opposite sex. For whatever reason at that time, I liked that. Part of the agreement for living with my parents after I turned 18 was that I needed to continue to go to church each week. Which I did, wearing whatever I wanted to. My midriff would show, I would wear tube tops, My pants were so low you could see my thong underwear. I look back at that with a little embarrassment but more laughter. I was so stupid! Everything about how I presented myself showed I was not walking with Christ. Obviously, that's not how I want to present myself today. Nor do I want my daughter to.
I tell my daughter the 3 B's need to be covered at all times. Breasts, bellies, and butts. I also do not allow her to wear a bikini bathing suit. She must wear a tankini (one pieces are such a pain for a little girl when you have to use the restroom!) when playing in the pool. If she is not playing in a pool then she need to put shorts on or her cover up which is a towel material dress with hoodie. Now I know other Christian moms are not as strict as I am about this for their daughters or themselves and I know other moms who are even more strict than I am. I'm not telling anyone how they need to handle clothing. Just sharing how I chose to.
I have to add here that my parents did confront me about the way I was dressing as a young adult and I of course argued that there was nothing in the bible about how Christians should dress. As this is technically true my parents didn't say much more about it. However, now that I am actively pursuing a relationship with Christ this following verse does fall into that category.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Just like doing a job interview, you need to dress the part. Why would God be any different? If I'm standing there in church asking God to use me while I'm dressed in a very breast revealing top and butt tight skirt that is way shorter than my knees, do I look the part of someone who is ready to go tell everyone about Christ? I know I would be turned off by a Doctor who wanted to examine me if they dressed like that! No, I want a professional looking person that I can trust just by their appearance. I believe that it works the same way with Christians. We need to show others that we do take pride in ourselves. Plus I'm not on the market, I don't want that kind of attention except from my husband. So I save that kind of dressing for him only.
I'd love to discuss this, please leave your comments below.
"Chaste" is the section we are looking at today. Chaste means free from obscenity. Of course as wives we should not cheat on our husbands or lust after another man that is not our husband. If you are struggling with that I suggest you seek counsel from a Christian counselor. Usually church offices can give you a good one.
I'd like to talk about being free from obscenity as it pertains to our clothing. Please do not think that I am being judgemental because that is not at all where my heart is coming from.
I grew up in a christian home. we had rules as to what we were allowed to wear. When we turned 18 our parents said that we were allowed to make our own choices which included how we dressed. I think I wanted to rebel a little so I started to dress in a provocative manner. Yes, it definitely got me attention from the opposite sex. For whatever reason at that time, I liked that. Part of the agreement for living with my parents after I turned 18 was that I needed to continue to go to church each week. Which I did, wearing whatever I wanted to. My midriff would show, I would wear tube tops, My pants were so low you could see my thong underwear. I look back at that with a little embarrassment but more laughter. I was so stupid! Everything about how I presented myself showed I was not walking with Christ. Obviously, that's not how I want to present myself today. Nor do I want my daughter to.
I tell my daughter the 3 B's need to be covered at all times. Breasts, bellies, and butts. I also do not allow her to wear a bikini bathing suit. She must wear a tankini (one pieces are such a pain for a little girl when you have to use the restroom!) when playing in the pool. If she is not playing in a pool then she need to put shorts on or her cover up which is a towel material dress with hoodie. Now I know other Christian moms are not as strict as I am about this for their daughters or themselves and I know other moms who are even more strict than I am. I'm not telling anyone how they need to handle clothing. Just sharing how I chose to.
I have to add here that my parents did confront me about the way I was dressing as a young adult and I of course argued that there was nothing in the bible about how Christians should dress. As this is technically true my parents didn't say much more about it. However, now that I am actively pursuing a relationship with Christ this following verse does fall into that category.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Just like doing a job interview, you need to dress the part. Why would God be any different? If I'm standing there in church asking God to use me while I'm dressed in a very breast revealing top and butt tight skirt that is way shorter than my knees, do I look the part of someone who is ready to go tell everyone about Christ? I know I would be turned off by a Doctor who wanted to examine me if they dressed like that! No, I want a professional looking person that I can trust just by their appearance. I believe that it works the same way with Christians. We need to show others that we do take pride in ourselves. Plus I'm not on the market, I don't want that kind of attention except from my husband. So I save that kind of dressing for him only.
I'd love to discuss this, please leave your comments below.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
"Be discreet"
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
The NIV version says "to be self-controlled".
Self-control. Well that sounds simple but as females, that's not always so easy depending on the time of the month.
Have you ever heard the joke about how we should never have a female president because we would be going to war every 28 days? Did you laugh or were you offended? Hopefully you just laughed because it's probably closer to the truth than we females would care to admit.
Self control appears 13 times in the NIV bible (I checked on Biblegateway.com). I chose this one for us to look at.
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8
That's good advice right there! There usually is a progression that happens as we seek out God's will for our lives and allow Him to come in and change how we do things. We start off with a basic faith and then because of that faith we want to do good, and then as we are doing good we seek more knowledge which we can find in the bible and then the next step is to act out what we see in the bible which is self-control God's way and then we progress from there.
I'd like to point out the difference between God's definition of self control and the worlds.
The worlds: Well, I tried to find a good definition for self control from the world's viewpoint but apparently they do not have one. There is no sign of self-control anywhere in this world. God's definition of self control is so vastly different from how the world thinks. I think Satan did that on purpose. And it it so easy to fall into Satan's traps of being self involved and self centered that we forget about having self control.
Here's God's:
Proverbs 16:32- Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Tell me some good examples of Christians showing self control in a situation that would look different from how a non-believer would react.
The NIV version says "to be self-controlled".
Self-control. Well that sounds simple but as females, that's not always so easy depending on the time of the month.
Have you ever heard the joke about how we should never have a female president because we would be going to war every 28 days? Did you laugh or were you offended? Hopefully you just laughed because it's probably closer to the truth than we females would care to admit.
Self control appears 13 times in the NIV bible (I checked on Biblegateway.com). I chose this one for us to look at.
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8
That's good advice right there! There usually is a progression that happens as we seek out God's will for our lives and allow Him to come in and change how we do things. We start off with a basic faith and then because of that faith we want to do good, and then as we are doing good we seek more knowledge which we can find in the bible and then the next step is to act out what we see in the bible which is self-control God's way and then we progress from there.
I'd like to point out the difference between God's definition of self control and the worlds.
The worlds: Well, I tried to find a good definition for self control from the world's viewpoint but apparently they do not have one. There is no sign of self-control anywhere in this world. God's definition of self control is so vastly different from how the world thinks. I think Satan did that on purpose. And it it so easy to fall into Satan's traps of being self involved and self centered that we forget about having self control.
Here's God's:
Proverbs 16:32- Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Tell me some good examples of Christians showing self control in a situation that would look different from how a non-believer would react.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"To love their children"
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Most people I know love their kids and would do anything for them. But every person I know has a unique view of what parenting looks like. I thought I knew exactly what parenting looked like before I had kids. Boy was I wrong!
After having kids my relationship with my mom grew because I finally understood all the sacrifices she made for her 6 children. I do not parent exactly like she does but there are lots of little things that I do and say that remind me so much of how my mom did and said things to us as kids. I know she loves me.
"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many" Deuteronomy 11:19-21
I do NOT want to debate about what parenting style is best or most biblical. I just do not care to talk about it at all. I think each mom needs to seek that out for herself and find what works for her own kid(s). But I'd like to discuss showing them love by teaching them about God.
We have an amazing Children's Program at my church. It's one of the things I wanted when choosing our church because we knew that we were not going to be moving and this would be our life long church. But just like regular school (if you do not home school), your child is there to be taught but learning needs to be supplemented at home. Teachers are not required to teach children manners, morals and such. Likewise, I do not believe that the only "churchin'" children get should be at church.
I work with the Children's Program at my church and these kids can absorb SO much and retain SO much, it amazes me. But you can definitely see the difference in children whose parents live it out during the week and the ones who just come to church once a week/month/year to check off whatever personal goal they made for themselves. Some church is better than no church of course. But the bible says to teach our kids about God all the time. That is a great way to show them that you love them by showing them that God is real in your life.
I'm always telling my kids "I love you and Jesus loves you too". Sometimes my love will fail them and their will come a day when they don't want to look to their mom for advice so I better help teach them now who they need to go to instead before that day comes. Living it out is the best example of all!
How will you show your children that you live for Christ today?
Most people I know love their kids and would do anything for them. But every person I know has a unique view of what parenting looks like. I thought I knew exactly what parenting looked like before I had kids. Boy was I wrong!
After having kids my relationship with my mom grew because I finally understood all the sacrifices she made for her 6 children. I do not parent exactly like she does but there are lots of little things that I do and say that remind me so much of how my mom did and said things to us as kids. I know she loves me.
"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many" Deuteronomy 11:19-21
I do NOT want to debate about what parenting style is best or most biblical. I just do not care to talk about it at all. I think each mom needs to seek that out for herself and find what works for her own kid(s). But I'd like to discuss showing them love by teaching them about God.
We have an amazing Children's Program at my church. It's one of the things I wanted when choosing our church because we knew that we were not going to be moving and this would be our life long church. But just like regular school (if you do not home school), your child is there to be taught but learning needs to be supplemented at home. Teachers are not required to teach children manners, morals and such. Likewise, I do not believe that the only "churchin'" children get should be at church.
I work with the Children's Program at my church and these kids can absorb SO much and retain SO much, it amazes me. But you can definitely see the difference in children whose parents live it out during the week and the ones who just come to church once a week/month/year to check off whatever personal goal they made for themselves. Some church is better than no church of course. But the bible says to teach our kids about God all the time. That is a great way to show them that you love them by showing them that God is real in your life.
I'm always telling my kids "I love you and Jesus loves you too". Sometimes my love will fail them and their will come a day when they don't want to look to their mom for advice so I better help teach them now who they need to go to instead before that day comes. Living it out is the best example of all!
How will you show your children that you live for Christ today?
Friday, May 25, 2012
"Love their husbands"
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Someone encouraged me to read a book called "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. It is an excellent book for married couples. Now there are several books that have spun off of the main points in the first book. There are ones for children, teenagers, singles, and specific books for men and women.
If you have not yet read it, I encourage you to borrow it from a friend or the library but you will probably want your own copy to look at often.
The concept is that we love differently. A way that I express love to others may not be the way they want to receive love. Of course we want to receive love the way we also want to express it. After finding out which love language or languages your husband is it becomes easier to see when he is showing love.
I have to remind myself that when my husband rubs my arm or asks for a kiss randomly that he's really telling me "I LOVE YOU!". I also need to make sure I do not refuse his act of love.
When I read "Love their husbands" this is automatically what I thought of. My husband's love languages are physical touch (come on, most men's probably is!) and verbal confirmation. Those are not mine at all. But I have to make an effort to show him love in those ways because he sees love that way. So I have to remember to randomly stop and tell him I think he's handsome or a great dad or husband and hug him and kiss him and of course be intimate with him even if I'm tired (lets be honest, sometimes us women use that as an excuse).
I also want to be loved in my love language. I know for myself that when I'm starting to feel like I'm not getting enough love in my love language its because I have not been diligent about loving my husband in his love languages. Once I get back on track and express love the way he sees it, I find that he is much more willing to show me love in my love language. It's a win, win! Start it first and see how it works!
Because my husband goes away for both of his jobs often, physical touch gets put on the back burner then (I think thats why he has 2 love languages) and that's when I have to step it up with verbal affirmation which include written texts and emails (or FB comments) when I can't talk to him on the phone.
I encourage you to find out what your husbands love language(s) is/are today and start coming up with creative ways to show him you love him.
Someone encouraged me to read a book called "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. It is an excellent book for married couples. Now there are several books that have spun off of the main points in the first book. There are ones for children, teenagers, singles, and specific books for men and women.
If you have not yet read it, I encourage you to borrow it from a friend or the library but you will probably want your own copy to look at often.
The concept is that we love differently. A way that I express love to others may not be the way they want to receive love. Of course we want to receive love the way we also want to express it. After finding out which love language or languages your husband is it becomes easier to see when he is showing love.
I have to remind myself that when my husband rubs my arm or asks for a kiss randomly that he's really telling me "I LOVE YOU!". I also need to make sure I do not refuse his act of love.
When I read "Love their husbands" this is automatically what I thought of. My husband's love languages are physical touch (come on, most men's probably is!) and verbal confirmation. Those are not mine at all. But I have to make an effort to show him love in those ways because he sees love that way. So I have to remember to randomly stop and tell him I think he's handsome or a great dad or husband and hug him and kiss him and of course be intimate with him even if I'm tired (lets be honest, sometimes us women use that as an excuse).
I also want to be loved in my love language. I know for myself that when I'm starting to feel like I'm not getting enough love in my love language its because I have not been diligent about loving my husband in his love languages. Once I get back on track and express love the way he sees it, I find that he is much more willing to show me love in my love language. It's a win, win! Start it first and see how it works!
Because my husband goes away for both of his jobs often, physical touch gets put on the back burner then (I think thats why he has 2 love languages) and that's when I have to step it up with verbal affirmation which include written texts and emails (or FB comments) when I can't talk to him on the phone.
I encourage you to find out what your husbands love language(s) is/are today and start coming up with creative ways to show him you love him.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Teachers of good things....
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Teachers of good things. Well that sounds simple enough. But of course the more I prayed about it, the more God pressed on my heart that there is more to this part than just teaching my kids "good things".
What I got from this part is standing up for what is truth. Teaching truth to people who do not know better or are choosing to do "bad things". It's so easy to ignore when people are saying something is ok when the bible says its a sin. It's easy to keep our mouths shut when people are making fun of Christians because we do not want to cause waves. So I went to the bible to see what it said.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV
What did you get from these verses? I hate to put an eisegesis on this passage because my desire is to read the bible with a exegesis style. (Eisegisis is when you try to import a subjective, preconceived meaning in a text and exegesis is an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively). I've read and reread this passage several times. It sounds to me like we are suppose to be teaching what is good, right? Even though others may choose to hear "what their itching ears" desire we are suppose to stand up and say "nope, you've got it wrong, here is what is right and I tell you this because I love you".
Ephesians 4:15 says "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
I think this verse is key to teaching good things. Speaking in truth AND love. It's sometimes easy to love someone so we don't tell them the harsh truth or you are upset with someone and sick of holding back and lash out with a hurtful truth. The bible plainly says speaking in both truth and love. Man, I am really not good at that!
This Titus 2 Woman thing is not as easy as it sounds!
Lord, God, Help me to understand how to speak to people I love in truth and love. Help me to say what You want me to in the way that shows them Your love. I need you to shut my mouth until I know for sure I can speak in love what I know is from You. And when I know it is time to speak, give me courage to do so. No matter the cost.
Teachers of good things. Well that sounds simple enough. But of course the more I prayed about it, the more God pressed on my heart that there is more to this part than just teaching my kids "good things".
What I got from this part is standing up for what is truth. Teaching truth to people who do not know better or are choosing to do "bad things". It's so easy to ignore when people are saying something is ok when the bible says its a sin. It's easy to keep our mouths shut when people are making fun of Christians because we do not want to cause waves. So I went to the bible to see what it said.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV
What did you get from these verses? I hate to put an eisegesis on this passage because my desire is to read the bible with a exegesis style. (Eisegisis is when you try to import a subjective, preconceived meaning in a text and exegesis is an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively). I've read and reread this passage several times. It sounds to me like we are suppose to be teaching what is good, right? Even though others may choose to hear "what their itching ears" desire we are suppose to stand up and say "nope, you've got it wrong, here is what is right and I tell you this because I love you".
Ephesians 4:15 says "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
I think this verse is key to teaching good things. Speaking in truth AND love. It's sometimes easy to love someone so we don't tell them the harsh truth or you are upset with someone and sick of holding back and lash out with a hurtful truth. The bible plainly says speaking in both truth and love. Man, I am really not good at that!
This Titus 2 Woman thing is not as easy as it sounds!
Lord, God, Help me to understand how to speak to people I love in truth and love. Help me to say what You want me to in the way that shows them Your love. I need you to shut my mouth until I know for sure I can speak in love what I know is from You. And when I know it is time to speak, give me courage to do so. No matter the cost.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Interupting our regular schedule blogging
Before we continue with the Titus 2 woman thing I've been doing, I feel its necessary to take a day out and talk about "Legalism". I hate for the verses here to get misconstrued in a way that makes us think that if we follow exactly what these verses are saying that we will magically have a perfect life or this is what will get us into heaven, or worse, we judge someone else who doesn't hold themselves to the same standards or feel guilty when we fail.
This is something all Christians face. It's part of following Christ. We struggle with looking to ourselves to make our lives flow smoothly taking God out of the drivers seat. Yes, the bible tells us rules to follow that are from God. Yes, if we do these things our lives will be better. However, it's more than that.
We have to remember that God desires a real relationship with us. He wants what is best for our lives just like a good daddy does. So He has set rules for us to follow. But just like a good daddy, he still wants us to crawl into His lap and talk to Him and tell Him that we love Him. Legalism takes that whole relationship part out of the equation and we have to be careful not to do that.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, for if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load" Galatians 6:2-5
Do not forget these bible verses as we look at the rest of the Titus 2 woman.
This is something all Christians face. It's part of following Christ. We struggle with looking to ourselves to make our lives flow smoothly taking God out of the drivers seat. Yes, the bible tells us rules to follow that are from God. Yes, if we do these things our lives will be better. However, it's more than that.
We have to remember that God desires a real relationship with us. He wants what is best for our lives just like a good daddy does. So He has set rules for us to follow. But just like a good daddy, he still wants us to crawl into His lap and talk to Him and tell Him that we love Him. Legalism takes that whole relationship part out of the equation and we have to be careful not to do that.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, for if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load" Galatians 6:2-5
Do not forget these bible verses as we look at the rest of the Titus 2 woman.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
"Not given to much wine"
Titus 2:3-5-"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
I'm probably going to loose some friends over this next section of the Titus 2 verses.
We are going to look at the "not given to much wine" part. Now, some Christians feel that any alcohol at all is wrong. Because of the affects of alcohol and the example it sets. I don't disagree with them because the bible does say in 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God". NIV
However, there are other parts of the bible where Followers of Christ do drink wine. So I do not think it is a sin to drink alcohol. But some people go overboard. Some people have alcoholics in their family or friend circle and I think it would definitely be a bad example if you are the Christian in a group full of recovering alcoholics and you are boozing it up.
I have seen lots of pictures (thanks to Facebook) of people looking very intoxicated doing things that do not look all that glorifying to God. I could see how some non-christians would see that as hypocritical.
I definitely think this topic is one that we need to bring to God individually and see what He wants for us. What if He tells you that He doesn't want you to drink anymore? Will you obey?
Someone once asked me "would you still do that if Jesus was standing right next to you?"
Hope I didn't offend anyone today. I'd love to hear your view points on this topic, in a tasteful manner, please.
I'm probably going to loose some friends over this next section of the Titus 2 verses.
We are going to look at the "not given to much wine" part. Now, some Christians feel that any alcohol at all is wrong. Because of the affects of alcohol and the example it sets. I don't disagree with them because the bible does say in 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God". NIV
However, there are other parts of the bible where Followers of Christ do drink wine. So I do not think it is a sin to drink alcohol. But some people go overboard. Some people have alcoholics in their family or friend circle and I think it would definitely be a bad example if you are the Christian in a group full of recovering alcoholics and you are boozing it up.
I have seen lots of pictures (thanks to Facebook) of people looking very intoxicated doing things that do not look all that glorifying to God. I could see how some non-christians would see that as hypocritical.
I definitely think this topic is one that we need to bring to God individually and see what He wants for us. What if He tells you that He doesn't want you to drink anymore? Will you obey?
Someone once asked me "would you still do that if Jesus was standing right next to you?"
Hope I didn't offend anyone today. I'd love to hear your view points on this topic, in a tasteful manner, please.
Monday, May 21, 2012
"Not slanderers"
Titus 2:3-5-
"the older women
likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much
wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their
husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste,
homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not
be blasphemed."
The next part of these verses that we will be dissecting is the "no slanderers" part.
The definition of a slanderer is "a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report". Basically a liar and a gossip.
Let me just tell you from my own experience that gossipping just should not be done. I've been the one to gossip about others and I've been gossiped about. It hurts if you are being gossiped about, even if its the truth being told. And if you are the one gossipping, even if it never gets back to you (although most times it does) you loose your integrity in the eyes of the one that you are gossipping to, even if they don't come out and say it directly. They begin to see that you are not a trustworthy person. I've learned this the hard way and have learned my lesson well.
Now I pride myself on keeping my friends confidences. I enjoy being the one that they can come to to vent no matter what it is and keeping it just between us. I have learned whom I can trust when I want to confide in someone and I have been very selective with who I choose as a friend now. Being picky has brought me meaningful relationships in the long run.
God is so serious about this because its one of Satan's easiest tools to split a church and split good friendships. The bible is full of verses about this. You can go to Biblegateway.com to search for yourself. I picked this verse today which is in Proverbs 26:22:
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts"
We are so enticed by gossip as women that its like chocolate to us. Sure it tastes good in our mouths but it goes inside of us and stirs up dissension and makes us sick. Our views change and our reputation changes.
The only way to stay away from it is to see it coming. I'm sure you know the people in your lives that enjoy gossip. Heck, the world says its a great thing. There is even a TV show all about it! But we are not of this world right? For me I need to stay away from gossip magazines as well as people that I know are willing to say "I enjoy a good piece of gossip". It's not easy, but it's biblical.
Lord, I confess where I've been a slanderer. I've lied and I've gossiped and I've hurt people I care about. I want to be different. I don't want to be known as someone who likes gossip. Help me recognize the lie from Satan when it comes near me. Help me to stand firm on the knowledge of Your word.
The next part of these verses that we will be dissecting is the "no slanderers" part.
The definition of a slanderer is "a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report". Basically a liar and a gossip.
Let me just tell you from my own experience that gossipping just should not be done. I've been the one to gossip about others and I've been gossiped about. It hurts if you are being gossiped about, even if its the truth being told. And if you are the one gossipping, even if it never gets back to you (although most times it does) you loose your integrity in the eyes of the one that you are gossipping to, even if they don't come out and say it directly. They begin to see that you are not a trustworthy person. I've learned this the hard way and have learned my lesson well.
Now I pride myself on keeping my friends confidences. I enjoy being the one that they can come to to vent no matter what it is and keeping it just between us. I have learned whom I can trust when I want to confide in someone and I have been very selective with who I choose as a friend now. Being picky has brought me meaningful relationships in the long run.
God is so serious about this because its one of Satan's easiest tools to split a church and split good friendships. The bible is full of verses about this. You can go to Biblegateway.com to search for yourself. I picked this verse today which is in Proverbs 26:22:
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts"
We are so enticed by gossip as women that its like chocolate to us. Sure it tastes good in our mouths but it goes inside of us and stirs up dissension and makes us sick. Our views change and our reputation changes.
The only way to stay away from it is to see it coming. I'm sure you know the people in your lives that enjoy gossip. Heck, the world says its a great thing. There is even a TV show all about it! But we are not of this world right? For me I need to stay away from gossip magazines as well as people that I know are willing to say "I enjoy a good piece of gossip". It's not easy, but it's biblical.
Lord, I confess where I've been a slanderer. I've lied and I've gossiped and I've hurt people I care about. I want to be different. I don't want to be known as someone who likes gossip. Help me recognize the lie from Satan when it comes near me. Help me to stand firm on the knowledge of Your word.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Titus 2 woman Pt. 2
Titus 2:3-5-
"the older women
likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much
wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their
husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste,
homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not
be blasphemed."
"Reverent in behavior"? I didn't really know what that meant so I decided to check out a couple other bible translations.
NIV says "teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live" which didn't help much.
NLT says "teach the older women to live in a way that honors God". OK, that's better.
The message (which usually is the simplest one) says "Guide older women into lives of reverence".
So it's pretty clear that the word reverence is EXACTLY what God wants us to be.
The dictionary says that the word reverent means to be deeply respectful. OUCH! Respectful, that's pretty much the opposite of how the world says women should act. We need everyone to respect us first, right? But I'm not finding that in the bible anywhere. So, no. I'm not going to talk about being respectful to our spouses because we'll cover that later. I'm just going to talk about respect when it comes to everyone else in our lives.
I'm all grown up now, I don't live with my parents but I still need to respect them. I need to respect everyone in my family, even the ones that keep making choices that are not in anyway going to help them later in life. I have to respect them too? Well, that's what it seems the bible is saying. I thought for so long that my opinion on every subject needed to be expressed and heard and followed. But I'm not finding that anywhere in the bible either. Especially when my opinion doesn't follow along with what the bible teaches.
Well, what about the people we see occasionally in our daily lives like Teachers (if you have kids or are in school), Pastors, Homeless, Cashiers, Neighbors, kids that are not our responsibility, other drivers, Snowbirds?
I'm not doing such a good job of following this verse so far. It's a pretty tough pill to swallow when some of these people I come in contact with I feel do not deserve respect and do not show me respect either. But there was no side note that said "only if they respect you first" in any of those translations.
Lord, I really suck at following this verse. I can't do it on my own strength, I can tell you that right now. So I'm going to need you, Holy Spirit, to gently remind me when I'm not being respectful to people in my life, and show me how I can be respectful without feeling trampled on and taken advantage of.
I know this wasn't the funnest moment with me, but I'd love to hear how this verse spoke to you and if it made you feel differently about how you are suppose to act as a Christian.
"Reverent in behavior"? I didn't really know what that meant so I decided to check out a couple other bible translations.
NIV says "teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live" which didn't help much.
NLT says "teach the older women to live in a way that honors God". OK, that's better.
The message (which usually is the simplest one) says "Guide older women into lives of reverence".
So it's pretty clear that the word reverence is EXACTLY what God wants us to be.
The dictionary says that the word reverent means to be deeply respectful. OUCH! Respectful, that's pretty much the opposite of how the world says women should act. We need everyone to respect us first, right? But I'm not finding that in the bible anywhere. So, no. I'm not going to talk about being respectful to our spouses because we'll cover that later. I'm just going to talk about respect when it comes to everyone else in our lives.
I'm all grown up now, I don't live with my parents but I still need to respect them. I need to respect everyone in my family, even the ones that keep making choices that are not in anyway going to help them later in life. I have to respect them too? Well, that's what it seems the bible is saying. I thought for so long that my opinion on every subject needed to be expressed and heard and followed. But I'm not finding that anywhere in the bible either. Especially when my opinion doesn't follow along with what the bible teaches.
Well, what about the people we see occasionally in our daily lives like Teachers (if you have kids or are in school), Pastors, Homeless, Cashiers, Neighbors, kids that are not our responsibility, other drivers, Snowbirds?
I'm not doing such a good job of following this verse so far. It's a pretty tough pill to swallow when some of these people I come in contact with I feel do not deserve respect and do not show me respect either. But there was no side note that said "only if they respect you first" in any of those translations.
Lord, I really suck at following this verse. I can't do it on my own strength, I can tell you that right now. So I'm going to need you, Holy Spirit, to gently remind me when I'm not being respectful to people in my life, and show me how I can be respectful without feeling trampled on and taken advantage of.
I know this wasn't the funnest moment with me, but I'd love to hear how this verse spoke to you and if it made you feel differently about how you are suppose to act as a Christian.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Titus 2 Woman
I said before what I wanted this blog to be about. Getting real about being a Christian. I am a Christian woman. Most of us know about being a Proverb 31 woman. But the lesser known verses in Titus are often overlooked.
Titus 2:3-5- "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Did anyone else get a gut check from reading these verses? I know I did. These 3 verses go against pretty much everything the world teaches women to be. If you behave the way these 3 verses tell you to, you WILL stand out as a Christian in this feminist world.
OK, this might sound weird but it makes me think about the Beyonce song about women running the world. I saw the video where she is pretty much naked, gyrating around proclaiming that women are the ones controlling everything. As I watched her all I could think about is "if that were true, you wouldn't have to be gyrating around in a bikini to make sure men watched you and bought the products you sold".
So lets get back to these verses. Each day I'd like to focus on a different part so we can really get to the heart of it. Like I said before, I'm not going to take anything out of the bible because I don't like it or the standard is too hard.
The chapter is talking about every ones positions and how the older ones need to be teaching the younger ones what their positions are. We can start that off with understanding that we as moms need to be teaching our daughters the truth about what the bible says their position as a Christ Follower, a wife, and a mom is and living that example. Hopefully you had that growing up but if not it would be good for you to seek out someone who is "spiritually maturer" than you are to be a mentor.
The definition of a Mentor is "a wise and trusted counselor or teacher." We need to be that to our daughters. But I believe that it doesn't stop there. We need to be that to other women in our lives. Family members who need it, friends, teenagers in Youth Groups. Maybe this is making you consider reaching out to your church's Youth Group as a volunteer to be a mentor and good example. I hope so! We can't ignore these verses now that we know what they mean. We must apply them to our lives.
So tell me, how will you apply it to your life today?
Titus 2:3-5- "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Did anyone else get a gut check from reading these verses? I know I did. These 3 verses go against pretty much everything the world teaches women to be. If you behave the way these 3 verses tell you to, you WILL stand out as a Christian in this feminist world.
OK, this might sound weird but it makes me think about the Beyonce song about women running the world. I saw the video where she is pretty much naked, gyrating around proclaiming that women are the ones controlling everything. As I watched her all I could think about is "if that were true, you wouldn't have to be gyrating around in a bikini to make sure men watched you and bought the products you sold".
So lets get back to these verses. Each day I'd like to focus on a different part so we can really get to the heart of it. Like I said before, I'm not going to take anything out of the bible because I don't like it or the standard is too hard.
The chapter is talking about every ones positions and how the older ones need to be teaching the younger ones what their positions are. We can start that off with understanding that we as moms need to be teaching our daughters the truth about what the bible says their position as a Christ Follower, a wife, and a mom is and living that example. Hopefully you had that growing up but if not it would be good for you to seek out someone who is "spiritually maturer" than you are to be a mentor.
The definition of a Mentor is "a wise and trusted counselor or teacher." We need to be that to our daughters. But I believe that it doesn't stop there. We need to be that to other women in our lives. Family members who need it, friends, teenagers in Youth Groups. Maybe this is making you consider reaching out to your church's Youth Group as a volunteer to be a mentor and good example. I hope so! We can't ignore these verses now that we know what they mean. We must apply them to our lives.
So tell me, how will you apply it to your life today?
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