What God Declares As Beauty

       Just me :)

My 6-year-old son has asked me a very good question a few times.  It's a question I have had a difficult time answering.

"Mom, why do you put on make-up?"  
"Well.... It's just something I like to do sometimes."  
"But why?"  
"Ummm....."

That's a good question.  

To give you a clear picture, most days I do not wear any make-up.  I only wear it may be 3 days a week - at best.  I usually go to the store without "painting" my face, and don't think twice about it.  Bet even then, my first thoughts to his question?  They are thoughts I would never tell my son.  But they are the thoughts I show him with my actions:  Because I like the way I look with make-up on better than the way I look without it.  Because I don't look good if I don't wear it.  Because I want Jordan to think I'm REALLY pretty.  (Which, by the way, my hubby has told me many times that he thinks I'm pretty without any make-up on at all.  He is a gem!)  Because.....  The truth of the matter is, I'm not content with the way God made me in my own skin.  That is the truth for most people, don't you agree?  Because our culture declares that our greatest worth is only skin deep.  

I think about the different glamour magazines that sit in the check-out lanes.  A number of times the covers have read something along the lines of "Celebrities Without Make-up:  What They Really Look Like".  The before pictures are usually of the celebrities in their pajamas, with total bed head, having weird expressions on their faces.  NOT one that truly shows what they look like on an every day basis (besides when they first wake up may be :) ).  I mean, come on, they've gotta show how drastically "ugly" theses celebs look in comparison to the other picture where make-up artists, hair stylists, and fashion designers have completely altered their raw beauty - not to mention the photo shop technicians who digitally fix the noses that are "too long", the stomach that is "sticking out a bit too much", the cheeks that have "too many freckles", etc....  These "fixed" pictures are what we want to strive for.  Right?  We should be something other than ourselves.  Right?

What a sad lie to pass down to our children.  What does God, the creator of our inmost being, the one who says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, have to say???


1 Peter 3:3-4

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Proverbs 31:25-30

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

This is what I get to pass down to my children.   This is the truth that I want them to believe.  Not the lies of our materialistic and fleshly world.  The wives my sons seek out someday should have this kind of beauty.  I pray this is what they desire.

---

Just to be clear, I do not believe that wearing make-up is wrong.  But the strong emphasis that is placed on it, is wrong.  The WORTH that people find it, is wrong.  The heart that is often behind it, is wrong.  The downplay on what truly makes a person beautiful, is wrong.

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

I sit here in my quiet time reading the story of Kind Saul and his downfall (1 Samuel 15:1-16:23).  Saul, through Samuel the prophet, was given instructions to destroy the entire Amalekite nation - all people, cattle, sheep, goats, etc...  Saul mobilized his army.  All the people were slaughtered - except Agag, the Amalekite king.  And all animals were destroyed - except the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs.  They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

"Then the Lord said to Samuel, 'I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.' " (vs. 10 -11)

After being confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to say that those animals were only kept so that they could be sacrificed to the Lord.  But God rejected Saul as king that day.  It wasn't what the Lord had asked for.  I love Samuel's thoughts on this in verse 22:

"What is more pleasing to the Lord, your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Listen!  

Obedience is better than sacrifice, 

and submission is better than offering the fat of rams."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzWyZxlwGKI  This is the link to a song by Keith Green, "To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice."  It's a live recording of him, and he has some great things to say.  I realized after writing this that this song was written because of this scripture.  What a cool tie!

I truly wonder how much I am like Saul... I am probably a lot more like him than I would like to think.  How often does the Lord say to 'go here' or 'do this' or 'say this', and I only meet him half way?  God does not ask me or you to do more than we are able.  Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If he calls us to do something, he will see us through it.  I don't need to alter his plans.  Taking things into my own hands is never a good idea.

Going outside of God's will, I am only in the enemy's playground.

Send me!

Isaiah 6:8
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I.  Send me!" '

James 5:12
"Above all, my brothers, do not swear - not by heaven, or by earth or by anything else.  Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No' be no, or you will be condemned."

Hebrews 12:1-3
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

I want to be used by God.  I want to be the one to say, "Here I am.  Send me!"  Remove my selfishness that is keeping from being used, Lord.

Being a Mary

Luke 10:38-42

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

How easy it is to hit the floor running.  We have a go, go, go, mentality so often.  But what good is it if we do not sit at the feet of Jesus?  

"Be still and know that I am God."  

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."  

To dig into His Word on a regular basis; to kneel in prayer and sing praise in sweet communion with the Creator of Heaven and Earth - It's the most important thing we can do.  The rest, the 'good works', will fall into place if our hearts are where they're supposed to be. 

I want to sit with Jesus and know Him intimately.  How much greater my life will be if each day is spent with him.

A Beautiful Legacy

Kari Renee Bouchie Luoma

            Kari was one of the most beautiful people I have ever known.  Memories flood my mind.  Christmas and Thanksgiving get-togethers at Grandma’s house, New Year’s Eve at my parent’s place, sleepovers in her bear-filled bedroom, birthday parties, wedding showers, walking around Target, coloring pretty pictures, sitting at the piano together, singing in the car as we drove around town, long conversations, and so many more… they are memories I will cherish forever.  I was beyond blessed to grow up knowing her in such a special way! 

            I was blessed to watch her graduate from college and receive her diploma.  I was blessed to serve as her personal attendant at her wedding, and blessed to have her as mine for my wedding.  When I was pregnant with my first child I spent many weeks on strict bed rest.  Kari came and spent a day with me.  She brought me a purse she had knitted and painted my nails.  She pampered me with love. 

            If I were to choose one word to describe Kari it would be: loving.

            Kari loved to sing and she loved to laugh!  Whether it was something silly, serious, or a burst of praise to the Lord, she always had a song.  Kari was full of joy.  She had a great laugh that would pull you in.  Oftentimes she’d laugh so hard she’d cry.  She was so much fun!  I can just imagine her singing and dancing with the angels in heaven! 

            Kari loved kids! She had a passion for all the little ones she worked with at church over the years, the girls she counseled at camp, and the neighborhood kids around her.  The last time we talked, about two weeks before she died, we were talking about Vacation Bible School.  She was telling me about the summer she had a little mini VBS at her house with five kids from her neighborhood, and how fun it was.  Kids brought her joy.  Kari wanted to be a mom so badly and was really excited about the adoption process that they were in.  But now, she’ll be my baby’s mommy in heaven.  And that is a special thought to me!

            Kari loved her family!  She bubbled over with love and excitement at getting to be with her loved ones.  You’d walk in and she would hurry over with a huge smile on her face and her arms up in the air ready to give you the biggest hug!  You could count on it. The last year of Grandma Vivian’s life Kari spent a weekend every month with her.  What a gift!  She cared so much about people….

Kari loved Jeremiah!  They have a beautiful love that will never die.  Jeremiah is a gift to our family.  Kari and I never had a conversation that didn’t include something sweet about her wonderful husband.  Their wedding was beautiful.  Jeremiah was the luckiest man that day! 

            Most of all, Kari loved God.  Through everything - heart surgery, brain cancer, losing her dad, etc… Kari persevered.  While shedding a tear was pretty normal for her tender heart, she would find the good in any situation.  She clung to the Lord and praised His name.  She loved Him dearly and she knew who she was in Christ – a daughter of the King, His beloved, His child, His servant.  There was never a phone call that ended without her asking how she could pray for me; Never a conversation that didn’t include what the Lord was doing in our lives.  Kari was inspiring!  She leaves behind an amazing testimony and legacy!  The last post she made on Facebook spoke amazingly of who she was.  She wrote this: 

            If you’re looking for God’s will for your life check out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

            16 Be joyful always;

            17 Pray continually;

            18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

            My beautiful Kari, I can just imagine you hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”  Thank you for serving the Lord, loving others unconditionally, and persevering in this life.  Thank you for your big Care-Bear hugs and smiles that never ceased to brighten my day.  I will miss you so very, very much.  But the next time I see you will be a wonderful joyous day before the Lord.  I love you…..

                                                                        Love, Kelsey

A Charge to Parents

Deuteronomy 11:18-20  "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  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 in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

This is the example of how we are to lead, guide, and teach our children.  The Word of God is not meant to be something spoke about only on Sundays or Wednesday nights at church.  It's not just a simple prayer before meal time.  It's a continual fixation on the goodness of God.  It's a realization of our need, reliance, and desire for the Word.  That without our lives will never flourish.  It must be ingrained in us.  

When the Lord is at the forefront of our lives in our homes and the places that others don't see, it will show through to all those we come into contact with as we enter the battle field of this world.  Scripture should pop out at us in times of struggle.  Bowing our hearts in prayer should be a natural response.  The counsel we give should be from the Lord, wise, discerning and loving.  When we aren't in a daily obedience to Christ, it also will show to be true.  

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Matthew 12:34 "For whatever is in your heart determines what you say."

I was thinking about the legacy I will leave my children.  Do I want them to say, "Mom was a hard worker. She always kept our house clean.  She did what needed doing, and she did it well."  Sure, that would be nice.  Or how about, "Wow, I was able to skip a grade in school because my mom was such a good teacher.  She helped me so that I would be successful in life."  But how much greater would it be to hear, "Mom loved us so much.  My life will be successful because she taught me the importance of living for the Lord.  Everything she did, she did as unto the Lord (Col. 3:23).  Whenever hard things came up, she was on her knees.  I know what the Word says because she was diligent in teaching it to us."  I want to be the mom that my boys look at and say, "She always thanking the Lord.  She's always praising him.  I want that joy!" 
1 Thes. 5:18 "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  THAT is the legacy I want to leave.

His Provision- Do We Remember

Deuteronomy 8:1-5, 10-18
1Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. 2Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

Amazing how the Lord took care of them in such a dry, desolate land.  They didn't even see the provision.  So often they forgot.

10When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

Nothing we do is of our own making or abilities.  We are nothing without God.  All we have is his.  It was given to us that we might honor him with it.

Jesus Baptized

Luke 3:21-22 "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Okay, how awesome would it be to hear this and see this happen?!  Can you imagine being there among the crowd and witnessing this???  Wow!

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus.  He loved the Lord from the time he was in Elizabeth's womb and leaped for joy when Mary (who was pregnant with Jesus) spoke as she visited her.  He pointed people to Jesus in turning them away from their old ways and beliefs. 

Luke 3:2-9  "...the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

And all people will see God’s salvation.  John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Who your parents are does not matter when it comes to your salvation.  It's your own choice.  These verses align with Matthew 7 also.

A Heart With No Defect

It's been a while since I've blogged.  Life gets busy and I forget to do it, I suppose.  Well, it has been a growing new year for me!  I began reading through a one-year Bible.  Right now I'm in Leviticus in the Old Testament.  There are many rules and guidelines (many of which were set up for sanitary reasons) that encompass this particular book.  Many have to do with the sacrifices given to God.  It makes me very thankful for what Jesus did on the cross.  No longer are we held to the same rules.  Jesus was the final and ultimate sacrifice! We're free from the old law!  Yeah!  :)   

Once again I prayed this morning that my heart would be soft and receive whatever God wanted to show me.  He gave me a neat picture as I read, once again, about what the is an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord.  It must be a male animal with no defects.  That's the gist of it anyway.  We don't sacrifice animals now because we have Jesus, but as I read "with no defects" it pricked something in my heart.  We give sacrifices to the Lord all the time.... our time, our money, our resources, our gifts.... but what is the status of our heart when we give these gifts?

Psalm 51:16 p- 17 "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." 

Mark 12:33 "To love him with all you heart, all your your understanding, and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Does my heart have no defect?  I'm NOT talking about being sinless.  When we give to the Lord it should be out of joy!  Not because "we're supposed to".  What is my motivation for giving?  Is it because my heart overflows with love for this amazing God - the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the great I Am - and I can think of no other thing I'd rather do than serve Him?  There should be no condemnation or guilt trip pushing us to give and serve.  

2 Corinthians 9:7  "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

I want a heart that has no defect.  God poured out everything for me in love.  Can I do any less?

Love Enough to Be Rejected

Matthew 10:37-39 "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, your are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

What pedestal do I place those I love upon? God is most important. If I can not love Him more than mere humans, what kind of love for the Savior do I really have? 
Never fear to tell those you love about the Truth. Rejection from them for a time is far more wonderful than to never see them come to the Lord and know their fate lies in ruins. Love them enough to have them despise you. Plant a seed of hope even if it seems to be spewed back in your face.
Do not fear for the words you need.  God promises to supply in the time.  You only need to be faithful to him.

Just Believe To Be Saved

Luke 23:39-43 "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ?  Save yourself and us!'  But the other criminal rebuked him.  'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'  Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'  Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'

I can't imagine what it must have been like to be the believing criminal.  To hear the Lord speak such words when you know you are in your final hours must have been amazing!  His hope was in nothing until that point.  I can imagine the self-condemning thought process for someone like him that must have gone on.  And yet, in one way I do know what he was feeling.  Today and tomorrow are not guaranteed.  I had NO hope until I trusted in the Lord and He changed my life.

Another thing I really like about this passage is that it shows the truth about how one is saved and goes to heaven.The man simply had to believe and trust that Jesus was who he said he was and could do what he said he could do.  And now he gets to rejoice in heaven!  How AWESOME!

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, ' I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.' "


Some churches have taught that you must baptize your child (along with other requirements) if that child is going to get into heaven.  Many people struggle with it.  This passage in Luke clearly negates that thought.  The believing criminal never got baptized.  But look what Jesus said to him.

We are to believe and THEN be baptized.  Baptism is only an outward sign of what God has done on the inside.  It's you speaking out and saying to others that you are going to live your life for the Lord because He has changed you and made you new.  Water can't save you.  Being washed by the Holy Spirit and saved by the blood can.

To Be Like Clay

Paul says, "I have learned to be content...."
No, no I haven't.  Look at all the trials Paul went through to be at the point where he said that.  Oh, I do not want to be like Paul.  The end result was amazing and beautiful.  But why can't I find contentment in all things right now- without the pruning... without the sifting... without the tears...?  
And even as I say this my head is spinning.  I want to learn to be content right now.  But the motive is wrong.   I want this so that I can get back to where I want to be.  In circles I run.... over and over again.  Where is the finish line?

Psalm 51:16-17
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise."

Mmmm..... I am starting to break, Lord.    I am not complete yet, but it feels good to be accomplishing something.  I know you want to use me Father.  I know my life is not something that can be used fully yet.  What do you have for me?  Please show me.  I want to be like wet clay; easily molded, shaped just right.  There are days I want you to speed up the process.  But then I know I will only break and you will have to build me up again.  Chisel away what needs to be taken off.  Keep me centered on you.  Your timing it best.  You are never early and never late.  Please help me to find contentment in your timing, contentment in current circumstances, contentment  in your will.  With contentment I shall find joy.  I want your joy Lord!  I can have joy because I'm saved and going to heaven.  I know this.  Please help it to be deep in my heart.  For what more do I need?  My home is not of this earth.  My citizenship is in heaven.  Keep me heavenly minded. 

God, My Closest Friend

Luke 18:35-43

     As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.  They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
     He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
     Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
     
     Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him.  When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
     "Lord, I want to see," he replied.
     Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.  When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

The message here is awesome!  Jesus knew what the blind man wanted as the man called out.  Jesus didn't stop to ask the man what he wanted because he didn't know.  I guess He wanted to see the man's faith out loud.  It was a testimony to others.  It offered the opportunity for others to see God's glory and to praise Him!

The same is true in my life.  Sometimes the thing I need (or want) is pretty obvious.  Besides, God knows everything!  He doesn't need me to tell him in order for him to know.  But sometimes the Lord wants me to ask.  He wants communion with us.  And God wants to be glorified in everything.  When we are a living testimony and speak out loud about what we need and then others can see how the Lord was faithful, it can be a powerful testimony.  But remember, 2 Corinthians 10:17 "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  When the Lord does answer prayer, the glory needs to be given to him.

I think of the friends I'm closest to and why I'm closest to them.  I talk to them, spend time with them, pray for them, etc....  Where there is no investment there is no gain.  God should be my closest friend = I should be spending the most time with HIM.  People know who my close friends are.  I talk about them and lift them up in conversation.  So people should know that God is my closest friend and ally.

Eternity Possible with God

Luke 18:18-30

"A certain ruler asked him 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'... 
'You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'  
'All these I have kept since I was a boy,' he said.  
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'You still lack one thing.  Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.'  
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.  Jesus looked at him and said, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'  
Those who heard this asked, 'Who then can be saved?'  

Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'  

Peter said to him, 'We have left all we had to follow you!'  
'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said to them, 'no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.' "

We can't do it with our own strength, good intentions, or imperfect will.  Jesus makes all things possible.  I am thankful.

Content in Life

Ecclesiastes 1:6-8  "The wind blows to the south and turns to the north, round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.  All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.  To the place the streams come from, there they return again.  All things are wearisome, more than one can say.  The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing."

Beautiful words...can we ever be satisfied?

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25  "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?"

1 Timothy 6:6-8  "But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Oh, To find contentment in all things, in any situation, and in any circumstance of life.  God has amazing things planned for us right where we are.  

The Older Woman's Wisdom

So, I've started the book of Titus now.  And BAM!  Good stuff right from the start!  :)  Titus 2 really spoke to me this morning.

vs. 3-5 "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

The Lord showed me a few things in these verses.
1.  There is a cause, effect and a final result.  It really helped me to be able to look at it this way and piece it apart in order to come back to the whole.  2.  There is a lot of value in seeking out the guidance and wisdom of an older woman who possesses these godly traits.  Young women, we should be praying for this type of older woman in our lives.  Arrogance is probably the main reason we think we know more and don't need to be taught anything by "old people" who are just "old fashioned".  Guard against this attitude.  It doesn't honor God.  3.  Whatever we do in this life, the ultimate goal is that we promote, back-up, and solidify the word of God through our walk.

vs. 11-13 "For the grace of God... teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ..."

Even if we feel like we don't have a strong, godly woman to look up to, God's grace, His Word, and wisdom - which He gives freely to those who ask (James 1:5) - is sufficient.  So we are without excuse.  I have been blessed with many older godly women in my life from family members to friends.  My challenge?  Pray for them.  Seek them out.  Learn from them.   But first and foremost, seek out God.  The Holy Spirit is called the great counselor (John 14:26).  No person's wisdom is greater than His.  It can be too easy to say a quick prayer and then just go and talk to someone about whatever is going on in life.  Rather, we need to be counseled by God first.  Then we will be best equipped for when he does use people in our lives.  We will be more discerning for when questionable things come up.  Our understanding of what our mentors are saying will be increased.  And ultimately it enhances our walk with the Lord and our testimony to others.

Trust in God, Not Mortal Men

Psalm 146
"Praise the Lord.  

Praise the Lord, O my soul.  I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
  

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.  When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the Lord, who remains faithful forever.  He upholds the cause of the oppressed the Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.  

The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.  

Praise the Lord."

John 12:43

"For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

Where do I put my trust and hope?  Where do I find my worth?  From God alone.  He is the God who was, who is, and who is still to come.  There is nothing he does not know and I can put my trust fully in him.  He calls me beautiful and holy.  I am a daughter of the King.  My worth is in the Lord and how grateful I am for that!  Look to the Lord for the praise you need.  Seek out His will to know if you are doing well.  For only He can satisfy.  His opinion is worth for more than we can hope.  Man's opinion is worth so little.  

Father, help me to cling to you.  All that I am and all that I do should be for you and you alone.  Remind me of who I am in you.  Let my discouragement go by the wayside.  You are true, just and loving.  I praise you!

Daughter of Eve, Heir of Christ

Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."  And then there is the encouragement.  I do not answer to a dead god or to a priest who doesn't understand or who plots my destruction because I am not holy enough.  Hebrews 4:14-16 "...let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Someday I will give an account for what I have done in this life.  Nothing will come as a surprise to God.  I lay bare before him.  My heart is open.  Nothing I do can cover up.  Adam and Eve tried to hide and put makeshift clothing over their bodies as though it would keep the Lord at a distance.  Can I learn from their mistakes?

A daughter of Eve, but an heir of Christ.  That is what I am.  

I have been adopted into the family of Christ and that is where I must reside.  My life, body, mind, everything that makes up this child - it belongs to God.  HIS WORD.  That is where I find out who I am.  It's the place I can go to seek out the answer to life's hardest struggles.  It's the place I can always be assured of God's passion for my life.  How beautiful it is to know the truth.

He Holds

Lord, draw close to me.... Hold me, 
that I may not pull away.  

I am yours, Father.  No other place for me but in your arms.  Gazing heavenward.  

Seeking your Scriptures.  

Let there be nothing in me to hinder Your work.  Use me, mold me, guide me.  

Your love is amazing....

Holy, devoted, unrelenting pursuit.

My heart sings a new song!  

Speak truth into me. No lies from the devil.

                        Thank you for not forgetting...

Forgetting to Give Thanks

"Suppose for a moment," Reardon had said, "that God began taking from us the many things for which we have failed to give thanks.  Which of our limbs and faculties would be left?  Would I still have my hands and my mind?  And what about loved ones?  If God were to take from me all those persons and things for which I have not given thanks, who or what would be left of me?"
An excerpt from 'Out to Canaan' by Jan Karon

Remember to give thanks!  Do not take for granted the small, seemingly insignificant things that have a great deal to do with who we are, what we do, and how we live.  God is a giver of good things.