I recently did a retreat on wives in the Bible. It was a fun study and a painful study. The Lord did not mince words when it comes to instructions for us as women. I thought I would share with you some of His Words.
Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retains honor
Proverbs 11:22 as a ring in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman, who lacks discretion
Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her own hands
Proverbs 21:9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman
Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches
Proverbs 25:23-24 The north wind brings forth rain and a back biting tongue an angry countenance. It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 27:15-16 A continual dripping on a very rain day and a contentious woman are alike; whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.Of course, there is Proverbs 31.
I spent time explaining each of these, but I think you probably get it.
Pray that you will be the wife your husband needs and watch God bless your marriage.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Intimate with Jesus
I cannot believe another year is behind me. As always, I spent time reviewing the past year. There are regrets, fond memories, things to be continued and even relief that some things are over.
I also think about my hopes, dreams, desires for the upcoming year. I definitely have things that I do not want to deal with ever again. I have things that I am hoping will be completed in this year and things I want to begin. It would be fun to sit with each of you and listen to your ideas.
As I begin this year, of course, I want to know God’s plan. I so want to stay in the center of His will. I so want to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I am sure I hear some “Amens” out there.
This morning I was reading Oswald Chambers. As I read, the “ah ha” moment happened. I have been asking God what should be my goal this year. I am really not into resolutions but I always set some goals. I know without goals I will accomplish nothing. I also know that goals can distract from God if they are not His goals for me.
The verse in Oswald Chambers devotion was John 14:9. “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not know Me, Philip?’” He began to explain how the disciples had walked with Jesus and seen Him do many things. He gave them power to do the things He was doing, yet He was calling them to a deeper intimacy with Him.
I thought about you precious women who are serving along side your husbands. You each have seen God do many wonderful things. I am sure God has worked through you in your churches in ways that have been miraculous. In spite of this, Jesus wants an even more intimate relationship with you and me than we had last year or how about than we had yesterday.
The devotion went on to explain that Jesus called us ‘friends’. It was described as “identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?”
I pray that we will each set a goal to know Jesus more intimately this year. I know that we are in His Word, we are serving Him in His church, we are praying for those around us, but I want to become intimate to the point that He is all I need. I pray this for each of you this year.
I also think about my hopes, dreams, desires for the upcoming year. I definitely have things that I do not want to deal with ever again. I have things that I am hoping will be completed in this year and things I want to begin. It would be fun to sit with each of you and listen to your ideas.
As I begin this year, of course, I want to know God’s plan. I so want to stay in the center of His will. I so want to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I am sure I hear some “Amens” out there.
This morning I was reading Oswald Chambers. As I read, the “ah ha” moment happened. I have been asking God what should be my goal this year. I am really not into resolutions but I always set some goals. I know without goals I will accomplish nothing. I also know that goals can distract from God if they are not His goals for me.
The verse in Oswald Chambers devotion was John 14:9. “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not know Me, Philip?’” He began to explain how the disciples had walked with Jesus and seen Him do many things. He gave them power to do the things He was doing, yet He was calling them to a deeper intimacy with Him.
I thought about you precious women who are serving along side your husbands. You each have seen God do many wonderful things. I am sure God has worked through you in your churches in ways that have been miraculous. In spite of this, Jesus wants an even more intimate relationship with you and me than we had last year or how about than we had yesterday.
The devotion went on to explain that Jesus called us ‘friends’. It was described as “identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?”
I pray that we will each set a goal to know Jesus more intimately this year. I know that we are in His Word, we are serving Him in His church, we are praying for those around us, but I want to become intimate to the point that He is all I need. I pray this for each of you this year.
Friday, January 7, 2011
It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing!
What a winter we have had so far! And, as most of you know, we Tennesseans are NOT prepared for bad weather. Everything shuts down. The school system that I teach in has already missed more snow/ice related weather days than in the past several years put together. Yesterday we were out because of ice on the roads on the northern end of the county. Wednesday night when we went to church, the grounds were covered with snow. It was beautiful! I love the snow, but hate the ice.
This is another busy weekend for us, so I have some special prayer requests. Pray that we get everything done that needs to be done and that we get our son moved to Kentucky and set up in record time. We have a wedding rehearsal tonight and a wedding tomorrow night. Somewhere in between, we will be packing the U-Haul. After the service on Sunday, we will be leaving to go to Sparta, TN to pick up the remainder of this things in storage and then heading to Grand Rivers, Kentucky, where as of Monday, the population will now be 351; with Cody being the one.
There are all kinds of snow and advisories out for the next few days, so pray that we have a safe and successful move. We have already seen God’s hand in this new adventure for Cody, so I have no doubt he will take care of us this weekend. Also, add Cody to your prayer list and pray for him, especially this next year. He is very much a home-body and is very anxious to be moving so far away by himself.
“I have commanded you, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ---Joshua 1:9
This is another busy weekend for us, so I have some special prayer requests. Pray that we get everything done that needs to be done and that we get our son moved to Kentucky and set up in record time. We have a wedding rehearsal tonight and a wedding tomorrow night. Somewhere in between, we will be packing the U-Haul. After the service on Sunday, we will be leaving to go to Sparta, TN to pick up the remainder of this things in storage and then heading to Grand Rivers, Kentucky, where as of Monday, the population will now be 351; with Cody being the one.
There are all kinds of snow and advisories out for the next few days, so pray that we have a safe and successful move. We have already seen God’s hand in this new adventure for Cody, so I have no doubt he will take care of us this weekend. Also, add Cody to your prayer list and pray for him, especially this next year. He is very much a home-body and is very anxious to be moving so far away by himself.
“I have commanded you, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ---Joshua 1:9
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
IN WITH THE NEW......
2011 is a new beginning!!! I am looking forward to this year. It will be a year of traveling; going to visit our son and spending time with our daughter who is only thirty minutes away. God has been so good to us. We do not even know where to begin to thank him for all of our blessings.
Lots of New Year’s Resolutions will be made and broken in the next few weeks because we are human and also because sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves. We should go slow and take things one day at a time.
Some resolutions that are not unrealistic are:
• Eat healthier. (This does not mean diet…it just means to make wiser choices.)
• Exercise more even if it simply mean parking your vehicle at Wal-mart further from the door.
• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
• Spend more quality time with God.
• Keep in touch with family and friends during the year more.
• Keep a positive attitude.
I am a middle school teacher so I have been off work from December 17 to January 5th. It has been nice. However, tomorrow I will have to go back to work. It is time to settle down and get back to my routine.
But FIRST….I have got to work hard and get the extra chocolate off the hips (Vickie….thought you would enjoy that. smile).
May you and your family have a Happy New Year!!!
Lots of New Year’s Resolutions will be made and broken in the next few weeks because we are human and also because sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves. We should go slow and take things one day at a time.
Some resolutions that are not unrealistic are:
• Eat healthier. (This does not mean diet…it just means to make wiser choices.)
• Exercise more even if it simply mean parking your vehicle at Wal-mart further from the door.
• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
• Spend more quality time with God.
• Keep in touch with family and friends during the year more.
• Keep a positive attitude.
I am a middle school teacher so I have been off work from December 17 to January 5th. It has been nice. However, tomorrow I will have to go back to work. It is time to settle down and get back to my routine.
But FIRST….I have got to work hard and get the extra chocolate off the hips (Vickie….thought you would enjoy that. smile).
May you and your family have a Happy New Year!!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
OUT WITH THE OLD...
We ended 2010 by celebrating an early Christmas with our mothers, celebrating our son’s college graduating, celebrating our son-in-law receiving his Masters Degree, finding our son an apartment in Kentucky, and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus!!!
We got a late start on December 20th and traveled to Grand Rivers, KY, arriving around 9:00 p.m. We got up Tuesday morning and went exploring and housing shopping, starting in Grand Rivers since that is where Cody’s office will be. We also searched neighboring towns. He found an empty apartment in Grand Rivers but could not get in contact with anyone to see if it was available. That afternoon, he went by his office to see it and meet the folks there. Two of the guys that work there live in those apartments, so one of them called the lady in charge. We looked at the apartment that is only four years old and Cody really liked it. It is two miles from his office. Grand Rivers’ population is only 350, so it is a very small village with no fast food restaurants and only a couple of local restaurants. However, ten minutes down the interstate is a Cracker Barrel, McDonalds, Italian Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant, Hardees and a Family Fitness Center that has a Racquetball Court, which is Cody’s latest hobby. Smile. We found the apartment on Tuesday and signed the papers and made the payment on Wednesday. God is so Good!! We had made plans to stay all week if necessary. Everything fell right into place. HE worked it all out.
We arrived home in time for me to finish wrapping presents, clean house and begin the cooking. Smile. We have Christmas with all of our children (Kacie, Chase, Cody & Melanie) on Christmas day. They arrived at our house and opened presents, then we had “Lupper.” (That’s southern for the meal between lunch and supper. Smile.) We got lots of nice things, ate way too much and just chilled out all day, which is a rarity in itself.
The week after Christmas was spent cleaning and my husband and son remodeled my Laundry Room. I love it!!!! I got a new washer and dryer the first of the week, so they decided to remodel before it arrived. Cody loves doing things like that and when he is home, it motivates Roger. Of course in the process………we cleaned out, threw away and took things to Good Will.
The last part of the week was spent helping Cody pack up and move out of his apartment before the 31st. We put his things in storage for a couple of weeks, until he can move into his new apartment on the 10th. It has been nice to get to spend some good quality time with Cody before he moves four and a half hours from us in a few weeks.
2010 was a great year; full of lots of blessings from God and lots of changes, but I am looking forward to an even better 2011.
No matter where we go or what we do, God is always with us.
“...for He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
We got a late start on December 20th and traveled to Grand Rivers, KY, arriving around 9:00 p.m. We got up Tuesday morning and went exploring and housing shopping, starting in Grand Rivers since that is where Cody’s office will be. We also searched neighboring towns. He found an empty apartment in Grand Rivers but could not get in contact with anyone to see if it was available. That afternoon, he went by his office to see it and meet the folks there. Two of the guys that work there live in those apartments, so one of them called the lady in charge. We looked at the apartment that is only four years old and Cody really liked it. It is two miles from his office. Grand Rivers’ population is only 350, so it is a very small village with no fast food restaurants and only a couple of local restaurants. However, ten minutes down the interstate is a Cracker Barrel, McDonalds, Italian Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant, Hardees and a Family Fitness Center that has a Racquetball Court, which is Cody’s latest hobby. Smile. We found the apartment on Tuesday and signed the papers and made the payment on Wednesday. God is so Good!! We had made plans to stay all week if necessary. Everything fell right into place. HE worked it all out.
We arrived home in time for me to finish wrapping presents, clean house and begin the cooking. Smile. We have Christmas with all of our children (Kacie, Chase, Cody & Melanie) on Christmas day. They arrived at our house and opened presents, then we had “Lupper.” (That’s southern for the meal between lunch and supper. Smile.) We got lots of nice things, ate way too much and just chilled out all day, which is a rarity in itself.
The week after Christmas was spent cleaning and my husband and son remodeled my Laundry Room. I love it!!!! I got a new washer and dryer the first of the week, so they decided to remodel before it arrived. Cody loves doing things like that and when he is home, it motivates Roger. Of course in the process………we cleaned out, threw away and took things to Good Will.
The last part of the week was spent helping Cody pack up and move out of his apartment before the 31st. We put his things in storage for a couple of weeks, until he can move into his new apartment on the 10th. It has been nice to get to spend some good quality time with Cody before he moves four and a half hours from us in a few weeks.
2010 was a great year; full of lots of blessings from God and lots of changes, but I am looking forward to an even better 2011.
No matter where we go or what we do, God is always with us.
“...for He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Beginnings & Resolutions
I just saw a commercial while watching the Rose Bowl with my husband. It was for some insurance or investment company. The whole premise was that that company would treat each and every day as if it were New Year's. That they would be just as resolved to keeping their promises to their customers, as we all are on New Year's day, that those feelings would carry over into March 3rd, June 2nd, and October 15th.
Maybe you've prayerfully made some resolutions. Maybe, you are like me and have some things that you want to do differently in 2011 than you did them in 2010. Maybe you are praying that the Holy Spirit will enable you to break some old habits that just won't seem to go away on their own.
No matter how you are viewing this start of a new year, I am just so thankful that we serve a God who delights in making all things new.
Thank you Lord for allowing us to begin again, and again and again, and again. Thank you Lord for new years, new days and new beginnings!
I don't know about you ladies, but I could use some accountability in my "resolution" for 2011. I am going to post mine under the comments. If you will pray for me in mine, and would like me to pray for you in yours, please feel free to add your own. As you will see, mine is nothing deeply spiritual or tremendously life-altering, but it is something that I feel like I need to do for myself and my family. I have a feeling that God WILL teach me a spiritual lesson in the process though!
Happy New Year!
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