Here's the thing...

I prayed a simple prayer that began with Psalm 139:23-24.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way."

I then asked that the Lord make it obvious to me what needs a'changin' because I am slow. Not only did my internet fail to work for about 2 weeks, I am now without my iPhone because it just suddenly stopped working. We also recently shut down our cable.
Being without this stuff sure has opened my eyes to how I had made such things a priority over serving the Lord. Now, I am not recommending everyone do this. No. That would be legalistic. But for me, it was necessary and the Lord made it very obvious that I had allowed these things to control me instead of controlling them.

I recently wrote the following to my church family, the women's group that meets in my home, and I posted this on my facebook:

I wanted to share with you some prayerful decisions that have been made in my life due to the trials and experiences from the past few weeks.

1. I am more excited than ever about teaching the women of Legacy. This has been a very difficult time with unrelenting trial after trial, but I have learned so much through this time. Most importantly that God is faithful. I felt beat down to the core and many areas of my life that had been left as dust in a dark corner have been brought to light. God has done an amazing work in transforming my life, but is obviously not finished. I tearfully, weepingly questioned whether or not I could possibly be qualified for the task of teaching. I am far from perfect... a work in progress by His grace alone. I LOVE teaching our women. I LOVE praying for you all and being a part of your lives. I LOVE hearing your testimonies and look forward to more. WOW! We heard some very powerful testimonies from 3 dear women last time we met and we will be encouraging at least one testimony per meeting. I will send out some encouraging criteria that may help you gauge how to articulate what God has so graciously accomplished in your life, so look for that soon.

2. I need your prayers. We all need to pray for one another often and consistently. But I especially beg you all to pray for our church leaders, elders, upcoming deacons, our pastor and their family. When you are in a teaching position proclaiming God's uncompromising truth, attacks are relentless and waring.

3. On that note, I have made the decision to limit internet time and focus on my primary ministries:

My Husband
My family
Teaching the women

4. This means I will likely not blog anymore and limit my time on facebook. ... It takes away from the priorities the Lord has been so gracious to provide. I will send out e-mail updates on what happened in the Bible study for those that miss and when I have time. Otherwise, please know that this decision was based on a longing to make my testimony and ministry authentic for HIS glory. That is hard to do when your life is stretched in too many directions.

5. There are other women in our church with the gift of teaching, so look forward to other teachers in the near future. As our pastor recently sent out an informative e-mail on gifts, each one of you has one and if you need help finding out what yours is, than our church has those booklets that our pastor mentioned.

So, there you go. If you want to contact me, my internet is obviously working again so you can e-mail me at lisa4given@gmail.com
I cannot guarantee I will e-mail you back, though I will do my best.
If I blog, it will likely be a comment here and there on others blogs, but I really do not have the time to keep this up. Wow. I have been blogging about 4 years now.
I have enjoyed SIMPLICITY and look forward to focusing on the ministries that God has so graciously entrusted me with.

Just remember to press on in His truth and His love for His glory,
Lisa

Nunley Swimming Pool Rules

And yes, it is okay to laugh at some of these rules. I did. Though, in reality, they will be lovingly enforced :-)

1) In the interests of health and safety concerns, persons who are feeling unwell or recovering from illness are to refrain from swimming:

• Open wounds
• Skin irritations
• Communicable ailments

Also please consider:

• Babies: Swim diapers please
• Please teach your children about how gross it is to pee in the pool.

2) Be careful on the diving board:

3) Modest swimming attire is required:

• Males: Definitely no g-strings or tight and tiny anything (GACK!!!)
• Males: Swim trunks must have inner liner and must not be too short
• Females: Refrain from swimwear that displays your cleavage (leave that for your future husbands)
• Females: No bikinis/ No skin showing on your midriff (I have teen boys and would prefer that you err on the side of modesty)
• Females: If you show up at the pool displaying cleavage and your midriff, you will be required to wear THIS:
  

4) Bring your own towel. I really do have enough laundry to do. :-)

5) In the event of hazardous conditions such as lightning and thunder, all persons are required to leave the open area immediately.

6) I will maintain a Lost & Found. At the end of the swim season, I will donate those items to our Loving Choices garage sale if not claimed.

7) No food or drinks (glass, canned, staining fluids) are allowed in the pool and on the pool cool deck, except for bottled water.

8) No cuss words or bad-mouthing tolerated

9) Enjoy yourselves and remember "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do ALL for the glory of God"

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study Schedule: "Disciplines of a Godly Woman"

"Disciplines of a Godly Woman"
by Barbara Hughes
Begins June 23rd at noon

For those who may not have a book yet, I am out, so you may want to consider ordering one from amazon here: "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" by Barbara Hughes

June 23 @ NOON: We will eat lunch together; bring finger foods to share
Discipline for Godliness (pg.11)

On following meetings, we will meet AFTER lunch unless otherwise posted. You may bring lunch for your children if you do not have time to feed them beforehand.

• The pool should be open soon, however, the children will not be able to swim until we are done with our meeting: Nunley Swimming Pool Rules
• They can play on the fenced in playset during our meeting on the south side of the house or with board games, books, blocks, etc. that are in the buffet room.
• Healthy snacks are available for the kids.
  
• We will continue to use the "buddy system"; in which the teen helpers will be assigned 2 to 3 buddies to oversee. Teen girls will be assigned girls; teen boys will be assigned boys.
• The women will meet downstairs on the carpeted area for those that have babies that they want to keep near them.
  

July 7 @ 12:45 Discipline of the Gospel
July 21 @ 12:45 Discipline of Submission
August 11 @ 12:45 Discipline of Prayer
August 25 @ 12:45 Discipline of Worship
September 8 @ 12:45 Discipline of Mind
September 22 @ 12:45 Discipline of Contentment
October 13 @ 12:45 Discipline of Propriety
October 27 @ 12:45 Discipline of Perseverance
November 10 @ 12:45 Discipline of the Church

Holiday break (during this break, we will schedule a fun ladies luncheon)

January 12 @ NOON: We will eat lunch together; bring finger foods to share
Discipline of Singleness/ Marriage/ Nurturing

January 26 @ 12:45 Discipline of Good Deeds
February 9 @ 12:45 Discipline of Witness
February 23 @ 12:45 Grace of Discipline

In March 2010, we will begin an in-depth Bible study together.

Biblical Portrait of Womanhood

One of the ladies asked if I could create a post that had the entire study series that we just finished available on the sidebar. Here it is. The following study was inspired by "Biblical Portrait of Womanhood: Discovering and Living Out God's Plan for our Lives" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Introduction and Self-Evaluation (pg.22)

Why was I created as a woman? (pg.8)

What makes a beautiful woman? (pg.10)

How does a woman of God conduct herself? (pg.12)

What is God’s plan for me as a wife? (pg.13)

On your own: How does God want to use me in others’ lives? (pg.16)

***Please remember to use the New Testament Greek Lexicon for word studies

Sound Doctrine Matters

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood: "What is God’s plan for me as a wife?"

I. Proverbs 31:11-12
Being able to fully trust your marriage partner is one of the fundamental foundations of a strong God-honoring marriage.

The term "husband" is the common word for husband in the Old Testament.

• It also means "lord" or "owner."

Why the heart of the husband can trust his virtuous wife

• The first reason a husband can safely trust his wife is found in the second part of verse 11 ("so that he shall have no need of spoil": his wife is not a financial liability)
• the second reason is found in verse 12 ("she shall do him good and not evil")
• READ Prov. 18:22; Proverbs 12:4

The verb "will do" is of interest.

• It is not the common Hebrew verb for "do."
• It means to deal out, to deal fully, to deal bountifully.
• This verb is also used of the LORD who deals bountifully with his servants.
• READ Psalm 13:6; 116:7; 119:17; 142:7.
• The virtuous woman deals out to her husband that which is good. She dishes out to him and serves him that which is good and not evil.
• She wants only God's highest and best for him.
• Her life and her deeds are a constant benefit and blessing to her husband.

All the days of her life

• In doing good to her husband she is consistent.
• She doesn't serve him that which is good one day and that which is evil the next day (no PMS excuses... aarrrrgh)
  
• Her godliness is marked with consistency.
  

II. Genesis 3:6

• She saw. A great deal of sin comes in at the eye. Let us not look on that which we are in danger of lusting after, Mt 5:28.
• She took. It was her own act and deed. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, Mt 4:6.
• She did eat. When she looked perhaps she did not intend to take; or when she took, not to eat: but it ended in that. It is wisdom to stop the first motions of sin, and to leave it off before it be meddled with.
• She gave it also to her husband with her. Those that have done ill, are willing to draw in others to do the same. This is clearly a contempt of what God had bestowed on them, and a desire for what God did not see fit to give them. He would have what he pleased, and do what he pleased.
• Who then can say that this seemingly minor sin had but little harm in it? See here what dishonour and trouble sin is; it makes mischief wherever it gets in, and destroys all comfort. Sooner or later it will bring shame. The excuses we make to cover and lessen our sins, are vain and frivolous; like the aprons of fig-leaves, they make the matter never the better: yet we are all apt to cover our transgressions as Adam and Eve. Before they sinned, they would have welcomed God's gracious visits with humble joy; but now he was become a terror to them. No marvel that they became a terror to themselves, and full of confusion. This shows the falsehood of the tempter, and the frauds of his temptations.

(from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible)

III. The following are key words from those Scriptures that I had you look up in the NT Greek Lexicon:

A. submit: (Ephesians 5:24)
Hupotasso (verb)

1.to arrange under, to subordinate
2.to subject, put in subjection
3.to subject one's self, obey
4.to submit to one's control
5.to yield to one's admonition or advice
6.to obey, be subject

A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use,it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

B. Head: (Ephesians 5:23)
Kephale (noun feminine)

1. the head, both of men and often of animals. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment.
2. metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent

• of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife
• of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church
• of things: the corner stone
  

C. reverence: (Ephesians 5:33) KJV
Phobeo (verb)

1. to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away)

• to put to flight, to flee
• to fear, be afraid

2. to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm

• of those startled by strange sights or occurrences
• of those struck with amazement

3. to fear, be afraid of one
4. to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm)
5. to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience

• to venerate: to regard or treat with reverence; revere

Origin of venerate:

• Latin: venerātus, to solicit the goodwill of
• to treat with deference: respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.
• respectful or courteous regard: in deference to his wishes
  

D. duty: (I Corinthians 7:3-4)
Opheile (noun feminine)

1.that which is owed
2.a debt
3.metaph. dues: specifically of conjugal duty

conjugal of, pertaining to, or characteristic of marriage; pertaining to the relation of husband and wife

this Scripture is in the context of avoiding/ preventing/ abstaining from sexual immorality

E. desire: (I Corinthians 14:35) as in “desire to learn” or “inquire about something”
Thelo (verb)

1. to will, have in mind, intend

• to be resolved or determined, to purpose
• to desire, to wish
• to love

2. to like to do a thing, be fond of doing

• to take delight in, have pleasure

IMPORTANT NOTE: this Scripture is in the context of the church. Thus, if during the church service, a woman has a question about something or desires to learn further about something that the pastor is currently preaching, make a note of the question and talk with your husband. Do not interrupt the worship service or preaching with your question, as this would be disruptive and irreverent to God and your husband. The women needed to especially here this admonishment in the church in Corinth because they tended to be disruptive and unsubmissive.

There will be times when what is preached may seem unclear to us, convict us or even anger us. We must yield ourselves to the Word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to be convicted of our sin even as it is preached, taking it both patiently and thankfully. When it comes to the Word of God being preached, we are especially to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

READ James 1:18-25 if you question whether or not this applies to the preaching of God's Word

F. improper: (because the rest of I Corinthians 14:35 says "for it is improper for a woman to speak in church"... to disrupt the church service as the preacher was proclaiming the Truth according to God's Word... see "IMPORTANT NOTE" above)
Aischros (adjective)

filthy, baseness, dishonour


self-exalting because the focus shifts from worshiping the Lord to the person disrupting

disgraceful, improper, sordid

WARNING: The world will take all of what is written here and twist it. This is not at all about being a doormat, ladies.

"[Biblical Womanhood] is a gift, a Divine gift, to be accepted with both hands, and to thank God for. Because remember, it was His idea."- Elizabeth Elliott

Press on in His truth and His love for His glory and remember to be more Berean than the Bereans,
Lisa

BTW, we also had great discussions on the questions in the booklet. Especially in regards to the following:

• "Am I completely trustworthy... in the way I talk about my husband to others?"
• "Does my response to my husband demonstrate to the world the beauty and blessing of submission to Christ?"
  
• "Do others know that I reverence my husband?"
• "By my words, example and counsel, do I encourage other women to reverence their husbands?"
• "Do I reserve intimate communication, looks, words, and touch for my husband?"
• "Do I motivate my husband to grow spiritually by seeking his counsel, input, and direction, or am I quick to run to my pastor to another counselor for answers to my questions and problems?"
  
• "Does my husband feel that I value and respect his input and counsel?"

Operation Outcry

Go HERE to find out what "Operation Outcry" is all about.
The following is painful to share. These are my answers to the on-line declaration form:

1. Where and when did your abortion occur?
Texas
Spring of 1988 just before I attended John Brown University in the Fall
2. How many weeks pregnant were you?
14
3. What type of abortion was performed?
Suction Aspiration
4. Were you adequately informed of the nature of abortion, what it is, what it does?
I was told it was a "mass of tissue". I was NOT told that at the time of my abortion, all arteries are present, including the coronary vessels of the heart and that blood was fully circulating through these vessels to all body parts. I was NOT told that the "mass of tissue" had complete vocal chords and that the brain was fully formed and that the "mass of tissue" had organized muscles, could feel pain, suck it's thumb, and had eye lids that protected its delicate optical nerve fibers. I was NOT told that the flutters I felt were actually kicks and movements of the "mass of tissue"... of course, I did hear them say in the middle of the abortion "she is farther along than we thought" as I cried for them to stop... "It's too late, honey. You did the right thing. Now, you can go on with your life." I could hear the water running in the sink nearby. I then heard a big plop... "Did you just throw my baby in the trash?" I thought. ... Then they shuffled me out the back way.
5. Were you adequately informed of the consequences of abortion?
All I remember is that I was not told that I would experience deep despair and lonely scars of regret; that I would never forget the details of the actual abortion. I did not bring enough money to be put to sleep through the "procedure"... so I was awake the whole time. They numbed me. I felt no physical pain... but I will never forget the tugging and the pulling. I will never forget the sound of that vacuum. Instead, I was told I did the right thing. It was just a mass of tissue; that I could go on with my life.
I am 40 years old with 6 living children. Two of my children are adopted. I have never forgotten my first child: The child murdered by having an abortion because it was inconvenient that they kept assuring me was just a mass of tissue. Who gets attached to a mass of tissue? A mass of tissue that could easily be aborted, forgotten, right? No. ...no. Not a "mass of tissue". A life wonderfully made, knit within my womb. A life destroyed. Literally ripped from my body.
I can't forget. I will never forget.
6. How has abortion affected you?
I became pregnant as an older teen. My father begged me NOT to abort. So I went to my pro-'choice' mother. (She left my dad, me, my sister and brother when I was 6 years old to "find herself". Please know that I mean no disrespect. I love my mother dearly, though I do not know her very well.) She took me to the hospital to get an exam. They asked me, after they confirmed that I was pregnant, if I wanted to carry the baby to full term or abort the mass of tissue. Since I had no attachment to a "mass of tissue" I figured this would be no big deal.
My mother gave me the money I needed to have the abortion. She dropped me off at the clinic. I was alone and had no idea what I was doing. I did not bring enough money to be put to sleep through the "procedure"... so I was awake the whole time. They numbed me. I felt no physical pain... but I will never forget the tugging and the pulling... the sound of the vacuum. After the abortion, I was shuffled out the back way. I sat alone on the curb outside, waiting for my mother to come pick me up. She was an hour late.
They told me I would forget about the "mass of tissue' and be able to go on with my life, but I was having nightmares every night. For many years, a day did not go by that I did not contemplate suicide. I felt immense guilt, sorrow, loss of dignity, intense shame, deep despair and lonely scars of regret.
Though forgiven, I will never forget.
7. How has your abortion affected others in your life?
When my oldest 2 children found out, it devastated them that I would do that. They were angry with me and could not understand why I would ever do such a thing. I spoke for CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Centers fundraiser one year and then gave my abortion testimony on the radio. I hired a babysitter to watch my children. I had NO IDEA she would listen to the testimony on the radio with my children listening. I wanted to tell them myself when they were a bit older. It was a very difficult time. They asked so many hard questions. Especially "Why"... I still have a hard time answering that. I can't answer that.
By the grace of God alone, I have an amazing life now. With 6 children, precious gifts from God, I do not take life for granted. Most especially in light of having experienced the nightmare horror of abortion and even the fact that I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. I try to live every moment to its fullest because the value of life, the value of living, should never be taken for granted.
8. Based upon your experience, what would you tell a woman considering abortion?
Please choose life. Your life should never be taken for granted. Please do not take for granted the life of the child being knit together in your womb by the hand of God. What is inside of you is not a "mass of tissue"

You have a choice:

1. You can have the memories of a child being knit in your womb and given the chance to live; perhaps even giving a family who cannot have a child the opportunity to provide a loving home for your baby.
2. or You can have the memory of a baby being ripped from your womb. A life aborted with the only excuse of inconvenience. A choice that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Choose a memory that will bless you and not haunt you. Please... choose life.

9. Based on your own experience, what would you tell a court that believes abortion should be legal?
Women aren't forced to bear children, they choose to bear children by the act of having sexual intercourse. (rape or incest account for less than 1% of legal abortions.)
If a man chooses not to be a father, he is considered a dead-beat loser. If a women chooses not to be a mother, she is kindly labeled pro-choice. Why?
Abortions based on the mother's health account for 3% of abortions. Abortions based on the baby's health account for 3% of abortions. Most women pursuing abortion feel selfishly inconvenienced by pregnancy. 1.5 Million babies are being aborted every year. That is over a million babies dying due to inconvenience.
This is not a mass of tissue. This is life. A baby. A person... and 100% of a person's genetic makeup is determined at the moment of conception. Science and medicine define being a person (human) by genetic means.
No one is saying that babies should have rights equal to or superior to a woman's. Babies simply have a right to life.
Every child is a wanted child. The option of adoption is a far healthier option and there are endless lists of families waiting and longing to adopt those babies.
Abortion is not a choice about women's value, family, career, how to live their lives, or when or whether to have children. Abortion is a choice between allowing an unborn baby to live or killing it.