A More Effective Examination

My pastor has posted the following on his blog:

Do you examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (II Cor. 13:5; Matthew 7:16-23)? Unfortunately, the following is what is considered an adequate test in some circles today. Granted, it’s not offensive. But it’s also not biblical and therefore ineffective.

*Do you know you are a sinner?
*Do you want to go to heaven?
*Have you asked Jesus into your heart?
*Do you remember a time when you prayed to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior?
*If not, would you like to do that now? Repeat after me. “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. . .”

Now, I don’t want to simply point out problems. I don’t want to complain or be overly negative. But, come on! Maybe, just maybe, the following is a possible alternative...

...You will have to go to his blog, Titus 1:9, to read the more effective examination. (I dare ya...)

Photo Booth Pic from Tyler Birthday Bash

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SHUT UP!!!

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study: Week 4 "How should a woman of God conduct herself?"

Read: Esther 1:16-18; Ezekiel 18:30-31; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Philippians 3:10; Galatians 2:20; I Thess 5:18; Romans 12:2; Rom 8:28-29; Philippians 1:6; John 3:30

As true believers in Christ, we are citizens of the kingdom of God not to be conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of our minds.

• To ‘renew our minds’ according to God’s Word does not happen automatically.
• We must immerse ourselves in THE truth, not just dip our toe in or allow other people to jump in and tell us what it’s like.
• The Lord has so mercifully and sufficiently provided the Bible for us in this time.
• We are not merely left to our own devices and with our own experiences.
• God IS the Spirit of truth.
• Though chosen men held the pen, God wrote the words of this Bible in order that we may be helped and taught as we are illuminated by the Holy Spirit that He has provided to all who truly believe.
• You cannot renew your mind unless you are diligently abiding in God’s Word, both in the reading and study of it and in living it out by His grace.
• You not only need to hear it preached to you without compromise, but you yourself need to struggle with it and search the Scriptures yourself, longing prayerfully and genuinely to understand it as the Spirit leads and guides you,
• as you use your mind
• as you seek earnestly to grasp it and constantly apply it for the purpose of glorifying God and conforming to the image of Christ.

You must, your entire life in this world, no matter how long you have been a Christian, approach everything in light of God’s standard that has been revealed in His holy, knowable, applicable Truth.

• In Christ you are literally transferred from one condition to another.
• You are not merely forgiven of all your sins past, present and future.
• It goes further than that...
  
• You have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness, and into the kingdom of God through the work of the Son of God.
• You have been adopted and you are now joint heirs with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
  
• And Clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ
  

We are part of a fallen world and we are creatures of habit.

• We have been so accustomed to thinking in a certain way that we naturally will want to continue in that way even after being born again.
• We will not automatically think like Christ.
• The Christian life will involve breaking old ways of thinking, reacting, old sin habits and training yourself to think Biblically.
• Even the things you were taught in your church as a child and even now will have to stand up to God’s Holy Word of Truth.
• As a Christian, you will wrestle, question, fail, sometimes not conduct yourself in a manner worthy of your calling… even though, by His grace alone, you have obtained such abounding mercy and unfailing grace mercy.

You must, therefore, diligently renew your mind

• Why are we prone to forget what Christ has FULLY accomplished like the Israelites were prone to forget all that God had accomplished on their behalf? Because we must be constantly reminded of who we are and what has happened so we don’t end up like dogs that return to their vomit.
• To `be renewed in your mind' means that you will not allow yourself to forget.
• You will be on guard as you remind yourself of who you are and what He has done.
• All your groanings, whinings and worries are due more to the fact that you have 'forgotten what you know.
• How can you listen to the voice of truth if you do not know what the truth is or abide in the truth?
• Is relying on what you have been taught by your parents enough?
• Are the examples of those around you godly enough for you to not have to study God’s Word yourself?
• “The best of men are but men at the best, and the brightest saints are still sinners”-Spurgeon
• Even when Paul said “imitate me” he exhorted them to do so only as he followed the example of Christ.
• Is Sunday morning preaching enough to satisfy your thirst for the Living Water when you have God’s very Word in your hands in this country where most of us own up to 10 copies each… when other countries like Egypt have people that would die just to get a hold of a ripped page of it.

I will tell you that even the most stellar example of a Christian family will not suffice in providing what you need to stay on guard, renew your mind, equip you to be conformed into the image of Christ and cause you to conduct yourself as a woman of God.

Do you find any of this burdensome or legalistic?

• Then I beg you to consider the fact that a true woman of God will find rest in God’s Holy Word as her soul is consumed with the longing for it.
• She will cling to it, delight in it, love it...
  
• She sometimes may not even feel like reading it or studying it, but she will, God-willing, press on in spite of how she feels; abiding in His Word as she earnestly pleads to God to help her once again delight in it.
  
• Sometimes she will be rightfully laid low by it, justly convicted, counseled, encouraged, strengthened, and appropriately fearful of twisting it or compromising it

Read: 2 Peter 3:10-12

So, how can you conduct yourself as a woman of God according to God’s Holy Word?

I. Virtuous woman (KJV): woman of excellence (NAS); a worthy woman

(Ruth 3:11)

• Virtuous Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action; Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women.

• Excellence The state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue; An excellent or valuable quality; that by which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue; A title of honor or respect; -- more common in the form excellency.

• Worthy Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous.

II. Opens mouth with wisdom: on her tongue is law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26)

• Wisdom: to speak with appropriate or righteous judgment; speaks sound, discerning judgment in complex situations

sapientia (Latin): We are homo sapiens. Sapien is a root of Sapienta and was chosen as our species name. This was apparently to emphasize man's uniqueness and separation from the rest of the animal kingdom.

• law of kindness:

Why is it called a law? Because it proceeds from an inward and powerful principle of true wisdom.

Synonyms for kindness: grace, tenderness, compassion, gentleness, goodness, generosity

III. Persuade those who are wrong through patience & with a gentle tongue (Proverbs 25:15)

• Patience: Forbearance Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness;Persevering; constant;Capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result; not hasty or impulsive.

• Gentle tongue Considerate or kind words; amiable and tender;Speaks not harshly but mild and with fairness

IV. Learns in quietness and full submission (I Timothy 2:11)

• Quietness: Hesuchia (Greek) hay-soo-khee'-ah; does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others

(to be officious: Marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others)

I Timothy 2:11 applies to a formal assembly in which the women are not to be gossips or busy bodies, but eager students of God’s Word as preached by the male pastor, who is to proclaim God’s Truth without compromise. (so be careful what church you put your self under the authority of) They are not to teach over men, nor seek to usurp the authority of God according to His divine order or she will be like a bird in the ocean trying to swim or a fish in the sky trying to fly. But she is to pursue being a Titus 2:3-4 woman.

• full submission: subjection: Hupotage (Greek) hoop-ot-ag-ay; obedience

came from Hupotasso, which means:

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 amilitary 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".

V. Better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious, angry woman (Proverbs 21:19)

• Contentious argumentative; quarrelsome; unsubmissive; spiteful; malicious
  

• Angry easily annoyed; tumultuous; uptight; irritable; irrational
  

Read: Colossians 3:12-14

I also read to the ladies a testimony out of THIS BOOK (on pg. 87) of a godly woman I hope that I can conduct myself like. She reflected Christ and His faithfulness and sufficiency up to her death.

I have no idea what to title this...

Consider reading the following articles from Monergism.com: Should Women Wear Head Coverings Today?

How do you recognize the difference between cultural customs and universal principles in the Bible? Consider purchasing the following book: Knowing Scripture

Another good book to guide you in studying Scripture is Independent Bible Study

And for the women who asked the really hard question today at our Legacy of Biblical Womanhood study regarding why I am not a Beth Moore fan:
Read the following Reviews of Beth Moore's Online Study: "Believing God"

1. As a Southern Baptist Pastor of over 20 years, I am very concerned about Beth Moore and her recent teachings. For a while I have seen her drift from sound doctrine to a "speak it & receive it" - "claim who you are" theology. This book is just the most recent & most blatant. The implications to sound Evangelical churches are astronomical. We must be careful not to allow Charismatic error to infect our churches. Our prayers are with her & that she would return to a proper understanding of Scripture-placing herself under the authority and teaching of a sound pastor.

2. ...Beth Moore seemingly has wandered off the theological map, straying into "name it, claim it" and positive confessionalism. She makes wild extrapolations from isolated texts so as to suggest that we might have the power to speak things into being. What does this say to those who are speech impaired? Is God's power less available to them? What's with all the emphasis on empowerment, anyway?

Beth Moore's involvement in a DVD that endorses contemplative or centering prayer called "Be Still" brings great concern. Please understand, contemplative Prayer practiced in our Christian churches happens when Christianity turns a blind eye to the infiltration of ancient mysticism that is rooted in the occult and pagan practices. "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons"- 1 Timothy 4:1

I have received "Beth Moore fan" hate mail for 3 years since I openly published why I am not a Beth Moore fan. Please understand that though I believe Beth Moore is beautiful and sweet and knowledgeable in many areas, I also believe she has seriously strayed from sound doctrine. I am more concerned about pleasing the Lord and I fear the Lord more than the hate mail. I long for you all to be far more a Berean-like follower of Christ than a fan of Beth Moore and until I see evidence that she has sincerely and unquestionably changed her teaching, I do not, at this time, see how you can be both.

Here is a post I would also like for you to read about a woman's experience with Beth Moore studies. Her experience is close to my own, except she has articulated this far better than I have. Please understand that I have gone through several Beth Moore studies, so I am not recommending any of these links in this post in ignorance of what Beth Moore actually teaches or does not teach.

Press on in HIS truth and His love for HIS glory.
Sincerely from the heart,
Lisa

Head Coverings: As a Christian Woman, Am I Supposed to Wear One?

God's High Calling for Women

And

What is the Head Covering in I Corinthians 11?
& Does it Apply to us Today?

are two articles that I want the Legacy of Biblical Womanhood group to read. I had a couple of women ask about the passages on head coverings in light of our meeting that addressed the question "Why was I created as a Woman"

This particular question covered some passages in I Corinthians 11 that caused a desire to learn about head coverings and if they apply to us today. Please understand that this is the only Scripture in the entire Bible that says anything about head coverings. This is a challenging and controversial passage that I pray does not cause division. Please do not look down at your sister in Christ if she feels strongly that she must wear one and do not act holier-than-thou if you do not.

I was planning on addressing this at our upcoming meeting, but have found there to be no time. We will actually only have time to cover the question "How Should a Woman of God Conduct Herself" even though we initially had it on the schedule to also include "What is God's Plan for Me as a Wife?"

I sincerely encourage you all to carefully read the above articles and study this on your own; prayerfully and with a desire to honor the Lord, testing everything as a Berean, and holding fast to what is good so that God alone is glorified.

"I ascribe my change wholly to God."

"Well can I remember the manner in which I learned the doctrines of grace in a single instant. Born, as all of us are by nature, an Arminian, I still believed the old things I had heard continually from the pulpit, and did not see the grace of God. When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when I first received those truths in my own soul - when they were, as John Bunyan says, burned into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown on a sudden from a babe into a man - that I had made progress in Scriptural Knowledge , through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God.

One week night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher's sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, "How did you come to be a Christian?" I sought the Lord. "But how did you come to seek the Lord?" The truth flashed across my mind in a moment - I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make my constant confession: "I ascribe my change wholly to God." -CH Spurgeon

Are you stepping out in faith? or are you being foolish and testing God?

Listen: there is nothing pious about doing something dumb because you trust God to clean up the mess afterwards.

If I find in myself an unquenchable desire to go to some country and share the gospel with people who have never heard it before; and seeking counsel from those members in my congregation whose walk and conduct and wisdom have shown these people to be godly, and if they agree that I am gifted for such a thing, and my spouse is as desirous as I am, and I find that the trappings of this world do not bind me as they do others so that selling my house, and leaving my job are all trivial matters to me, for I trust in the word of God that such things will be provided if I look to the Kingdom of God first - and in the strength of that conviction I quit my job, sell my house, and go to some far away land with my family - that is called "stepping out in faith".

Buying a house that is more than I can afford and trusting God to make up the difference by getting me more money - that isn't stepping out in faith, it's ridiculous.

Sending my "Christian" kids to a Muslim school because I trust God to protect their faith is not stepping out in faith - it's called tempting/testing God, and it's as far from piety as smart is from stupid.

That's not to say that we can never take a risk, or do something daring, or simply trust God for certain things that are outside the standard pale. But it is to say that dumb decisions that are buttressed foolishly by the misguided notion that one is stepping out in faith ought to be avoided by sober Christians.

There is a kind of mysticism that masquerades as faith, and we ought to be on guard against it. There are few things as blinding as ignorance pretending to be piety, for just as knowledge puffeth up, so willful ignorance puffeth up also, and it comes in all kinds of flavors... -Daniel at Doulogos

For the rest, go here: Art Thou Not Puffethed Up?

Reformed Rap? from my pastor

Go check out Reformed Rap? on my pastor's blog. Unlike me, he actually likes rap... in small doses.

Also, consider reading Salvation by knowing the Truth

"...salvation is not in man, or in all the feelings, and weepings, and prayings, and Bible readings, and church goings, and chapel goings which zeal could crowd together. Nothing whatsoever that man does can avail him towards his own salvation. This I know by sad trial of it, and failure in it."-Spurgeon

Mission Accomplished: The cross will save all for whom it was intended

If you are like me, you would rather listen to nails scraping on a chalk board than listen to rap music, but the lyrics in this one are EXCELLENT:



Here is the link to the lyrics if you just can't bring yourself to push play: Mission Accomplished

Dead-Beat Dad vs. Pro-Choice Woman: What's the difference?

Not a Hint of Meekness

"Not a hint of meekness existed in my character as a young woman. Sadly, I took pride in my ability to challenge men verbally and delighted in defeating them in debate. I thought this was a sign of strength, but actually I was a weak woman."-Kimberly Wagner from True Woman website writing on "Imperishable Beauty"

Carrie Prejean: courage coupled with a lack of clear Biblical thinking

"Carrie [Prejean] has made a strong public profession of her faith in Christ. As Christians, we are called to live as redeemed men and women and to reflect to the world the beauty and holiness of God. I’m not in a position to judge Carrie’s motives or her heart. But while I applaud her courage, I also believe some of her choices and public actions, past and present, are representative of many women who consider themselves Christians, but who lack clear biblical thinking and conviction on such matters as virtue, womanhood, beauty, modesty, and discretion." Go to THIS LINK for the rest of the article

From my pastor

Dear Church,

The following is from Arthur Bennett’s, The Valley of Vision. It is my prayer for all of us today. May the Lord bless you, your family, and our church.

“Our Father - When you are angry towards us for our wrongs we try to pacify You by abstaining from future sin; but teach us that we cannot satisfy Your law, that this effort is a resting in our own righteousness, and that only Christ’s righteousness, readymade, already finished, is fit for that purpose; that Your chastising us for our sin is not that we should try to reform, but only that we may be more humbled, afflicted, and separated from sin, by being reconciled, and made righteous in Christ by faith; that a sense of our sufficiency and ability in him is one means of our being immovable; that we can never be so by resting on our own faith, but by trusting in You as our only support, by faith; that if we cast away our faith we cast away You, for by faith we apprehend You, and as You are very precious, so is our faith very precious to us; that we fall short of the purity You require, because in thinking we are holy we do not seek holiness, or, believing we are impotent, we do no more. Humble us for not being as holy as we should be, or as holy as we might be through Christ, for You are all, and to possess You is to possess all. But to make the creature something is to make it stand between You and us, so that we do not walk humbly and holy. Lord, forgive us for this.”

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study: Week 3 "What Makes a Woman Beautiful?"

For me to be talking with you about what truly makes a woman beautiful from the Biblical perspective when most of my life had been spent centered around ME, ME, ME, as I had deeply fallen into the world's view of beauty seems... ridiculous... almost laughable.
Who am I, Lord?
I certainly know that the world's view of beauty is a trap that leads to discontentment. I know that if you get caught up in it, you will never find true joy. You will never measure up. ... and if you are a Christian woman who has gotten caught up in it, you will be a stumbling block to the Gospel as well as a hindrance in serving your brother's in Christ who long to resist the temptation of lust.
So how does God transform your life, renew your mind to think Biblically on this issue of true and lasting beauty? For me personally, I would have labeled this an impossible task. A hopeless case scenario. But when God wants to do an impossible task He takes an impossible woman like me and utterly crushes her.

May our souls be crushed for the longing of God's Word... His Truth on these issues so that we can be helpers to our brother's in Christ for the sake of the Gospel and His holy Name and not stumbling blocks.

Much of what I went over with the women at the study was based on notes especially from studying God's Word and notes from well articulated sermons and books on the subject. This includes sermons/ books from John MacArthur, CJ Mahaney, Carolyn Mahaney and John Piper. I studied these writings because I deeply respect these people and I needed the balance of a man's perspective, their struggles in the area of lust, and their pleading desire for women of God to help and not hinder; along with a woman of God, such as Carolyn Mahaney, that has proven herself in this area as evidenced especially by the testimony of her husband.

Please take the time to read Cultural Beauty According to Google. It is a great way to look back at the ridiculous, me-centered, relative beauty trends that have inundated our society since the 1700's.

Do you really comprehend as a woman that men are stimulated visually? Do you really understand that your clothes will either help or hinder men who are trying to glorify God?

No! I will not encourage Islamic-type burquas or abayas as the standard of dress. I will not get out my measuring tape to make sure your skirt is long enough. I will not gawk at you in a holier-than-thou condemnation because you aren't following MY rules. I am a work in progress and am so thankful for the women in my life who have come alongside me to teach me what is appropriate for the sake of the Gospel. I am so thankful for my Godly husband!!!
I consider myself to be the worst sinner I know and if I am concerned about your manner of dress as a Christian woman I will come to you graciously and I would hope you would do the same for me. This is not the sole responsibility of the pastor and elder's of our church to tell us women what NOT to wear. Especially on a Sunday morning when we are to come prepared for worship; where the focus is to be on Christ and not our cleavage. It is the collective, gracious, loving responsibility of all of the members of the church... and should be woman to woman out of love for one another and God's Holy Name.
Now, there is a definite responsibility on the part of the man to control his lust. How far do we go as women on this issue? Some men may get turned on by a women's ankles, another by her shoulders, another by beautiful eyes, etc. So men, do us a favor and do not expect us to be responsible for your extremes and lack of control. We should be very willing as woman to be submissive in the area of modesty, but there is a point in which the men MUST take responsibility.

As a community of saints, we are not looking for a ‘dress code’ but principles where our theology meets our closets.- Dave H.

As Christian women in the church you can be either a blessing or a distraction as this young man explains:

The one place I might think I wouldn’t have to face as much temptation is at church. But this is not always the case. When ladies I’m friends with dress immodestly, it definitely has a negative effect on our friendship. When she dresses immodestly, it doesn’t make it easy to see her as a sister in Christ. There’s a constant battle going on as I’m interacting with her. Communication becomes more difficult, but I’m also trying to fight temptation.
I also think that some ladies aren’t aware that even the little things can distract guys a lot — showing even a little part of their stomach, wearing a bag that has a strap that goes between their breasts, etc.

I’m so grateful for the friendships God has given me over the last year and a half and for the godly ladies in my small group. I’m so appreciative of the sacrifice that these ladies make to glorify God and to serve and care for the guys.

I heard a story of one of the ladies in our small group who went shopping and really liked a shirt she was trying on. But then she thought, "No, I can’t do this to the guys." That was the first time I had ever heard of anything like that, and it made me so grateful. It is such a blessing to have friends who care for me enough to be selfless and to sacrifice what might look attractive in order to help me and other guys with sexual lust.

When ladies dress modestly, it’s attractive and it makes me want to hang out with them. I think modesty is so attractive and helpful in friendships; it makes it easier for a friendship to be centered around God and for fellowship to be unhindered.

"Both Paul and Timothy were concerned that the Ephesian church be a godly testimony to society. For the women of the church to imitate the gaudy clothing styles of pagan women, to call attention to themselves, or to dress to lure men into illicit sexual relationships was to blaspheme the intent of the worship service." –John MacArthur

Godly men find modesty attractive. And single gals... those are the men you want to attract! They appreciate women who dress with self-control and restraint. They’re grateful for women who serve them by helping them fight the temptation to lust. But this is not just about proper attire on a Sunday morning. Read this testimony of a young man in college:

A day in the life of a college student pursuing purity:
Each and every day on campus is a battle. A battle against my sin, a battle against temptation, a battle against my depraved mind. Every morning I have to cry out for mercy, strength, and a renewed conviction to flee youthful lust. The Spirit is faithful to bring me the renewal I need and to prepare me to do war against my sin, yet temptations still exist.

I’m thankful God has created me to be attracted to women. However, campus is a loaded minefield. There are girls everywhere, and it is guaranteed that I will pass some attractive girls as I walk in between classes. To make it through the day unscathed, I either have to be actively engaging my mind and spirit in praying, quoting Scripture, listening to worship music, or looking at the sidewalk. Many days it takes all four to be safe. . . .

The thing that women do not seem to fully grasp is that the temptation toward lust does not stop. It is continual. It is aggressive. And it does all it can to lead men down to death. And women have a choice to help or deter the goal and purpose of lust. Sometimes when I see a girl provocatively dressed, I’ll say to myself, "She probably doesn’t even know that 101 guys are going to devour her in their minds today. But then again, maybe she does." To be honest, I don’t know the truth, the truth of why she chooses to dress the way she does, the way she chooses to walk, the way she chooses to act. I don’t know because I’ve never sat down with a girl and asked why. All I need to know is that the way she presents herself to the world is bait for my sinful mind to latch onto and I need to avoid it at all costs.

For the most part, the church serves as a sanctuary from the continual barrage of temptation toward sin. However, the church’s members are not yet free from sin, and there are girls who are ignorant and unaware of men’s sinful tendencies.

I must confess that even church can have several mines scattered about. To the girls who are ignorant, please serve your brother in Christ and have your dad screen your wardrobe. Ask your dad how you can better choose holiness over worldliness. He’s a guy, and he knows more than you on the issue.

And to the girls who don’t follow the pattern of the world: thank you. Thank you a million times over. You are following Scripture’s commands, and you are helping your brothers in the process.

"I hope this ardent desire to serve your brothers in Christ characterizes every woman in the church. But the church should also be a place where the unconverted can come dressed immodestly and be warmly welcomed, not self-righteously judged."-CJ Mahaney

The Bible NO WHERE forbids a woman from enhancing her appearance! Paul, in I Timothy is warning about excessive attention devoted to appearance at the expense of the Gospel and serving Christ. This will inevitably lead to pride and discontentment.

However, a woman CAN honor God by enhancing her personal appearance or bringing beauty to her environment.

God is the creator of beauty. God delights in beauty. All we need to verify this fact is to consider the beauty He created all around us: whether it is an elegant flower, or towering trees, or a meandering river, or billowy clouds or the majestic night sky. Every time we stop to take in one of these breathtaking scenes on display in God’s creation, we can’t help but be convinced that He delights in beauty!

[B]ecause we are created in the image of our Creator, each of us has this propensity to make things beautiful. That means, when we decorate our homes, or plant a lovely flower garden, or seek to add some form of beauty to our surroundings, even when we attempt to enhance our personal appearance—we are actually imitating and delighting in the works of our Great Creator.-Carolyn Mahaney

"It is not necessarily evil to wear stylish clothing and an attractive hairstyle. It is not sinful to wear make-up and jewelry. The Proverbs 31 woman wore colorful, high-quality clothing. The bride in Song of Solomon adorned her appearance with jewelry. We are told that Esther went through 12 months of beauty treatments-six months with oil and myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. The Bible does not condemn wearing and using these things. It is wearing them for the wrong reasons that God's Word forbids"

So ladies CHECK YOUR MOTIVES!!! A Modesty Heart Check may be in order.

Read I Peter 3:3-5; I Timothy 2:9 and Proverbs 31:30

“Modest Apparel or adorn” – kosmios means ‘respectable, honorable, well-ordered.’ It is translated “of good behavior” in 1 Tim 3:2. Your clothes are to match/proclaim/adorn your godly behavior. It therefore does not refer only to clothing, but can mean "demeanor" or "attitude. " It encompasses both the attitude of the heart and proper adornment on the outside. Her clothing should reflect a heart focused on God.

“Propriety” – aidos has an interesting sense of both shame and honor, bashfulness and reverence (Heb 12:28).

“Moderation” – sophrosune means ‘soberness, soundness of mind, self-control, and reasonableness.’ Again, the context doesn’t allow for a girl to say, “but I don’t mean that when I wear this…”

Godly Fear- The Greek word translated "godly fear" (aid[ma]os) refers to modesty mixed with humility. It connotes a sense of shame--not shame in being a woman, but in any way inciting lust or distracting others from a proper worship of God. A woman with a proper sense of shame will dress in such a way as not to be a source of temptation. It implies morally rejecting anything dishonorable to God.

Putting This Together – We learn that adornment is a powerful thing (which is also proven by the huge apparel industry) and women know it. Much of what our culture tells young women to wear sends messages a godly woman should never want to send.

What are your clothes saying about your relationship with God? Are you exalting God or yourself? Your wardrobe is a public statement of your personal and private motivation. It should be an outward expression of the Gospel. It should promote Jesus and not "me". Your hearts WILL dictate your wardrobe.

So... who are the most beautiful women in the world?
Is it People magazine's choice according to their annual issue that contains a list of "The Fifty Most Beautiful People in the World." One year you may see a picture of Julia Roberts, a talented and attractive movie star... but what about the next year? Will Julia Roberts still be considered beautiful to their standards when she is 80?

Truly the most beautiful woman in the world:

• lives her life by the Word of God
• has a remarkable, pervading influence for good
• knows that a woman gets her greatest joy and fulfillment in submitting entirely to the will of God
• is a "light" in the world (Matt. 5:14-16), especially to her family
• is not obsessed with carnal attractiveness and does not prize what is called "passing beauty" (Prov. 31:30)
• esteems "the beauty of holiness" (Psa. 29:2)
• is neither a nag nor a complainer
• is spiritually attractive
• has an inner beauty that becomes more and more radiant with every passing year
• has a genuine attitude of humility that seeks to glorify God and serve others
• is sensitive to her brother's in Christ and willingly serves them by purposely dressing in a manner that is not sensual
• does not forsake her outward appearance

Please Read: Three Teen Young Men Define "A Real Woman"

Here is the Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Schedule
Press on in HIS truth and HIS love for HIS glory

Here are the sermons/ books/ blogs that inspired some of what was written here:

• CJ Mahaney's Modesty Series (see modesty series index in that link that provides series 1 through 7)
• Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World
• Girl Talk Blog
  
• God's High Calling for Women
  
• Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America
  
• Modesty – Let’s Take A Good Look
• The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
• The Look: Does God Really Care What I Wear?
• Sister... Show Mercy!
  

They hatched!!!

Go HERE to see the original pictures of when we first discovered them in our Japanese Maple.

Legacy of Biblical MOMhood

Kids have many influences in their lives that often steer them off course. Many of their responses in life's situations will feel natural to them, yet will leave them empty and alone.

Let's leave a legacy... an indelible imprint of Christ on our kids. As moms, We have a unique opportunity to point our children to Christ. Will we be the perfect example? No. Only Christ is the perfect example.

So what can we do in spite of our inability to be the PERFECT mom?
"... 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."

1. We need accountability. If we're honest with ourselves, we know those things that creep into our lives and entangle us. I personally need to be held accountable by the Word of God, by my husband, and by godly women who are not too timid to speak the truth in love to me.

2. We need to keep running the race. Persevere! And the only way we can, is by continually depending on the strength of the Lord. So, how do we find that path "marked out" for us? It is in God's Word. If we persevere in making God's Word a daily part of our necessary bread and water, we'll know the course to run. (Remember to BE a BEE!!!)

3. We need to keep our eyes on Christ. If we keep our eyes on Christ, the prize, than we will make it to the finish line without veering off in too many of those wrong paths. If we do veer off, we will know how to turn back... and if we don't turn where or when we should, than we have godly people in our lives to help us get back on track or to give us water when we are parched and growing weary.

I want to leave a legacy...
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to GOD enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering...
A child of mercy and grace who blessed YOUR name unapologetically!
I want to leave that kind of legacy!

Are you a butterfly, botanist or a bee? ...When it comes to God's Word

As I looked out into the garden one day, I saw three things. First, I saw a butterfly. The butterfly was beautiful, and it would alight on a flower and then it would flutter to another flower and then to another, and only for a second or two it would sit and it would move on. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. The botanist would lean over a certain flower and he would look for a long time and then he would write notes in his notebook. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. The third thing I noticed was a bee, just a little bee. But the bee would light on a flower and it would sink down deep into the flower and it would extract all the nectar and pollen that it could carry. It went in empty every time and came out full. (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. 15.)

How to Get the Most From God's Word

Flash Flood Today in Oklahoma at Husband's Parents

My two girls spent the night at their grandparent's house last night. They woke up to rain that ended up quickly becoming a flash flood. It caused significant damage to the walk-out basement in their two-story home. One of my daughters was downstairs with Grandma when Grandma suddenly told her to go upstairs. A rush of water started coming out of the toilets and then the door came off its hinges as the water rose to 6 feet. The girls were scared when they heard the door crash open because their grandma was still down there trying to save pictures and her hand-sewn quilts. Grandma can't swim! She made it up the stairs with only one quilt and a few pictures. Grandma was completely soaked. The girls were crying and very worried about their grandma. We praise God they are all safe.

“The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:10-11)


The side of the main road leading to grandma's


A restaurant on the way to grandma's


Driving in water...

Almost to grandma's house


Approaching their private driveway.


The horse stable next door. The other neighbor's horses were swimming in 5 feet of water.


Grandpa's private driveway cracked.

Their walk-out basement several hours after the flash flood


Yep, that is fecal matter. Water was rushing out of the toilets.


The smell was pretty bad.

This is the door that came off its hinges as the water rushed in up to 6 feet high. The surrounding windows were cracked.

A ride-on toy car rushed in also.


The water was up these stairs. You can see the fecal matter on the carpeted stairs to the right.


My daughter, Katie, said she saw the couch floating in the water and it hit the stairs and floated back.


You can see toys and movies that floated out of the house as the flood waters receded.


These are the stairs I walked up at my wedding. We had a beautiful outdoor wedding under a blanket of HUGE oaks there at my husband's parent's house.

The water went all the way to the platform of the playground.

This is the door that flew off. The water rose to the top of this doorway.


More trash, toys, etc.

There is a little box of Legos that floated out the door with a lamp, etc.

You cannot usually see the creek from this window.

"Your BUT is getting bigger as you speak"

This is what I say to some of my children and even some adults I have counseled when they start making excuses instead of taking responsibility. In other words, the more excuses you make, the bigger your BUT gets. Methinks, the Lord Jesus has to make enough excuses for us.

but, But, BUT...

When I have more time, I will write about how to keep your 'but' from growing at all.

(I'll give you a hint: "Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'...")

Set a guard, 0 LORD, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)