Proverbs 31

I recently came across this teaching on Proverbs 31 and thought some of you might like to read it as well. It is a bit long, I had to read it in parts until getting through all of it. Hope you enjoy.

Proverbs 31 Woman

Memorizing Scripture

A week or so ago, I started reading Psalm 119. Throughout this whole chapter it talks about keeping God's laws and decrees and statues. God has really laid it on my heart to start memorizing more of His word. The reason not only being that we need to know it, but his Word tells us to keep it in our hearts. Also with the possibility that one day we may have to know God's word if the actual book is taken from us.

My friend shared a dream given to her from the Lord regarding the same thing. She dreamed that Satan kept trying to attack her in different ways and in each scenario there was always a way out. God showed her that during the times she is being attacked she did not have time to go and cram from His word, she only had the word she had stored in her heart to use against the enemy. It just showed her it is very important to know God's word in our hearts.

Psalm 119: 11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

I just want to challenge myself and others to start memorizing God's word that it may always stay in our hearts.

Parenting

I am in the middle of reading "Be Fruitful and Multiply" by Nancy Campbell. It is a study on looking into the Bible and what it has to say about having children. Today I read this and even though I know it, I like the little reminders that parenting is the most important job we have.

"Parenting is the highest calling God has given mankind. Every other career is subservient to this one. Everything else we do in life serves our highest calling of teaching and training the next generation for God."

I think it is good to remind ourselves from time to time that our children are a blessing and gift from the Lord. They have been given to us for this time to train and raise for Him with hope that they will be ready one day for the calling he has for each and every one. At times it overwhelms me to think of how big and important that job is, but on the other hand I feel blessed that God has allowed me the privilege to have these wonderful people to mold and shape into usable vessels for Him.

Removing the Dross

Have you ever had one of those moments where God opens your eyes and heart? I had a revelation today of some of the dross that needs to be removed from my life. My poor Boog recieved the brunt of my anger. Was he being annoying? Yes. Did he deserve to see me loose control and rage? NO!
My first thoughts were "I cannot do this, I cannot keep them at home acting this way". I realized right away that was not a thought from God. Right after that thought, God's still, soft voice said "this is why I have you home with them". I then remembered a word that was spoken over me years ago when Boog was still small. These are not verbatim: "God is going to change you, if you continue after Him. One day you will look back and not even recognize yourself". I knew God was saying he was using my kids to challenge me and change me daily.
I then pulled my first born to me and apologized all I could. We hugged for a long time and cried together. We then prayed for each other.

Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;

I want to be material that God can use for his Glory. Please keep removing the dross!

Thrid Day and Mercy Me

I think I have posted some of their stuff before. I really like them. This new one is great and speaks so much to me. Just to rely on God for direction and revelation.




I like this one by Mercy Me.

Poetry Thursday

I have decided to start sharing some poetry that I know or come across on Thursdays. I hope you enjoy.



This is a poem from the book "Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham"
In this particular poem she is talking about her children and raising them for the Lord.

Five I have:

each separate, distinct, a soul bound for eternity:

and I--blind leader of the blind--

groping and fumbling,

casual and concerned,

by turns.....

undisciplined, I seek

by order and command

to discipline and shape;

(I who need Thy discipline to shape my own disordered soul).

O Thou Who seest the heart's true, deep desire,

each shortcoming and each sad mistake,

supplement and overrule,

nor let our children be the victims of our own

unlikeness unto Thee.

by: Ruth Bell Graham

Psalm 23

I caught the end of a sermon on the radio the other day and he was wrapping up a teaching on Psalm 23. Of course most Christians know and have memorized this verse.

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

He was only speaking on the first 3 verses at the time I was listening, but it stood out to me very much. He was talking about how we always want this or that. Not necessarily material things, but we wish we had this in life or we want certain things to not have taken place in our lives. The he read the first verse:

Psalm 23:1-- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not WANT.

I know in my life, maybe not always out loud, I wish for things to be different. I have a hard time just being satisfied with my Lord and the place he has me in right now. I tend to look towards the future and what may be instead of living and being blessed in the place and time I am currently placed.

The pastor then went on to verse:

Psalm 23:2-3 -- HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters.

HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

I feel I need to be more diligent about letting my heart/soul wander. As we know from "Jeremiah 17:9--The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? " I think in our own selves it is hard at times to know if our soul is being selfish or if we are really choosing the things God would have us do or desire. I think that is where verses 2-3 come in. We need to allow God to lead us in all ways. He will always bring us to a place of rest. He will and does restore our soul. He will always lead us down the right path. We can never trust our hearts in and of itself to do that. When we choose that way we always end up taking a selfish route and end up tired and worn down because we try to get where "WE" want to go in our "OWN" way. This will always leave us exhausted and never resting in peace.

Hormonal Birth Control and IUD's....

This is something that I have been thinking a lot about lately after talking with friends who have no idea how these particular types of birth control can work. This includes the pill, patch, ring, depo shots and long term implanted hormones. This is geared as an informative post, especially to those who are pro life and believe life begins at conception. It frustrates me that most doctors are not up front with this information. I even remember being taught in nursing school that hormonal birth control prevents ovulation and that is a partial lie.

Here is an excerpt from Contraceptive Info:

____________________________________________________________________

All hormonal contraceptives have at least three mechanisms of action. Artificial female hormones are the active ingredient in all hormonal contraceptives — estrogen and progestin. Some products contain both hormones and others progestin only. Using both hormones together is somewhat more effective than progestin alone, but the estrogen component is responsible for most of the serious health hazards associated with hormonal methods.

1. Hormonal contraceptives prevent ovulation. No egg is released so sperm cannot fertilize it. It is widely agreed that this is a major mechanism of hormonal birth control.


2. A woman may ovulate anyway. Hormonal contraceptives may also prevent fertilization by changing the consistency of natural secretions in the vagina, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. It is not clear how effective this mechanism is in preventing fertilization.


3. A woman may ovulate anyway, and sperm may still reach the egg, resulting in fertilization. When this occurs, hormonal contraceptives make it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterus by keeping the edometrium (lining of the uterus) thinned. This results in the death and expulsion of the embryo. Most scientists agree this occurs, but it is not clear how often. Some doctors do not prescribe hormonal contraceptives because they find this mechanism objectionable. [more about this...]

IUD's

Hormonal IUDs: Hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestin, which thickens the cervical mucus, acting as a barrier to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. This type of IUD also affects the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted, should fertilization occur. Progestasert IUD must be replaced every 8-24 months. Since this IUD was discontinued in 2001, any woman who had one implanted should have had it removed by now. The Mirena IUS is the next generation of hormonal IUDs and can be used for up to five years. More about the Mirena IUS...

Non-hormonal IUDs: For copper IUDs, the metal itself seems to exert a spermicidal effect. The copper also affects the lining of the uterus by not allowing a fertilized egg to implant, and it stimulates the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that affect the hormones needed to support a pregnancy. ParaGard is a long-term IUD that may be left in place for ten years.

All mechanisms of the IUD are not completely understood. The IUD may also cause inflammation of the uterus, preventing implantation of an embryo and making it more difficult for sperm to enter. Unlike regular hormonal contraceptives, IUDs do not prevent ovulation.

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I am not anti birth control, but believe in barrier or natural methods. I just want those of you out there who believe life begins at conception to know the truth: Birth Control does not always prevent ovulation and as the information stated they are not sure how often a woman actually ovulates and a fertilized egg could be not allowed to implant in the womb.

One Life to Love by 33 miles

God has really been dealing with me lately on what it means to pour my life into the lives of my kids and husband and others around me. This song just touches me so much, I cry just about every time I hear it. The chorus is so true, we only have one time around, one shot at making the most out of the life God has given us.

I think it has been hitting me harder lately since the pastor at my old church just passed away and I have read recently on a board about a family that is loosing their 6 year old daughter to brain cancer.

I want my life to make an eternal difference and only the Lord can help me do it.

The way kids can make you laugh and cry...

Yesterday, Baby Girl got into my cabinets and was playing with pots and such. Well I walked into the kitchen and this is what I see:



She made me giggle.


Then last night we went to a local light village that had Christmas lights up and small rides for the kids. Here is a moment that made me very teary:



It was a moment that I realized that my Boog is growing up. He was riding all alone and so very proud. It was also a moment that I realized that they grow up fast. I pray that God gives us the grace and mercy to raise them unto Him.

Through these moments, I know I am very blessed even when they make me cry.

Contentment.....

This is something I have such trouble finding.  Not so much in monetary or financial means, but in the what ifs?  I always wonder what would be if we had done this or done that.  I am always wondering what it would be like to live elsewhere or knowing different people.  I don't think that overall that this is a bad thing, but I do think it can cause discontentment in my heart.  

Today I was studing this verse.  

Proverbs 19:23(NIV)--  The fear of the Lord leads to life:  Then one rests content, untouched by trouble  

(JKV)--The fear of the Lord tendeth to life:  and he that hath it shall abide satisfied, he shall not be visited by evil.

From Strongs Concordance:

Fear--respect, reverence

Lord--Jehovah

Abide- to lodge, dwell

Satisfied-- Sated

Evil--unhappiness, misery

"The reverence of Jehovah tendeth to life:  and he that hath it shall dwell sated, he shall not be visited by unhappiness or misery" 

Here are some words taken from Matthew Henry's Comentary:

See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him. 1. Safety: They shall not be visited with evil; they may be visited with sickness or other afflictions, but there shall be no evil in them, nothing to hurt them, because nothing to separate them from the love of God, or hurt to the soul. 2. Satisfaction: They shall abide satisfied; they shall have those comforts which are satisfying, and shall have a constant contentment and complacency in them. It is a satisfaction which will abide, whereas all the satisfactions of sense are transient and soon gone.

Serious godliness has a direct tendency to life; to all good, to eternal life; it is the sure and ready way to it; there is something in the nature of it fitting men for heaven and so leading them to it.

It seems that the fear and reverence of my Jehovah God is what leads us to contentment.  Is that knowing that our lives are His and just allowing ourselves to rest under His yoke of the hear and now?  To know that this is the time and place He has called me to and with that understanding do everything I do unto the Lord?  

I pray that Jehovah will lead me into a greater fear and reverence, so that according to this Word, I will abide satisfied and not visited by unhappiness.  

Newsboys songs

I am Free

I just love this song. Everytime I hear it, I just cry.

I think in part, because I take my freedom in 

Christ for granted. Secondly, becuase of the joy

that wells up in my heart to know the freedom that 

Christ has given me. When this song comes on the 

kids and I just dance and jump and sing it as loud as

we can. I love being able to do that with them. I am

very blessed that we have the choice to teach and show

our children the freedom that comes with accepting and serving God.

He Reigns

This is another one of their songs I just really like. This is my favorite verse:

"And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word"

Nothing can drown out our praises to God, he hears them all. 

We should be praising God in all we do, everyday and in everyway.

Psalm 146: 1-2

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.

Prudence

I have recently learned the real meaning of this word.  Let me tell you, I really do want to become a PRUDE.  I never thought I would say that or want to relate myself to that term.  In my old understanding that is a "bad" word, someone who is a "stick in the mud" or no fun.  Well let me tell you what it means if you don't already know.

These are from Websters dictonary.

Prudence:  the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs, skill and good judgment in the use of resources, caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.

Prude:  a woman who shows or affects extreme modesty

This one came from Eastons Bible dictonary.

Prudence:  Wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

So being a Prude is a great thing.  

Proverbs 1:1-3--- The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:  for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.

Provers 13:16-- Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

Proverbs 14:15-- A simple man believes anything,but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 15:5--A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Proverbs 19:14-- Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

To sum it up to be prudent is to be wise.  That is something we all should want for ourselves. 

 

How can I be a helpful wife.....

with out being a pushy wife. One of the things I tend to do it over analyze and over organize the way things could be in my mind. (This would be good if I would put that organizing to practical use) This gets me into trouble, because it can leave me feeling discontent with our life.
Gus has many things he talks about doing or would like to do in the future. Sometimes I take those ideas and try to put them into action. Like when he is talking about getting another job, I will start looking for him. I am not sure if this is being helpful or being pushy since he does not directly ask me to look for him?? Or, there are things I would like for us to do together as a family and Gus does not see the need for it. I have to fight down the urge to think that I am more spiritual than my husband. I don't nag, I have seen far more results with submission and prayer for God to lead Gus. These are two of the things I struggle with most as a wife right now. Trying to get Gus's dreams or ideas going for him and keeping my pride in check by making sure I am not sticking my big ole' head out from under my leader and covering.
So back to the original thought, how do I become this wife?

Proverbs 31:10-12-- A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

Some days I feel like I am headed full force in that direction and other days like I have no idea what I am doing.

Psalms 37

I was reading a post over on Generation Cedar that said to go and read Psalms 37.  Well I finally got around to it today.  It is such great scripture to read when you may be wondering about things or things to come.  I tend to worry about a lot of things, it is my nature, a part of me that God deals with on a daily basis.  With all the economic talk and wonder if we may really go into a depression, it is hard not to think of what may happen.  This is a word that we can go and trust in when we are having those worried thoughts.  Here are a few of the ones that stuck out to me.  

37:3-- Trust in the Lord and do good: dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

37:7-- Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their evil schemes.

37:11-13-- But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.  The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

37:18-19 -- The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in the days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

37: 23-26--  If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.  They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

37: 39-40--  The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

The whole passage is really good.  If you are having trouble with worry over what the future may hold, read this and meditate on it.  

Book Review

I just finished up this book last night:




















I have to say it was excellent. These ladies presented the true meaning of being a homekeeper, using scriptural backing. I think they did it in a awesomely gentle way. I am pretty sure that this would step on some toes, even some Christian ladies toes. This book gave me a lot of insight, a lot to think about and tons of encouragement. I know that my number one calling is to be a homekeeper, I pray every day that God builds me up and gives the the grace to get it done in a Christ like manner.

I also wanted to share a bit of what I am struggling with. When Gus does not comment or validate the "things" I have done around the house, I get hard feelings toward him at times. I want my work to be validated. God has been pointing these feelings out to me when they happen and I praise Him for that. I know that all I do, I should do unto the Lord and not expect praise. I guess I just wonder if there are any practical ways to overcome this feeling. Or will it continue to resolve as I let God correct me and then redirect my thinking?

Sick kids...Peace, Contentment and Patience--Oh My!

Well my weekend off was unexpectedly hindered by a sick baby. Baby Girl woke up with fever, Saturday morning. I treated it, then Boog and I took off to his friends birthday party. He had a blast with his friends, we spent a few hours there playing and visiting. Baby girl stayed sick and the next day I took her to a clinic where they said she had a infected throat. All was fine as long as she kept drinking. That night she started with a ulcer like sore on her tongue. When we woke up the next morning she had a few more on her lips, so off to the doctor again. Well another doctor bill later, we are told it will run its course. AAAHHH!!! I hate spending money to be told something I already knew. When will I learn to just wait it out a little longer?? Anyhoo, Baby Girl started feeling better by Tuesday then guess who gets sick, yep, you guessed it Boog. He ran high fever for about 24 hours, then was totally fine. Not really sure if they had the same thing, or if Boog's was just milder. It really sucks that a good friend of mine is in this week with her kids from Utah visiting and we cannot get together. We hope to get some time in tomorrow, before they leave on Saturday morning.

As for the rest of my post, I am just really dealing with being content and learning to have patience. I am ready to move on in a certain area of our lives and Gus is waiting. I am submiting to him, but it is really hard. I desire to follow God's authority and headship in this and all areas of my life, but being patient sure is hard. I know the desires God has set in my heart and that He will fullfill them in His good timing. I also know that God has placed Gus as my head and that I trust his decsions. So, I am praying for patience and peace during this time, that I may become a nobel wife who loves and fears the Lord.

Proverbs 31: 10-12, 26-30

10 ^[c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

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.

Staying friends with non-belivers... thoughts and a little vent.

I have been having such internal conflicts with this recently. I am part of an online board that is a break off from a miscarriage support forum. There are about 40 of us that post very regularly. We are very diverse, Christian, Athiests, Agnositic, Catholic, Wiccan and so on. We are very close and have learned a lot about and from each other of the last few years we have been together. I am very close to many of these ladies, but some times posts get going that bash my personal beliefs. I usually just stay away from them and just discuss other things with these ladies. I really do not expect anything different from non-believers. However, at times there are a few of them that like to try and entice us(Christians) into a debate when there is no reason to enter. The sole reason is to try and show how our christian beliefs are wrong or twisted.

I really like to know how these friends are doing, but sometimes I feel the need to walk away. So I don't know if I need to just take a break, keep on going and try to show the love of Christ to these ladies when opportunity presents itself or just break away completely??

I always go back to the argument that Jesus spent time among the sinners, to show himself to them. I do not want to be the type of Christian who hides among those who only believe the same way I do. I just really don't know what to do.

Some of my favorite songs

Divine Romance by Phil Wickham





Hold Me Now by Jennifer Knapp--- I could put up many of her songs, this one is older, but I love it:





There are others that I like, but these two were on my heart today. There are times that I have a hard time accepting God's grace and love. I feel totally undeserving. It is at those moments that He reminds me that I am his daughter and he loves me no matter what. Just as I love my children unconditionally. They may not always do the right thing, but I help them and love them just the same. God has an even greater love for us. Praise be to you my Father God!