Here's some of the things that stood out to me, no particular order. (I'll try to note the message they were from, all the info is available at the link above if ya wanna check it out).
- (The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood) Wimpy theology makes wimpy women. I don't wanna be a wimpy woman! Womanhood is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of Jesus in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood. Every moment has a purpose. I want to honor and affirm my hubby's leadership and carry it through with the gifts God has given me. Marriage is temporary and not the main thing, focus on my relationship with Jesus. "interdependence"
- (From Him, Through Him, To Him) I heard this on June 24, right before Bennett was born... Rom. 11:33-36. God's wisdom and knowledge is inexhaustible and limitless, a depth that's unmeasurable. God's wisdom found a way (Jesus!) for me to stand before Him (Holy and pure as He is). "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still," Betsy Ten Boom. In every situation God is always doing 1,000 different things that I cannot see and I do not know! Rom. 11:34. I'm not the Lord's advice-giver. God owes me nothing. I owe Him everything. To resent or resist our circumstances is ultimately to resist or resent God Himself. All situations are planned by God and are planned out of His wisdom, I need to think about the greatness of God during challenges and bow before His will. "From Him..." He is The Source, holding the universe and my life together "To Him and Through Him are ALL things!" I want to live a God-centered life, trusting God, and say 'Yes Lord!' (He's not my Lord unless I'm saying 'yes Lord'. He can/will redeem past failures!
- (You've Come a Long Way, Baby!) Hold current culture in one hand and envision the future. Hold the knowledge of our times in one hand, and the truth, clarity, and charity of the Word of God in the other. God is concerned about my heart. Who I am, and how I relate to my hubby and others reflects to those around me who I am inside. My whole purpose is to live for the glory of God. No man can fulfill all my needs and desires I need to point all desires towards the One who created those desires. I want a heart that says yes to Him and agree that the way He created me is perfect and any lifestyle sacrifice is worth it. Selfless, sacrificial loving, laying down my life for others in imitation of Christ is where I'll find ultimate happiness and fulfillment. Christ is my solution.
- (A Woman after God's Own Heart) This is the first study I returned to after Bennett died...1 Sam. 1:5-10 THE LORD closed Hannah's womb. (It was His perfect plan). Hannah cried out to God in earnest, and my Abba loves it when I pour out my heart to Him. Our children are not now, nor have they ever belonged to us; they are God's. She Gave him willingly back to God. (Because she was God-centered, not self-centered and because she trusted God). Is. 49:15 mother nursing her child is temporary, God is not temporary and doesn't forget me. I am a spiritual model to somebody. Pray. God answers the prayers of His women! Trust Him completely. Of the things God has given me, what do I need to dedicate back to Him?
- (God's Jewels) Mal. 3:16 The Lord's people are called jewels and He cares about us. He wants us to shine, Zech. 13:9. God chooses to give my soul (and my soul can stand) a good scrubbing every now and then. My soul is not as delicate as I might like to think. Jewels are a hard stone. I need to be scrubbed because I've not 'arrived'. Trouble is the textbook that will teach me who I really am...God cares most, not about making me comfortable, but about teaching me to hate transgression and grow up spiritually to love Him. He wants to do good towards me (but that means the good is to make me more like Jesus- not easy). God's grace abounds where suffering abounds. God wields suffering to break apart my rocks of resistance, pride, and stubborn rebellion, the hurting and hammering will not end until we become like Jesus. (in Heaven). Heaven = No pain, no sorrow, no tears, no death, and because I know that my light momentary afflictions are achieving for me a glory in eternity that will far outweigh them all-my suffering is not wasted. Zech. 9:16 I put my life in the hands of the Master Jeweler.
- (For Such a Time as This) How does God want to use my position , my season of life, my place in life to fulfill His Kingdom purposes in this world? I can Trust Him because He sees the whole eternal span of the picture. That's what I want to look at. God wants (gives me ways yo become) desperate for Him. God Doesn't need me to accomplish His purpose(s). Esther was a woman of prayer, preparation and always kept her emotions in check and under control. My life should show God's power under control, through gentleness and meekness of spirit. Don't judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look right now. God writes the final chapter. Esther was raised up at such a time, to make a huge difference in her world.
Hope all that didn't feel like rambling to ya. But I thought it was especially neat how God timed each message perfectly for my summer. He knew before I did just what I'd need to hear. If you get a sec, check the true woman site out and listen to the messages and see what God might have for YOU. Share with me what you learn!
I plan to attend a fall bible study at church; still debating between two- Biblical Womanhood in a postmodern culture or Christian Counseling: How people change... They both sound great! Join me if ya live around here. :-)
Hugs.
1 comment:
Manda....I was at this conference! Cool to be reminded of it's truth and encouragement through you.... I am in tears over the timing that God gave you with the sessions preceeding and following Bennett's arrival. He loves you so much....and underneath you are His everlasting arms!
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