Frantic Friday

I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE!

In my opinion "Black Friday" has become exactly that: black! As black as the depravity of man's heart.

How can any material thing be more important than a human life? One greeter at a Walmart won't be celebrating the season with his family. Instead his family is planning his funeral. The masses broke the doors down and trampled him underfoot as they madly rushed to get those iPods or xboxes or gps or... How can this happen?

Nicole works at Walmart in Troy. Thankfully, she didn't have to work till afternoon. She came home last night and told us about a man who punched a lady and her daughter because they took the last xbox off the shelf!!

A couple years ago, Jerald & I decided to get up in the middle of the night and go to a Best Buy for something ( I don't even remember what it was anymore). We stood in a line that went across the front, down the side and half way around the back of the store. Even after the store opened, the line barely moved. We decided it wasn't worth the ridiculous wait, so we went home. Jerald went online and got the same exact item for the same exact price with no shipping.

How can we go from spending one day in thanksgiving with our families to spending the very next day in a lustful, mad pursuit of stuff? It's like something (or someone) temporarily takes up residence in the heart and causes actions and attitudes that are insane.

For shame America!

Sensible

Titus 2:3-5
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands that the word of God may not be dishonored".

that they may encourage the young women to...be sensible.

It seems that much thought and time are spent in the encouragement to love husbands and children, but my attention lately has been drawn to that one little word, sensible. What exactly does it mean to be sensible? How does an older woman encourage the younger woman to be sensible? How do we, in a practical manner, live sensibly? What happens if we do not incorporate this virtue into our lives?

The NASB uses the word 'sensible' in this passage of Scripture; the ESV says 'self-controlled'; KJV 'discreet'. The Greek word comes from two parts of speech: a verb meaning to save, to keep safe, to rescue from danger and a feminine noun referring to the mind as a faculty for perceiving and judging, but also meaning the midriff, a part of the heart that masters desires and passions. If we put these two together, we could safely conclude that sensible means training the heart so that the mind can discern what is free from harm and danger, what is safe, prudent and trustworthy. It would involve restraining desires and impulses. (I don't particularly care for the ESV definition of self-controlled. Anything with self at the beginning seems to leave out the work of the Holy Spirit and from what I've concluded there is no way to be a sensible woman without the working of the Spirit in the heart.) The same word is used in 1 Timothy 3:2 in reference to an overseer being prudent.

A verse in Proverbs brings to mind what an unsensible woman might be like- "like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man (or woman) who has no control over his spirit". (25:28)
Romans 6:12 commands us to "not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts".
I believe Peter knew what he was talking about (based on his past)when he instructed us to apply all diligence to moral excellence, knowledge and discretion (mastering desire, passion & appetites). He reminds us that if these qualities are ours and they continually increase in us, we will not be useless or unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now I have to ask, who of us, as women, don't need instruction on mastering our emotions? A sensible woman doesn't let the emotions of her heart master her actions and attitudes.

So, how can on older woman train a younger lady in this? We cannot encourage the younger to be sensible when we ourselves do not live controlled by the Holy Spirit. If we are setting the example of a life that's ruled by our passions, desires and emotions, our words of encouragement will fall on deaf ears. We train by example first. And, Moms, you are showing your little girls every single day.

What does living sensibly look like? I asked each of my girls what came to their mind after hearing me read Titus. One said, "it's thinking before acting"; another said, "it's not being a dumb blonde, not acting stupid (stupid is a mean word :)), being smart" and the other mentioned "not being giggly, being responsible". I think that's a pretty good summary. And I'll let you decide who said what.
Other thoughts that came to my mind were establishing boundaries and schedules and than living by them. It seems that schedules may curb our impulses to just do what feels good at the moment. It is sound judgement, common sense, right thinking, the normal process of knowing your right priorities, controlling the temper, meekness (strength under control), applying wisdom in a practical way by modeling God's word.

Being sensible is NOT living by our feelings.

What happens if we don't incorporate this virtue into our lives? I believe if we realized the seriousness of what God is asking of us, we may give these verses more than a cursory glance. Some passages of Scripture become so familiar to us, we read over them without a second thought. But read what it says at the end of Titus 2:5, "...that the word of God may not be dishonored". How serious is that? The Greek word for dishonored is blasfemo. It's easy to see what English word comes from that: blaspheme. What it's saying is that when I am not being sensible and training the younger ladies to be sensible, the very word of God will be spoken evil against. That's serious business! Ultimately, I will cause a sin and I will not be useful to God. Most importantly, God will receive NO glory.

I'm sharing my study on this in the hope that I can encourage someone who is where I was 20+ years ago. Maybe I can help them avoid the mistakes I made, due largely to a lack of knowledge.

Nothingness

That's what my brain has been filled with as far as blogging material is concerned! I've been seriously limiting my computer time so that I can keep my priorities straight. Life has been very routine, which helps me keep my daily 'to do' list checked off.
I think Jerald is home for a time now, so that's nice.
Nicole still has the dining room table totally covered with college info. I'm wondering how much time I should give her. Having things out-of-order like that doesn't bug me as much as it used to, but I'm starting to think time's up.
Adam is getting excited about his Mali, Africa, trip. He leaves Wed. (10-5), so keep him in your prayers for the next two months.
Colin is busy with school, farming and social activities.
Brooke takes ice skating lessons every Monday night, which she absolutely loves. She's awfully thankful for her older brother and his driving status so that she can be socially active. She pretty much likes to have her weekends full.
Laina has to always be the one who hangs out with mom and dad; actually, I think she likes the attention.
God continues to pour his blessings out on our family; we are continually seeking His will and praying a lot!

Messiah-like?

CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY OCTOBER 21, 2008

IN MANY YEARS OF COVERING AND PAYING ATTENTION TO POLITICS, I’VE HEARD A LOT OF STRANGE STUFF, BUT THIS ONE IS NEAR THE TOP.

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOE BIDEN PREDICTS THAT IF BARACK OBAMA IS ELECTED PRESIDENT HE WILL FACE AN INTERNATIONAL CRISIS WITHIN HIS FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE. BIDEN SAYS IT COULD COME FROM ANY ONE OF SEVERAL PLACES – RUSSIA, OR THE MIDDLE EAST HE MENTIONED. BUT THEN, SPEAKING OF OBAMA AND HOW THE CRISIS WILL BE DELIBERATE IN ORDER TO TEST HIS METTLE, BIDEN SAID THIS: “HE’S GONNA NEED YOUR HELP. AND THE KIND OF HELP HE’S GONNA NEED…NOT FINANCIALLY TO HELP HIM – WE’RE GONNA NEED YOU TO USE YOUR INFLUENCE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO STAND WITH HIM. BECAUSE IT’S NOT GONNA BE APPARENT INITIALLY, IT’S NOT GONNA BE APPARENT THAT WE’RE RIGHT.”

SO, AN UNKNOWN AND UNPREDICTABLE CRISIS WILL REQUIRE AN UNKNOWN AND UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE FROM A PRESIDENT OBAMA, BUT HIS SKILLS ARE SO MESSIAH-LIKE THAT IN ADVANCE WE ARE TO SUPPORT HIM IN HIS RESPONSE BECAUSE HE WILL BE RIGHT, EVEN IF IT MIGHT APPEAR THAT HE IS WRONG. THIS IS HUBRIS ON STEROIDS. I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.

Interesting stuff here...
By the way, hubris means arrogant.
No matter what we believe in regards to voting, we MUST believe and engage in actively praying for our future!

Happy Birthday Laina Mae

I have to post this a little early due to the Chicago event, which caused a little stress a while back when Laina realized I wasn't going to be home for her birthday (and, by the way, neither is her Dad who is away on business this week). Actually, it's turning out quite well for Laina because a one day birthday is turning into a 4-day event.

"L" for Laina

Eleven years ago, after 2 1/2 hours of labor, our third daughter and fifth child was born on October 9, 1997, at 12:03 pm- Laina Mae Yost (we liked the feminine sound of Laina & Mae is her grandma's middle name). It was a very bittersweet time for me because I was pretty certain this would be the last baby I would ever have and I loved my babies!

I've kept baby books on all the children (some have more info than others)and I found a prayer I wrote shortly after she was born:
"Oh Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my child, to listen patiently to what she has to say, and to answer all her questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting her or contradicting her. Make me as courteous to Laina as I would have her be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at her mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when she displeases me. May I never punish her for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power. Guide me hour-by-hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces joy. Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me, and when I am out-of-sorts help me to hold my tongue. May I ever be mindful that Laina is a child and that I should not expect of her the judgement of an adult. Make me fair and just and kind. Fit me, Oh Lord, to be loved, respected and imitated by Laina."
How interesting that God already knew when I prayed that prayer that she was going to be the most talkative and questioning child we would ever have! :)

Another excerpt from the baby book:
"We aren't sure where the phrase 'terrible twos' came from, but that certainly does not describe you. We are loving every minute of you. Mommy calls you her 'bright spot'".

skipping ahead to age 7- we've shed many tears over lost or killed kitties- she truly loves them

Laina never got into the traditional little girl (so much for the feminine-sounding name) role of playing house and babies. She wants to be outside and busy with her pets or riding bike or jumping on the trampoline or rollerblading. The interesting thing, though, is that she also has this side of her that likes to study and write what she thinks and feels.

age 8- now this is when she started getting spunky- if you look close you can see it in her eyes

9 years old- never far from her pets

dance praise- Christmas 2006

sneaking kitties in the house

very funny- 9 1/2 yrs

you go, girl- 10 yrs.

birthday #10

she hated to see those puppies sell- jan. 08

my hamming munchkin

learning to drive the 4-wheeler with dad- 10 1/2 yrs.

that position lasted about 2 seconds- sunbathing is not her cuppa tea

we did a mother/daughter lunch at Olive Garden today and she got a small part of her gift

my sunshine turning 11 in a few hours


There is no one word that sums up who Laina is, but several come to mind:
*intelligent (the easiest student I've had)she can out-math and out-spell most of her older siblings, which doesn't make for smooth relationships.

*incredible grasp of God's Word (sometimes leaving me slightly bewildered)

*outgoing

*peacemaker (to the point of giving in just to keep everyone happy)Is it wrong for me to encourage her a little more towards being OK with having an opinion that's different from others?

*adamant

*considerate

*affectionate

*enjoys adult conversations

*gives as good as she gets

Her favorite pastimes are:
*one dog- Mandy
*two cats- Butterfinger & Scotch (and at the moment 6 kitties- anyone need a kitty?)


*riding her bike
*being outside
*reading
*studying & writing
*writing notes to her mom & dad (I'm saving them- they are precious!)Here's a part of her most recent paper handed to me:


Some struggles she has:
*keeping her room clean- we're talking BAD (I'm not sure whose is worse- Nicole or Laina)
*sassiness
*insisting she's right- even when it's dead obvious she's wrong (hmmm...wonder where that comes from?)
*being overly sensitive

Laina, you are loved and enjoyed in our family more than you will ever know. You have brought laughter, life and joy to all of us. We love your extremely distinct personality. Happy Birthday my very sweet 11 year old daughter- my baby.

Let the Wife see to it that she Reverence her Husband

This seems to be a topic of mine that surfaces on an extremely regular basis! I seriously lose track of the countless times I meditate on this thing of reverencing my husband! I don't know about the rest of you, but reverencing my husband does not come naturally! In fact, we're told in Gen. 3:16 that the woman's "desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." Translated, it means that the woman's desire will be to rule over her husband. It is only by daily (sometimes minute-by-minute) seeking of the LORD's help that I can even attempt this thing of reverence!

(By the way, I prefer to use the word reverence instead of respect; respect means to have esteem towards, to think highly of- which I can do towards any man who is worthy of it. But reverence? ahhh...now that's a much deeper word. It means a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe, a feeling of profound awe and love- it's the awe that makes the difference).

I would venture to say that most of us could say we respect our husbands, but do we reverence them?

Reverencing begins in the mind! "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."- Lu 6:45
If we start by revering our husbands in our thoughts, it will soon spill over into our speech! But if we think of them negatively, a critical spirit or words will follow. WE CANNOT BE OUR HUSBAND'S HOLY SPIRIT!
I read somewhere a long time ago that we must give God the negatives and give our husbands the positives.

Practically speaking, how can we do this? How can we systematically exercise the command in Eph. 5:33?

Here's some things I have come up with:
*Release my expectations of what I think my husband should do or be to God
*LET him lead- it's OK if he makes mistakes
*Realize that he will never be perfect (look at myself, for pete's sake!)
*Encourage any and all attempts at spiritual leadership (did you know your husband feels very inadequate?)
*Make him KNOW and feel that he is my hero
*Praise him for his hard work and the money he provides for his family
*Actually, praise him for everything!
*Do not EVER be negative about finances; husbands take this personally
*Give him some space from my emotional chit-chatting
*Don't expect him to read my mind
*Let his home be his haven- do our husbands drag their feet about coming home because of the chaos & haggard-looking shrew they know they will find there?
*Being a content wife speaks volumes to our husbands
*LISTEN when he speaks; don't be so quick to jump in with my own comment or opinion
*Focus on what made me love him in the first place
*Stop focusing on what's "wrong" with him and find out what's wrong with myself
*Let him enjoy "guy" things without making him feel guilty that this somehow isn't "spiritual" (i.e.- football (fantasy or real), softball, bowling, fishing, tinkering, in fact, show an interest in whatever it is)
*Stop thinking that if only he would do this or that my problems would be solved
*Never, EVER, EVER belittle my husband in public
*Make him my best friend
*When something needs to be discussed, speaking the truth in love applies most of all to my husband
*Sex- the more, the better- need I say more? (ha, you thought I forgot!)

I'm sure there are many more. I've found it helpful to focus on one aspect that I believe I need to work on and just do that for a time.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing". John 15:4&5

We cannot do the impossible without abiding in the LORD of the possible!

Brokenness post script

Imagine (ok, jessi, i know that's a stretch :)) my excitement when I discovered how concisely Beth Moore summarized what I tried to say in my comment on my last post about brokenness versus destruction, about Satan wanting to destroy and Christ wanting to use brokenness.

On page 53 of "Jesus the One and Only", Beth says EXACTLY what I was thinking about God's brokenness vs. Satan's brokenness. It is so important I'm going to quote it here:
"...heavy-duty oppression, which in essence is external oppression with the intent of breaking its object, is Satan's counterfeit for brokenness.
At times I've fought back the tears as I've heard testimonies of people who had been utterly unable to function, describing themselves as broken by God. I don't think God's brand of brokenness is total emotional wreckage. God's intent in breaking us is bending our stiff knees so that we will submit to Hs authority and take on His yoke. His aim is our abundant and effective life. Being totally unable to function because the mind and emotions are in shambles is Satan's counterfeit. Praise God, Christ can certainly use Satan's counterfeit brokenness to bring us to a place of accepting His own, but I think we credit some things to Christ that He didn't do."

That quote totally sums up my contemplation about the difference.