My Mom

As we are nearing Mother's Day, I thought I would reflect on my growing up years and life with Mom. I do this for the blessing of my own soul as I know God wants me to remember the days gone by so that I can give Him glory for how He has blessed me and so I can learn from what was good and from what was not. Not all memories are sweet ones but I know that God was at work throughout my life and used all things for my good. I also write as a reminder to myself to learn from my mother's example. I still am a learner.

When I think of Mom many things come to mind. Her laughter, her tears. Her tireless labors in our home. Her love for Dad, her faith in God. Her love for children and her care of the needy. These are some of the things I will be writing about over the next week or so and as I do I hope to highlight some of the women in my life today who also demonstrate these qualities.

I was the 4th child in our family; the next to the youngest. My mother gave birth to me when she was 28. Seven years later my little sister was born (I was very happy to hand over the distinction of being the baby of the family).

The thing that stands out in my mind in my early years was my mother's laughter and tears. I LOVED hearing my mother laugh. I still do. When my mother laughed, as a child I thought all was well with the world. I loved it when she would play games, read to me, sing silly songs to me and push me in the swing. Because she was a very busy stay at home mom, any time I had with her was treasure. Once in a while she would keep me home from school "just because" and we would have a day together. I loved being her "only child" for those days.

Many tears are a memory as well. The Lord did not save my mother until I was 13. I remember often seeing tears stream down her face, or I heard her quiet sobs. As a child and even as a teen I thought these tears were because of something I had done to disappoint her. I never knew the reason for the tears back then but now I know that it wasn't because of me, but rather it was the Lord producing in her an awareness of her need for Him. My mother had many sorrows but she didn't know how to find relief from them until she met her Savior.

There are many moms I know who laugh with their children. Ladies, I cannot tell you enough how important this is. It is too easy to get caught up in the day to day routine of life and not enjoy the funny little ways of our children. I want to encourage you to slow down the pace, and just have fun with those little ones (and growing ones.) Paint, make play dough, make mud pies,walk in the rain with an umbrella and step in puddles and sing. Play games and LOL!!!

And when there are tears, I want to encourage you to communicate with your children what Mommy is sad about. No details needed. Just an explanation that it isn't because of anything your child has done. Or, if it is because of something they have done, have a good long talk that leads to the Cross and the way of forgiveness.

I thank the Lord that He has taught me much through both the laughter and the tears. God is faithful.

A Throwback

I recently had the responsibility (privilege) of caring for my 8 month old grandson for three days and two nights. Everything went really well, but I am tired!! I have a renewed appreciation for the work involved in caring for babies. How easy it is to forget the work that goes with that season of life.

During Timothy's visit I had a deja vu experience. I packed up the baby, with food, bottles diapers, change of clothes, toys, little-guy music, etc. We drove to PA where Joel and Ashley live. Tim had an appointment with another pastor from Covenant Fellowship, so, I jumped on board and used the trip to visit with Ashley and the kids. I was a little apprehensive as I was preparing for the trip. How would the baby travel? How would he handle the disruption in schedule? How would I be able to visit with Ashley if the baby was fussy? Would it really be worth the effort? But once in the van and on our way, I was increasingly excited to be out of the house and enjoying a change of scenery.

What a fun change it was!! I was thrust back in time as I found myself doing what I had done so often 20+ years ago. How often I spent an afternoon with a friend with our babies in our arms or our children playing at our feet. Rarely were these visits a free flow of conversation. There were always spills, tears, dirty diapers, arguments, etc. But that was part of the fun. Sharing motherhood, fellowship and usually a cold or hot drink with another mother.

So there I was yesterday doing exactly that. Only this time I was the grandmother with my daughter-in-law, and grandchildren at my feet. I was freshly aware of how blessed a woman I am.

As I close, I want to encourage all mothers of young children to get out and visit with other moms. Enjoy fellowship. Talk about the books you are reading. Share what recipes you've tried and like, or which ones were flops. Laugh together. Encourage the one who is down. Receive care from the one who can give it. Walk. Drink tea. And change diapers together.
It will make this season not quite so tiring, lonely or stressful when you have a sister in Christ making memories with you.

Have this Mind

"Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

Why do I do what I do? What motivates me? What should motivate me?

Yesterday we were led to behold two pinnacles of truth. Christ, the everlasting God, high and lifted up, seated on a throne ruling over His creation with a mighty arm. And the exalted Christ To Whom every knee will bow and To Whom every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

In between these pinnacles we were led to the valley of humiliation through three stages of descent: Christ's humble attitude while still with the Father, the emptying of His glory (not His deity) by taking on the form of man, and His obedience to death, even to being cursed by God on the cross. Can you picture again with me how Tim demonstrated this descent into humiliation?

The Apostle Paul in this passage is giving us the motivation for living the Christian life. No Golden Rule religiosity here. No doing good to a neighbor with the expectation that they will do me good in return (if truth be told even with that kind of selfish motivation I fail). No, Christ is the example to follow. But I cannot follow that example unless Christ Jesus has given me the mind (will) to do so. It is only because Christ took my sin upon Himself and was cursed by God, that I am given the motivation and the ability to humbly serve others expecting nothing in return from them.

So, what am I going to do with this? What is one area of my life where I need to "have this mind"? By the grace of God, and relying on the exalted Christ and His Holy Spirit to help me, I am going to serve someone who is unlovely, or difficult to love. Christ did this. Can I do any less? If I claim the name "Christian" which means "Christ's one" then the answer is obvious.

"Is the servant greater than His master?" (John 15:20)

The stages of descent for me will include humility but I doubt it will lead to death. And thanks be to God that I have no curse to dread for that has already been experienced for me by another.

Servant-fighters: serving others by fighting worldliness

Go Humans Go.

Man at his Best

You Deserve the Best Life

Money

Look Your Best


Notice a trend? I was taking a long car drive and thought I would grab a magazine to read--bad idea...I was bombarded with the above headlines (as well as far worse covers!), none of which would have helped me to focus on the Savior, but only on myself. And I admit, it was tempting. (I mean, who doesn't want to "lose weight without dieting" and to "make money without working"...it sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? It is.)

Ladies, we must combat the prevalent view of our culture...that man is good, is entitled to the best of everything, and is never going to face judgment in the afterlife (if there is an afterlife).

We have to fight! Kind of become "servant-fighters." Oxymoron it seems--but Biblical, I believe.

Serve people. Love people. Pursue people.

Then fight for their souls with all of our being. For this we are created and saved by grace. We must pray. We must speak unabashedly of Jesus. We must live and breath the Gospel. All this while humbly acknowledging that without grace we can do nothing.

How sad an existence to live only for yourself and what you can get out of this world. I am reminded of some weeks ago when we were taught that true joy comes when you are part of something much bigger than yourself.

It is not a coincidence that America, the land where everyone is free to pursue "self," is one of the most depressed, selfish, overweight, cruel, insecure, idolatrous, miserable nations on the planet.

We are soldiers. Soldiers in a fierce battle. Battle with eternal significance. All for God's glory.

And as we have heard John Piper say often, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Love Him. Treasure Him. Be satisfied in Him. Have joy overflowing in Him.

Only then will people look at our God and glorify Him. And it is for God to be glorified and praised which His children long for--we love Him so.

Isaiah says that one day "we will search for our enemies, but we will not find them...they will be as nothing at all." How great and terrible a promise. God grant that we live to see many of our "enemies" become fellow heirs--for this reason we toil on this earth.

And we know that one day we will see Him in His full glory.

Reading Women (pt.2)

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

I read a year ago a good suggestion: to have a reading plan for a year. We plan for other things to get done in a year, so why not plan for what to read? You may not be ready for the 15 minutes a day/10 books in a year plan, but you might find your goal more attainable if you record your goal and the titles. Planning in advance can help you stay balanced in your reading. For example you may want to read one book on the character of God, one on biblical womanhood, one on marriage, one on parenting, one biography and one novel. For me, I find it easy to zip through a novel but in reading non-fiction I have to slow down. I also can have two or three books going at one time. A lighter read for short spurts and another weightier read for extended, and more focused times slots.

I suggest keeping a book journal (something I've not yet done but plan to - starting now). Book journals can be helpful in remembering what was read, when it was read, the general content and page numbers of key points for future reference.

Do you need a reading partner? Just as those who exercise with a partner tend to stay exercising longer, so it can be with reading. A reading partner could be a husband, mother, sister, friend.

Where do you start? I would encourage you to ask your husband, your pastor, your caregroup leader or our bookstore manager, Bruce Bradford. Trinity's bookstore is a gold mine for truth. All the books you find there take theology and bring it to bear for daily living. These are tools that help us to be trained by scripture in righteousness that we may be equipped for every good work. If you do not see a book that you need Bruce will be happy to order it for you.

Here are a few suggestions from your bloggers and the wives of the pastoral team.

Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
Humility by C.J. Mahaney
Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Heaven at Home by Ginger Plowman
Elisabeth Prentiss "More Love to Thee" by Sharon James
Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp
Abigail Adams by Phyllis Lee Levine

Happy Reading!!!

Reading Women

As far back as I can remember I have enjoyed reading. It began with the rhymes of Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss being read to me, and moved to the excitement of sounding out words in the Dick, Jane, and Sally primers (yes, I know, I'm revealing my age). From there I stepped into the world of the public library system and discovered "B is for Betsy" books. Then it was Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

Then my reading time was devoted to finishing high school literature assignments. At the same time the Lord saved me and spending time in the scripture became a daily diet.

Once married - with children my reading was again for the most part limited to Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss. But eventually as my children grew, I grew with them and enjoyed their books along with them. I discovered this is one benefit to homeschooling!!

I tried over the years to fit in a book of my own here and there. These books were mainly about theology, biographies or biblical womanhood with a novel thrown in here and there. I wish I had kept a book diary.

Two weeks ago when I was at the SG leaders conference the women enjoyed a session with Carolyn Mahaney. In this session Carolyn encouraged us to devour good resources. As women called by God to be keepers of the home, to be home managers, and teachers of young women, we must be equipping ourselves for this role. In her book Feminine Appeal, Carolyn makes a valid point when she observes in most every profession there is an expectation that an individual will pursue a continuing education in his/her field. In today's fast paced and ever changing world people must stay current in their line of work. In a sense we never graduate from school. We are always to be learners. We are always to be readers.

May I challenge you today with Carolyn's call to be devouring good books? Let us be reading women. Let us be pursuing excellence in home management. Let us learn how to be good stewards of our time and resources. Let us learn how to be better wives and mothers. Let us be students of theology so that we might speak truth to those in our lives. You might think you do not have the time. You might be in a season where Dr. Seuss is the only author's name you can recall. You may have slipped into a habit of doing all your reading from short bits of info from the web. If this is true of you, I hope you will be encouraged as I was when Carolyn gave us these words from John Piper:

Suppose you read slowly like I do maybe about the same speed that you speak - 200 words a minute. If you read fifteen minutes a day for one year (say just before supper, or just before bed), you will read 5,475 minutes in the year. Multiply that by 200 words a minute, and you get 1,095,000 words that you would read in a year. Now an average serious book might have about 360 words per page. So you would have read 3,041 pages in one year. That's ten very substantial books. All in fifteen minutes a day. (When I Don't Desire God, p. 129)

I'm ready to accept that challenge. Whether it is fifty minutes a day or fifteen, let us become reading women. Later this week we'll share our suggestions for good books and excellent authors. What are you reading?

Significant Others

Do Christians have significant others? They most certainly do, but not in the way the world defines that term. We read in Philippians 2 that we are to "count others as more significant than ourselves." Who are the "significant others" in your life? This morning we were taught that partners in the Gospel, especially those within the church, are the people Paul had in mind when he wrote those words.

How easy it is for me to be my significant one. Often much of my day is devoted to me. How much of my thought life is given to me? If my thoughts could be recorded during those times, I'm ashamed to say that it would sound very much like a scratched CD that gets stuck on one short phrase, "me,me,me,me,me,me,me,me." How me centered am I when it comes to life in the church? Or in my home?

But this is not the way of Christ, and this is not the way for the advancement of the Gospel. Paul in Philippians is telling us that if we are to see the Gospel go forth, we must stand side by side.

"being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

This week I had the privilege of seeing up close a new mom caring for her little one. Here was a living illustration of what it means to humbly count others as more significant than oneself. This is a very gifted, intelligent and personable woman who could probably do and be anything she chose to do or be. Yet, for her love for Christ she has counted God's design for marriage and family as more significant than her own career aspirations. And so, when her husband left town for a week on business she didn't function out of rivalry or conceit (pride, or self-pity which thinks I deserve better than this). She released her husband to his labors and she parented alone for those few days. In this way she was of one mind with her husband.

Today I heard of a young woman who has four children ages 18 months to 8 yrs. who is single parenting while her husband serves our country in Iraq. Here again is a living example of someone not looking only to her own interests. She and her husband are of one mind in this "calling."

Today a visitor to our church gave a positive report of observing a sister diligently caring for another sister during worship while at the same time listening attentively to her pastor. This is Philippians 2 in action.

There are many women in our church who do "strive side by side" with their leaders for the advancement of the gospel. They are not looking out for their own interests. They do not function out of rivalry and conceit. These are those that make for "happy pastors." I praise God for these dear women.

This is as it should be. In the home and in the church. Ladies, there is no greater practicum for biblical teaching than in the home and in the church. Can you think of one area of your life in the home and in the church where this week you are going to choose to count (consider) others to be more significant than yourself? Will you act on this?

It won't be easy; I can almost guarantee it. Your flesh will fight against it. Satan will tempt you away from it. In fact, if you do this in your own strength you will fail. You'll dissolve in a mud-puddle of jealousy, anger, resentment, and self-pity. But if you fully rely on God and His Grace through the Lord Jesus and the powerful help of the Holy Spirit, you will find great joy and blessing. You will be amazed at what good there is to be found in living for those "significant others" in your life. Christ did this for us. Can we do any less?

Feminine Appeal #2

Transformed by Titus 2

No matter our circumstances or season of life, there are some things we can know for sure we ought to be doing as women. Mahaney points us to Titus 2:3-5, where older women are told to teach the younger women. I think it's important that Paul doesn't say "if you're older, married, and have had kids, here's what you should teach." He only makes a distinction between older and younger. As I said in my previous post, all of us are older to someone and most of us are younger to someone. So if you're thinking this passage doesn't apply to you, it most certainly does.

Mahaney calls this Titus 2 passage "the mentoring mandate." In it, older women are exhorted to provide training in "what is good" to the younger women. (The rest of the passage tells us what the good things are, and a chapter of the book is devoted to each of the seven, so I won't go into that here.) Older women: are you taking up this challenge in your woman-to-woman relationships at TFC? As Mahaney says, "young women are in dire need of your training and instruction." She goes on:

To function in this role you need not have the gift of teaching or be a theological expert; it simply requires you to possess proven character (as outlined in verse 3). The years have brought you much knowledge and insight, and you have a significant role to play in the church. You have discovered secrets and godly wisdom in relation to husbands, children, and the home that could save younger women a lot of unnecessary trouble and concern.

Mahaney also points out that there is no greater mentoring relationship than the one between mother and daughter. Mothers are in the best place to prepare their daughters for their futures and can serve as the most accessible example of a godly wife, mother, and home manager. What kind of example are you setting for your daughter? What about for your daughters in Christ--those younger women in the church who are without a godly mother, or without a mother at all?

There is also an important word for single women that I think she nails:

If marriage and motherhood are in your future, now is the time to prepare for that profession. Even if you remain single, you can still cultivate biblical femininity by studying this passage. It will instruct you in how to care for the marriages and children of those closest to you. You don't have to draw from personal experience; you still have the truth of God's Word to train the younger women in your life.

It's pretty clear that all women are called to mentor and be mentored in the good things of Titus 2:3-5. Younger women should be actively pursuing older women to learn from their experience. In the same way, older women should consider often how they can affect the lives of younger women. (By the way, if you're interested in mentoring or being mentored, contact Gayline!)

But why do we do this? What's the point?

Maybe you're in agreement with the virtues listed in the passage and believe they are the traditional values we need to get back to. However, "we are not commanded to love our husbands and to love our children so we an have strong, happy families like those from a previous era.... there is a far higher call." Maybe you're of the idea that these virtues are antiquated and restrictive and can't possibly realistically apply to today's woman. While it is true that there are some cultural and historical particularities in the Bible, that does not appear to apply here. As Mahaney states, "this passage remains authoritative and relevant for women today."

The reason the commands of Titus 2 have been given to us is for the gospel of Jesus Christ. "These virtues are not about our personal fulfillment or individual preference. They are required for the sake of unbelievers--so that those who are lost might come to know our Savior" (see Titus 2:5, 8, 10). What an all-important reason!

As I'm sure you know, the things you do reveal what you believe. And if you're a Christian, that means the things you do impact the way others think about the gospel. "They want to see if what we believe makes a difference in our lives. Our actions either bring honor to God or misrepresent His truth." Do you realize this means that your actions have the potential to discredit the gospel? No doubt a cause for reflection. But on the flip side, we can actually commend the gospel by our actions. What an opportunity!

To close out the chapter, Mahaney writes, "This book is about the transforming effect of the gospel--because that is what Titus 2 is all about.... the seven feminine virtues we will consider in this book are not an end in themselves. They point to the transforming effect of the gospel in the lives of women..."

May we women strive to live Titus 2:3-5 for the expansion of the kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ for His glory alone.

I'm in. Are you?

Singing Women

Can my children observe that I am "dazzled by Christ"? Do my children hear me singing? Do they observe a "Gospel Astonishment"? These are questions brought to my heart last week at the pastor's conference by Jared Mellinger from Psalm 78.

I was encouraged in my parenting and grandparenting to hear again of God's design for His families: for one generation to tell the next and the ones yet unborn that they should put their hope in God.

Too often I live in the here and now. I am so consumed with what is on my "to do" list, I lack joy and lose sight of one of my chief responsibilities: "the shaping of generations for decades to come." I'm not talking about teaching a few Bible verses to my grandchildren (though that is a good thing). I'm not talking about teaching them the Shorter Catechism (though a good thing). I'm talking about my children and grandchildren observing my delight in Christ. Do my children observe me processing life's twists and turns through the truth of His Sovereignty? Do they observe me walking confidently in the Gospel truth? Do they observe a bounce in my step because of all that Christ has done for me?

Ladies, this is what will make the Gospel attractive to our children. And not just our children. We must think beyond our lifetime. We have the high privilege of influencing generations with the truth about God. But they will not be attracted to the Gospel if they do not observe us living in "Gospel astonishment."

This means we must be motivated by "God's renown and not our personal legacy." But what better legacy can there be than to have it be said of me, "She influenced her great-great-great grandchildren with the love of Christ by her joy-filled spirit in her home. Daily she was heard singing to her Savior even in the midst of many cares and responsibilities. Her amazement in the Gospel created such a sweetness her children and grandchildren wanted to be around her and in result children yet unborn will hear of this Great Savior."

So today will you join me by gazing at my crucified, risen, and reigning Savior and by His grace turn up the volume of your joy in HIM and SING!!!

Resurrection Women

Greetings to you all. It has been a while since I've written. After the series on the Guest List I experienced what I call, "blog fatigue." Thankfully I have three very capable writers who carried the blog in my silence. I hope you were as blessed as I was with their posts. These are real flesh and blood godly women in our church who have a deep love for Christ and for the women in our church. I appreciate so very much the time these gals give to serving the women of TFC by sharing what the Lord is teaching them. Thank you Brooke, Robin, and Jenny.

A lot has happened since I last wrote. This week I'd like to share some of that with you. But before I get into that (tomorrow and possibly another day or two) I want to keep to my pattern of blogging with a follow up from this morning's message.

The Resurrection text 1 Corinthians 15 was powerfully brought to us this week. If you missed it, please take the time to download it. You will be glad you did.

I want to follow up on Tim's encouragement to women in the last point of the message: because Christ was raised "everything matters." It matters how we live out our womanhood. Our labors, whether we are single, young moms, empty nesters, grandmothers, or very young, are in vain if Christ was not raised. If Christ was not raised, then God is a liar and we are fools. If Christ was not raised then we are to be pitied for living out biblical womanhood. If Christ is not raised why be married, stay married, have children, serve our families? Why not get out there in the world, forget about anyone else, and go for all the pleasure and power that is out there for today's woman?

But because Christ is raised we have all the reason we need to fulfill our calling. One day we will also have resurrected bodies and we will stand before the exalted Christ. He will look on us and say, "Well done. Because of my justifying work on the cross for you, enter into the joy of my Kingdom." I do not merit heaven by being a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, but I sure do want to be a faithful wife, mother, grandmother because Christ my Savior lives for me.

And so, when days get busy, and tiring, or when kids get sick, or finances are depleted or a husband is failing in his role, let us "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain."

running well

I was in Shop-Rite last night and was supposed to be buying only water. But there, right at the entrance, stood a tower of Easter candy. Ten kinds of jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, Reese's, Snickers, and M&Ms in pastel shades... I mean, you know you can only get pastel M&Ms this time of year, right? And those bunnies are so cute! And the Reese's come shaped like eggs.... adorable! Only a couple more days, and then all the Easter candy will be gone for a whole year. Got to get it while I can! And hey, I exercised earlier in the day, so this stuff really was sort of allowed... at any rate, it wouldn't hurt me.

And I was reaching for the M&Ms when I realized--I did not spend an hour running on the treadmill so I could eat M&Ms! In fact, I spent an hour running because I have eaten too many M&Ms.

I have two big thoughts in here.
1. Jesus did not die on the cross so that I could indulge in sin, even cute little pastel-colored M&M-sized sins. He died because of sin. Therefore, because He has died to atone for my sin, I do not keep idly sinning by using Jesus' death and the resulting grace as some kind of excuse to make it okay. Romans 6 is how I'm seeing/understanding this.

2. We don't run (to use a Pauline expression) just enough to keep our bad habits/sins from really causing us harm. We are in a race, and we are running for the prize. (1 Cor. 9:24) This is a race that we must finish. And to do that, we can't be casual runners, running just to make an excuse for our appetites. That kind of runner will never win the race. Paul equates running the race with fighting the fight and keeping the faith; in other words, hard work and a disciplined lifestyle! The reward--a crown of righteousness awarded by the Lord Himself. (2 Tim. 4:7-8) What can compare?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)

Feminine Appeal #1

In the midst of one series (Debunking Headship), I'm embarking on another, simply because at this point in my day-to-day life with our son, it's easier to pick up a book and read a chapter while underlining key points than it is to listen to a talk and take notes. (Of course, even as I attempt to do this, our son is climbing all over me trying to get at the book--not unlike a cat! He is a curious and determined little boy.)

If you couldn't tell by the title, I'll be going through Carolyn Mahaney's book Feminine Appeal. Today I'll begin with the foreword, written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

DeMoss begins by giving us the good news and the bad news about women and women's ministry in the church today. On the bleak side of things, DeMoss says "Christian women--no less than nonbelieving women--are in desperate need of the truth." Many women are frustrated, discouraged, and disappointed in their current circumstances because they don't measure up to the hopes and dreams they had for life. This feeling exists in Christian women because "we are profoundly disoriented about who God is and who we are, and about our calling and mission in life--as women." Many Christian women today have foregone the true biblical definition of womanhood in all of its manifestations (singleness, wifehood, motherhood, etc.) for one that is "culturally accepted and politically correct but fundamentally flawed."

On the promising side of things, DeMoss says that as she speaks to women about being real, godly women, she finds a "hunger and eagerness [in] many women to receive the Word and to act on it." Oddly enough, in close connection with TFC's recent teaching on hearing the Word, she describes these women as "hav[ing] ears to hear... resonat[ing] with the truth... willing to make tough, radical choices..." What a blessing that in the midst of all of this confusion about true womanhood, God has preserved a remnant of women who are "grounded in the Word and understand the biblical perspective of womanhood..." She goes on to tout Mahaney as one of these women: one worth listening to, learning from, and following after. This is not because of any high status or place, but simply because she has lived and faithfully continues to live a life of love and service to her husband and family, while applying herself to studying and living out the Word of God. (Oh that someone would speak these words of me in later years!) She is a true Titus 2 woman.

DeMoss then addresses the two types of women in Titus 2:

If you are a "younger woman," you hold in your hands a mentor, an excellent guide to spiritual maturity. This is your opportunity to sit at the feet of a woman who has been farther down the path than you and who is equipped to help you understand and embrace God's plan and purpose for your life.

Perhaps you qualify as an "older woman." You will find in this book a practical tool to help you fulfill your mandate to invest in the lives of younger women. According to Scripture, this is what you are to teach the women He puts in your life.

So there you have it--younger and older (and might I add, no matter what life circumstance you're in), this book is for you. We are called to play different women roles at different points in our lives, but we are always called to be women. Almost all of us are an "older woman" to someone. Are you setting the right example? Do you know what to teach? At the same time, many of us are also blessed with being "younger women." Are you sitting at the feet of women who have gone before you, learning from their wisdom and experience? Are you taking advantage of all that God has provided for your growth and sanctification?

As DeMoss says, may we women "recover the nearly lost treasure of God's way of thinking and living." Will you join me?

the God who overrules all things

I saw a miracle this morning. My friend Kimberly caught a flight that she had no business catching. I mean, I left her on a really, really long security line at 6:30am (long as in long-line-just-for-the-elevator-long. Her flight was supposed to depart at 7. I told her, "You're gonna need the waters to part for you to get on that flight." We laughed and said at the same time, "God is sovereign!"

At 6:48 she called. She was on the plane!

It's a small thing, maybe a silly thing in the grand schemes of God's universe. But we prayed (rather more like the woman who pestered the judge than like the psalmist who 'quieted his soul within him'), and He answered us by slipping her right through the line and onto her plane. He overrules broken alarm clocks, traffic, closed toll lanes, cranky security officers... and all for His glory! No scheme of ours could have gotten her on the plane, but the Lord did it without our efforts. Praise Him!

He is Worthy

This morning's message provided much fodder for meditation. As I re-listen to Pastor Steve's sermon and look through my notes, one thought continues to reverberate in my mind--the Gospel is WORTHY of our lives.

Why do unbelievers mock Christians for living piously? They don't see Christ as worthy. To them, a holy life is a wasted life. The very motto of our age is "get as much as you can, while you can."

The Gospel proclaims a different message: give all you can, while you can. Our blood-bought lives are not our own, but we joyfully call ourselves bondservants of Christ.

Even more than that. The Apostle Paul says, we are fellow heirs with Christ "if indeed we suffer with Him." We must suffer...we will suffer.

Is anyone else like me...does anyone sometimes feel guilty about their lack of suffering for the Gospel? You know, I have visions of martyrs and missionaries and persecuted Christians and I think, "Ah! That's suffering for Christ."

As Americans, we are blessed--we can worship as we please without the threat of physical violence. We often associate suffering with physical pain, don't we? But there is another kind of suffering--an intensely painful one, an internal one.

When we read about Lot in the Old Testament, we conclude that he had a pretty amazing life. He had property, money, family, political standing...everything a human could ask for. And yet, Peter gives us an internal viewpoint:

And if he rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men, (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 2 Peter 2:7-9

Lot suffered in the same way that I believe American Christians are called to suffer. And if our souls are not being tormented by the wickedness that surrounds us on a daily (even hourly!) basis, then I believe we have hardened our hearts and become comfortable with immorality.

It hurts to see God being referenced only as the object of mockery or anger. It's hard to hear our Savior's name abused. To be thought foolish by our peers, to be the object of ridicule, to be constantly harassed and pressured to partake in worldliness...these are all ways we can suffer--joyfully suffer--with Christ. And they cannot even be counted anything because of the promise of eternal life set before us!

Though our suffering is light in comparison to what others face, we must take care to be faithful now, in these things, so that we might be prepared for greater suffering should the Lord bring it.

And as Pastor Steve said, we must fight as good soldiers. Our Commander in Chief, Jesus, has already won the war. He is our example.

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:20-21, 23-24

The Gospel is worthy of our lives.