Diaper Junction...my favorite place to buy diapers is doing a giveaway!
https://www.diaperjunction.com/8312-FYSF-Win-2-Rumparooz-One-Size-Diapers_b_395.html
Go here to check it out for yourself!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Monday, February 14, 2011
I guess this is my Valentine's Day post
I seem to be having a difficult time finding the time to sit and do my Bible study. I do feel bad, but before I know it the day is gone and it's time for bed. However, church this past Sunday was amazing and I would like to post the video of our service so you can enjoy our amazing pastor and how God speaks to us through him.
http://www.watersedgechurch.net/watch/
http://www.watersedgechurch.net/watch/
Friday, February 11, 2011
Beautiful In God's Eyes - Chapter One-part one
I am starting on the first chapter of my Bible study on the Proverbs 31 woman. I am using a study guide, so the questions asked come from that. But, I give my own answers and opinions.
Read "A Rare Treasure - Her Character". How did this chapter encourage you?
I'm not really sure how it encouraged me. I guess it was encouraging in the sense that it was showing us how God wants us to be. As well as stating that it isn't going to be easy fulfilling God's idea of beauty, but it will be worth it.
I really like the fact that there are verses in the Bible that state specifically what God wants in a woman. It's so easy for someone to say that this or that is godly or ungodly just based on their interpretation of Scripture or opinions. But, to know that there are verses you can look at to make sure you are on the right path towards godliness is very reassuring. You aren't just thrown out there expected to keep yourself afloat and hope you do it right so the sharks don't eat your legs. You are given a life raft, a paddle, and food and water to eat and drink along the way.
How did it challenge you?
It challenged me by giving me ways to help me accomplish the goal of being beautiful in God's sight. It gave instructions or helpful hints (so to speak). And because of those instructions, I can't slack off and say that I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing. I can't use the excuse that I didn't have anyone to learn from or any plan in place. That's the sort of thing I need. I need accountability. I have a tendency to be very driven about something for a very short period of time. Then, I filter off and lose sight of my goals or claim they are too difficult to achieve. When asked why they are too difficult, I claim that I had no guidance, no accountability, no instructions, no path to follow. This chapter gives those things to me, with the exception of the accountability.
What ideas were new to you or showed you an area you need to pay more attention to?
I can't say it is new to me, but one thing that this chapter helped me understand more deeply was that change doesn't happen overnight. At least not typically. That the character of the Virtuous Woman portrayed in Proverbs 31 developed over time. She didn't wake up one day and decide to change and then BAM! everything was better. Another thing I didn't really think about too much, but was brought to better light was the idea of memorizing Scripture. I went to seminary. So, I know that you should memorize Scripture. And while I was in college, I did. But once I got away from that Christian scene and went into real life, my life just took over and I didn't see the necessity of memorizing anymore. Though the Scripture never says that the Virtuous Woman memorized Scripture, it does say that there was wisdom in her words and kindness on her tongue. I believe that wisdom doesn't just come from experience, but from God as well. In the context of the verse, I believe that you can also use the word discernment.
Read through Proverbs 31:10-31, God's portrait of the kind of woman who is beautiful in His eyes. Jot down the character traits you see in her.
She is loyal
She is creative
She is diligent
She is compassionate
She is thrifty
She is courageous and strong
She is godly
Why do you think this portrait is in the Bible?
I believe this portrait is in the Bible because God knows how difficult women who have it without some sort of blue print to live by. I also believe that God knew that it would become so easy for women to live by rules and regulations that they would lose sight of their character. Because looking at when this was written, the Levitical Law was what the men and women lived by, it would be easy for a woman to just think she is godly because she lives by the letter of the law and not give thought to her character.
Which is your favorite verse and why?
I cannot pick just one.
vs. 13 "She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight."
I like this verse because she is out there looking for the best threads in order to make the best garments that she can. Linen, which is an expensive fabric is made from flax fibers. So, knowing that fact leads me to believe that she is looking for flax in order to make linen. I also like this verse because it says that she works with her hands in delight. So easily I complain about the housework I have to do. Or I do it with a slight attitude. But the Virtuous Woman is happy to do the work.
vs. 17 "She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong." I like this verse because I believe that the Virtuous Woman isn't afraid of exercise. I believe it means that she takes care of her body because she knows that if she is weak or sick, she is not able to properly run her household.
vs. 27 "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." This one is a good one because I have a tendency to be idle. I walk around the house and see plenty to do, but I sit my bottom down at the computer and waste time. The Virtuous Woman is good at running her household. I highly doubt she gets behind on laundry or dishes.
Which is the most challenging verse to you and why?
vs. 11-12 "The hear of her husband trusts in her. And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
These verses are very challenging to me because I know that I spend a lot of money. I love to shop! And sometimes I wonder if I spend a bit too much and my husband worries about when my next shopping spree will come. There are times when he asks me specifically to stick to the list or how much I'm planning on spending. He knows that I am loyal to him, but I wonder how much he trusts me to not be impulsive. Also, though I consider myself to be submissive, I find it difficult to be respectful all the time. I try not to tear him down, but I know that I do it more often than I should. I am doing him evil by disrespecting him and not encouraging him as much as I should. So, these verses are very challenging to me in this manner.
This is the close of part one. As it turns out the study guide chapters are very long. There are still 3 more sections of questions as well as a practical application section to go.
Read "A Rare Treasure - Her Character". How did this chapter encourage you?
I'm not really sure how it encouraged me. I guess it was encouraging in the sense that it was showing us how God wants us to be. As well as stating that it isn't going to be easy fulfilling God's idea of beauty, but it will be worth it.
I really like the fact that there are verses in the Bible that state specifically what God wants in a woman. It's so easy for someone to say that this or that is godly or ungodly just based on their interpretation of Scripture or opinions. But, to know that there are verses you can look at to make sure you are on the right path towards godliness is very reassuring. You aren't just thrown out there expected to keep yourself afloat and hope you do it right so the sharks don't eat your legs. You are given a life raft, a paddle, and food and water to eat and drink along the way.
How did it challenge you?
It challenged me by giving me ways to help me accomplish the goal of being beautiful in God's sight. It gave instructions or helpful hints (so to speak). And because of those instructions, I can't slack off and say that I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing. I can't use the excuse that I didn't have anyone to learn from or any plan in place. That's the sort of thing I need. I need accountability. I have a tendency to be very driven about something for a very short period of time. Then, I filter off and lose sight of my goals or claim they are too difficult to achieve. When asked why they are too difficult, I claim that I had no guidance, no accountability, no instructions, no path to follow. This chapter gives those things to me, with the exception of the accountability.
What ideas were new to you or showed you an area you need to pay more attention to?
I can't say it is new to me, but one thing that this chapter helped me understand more deeply was that change doesn't happen overnight. At least not typically. That the character of the Virtuous Woman portrayed in Proverbs 31 developed over time. She didn't wake up one day and decide to change and then BAM! everything was better. Another thing I didn't really think about too much, but was brought to better light was the idea of memorizing Scripture. I went to seminary. So, I know that you should memorize Scripture. And while I was in college, I did. But once I got away from that Christian scene and went into real life, my life just took over and I didn't see the necessity of memorizing anymore. Though the Scripture never says that the Virtuous Woman memorized Scripture, it does say that there was wisdom in her words and kindness on her tongue. I believe that wisdom doesn't just come from experience, but from God as well. In the context of the verse, I believe that you can also use the word discernment.
Read through Proverbs 31:10-31, God's portrait of the kind of woman who is beautiful in His eyes. Jot down the character traits you see in her.
She is loyal
She is creative
She is diligent
She is compassionate
She is thrifty
She is courageous and strong
She is godly
Why do you think this portrait is in the Bible?
I believe this portrait is in the Bible because God knows how difficult women who have it without some sort of blue print to live by. I also believe that God knew that it would become so easy for women to live by rules and regulations that they would lose sight of their character. Because looking at when this was written, the Levitical Law was what the men and women lived by, it would be easy for a woman to just think she is godly because she lives by the letter of the law and not give thought to her character.
Which is your favorite verse and why?
I cannot pick just one.
vs. 13 "She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight."
I like this verse because she is out there looking for the best threads in order to make the best garments that she can. Linen, which is an expensive fabric is made from flax fibers. So, knowing that fact leads me to believe that she is looking for flax in order to make linen. I also like this verse because it says that she works with her hands in delight. So easily I complain about the housework I have to do. Or I do it with a slight attitude. But the Virtuous Woman is happy to do the work.
vs. 17 "She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong." I like this verse because I believe that the Virtuous Woman isn't afraid of exercise. I believe it means that she takes care of her body because she knows that if she is weak or sick, she is not able to properly run her household.
vs. 27 "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." This one is a good one because I have a tendency to be idle. I walk around the house and see plenty to do, but I sit my bottom down at the computer and waste time. The Virtuous Woman is good at running her household. I highly doubt she gets behind on laundry or dishes.
Which is the most challenging verse to you and why?
vs. 11-12 "The hear of her husband trusts in her. And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
These verses are very challenging to me because I know that I spend a lot of money. I love to shop! And sometimes I wonder if I spend a bit too much and my husband worries about when my next shopping spree will come. There are times when he asks me specifically to stick to the list or how much I'm planning on spending. He knows that I am loyal to him, but I wonder how much he trusts me to not be impulsive. Also, though I consider myself to be submissive, I find it difficult to be respectful all the time. I try not to tear him down, but I know that I do it more often than I should. I am doing him evil by disrespecting him and not encouraging him as much as I should. So, these verses are very challenging to me in this manner.
This is the close of part one. As it turns out the study guide chapters are very long. There are still 3 more sections of questions as well as a practical application section to go.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Proverbs 16
I was reading in another of my blogs and found this post. I don't post in that blog anymore. I just don't have the time. So, I figured I would post it here.
Proverbs 16:7
"When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
The reason I liked this verse was because how often does that happen? How often are we so right with God that even the people who hate us can't find wrong in us? How often do we live in such great harmony with the Lord that our enemies can't help but be kind to us? I think it's because when we are living lives that are pleasing to God, we have a happy countenance (we look happy and joyful), we speak kindly (we don't have anything unkind or negative to say), we love our neighbors as well as enemies (we are always looking to help others and see how we can show God to them in the way we interact with them), and we avoid conflict (we don't stick around while gossip is around, we don't react to people, but rather respond in love and kindness). It's hard to be mean to someone who is always nice to you. You may not like them for some reason, but you can't actually be mean to them if they aren't being mean to you. But, who are our enemies? They can be anyone!
1. Sibling
2. Parents (sad, but true sometimes)
3. Coworker
4. Boss
5. Spouse
6. Child (in my mind, I am thinking teenager and young adult)
7. Neighbors
Just remember this verse and your enemies will disappear or at least will be at peace with you. And isn't that what we want? Peace? That's what I want in my home. Peace, harmony, love, respect, and cooperation. Perhaps I need to be more vigilant to live my life to please God and my "enemies" will be at peace with me.
Proverbs 16:12
"It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness."
When I read this verse, my mind didn't drive to King Solomon or Kind David. My mind immediately went to me as a Mother. And even though this verse says "kings", I think it could be applied to any person in authority. Our authority is given to us by God and God is a righteous God. How can we commit wicked deeds towards our "subjects"? Every action we take affects someone. And if we are in authority over someone, then our actions affect those we are in authority over. My sins as well as my actions that are pleasing to God affect my children and therefore every sin I commit is against my children (as well as God, of course). God says it's an abomination for me to commit sin against my children because He, as a righteous God, has put me in authority over them and therefore my position is a righteous position. It's humbling and scary to think about.
Proverbs 16:21
"The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."
Have you ever tried to convince someone of something in a heated way? How far did you get? Probably not far at all. When I am trying to get Ben to do something my way, or I am trying to convince him that a certain way is a better way to go, I get farther with him (and most of the time "win" the debate) when I am calm, collected, and respectful. But on those times when I am being contentious and I argue loudly with him I don't get very far and I don't get what I want. He will tune me out when I start to get loud or if I use unkind words. I don't blame him! If someone were trying to get me to see their point of view and were yelling at me, I would just get angry with them and not listen to a word they said. But this verse says that when our speech is sweet, or kind and calm, that our persuasiveness is increased. That can go for our children as well. When I am trying to get Seth to do something, though he does it no matter what tone of voice I use or what words I use, he is more likely to do it happily if I use kind words. If I want him to eat this huge plate of veggies, I will fare better if I persuade him with sweet speech to eat it than I will if I bark at him to eat his veggies or else.
Proverbs 16:24
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
This is so true! I don't know how many times Ben has come home feeling grumpy or upset about something and I comforted him and helped him feel better by speaking pleasantly to him and showing him love. I don't know how many times I've been upset about something and Ben has the right thing to say to me to make me feel better. But, more than that...depression, anxiety, and stress can cause physical ailments. And if pleasant words help us feel better, then they are truly healing.
Well, those are the verses that spoke to me today. If you want, you can tell me what verses in that chapter speak out to you.
Beautiful In God's Eyes - Introduction
Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George
Chapter One
A Rare Treasure - Her Character
I am going through the book, Beautiful in God's Eyes as my Bible study for the next month. There are 24 chapters, so I know that it won't take an entire month to complete it.
"Exploring the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 31, Bible teacher Elizabeth George reveals how you can become a woman of true beauty - a woman who desires to honor God in all that she says and does. Beautiful in God's Eyes helps you make each day immensely meaningful as you delight in God and discover how to...
1. Experience instant progress toward personal goals
2. Manage daily life more effectively
3. Tap into unlimited energy
4. Apply biblical principles to enhance relationships.
5. Move from the ordinary to the extraordinary
You can experience a richer, more exciting spiritual walk as you embrace God's design for true beauty in your life."
This was taken from the back of the book. It is obviously a slightly different look at the Proverbs 31 woman. Though, I am sure it will delve verse by verse into what makes this woman so virtuous and desired. I am really looking forward to this Bible study because I know what kind of woman I want to be and right now, I am not that woman. But, I know that I can be that woman if I only allow the Spirit to lead me.
I am using a study guide along with the book to help me learn how to get more out of what I'm reading as well as some practical ways to apply it to my life. If you are reading this, you are welcome to do the study along with me.
I am using a study guide along with the book to help me learn how to get more out of what I'm reading as well as some practical ways to apply it to my life. If you are reading this, you are welcome to do the study along with me.
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