dangers of being “strange” {day 5}

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What is growing me today!

Proverbs chapter 5 gives warning to a young man about the dangers of the “strange woman.” 

 

I would like to think that there is not a whole lot for me, a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman to really get out of that.  


But, there is much there for me. There is an example, several explicit illustrations, of what I should not be as well as character traits I need to guard my own daughters against developing and principles I need to teach my son.

I know that, in general, people can be a little touchy about the subject of the “strange woman.” Many people have used her as a launching point for dwelling on dress and “modesty.” I am not going there!


A totally different thought struck me this morning as I read this chapter.


…the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood… [Proverbs 5:3,4]

 

How often do I speak as honey purely with the intention of getting my own way-which in turn often has results that are bitter as wormwood…? 


… ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now … depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her…Lest thou give thine honour unto others… [Proverbs 5:6-9]


Are my ways moveable? Do I allow my “mood” to affect {move} how I treat my family? Sadly, that is something I struggle with at times-to the point that my husband canst not know [my ways]. When I allow how I feel to so deeply affect how I act, I am a detriment to the Lord’s ministry in my husband’s life as well as my own testimony to my children {and others}… and the honor of our family is harmed.

Now, I know that this “strange woman” spoken of here is an harlot, and I know that the Bible is teaching young men not to seek out a woman with these traits as she will lead them to ruin; but as a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman… I need to guard my own heart against those tenancies.


…because I cannot forget that I have 3 little girls and a sweet baby-man looking at ME to see what a Godly woman should act like.

 

31days2012

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{{As I close this post, I feel I must say this…. I realize that some of the thoughts I am sharing during this 31 days may seem a bit strong. I apologize if I come across that way. I am truly only sharing things the Lord has shown me about my own life, about the lives of my children and what to teach them. 

 I totally get it that some people may not see or understand the same thing I do. I do not always see a passage the same as another, but we can edify each other that way.

 That is the beauty of studying Scriptures on a personal level. That is the beauty of our God! I pray you are blessed and encouraged!}}

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having answers {day 13}

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For nearly 2 weeks I have posted each day of things the Lord has shown me either from personal Bible reading to in the simple day-to-day of being at home with my children.
purple flower-2

Today, I have read several familiar passages {as was in my scheduled reading} and 1 of my usual “daily devotionals” and there has not been one particular thought or lesson that has made itself shareable. Several previous posts have been brought to mind though.  {:) -ever learning:

~ [being a more faithful witness of His Love] ~ [personal responsibility] ~ [how I can have strength] ~ [seeing my own faults in my children’s needs] ~ [learning to live as His child from my own children] ~ to name a few}

Often the Lord shows me things that simply are not meant for me to share with the world, because my desire for this blog is to not be divisive. I do realize there are some who do not agree with 100% of what I share, but my prayer is that nothing I write can be taken and turned on the Lord to say: Look, she claims to be following Jesus and yet she is constantly having other Christians criticize or rebuke her for this or that. That makes my testimony of no effect for God’s glory.

Some things the Lord shows me personally are quite controversial, such as with dress standards or music our family will listen to or even how I plan to vote…I have personal, God-directed, husband-approving {yes, that is important to me!}, philosophies and opinions about all of those areas.

And there are blogs out there where the blogger’s simple desire to to share everything… and that’s fine!

But that is not my blog’s purpose. I strive to only speak of how God is changing my own heart.

Some posts I hesitate to publish because I am uncertain of the reaction, and I must be sensitive to my family’s place of influence in our church. I do not want to come across as pointing a finger at anyone. The “followers” number often fluctuates and I wonder… was it something I wrote or did they just really not understand what this blog was about when they first started following? [I don’t actually write to grow a “following,” but I do notice those things.] Most of my posts are first read by my husband. A few posts have been read by close, Godly friends before I hit “publish.”

One verse in my reading today that perhaps prompted these thoughts was in Proverbs 13:10- Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised there is wisdom.

While I wish to speak only truth, and I strive to do it in love, I also wish to do so with a visible humility so as to avoid contention due to my personage.

My heart’s desire is to not come across as someone who gushes that she has found all the answers because even though the principles I do find and share come from Scripture, I will never have ALL the answers [and neither will you 🙂 ].
And aside from salvation, there is much of our life as Christians that is simply to be governed by the two great commands Jesus shared in Matthew. I wrote a little about that on {day 1}. But I do praise the Lord that I know where to FIND the answer to anything I need.I suppose that is it for today. I was still... the Lord showed me things I have already written about that need more attention in my own life.

 psalm6819
And He reminded me of my need to be peaceable and show humility in all things I write.
 

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Chicken Reasoning [guest blogger]

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Chicken Reasoning [guest blogger]
this post is from my hubby!
I am so excited to have his thoughts to share.
[We in NO way are judging those who did or did not attend the appreciation day.
These are just some thoughts from his heart to my readers. 
I also have a post scheduled for tomorrow on the same topic.]
~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
Back in July, Chick-fil-A’s (CFA) CEO, Dan Cathy, spoke out against same sex marriage and how he believes marriage is between one man and one woman. What a great statement! Though unfortunately, in this day and age, attacks are sure to come when you speak out against something that the left agrees with. The CEO never mentioned he hated the LGBT lifestyle participants, he just spoke out against their lifestyle. Here are some of the comments that have come under high scrutiny:
We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.
Yesterday marked a wonderful day of out pouring of support to local CFA’s around the country; and though I did not personally participate, I know of many good people and Christians who did.
That was yesterday, August 1st, 2012.
But how about the other 364 days out of the year?
How about last year? How about this century?
The fact of the matter is, most, I would venture to say 80-90%, of those who waited in line to order their tasty sandwich have never opened their mouths to voice their “freedom of speech” in the form of a letter to a Congressman. Sure, they may have tagged along on some internet form letter, but how many of us have actually taken an individual step to voice our concern on the issue of same sex marriages and unions?
There are several problems with the appreciation event at local CFA’s yesterday that truly concern me:
1-Although people lined up for this cause, many of these same people have literally done nothing to reverse the many LGBT lifestyle agendas that have been put in place. Sure they may have voted against a proposition in their state, but that is not really going above and beyond, that is a status quo option. (above and beyond: writing/calling Congressmen, State Congressmen, shown an activist role in defeating this “lifestyle agenda”, etc. etc.)
2-It appeared that, to many, eating a chicken sandwich yesterday somehow made them  feel, dare I say it, more spiritual? What a sad state of affairs that is. Whole states have been lost to the GLBT agenda, 6 to be exact, because, to be honest, people think that eating a chicken sandwich is truly accomplishing something. It does nothing to change the laws in those 6 states or the 13 other states that now allow same-sex unions.
3-Many went to support the comments of CFA’s CEO. That is a noble thing to do. But preachers proclaim the truth of God’s Word week after week, and sometimes people attack the man of God. True, it might not always be something like homosexuality. It might just so happen to be the pastor dared preach against our “pet” sin, and thus we resort to attack what he says even though it is the truth of God’s Word, just as much truth as what CEO Dan Cathy stated in his interview.
4-Why does the homosexual community even feel the way they do towards Christians? I would say a large part of it has to do with the way some Christians have treated them. I know some people who live the homosexual lifestyle, and I praise the Lord that every single one of them has said something like this to me before, “you aren’t like the others (Christians), you accept me for who I am and treat me right.” They knew I did not like their lifestyle; but you know what, they also knew I cared for THEM, that I loved them as a person. I praise the Lord that not only has He helped me to be able to feel that way, but they were able to see it as well. We must accept people where they are, and then HELP THEM (not BEAT THEM) become what God wants them to become.
5-Our bottom line through all of this should not be to support a man, or worse, to eat a good chicken sandwich. Our bottom line should be to be the witness we ought to be to reach this segment of the population. One amazing thing about Christ and His ministry on earth is that He would see multitudes of people, and He would even see their sin, and yet He still had compassion on them. He saw the woman at the well, and instantly knew everything about this woman, how she was living in sin many times over. And what did He do? He had compassion on her soul. He sought her out on an individual basis so she could live in heaven forever.
6-Similarly to #5, many in local churches give to support missions and missionaries through their local church. But unfortunately, that is where it ends for many Christians. They seem to justify in their mind that giving to missions is doing their part in reaching the world for Christ. Although this is needy, God says it is necessary for EACH Christian to open their mouth and proclaim Christ. Just living for God will never reach anyone. It might make them curious, but if you never share the Gospel nothing has been accomplished for Christ. Jesus reached people by speaking to them and sharing the Gospel with them. Think of it this way, if there was anyone who could have reached more through lifestyle evangelism, it would have been the perfect man of Jesus Christ, and yet He still spoke to people about how to be saved.
Many used yesterday to make a statement, and I do not fault them for this. But we must not let it END there. This can be the beginning of something new.
Get involved- spiritually, politically, and personally.
We can all pray for the Lord of the harvest to work amongst us to see more saved. That is truly where victory in life lies, it is not in Washington. It is not even at the state or local political level. It is how we allow God to work in and through us each day that will truly last forever.
My challenge is simple. Many spent 60+ minutes to order food to make a statement, or support freedom of speech, or whatever their reason was. Today you can spend less time than that to reach out and write a letter to your Congressman.
Just think, if just half of those who went through the chicken doors yesterday were to write a letter today stating their support of marriage between one man and one woman, Congress would be inundated with letters; and I believe they would seriously need to look at legislation that could change the course of our nation.
To help you out, here is a link to write to your Congressman:
~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
{all photos were randomly found on google.
nothing is mine and I have no links to share.}
Please feel free to comment on here or my Facebook page. I’ll be sure he reads them!!
this post is from my hubby!
so excited to have his thoughts to share.
[We in NO way are judging those who did or did not attend the appreciation day. These are just some thoughts from his heart to my readers. 
I also have a post scheduled for tomorrow on the same topic.]
~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
Back in July, Chick-fil-A’s (CFA) CEO, Dan Cathy, spoke out against same sex marriage and how he believes marriage is between one man and one woman. What a great statement! Though unfortunately, in this day and age, attacks are sure to come when you speak out against something that the left agrees with. The CEO never mentioned he hated the LGBT lifestyle participants, he just spoke out against their lifestyle. Here are some of the comments that have come under high scrutiny:
We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.
Yesterday marked a wonderful day of out pouring of support, to local CFA’s around the country; and though I did not personally participate, I know of many good people and Christians who did.
That was yesterday, August 1st, 2012.
But how about the other 364 days out of the year?
How about last year? How about this century?
The fact of the matter is, most, I would venture to say 80-90%, of those who waited in line to order their tasty sandwich have never opened their mouths to voice their “freedom of speech” in the form of a letter to a Congressman. Sure, they may have tagged along on some internet form letter, but how many of us have actually taken an individual step to voice our concern on the issue of same sex marriages and unions?
There are several problems with the appreciation event at local CFA’s yesterday that truly concern me:
1-Although people lined up for this cause, many of these same people have literally done nothing to reverse the many LGBT lifestyle agendas that have been put in place. Sure they may have voted against a proposition in their state, but that is not really going above and beyond, that is a status quo option. (above and beyond: writing/calling Congressmen, State Congressmen, shown an activist role in defeating this “lifestyle agenda”, etc. etc.)
2-It appeared that, to many, eating a chicken sandwich yesterday somehow made them  feel, dare I say it, more spiritual? What a sad state of affairs that is. Whole states have been lost to the GLBT agenda, 6 to be exact, because, to be honest, people think that eating a chicken sandwich is truly accomplishing something. It does nothing to change the laws in those 6 states or the 13 other states that now allow same-sex unions.
3-Many went to support the comments of CFA’s CEO. That is a noble thing to do. But preachers proclaim the truth of God’s Word week after week, and sometimes people attack the man of God. True, it might not always be something like homosexuality. It might just so happen to be the pastor dared preach against our “pet” sin, and thus we resort to attack what he says even though it is the truth of God’s Word, just as much truth as what CEO Dan Cathy stated in his interview.
4-Why does the homosexual community even feel the way they do towards Christians? I would say a large part of it has to do with the way some Christians have treated them. I know some people who live the homosexual lifestyle, and I praise the Lord that every single one of them has said something like this to me before, “you aren’t like the others (Christians), you accept me for who I am and treat me right.” They knew I did not like their lifestyle; but you know what, they also knew I cared for THEM, that I loved as a person. I praise the Lord that not only has He helped me to be able to feel that way, but they were able to see it as well. We must accept people where they are, and then HELP THEM (not BEAT THEM) become what God wants them to become.
5-Our bottom line through all of this should not be to support a man, or worse, to eat a good chicken sandwich. Our bottom line should be to be the witness we ought to be to reach this segment of the population. One amazing thing about Christ and His ministry on earth is that He would see multitudes of people, and He would even see their sin, and yet He still had compassion on them. He saw the woman at the well, and instantly knew everything about this woman, how she was living in sin many times over. And what did He do? He had compassion on her soul. He sought her out on an individual basis so she could live in heaven forever.
share the gospel!
6-Similarly to #5, many in local churches give to support missions and missionaries through their local church. But unfortunately, that is where it ends for many Christians. They seem to justify in their mind that giving to missions is doing their part in reaching the world for Christ. Although this is needy, God says it is necessary for EACH Christian to open their mouth and proclaim Christ. Just living for God will never reach anyone. It might make them curious, but if you never share the Gospel nothing has been accomplished for Christ. Jesus reached people by speaking to them and sharing the Gospel with them. Think of it this way, if there was anyone who could have reached more through lifestyle evangelism, it would have been the perfect man of Jesus Christ, and yet He still spoke to people about how to be saved.
Many used yesterday to make a statement, and I do not fault them for this. But we must not let it END there. This can be the beginning of something new.
Get involved- spiritually, politically, and personally.
We can all pray for the Lord of the harvest to work amongst us to see more saved. That is truly where victory in life lies, it is not in Washington. It is not even at the state or local political level. It is how we allow God to work in and through us each day that will truly last forever.
My challenge is simple. Many spent 60+ minutes to order food to make a statement, or support freedom of speech, or whatever their reason was. Today you can spend less time than that to reach out and write a letter to your Congressman.
Just think, if just half of those who went through the chicken doors yesterday were to write a letter today stating their support of marriage between one man and one woman, Congress would be inundated with letters; and I believe they would seriously need to look at legislation that could change the course of our nation.
To help you out, here is a link to write to your Congressman:
~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
{all photos were randomly found on google.
nothing is mine and I have no links to share.}
Please feel free to comment on here or my Facebook page. I’ll be sure he reads them!!
 

d31fb     d31insta      d31twi

purging the rotten

by

Today I will be talking to myself. I bet you do that sometimes. { 🙂 } My kids think I am one crazy loon! But today, I will talk to myself to YOU, because I know I am not the only one who may need this little reminder [though I may need it the most!]

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

Anymore most people think of salt as an ‘additive’ or something to avoid, or something to bring flavors to life. But not so long ago, refrigeration was a thing of luxury; and not long before that, it was unheard of. People used salt barrels [among other methods] to preserve certain foods- mostly meats. Pork and beef  take very kindly to salt-curing. It intensifies the flavor and preserves the quality-for a time.
And salt does this through 2 primary ways:
{1} it pulls moisture out of the meat, thus creating a dryer product. Bacteria usually prefer moist environments to thrive.
{2} it kills bacteria on the surface of the meat.

[God is so amazing!]

When the salt has given up the properties that make it salt-it no longer works at keeping the meat eatable. It allows rot to begin. And that, friends, is NOT a good thing! [don’t ask me how I know].It also is not useful to anyone- for any purpose- other than to be used as dirt and trodden under foot of men.

And Jesus says WE {Christians} are salt. Not that we are to “try to act like salt”– but we ARE salt.
Thus, we should:
{1} be creating an environment around us [be it home, office, carpool, play-groups, Sunday school] where “bacteria” cannot live.
We must speak up and LIVE Christ, but not be rude. Christ was never rude. He was vocal about wrong, especially among the religious [money-changers in the temple?], and He never condoned wrong-doing [the Samaritan woman?].
But he also never CONDEMNED those who simply did not know that He was The Christ- their Messiah.

He extended love and mercy.

But many went back, and walked no more with him. [John 6:66] because it was not comfortable for them. Jesus had given them a hard saying [John 6:43-60]. There will be those who do not wish to be our friend because we ARE SALT [but we must NOT be rude or condescending– ever!]

{2} kill bacteria on the surface.

Those who must be around us [on the job, at a play-date, in school] will learn to be watchful of their mouth or actions around a Christian who is {lovingly and humbly} vocal about right and wrong.

I have seen it happen. It does not change their heart, but it does stop certain actions in certain places [around you]. And not just curb their sinful habits, but they may even pick up some good habits. When a lady acts like a lady, men are more likely to be polite and gentlemanly [open the door, offer to carry packages, etc.]. When a Christian acts like a Christian, people around that person will begin to wonder just what it is that makes us behave that way… and with such conviction. And it might make them want to be a better person–{what an introduction to the Gospel!}

but when we loose our “saltiness,” we are also no longer useful. to anyone.

The unsaved know when a Christian is not acting Christ-like– and it hurts the Cause of Christ. 

And those who are trying to be like Christ, be salt, cannot rely on the unsalty– for prayer, for support, for ministry help, for a good example to our children, for friendship.

So let us KEEP [or get back] our saltiness!

Often during the holidays [Thanksgiving through New Years] there are many parties and get-togethers that may bring us into contact with those we may never see again. Will they remember us as “just another in the gang”?

—or will they go away thinking: “there was something different about her– no one cursed when she was around.” or “men changed their manners around her.”

Just a thought.
from my convicted heart.

 

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Let’s connect on FACEBOOK!

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