FOCUS

Biblical Womanhood

What is the Legacy of Biblical womanhood? What is Biblical Womanhood? It is not surprising that the secular world is confused about the identity and calling of woman. But what can be distressing is the extent to which this has happened within the evangelical world. To understand this heritage ourselves enables us to pass it on to the next generation (a Titus 2 approach to relationships) During the 2010 year we would like to present a series of 5 Themes concerning the topic of Biblical Womanhood. (these are possibly not all inclusive concerning the subject BUT they do give “food for thought”) We may also conclude our series with thoughts on seeing Biblical womanhood “lived out “ in our churches. God Bless you in your pursuit of holding to a Biblical Womanhood perspective in a secular world. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

WORDS TO INSPIRE

WOMAN - CREATED BY GOD TO BE A HELPER
By Cheryl Skordahl

A helper? Hopefully you don’t think that sound denigrating. Many women, world wide, react to the word helper in this negative way. But would that reaction be accurate when compared to the truth in the Word of God?

Genesis 1:27 says,
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.”

The man and the woman were equal, but different. Being created in God’s image gives identity and purpose. There is no preferential treatment in our union with Christ, but God’s design and order is clearly delineated in Galatians 3:28 where Paul writes,

“It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.”
God’s design for woman is that she be a helper.

But, why didn’t God want man to be alone? Prior to the creation, God was alone, and man and woman were called into being because the Lord yearned for relationships. Recalling that human kind is created in God’s image helps us to realize why people also yearn for a relationship with God and with each other. The unity of marriage is where we see gender distinctiveness flowing out of equality in a complementary way. The male/female distinctiveness was essential before God gave His approval on this creation by saying: “It is very good.”

The Hebrew word “ezer” is primarily translated “helper.” In the Old Testament it refers to God as our helper. Considering that God is our helper causes us to reflect on the richness and strength of this word. This same word “ezer” is used in Exodus 18:4 when Moses spoke of God as his helper, saving him from Pharaoh’s sword. In Psalms 10:14; 72:12; and 86:17 we read that God is the helper of the victim, the fatherless, the needy, and the afflicted. In other Psalms God is also referred to as a helper who is our support, strength, and shield. (20:2; 27:7; 33:20)

Today’s hostile feminist philosophy, which says that equality means sameness between male and female has brought chaos and confusion to our world. The original helper design God gave woman has been marred by this feminist belief system, and now many think of womanhood in terms of their own self-fulfillment, their own completeness, their own authority, their own happiness.

The helper design that God gave us at creation is intrinsic to who we are. It does not change with these whims of culture – it is never outdated. The word “helper” is indicative of a life-giving ministry of nurture, defense, and comfort of others. May the Lord be a helper to AFLC pastor’s wives, that we be characterized in the scriptural manner.

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD (ministering effectively)

**Practical ways to live out the truths you are reading

A Wife’s Responsibility to Help Her Husband

Here are some helpful and some practical ways in which to help our husbands. First of all, the more that I study the Word the more I will grow in my faith. The more that I grow in my faith the more I will be able to be open to the Holy Spirit and His leading in order to help my husband more.

The word help makes us think of assisting or lending a helping hand. When a wife thinks of it that way and keeps Christ at the center of her life then it puts helping into perspective.

Another important thing to remember when we want to get involved in something or add to our duties is to ask ourselves is what I want to do going to help my husband. If we keep this in our hearts and minds at all times it will sometimes help deter us from doing something that will only hinder and not help our husbands. f we honor this God will truly bless us.

Praying for our husbands is one of the best things we can do to help our husbands. This sometimes seems like it doesn’t have much value in helping our husband but it truly does. You can talk to the Lord about many things for your husband and he will be blessed and the Holy Spirit will reveal things to him.

Let’s take our instruction from the scripture. The proverbs 31 lady watches over the affairs of her household. She is a caretaker of the house. Also her husband trusts in her. If our husbands trust in us they know that whatever needs to be done will be done. They don’t have to worry or try to get it done themselves. They will trust in us.

Let’s ask ourselves these questions. Do I manage my time that helps my husband or serves my agenda? Do I care for my home in a manner that helps my husband or serves myself?

Helping means to assist to carry on with what is needed and to take instruction and follow through. Helping our husband could be just sitting and listening to him talk. Maybe taking care of something for him that he needs to get done but doesn’t have time.

Putting our husbands ahead of ourselves is important. Sometimes that means putting aside all of our plans for the day and doing that which he may need or want us to do. We will be blessed if we do that. God understands that we have sometimes a lot to do but God will provide the time to finish what we need to do if we have put our husbands first ahead of what we have to do.

Some more practical ways are making sure he has clean clothes, ironed shirts and prepared food for him. Also make sure he has time to devote to his work. If he takes care of his work then he can concentrate on you and the family. Be a good steward of what you and your husband have. Maybe our home isn’t always clean but keeping an orderly home will also make a comfortable home.

With all the pressures of work sometimes our husbands need us to remind him of things that he needs to do. Being a list maker for him will sometimes help him stay on top of things that need to be done.

Another way you can help your husband is to make some time for dates with him. Also make time for you and him to be alone. Alone time is good for prayer, communication and sharing blessings and concerns.

Wives have a wonderful position that the Lord has provided for us. It is a wonderful role. It is wonderful to be a woman and to know that God has provided a definite role for us according to scripture.

CHECK IT OUT

The Excellent Wife--a Biblical Perspective by Martha Peace

A scripturally based book that gives a detailed portrait of a godly wife. God’s standard is high and holy but in this book, the author demonstrates that by God’s grace, it is attainable. A good book (with its study guide) for personal or group use.

Heart to Heart with Pastors’ Wives by Lynne Dugan

Twelve women share the wisdom they’ve gained alongside husbands who are in ministry. These stories that will encourage you as you minister along side your husband to others within your sphere of influence.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

Every year at Christmas time, my family would have a “decorate the tree” night. Mom put on Christmas music, made hot Russian Tea and set out a plate of our traditional Christmas cookies. Dad would string the lights on the tree. We three kids would look through our box of ornaments we had collected through the years and then decide which one we would hang first, second etc. Dad and mom would hang the first ornament, and we kids would take turns hanging our favorites. It was our tradition. We looked forward to it as children. Now as adults, we fondly look back and remember those evenings decorating the tree.

Traditions. Now that I am married and have small children, I have been intentional about incorporating old traditions and starting new ones for our family. One tradition we are implementing in January is to pray for those who sent us a Christmas card. Each evening after supper, we take a card from our Christmas card basket, re-read it and pray for those who sent it. Then we follow up with a quick note or email of encouragement to them.

How does a person go about finding ideas for building family memories? Ask older family members for their memories of family traditions. I have found it helpful to talk with friends about any traditions their families have. I have also gotten great ideas from the book “Let’s Make a Memory” by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson. Of course, you can be creative and make up your own.

It is never too late to start a tradition no matter the age or stage of your family (whether it is with your spouse, children or grandchildren). Be creative and start building memories with your family this new year.

IDEAS THAT WORK

Do you have some? Ideas, that is. Probably after you’ve read the shared thoughts you do have some of your own ideas! That is what this is meant to do. Challenge you personally. How it is worked out is between the three of you: the Lord, your husband and you. Pray that the Lord will continue his work in your life until He accomplishes His purpose and sees His reflection in you. (that may be a painful process!) However, I do have an idea I know that some churches have tried and even individual couples have used, and that is: #1 the viewing of the Fireproof DVD and #2 the Love Dare book study (by Stephen & Alex Kendrick). If you don’t do it as a couple how about you doing is yourself?! Applying its thoughts to your life personally. It will be an Idea (God’s idea!) That Works!

HERE’S WHAT’S COOKING

CHEX MIX PUPPY CHOW

9 cup Chex

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Put cereal in large bowl. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Pour over Chex cereal, put into a large plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake well to coat.
Spread mixture evenly on wax paper and allow to cool.

This recipe is very good. It is from Cooks.com and I use it for all my get togethers. Great hit but kinda messy!!! Great for Youthgroups!!!!

McCormick Chili Recipe

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 package (1.25 oz) Tex-Mex chili seasoning mix
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) spicy chili beans, undrained1 can (15 ounce) red kidney beans, undrained1 package McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, Original1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/4 cup sliced green onion

DIRECTIONS
1. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.2. Stir in tomatos, beans and Seasoning Mix. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.

3. Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray and place chili in slow cooker.

4. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours. Stir well before serving. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and onion. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Titus 2:4: “That they may teach the young women to…love their husbands…”

Lord, I desire to be obedient to your word by loving my husband. I cannot love perfectly the way you can. Help me to love my husband the way he needs to be shown love. Thank You, Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Interview With Dawn Johnson
By Mary Pollestad

Dawn and her husband Les have served Christ the King church in Wilson, WI for eight years. They have four children and three grandchildren.

When I asked Dawn what she felt her ministry in the church was she said, “It is with the women and the children.” “Sometimes it is leading a Bible Study or leading Kids Club.” “Also it is encouraging the women.”

If she were going to encourage all of the pastor’s wives she would leave these thoughts. “The first thing is to keep your relationship with the Lord strong.” One way to do this would be to sit down and write out verses that are of encouragement and put them somewhere where you could pick them up and read them.” “Another thing, is to find a woman whom you can talk with.” “Find someone you can go to for advise, support and encouragement.” “We need our husbands for this too but we do need another woman to talk to.” Since Dawn and her husband are “empty nesters” now, she would leave encouragement to all empty nesters to build up your relationship with your mate and nourish your relationship.” “A lot of people look to the pastor’s wife for performance.” She said, “but don’t be concerned about performance be concerned that the work that you are doing is for the work of the Lord.”

With the theme in mind of being a helpmate to our husbands I asked her if she had some thoughts on that. She said, “Be there for him, whether it be a sounding board or helping in someway.” Of course the most important thing is to pray for him. “Being available for him is important too and God will give you the time to finish whatever you were doing in order that you could help him first.”

A Bible verse that Dawn has had for years as her verse is I Corinthians 13:13.“ But now abide Faith, Hope and Love, these tree; but the greatest of these is love.”