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

"Continuing in our series on Biblical Womanhood concerning the topic:

IT IS IN THE COVENANT COMMUNITY
WHERE WE ARE EQUIPPED TO LIVE OUT OUR DESIGN

As you know, being in the family is not just about your nuclear family, but also about being in the family of God. When children are confirmed into the faith they are identifying with the Lord as well as with the Lord’s family, the church. As well, all God’s children need to live covenantally before God and with His people.

The Biblical account of Ruth and Naomi gives a dramatic presentation of what it’s like to live covenantally. “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you. (Ruth 1:16-17) As Ruth committed her life to Jehovah as her God, she understood that this meant changing her citizenship to the covenant community.

The last half of the meaning of the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed, “…but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth…” This is the covenantal concept – that He calls not only me, but also others into relationship within the context of the Christian church.

Women of Christ are crushed when we emulate the pursuit of self-fulfillment and self-actualization in the culture. Countless mothers have told their daughters, “Learn to be independent. Self-sufficiency is power” – these misbeliefs make the helper design seems senseless! But in the covenant community, the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, the helper design is essential.

Redeemed women join together as corporate helpers in God’s church and care for the body of Christ, much like Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome did when they bought spices so they might go and anoint the body of Christ. They made plans, decisions, and carried them out. They functioned well together. And even though they knew the stone was too big for them to roll, they still carried on. This is the essence of community and compassion in the church. It is the helper design in action.

Someone is teaching the women of our churches and our daughters what it means to be a woman. Is it the current culture or the church? How can we help our women? The life-giving culture of caring is not learned from books. They learn how to carry out this helper ministry as, by God’s grace, they watch us speak and live it!

It is in the church that believers are equipped “for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

Legacy of Fruitfulness

Do we want to leave a Legacy of Fruitfulness? Do we care about leaving a legacy of fruitfulness? Have we even thought of leaving a legacy of fruitfulness? If we know Jesus as our Personal Savior and Lord the answer to that should be yes I want to leave a legacy of fruitfulness. What is the fruitfulness that I must leave? What does God want me to leave as a legacy? I know what I want to leave but more importantly what does God want me to leave.

First of all I must go to the word and read. Jesus drew people to himself to teach and encourage and many other things. God wants me to be approachable. People should want to be with me. I want to make sure that I am not concentrating on myself. Jesus did not concentrate on himself. As I grow older I don’t want to concentrate on my aches and pains but to ask about them and their concerns. My focus must always show that my concentration is on Jesus. Whether that is by being in the Word with Bible Study and prayer or worship. I must always be a voice of encouragement and thankfulness.

On the practical side, is to be a life long learner. Never stop learning. Especially, when it comes to relating to the things that my children or my grandchildren know about. Keeping in touch with things. Sometimes seeing the dangers and praying for them or warning them when the time is right and the spirit has prepared the way. When they talk to me, be willing to listen to their ideas and thoughts. Being a mentor. Learning from others is important. One practical point is to be honest that I don’t understand and would they teach me.

Laughter is another aspect of the legacy. “A merry heart doeth good” I want to be able to laugh and enjoy life that the Lord has given me.


One of the traits that can turn an example of a good legacy sour is to live in the past. We must learn from the past. We must see the hand of God in the past. We must see how we came through the suffering and pain in the past. Most of all see God’s eternal faithfulness during that time. I don’t want to be remembered as someone who complains or tells of all of my terrible past. But rather I want to pass on a legacy of how God has blessed me, abided in me and been my strength.


And when death is at the door of a loved one or friend I want to have a biblical view of suffering and death. Here I remember the 23rd Psalm. Let us be encouraged to leave a God filled legacy of fruitfulness.

CHECK IT OUT

By Design –God’s Distinctive Calling for Women by Susan Hunt

In the Old Testament, Zion refers to the fortified mound between the Kidron and Tyropean valleys. When David captured this area, it became known as the city of David. It sometimes refers to the temple vicinity and even to Jerusalem itself. In the new covenant, Zion has reference to the Church. As women who love the Lord, who are a part of this Church, we are the daughters of Zion. This book helps us, as women, to understand who we are as a daughter of Zion. It (the book) can be helpful in helping one understand the helper design which was stamped upon us, as woman, at creation. It reinforces the implications of our creational design by looking at women in history and contemporary women who have been and are faithful to this calling. The book presents a plea to the church to equip and mobilize women to help a hurting world and capture a culture for Christ through ministries of mercy and compassion. A must read for one who understands the times in which she lives and desires to have her life, as a daughter of Zion, glorify Him for such as time as this.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

A Recipe for Smoother Sundays

I have a suspicion that it’s not just at our house that Sunday mornings can become a bit stressful. If you have more than just yourself to get ready for church, you can plan on taking at least twice as long to get out the door and into your pew.

Twenty years of being a pastor’s wife, and nearly nineteen of being a mom has given me lots of practice at trying to make Sunday mornings more of a joyful experience, and less of a frantic flight to church. I’m still learning, but would like to share with you a few tips that have helped me over the years.

Saturday evenings we try and keep as a quiet family night at home as much as possible. Because we still have children, and many of them, at home, we try to get everyone bathed, fed, and to bed at a decent hour. We all function better Sunday mornings, including my pastor husband, if Saturday evenings are kept calm.

It sounds simple, and it is – if you actually do it – but selecting everyone’s outfits (even Dad’s) on Saturday, will make your Sunday morning much easier. It takes a very long time, and causes elevated blood pressure, to try and gather matching socks or intact nylons for eight people if left till the last minute. Plan and prepare the evening before for everyone’s wardrobe needs and you’ll be very thankful you did.

Setting the breakfast table the evening before and having your morning foods gathered and easy to serve also saves much time and energy. How many times have you, like me, opened the refrigerator to find out that the milk you had yesterday is now gone, and church starts in just half an hour? We all do better when our bodies are well nourished before going to feed on God’s Word at our church services.

If it’s your custom to eat at home for Sunday dinner, or to invite others over for a noon meal, try preparing it in the crock-pot beforehand so it’s one less thing to be thinking about as you’re leaving church. Our family has found that Sunday dinner is not the best time for us personally to welcome people into our home. After service, our youngest ones are often ready for some quiet time, and so is Dad after having preached and taught all morning. Instead, Sunday evenings have been a time we enjoy inviting others to our home for dessert, conversation, and sometimes games.

Sunday is my most cherished day of the week, and I hope it is yours as well!

IDEAS THAT WORK

HEALTH for BODY (Physical) SOUL (Mind, Will, Emotions) SPIRIT (Spiritual)

OUR BODY / HIS TEMPLE
“Premium Fuel”

Read: Hosea 4:6

It’s no surprise that our bodies require proper fuel to run efficiently. God made premium fuel for our bodies. Shop the outside aisles in the grocery store where “God-made” food is located – fruits, vegetables, meats, whole grains. A garden, raising our own meats and making our own breads and pasta is the best option. Second best – organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and quality, store-bought, whole grain breads and pasta. Impossible? Then you need to become a label reader. If ingredients say - enriched, preservative, nitrate or words you cannot pronounce – it’s best to stay away from them. Chemicals reek havoc within our bodies! Our bodies turn them into fat and/or can cause sicknesses (i.e., cancers, etc.). Other things to stay away from: sugar, caffeine, hydrogenated fats (i.e., peanut butter, shortening, fried foods). The Best - give our bodies what they crave – God’s food!

Water is extremely important! Our bodies are made up of approximately 70% water. We are literally an aquarium! Drink 8-10 glasses a day. Herbal teas count as a glass of water.

We should pray that our minds are not disconnected from how our bodies feel. If we feel ill, we should ask the Lord, “What can I do to change?” Food/water is an easy first step to take. We would not put muddy water in our gas tank to make our car run. Bad food/water should not go into our bodies (His Temple) - only “premium”! Make small, permanent changes and add to those changes as time goes along.

Resources:

Food: http://www.pwlp.com/ Weight loss or not, this program educates proper nutrition.
Chemicals: Spray produce with equal amounts of white vinegar and purified water to dissolve chemicals. Leave on ½ hour or not – rinse in purified water.
Water: www.mcvitamins.com/water.htm. Explains water’s importance. Water filters or purifying pitchers are good choices.

HERE’S WHAT’S COOKING

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients

2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 ounces raspberries
1 pound strawberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
butter flavored cooking spray
2 cups cinnamon sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

From Allrecipes.com

White Chocolate Fruit Tart

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

FILLING:
1 (10 ounce) package vanilla or white chips, melted and cooled
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
2 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced

GLAZE:
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour; mix well. Press into an ungreased 11-in. tart pan with removable bottom or 12-in. pizza pan with sides. Bake at 300 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat melted chips and cream. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Spread over crust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup juice; set juice aside. Arrange the pineapple, strawberries, oranges and kiwi over filling.

For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in lemon juice and reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool; brush over fruit. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

From Taste of Home

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

John 15: 4-5

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

Dear Father, Thank you for being the One who knows us best. Thank you for loving us and desiring that each of us as women be pruned and fit for Your service. As you clip away the undesirable parts of our lives, help us to remember that although painful, the process is for Your Glory and for our good. Place within us the desire to abide in You through the study of Your Word and time with you in prayer. May we be faithful to be You, Your Word, and thus leave behind fruitful legacies when our days on earth are finished. Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

An Interview With Laurie Nash
By Mary Pollestad

Laurie is the wife of Home Mission Director Paul Nash. She is the mother of three children and a grandmother of nine. When I asked Laurie what she thought her ministry for the Lord was she promptly said, “ Supporting my husband, mentor to my children, women’s ministries and helping international students at the AFLBS.”

Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 25:1 the last part of the verse says, “I will give thanks to your name for thou has worked wonders plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness.” This verse shows God is in control and has a plan and we can trust Him.

When I asked Laurie what encouraging words would she have for all of us women especially pastor’s wives she spoke of her passion for women to be Women of the Word. In Jeremiah chapter 9 she said, “It talks about hearing the Word and receiving the Word.” “So much is going on in the rest of the world that is contrary to what God wants” she said. “We need the Word more and more.” “Our culture shouts and pulls us away from the Word of God and the joy that we can have.” “We must soak in the Word, dwell in the Word, meditate on the Word and abide in the Word.” “This is the strong passion that I have had through out this year.” She said.

Thank you Laurie for these encouraging words. Heavenly Father, may we be women of the Word of God.