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

Passing this Legacy on to the Next Generation

Throughout the Old Testament God tells us that one generation is to tell the next generation about Him. “We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD,
and his might, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4).

This instruction is not just a principle - it can be applied practically. We are to “talk to them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

In Titus this command is made gender-specific:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanders or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3-5).

I trust that this series has aided you, as it has me. Lord, teach us to be redeemed helpers to our husbands, servants in the church, and teacher of the truth to our children, grandchildren, and other women who need this Biblical understanding.

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

Nurturing Mothers
How to Raise Feminine Daughters

One of the most blessed things we can do as mothers is right away when our daughters are born is to let them sense the closeness that you have with them and the spirit of the Lord that is within you. They will feel that from the very beginning each day as you are with them. Do our daughters know that we love Jesus with all of our hearts? Do our lives show it in our actions? Can our children picture us sitting somewhere in a chair or by the bed reading God’s Word or praying every day? Do they know that you love the Lord first in your life?

A spiritual mother develops closeness with their daughter so that they don’t feel loneliness or a feeling of confusion. She instills in them that their purpose in life is God’s glory. We as mothers should teach her that in all the decisions that she makes in her life that she asks the Lord. “Doing everything to God’s glory” I Corinthians 10:31.

The strongest thing that we can give our daughters is teaching them the Word of God. There they can rest assured for everything in their lives. When the temptations come for our daughters to go to feelings they will learn from us mothers that it is to the Word of God that we go to for faith and Love. We must be wise women of faith and warn our daughters too of the temptations of life and ungodliness also.

Mothers should always be in prayer for their daughters. We should pray specifically about the areas that God wants to teach our daughters so that we can apply the scriptures that God wants us to apply to our daughter’s lives for every situation. This means then mothers, that we must know our daughters very well so that we can rightly divide the truth of God’s Word for their lives. Let us not as mothers spend too much time on happiness for our daughters but spend time on holiness for our daughters.

Another important thing to teach our daughters is how much God loves them. God doesn’t use a measuring cup to determine how much He loves them according to how good they are. He loves them. They don’t have to keep working for that love. That love for them is there all the time.

Nurturing continues for us mothers to our daughters even into Adulthood. God Bless each of us as we seek His guidance in nurturing our daughters.

CHECK IT OUT

Growing Little Women
*Capturing teachable Moments with Your Daughter
By Donna J Miller

Do you have a daughter whose time with you is suddenly half over.

Take the time to ask yourself these questions:
· am I sharing my insights an d experiences with her?
· Am I preparing her to become a godly woman?
· Am I establishing a bond with her that will smooth her passge to
womanhood?

This book , Growing Little Women , is designed to capture those fleeting moment before she becomes a woman. Within the pages of the book you will discover engaging store, fun activities, and lessons on life to be shared between a 9 to 12 year old girl and her mother, grandmother, or mentor. In just one hour a week you can impact the future of that special young lady and create a bond that will last forever.

Yes! Use it with your daughter, your granddaughter and encourage others in your congregations to use it also. It will be a blessing for generations to come.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Being in full-time ministry often includes the opportunity to practice hospitality. People of all ages, with many different needs, can be blessed by the opening of our homes’ doors. The sharing of a meal, or simply a glass of lemonade, can tell people that they have found a safe and accepting place to share their joys, hurts, and struggles.

One simple way I’ve found that lets people know they are a special guest in my home, is to serve their meal or snack on unusual dishes. I’ve had the privilege of living in several areas where I’ve been given or purchased “fun” dinnerware pieces. Using them brings me the joy of special memories and the delight of seeing people enjoying being served in something different than the everyday norm.

For children: Even if you don’t have little ones in your home, do you have some child friendly dishes and utensils? Cheery unbreakable plates seem to make everything taste better. How about some easy to handle plastic tumblers for little hands to grasp? When we have children into our home (in addition to our own), I love pulling out my Looney Tunes plastic cups. Drinking juice out of a Tweetie Bird mug has made many a little one smile. Also, visiting moms and dads will feel much more relaxed knowing their little sweeties won’t break your great aunt’s glass goblets.

Teens: They’re always hungry and thirsty aren’t they? When my sons’ friends come over I break out the big A&W mugs, get some divided Chinet paper plates, and have plenty of napkins on hand. For teen girls, bring out some of your pretty dishes, colorful tablecloths, and a vase of flowers from the backyard. Girls of all ages enjoy feeling special, don’t they? I still have girls who’ve eaten off my vibrant flower plates that ask me if I still have them several years later. I’m happy to say yes, although a few have been broken with moves and wear.

Men: When I married my husband he had no less than twenty-two Big Gulp Twins glasses from 7-Eleven. I was quick to liquidate that supply, but have learned through the years to keep a few replacements on hand. Why? Because he and his friends like BIG tumblers much better than my dainty water glasses. I guess Mountain Dew was meant to be enjoyed 32 oz. at a time. Also - do you have big mugs in your home for serving coffee? So much easier for many men to use rather than the standard cup size.

Women: Having a friend, or a group of ladies over? Do you have a special set of dessert plates that you save for special occasions? Break them out and enjoy! I love using my hand painted Portuguese dishes that seem to make something as simple as a brownie and cup of chai seem more delicious. Don’t have pieces on hand? Check out your local thrift store, garage sale, or attic, for fun mismatched heirloom style dishes to use.

Enjoy welcoming people into your home, making them feel comfortable and loved, and the benefits may very well last not just for a lifetime, but for eternity.

IDEAS THAT WORK

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


Read: Romans 12:2, Hebrews 12:14-15

Emotional Healing – It’s basically forgiveness and reconciliation. Physically we don’t see the pain but it’s manifested in our behaviors and/or physical health. Emotions are God’s gift so we may have abundant life! Emotions aren’t designed to trap and torture us. We live in a fallen world where trauma, hurt, sin, embarrassment, rejection, fear, accidents or death are all around us. We respond negatively or positively. Our response determines our need for healing.

Between 80-90% of all illnesses are psychosomatic. This does not mean they are not real. It means it involves both the mind (psyche) and the body (soma). Research and science have determined emotional pain as the root cause for many diseases: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, immune system diseases, infections, allergies – to name a few. Harmful emotions, which lead to diseases, are: hostility, anger, stress, bitterness, self-bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, rejection, fear. Harmful emotions can trigger the development of various diseases because hormones plus chemical and physical responses are released into the body to do battle.

Positive Solutions

Find verses that directly speak to the problem so healing can be applied. If an emotional button is pushed, repeated input of reading or hearing God’s Word can change our thought patterns or transform our minds.

Separation from God, others or ourselves? Recognize it, acknowledge it, confess it and repent of it.

Emotional Healing Involving Others (Present or Not)

1) Recall emotionally painful event.
2) Verbally forgive the person responsible.
3) Verbally ask God to forgive you for your attitude towards them.
4) Ask Jesus to give you a scene in your mind of Him being there with you

when the event took place.

Jesus is Omnipresent – always with us. His presence brings healing and we are no longer a victim but the victor with His help.

Resources: “The Word on Health” By Michael D. Jacobson, Moody Press
“Healing Academy Manual” By Rev. Larry and Audrey Eddings
Seminar Manual by Wind of the Spirit Ministries, P.O. Box 175, Silverdale, WA 98383

HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING

Banana Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the mashed banana, eggs, oil, pumpkin, honey and sugar. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pie spice and cinnamon, stir into the banana mixture until just combined. Fold in the raisins and walnuts if desired. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

From: allrecipes.com

Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients
4 large baking potatoes
4 tablespoons milk
salt to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Clean and scrub baking potatoes. Pierce skin with a fork once or twice. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 1 hour or until the potatoes are soft and firm.
3. Let potatoes cool slightly. Cut baked potatoes in half and scoop out pulp within 1/4 inch of the shell edge. Mash the pulp with milk, salt and butter to taste. Stuff shells with mashed pulp mixture sprinkle tops with grated cheddar cheese. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

From: Allrecipes.com

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Titus 2:3-5 "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Lord, Cause within us a desire to be clear reflections of Your love as we serve as examples to young woman in our family of faith. May we realize that the tasks that often seem menial to us, have great value to You. The work we do today may seem so temporary in it's worth, but please Lord, remind us that it has eternal value. Show us how to serve our families and friends with purpose in our hearts and hands. May we teach by word and by action that a life lived for Jesus is a blessed life, to our daughters, grand-daughters, and other family members. Help us to remember that we have the greatest treasure ever to share with those we will one day say good-bye to on this earth - the promise of eternity with You in our heavenly home.Amen.

FOCUS

INTERVIEW WITH
GLORIA LEE

Gloria Lee is the wife of Pastor Robert L Lee. Pastor Lee is now a teacher at our AFLBS. Gloria is the mother of two children and five grandchildren.

When I asked Gloria what she felt her ministry was when her and her husband were serving the churches she said, “First of all my home was first priority.” “I feel that my husband needed a Place of Peace.” “ I also taught Sunday School, lead WMF Bible Studies and directed children’s choirs.” “ Sometimes it was four parishes that had WMF Bible Studies to go to.” “ I counted it a privilege to go to the different WMF Bible Studies as it was there that I learned from other women and grew in the Lord.” As I visited more with Gloria I found out that hospitality was one of their main ministries. She said, “When people came over on the spur of the moment it was fun to just put on the coffee and just visit together in a relaxed atmosphere and to get to know the people.”

I asked Gloria if she could leave words of encouragement to all of us pastor’s wives as she looked back over the years. She said, “Keep your relationship with the Lord the utmost of importance in your life.” She encouraged us to ask our husbands to purchase a second pastor’s handbook and use it during your devotions to pray for each pastor, pastor’s family and all of the committee members including the AFLBS,AFLTS and AFLC staff. She had found it to be most rewarding and felt it was good to pray for one another. Gloria stated with a loving tone, “You know going into the ministry people are waiting to love you more than in any other occupation.” So from that I gathered that we should allow the people to love us and to be so grateful for all of that love. Another idea she has for us is to make a book of all of the weddings, funerals, anniversaries and baptisms that your husband performed or was involved in to look back and remember all of the people that you had been involved with over the years.” “Another thing” she said “I tried to sit in a different place each Sunday with my children because then I would be able to sit around different ones and could visit with them on a more personal basis.” “I also taught Sunday School so that I could share the word of Jesus with the children and to get to know the children at the church better.” When I talked to her about the involvement in the church she said, “It is good to just find out what needs there are in the church that are not covered and then if you see a need then ask if we could start it.” “Remember though,” she warned, “ you can’t do everything all of the time.” Pastor’s wives think they have to be super at everything that they do and they don’t have to be.”

Gloria’s life verse is Isaiah 40:31. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. That verse then has flowed now into Psalm 18:1. I love you, O Lord, my strength.