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

BY CHERYL SKORDAHL

Last month I wrote about the helper design that God gave women at creation. We’ll continue this topic under the theme:

THE GOSPEL EMPOWERS AND COMPELS US
TO EXERCISE OUR DESIGN

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel…” I memorized that when I was 15 years old, and the message grows more precious year by year.

It is because of this “calling” this “redemption” that we can live our helper design – not in our own reason or strength, but through grace in the power of the Holy Spirit, as our catechism states. This grace, this redeeming love, breaks the grip of sin in our lives and empowers us to fulfill our creation mission. Is this truth so deeply ingrained in your mind, so that you will never become entangled in works righteousness? Even as a young seminarian’s wife, I was at the point of giving up on God because I was discouraged at my lack of ability to live the Christian life… works righteousness. When I realized that I needed to let go and let God, true Christian freedom came and I began living and doing in His power alone.

It is couched with this grace knowledge that I want to proceed to share some of the characteristics of a redeemed woman who is a true helper and fulfills her life-giving mission.

1. She is so grateful for God’s mercy that she gives forgiveness to others. Christ’s righteousness causes her to joyfully extend love and acceptance to others.
2. Her sights are on her heavenly home which restrains her from materialism.
3. She values the calling of wife and mother, but not so that they become her idol. She holds her family loosely before God.
4. She moves gracefully through different seasons and circumstances of life.
5. She is not focused on herself but extends herself to the elderly, the sick, the oppressed, needy and afflicted. Taking along her children or a younger woman to help train the next generation.
6. The redeemed helper knows that her marriage is a gospel picture to her children, the Christian community, and the world.
7. She knows that elevating herself, an individualistic approach, causes marriage and motherhood to be trivialized whereas a biblical perspective raises these relationships to the eternal.
8. She understands that her children are gifts to the church and she wants them to grow up as a part of this community. She teaches about the privilege to live and move among believers and to assume responsibilities to this covenant community.

What other ways are you living out your helper design? As pastor’s wives we remember that this design is foreign and offensive to the fallen world. The devil and the world tell women that there is a better way – a way of autonomy and independence. Instead the Lord through the gospel teaches and empowers us to live out our helper design. It is in the context of the Word where this design truly makes sense. Prov. 13:14, Prov 14:30, Prov 15:4. Can you find other Scriptures that teach and encourage women to live out their helper design?

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD (ministering effectively)

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

PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN USED BY GOD
By Mary Pollestad

What is a picture of a woman who is used by God? What comes to your mind when you ask yourself, “Am I a portrait of a woman used by God”? I think there are several areas that come to our minds if we were sitting in a group of ladies right now. Let’s try and look at some of these. First and foremost she is a woman who is in the Word of God daily. When we are women who are in the Word of God we will then be able to respond in a right manner to everything in our lives because our lives are built on the Lord and His Word. A woman used by God has only one agenda and one focus that of Jesus Christ. She doesn’t think of herself first. Also her heart is willing and open to Gods’ leading to be used.

I think of an ordinary woman. We don’t have to be extraordinary in our talents and abilities God uses ordinary people like you and me.

Secondly, the picture is of a woman who knows it is only because of God’s grace that she can be who she is.

Thirdly women are nurturers and if we are women who love God we have been chosen to do that very thing. Nurturing other women in the Faith of the Lord Jesus. This may be a young woman at church or even as a young woman you can nurture other older women.

Fourthly, it is a woman who listens intently to the Holy Spirit. A portrait of a woman used by God actually listens all day long to the words that the Holy Spirit may say to her. She is always mindful of the Spirit. She also listens to the Spirit and does what the Spirit leads her to do even if it means she has to get out of her comfort zone.

Fifthly she does not have a negative spirit. She believes in her Lord. She talks of what He can do for her and for others. She doesn’t whine when the tough things come along. She goes forth believing that God is in control and He will help her through all of it.

Also this is a woman who is available. This may mean even pulling your car over and parking so that you can help a woman who has called you on your cell phone and she needs you to listen to her right now. Or maybe talking to your 13 year old daughter who needs to talk and you only have 10 minutes to get the supper ready for the family. Or, talking to a grandmother who is very disheartened because her grandchildren are not going to Sunday School. Maybe even helping out a sick one whose family is exhausted as care givers.

These are only a few items in the picture. How many more can you add for yourself as you look at the Portrait of a Woman Used By God?

CHECK IT OUT

WOMAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
By Elizabeth George

Our transformation into being a woman after God’s own heart is indeed God’s work. But what this book offers are the disciplines we can follow to place ourselves before God—disciplines regarding our devotional life, our husband, our children, our home, our personal growth, and our ministry –so that he can do that work in our heart. In this book you’ll find practical insights about what it means to follow God in every area of life, insights about nurturing an impassioned relationship with God, loving your husband, enjoying your children, caring for your home, experiencing personal growth, and giving to others. This book leads you on an exciting journey, and it is one where you will find much joy along the way. Let’s join together in becoming women who seek to be what God calls us and will empower us to be, a WOMAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

Spring is in the air, and with it comes Spring Cleaning! I used to be one of those people who would take a day and clean my house from top to bottom. It felt great to accomplish so much and to put my feet up at the end of the day with a clean house. Now that I have two children under two, I have had to modify my approach to cleaning. No longer do I have the luxury of taking a whole day to clean our house, much less taking time for spring cleaning that needs to be done. My house is just not as company ready as it used to be.

I was visiting at my girlfriend’s house and noticed a cute box on her kitchen countertop. The little tag attached to the tin box said “Spring Clean Year Round.” When I asked her about it, she explained that inside were cards that break down house cleaning chores at various intervals (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly etc…) Following the cards, she can clean a little bit each day. She received this box as a gift, but gave me the blog spot where one can go to see how the system works and order a box if desired: www.cleanyearround.blogspot.com. Perhaps you may be interested to go to this site and order a box. Or maybe you could read about it and get some ideas on how to create a system of your own for breaking down your house cleaning chores. Happy Cleaning!

IDEAS THAT WORK

BY LORI WILLARD

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

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 14:7-8;
Romans 12:1-2

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit! God commands that no one (ourselves included) is to defile or destroy our bodies! We are the Lord’s! We are to come apart from the world’s behavior! We must offer our bodies to Him, as a living sacrifice, for His service! Strong words for His people!

Do the following questions sound familiar?

How do I change my body, mind, will, emotions and spirit to reflect a transformed life? Do I want to be healed in all areas of my life? Do I want to fully serve the Lord? Do I only pay attention to my health when a crisis hits? How can I work for Him while I neglect the gift of life the Lord has given me? Do I see that neglect as a sin against the Lord?

We will address these thoughts in the next issues of Heartline. Resources will be shared to help improve your life and others around you.

When visiting a Naturopathic Doctor, she questioned, “Why do people in ministry push hard, give everything to ministry, and yet don’t take care of themselves? If you ever get a chance to tell others in ministry to take care of themselves, do it!”

CHOOSE LIFE! As I read Deuteronomy 30:19-20, the Lord impressed upon me that I had a responsibility to fulfill. It was simple. Make the decision to choose life. The Holy Spirit will come alongside to strengthen us.

Will you choose life?

Resource: Medical (Allopathic) Doctors (MDs) treat patients through medications (which mask root causes) and surgery. They are good at diagnosing symptoms. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) treat patients through nutrition, supplements and exercise. NDs are good at dealing with root causes to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Check out www.naturopathic.org to find an ND near you.

HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING

Fresh Spring Broccoli Salad

5 Cups Fresh Broccoli Florets
½ Cup Raisins
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup cooked crumbled bacon
3 cups purple grapes
¼ cup of red onion, chopped

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
½ cup sugar

Alternative:
Use KRAFT cucumber ranch dressing for a fresh spring taste also to avoid food allergies for those who cannot eat mayonnaise.

Combine all ingredients and dressing to desired thickness

Lemon Cheesecake Bars (from McCormick)

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon Ginger, Ground

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 teaspoons Pure Lemon Extract

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

3 eggs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and ginger. Press firmly onto bottom of foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, flour and extracts; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.

3. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack.

4. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Lift out of pan onto cutting board. Cut into bars. Garnish as desired. Store leftover bars in refrigerator.

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-8

Lord, you have created us as Women. As we study your word, teach us how you want us to live as Christian Women. Your word says you have already given us, “everything we need for life and godliness.” Give us the strength and obedience to exercise our design so we can be effective and productive in our calling for your glory. Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Interview With Evonne Skramstad
By Mary Pollestad

Evonne Skramstad and her husband Tim Skramstad who serves Living Word Lutheran in Eagan, Minnesota have served this church for eight years. “This is the longest time we have been in one place in the ministry” she said. Evonne is the mother of one son and two daughters who all live in the Minneapolis area.

When I asked Evonne what she thought her ministry was in the church she said. “Leading a women’s weekly Bible Study.” That Bible study sometimes in the fall goes into two times a day so giving more opportunity for the women to attend. “The most important ministry I have is listening to my husband and praying for him” she replied. She also helps with Vacation Bible School and with the prayer chain in the church.

If she could encourage all of us pastor’s wives she would say to stay in the Word. It is there where the strength is. “We’ve heard it and heard it over again that staying in the Word is the most important from other older women so we need to do that.” To those of us who are awake during the night or early early morning she encourages us to read the Word of God then. The second thing she encouraged us with is to be a real prayer warrior. “Also, remember that if you are asked to pray about something or you ask someone to pray for you be sure that the prayer is kept and not shared with anyone.” She replied. Another encouragement would be for us women to be quiet before we speak. “Sometimes I just step back and not get involved in a situation.” “Sometimes we should just listen or just get out of the situation so that we don’t regret it later.” She encouraged all the women who are going into their first church for the first time to just sit back in the first year and wait for the Lord to show you what doors he has open for you in the church. “Sometimes in a young family it is hard to be involved” she said, “because the children do need care.” “Just wait for the doors to be opened for you.” Prayer and reading the Word of God is what we need to do as women today.