Titus 2

I was surprised, but encouraged when I Googled “Titus 2″ and viewed a lengthy list of blogs and various sites devoted to this Scripture.  I visited several, enjoying the articles and posts on a variety of subjects, from breastfeeding, cloth diapers and homeschooling to sewing, cooking and online businesses.  I felt pleased and proud that so many Christian women embrace the Titus 2 view of being a woman, then I realized we still have a long way to go.  There are twice as many blogs and sites devoted to feminism, liberal women, and others who boast of their interests in and support of liberals, democrats, environmentalists, pro-choicers, open gender and homosexuality.  There are twice as many women in our country that do not embrace our view. 
I grew up believing (through hearing it often) that I could be anything I wanted to, I could do anything a boy/man could do, and I could do it all/have it all.  Those are, however, false statements. 

Last night the President gave the State of the Union address and Lydia watched some of it with Frank.  Afterwards, he commented to her off-handedly that she might could be President someday.  From a Biblical perspective, is it wrong to tell our daughters they can be President?  For me, it is.  I don’t think it matches up with a Biblical desciption of womanhood.

I hold a complementarian view and believe the Bible is clear that women cannot have a position of authority over men (this knocks out her chance to be President).  I also believe it is wrong for me to tell Lydia that she can be anything she desires (as I was told).  Instead I want to help her discover and hone her God-given talents, and probe her interests and likes in hopes she will know God’s calling on her life early.  In all, I want her to know she is here to serve God.

I still struggle with my role as a woman from time to time.  Sometimes my flesh wants to scream to my husband, “You can’t make the decisions around here,”  when in fact, God gives him the authority to do that.  Somtimes my flesh wants to tell my precious little baby, “You are my universe and you can do anything you want,”  when in fact, to tell her such would be a tremendous disservice to her and an insult to God. 

Bible Challenge

A short 10 question quiz to test your Bible knowledge.

To take the Challenge now go to:
http://www.backtothebible.org/bible-challenge.html

2008 Book List

Last year I did not read nearly the books I should have.  I thought, even though 08 has begun, I’d compose a book list to be complete by January 2009.  It gives me something to shoot for.  This isn’t yet complete…I will continue to add books. 

Biblical Counseling:
The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard
The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson
Holiness by  JC Ryle
Speaking Truth in Love by Dave Powlison
Life in the Body of Christ  by Curtis C Thomas
Instrument in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp
Competent to Counsel by Jay E Adams

Christian Biographies:
Jonathan Edwards: A Life  by George M. Marsden
A Life of John Calvin by Alister E. McGrath
Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton

Classics:
Bible (I’d like to read through it again this year)

Fiction:

Christian:
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
A Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer
How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Hannah’s Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
My horn is exalted in the LORD,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 
“There is no one holy like the LORD,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God. 
“Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed. 
The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength. 
“Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes. 
“The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 
“The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts. 
“He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them. 
“He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail. 
Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

As Frankie and I seek God’s will about our future, I found these verses comforting today. In Hannah’s prayer, she praises God’s sovereignty and reminds me that He is always in control. He gives, sustains and takes life. Beyond that, He is sovereign over everything, even those things we cannot make sense of, like war, pain, and death. He is sovereign over the details of our lives, as well. John Murray says, “We must be reminded that all events, great and small, are embraced in God’s sovereign providence.” Calvin states “that while the turbulent state of the world deprives us of our judgment, God, by the pure light of his own righteousness and wisdom, regulates all these commotions in the most exact order, and directs them to their proper end” (Institutes, I, xvii. 1). Believers, like everyone, are faced with difficult decisions. In the face of a decision, how can we always discern the will of God? And how can we connect our decision with God’s will and His sovereignty? I believe we are responsible for our actions, our decisions. I believe also that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I don’t think “good” means necessarily things that we think are pleasant, but rather good for us. As diligent Christians, we are required to weigh and carefully consider our options when decision making. I think this entails praying, searching Scripture, examining our hearts/motives, using good judgment and wisdom, and seeking the counsel of Godly people. If we are seeking to please and glorify God and living a holy life, I think we can rest in assurance that He will guide our decision, or put another way, that we will be in God’s will with our decision. More simple still, we won’t make a bad decision.

New Idea for Posting

So Frankie and I have been praying about churches and God’s guidance in making a decision.  (We got another call from another church in SC last night).  In all our talking about the ministry and churches, I mentioned to Frankie that I really don’t have an area of ministry anymore.  Before marriage, I was VBS director, SS teacher, etc.  Since marriage, however, I have not held a position and since Lydia’s birth I have not even been in the sanctuary.  (Our current church does not really have a nursery, so I keep Lydia in the back).  I mentioned to Frankie that I need to pray about an area of service…really try to discover my spiritual gift.  I have taken the “Spiritual Inventory” (LifeWay) and similar ‘tests’ to help you discover what you like and are good at…the thing is, it changes based on my mood!  One thing I do enjoy is blogging… and writing and reading in general.  Frankie made an awesome suggestion.  Start a blog for whatever church we go to and do a daily devotion.  I can write, blog and read…plus it will be good for my own spiritual life.  I think I will keep the blogger blog for personal use and use this blog for devotions and biblical posts.