Just a little reminder for me, today...

In the early days of my marriage, I had occasion to be friends with older AND younger women. One in particular stands out. She was about mid forties at the time. I was in my early twenties. We worked in the same doctors office. She worked with filing insurance and as one of many receptionists. I was a doctor's assistant/x-ray tech. I had just had our first baby about a year ago, and wanted to work part time to pay for furnishing our new first home. She was a lady in every sense of the word. Gracious and kind, always ready to listen with an interested and patient ear. I found her soothing to be around and sought her out each morning to help get me in the mood for the workday. Her children and family were her main focus of her life. God was her sustainer. I enjoyed our conversations, her quick wit, and her kindness toward all people. I never heard a bad or negative word out of her mouth, no gossip, no making fun of anyone. She was, and I imagine still is this same lovely lady. I've thought of her often over the years, but don't know how to reach her, and honestly at this moment in time, I cannot even remember her name. Her face and her demeanor are clear in my mind. I guess that's what is most important, a lasting impression.

Now, I'm older than she was at that time, and I have heard God speak to me this morning and remind me about being a godly example to younger women. Do I complain too much? Does an "unwholesome" word sometimes come out of my mouth? Does my humor sometimes end up with someone or something being the "butt" of a joke...even in innocent fun? Who will think of me 25 or 30 years down the road and maybe not remember my name, but remember "me"? 

Version: NAS

Titus 2:3-5

3. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4. that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5. [to be] sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.

Blogging this last year has allowed me to share who I am and to really be "me". I strive for that and want to be open, honest, and transparent. I'm sure just natural demeanor and personality had a lot to do with this woman's charisma. I tend to be loud mouthed, silly, and "out there" alot of the time. Maybe I saw a balance that I needed. Over the years I've needed to learn to think before I speak: to temper my words and actions.

Growing up in church, going to school, working for several years, and now even blogging, have all given me occasion to view and consider other women. The ones that continue to stand out are the ones that trust God and aren't afraid to say it. Their lives reflect Him consistently. I don't always do a good job of that, but I try.
 
Don't get me wrong, I love all the craziness that abounds here in blogdom. I'm one of them. A funny story, (believe me, I've heard some of the funniest here), discussions, upsets, family problems...all that we have to live through and contend with on a daily basis... all this makes for interest. Hey, I'm the one that gives all the dirt on myself. I think I just need to be seeking God daily to be the best "me" I can be. Not to be boring and uptight, because I don't think that's what God is asking us to be, but to put forth His Word and influence and at the same time be a godly woman. Above all, that His Word not be "dishonored".
 
I'll just make a quick comment on the part of being "subject" to our husbands. I'm not always right, my husband is not always right. If something comes up that we don't agree on, we do agree to take it to the Lord, and ask for His leading and guidance. We try to be open to the other's ideas and opinions. It hasn't always been this way, but over the last eleven or so years God has "gotten ahold" of both of us. Neither one of us has to have our way. But if it comes down to a certain matter, I let my husband make the decision. This has been a hard one for me, because by nature I'm on the bossy side and very opinionated. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves and serves the Lord. I leave it between the two of them. Takes the pressure off of me.
 
And for the "working at home" part I will say this: God encourages each of us to be creative, and productive. Sometimes that means working outside the home. Sometimes we need to help out with finances. I just always enjoyed being home more than a "workplace". That's just me. Whatever we do, whether it's a job-job, a hobby, business at home; whatever you do, do it "as unto the Lord" and we can't forget to take care of our husbands, home and family. They come right after our personal relationship with Jesus. Submit all things to Him, He WILL give you the very best advice.
 
I think this was brought to my mind today, because of some of the TV and movie choices out there. Hey, I'm guilty of being a voyeur of some of what's on the tube. I don't want to get caught up in petty fights, bickering, grudges, infidelity, or greed. While it can all be entertaining, is this really the best for me to be participating in, even if not first hand but just by watching? I love what Joyce Meyer once said in so many words: If all you think about and talk about and listen to is talk about hot fudge sundaes, pretty soon you'll find yourself eating one.

And to me it is this today: Be respectful and honor God in all I do and say. Let His light shine through each area of my life. Live life in the here and now, enjoy it, but let Him control it. And oh yes, now I remember... her name is Ann.

Love, In Jesus,

Debra

Who do you want to be like when you grow up?

I guess we've all heard the saying "Like Father, like Son". And that's a wonderful thing to be as long as your father is a godly parent. Even godly parents would have a few traits that probably we would not all love to have passed down to us. I have wonderful parents, but I wouldn't want to be JUST like them. Nor would I want my daughters to be JUST like me. Whoa, absolutely not! I've messed up way too many times.

And then, have you heard the latest recipients of the Most Admired Woman Award and the Most Admired Man Award? Can you guess? Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. Well, they certainly have some great qualities, and I'm not getting political here, but would you look up to them and say "Wow, I want to be JUST like them!"

My point is this. You may have a wonderful godly parent, or you may look up to a teacher or a pastor, there are many wonderful examples out there for us to look to, but when it comes down to it, who are you aspiring to be like and how are you hoping to achieve it?

And BTW, age has nothing to do with it.

John 5:19-23

19. Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless [it is] something He sees the Father doing; for whatever [the Father] does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20. "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel. 21. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22. "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23. in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Jesus, is saying that He watches the Father to see what is to be done. Father God is His example. He wasn't out there to do things "His way", but He was in compliance at all times with what God the Father was showing Him.

People were having a hard time accepting the fact that Jesus was claiming to be the Son of God. To them it was blasphemy. "Just WHO does he think he is?!" Then add the fact that Jesus was saying God was going to use Him to raise the dead, and then to be the Judge, well that was more than the naysayers could stand. They really hated Jesus, and started planning ways to get rid of Him almost immediately in His ministry.

To be such ardent teachers of the Law, somehow they had missed all the scriptures that pointed to the fact that God was sending His Son, a messenger, to save the world. I guess they missed that little important piece of information. Or more probably, the concepts that Jesus was talking about didn't fit in with all their corrupt pride and plans.


Proverbs 18:16 says, "Pride goes before destruction, an haughty spirit before a fall."

In this case pride means the opposite of humble. Someone who doesn't need God or anyone else. They think they know best.

Been there before.

Don't ever want to be there again...

Reading this makes me think of all the times that my behavior looked nothing at all like Jesus. Losing my temper over trivial things, bad attitudes, lack of compassion or mercy for those people that may be dealing with something I don't want to deal with.

Then to take it further, how about just looking to the Father and saying, "What do You see for me? What is it that You want me to be doing in life? What's Your plan for me and mine, Father?"

Remember yesterday when I mentioned a few phrases, song titles, etc. that kind of get under my skin? OK, here's another one: the famous song by Frank Sinatra called "My Way". Love the tune and Ole Blue Eyes wonderful voice, But what a temptation to just be out there doing it MY WAY. Some of you may be thinking that I'm going a little far with this. That's your prerogative. But I don't want to be going around singing for God and all the universe to hear, saying ..."I did it my way!"

I'm not talking about losing our individuality here, I'm referring to the idea of making a plan all by myself and then running with it. It has always worked out better for me to seek God first for the plan, then do the running.

I want to honor God the Father every day in my thoughts, attitude, and actions. And yes, they do come in that order. What we think on becomes our attitude, and then that translates into our actions.
So the next time I am tempted to bust out in a hissy fit, or tell someone exactly what I might be thinking I need to run it by Jesus. Hmmm....let's see..."what would Jesus do?" That's one I really like.

with great love,
Debra

Word for the day: In regard to the Father showing the Son what is to be done I want to say that like Him, I expect you to follow My example. You are not to be out there doing things in a way I have not shown you. Then when you are living your everyday life, it needs to be in My image.