This is Part 2 of my report on our church's recent women's conference with Devi Titus on THE HOME EXPERIENCE (by the way, I recommend your purchasing the book!). I believe it is an important message to share...this is not the message the world will teach, for sure!
This week's report is on Devi's topic "The Also Principle"...you might say, what in the world is that? Well, it comes from a Genesis passage when Abraham sent his servant out to find a wife for his son (my sons' biggest fear!). Abraham knew a wife could undermine the inheritance Isaac would receive, and he wanted this woman to come from the old country where they had similar values in life. He wanted Isaac's wife to be a blessing, not a curse. The servant prayed for guidance and set out to find this babe...he came upon a beautiful woman and asked her for a drink, which she gave him. Then, in Gen. 24:16, she said "I'll draw water for your camels ALSO". Do you get the idea? She didn't just do what was asked, she went above and beyond! Of course she was the one and they lived happily ever after!
Rebekah was: responsible, serving, industrious, courteous, charitable, willing to share, hospitable, finished what she started and submitted to the authority of her family. Does that sound like someone you would like your son to end up with? Does it sound like you? Oh, I am so not an "Also" person...I try to get by with minimum effort...I am famous for "that's good enough"...from cleaning my house to grocery shopping! I don't want to be that way any more!
The "Also Principle" is defined by a willing attitude to do more than is asked of you; our character is to "do more" in our work and relationships, not "do less". Devi said if you apply this principle you will grow your faith, turn provision into prosperity, deepen your obedience and cause you to desire a more intimate relationship with God (all things Abraham wanted to pass on to his son and his family).
Do this in your work habits (stay a little later than is expected), your home (be more creative than efficient), your relationships (speak a kind word rather than a quick one), the marketplace (speak to someone in need), and many other places. If you want to be blessed - even when it's inconvenient or undeserved - go the extra mile, do a little more, not a little less.
By the way, do you know what the opposite of the "Also Principle" is? Laziness! We must confront this major hindrance in our lives, and not let it be what robs us of our inheritance!
Devi suggested you make a list of the areas in your life that are like a "stone wall broken down" (Proverbs 24:31). In a second column, list the "also" that you can add to begin buildnig up the wall again.
I know where I'm going to start, how about you?
For further study: Gen. 24:10-26, Psalm 128:2, Proverbs 6:9-11, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 21:25-26, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 25:21, Colossians 3:23-24, Colossians 4:5-6.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
October 26, 2011
October 18, 2011
"A wise woman builds her home" - Proverbs 14:1
Last weekend I was privileged to attend a women's conference at our church with Devi Titus and her seminar of THE HOME EXPERIENCE. It was a remarkable message and I want to spend the next few weeks sharing these powerful principles. I believe it is one of the most important set of principles I have heard in a long time.
The first message was on, the "The Dignity and Sanctity of the Home". Devi reminded us the first institution God established was the family. "Home should be our most treasured asset", but more and more women are devoting their time and energy outside the home. Devi said the heart is "hurt, hindered or hardened" in the home and "safe, sensitive or secure" in the home. We must understand how important what goes on in the home is to society. "Every human soul cries out for...LOVE and PEACE". If they are not finding that in the home, guess what happens? We are seeing it every day.
Titus 2:3-5 reminds us, among other things, that women are to be the "keepers of the home", single or married. The Greek word is "oikouros" which comes from two words: oikos (dwelling) and ouros (guard). That means that we are to guard all that comes in and all that goes out; to keep LOVE and PEACE in the environment. When we get busy and distracted, guess what happens to LOVE and PEACE?
Devi says "the reason our lives have become so confused and anxiety-filled is that we have lost focus on the worth and value God places on the home". We have believed a lie that women can "have it all and do it all"! If our families and homes are to be strengthened, we must return our heart to the home.
Here's an experiment she suggested: For a week, write down all the daily activities of everyone in the family. Write a list of columns of core values the family has: i.e., marriage, recreation, study, communication, etc. At the end of the week, put all the activities in the value columns. Add them all up. Is there too much play and not enough communication? Too much work and not enough marriage?
Even though our boys are out of the home, there is change that we can make toward using our home as a place of LOVE and PEACE.
For further study: Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 15:27, Proverbs 31:10-31, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:1-6.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
The first message was on, the "The Dignity and Sanctity of the Home". Devi reminded us the first institution God established was the family. "Home should be our most treasured asset", but more and more women are devoting their time and energy outside the home. Devi said the heart is "hurt, hindered or hardened" in the home and "safe, sensitive or secure" in the home. We must understand how important what goes on in the home is to society. "Every human soul cries out for...LOVE and PEACE". If they are not finding that in the home, guess what happens? We are seeing it every day.
Titus 2:3-5 reminds us, among other things, that women are to be the "keepers of the home", single or married. The Greek word is "oikouros" which comes from two words: oikos (dwelling) and ouros (guard). That means that we are to guard all that comes in and all that goes out; to keep LOVE and PEACE in the environment. When we get busy and distracted, guess what happens to LOVE and PEACE?
Devi says "the reason our lives have become so confused and anxiety-filled is that we have lost focus on the worth and value God places on the home". We have believed a lie that women can "have it all and do it all"! If our families and homes are to be strengthened, we must return our heart to the home.
Here's an experiment she suggested: For a week, write down all the daily activities of everyone in the family. Write a list of columns of core values the family has: i.e., marriage, recreation, study, communication, etc. At the end of the week, put all the activities in the value columns. Add them all up. Is there too much play and not enough communication? Too much work and not enough marriage?
Even though our boys are out of the home, there is change that we can make toward using our home as a place of LOVE and PEACE.
For further study: Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 15:27, Proverbs 31:10-31, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:1-6.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
October 12, 2011
"The world will pass away...but those who obey God will live forever." - 1 John 2:17
"All I know is I'm not home
...this is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong."
WHERE I BELONG by Building 429
I just love this song! I heard it in the car and was blown away by the message. Why in the world (#!?) would I hold on to things that I can't hold on to and be reluctant to grasp the eternal reward that awaits me? Jesus says in John 8:29: "The one who sent me is with me...for I always do what pleases him." He is our model...He did the will of God in all parts of His earthly life. He did not serve His own purposes...He did not seek His own comfort. He was always working toward drawing others to His Father.
Our purpose in the world is not to accumulate wealth or fame. Our purpose is to do God's will and "declare His praises" (1 Peter 2:9). Not only is that our purpose, but that is what satisfies...not tinny, cheap pleasures.
A.W. Tozer in THE PURSUIT OF GOD says:
"It is not what man does that
determines whether his work is sacred or secular,
it is why he does it. The motive is everything."
Jesus' motive was to do on earth what the Father gave Him to do. Our purpose on earth is to do what God has prepared us to do (Eph 2:10). Do you know what that is? Have you asked Him to show you? I get so derailed in my day-to-day living - thinking I am here for my own good pleasure! Is my work really to make sure my shoes match my purse! Good heavens, what am I thinking!!
Oswald Chambers (9/25) says we have "...only one purpose - I am here for God to send me where He will." We get drawn into the world and ITS purposes for us. We begn to think and act like the world instead of the "set apart" ones that God has chosen His children to be.
Chuck Colson in THE GOOD LIFE says:
"The good life turns out to be
life fulfilled in Christ, for now and
eternity. It's everything we most want:
purpose, meaning, relationship,
truth and love."
Why do we look other places? "Take the world and give me Jesus"!
For further study: Deu. 30:15-16, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 6:19-34, Matt. 16:26, John 15:19, John 17:13-19, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 10:31, 1 Tim. 6:6-7, 1 Peter 2:9-12
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
October 5, 2011
FAITH HOPE LOVE - 1 Corinthians 13:13
Our household is a buzz of activity these days because our youngest son, Alex, is getting married in January to his lovely Laura. I love watching them from the viewpoint of 26 years of experience. If I were to write them a letter about what I've learned over the years, I think it would go something like this:
Dear Alex & Laura,
Congratulations on finding the one you want to spend the rest of your life with! What a joy to know that you know the One who created you both and has the best plan for your life together. Here are my Ten Commandments for a Happy Marriage - most of which your dad and I are still working on!
1. Make FAITH HOPE LOVE the foundation of your marriage. Paul was writing this to a group who did not love and it caused divisions within. I promise you, that is not what you want for your home. Make knowledge of the Lord and His word the priority of your home.
2. Be each other's best cheerleader. (Eph. 4:29). Let the criticism come from outside the home...do not talk negatively about each other to others.
3. Don't let unresolved anger or resentment fester (Eph 4:26-27). Don't keep score and don't compete with each other.
4. Alex, really listen to Laura and work at understanding her needs (Eph. 5:28-29). Be the spiritual leader of your home and cherish her as a gift.
5. Laura, you are the only one in the whole world called to be Alex's helpmate. Resolve to know his needs and meet them as best you can with joy. (1 Peter 3:1-2)
6. Commit to regular communication of your feelings in a loving manner (James 1:19-20). Never humiliate each other. Don't let sarcasm in; it's destructive. Don't let pride keep you from saying "I'm sorry".
7. Make your marriage the center of your home, not precious children, should you be so blessed. Resolve to make each other more important than the homes you are leaving. (Gen. 2:24)
8. Give generously (Luke 6:38). Don't expect a return for your giving. It is said true happiness comes when you give.
9. Forgive as you want to be forgiven. (Eph. 4:32). If you don't, you will carry the heavier burden.
10. Make your home a place of peace if at all possible (Romans 12:18). No one is perfect...be patient as the Lord finishes His work in each of you. Be kind and helpful to the other.
Biblical standards still apply today to marriage today, even though that's not what we're hearing. The world will be hungry to see you apply these principles, even when they take much work. Dennis & Barbara Rainey in MOMENTS WITH YOU say: "I believe family is still of utmost importance to our Heavenly Father. It holds the key to our health, our success as a society and our future...and it is worth whatever effort is required to nurture, encourage and support it."
You have been gifts to us and we pray you will be gifts to each other!
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Mom
Dear Alex & Laura,
Congratulations on finding the one you want to spend the rest of your life with! What a joy to know that you know the One who created you both and has the best plan for your life together. Here are my Ten Commandments for a Happy Marriage - most of which your dad and I are still working on!
1. Make FAITH HOPE LOVE the foundation of your marriage. Paul was writing this to a group who did not love and it caused divisions within. I promise you, that is not what you want for your home. Make knowledge of the Lord and His word the priority of your home.
2. Be each other's best cheerleader. (Eph. 4:29). Let the criticism come from outside the home...do not talk negatively about each other to others.
3. Don't let unresolved anger or resentment fester (Eph 4:26-27). Don't keep score and don't compete with each other.
4. Alex, really listen to Laura and work at understanding her needs (Eph. 5:28-29). Be the spiritual leader of your home and cherish her as a gift.
5. Laura, you are the only one in the whole world called to be Alex's helpmate. Resolve to know his needs and meet them as best you can with joy. (1 Peter 3:1-2)
6. Commit to regular communication of your feelings in a loving manner (James 1:19-20). Never humiliate each other. Don't let sarcasm in; it's destructive. Don't let pride keep you from saying "I'm sorry".
7. Make your marriage the center of your home, not precious children, should you be so blessed. Resolve to make each other more important than the homes you are leaving. (Gen. 2:24)
8. Give generously (Luke 6:38). Don't expect a return for your giving. It is said true happiness comes when you give.
9. Forgive as you want to be forgiven. (Eph. 4:32). If you don't, you will carry the heavier burden.
10. Make your home a place of peace if at all possible (Romans 12:18). No one is perfect...be patient as the Lord finishes His work in each of you. Be kind and helpful to the other.
Biblical standards still apply today to marriage today, even though that's not what we're hearing. The world will be hungry to see you apply these principles, even when they take much work. Dennis & Barbara Rainey in MOMENTS WITH YOU say: "I believe family is still of utmost importance to our Heavenly Father. It holds the key to our health, our success as a society and our future...and it is worth whatever effort is required to nurture, encourage and support it."
You have been gifts to us and we pray you will be gifts to each other!
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Mom
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