Think of someone you know who grew up in a Christian home then once they turned 18 headed deep into the world. I personally have known several people, both guys and girls, who have done just that – they grew up hearing the same Biblical principles, memorizing the same Bible verses, and often had godly parents who were actively involved in the church. Why, then, at the first chance do they choose everything opposite of what they have been taught?
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Proverbs 31 for the Single Girl
She’s that illustrious goddess of domesticity. Her husband is crazy about her, the kids adore her, she is business-savvy, Martha Stewart, Paula Dean, Mother Theresa and Jackie Kennedy all rolled into one. The epitome of poise, her house beautifully decorated, her table laden with healthy and delicious foods, her family’s needs all met, and her entrepreneurial spirit bringing in a little extra cash. At least, that’s how we usually picture the Proverbs 31 woman.
When Waiting Equals Rebellion
I read a story of a man who had been convicted of murder and was sentenced to the electric chair. The day of his execution, the warden came by the prisoner’s cell and said, “You can have anything you want for your last meal.” The prisoner replied, “I want asparagus.” The warden says, “Asparagus won’t be in season for three more months.” The prisoner replied, “I’ll wait.”
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The Beauty of Worship Through Sacrifice
The air was a bit close in the room where they all sat, stuffed around a low table, relaxing as the meal came to a close. The candlelight flickered off the walls of the little abode, and the conversation has dropped to a low murmur. The door hesitatingly creaked open, and a small woman slipped in, carrying a vessel in her hands. Eyes followed her movement across the room, past the men, and to the head of the table. She was intruding in a man’s world, this small woman with her small box.
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Women Who Waited
Down through Bible history, we find women who waited. Should we think it strange when we have to wait for what God has for us?
Punctuality
Are you a punctual girl? What does it mean to be punctual, anyway? Punctuality is showing high esteem for other people and their time. Probably you have heard this character quality mentioned in relation to being on time for something, right? Punctuality is so important for girls to learn, but it is often missing from their lives.
Misunderstood Hypocrisy
One of the biggest misconceptions amongst Christian teenagers (or those simply raised in a Christian home) is about hypocrisy. Teenagers love to accuse their friends, enemies, authority figures, and everyone else for that matter of being a bunch of hypocrites. This idea of hypocrisy has a tendency to cause great confusion in the minds of teenagers. Most of the time, the word and Biblical definition are sorely misunderstood. I hope I can clearly explain things and not cause more confusion.
I Hope So!
When we use the word ‘hope’ today, we usually mean that we ‘wish very hard’ for something to happen, although you might have varying degrees of intensity to your wishing. “I hope it doesn’t rain.” “I hope they put chicken on sale.” “I hope to get married one day.” The Bible use of the word ‘hope’, however, is vastly different.
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Speak Life
Our house is full of talking! Chatting, serious discussions, school lessons, reciting, laughter, playing, and questions, questions, questions! As moms, we interact verbally with our children from morning until night. And how sweet it is, sometimes, as we close the door at night on sleeping little ones and enjoy a few moments (hopefully) of blessed quietness, right? Since I interact so much with my children, I think it’s good to take some time to evaluate how I use my words with our children
Gentleness
Do you like babies? If you are like most girls, your answer is an enthusiastic, “Yes!” Of course you love babies! They are little and cute and so very soft! Think back to the last time you were able to hold a tiny newborn. How did you cradle that baby in your arms and speak to him? Very carefully? Probably you held the little one delicately and spoke tenderly. This is what I think of when I hear the word gentle. Gentleness is not only something we need when caring for a tiny baby, but it is an important character trait for girls, just like you, to learn.
A Lesson in Prudence
They lived happily together in their beautiful new home. It was the perfect love story – for a while. Until the day when everything went wrong.
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How to Get Where You’re Going (You Have to Know Where)
Armed with her GPS, her glovebox stuffed with backup maps, and a full tank of gas, Sheila headed for the turnpike. “Ah, I love road trips!” she said, windows down to the spring breeze and her favorite artists singing through the stereo. Entrance ramps ahead, she glanced in her mirror and changed lanes. “WAIT! Where am I going?” she thought.
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Board Book Lessons
We have a particular little board book that has been read over and over again to each of our babies and they have all enjoyed it. It’s about a duckling who leaves the pond looking for someone to play with and asking himself the question, “What did God make me to do?” Invariably, he becomes more and more disappointed as he encounters several little creatures (like a lamb, mole, squirrel, and bunny) and they are each eager to play with him, only Little Duckling isn’t able to scamper or dig or climb or hop with the new friend. Almost at the point of desperation, up waddle three other ducklings and remind Little Duckling that he is very good at swimming. Of course Little Duckling joins the other ducklings back on the pond, swimming his little heart out and happy to have found, or rather been reminded again, of “what God made little ducklings to do.”
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Love
Valentine’s Day…it’s the season of love! If you are like my little girls, you like anything that has to do with hearts, flowers, red, pink and celebrating a special, lovey-dovey day like Valentine’s Day! It’s fun to decorate with hearts and Valentines and craft special messages, gifts and treats for the ones we love! But what is real love?
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The Lost Art of Discernment
My little boy just turned eight months old and everyday he becomes more aware of his surroundings. His eyes and ears are constantly perking up with interest. Soon he’ll be able to identify shapes, colors and animal names and sounds. Unfortunately, I can’t just download all that information into his head, but rather he must learn it…a process which takes time and practice.
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The Potential of a Thought
And thus begins February, the month of love. Chocolates, flowers, hearts, everything pink and glittery and romantic – all pointing to one particular holiday that some of my friends like to call “Single Awareness Day.” Perhaps the most depressing day of the year for a single girl, one might feel like all the married people are taunting with their relationship status. Every decoration, every bunch of roses, every couple with starry gazes just reminds you that you are yet single and unattached. There’s no one to send you chocolates and flowers.
Contemplative Cleaning
Recently while I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the bathroom floor (it really needed it!) I made some observations about sin and dirt. Maybe it was the Pine-sol that put me in a pensive mood, or perhaps it is just that dealing with sin and dealing with dirt are so obviously alike, and I don’t naturally like addressing either of them! Why should we deal promptly with sin in our hearts (and dirty bathroom floors)?
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IBS
She was young, full of anticipation, and overflowing with dreams of the future. She had high energy, optimism, goals and dreams.
Rhoda was a young believer mentioned in Acts who attended a prayer meeting held at Mary’s house for the imprisoned Peter. Now in Rhoda’s day Christians feared death or imprisonment by the Romans. Perhaps it was her youthful ignorance that kept her in the house praying instead of at home where it was safe. Nonetheless, she demonstrated faith in God despite the potential danger.
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How to Receive a Gift You Didn’t Want
The whole family is gathered together. Twinkling lights reflect in children’s eyes as they gather around and Grandpa reads the Christmas story. There is hot apple cider to sip and fresh cookies to munch. Then the fun begins – it’s gift time! The gifts are distributed, and soon it is your turn. You open a soft, lumpy package from your Great Aunt Martha. It’s a… sweater! Yes, a sweater in a color that you despise, in that odd 90’s style that is definitely not modern, but not yet vintage, and hence, a style you would not be caught dead in. Worst of all, there are rabbits embroidered around the bottom edge. Too kitschy, too outdated, too childish, too UGLY. Now what happens?
Resourcefulness
A few months ago, while my daughter was cleaning the bathrooms, she noticed that there were several hand soap dispensers that were just about empty and needed to be replaced. Rather than throw all of them away, and waste that last little bit of soap in the bottom of each of them, she used creativity and resourcefulness to combine them all into one of the dispensers, so that soap wouldn’t be wasted and could be used to clean hands! This is a great example of a young lady using resourcefulness!