Raising Godly Boys??? July 27, 2008

WANTED:  THREE CHRISTIAN YOUNG MEN/BOYS
FOR ARRANGED MARRIAGES.

Must come from “good” family.  Must have regularly attended Sunday School, Sunday morning services, Wednesday night services, and be active in all other possible church activities.  Must have been saved at a young age.  Must have servant’s heart.  Must show respect for parents.  Must have been a recipient of regular spankings and consistent discipline throughout formative years.   Must have a mother and father who show affection openly.  Parents must attend church together and sit lovingly beside each other giving gentle nudges when the preacher hits close to home.  If dad is a Pastor, mom must sit in front row with her well-behaved boys by her side.  Must have a father who takes out the trash, remembers birthdays and anniversaries, spends time with the children, takes the wife out on regular dates.  Must say “Yes sir” and “Yes ma’am.”  Must have healthy respect for his mother, but not be a “mama’s boy.” Must be willing to leave and cleave!  Must have plans to attend good Christian college and be in the ministry.  Must wear a ring that says “TRUE LOVE WAITS.”  Must not date anyone until you have met my daughters, then courting arrangments will be made….etc., etc.

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Ok, so sue me…I don’t know anything about raising godly boys, but I hope someone does because I do have three daughters.  And I pray they will all have godly husbands if it be God’s will that they marry.  How are they going to find these Christian young men?  I don’t know!!  But I know the one who does know.  God has a plan for my girls.  I certainly can’t even begin to imagine the places they will go, or the lives they will impact, but God can. 

Looking at the (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek list I made of requirements for these so called godly young men, I do realize that what I think my children need may not be what God knows they need.  God sees the finished product of life experiences, healing from hurts, and our surrendering more fully to Him.  My husband and I have been married for 16 1/2 years.  We have a good strong marriage that I would not trade for the world (and I still get butterflies and all that mushy stuff!).  But I can tell you that neither one of us would have answered an ad like this one!  We just didn’t measure up when we met at 21 & 19 years old!  Now I do have a husband that remembers birthdays and anniversaries, takes out the trash, washes my car, spends times with the children, and loves me extravagantly (even when I’m not loveable).  Yeah, it’s the same guy.  But God has changed us both.

So with regard to raising godly boys – here’s my take on it:  SOMEONE PLEASE DO IT!  Please, please, please raise at least three godly boys for my girls.  I don’t know how you’re supposed to do it.  I know they need to be men of God, men whose final authority on any major life decision is the Word of God, men who won’t compromise with the world, men who understand authority and submission, men who can love unconditionally with the love of Jesus, men of integrity.  I’m certain the Bible gives some good instruction on how to produce these men.  That’s the book I’m using while trying to raise three godly girls.  I don’t know if they’ll meet all the requirements of your want ad or if your boys would meet mine.  What I do know is that God is the giver of good things, so even if the boys can’t in good conscience answer the ad, if they are who God has for my girls, those are the guys I want!

For someone who may know a little more than me about Raising Godly Boys, head on over to At The Well hosted today by Lori at I’ll Take it Lord, all You Have to Give, and see what others are saying. 

I’m a Believer!

Laura

P.S.  If you know anyone who possibly meets the requirements in my ad, you can reply in the comments section!

Shark Week Vacation July 27, 2008

I SHARKED MYSELF!

Hello to all my 4 regular readers in blogland.  My family and I are going on VAAACAAATION! We’ll be leaving in the a.m. to head to the (hopefully) sunny shores of Fort Morgan, AL, where we will terrify ourselves silly by watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel at night and heading to the beach in the mornings!  We ALWAYS end up at the beach either during Shark Week or immediately following… gluttons for punishment.

I don’t know what I’ll do with all my time since I can’t blog…oh, I know – I’ll stick my toes in the sand!  I do love the beach – it always speaks to me of the greatness of our God and His amazing creativity.  I mean JELLYFISH??? Why?  How did he think of those?  And how did He make shrimp taste so good?  These are the mysteries of the deep… 

Ok – it’s clear, my mind is already on vacation.  Gotta go pack.

I’m a Believer!

Laura

From Battle Scars to Beauty Marks July 25, 2008

As I woke up on the morning of Sara’s surgery, she was on my heart.  I had seen her bravely preparing for this upcoming surgery, but I saw her smile and her courage falter a bit as she talked about the scars that would be left.  A double mastectomy would leave obvious scarring, and could require much reconstructive surgery.  I know that in her little-girl heart she was scared, felt a little silly, and wondered if she were being prideful in daring to consider Beauty at a time like this!

Mrs. Sara is one of the most beautiful women I know.  I don’t say that lightly or figuratively or just to be flattering.  She has a quiet peace and strength (although most wouldn’t describe her as “quiet”) in her that has come from perseverance in the things of God.  She has lived her life, made mistakes, had great triumphs, learned about God & herself and how it all fits together and she is simply BEAUTIFUL!  She has scars of life in her and on her.  BUT she only has scars where God has healed her.

You see, scars are proof of the healing power of a living God!  The only way I can figure to avoid scars is either to never get hurt or to never get healed.  We know that we will be hurt (These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  ~John 16:33)  so unless we choose to never get healed, it seems that we will have scars.

Mrs. Sara’s life scars have healed beautifully – so beautifully that when she tells of past hurts as a child, a teenager, a young wife, a single mom, a remarried mother and stepmother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor, a friend…when she tells of these hard times, her scars have healed so cleanly that no bitterness, anger, hatred nor anything else ugly can be seen!  What I do see is the awesome healing power of God Almighty!  Simply stunning…

Sara’s scars make her who she is.  They make her beautiful because the hand of God has touched those areas of her life and made them whole again.  (The only wounds that won’t heal are the ones we won’t allow the Master Healer to touch.)  I pray that Sara is allowing Him to touch these new scars, inside and out.  When He does, they will be another testimony to the healing grace of our Father and the beauty that His touch brings.

Scars are a sign of life because they are evidence of healing.  Scars prove who you are.  Even Jesus, when He appeared to Thomas, came back with scars in His hands – the scars of His crucifixion.  He wanted Thomas to KNOW and BELIEVE in the resurrection power of God!  He, in effect, said, “I am Jesus, the Son of God.  I was crucified, dead, and buried, but I was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, AND I HAVE THE SCARS TO PROVE IT!”

My prayer for Mrs. Sara (and anyone else who has been scarred in this life) is that she seek diligently after the hand of her Maker and allow the Master to touch those scars and bring healing that only Jesus can bring.  I pray that she will allow God to turn her battle scars into beauty marks.  And when a hurting, scared woman is placed in her path and comes to her for encouragment, I pray that she can stand in great faith and say “I am Sara.  I am a daughter of the Most High God who has power to heal and bring life AND I HAVE THE SCARS TO PROVE IT!”

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.  ~Matthew 9:22

I love Mrs. Sara.  She is a testimony to me that I can run this race as a daughter of the King.  I have been blessed to be in weekly Bible study with her for the past 5 years every Tuesday morning.  This year, she went through a very difficult time when she found out she had breast cancer and needed a double mastectomy.  She handled it with grace and faith.  She is currently cancer free with no need of chemotherapy or radiation treatment!!  To God be the glory!!

I’m a Believer!

Laura

A Titus 2 Woman? July 22, 2008

I came across At The Well a day late, but couldn’t resist posting on one of my favorite topics.  It’s my first linky thingy post…

The topic was “What does being a Titus 2 woman mean to you?”

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  ~Titus 2:1-5

As I consider the passage in Titus 2, I can say that up until recently I feel like I was on the receiving end of this scripture.  Early in my Christian walk (16  years ago) the Lord gently placed me in a church full of mature Christian women of sound doctrine.  I was graciously taught by the Word and by the actions of these ladies what a woman of God should look like.  These women were teachers of good things; their behavior was holy.  They weren’t given to ANY wine!  They spoke tenderly and kindly, even about difficult subjects and difficult people.  I tried to learn as they taught me to be serious about the things of God.  I watched as they loved their husbands and their children in ways I hadn’t known I was supposed to and in ways I wasn’t sure I was capable of.  As they graciously invited me into their homes, I was intimidated (translate: challenged) sometimes by their discretion, chastity, hospitality, and housekeeping!  I couldn’t believe the word “obedient” was used in the Bible regarding a husband and wife relationship.  I saw them honor the Word of God in what they said and did.  Were they perfect?  I don’t THINK so…but they showed me that it is possible, with God’s power to really LIVE this Christian life!

I’m now 16 years down the road on my Christian walk.  I have a birthday tomorrow, and I’m rapidly heading towards the “aged women” category.  I am so far from perfect it is not even funny, but everything I was taught by these women of God has stayed with me.  I’ve tried to allow God to work in me so that my behavior has changed and is more becoming of holiness.  I desperately want to teach good things to other women and to my daughters (who will one day be women).  I have a deep desire for other women to have an understanding of Biblically loving their husbands and having a submissive heart with regard to their marriages.  I’m finding new ways to love my children every day.  Discretion and housekeeping…still weak spots for me, but I’m trying to be “good.”  I hold the Word of God in highest regard.  I’m always amazed at the depth and yet the simplicity of God’s plans for me.  I pray that one day something I have learned will be passed down to another young lady who is trying to figure out what it means to be a woman of God. 

As I’ve written this, I’ve realized that a true Titus 2 woman will turn out more Titus 2 women…wow!

For more entries on this topic, head on over to Joyfully Living for His Glory!

I’m a Believer!

Laura

Believing the Truth about God – Part 2 July 19, 2008

In Part 1 of Believing the Truth About God, we were looking at what has been called Mary’s Magnificat, the portion of scripture in Luke 1:45-54, in which Mary, the young mother of Jesus, sings a song of praise about the character of her God based on His hand in her life.  She begins her song by saying “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”  She then goes on to tell about her Lord.  Let’s continue to look at her song, and at the qualities of God that she knew so well as to be able to put complete trust in Him for all things.

1.  God is a Savior and His Salvation Brings Joy

My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  Luke 1:47

• Right here we see that her spirit HATH REJOICED in her Saviour.  God has been her Saviour. HAS BEEN is past tense. In the previous verse she spoke of God as her Lord, meaning master.  He IS her Master because He HAS BEEN her Savior.  First and foremost, before God is our Lord, our Master, He must have already been our Savior.

Believing the Truth About God – Part 1 July 12, 2008

This is a message I delivered at our Ladies’ Beach Retreat in May.

In the previous posts, Being a Believer and Believing the Truth Part 1 & Part 2, you may have noticed that in order to be a believer, and to believe the truth you are going to have to believe in God, on God, and flat out Believe God! That’s a lot of trust in God right there…

I find that is is easier to believe someone when we know something about them and trust their character.  How about you?  In order for us to have the kind of increasing belief and faith in God, it will be helpful for us to know more about God’s character.

Just as viciously as the truth has been attacked, God’s character has been attacked. The most popular method of attack to is to ask that accusatory question is “If God is so good,

Book Tag… Whatcha Readin’? July 7, 2008

Now ladies, help me out a bit here… I didn’t think I’d have to resort to this, but…. I tag RENA, GINGER & COURTNEY!  Y’all let us know what you are reading… Comment below.  Inquiring minds (at least mine) want to know.

I found something fun to try, so don’t cheat!  Please participate – it’ll be fun!

Here is how it works:

1. Grab the book closest to you
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3. Post the text of the following three sentences
4. Name the author and book title
5. Post your results on “comments”
6. Post on your blog, and see what happens!

Here’s mine:

But far too often I find myslef turning my attention to the details and tasks of the day without first taking adequate time to “inquire of the Lord.”

When I do so, what I am really saying (though I’d never actually say it) is that I can handle that day on my own – apart from the presence, wisdom, and grace of God.  I am saying I can do my work, keep my home, handle my relationships, and deal with my circumstances without Him.

from Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This is a great book!  I highly recommend it to everyone.  This particular excerpt is from the chapter about the lies we have believed about priorities.  The particular lie addressed here is “I can make it without consistent time in the Word and prayer.”  Big lie! 

I can’t wait to read part of your books!

Moses July 7, 2008

This is a video clip from some of our worship services on June 29.  It’s all really good, but I was very moved by my pastor’s song at the end and wanted to share it with as many people as possible!  If you will fast forward to about 8:15, you can catch his “performance” (I hate to use that word about church!) of Moses.  It is an unusual style of song, but very powerful. 

http://web.mac.com/bobbyready/Site/Media/Entries/2008/7/1_WORSHIP_SERVICE_CLIPS.html

We are in preparation for our mission team to leave for their annual mission trip to Brazil.  That explains the Brazil tshirts and our Pastor’s “interesting” vest.  I pray this blesses you and challenges you as much as it did me.

I love my church family!

I’m a Believer!

Laura

Heavenly To Do List July 1, 2008

Hey!  Where have I been?  The past few weeks have been some of the busiest I’ve had since last Christmas season.  It sure seems like everything happens at one time – not just to me, but to those around me too! 

I have to thank my friend Ladon for praying for me as she saw me on one of my nutty days…  She prayed “And Lord, please help Laura get all her thoughts in one basket.”  How did she know?!!  Was it so obvious