"Her Children Call Her Blessed"

Being close to Mother's Day, it was kind of fitting for our Bible study group to go off topic, which we are all women and talking is suppose to be our specialty.  For some reason, the discussion moved to why are the men the head of the household and the whole "Wives, submit to your own husbands..." verse which usually gets cut off there.  I know it's something that we all have and continue to struggle with.  I tried to explain as best I could, but it didn't hit me, and I do mean a literal mental slap, until today what the answer was.

First, here is that verse from the Holman Christian Standard Version and a few verses after:

Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church.  He is the Savior of the body.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives should [submit] to their husbands in everything.  Ephesians 5:22-24

I would ask you to continue reading until the end of Chapter 5, because these verses only confirmed my mental slap further.

For the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church.  History has shown that a man's value is above that of a woman's.  But why is that so?  Back in Genesis, we are told that God created man first and then the woman.

Then the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to alone.  I will make a helper who is like him....So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept.  God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place.  Then the Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man.  (HCSB version Genesis 2:18, 21-22)

God had chosen this model from the beginning.  The man is the provider and the woman is the helper. The relationship between Christ and the church in Ephesians, just further gives an example of how we are to treat our spouses.  Genesis is the basic idea of the husband and wife hierarchy, while Ephesians digs deeper into the model and takes it to a deeper, emotional/moral level.

Okay, so what does this all really mean?  It means that God had chosen the man to be the spiritual head of his household from the very beginning when He created Adam.  It also means that God knew that once sin was introduced into the picture, that not only would we need a Way (John 14:6) to Him, in other words salvation and redemption, but that we also would need an uncorrupt model for every aspect of our lives.  Jesus Christ is our Way to salvation and to God.  He is also our model for righteous, moral behaviour.  Jesus Christ is the spiritual head of the church, so to that the man would be for his own family.  Furthermore, as stated in Genesis, as women we are the helpers of our husbands and as such we are to treat him with respect and submit as the church submits to Jesus Christ.

Yes, I used that dreadful word again.  Submit.  I agree that I don't really like the definitions that I found, however, there was one synonym that I could agree with.  To submit, can also mean to agree.  Often we find that when working with other people, we often agree to disagree.  This is how I see the word submit play out in our marriages.

According to Genesis, the woman is man's helper.  Being man's helper means that we, as wives, do play a role in helping our husbands make decisions.  However, it is our husbands that make the final decision.  This doesn't mean that we don't talk about things as husbands and wives.  No, we should discuss, so that our husbands can hear our worries and our fears as well as our praises and joys.  In the end, we are to submit, or agree to disagree, with the final decision.  Also, remember that the man, or our husbands, are held accountable for these decisions. 

Last but not least, I would like to end with this, please read Proverbs 31:10-31.  If  you ever doubt your role or your worth as a wife, these verses will show you that "Her sons rise up and call her blessed.  Her husband also praises her..."  Husbands, honour your wives this Mother's Day by calling her blessed. 

Why I Am A Christian

A couple of Sundays ago, we had a guest pastor at our church.  To be honest, I really didn't know what his point was and I didn't agree with some of his opinions, EXCEPT for one small, yet very significant statement.  He said, "As Christians we have Christmas and Easter.  Christmas is nice, but Easter is the reason why I am a Christian."

Through out the whole sermon, I couldn't get this statement out of my mind.  I mean, I know this to be true, but had I actually heard anyone put it like that before?  Clear and concise.  Better yet, had I really expressed this simple but extraordinary truth verbally? 

I have professed that Jesus is God's Son who died for our sins so we could be saved, and excepted Him as my Lord and Savior, BUT, somehow explaining why I am a Christian seems to be so complicated.  How I got to the point of excepting the gift, God's gift of grace, is hard for me to relate when I am asked. 

...Until now.

Since that Sunday, I have become involved in a Bible study with four other lovely ladies from my church.  None of us really know each other that well, so our study is actually called "A Starting Point".  So, we are starting at the beginning, our Salvation.  How fitting is that to be discussing and exploring God's grace and love at this time of year when all the pieces fell into place for our Redemption and Salvation.


Through the study and the pastor's statement, I'm realizing something very significant.  Christmas IS important, it's a stepping stone into Easter.  If you can't believe the Christmas story, then how could you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again on the third day, all because God loves us so much?

For God loved the world in this way:  He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (HCSB version, John 3:16)

Growing up, this verse is usually highlighted during the Christmas season, the little baby laying in a manger, but this verse isn't about the baby we sing about at Christmas.  No, this is about the Son, God's Son, who died on the cross.  This is Easter.

For God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" (HCSB version, Romans 5:8)

We can have Christmas, but without Easter, there is no redemption, there is no salvation.  Easter is the main event, so to speak.  

He also said to them, "This is what is written:  The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (HCSB version, Luke 24:46-47)

Also, without Easter, there would be no gift, no grace.

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--not from works, so that no one can boast. (HCSB version, Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, this is what I have decided, "I am a Christian because of Easter.  If you would like to know more, let show what Easter really is all about."  Without Easter, there is no hope, redemption, or salvation.  We would live our lives and die.  We wouldn't even be a blip in the whole scheme of things, but because of God's amazing love and grace, when we accept His gift we are so much more than just a blip.  We are more than just a number.  We are His.

As we celebrate this Good Friday and eventually Easter this Sunday, let us remember that Easter is the reason why we are Christians.  The ultimate act of love.  Happy Easter!

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me. (HCSB, John 14:6)

Political Correctness: Is It Really All That??? (And a Bag of Chips)

Read an article today that is featured on the Yahoo homepage.  The title of the article is "Seattle teacher renames Easter eggs ‘spring spheres’."  When you get a chance, please read this article. 

So, what does this have to do with being politically correct?  Easy.  Instead of "Merry Christmas" it is "Happy Holidays", but who says it will end there.  This article shows that not only are the holidays that are recognized by our government, and the values which our Nation was founded on, are being scrutinized, but the symbolism as well.  First Easter eggs, next the Easter Bunny, Santa, Christmas trees, and the list will continue to grow. 

Yes, Easter and Christmas are Christian holidays, however, they have been secularized and commercialized.  Last time I checked the Bible, I didn't find Santa or the Easter Bunny, or even Easter eggs mentioned.  Also, many people who are not "religious" encourage their children to believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny.  That brings a new element into the debate.  Because these holidays have been secularized, then the 'religious' part becomes a back burner topic.

If you want to be politically correct, then use the politically correct term to groups of people and not the derogatory terms.  Religion, falls into a separate category.  You cannot separate something which was the basis for the founding of our Nation.  We are not forcing our 'religious' views on you, but you are infringing on our right if you want us to refrain from calling our eggs, Easter eggs. 

Today is Palm Sunday and next Sunday, my family will be celebrating Easter.  And my kids will be hunting Easter eggs as well!  Easter is why I am a Christian.

"For God loved the world in this way:  

He gave His One and Only Son, 

so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, 

but that the world might be saved though Him."  (HCS Bible  John 3:16-17)

One last note, Easter eggs are not "spheres," they are actually ovals.  Happy EASTER!

Use Your BIG words, Mom!

I love...no, I gravitate towards "big" words, or like my dad would say, those "SAT" words.  Apparently, I have passed on my love/obsession to my 5 year old daughter. 

When Emma Jeanne was 3 years old, instead of saying "I'm mad," she would say, "You're frustrating me."  Once she wore out the word frustrate, she moved on to exasperate.  Now, at 5 years old, she has a new favorite word and the list keeps on growing thanks to me and my mouth but also to the discovery of the "Fancy Nancy" books.  If you haven't checked them out, they are a must for any child who loves to discover new words in a fun and quirky story.

So, fortunately thanks to me, she has moved on from the "stop picking on me" stage, but also thanks to me, we are unfortunately in the "stop taunting me" stage of life.  However, thanks to "Fancy Nancy" we are learning some French words, and some other grandiose words for a 5 year old, that hopefully Emma Jeanne will adopt into her ever growing vocabulary!

The love of words is a beautiful thing!  As Emma Jeanne continues to discover new fancy words, I am re-learning my vocabulary right along side her.  It is an adventure that I definitely do not want to miss.  Keep reading, keep learning, keep growing!

New Year Resolutions are Made...to be Broken (Usually)

Anyone who really knows me will know that I usually don't make New Year Resolutions.  My view is that new year resolutions are made to be broken.  However, this year, 2011, I have decided to make some resolutions.

1.  Write on my Blogs at least ONCE a Month.

2.  Focus on my writing.

3.  Complete ONE Full rough copy.

Okay, so they all have to do with writing, but a little extra motivation can't hurt.  Can it???  Only time will tell.  Welcome 2011, I pray that this year will be blessed...and not just for my writing.