The Lord Works

I cannot stop thinking about how the Lord works in mysterious ways. He is undoubtedly in control. Today at work I encountered the author of a book that changed my view on marriage. I read the book early this year, in February I believe. The book Get Married is about marriage and what single women can do to get prepared for marriage. After reading the book I finally felt at peace about my strong desire to be a wife and mother. Her premise in the book is that it is a good and natural thing to desire marriage, because God put that in our hearts. Most people get married, and it was part of God's plan to be married and be fruitful and multiply. It is not a bad thing to desire marriage if you are single. That book was the beginning of God working in my heart and preparing me to be a wife. I met the author, Candice Watters, when she was at the seminary talking about the book earlier this year. Today I saw her again, and I was surprised to learn that her husband just took a job at the seminary and they moved their family here. When I met her before I thanked her for writing the book and I shared a little of my story. Today I didn't get the chance to tell her that I am now engaged, and I am ready to 'get married'.

Thinking about this year is very surreal to me. My prayers have finally been answered. I have prayed for a husband that would love the Lord, love me and desire to be a father. God knew what He was doing when He brought me back to the seminary. He also knew what He was doing when He brought Steven Dresen to seminary and also put us in the same church. All I could do to prepare for marriage as a single woman was pray and seek God's wisdom. God continues to sanctify me and I have felt His presence as I have studied what the Bible says about marriage and family. His grace is more than I deserve. I prayed for a godly husband and he exceeds all of my expectations. I pray that I never take him for granted but always honor and respect him. God has blessed us with an opportunity to live out the gospel daily in our relationship and we seek to honor Him in that.

If you are single and lonely and wondering if you will ever get married please remember that God is in control. He will bring that person in His timing. He will bring you together in a way that honors Him. He will teach you as you go, and He will never leave you anxious on the journey. He brings us peace and all wisdom and understanding. Never stop praying. God knows what He is doing!!

I literally cannot think of a proper title

I have recently been reading a lot of Elisabeth Elliot books. She is my favorite author because she is so wise and truthful. She has this amazing ability to point everything back to God's truth, and I am always encouraged when I finish reading. Some of what I read has made me think a lot. One of the main things I have pondered is the wonder of being a woman and the fact that woman was created for the man because God, in His infinite plan, knew that Adam should not be alone.

Elisabeth Elliot is a very conservative lady, and she was raised in a completely different generation than I. She tells the story of her first date. The rules were simple: boy asks girl, he has a plan for the evening, he is a gentleman, he asks her parents' permission, and gets her home by curfew. Also, there were other old-fashioned rules that applied of course. Later, she went on to say that her daddy told her brothers that if he was ready to tell a girl he loved her then he better be ready to marry her. Apparently they stuck to this little rule of thumb. I think I agree...

I read this and think it sounds great. If only things were like they used to be. Now we have this awkward dating scene, where we go into it seeing what we can get from it, and don't think about the long term affects it will have on our lives. I wish somebody would have stopped me from dating my first two boyfriends. And the last two relationships are not a better story. I wish things could be simple. I wish I didn't give my heart away and follow my emotions instead of God's will. I can't change the past and God is good, but I was done with trying to find 'a guy' and looking for the wrong type of guy yet justifying that he was 'good for me'. I wish somebody would have told me to stop chasing boys, because it is not our job to initiate. God is in control, and everything is great when it is according to God's perfect order. It glorifies our Creator when we live as He intended us to live.

I have been single for the last five years. Most of the time I remained content, but there were a lot of moments recently where I wondered when, or if, a guy would ever approach me. I believe that is the mans job, and I had to patiently wait for that to happen. Imagine my surprise when a guy approached me after church. He did it more than once, and ever since I met him he has initiated everything. What in the world is going on? Seriously, I was confused by it because finally a guy was doing things right. We became friends and are now a couple. Oh, and I still let him initiate because that is still the mans job.

I want God's will and not mine. How many times have I said that and not held up my end? But God is working in our lives and I trust in His perfect will, and I am thankful!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

Sickness

Wow. What a day. I have been so sick with sinuses and other things this week that I needed a day of rest. I am tired...and I am sick. Sick of being tired, tired of being sick. For some reason the Lord has me thinking about being a mom today. I turned the t.v. on at lunch and during the day there are so many commercials targeted to stay at home moms. Also, some of my facebook friends are stay at home moms and I love reading their status updates.

I think about my friends who are single and in school. We are in seminary because we are seeking God's will and preparing for ministry. But isn't ministry for women within the home and the church? My heart's desire is to be a wife and mom. My heart's desire is also to disciple and teach women the Bible. Great news, my heart's desire is exactly what God calls women to do. I just long for the day when I'm home, chasing little stinkers around and freaking out because I'm really tired and have flour in my hair and my kids making messes in every room in the house. That will be the day!!

Marriage and Ministry

Sometimes I do not know what to say. I have a lot on my mind, not all of which needs to be shared with the world. Right now I am remembering a conversation that I had with my teenage girls at camp last year. We talked about ministry, and if we are called into full time ministry does that mean we should marry a man called to ministry? I think I had asked myself that very question before. I came to the conclusion that we probably should. But is that a command? Could I marry a man who had no desire to do ministry? We all minister as Christians, but I mean full time, devoted-to-for-life ministry. This is my calling, and I think it would be difficult to be a helper to a man not called to ministry.

1 Timothy tells us that an elder, or overseer, must be a man who is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and a man that manages his family with dignity (1 Tim 3). He must not be a recent convert and he must be well thought of by outsiders. If you were to be a wife of a man like this, wouldn't you also be expected to share in these qualities? I think, and do not know from experience, that marriages that are successful are successful because they have the same goal in life-to glorify God with their marriage. It makes sense to spend the rest of your life with a person that has similar goals and desires.

One of the girls in the group that asked that question is now engaged. She is a missionary and a woman who fears God. I am a lot older than her, but I think it's great that she has found a man to share in ministry and life. How cool is that? I know there is a time for everything...and I am trusting in God's perfect plan for my life. Jesus has not failed me yet, nor will He!

Be imitators of God

Ephesians 5 is such a loaded chapter in the Bible. First Paul tells the reader to be an imitator of God. Wow. That is loaded. What does that entail exactly? Well my pastor always says, if you don't know what the writer is saying, keep reading. So.....verse 2 tells us it means to walk in love, just like Christ did. He gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. If that is not love, I do not know what is.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

He continues....

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

If we are going to walk in the light with fellowship with our Lord we must live a life that is pleasing to Him. We do not do good works to earn our salvation, we live and love as Christ because that is what He commands of us. We should discern what is pleasing to the Lord. This is not legalism, this is obedience. Grace is a free gift, we cannot earn our salvation, but obedience is another story. Be imitators of God, offer yourselves as a sacrifice JUST LIKE JESUS. He walked the ultimate life of obedience to the Father. He prayed to the Father, not my will but yours.

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

We must be wise. We must submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. He is what drives us to love others. He is our ultimate example. Also, we should continue to encourage one another. Let us not be foolish brothers and sisters. Pray that we will live lives pleasing to the Lord. Lives full of love and self-sacrifice. And let us not forget to give thanks ALWAYS. Thank you Lord for your truth!

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

In my first women's ministry class at Bible college I had to write a paper about a passage in Scripture which mentioned womanhood. I chose 1 Peter 3, a passage about submission to husbands. The verses that I really wanted to study were 3 and 4.

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."

I feel like I have spent years trying to figure out what it looks like to have a 'gentle and quiet spirit'. I am not sure where my paper is. I would like to read it, but I remember some of my findings.

The phrase 'gentle' is actually referring to the word 'meek or humble'. This word was also used to describe Jesus himself. The preceding verse mentions physical looks. I used to get caught up on this. Is it really saying that we shouldn't fix our hair and wear jewelry? I was okay with that. I am sort of a plain Jane. I do not really like wearing jewelry. Sounds good to me. Well I looked closer, and I realized the word 'merely'. So it is saying that we should not only fix our hair and look pretty, we must also exemplify a gentle and quiet spirit.

So what does this look like on a daily basis? Studying these verses has been convicting for me. Here is what I got from this study.

First, I think the only way we are going to be meek and humble like Jesus, our Lord, is to walk with Him daily. We must start each day in prayer and communion with God through His Word. If we do not know Him deeply, how will we know how to live like Him? Drawing close to the throne of our humble Lord is a humbling experience.

Second, we must remember that this verse is talking about the women submitting to husbands. Her quietness refers to how she acts and reacts to her husband's leadership. This also applies to single women. We must submit to the authority around us. Also, we must submit to one another in love. I personally need to be more aware of my interactions with others. Ever since the garden, women have been tempted to usurp the authority of their husbands. We must remember to submit in a loving and humble way.

All we can do is draw near to Christ, and He will show us the way to live. Our love for Him should overflow and shine through our gentle and quiet spirits.

Food

I have been cooking since I was 10 years old. That is a whole 15 years of active time in the kitchen. Sometimes I think that I am an expert, but oh boy do I have a lot to learn. Recently I made a Kentucky Butter Cake for the Derby. Too bad it stuck to the bundt pan :(
It happens....

So I am going to share some recipes and tips as I work in the kitchen. This is part of my summer fun plan.

First, let me start with a summer dessert which is so easy!

Fruit Cookie:

Roll out sugar cookie dough and bake as directed. Top with flavored cream cheese (strawberry) and top with your favorite fruit!
(A brownie variation of this is good also)

Preparing for Marriage

These are just some of my thoughts. I am sure more will follow.

Marriage. It is a mystery. In the seminary world, people go about it many different ways. Some date, some court, some get engaged after knowing one another for 2 months. What is the ideal? How do we get there?

Voddie Baucham Jr. is a voice in biblical marriage and family issues. In his book, What He Must Be, he talks about the importance of teaching young men and women to prepare for marriage. He calls marriage 'the preferred state'. He is not talking about men and women who have a known calling from God to serve Him in singleness. He is talking about the twenty-somethings (like myself) who delay marriage. (Let me remind you, women don't always have control over their marital status if men do not approach them, but that's a whole other issue!) Most of our parents got married in their early twenties. That is rarely true for our generation. When people that young do get married, we are somewhat shocked.

The more I look around, the more I realize how many singles there are. Sometimes I feel like the only one, but really there are plenty around. Baucham says, "If we prepare our children to be husbands and wives, and God calls and equips them toe be single, we have lost nothing. On the other hand, if we do not prepare our children to be husbands and wives, and they end up married someday, we have lost a great deal. " There is so much truth to this. Parents should be the ones who prepare their children for marriage. Some girls I know do not know how to cook because their mothers never taught them. I believe it's important for the church to step up and teach when the parents do not.

Singles need to prepare for marriage because the majority of us will one day marry. If we get too comfortable in our singleness, how much harder will it be for us to share our life with someone else? This lack of preparation makes things difficult for the single adults. Baucham says, "As a result, we have families led by men who haven't the foggiest idea what their role is or how to carry it out. We have wives who were created with a God-given need to be led by godly men, a curse from the days in the garden that puts them at odds with this arrangement, and a cultural mandate to fight against male headship." This statement is so profound. Women desire to be led by men. Deep down we want men to lead us and care for us. It helps us love him and help him if he has a plan. So what are we going to do about this? We need to teach young adults to prepare. I am preparing myself. That is all I can do right now.

Around the Bend

I am trying to write more poetry. It's a great way to give praise to God! This is a new one.

The future unknown leaves me to wonder
What is around the corner?
An outpouring of blessings await me
Just around the bend

You have always been there
I wait for You to guide me
A lifetime of joy You bring me
Your lovingkindess never ends

There is nothing to fear
The future is in Your hands
Your provisions amaze my worries
Time and time again

Modesty

So am I the only one having trouble finding modest and cute clothes?!
A lot of the selections these days are very ugly and made for only skinny chicks. I came across a few modest clothing websites, including an awesome site with cute modest one piece bathing suits.
http://www.limericki.com/index.htm

Does anyone have any good suggestions of stores and/or websites with affordable modesty clothing?

The Minor Prophets

I have begun my own personal study in the minor prophets. Often being overlooked because of their size, these books of the Bible are just as inspired and God-breathed as the Gospels and the New Testament. If you'd like to join me in this study, check back every few days for insights! Let us listen to what God is still saying today. I'd love to hear your input as well.

Heather

Simon and the Sun

Sitting here listening to Simon and Garfunkel. Good stuff.
Today was beautiful. I always feel closer to God when the sun is out. I MUST get out in Creation and read my Bible and pray. It's food for my soul. I took a walk and listened to a sermon on my ipod. What a great invention that I rarely use haha.

Last night I sat and looked at Martha Stewart's website for tips on spring cleaning. How is that for a party? Her magazines always have awesome pictures of mansions and their green landscapes. I find myself coveting places like that and then I realize that Heaven, the new Earth, will be even more beautiful. What a picture I love to paint in my head. God made me a visual person for some reason.

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

If God has called us to be holy, what are we doing daily to be like Him? Are we living like the world, laughing at crude jokes, socially drinking because 'it's not like you're getting drunk', dressing for attention, cutting people off in traffic, or being rude to cashiers? We are all guilty of sin, and I find myself caught in little sins daily. If we go on habitually sinning we are not glorifying God OR are we obeying Jesus, our Lord. He told us to be holy because He is holy. He is our example. Let's follow Him, in the little things. We have to repent and know that He is faithful and just to forgive us. Each day is a new day to spend glorifying and knowing God.

How are you going to spend your days?

Happy New Year and Fresh Start

So it's a new year.
Things are new for me. Lots of changes going on. I want to blog more and write more this year. Where to begin?

I just want my life to glorify God in all the little things I do. Sometimes I don't think I realize what I am doing or saying. I need to work on that. I need to keep my mind on the big picture and what God wants me to do, not what I want.

Blessings to you in the new year!

O Worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His power and love!
Our shield and defender the ancient of days
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise