Women of Promise

There isn't a much better feeling than a good deep clean and decluttering session, is there? That feeling of peace that comes over you as you look around and know that everything has a place and a purpose is exhilarating. It takes time and intentional commitment to keep it that way, but it is deeply satisfying.  The mind is able to relax and focus when there is less "stuff" in the way to distract.   Sometimes it is necessary to clear out schedules and weed out activities or commitments. This gives a very similar type of freedom, allowing one to be more productive in higher priority areas. Extras can, at times, become overwhelming. My planner tends to fill up quickly and I can overextend and overbook myself before I even realize it. I am discovering that this concept can be true in Bible study and my relationship with Jesus as well. I can easily get "too many irons in the fire," collecting too many good helps and rabbit trails as I go. Trying to keep ...

  We all love to make things look nice, don't we?  Ourselves, our children, our cars, our homes --- most people like for our lives to be attractive to others and for our own enjoyment.  While I usually brush it off as false, Sam knows that I love hearing him or the kids tell me I am beautiful.  The beauty of nature is breathtaking.  God made us all to love pretty things.  Titus 2 speaks to every category of Christian -- older men, older women, young men, young women, and those in bondage.  Verse 3 says:  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,  not slanderers  or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,  4  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,  5  to be self-controlled,  pure,  working at home, kind, and  submissive to their own husbands,  that the word of God may not be reviled.  6  Likewise, urge  the younger men to be self-cont...

     I stumbled across the writings and artwork of a fascinating Christian missionary this past week.  Her name is Lilias Trotter.  A British girl, born in 1853, Lilias was a naturally gifted painter.  She was privileged to be mentored by a well respected art critic who is quoted as saying that Lilias could have been one of the greatest artists of that day.  Lilias lost her father as a child and found comfort in her Heavenly Father.  She spent her time serving the homeless in London's inner city and painting until the art mentor gave her an ultimatum.  If she wanted to be a great artist, she would need to give up her charity work and devote herself entirely to her painting.  After prayer and discussing with trusted friends, Lilias realized that she did need to be completely focused on one passion to fulfill the calling God had given her.  She chose to move into a life of full-time evangelism in Algeria.  Imagine a single woman ...