Being A Lady

This morning, I have been pondering over what it means to be a lady. When I think of a picture of a lady, I think of Jane Austen books and Audrey Hepburn's grace. I think of the debutant's in movies who float around the house in beautiful dresses and drink tea and await their gentleman caller. I think of buggy rides, of long walks in the garden, and of glamorous balls to attend. But I also mix lady likeness with the Godly passion of women like Maeyken Wens and Amy Carmichael. I think of women such as those who gave up everything for the cause of Christ. They did not care about fancy dresses or handsome beaus. They thought of their Savior and Lord.

Nowadays, I am seeing a staggering rise in "ladies" whose actions are, well, far from ladylike. Instead of delicate, sweet ladies who are thoughtful and kind, I think of modern day Scarlet O'Hara's; arrogant, prideful, vindictive, and impure. And it's really a shame. There are many ways that girls and women are straying further away from lady likeness. For example:


DRESS:

I remember going shopping several years ago with a friend and observing her choices of clothing. Appalled, I remember seeing her don outfits like skin-tight jeans and a cleavage baring top. When I addressed the situation, her remark left me shocked. "What do you mean?" she said. "This IS modest."  Oh dear....

Clothes are just one factor in the art of being a lady and, sadly, most girls and young women can't seem to get that one nailed down. Far too many use the "modern Christian approach" and say, "God does not care about the way I dress. He only cares about my heart."

Well, first of all, how you dress REVEALS your heart, so if you are dressing provocatively or in a way that draws eyes to your body, then we know what is in your heart. Secondly, to say that the Lord is not concerned about how we dress is a lie. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the very first thing God did was - make them clothes! He covered their nakedness. Over and over again in the Bible, He reminds us, women, to dress modestly; pointing all those we come in contact with to HIM, not us.

1 Peter 3:3-4
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

1 Timothy 2:9-10
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."



SPEECH:

Another example of modern day UN-lady likeness is that of speech. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to sit through conversations that left me overwhelming burdened over the state of womanhood. Nowadays, it is seemingly normal for professed Christian girls and women to slip a cuss word every now and then, to talk crudely of bodily functions, and plaster the color of their undergarments on Facebook and Twitter. They will toss their hair as they reveal information that is meant for the privacy and sacredness of marriage. I have been amazed at how little regard women have for upright and pure speech. It is not ladylike to loudly take over conversations and make yourself heard over everyone else in the room. It is not ladylike (or Godly, for that matter) to spew out vulgarities and improper words at any time. Is there Biblical proof to this? Yes.

Colossians 4:6 -
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Titus 2:7-8 -
"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

 
ACTIONS:
We have all heard the common phrase, "Actions speak louder than words" and I have to say that there is much truth to that. Though words mean a great deal, our actions back them up. It means nothing to say you love your husband or your parents when you treat them with disdain. In our modern culture, the actions of women are become more and more burdensome. I have met many so-called Christian girls who will tell me that they love the Lord and seek to follow and worship Him. Yet, when I observe their lifestyle, their habits, their everyday schedules, I see differently. I see a girl who is not obsessed with her Creator, but obsessed with the latest Twilight or Harry Potter movie. I don't see the Christian girl who loves to worship and praise Jesus, I see a girl who is excited about the Justin Bieber concert next weekend or the latest Taylor Swift music video. Life's ambition? To be a rock star. Heroes? Brad Pitt, Carrie Underwood and Jesus.

Okay....

Such is the modern day Christian.

1 Corinthians 3:13 -
"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."

Ephesians 4:1 -
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called."

Colossians 1:10 -
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."


I love reading stories of great men and women in history. One of my favorite couples is Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, who lived in the 1700's at the dawn of the Revolution. Both were Godly Christians who saturated themselves in Word of God and, later, filled their children with the knowledge of Christ. At one point in their relationship, Jonathan, observing his love, wrote these words about Sarah:


They say there is a young lady in [New Haven] who is beloved of that Great Being, who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight; and that she hardly cares for any thing, except to meditate on him— that she expects after a while to be received up where he is, to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven; being assured that he loves her too well to let her remain at a distance from him always. There she is to dwell with him, and to be ravished with his love and delight for ever. Therefore, if you present all the world before her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it and cares not for it, and is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in her affections; is most just and conscientious in all her conduct; and you could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this Great God has manifested himself to her mind. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure; and no one knows for what. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with her.


What a grand picture of a true lady! Godly, holy, sweet and kind; Peaceful, joyful, and always seeking to be in the presence of her Creator. One of my biggest passions is to try and awaken our generation of girls (and guys!) to a "MORE" mentality. More God, more servant hood, more nobility, more love, more passion for the Word of God..... just more of Him and less of us. More of Christ and His blood and less of pop culture and Hollywood obsession. More radiant beauty and less scantly-clad dressing. More of Godly lady-hood and less of secular feminism.

If I may give some encouragement to you girls reading - BE A LADY!! More importantly, be a Godly Lady! I can assure you, our God takes great delight in a lady who is everything He made her to be.

Titus 2:3-5
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.

Monday Meanderings - 09/20/10

Monday Meanderings is a weekly "planner post" that Sarah from In Light of the Truth began! I'm new to this, but I love organizing and planning, so.... I'm going to give it a go! Feel free to zoom on over to Sarah's blog and join in on the "meanderin'!"




Bible Study... James

Memory Verse... Philippians 2:5 -
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

Husband Encouragement...
* Iron his dress shirts
* Organize his closet
* Spend time in his presence

Train Them Up...
* Begin getting ideas for nursery
* Read another chapter of "To Train Up a Child" by Michael & Debi Pearl

Personal Goals...
* Exercise every day this week
* Write in journals
* Work on honeymoon scrapbook
* Work on book

New Habit of the Month...
* Vacuum couches twice a week

MUST Do...
* Get plastic storage boxes
* Get all laundry washed, dried, folded/ironed, and put away
* Catch up on e-mail
* Go through boxes in the garage
* Buy gift wrap from neighbor's little girl

Zone...  the study closet. I MUST clean it out!

Menu - This is tricky because my morning sickness is still hanging on a little and Grant has put himself on a very strict diet. Each night, he wants either eggs, a salad, or salmon for dinner. With me needing several small meals a day, I have figured out a basic idea for what I will have each evening and, if Grant so chooses, for him as well:

M - Leftover lasagna
T - Chicken Parmesan, mashed potatoes, green beans
W - Chili and cornbread
Th - Chicken fettuchini, broccoli, bread sticks
F - TBD (to be decided). Possible breakfast for supper!
S - Concert in Farmerville, LA so, Church food of some kind.
Su - Revival in Bearden - Church food again!

FUN THINGS!
* Call up some friends
* Play with Gracie and maybe give her a bath

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Cooler mornings and evenings
2. Family
3. Friendship and fellowship
 

A Baby's Heart

Well, it is official!! I am most DEFINITELY pregnant! Today, I went in for my first doctor's appointment. I was anxious, excited, scared, nervous, and giddy all at once. After a long wait, a million questions, and various exams, I saw our baby for the first time! I cannot tell you how small I felt when I saw what God Himself planted in my womb! When we glimpsed a little life squirming and wiggling around and when we heard a strong heartbeat, I was in sheer awe. My grandfather had a frequent saying. He would always say:  "God is big!....and He's GOOD."  How often do we forget just how BIG God is...and how very, very small we are? If you are like me, you forget a LOT!

I am currently 8 weeks and 6 days pregnant. I have been nauseous, I have been tired, I have grown to hate foods I used to love and crave foods (and combinations of foods) that were never on my list of "favorite yummies." Some days, it is easy to groan and say, "WHY ME?" But I haven't been able to complain. I am housing a LIFE, a SOUL. God Himself has entrusted me and Grant with a baby....a child with a destiny, a calling...and an eternal home. It is our job to "train up" our child in the ways of God, binding them on the doorposts of our home and our lives. It is an incredible responsibility! And it is an awesome and humbling honor.

Many people have asked me if I am going to journal my pregnancy the way I did with my engagement and wedding. My answer? YES, Lord willing. During my engagement and wedding preparation, I learned a great deal about salvation and how every aspect of wedding planning somehow, someway, pointed to the saving grace of our Savior! Is it possible to see the same things in a pregnancy? ABSOLUTELY!!

One of the very first things that happens after conception is the heart. What does it do? It starts beating! Today, when I watched a little "spot" appear on a screen, one of the first things our doctor asked was:

 "Do you see the heart beating?"

"What?" I said.

"There. Do you see?"

As I looked closer, I saw a movement and, sure enough, it was a HEART. We SAW it beating. After a few moments of complete awe, we HEARD the heart beating. Strong and fast, it was thumping along.

Likewise, salvation begins with the heart. It's a HEART change, first and foremost. When you, as a sinner, get a good look at what you are (which is a dirty, rotten, sinner) you want to change! And then you ask Jesus to come into your life...and your heart. And He does!! He inhabits your life, your soul, your mind...and your heart. And He gives you a new heart; one that begins to beat for HIM, for HIS glory, for HIS applause.

I was speechless today. I was moved. If I were to sit and really dwell on all the happenings of today, rest assured, I would burst into a fit of happy tears! I saw and heard my baby's heartbeat. My goodness, HOW MUCH MORE do you think our Father is moved and stirred with compassion and love when He sees OUR heart, new and full of spiritual life, beating strong?  I'm sure my human feelings hold no comparison.

I encourage you....BEAT for Jesus. If you have never surrendered your heart and life to Him. DO IT. NOW. And if you have? Beat strong for Him. Beat fast and firm...and do it for His glory alone.


2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."


 

Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon

As I have recently blogged, lately, I have been trying to get into a more healthy and all-natural lifestyle. Two things that I have always found to be fun and yummy home remedies are honey and cinnamon, and below is a list of health problems that honey and cinnamon help!  Enjoy!

1) HEART DISEASES: Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast.

2) ARTHRITIS: Apply a paste made of the two ingredients on the affected part of the body and massage slowly.

3) HAIR LOSS: Apply a paste of hot olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash.

4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.

5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth.

6) CHOLESTEROL: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in boiled water or green tea and drink.

7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season. It may also help to clear your sinuses.

8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity.

9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take tea made with honey and a little cinnamon powder.

10) PIMPLES: Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash away the next morning.

11) OBESITY: To reduce weight, daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning about half an hour before breakfast.  Cinnamon has an insulin boosting property (water soluble compounds called polyphenol type A polymers)which have the ability to boost insulin activity about 20 fold and can benefit people who have high sugar levels (obese people, pre-diabetics and diabetics ). Also, read the honey hibernation diet theory to find out how honey contributes to the metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid, provides a fuelling mechanism for the body, keep blood sugar levels balanced, and let our recovery hormones get on with burning body fat stores.

12) BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.


Honey plus cinnamon together besides being a amazing potential cure for so many illnesses, their total fragrant, sweet and warm taste is also a perfect match for the palate. The combination adds a magic effect to the taste of cakes, breads, biscuits and rolls and is known to make many winning recipes in the world of delicious food, such as the famous, easy-to-make, kids' favourite classic - honey and cinnamon butter toast!

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Currently, all I have inserted in my household notebook are my daily/weekly routines and reminders with cleaning tips, but I am wanting to expand it and make it the "book for all household needs" type of thing. I am currently typing up home remedies that I will eventually print and add to my notebook for quick, easy access. And along with that, I will include the following.

Since I am in my first trimester of pregnancy, my sense of smell is enormous! Also, being the one who is in charge of cleaning the house, I know that many cleaning supplies that are sold in stores are actually harmful for me to inhale. So, a friend of mine showed me a list of natural uses for things like Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide. Below are two lists of things which those two items can be used! Taken from 1 Green Generation, I hope it is helpful to you!

BAKING SODA







1. Shampoo Replacement. A Non-Toxic, Frugal Way To Wash Your Hair Without Buying Shampoo explains it all in detail. Try it!

2. Deodorant. How To Make Your Own Deodorant (A Very Simple Recipe). I encourage you to try that as well – so simple!

3. Air Freshener & Deodorizer. Brilliantly easy, all you need to do is open up a box of baking soda, or dump a pile of it into a bowl, and leave it in an offensively smelling area – your fridge, your closet, your pet area, you car, wherever! (Change it out every 3-6 months.)

4. Carpet and Garment Deodorizer. Just sprinkle a bit over the offensive area and let it sit. A little while later, you can vacuum or shake it out.

5. Counter, sink, and tub Cleaner. Just like using Bon Ami or some other powdered cleaner, sprinkle it onto the surface and rub with a wet cloth. Be careful on delicate surfaces – test it out first to make sure it won’t scratch, though it’s more delicate than most powdered cleaners. To shine the surface afterward, you can spray a bit of vinegar and wipe clean.

6. Jewelry and Silverware Cleaner. You can use a paste of a baking soda mixed with a bit of water (3:1 or so), or if that doesn’t work well enough you can try replacing the water with hydrogen peroxide.

7. Coffee, Tea, Rust, and Hard Water Stain Remover. Scrub with the same 3:1 (baking soda: water) paste, and it should do the trick!

8. Pot and Pan Cleaner. Sprinkle some baking soda onto your rag or sponge, and clean your pots – it will take off many stains.

9. Drain Unclogger. If water hasn’t yet backed up, pour 1 cup of baking soda down, followed by 3 cups boiling water. Repeat if the drain doesn’t clear. If the drain still doesn’t clear, follow with 1 cup of vinegar. This makes it bubble, fizz and usually that does the trick! If this does not work, we usually buy enzymes from the local health food store.

10. Cat Litter Extender. If your cat is persnickety about clean litter, in addition to cleaning the litter daily, you can shake a light layer of baking soda onto the litter and mix it up.

11. Garlic Smell Eliminator. Cutting boards and other surfaces can be cleaned with a thick paste of vinegar and baking soda. Apply this paste and let it sit for 10-15 minutes – it will both clean and deodorize.

12. Bath Softener. If you want to feel extra soft and silky, dissolve 2 cups of baking soda in your bath water. This works well if you have itchy skin from bites or hives also.

13. Exfoliator. I use the same mixture for my hair (above) as a light exfoliator on my face every couple of weeks. It’s quite rejuvenating.

14. Homemade Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

15. Denture or Retainer Soak. You can soak these overnight in a glass with water and baking soda. It will leave them clean and deodorized.

16. Fill small holes in Drywall. Sometimes you find yourself without spackle. Ah, just mix a bit of white toothpaste with some baking soda and fill the holes! Let it dry completely before you paint or anything – but you might find you don’t need to paint!

17. Fire Extinguisher. Great for a grease fire in the kitchen, a car fire, or another small fire. Just sprinkle it over the fire until the fire goes out. Keep it in your kitchen for sure!

18. Shoe Deodorizer. Sprinkle a small amount in your shoe, or put some in an old sock and tie the sock – then stuff it in your shoe overnight.

19. Ant, Roach, and Flea Deterrent. If you have ants or roaches, sprinkle baking soda in the areas where they are coming in the house. If you have fleas on the lawn, sprinkle baking soda around the areas where you and your pets walk by. This helps. I’ve written other tips for organic ant control here. You can try it with snails and rabbits, too!

20. Cook with it. Lots of yummy things. Like pancakes!

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE







1. Whiten Your Whites and Brighten Your Brights. Works fabulously as a bleach alternative that you can also use on colors. Just put the hydrogen peroxide in the bleach receptacle in washer.

2. Stain Remover. Works very well on blood, if you get to it fairly quickly – I learned this from Matt’s mom who is a nurse! Just pour a bit on a cloth and dab at your clothing; if it has sat for a while, pour some on and let it sit for a couple of hours. Also, some people just have a chemical difference in their sweat that leaves yellow underarm stains on white clothing. Or wine stains on a white blouse? Again, pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit a couple hours. Then wash as you would normally – this works for me every time!

3. Antiseptic. Works great to help kill germs and prevent infection on cuts and scrapes. Make sure it bubbles up first before dabbing it off.

4. Mouthwash. You can use it straight or mix 1 to 1, water to hydrogen peroxide. Gargle, Swoosh, Spit, and Rinse. This works well if you have canker sores or other mouth sores.

5. Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

6. Cutting Board and Countertop Sanitizer. Vinegar kills most germs, and hydrogen peroxide kills most of the rest. The two kill more germs and bacteria than bleach alone, if you do this: have the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in two different spray bottles, spray on one first, then the other. Then rinse clean.

7. Watering Your Plants. If you tend to over-water your plants, this is for you. Mix 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 1 quart of water, and water your plants normally. This adds oxygen to your soil, helping stave off root rot and enhances root development. I do this particularly with plants whose soil is overly dense and more prone to water-logging.

8. Kill Shower Mold and Mildew. Spray on the surface and let sit, then wipe clean. Or spray after your shower to prevent mold from forming.

9. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, and scrub clean.You can do the same thing with vinegar.

10. For Faster Germination When Soaking Seeds. This is a new one to me – I just read about it and haven’t tried it yet. Apparently if you soak your seeds in 1 cup of water mixed with 1.5 t hydrogen peroxide, the seeds will germinate faster. Has anyone tried this yet?




So there you go!

Baby "LEE" Update -- SIX WEEKS!

A baby in the womb, at 6 weeks.

Amazing, isn't it? The more I read about what is going on inside of me, the more I am in awe of God and creation. I am rendered speechless over and over again by the intricate design of humanity. And along with being amazed, I am also heartbroken when I think of the 42 million abortions that were performed last year, and the 115,000 performed - today! My little baby's heart is beating! He or she is growing arms and legs. It is no protoplasm in my womb - it is a life!

At this moment, baby "Lee" is now the size of a sweet pea! He/she is starting to grow eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin! The baby's heart is beating almost twice as fast as mine! Blood is starting to circulate. By the end of the week, his or her little hands and feet might wiggle! WOW! Amazed again.

I now fully understand what David truly meant when he said, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14

Children Are a Heritage of the LORD

Exactly 10 days ago, I was given the most surprising, exciting, shocking, overwhelming, and thrilling news of my life!

I am pregnant!!

Yes, that is correct. Almighty God has seen fit to touch me intimately and physically and has blessed my womb with a life! And not just a life - but a SOUL!

I came from a big family and I watched my Mother carry and bear five children.... but I never came close to fathoming the joy that she felt. I never fully understood how exciting it truly was for her and my Dad.... until now. Now that I hold a new life in my body, I understand - more than ever before - the sacredness of life, the beauty of life, and the absolute thrilling joy of a child! I literally cannot wait!!!

Grant and I felt convicted immediately into our marriage that we would let God have full control of every aspect of our lives. We knew that God is fully able to help us, lead us, guide us, provide for us, and keep us and so we decided to surrender everything, even the matter of children, into His hands. So the Lord, obviously thinks that we ready for the wild and exciting ride of parenthood. And He touched us! I cannot tell you how honored I feel, how humbled I feel, and how overwhelmed by His goodness I am.

Currently, I am 6 weeks into my pregnancy. I am tired and fatigued, but watching the mirror every day for a baby bump.... even though I know it will be weeks more! I am already browsing through the baby section in stores and making lists of what I will need. I am praying over the child countless times throughout the day and talking to him/her like he/she can already hear me. My husband and I are praying, more than anything, for a child who will come to know Jesus early in life. We are praying for a healthy baby who will grow up to be a hero of the faith, a missionary or minister, a spiritual world changer! We are praying - even now - for the Lord to fill this tiny life with His Spirit. Please join us in prayer.

So, in closing, all I can say is:

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.