So it's been a while since I've done anything with my blog... life. Life happened.
Another year has passed, and a new one is right around the corner. I hate "new year's resolutions" because it seems they only last a month or so and that's the end of them. For the most part they are pretty impossible anyway.
This year however, I am making an attempt at setting achievable goals. I wouldn't do it at the beginning of the new year... but you know, there's no time like the present... and that happens to be the beginning of a new year. So here goes. (y'all are most certainly welcome to join in on any/all of these)
Let's begin with Attitude:
Psalm 118:24 says "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Notice, it doesn't say "we should rejoice and be glad", it says "we will rejoice". That's not future, and it's not dependent upon circumstances. It's present tense, and simply because this is the day the Lord has made, and we have no reason not to rejoice.
What does it mean to rejoice? Is rejoicing being giddy and silly, denying that there's anything bad in this world, and that things go wrong? I think not. It's not a state of denial, but rather always choosing to give thanks to the Almighty, Who saw fit to give us life here and now - and for a purpose (mostly) unknown to us.
According to Webster, Rejoice means: "To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult."
How do we "experience joy" when it seems everything is crashing down around us?
Even when things are not the ideal - or even remotely "okay" let alone "ideal", there is one reason to always rejoice: God and His salvation of us wretched sinners (Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation). He didn't have to save any of us - but He chose to. How then can we not rejoice?
Part of rejoicing is being thankful. So what if we started each day by finding five things to be thankful for. They can be the same things every day - just so long as there is a real thankful heart behind that list. Ideally, the list will be different every day. Stretch yourself, find things to be thankful for. If nothing good comes to mind, find ways to be thankful for/in the things you're not particularly happy about, because Paul said: "...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
Along with rejoicing, we have learning to put others ahead of self. This is what Christ did when He died on the cross to save others, and as we are to follow in His footsteps, I believe this is something worthy of our focus.
What if each day we chose five people, and pray for them that day. If you don't know what to pray for them, try asking; I'm sure they'd know a few things they could use prayer for.
Next, we have Fitness:
Aside from altering my attitude, it wouldn't be so bad to alter my shape. *giggles*
What if each day began like this:
List five things for which we are thankful - and for each thing do a push-up.
Pray for five people every morning. While praying for the first, do jumping-jacks. For the second, do crunches. Third, stretch. Fourth, run in place. Fifth, bounce on a rebounder.
For the first month try cutting out all grains, and processed sugar. After that, of course re-introduce them - in moderation.
Finally Mental Health:
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Start each morning by reading as many chapters of the Bible as fits your needs/schedule, then read one chapter from any good, educational book.
Every evening before bed, read a chapter of Psalms, or Proverbs, and if time permits, one chapter of your favorite book of any genre. Challenge your mind. If necessary, write a book report when you finish, just to help retain what you learned. Or, even, keep as journal as you read, and jot down the things that stand out to you most, or things you want to remember later. Writing helps to retain any knowledge gained.
I guess that's about it. Those are my main areas of focus this year, and easily attainable, realistic goals.
What are your goals for the coming year? What are things you need done for the future that you can start today?
Friday, December 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
It's a Heart Issue
So we all know that Proverbs 31 is the ultimate model for women to look to in regards to biblical womanhood, right?
I'm here to tell you - it's one thing to read it, and quite another to live it.
Being raised conservative by conservative parents, in a conservative church, with conservative friends, you'd think it wouldn't be hard for me live it, right? I mean, I've been immersed in that sort of "culture" all my life, so it should be second nature, right?
Not by a long shot.
It's one thing to believe something, and another to actually live what you believe. Something I've been failing miserably at.
I read the passage in Proverbs 31 and see just how far I have to go before being anything remotely like her. But what strikes me about it is; she's always doing - and I think of the things she does as being what a virtuous woman is made of.
But what of the thoughts behind it all? Surely these actions originated as thoughts?
Growing up with/around people who held to a high standard (modesty, speech, intellectual etc.) it seemed so normal to find a P31 woman.
Now, being away from the culture in which I was raised, and living in "the world", it's nigh impossible to find a virtuous woman. Not just with her actions - there's quite of few of them (thankfully) - but in word and thought.
In today's culture it has become acceptable to "live like hell" just so long as certain people don't know about it. Or act like a virtuous woman, but not guard your heart or mind. I've fallen into that trap.
Just recently I've found myself thinking horrible thoughts, liking ungodly things, spouting idiotic things, and thinking this is totally acceptable - just so long as I don't act on them. I've never been so wrong in my life.
Virtue is not an outward thing. Not something we wear around certain people, but "slack off" certain standards when around other people.
Virtue is a condition of the heart. And the outward manifestation is just that - a manifestation of what's in the heart.
You can't "keep up appearances" if the heart isn't right. That's just hypocrisy.
It's hard, not being (physically) surrounded by virtuous women that you can look to for encouragement and as an example. Sure, there's women at a distance that can be in for accountability and as counselors/advisers - but it's really easy to fall in the pattern of dismissing a lot of what they say with the excuse of "They aren't here, or they'd see it different."
It's shocking to find just how deeply you can fall into hypocrisy without realizing it at all. Only to wake up one day to discover you're in over your head, and haven't the foggiest idea of how to get out.
It's the "frog in the pot" problem. Allowing certain influences in your life thinking (since you already know better) it's not going to have much if any effect on you..... only to find out months/years later, it had major effect on you, and now you've got a lot of sins to repent of, and wrongs to make right.
If there's any one lesson I've been learning the most on this last year, it would be: I don't care how alone you are. Girls, don't ever go it alone. Seek wise counsel of older women who have been there, or else have successfully avoided it themselves.
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
How are we supposed to do our future husbands good "all" our days, if we're not paying much attention until some guy comes along?
I've fallen into the rut of thinking I can "work on other things" beside preparing to do my husband good all my days, because "there's no way anyone is going to want me anyway", so I've got "plenty of time" to "whip into shape".
It wasn't until the last few months when guys actually have shown interest, that I woke up to the sobering fact: I am nowhere near being a P31 woman, and actually, am probably farther from it now than I've ever been before. That's a terrifying realization to have. Especially when your goal is to be a witness to those around you..... and you suddenly see how much exactly the opposite is happening.
Not only is it scary to realize that you are slipping into the world (quite rapidly), but also that you are influencing other girls around you. Especially considering that you may be the closest thing those girls ever get to a godly example of a virtuous woman.
"Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
This is a result of a clean heart, not just good actions.
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."
That being said. I would like to challenge every girl (even guys) I know, to memorize Proverbs 31 in the coming month of July. It's just one verse every day.
One verse every day: gaining rare, valuable wisdom for all of life.
Don't just memorize it. Live it.
Don't wait. Don't put it off for any reason.
Discipline yourself to learn faithfulness to God's word. This is something I need to focus much attention on from now on, and I'd love it if y'all would do it with me.
I'm here to tell you - it's one thing to read it, and quite another to live it.
Being raised conservative by conservative parents, in a conservative church, with conservative friends, you'd think it wouldn't be hard for me live it, right? I mean, I've been immersed in that sort of "culture" all my life, so it should be second nature, right?
Not by a long shot.
It's one thing to believe something, and another to actually live what you believe. Something I've been failing miserably at.
I read the passage in Proverbs 31 and see just how far I have to go before being anything remotely like her. But what strikes me about it is; she's always doing - and I think of the things she does as being what a virtuous woman is made of.
But what of the thoughts behind it all? Surely these actions originated as thoughts?
Growing up with/around people who held to a high standard (modesty, speech, intellectual etc.) it seemed so normal to find a P31 woman.
Now, being away from the culture in which I was raised, and living in "the world", it's nigh impossible to find a virtuous woman. Not just with her actions - there's quite of few of them (thankfully) - but in word and thought.
In today's culture it has become acceptable to "live like hell" just so long as certain people don't know about it. Or act like a virtuous woman, but not guard your heart or mind. I've fallen into that trap.
Just recently I've found myself thinking horrible thoughts, liking ungodly things, spouting idiotic things, and thinking this is totally acceptable - just so long as I don't act on them. I've never been so wrong in my life.
Virtue is not an outward thing. Not something we wear around certain people, but "slack off" certain standards when around other people.
Virtue is a condition of the heart. And the outward manifestation is just that - a manifestation of what's in the heart.
You can't "keep up appearances" if the heart isn't right. That's just hypocrisy.
It's hard, not being (physically) surrounded by virtuous women that you can look to for encouragement and as an example. Sure, there's women at a distance that can be in for accountability and as counselors/advisers - but it's really easy to fall in the pattern of dismissing a lot of what they say with the excuse of "They aren't here, or they'd see it different."
It's shocking to find just how deeply you can fall into hypocrisy without realizing it at all. Only to wake up one day to discover you're in over your head, and haven't the foggiest idea of how to get out.
It's the "frog in the pot" problem. Allowing certain influences in your life thinking (since you already know better) it's not going to have much if any effect on you..... only to find out months/years later, it had major effect on you, and now you've got a lot of sins to repent of, and wrongs to make right.
If there's any one lesson I've been learning the most on this last year, it would be: I don't care how alone you are. Girls, don't ever go it alone. Seek wise counsel of older women who have been there, or else have successfully avoided it themselves.
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
How are we supposed to do our future husbands good "all" our days, if we're not paying much attention until some guy comes along?
I've fallen into the rut of thinking I can "work on other things" beside preparing to do my husband good all my days, because "there's no way anyone is going to want me anyway", so I've got "plenty of time" to "whip into shape".
It wasn't until the last few months when guys actually have shown interest, that I woke up to the sobering fact: I am nowhere near being a P31 woman, and actually, am probably farther from it now than I've ever been before. That's a terrifying realization to have. Especially when your goal is to be a witness to those around you..... and you suddenly see how much exactly the opposite is happening.
Not only is it scary to realize that you are slipping into the world (quite rapidly), but also that you are influencing other girls around you. Especially considering that you may be the closest thing those girls ever get to a godly example of a virtuous woman.
"Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
This is a result of a clean heart, not just good actions.
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."
That being said. I would like to challenge every girl (even guys) I know, to memorize Proverbs 31 in the coming month of July. It's just one verse every day.
One verse every day: gaining rare, valuable wisdom for all of life.
Don't just memorize it. Live it.
Don't wait. Don't put it off for any reason.
Discipline yourself to learn faithfulness to God's word. This is something I need to focus much attention on from now on, and I'd love it if y'all would do it with me.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Of perfection, mud, glory, blood and battles
What is life but a race (Hebrews 12:1-2) and a battle (1 Timothy 6:12)?
What happens in races and battles?
And mud.
I tend to see only the good things. I see others winning, exercising faith, earning glory and fame. They're clean, and look the part of the winner.
Me? I'm exhausted, covered in shame, feeling humiliated when I see how much better they are.... Fearful of losing. I fall in the mud time and time again. Sometimes getting so discouraged I willfully throw myself in the mud, and start thinking about crawling back to the last mud puddle I fell in....
When I've fallen, I see the others running past, in all their glory. There I sit in all my mud, blood, and shame, and I don't think I can ever make it. There is no fixing it. Perfection is remaining clean. I'm filthy. I'm bruised and bleeding. Mostly from self inflicted wounds. How can I ever finish?
It's not about finishing in pristine condition. It's not about winning with all sorts of pomp, and glory.
In the end, we're not rewarded for how "wrinkle free" our running suit is, or how shiny our armor is. We're rewarded for our faithfulness. We're rewarded for overcoming.
What happens in races and battles?
- Winning.
- Losing.
- Glory.
- Humiliation.
- Fame.
- Shame.
- Exhilaration.
- Exhaustion.
- Faith.
- Fear.
And mud.
I tend to see only the good things. I see others winning, exercising faith, earning glory and fame. They're clean, and look the part of the winner.
Me? I'm exhausted, covered in shame, feeling humiliated when I see how much better they are.... Fearful of losing. I fall in the mud time and time again. Sometimes getting so discouraged I willfully throw myself in the mud, and start thinking about crawling back to the last mud puddle I fell in....
When I've fallen, I see the others running past, in all their glory. There I sit in all my mud, blood, and shame, and I don't think I can ever make it. There is no fixing it. Perfection is remaining clean. I'm filthy. I'm bruised and bleeding. Mostly from self inflicted wounds. How can I ever finish?
It's not about finishing in pristine condition. It's not about winning with all sorts of pomp, and glory.
"When we feel the stirrings of the sinful nature raging in us, we ought to grasp the sword of the Spirit - that is, the Word of salvation. Then we will undoubtedly be victors, though we will feel the total opposite as long as the battle lasts." ~ Martin Luther
It's about finishing.
"Rise to the occasion; do the thing. It does not matter how it hurts as long as it gives God the chance to manifest Himself in your mortal flesh." ~ Oswald Chambers
- It's about enduring.
- Not. Giving. Up.
- It's about picking yourself up again.
- Getting back in the race.
- Getting back in the fight.
In the end, we're not rewarded for how "wrinkle free" our running suit is, or how shiny our armor is. We're rewarded for our faithfulness. We're rewarded for overcoming.
"God wants you to love Him with your whole heart and with all your strength. He knows your shortcomings. That is why He gave you His Spirit, who knows about the deep secrets of eternal love with which He desires to fill you." ~ Andrew Murray
"Jesus seeks fellowship with sinners and goes after them in boundless love." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
About Me (revised)
So, the "about me" post is extremely outdated.
Here's an attempt at bringing y'all up to speed. :)
My life has changed drastically in the last year/year and a half. Literally, nothing is the same.
Currently I live with my grandmother, attempting to help her... but she's so active she helps me more than I help her. ;P
Living with her has been an experience. She's such a character, and full of fun stories of family history, and the towns we live in/near. She thinks she has nothing to offer since she's gotten older, but I'm constantly learning something from her. She's been such a blessing.
Since moving here I've been working in the local nursing home. The policy is not to talk about any of the residents, which is good, because each one of them is a book to themselves. ;) I love working with them, and getting to visit with them. Old people are a riot. :)
Living in Iowa is very different from living in the Black Hills. It's very flat..... what people call "hills" here, are really only bunny humps. :P I very much, miss my hills.
In the last year I've been very blessed to have visited Alabama three times, and absolutely love it there!!!! (There's HILLS!!!) The people are the bestest. :D Lord willing I'll move there one day. (so you 'Bama people - brace yourselves)
Good gracious. There is SO much to "update" y'all on, there's no way I'll ever get it all in one post.
The main jist, I guess, is that God is steadily showing me how His kingdom extends to all areas of life, and how I can bring glory to Him, even in the mundane, everyday, nose-to-the-grindstone, living.
So. the current "about me" is that I'm just a stubborn, thickheaded girl, learning to serve God in whatever situation I find myself in, and how to incorporate the future work I'm to do in my regular daily duties, right now.
That may be simple and easy for all of you, but I'm too doggone stubborn to learn it all the first time around. (And yes, this is the bazillionth time I've gone around this bush :P)
I'm not officially back to blogging, but do hope to post an occasional thought once in a while. (and believe me, there's a lot of them, if once I get them pinned down ;P)
That's it for now.
Hallie
Here's an attempt at bringing y'all up to speed. :)
My life has changed drastically in the last year/year and a half. Literally, nothing is the same.
Currently I live with my grandmother, attempting to help her... but she's so active she helps me more than I help her. ;P
Living with her has been an experience. She's such a character, and full of fun stories of family history, and the towns we live in/near. She thinks she has nothing to offer since she's gotten older, but I'm constantly learning something from her. She's been such a blessing.
Since moving here I've been working in the local nursing home. The policy is not to talk about any of the residents, which is good, because each one of them is a book to themselves. ;) I love working with them, and getting to visit with them. Old people are a riot. :)
Living in Iowa is very different from living in the Black Hills. It's very flat..... what people call "hills" here, are really only bunny humps. :P I very much, miss my hills.
In the last year I've been very blessed to have visited Alabama three times, and absolutely love it there!!!! (There's HILLS!!!) The people are the bestest. :D Lord willing I'll move there one day. (so you 'Bama people - brace yourselves)
Good gracious. There is SO much to "update" y'all on, there's no way I'll ever get it all in one post.
The main jist, I guess, is that God is steadily showing me how His kingdom extends to all areas of life, and how I can bring glory to Him, even in the mundane, everyday, nose-to-the-grindstone, living.
So. the current "about me" is that I'm just a stubborn, thickheaded girl, learning to serve God in whatever situation I find myself in, and how to incorporate the future work I'm to do in my regular daily duties, right now.
That may be simple and easy for all of you, but I'm too doggone stubborn to learn it all the first time around. (And yes, this is the bazillionth time I've gone around this bush :P)
I'm not officially back to blogging, but do hope to post an occasional thought once in a while. (and believe me, there's a lot of them, if once I get them pinned down ;P)
That's it for now.
Hallie
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Poem
Still haven't named this, but will stick it here so it's easier to find back later.
The first few words were running through my head, and as I began to write, the rest came to mind. I'm not so good at putting thoughts and feelings into words, but this is about as close as I'll get.
The patter of little feet,
The touch of a little hand.
Child so small and sweet,
Formed by God's own hand.
Oh tiny babe with features fine,
Made with masterful design-
Planned and formed by God divine
How I wish that you were mine!
Where is this little child
Sent by God above?
Special treasure, manner mild-
Murdered, rejected, without love!
Who has done this?!
A helpless child killed!
Little face ne're knowing a kiss-
Innocent blood is spilled.
Tiny babe so cruelly scorned!
Priceless blessing, without a name;
Brutally taken - by no one mourned?
Sacrificed - for selfishness and fame.
Innocent, lovely creature
Butchered, loved by none!
Cruel men have marred each feature-
Would no one shield this little one?
Not a cry was heard
As this little life was ended.
Could no one spare a word?
This child was undefended!
Precious child of clay,
The work of God's almighty hand:
Who ne're has seen the light of day-
Has now entered the promised land.
Lifeless hands, and lifeless feet-
Who could this deed have done?!
Oh what comfort, oh how sweet
To know you're cradled by God's Son!
How sweet to know those little feet
And tiny little hands,
Now run on golden streets
And are held by God's own hand!
The first few words were running through my head, and as I began to write, the rest came to mind. I'm not so good at putting thoughts and feelings into words, but this is about as close as I'll get.
The patter of little feet,
The touch of a little hand.
Child so small and sweet,
Formed by God's own hand.
Oh tiny babe with features fine,
Made with masterful design-
Planned and formed by God divine
How I wish that you were mine!
Where is this little child
Sent by God above?
Special treasure, manner mild-
Murdered, rejected, without love!
Who has done this?!
A helpless child killed!
Little face ne're knowing a kiss-
Innocent blood is spilled.
Tiny babe so cruelly scorned!
Priceless blessing, without a name;
Brutally taken - by no one mourned?
Sacrificed - for selfishness and fame.
Innocent, lovely creature
Butchered, loved by none!
Cruel men have marred each feature-
Would no one shield this little one?
Not a cry was heard
As this little life was ended.
Could no one spare a word?
This child was undefended!
Precious child of clay,
The work of God's almighty hand:
Who ne're has seen the light of day-
Has now entered the promised land.
Lifeless hands, and lifeless feet-
Who could this deed have done?!
Oh what comfort, oh how sweet
To know you're cradled by God's Son!
How sweet to know those little feet
And tiny little hands,
Now run on golden streets
And are held by God's own hand!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Soldiers In The Battle
In light of my last post, I thought it appropriate to give the background behind it, and in doing so it will explain several previous posts.
Back in September of 2006, we were at some friends house taking part in their annual WWII reenactment. We girls would send letters to the guys on the "battle field"(I believe that was the first year it was a two day event).
That first day we wrote our letters, and Mr. D came to pick up our letters to the guys. Most of the girls hadn't finished theirs yet, and I had, so I was wandering around looking for something to do when it suddenly came to mind "Your guy is out on the battle field today. You need to be praying for him."
At first I thought "Ew, I don't like any of those guys as anything other than brothers, certainly I'm not going to marry one of them!" After that I pushed it out of my head, because it was weird.
Ever since that thought has haunted me. It comes up at random times, and makes me think. I know now it wasn't in reference to any of those guys that were there that day. (luckily for them *goofy grin*)
But that random thought is so very true. True in the sense that our guys are on the "battle field" daily. They're on real battle fields. As I've said in previous posts, the guys fight hard inner battles, and sometimes not just inner battles; those battles are very real in many ways, not only on the inside, but outside as well.
That thought I had has haunted me all these years... I've often wondered why God put it in my mind in that way, but am beginning to see that it's probably because I'm such a warrior, and very interested in that sort of thing, so that's a way that would grab my attention most effectively. *wry smile*
But just what does it mean? Why has that haunted me for so long when it's seemingly such a simple concept?
I've pondered it a lot these eight years, and each time different aspects become more clear, but overall it's something I think we girls largely miss in our preoccupation with other things.
It's been a while since I got off on this kick... but, reading about William Wallace I got into those battles... when I read a book, I become one of the characters in the story, be it history or fiction, I become a part of it. I think that has helped me to understand better what that random thought of mine means.
Reading about Wallace, the battles those guys fought were tough, against overwhelming odds. At one point there were two hundred Scots going against two thousand English - but here's the kicker, the Scots had to climb a castle wall, jump down on the enemy, and rescue the Scottish captives inside the prison - in the dark. After hiking for miles, on foot, all the day before, and not getting much sleep before the attack.
With those odds it was impossible for them to win. But, there were women at home who were praying for their little army night and day.
Guess what? They won that battle.
There were many more battles like that with overwhelming odds - each time the Scots should have been whipped out. But there were women back home praying for them... and they won.
Girls, our guys - not just husbands, but brothers, friends - are fighting real battles, and the only thing that will get them safely through those battles is God, and how often we just assume that He's helping them (which He is, don't get me wrong) but we aren't covering them in prayer as we ought.
That thought has haunted me, because for years, I didn't realize the importance of prayer in the lives of our men. When we neglect to pray for them, we are in essence, leaving them in the battle, against overwhelming odds - alone.
Sure, men have single handedly won battles in the past... but they never (to my knowledge) came out without major wounds, that didn't have to be - if only they had had help.
So yes, that thought haunts me... because I see many battle weary soldiers dying on the field, for lack of help - prayer. And it's my fault. It's your fault. Because we aren't (as a whole) covering them in prayer as we ought.
It's been eight years of that thought haunting me, and the study that I've done because of it, that has resulted in the list I put in the last post.
Those are essential things every man - every Christian - needs in order to win the battles the Almighty Captain has placed them in.
Everyone, man or woman, needs those things to be effective in the individual battles that make up this Great Cause we are fighting for.
Those things are the armor and weapons needed to fight the battles and win - and each battle won gets us closer to the Ultimate Victory in this Great Cause for our Almighty Captain.
Back in September of 2006, we were at some friends house taking part in their annual WWII reenactment. We girls would send letters to the guys on the "battle field"(I believe that was the first year it was a two day event).
That first day we wrote our letters, and Mr. D came to pick up our letters to the guys. Most of the girls hadn't finished theirs yet, and I had, so I was wandering around looking for something to do when it suddenly came to mind "Your guy is out on the battle field today. You need to be praying for him."
At first I thought "Ew, I don't like any of those guys as anything other than brothers, certainly I'm not going to marry one of them!" After that I pushed it out of my head, because it was weird.
Ever since that thought has haunted me. It comes up at random times, and makes me think. I know now it wasn't in reference to any of those guys that were there that day. (luckily for them *goofy grin*)
But that random thought is so very true. True in the sense that our guys are on the "battle field" daily. They're on real battle fields. As I've said in previous posts, the guys fight hard inner battles, and sometimes not just inner battles; those battles are very real in many ways, not only on the inside, but outside as well.
That thought I had has haunted me all these years... I've often wondered why God put it in my mind in that way, but am beginning to see that it's probably because I'm such a warrior, and very interested in that sort of thing, so that's a way that would grab my attention most effectively. *wry smile*
But just what does it mean? Why has that haunted me for so long when it's seemingly such a simple concept?
I've pondered it a lot these eight years, and each time different aspects become more clear, but overall it's something I think we girls largely miss in our preoccupation with other things.
It's been a while since I got off on this kick... but, reading about William Wallace I got into those battles... when I read a book, I become one of the characters in the story, be it history or fiction, I become a part of it. I think that has helped me to understand better what that random thought of mine means.
Reading about Wallace, the battles those guys fought were tough, against overwhelming odds. At one point there were two hundred Scots going against two thousand English - but here's the kicker, the Scots had to climb a castle wall, jump down on the enemy, and rescue the Scottish captives inside the prison - in the dark. After hiking for miles, on foot, all the day before, and not getting much sleep before the attack.
With those odds it was impossible for them to win. But, there were women at home who were praying for their little army night and day.
Guess what? They won that battle.
There were many more battles like that with overwhelming odds - each time the Scots should have been whipped out. But there were women back home praying for them... and they won.
Girls, our guys - not just husbands, but brothers, friends - are fighting real battles, and the only thing that will get them safely through those battles is God, and how often we just assume that He's helping them (which He is, don't get me wrong) but we aren't covering them in prayer as we ought.
That thought has haunted me, because for years, I didn't realize the importance of prayer in the lives of our men. When we neglect to pray for them, we are in essence, leaving them in the battle, against overwhelming odds - alone.
Sure, men have single handedly won battles in the past... but they never (to my knowledge) came out without major wounds, that didn't have to be - if only they had had help.
So yes, that thought haunts me... because I see many battle weary soldiers dying on the field, for lack of help - prayer. And it's my fault. It's your fault. Because we aren't (as a whole) covering them in prayer as we ought.
It's been eight years of that thought haunting me, and the study that I've done because of it, that has resulted in the list I put in the last post.
Those are essential things every man - every Christian - needs in order to win the battles the Almighty Captain has placed them in.
Everyone, man or woman, needs those things to be effective in the individual battles that make up this Great Cause we are fighting for.
Those things are the armor and weapons needed to fight the battles and win - and each battle won gets us closer to the Ultimate Victory in this Great Cause for our Almighty Captain.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
What's Ahead?
We as girls often wonder what the future holds, and, perhaps a slight bit silly... what our husbands will be like.
Well, let me tell you, he'll be exactly what you take the time to pray for. No way around that.
This is a list of things I pray daily for whoever might one day be my husband; the more I prayed it for him, the more I came to realize all guys need someone praying these things for them, so I've begun to pray it daily for many of the young men I know.
1) Blessing on any Kingdom work he is engaged in.
2) Blessing on his work/job, that God would bless the work of his hands, and help him to enjoy the employment he find for the day.
3) Provision for land/a place of his own that is conducive to the work God has called him to do.
4) Wisdom in how to order his ways to honor God in all areas of life.
5) Knowledge of how to please God, and do the work he is called to.
6) Understanding of God's word, and it's application to all areas of life.
7) Discretion in all things.
8) Discernment between right and wrong - God's way and man's way.
9) Peace in the midst of everything he is facing in his life, in his walk with the Lord.
10) Contentment with where God has him, and what He has him doing.
11) Humility, because no matter how low our self esteem, that's still something we all struggle with.
12) Grace to do what God has called him to.
13) Strength to do what is right, stand on God's word, and be the leader God intended for him to be.
14) Courage to stand on God's word.
15) Confidence in God's word and the calling God has placed on him.
16) Boldness to speak the truth, and confront evil.
17) Honesty when it would be easier to be deceptive in any given thing.
18) Sobriety, to take God and His word seriously.
19) Honor as a man of God.
20) Integrity in a world where it is greatly lacking.
21) Liberty to serve God, and lead/care for His family.
22) Security. Not necessarily the kind we normally think of in regards to worldly things, but security in the way God is leading him in.
23) Love as is defined in 1 Corinthians 13.
24) Joy even in the midst of trials and hardships.
25) Patience in whatever trials, disagreements, etc, God has him in.
26) Gentleness with God's creatures, and those He places in his care.
27) Goodness to all, as human tendency is toward being bad.
28) Kindness to all he has contact with.
29) Mercy where it is right to be merciful.
30) Truth, because at times it's easier to tell or believe a lie, than the truth.
31) Much favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3)
32) Longsuffering.
33) Meekness (which doesn't exactly mean what we've always assumed it did)
34) Temperance.
35) Faith in God and His word.
And at the end of the list, (even when I was only praying it for my future husband) that I would be the friend and sister he/they need at this time in his/their life, and prepare me to be the friend/sister/wife they/he needs in the future.
This is a list of things all men need, and not just for the future, but for here and now. Who is praying for them if we aren't? How many young men aren't being covered with the prayers of their future wife, but desperately need those prayers? What harm could it do for you to pray for the young men you know? Cover them with prayer as well.
Can you think of anything that should be added to the list?
Well, let me tell you, he'll be exactly what you take the time to pray for. No way around that.
This is a list of things I pray daily for whoever might one day be my husband; the more I prayed it for him, the more I came to realize all guys need someone praying these things for them, so I've begun to pray it daily for many of the young men I know.
1) Blessing on any Kingdom work he is engaged in.
2) Blessing on his work/job, that God would bless the work of his hands, and help him to enjoy the employment he find for the day.
3) Provision for land/a place of his own that is conducive to the work God has called him to do.
4) Wisdom in how to order his ways to honor God in all areas of life.
5) Knowledge of how to please God, and do the work he is called to.
6) Understanding of God's word, and it's application to all areas of life.
7) Discretion in all things.
8) Discernment between right and wrong - God's way and man's way.
9) Peace in the midst of everything he is facing in his life, in his walk with the Lord.
10) Contentment with where God has him, and what He has him doing.
11) Humility, because no matter how low our self esteem, that's still something we all struggle with.
12) Grace to do what God has called him to.
13) Strength to do what is right, stand on God's word, and be the leader God intended for him to be.
14) Courage to stand on God's word.
15) Confidence in God's word and the calling God has placed on him.
16) Boldness to speak the truth, and confront evil.
17) Honesty when it would be easier to be deceptive in any given thing.
18) Sobriety, to take God and His word seriously.
19) Honor as a man of God.
20) Integrity in a world where it is greatly lacking.
21) Liberty to serve God, and lead/care for His family.
22) Security. Not necessarily the kind we normally think of in regards to worldly things, but security in the way God is leading him in.
23) Love as is defined in 1 Corinthians 13.
24) Joy even in the midst of trials and hardships.
25) Patience in whatever trials, disagreements, etc, God has him in.
26) Gentleness with God's creatures, and those He places in his care.
27) Goodness to all, as human tendency is toward being bad.
28) Kindness to all he has contact with.
29) Mercy where it is right to be merciful.
30) Truth, because at times it's easier to tell or believe a lie, than the truth.
31) Much favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3)
32) Longsuffering.
33) Meekness (which doesn't exactly mean what we've always assumed it did)
34) Temperance.
35) Faith in God and His word.
And at the end of the list, (even when I was only praying it for my future husband) that I would be the friend and sister he/they need at this time in his/their life, and prepare me to be the friend/sister/wife they/he needs in the future.
This is a list of things all men need, and not just for the future, but for here and now. Who is praying for them if we aren't? How many young men aren't being covered with the prayers of their future wife, but desperately need those prayers? What harm could it do for you to pray for the young men you know? Cover them with prayer as well.
Can you think of anything that should be added to the list?
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