For Such A Time As This

Wow!! I am am continually amazed at the ways God speaks to me. I find it awesome. I have been asking God to allow this to sink deeper into my heart. I want God's will to shine in my life and not just my own wills and wants.

This is the 4th Chapter in the book 'Voices of the True Women Movement' By Nancy Leigh DeMoss. If you miss the first 3 Chapters and would like to read them can find the links here.

'For Such A Time As This' was written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. And she bases the story on Queen Esther. (I have always loved the story of Esther, and love the new lessons I have learned from it.)

In the Book of Esther, there are 2 stories going on at the same time, 2 perspectives, 2 world views, 2 ways of looking at life. There's the drama you see and then there's the drama behind the drama. There's the obvious plot as well as the plot behind the plot.

The first plot is the visible-human one. The 2nd is the heavenly drama. The human one is built on a foundation of self while the heavenly one is God using man to fulfill His eternal purposes through event on earth.

So 'We, as True Women, playing out our individual roles in the story of our times, must keep our eyes on what is unseen, knowing what our God is doing in the background is higher, broader, and more eternal then anything we can see with our natural sight.'

As the story of Esther unfolds, we see her become Queen, to a selfish arrogant King. And not really a place that she wanted to be.

But, 'We need to view the turn of events through different lens. And see that this story is really about God and His agenda, God and His aims, God and His purposes.'

'Esther is not the star but simply a player in the heavenly drama being acted out on an earthly stage.'

I am placed here for God's kingdom purposes. And not my own. (How I want that thought stamped deep in my heart!!) Even though I may not like my present circumstances. God understands but He has a much bigger plan, a heavenly drama, much bigger then you or I could ever see or understand.

No matter where God has placed me or what God has given me to bear, I don't want to be asking, 'How will this circumstance affect me?' or 'How will it fulfill my wants and needs?' The right question to ask is, 'How does God want to use my position, my season in life, my place at this moment in time to fulfill His Kingdom purposes in the world?'

At times, life may seem so 'unfair'. There maybe moments when details seem 'trivial' & 'insignificant'. But God sees the eternal span when all we see is the here and now.I just need to remember to 'Wait on the Lord, be patient and He will act in His way and in His time!'

Then there are the crisis moments, such as Esther's, when her Uncle asked her to petition the King. God was willing to use Esther, if she was willing to be used. Mordicai asked 'Who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?'

Whether it was Esther then or you/me today, only God knows-and only time will tell-why He has sovereignly placed you where you are right now, at this moment in history. You have been given a role to play, and no one else can fill it.

God can use each one of us, no matter what our gifts and abilities are or where we are in this season of life.

Esther didn't act alone. She called every one to fast and pray with her. 'Praying and fasting were preparing her heart and preparing the way for her to move forward with God's intervening blessing on her behalf and on behalf of her people.'

We all know how Esther's story turns out, her life was spared, as were the lives of her people.

While we may not feel like we have such an important role in life, we need to remember 'We are each a tool in the hand of God, being applied to situations that may just feel like 'everyday life' to you but are actually backlit stages where the purposes of God  are being put on display from your street address. And He knows the audience He's playing to, whether it be members of your family, church friends, random acquaintances-whoever needs to see His power at work in a surrendered heart-like mine and yours.'

As we are in the Battles of Life, our weapons are different, we use heavenly weapons & tactics. God's play will not fail and through faith and obedience, we can be part of God's plan. There is no situation so desperate that God can not redeem it. We must not judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look right now.

'In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you do not know.' -John Piper-

Oh, that I would be willing to be used by God, in whatever way He sees best, in whatever way He needs me to move, in whatever way I can best be used to further His Kingdom!!!

'That' Child

A shadow slips out the door

and glides silently down the hall.

If my eyes hadn't been open

I'd have not heard him at all.

He stands at the window

with nose pressed to the glass.

Dream of the fun of the day before

Playing with friends in the green grass.

All around him the stars

Shine so bright

Yet he stands there

No thought of fright.

When Dad checks on him

By quietly padding down the hall

Wondering why 'That' child

Thinks this is an 11 o'clock ball.

'That' child is simply silent

With thumb in his mouth,

He'll not utter a sound

You'd about think him a mouse.

But for the fact of the

 now silent bed,

You know that he's missing

And from his room has fled.

So out to the kitchen

Dad silently goes

It's time to tred softly

and watch those toes.

He leads a sleepy

But wide awake child

Back to his bed

Where you hope he stays 'while.

And peaceful sleep

with fall over us again.

Dilly Beans

Are you tired of canning Green Beans yet?? Or freezing them, as I do?? Are you up for trying something new?? Here is a favorite way to eat Green Beans around here. Since my Hubby doesn't care for cooked green beans, this is one of two ways he eats them. I'll share the other way next week.

Dilly Beans

2 lbs Green Beans
1/4 C. Canning or pickling Salt
2 1/2 C. Water
2 1/2 C. Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper-divided
4 Cloves Garlic-divided
4 Head Dill or 4 Teaspoon Dill Weed-divided

Trim ends of beans and wash. Place length wise in jars. (I like using pint jars.)  Combine water, salt, & vinegar in sauce pan and bring to boil. In each jar put 1 glove of Garlic, 1/4 tsp cayenne and 1 head of dill. (We don't care for our dilly beans this hot, er, I should say my boys don't. So I only put in about an 1/8 tsp.) Then ladle hot vinegar syrup over the beans. Adjust two-piece caps and process in hot water bath 10 minutes.

Then eat like pickles.

From my 'Ball Blue Book of Preserves'.

Printer Friendly version.

So for some reason Blogger is having problems and not allowing me to upload pictures. If you want to see a couple pics click on the printer version and see them there. I'll upload the pics when it co-operates!! And now I find out the printer version didn't upload the one pic at all and replaced it with a repeat and squashed it. grrrr!!

A Boy & His Calf

'Oh, dear', he sighs, as he glances at the clock. 'I've gotta get out there. They be letting the cows back in.' And he hurriedly shovels the rest of his breakfast into his mouth. 'Good-bye, Mom. Thanks for the breakfast', as out the door he goes. I won't see him for another hour or more.

Earlier this spring I would have declared that child could tell time. The barn schedule was a bit different then, they would let the cows out around 10 and he knew when it was that time.

In the middle of play he would jump up and announce it was time to 'go let the cows out'. Or he'd be using the bathroom. (Which is not a simple thing for him. He has to strip all clothing because 'It might get dirty, Mom.') He'll come flying out of the bathroom, 'Gotta get to the barn. They letting the cows out.'

Now they let the cows out soon after milking. So he gets up around 7, get dressed and heads out the door. Most often it's even before I'm up, and he won't be back in 'til close to 9. He loves helping to let the cows out for their daily exercise and then re-tieing them in their stalls. And he takes this job very seriously, and rarely misses a day.

One day to his delight there was a 'red boy calf' born. He loves 'boy calves', and does not like the 'girl ones'. Anyway, his dad gave it to him, as long as he takes care of it.  And he has been doing an awesome job at it. Now and then I need to remind him in the afternoon and then he quickly declares he wants to 'sell the dumb thing'.

So far this calf hasn't a name, other then 'the dumb calf', 'my boy calf' or 'the red bull'. He is quite proud of the little guy. He was happy to inform me one day 'I rode the wild thing', the poor thing was only a few days old. If he'd try it now, he'd have the time of his life trying to stay on it.

The calf has just been weaned from the bottle. So Collin is enjoying the easier feedings, without a butting calf, who could about bull him over. (No pun intended.) I was quite proud of him when he took the bucket of milk out for the first time. He used the wheelbarrow-2 wheeled feed cart thing to haul the pail. The wheelbarrow is about to much for him to handle but he figured out how to get it under the fence and up the heifer pasture to the calf's pen. I'm not sure how much milk that calf got for his supper!!

My little boy is growing up so fast!! I can hardly believe he is becoming such a 'little man'. Where is time going??

I am treasuring each moment, I love these memories we are making. One day he'll no longer want to sit in my lap for a story, he won't be so quick to snuggle up beside me for a hug and some 'I love you's'.

I love you, Collin.

You've Come Along Way, Baby

This is the 3rd Chapter of the book, Voices of the True Woman Movement by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. You can read Chapter 1 here and Chapter 2 here.

'You've come along way, Baby' is by Mary A. Kassian. She does a very good job at giving a history lesson in this chapter. I love History, so found it very interesting. But not sure I'll cover much of that aspect of it.

It depicts the Woman's Movement of the late 60's and 70's. All of the promises and hopes that many are realizing are not bringing the satisfaction and fulfillment that is was said to bring.

50 years ago life was almost totally different. Here's a partial-abbreviated list of 'Real Life Observations from the 50's'.

• Getting married was the norm.
• Once married the couple would have children, the husband would work to support the wife so she could stay at home with the children.
• The divorce rate was low. Couples were expected to remain married and make their marriage work. Divorce was considered a tragedy.
• If divorce did occur & there were kids involved, the ex-husband was expected to support the wife in a homemaking role, because society considered it vitally important that the children have a mom at home.
• Chasity, virginity, and fidelity were virtues. And sex outside of marriage was shameful.
• Having a child out of wedlock was considered shameful. Now 1 child is born outside of wedlock every 25 seconds.
• Only 30% of women were employed outside of the home. And then it was only a part time job.
• Children were a highly desired, a highly valued, and a highly welcomed addition to both family and community.
• No birth control pill.
• Abortion was illegal.
• Men saw it as their responsibility to protect and provide for the women and children under their care.
• Woman saw it as their responsibility to support their husbands and focus on raising their children in a stable, nurturing, loving environment. Their professional careers took secondary status to their primary and more important career of raising and nurturing the next generation.

Our world has changed a lot since then, has it not?!?!?!? And it's all because women are seeking 'liberation'. They thought they were no longer finding fulfillment in God's Original Plan for Order.

'So in a few short decades the idea of a happy fulfilled woman has gone from one who values and serves her children, her husband and her community, to one who serves and exalts herself, sees men as dispensable, and considers children to be optional add-ons to her quest for fulfillment.'

And here she begins her 'history lesson'. How women were made to think they needed to become equal with men, they didn't want to be serving them anymore. They were made to feel their God-given role of wife and homemaker no longer was satisfying.

Women were made to think they needed to define their own existence.

Women were 'made to think that as a whole they needed enlightenment. They needed to discover how really oppressed they were'.

As women's 'eye's were opened', they began to rename the world. They 'needed to challenge and change that which men had constructed for their own benefits'. They 'needed to look at the world through the lenses of female experience and come up with new values and definitions'. Even school curricula was rewritten to reflect a feminist world view.

They even renamed God to a 'She'. They didn't like to think of the male role as being the dominate one.

'The underlying premise of feminism is that 'women need and can trust no other authority then our own personal truth.' Feminism teaches that women ought not to bow down and submit to any external power.'

It's is so sad that our world has come to just accept this as the norm, when the Bible states things so clearly in the opposite light.

1 Corinthians 11 states that, 'Man did not come from woman, but the woman from man; neither was man created for the woman but the woman for man'. How much clearer can it get?? The two sexes are different and were created for different roles.

However!! We will not find the true, deep satisfaction of the heart just by being a wife/homemaker. Our deepest longings and satisfactions will come only when we have yielded our lives completely and totally to Christ!! He is the only one who will be able to fill the void in our lives.

'A woman is a true woman when her heart says yes to God!!'

Today's women are searching for answers, they want to know how to make life work. We need a Biblical understanding of manhood, womanhood and gender relationships.

New Look

Yes, you are where you thought you went. {Smile} I had to change my background due to the host changing some things and then they had a traffic overload. So for now, this is what it'll be. What do ya think?? I rather like it, and it might just stay a while.

Blessed is the Woman

Photo Credit

~who has~

A Sparkle in her eyes

A Song on her lips

A Spring in her step

A Warmeth in her touch

A Depth to her Beauty

A Purpose to her life

A Joy in her faith

A Hope in her breast

And a Love in her heart!

Author Unknown

This poem has been hanging on the inside of my kitchen cupboard for a while now. It has blessed me many times over, so thought I'd share with you while my baby goes to sleep in my arms.