We had an extra exciting delivery at the Proverbs 31 Ministries office on Thursday. I could not wait to show you.
Just in case you did not know, I work with the most amazing women. They are beautiful inside and out, each using their God-given talents to serve and help grow the kingdom of God.Let me introduce them, starting on the floor, left to right and working up:
- Kristen Sigmon-coordinators Next Generation
- Samantha Reed-Admin. to LeAnn Rice and so much more
- Holly Good-Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
- Terri McCall-Special Projects
- Wendy Blight-Speaking Ministry
- Leah DiPascal-Assistant Renee Swope
- Teri Bucholtz-Resources Coordinator
- Melissa Taylor-Admin. Assistant and Prayer Ministry Coordinator
- Barb Spencer-Speaking Coordinator
- The Queen herself-LeAnn Rice-The Boss of us all
Thanks for letting me share and brag a little. I hope you all have wonderful weekend.
12 Comments:
Dear Wendy,
What a lovely picture and a lovely group! You are blessed to work with such talented women who are full of love and grace!
Of course in today's reading I would rather talk about 1 Corinthians 13 because I LOVE that chapter so! :) But, I am instead going to talk about 1 Corinthians 11 because I REALLY struggled with that chapter!
In my mind, this chapter is one of the reasons Paul was so controversial for me as a young Christian. I think it is a stumbling block for many new Christians, especially women, in this modern culture. I encourage you to look at this commentary on this chapter by David Guzik:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=8008&commInfo=31&topic=1%20Corinthians
He has many good insights that helped me.
I want to spend a moment on the concept of "headship" and "authority".
My first inclination when I read all this, was to think "submission" = "inferiority". This is not the point. "Submission" = "respect for" and "reverence of". And "authority" = "power" is also incorrect; "authority" = "legitimacy" or having the right or justification.
In all cases, inferiority is not the point or issue. It is an issue of attitude.
iii. “God is the Head of Christ, not in respect of his essence and Divine nature, but in respect of his office as Mediator; as the man is the head of the woman, not in respect of a different and more excellent essence and nature, (for they are both of the same nature,) but in respect of office and place, as God hath set him over the woman.” (Poole)
As for head coverings or no head coverings while praying, this is pointed to customs and laws of the time. It has the same source as the discussion above. Because of the established authority, we should not take an attitude while praying that betrays that authority. We should take the attitude of submission and humility. That is displayed now (mostly) in the West with heads bowed, eyes closed, and sometimes kneeling.
I don't know if I am making sense. I know that this is long, but my modern sensibilities really struggled with this whole issue when I started today's reading. I like to think of men and women as being equal in all things. I am a child of the 60s and have that instant gut reaction to "authority" as being mis-used or evil. It isn't. This I have to remember; People mis-use authority. People take advantage of positions of power. It is not God's will or way. And the final point that I will make on this whole topic is this; as Guzik asks, given the change in attitude to authority since the 60s;
ii. It’s important to ask: have the changes been good? Do we feel safer? Are we more confident in our culture? Have television and other entertainment gotten better or worse? In fact, our society is presently in, and rushing towards, complete anarchy - the state where no authority is accepted, and the only thing that matters is what I want to do.
v. This idea of authority and submission to authority are so important to God that they are part of His very being. The First Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Father; the Second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Son. Inherent in those titles is a relationship of authority and submission to authority. The Father exercises authority over the Son, and the Son submits to the Father’s authority - and this is in the very nature and being of God! Our failure to exercise Biblical authority, and our failure to submit to Biblical authority, isn’t just wrong and sad - it sins against the very nature of God. (Guzik)
Food for thought on this foggy Saturday here in Basel.
Be blessed today,
Karen
Oh I love that magazine cover!!!!!!! Love those beautiful faces and hearts! Woo Hoo!
Headed to New York City today with our cherubs and their two cousins.
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Wendy, what a fun and beautiful picture. It is especially interesting for me to see Leah DiPascal as our church has been working through her for Renee's visit in 2011. I can't wait!!! Renee will be coming to speak at our yearly Winter Interlude in just over a year. I don't want to rush my tme away, but I am looking forward to seeing Renee again :)
Although I subscribe to the P31 magazine, I haven't received one since the summer. I am a monthly supporter, but I have no idea what is happening to my mags. I doubt it is a P31 issue...I'm guessing it's a mail delivery issue. I miss receiving it and hope the December issue manages to somehow reach my house.
Trust you have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Love & hugs,
Joy
Good Morning,
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pic., Wendy, and for serving us this week in The Word.
Karen, Once again you've given us good insight! Thank you, too!
I have to share part of a verse this morning, a verse that Beth Moore opened up to me in one of my previous Bible Studies.
1 Cor. 13:7a-the NIV translation really opens up the meaning:
"It [love] always protects"
One of the characteristics of agape love is that it protects. The Greek word for protects is 'stego,' meaning, "to cover over in silence." This means simply that love does not expose the faults of others. When we exercise agape toward an individual, no matter how well we know her, we would NEVER expose her faults to others. It is the word picture of 'covering an individual with as such a cloak of love that the fault cannot be seen.' {I love that, so beautiful!}
Paul reminds us once again, that love is the most important thing! Loving each one of you and thanking you for blessing my days! Off to take my ever-so- patient dog on a walk now! Lori - AZ
Good Morning~
Wendy, love the cover! I look forward to getting my magazines, I just love them :)
Lori, I also was drawn to that verse when I worked through the lesson on love a few weeks ago. Love always protects. I was convicted by that as I read and studies more it's meaning through Beth's teaching. Do I always protect my husband and not expose his faults to others? I admit that no, I have not always done that and it has caused problems in the ways others might see him. That is one thing I pray for now alot is that I will protect John, my words will build him up and not tear him down in anyone's eyes. I am to be his number one fan, number one supporter and if there is something that is hurting me, that I am struggling with I need to take it to God. As it is said so many times, go to the throne and not to the phone! I have someone in my life who will call me and EVERY TIME we are on the phone the conversation turns into something critical or negative about her husband. It has gotten to the point I don't even want to talk to her on the phone very often (which I don't like the phone anyway, lol). Always protects, that is something I want to bury deep in my heart and keep it there.
The other statement of love keeping no records of wrongs is a big one to me too. I pray that as I grow I will let the things of the past go and concentrate on the now and the future and deal with hurts and misunderstanding as they arise and not keep bringing them up. Forgive and keep no record, just as God does for us.
Looks like a beautiful day here in TN! My son's school auction is tonight. We have been praying for $40K to be made and ladies, God is answering our prayers. Donations alone valued at around $30K! The most donations we have ever had to auction off. It is very exciting. We do this each year so we can keep tuition lower than a lot of other private schools in the area. It should be a lot of fun.
I also did get my testimony posted on my blog this morning if anyone wants to check it out and read it :) I have wanted to do that for a long time and God led me this morning to get it down. You all have a wonderful weekend!
Love you sisters,
Brandee
Good Saturday morning my friends! What a beauty of a day we have in store here in MN! May be the last one for a while.
Brandee - your testimony is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry you had to endure what you did. I'm blessed that you allowed God to use it for His glory! May He allow you to be used to help many, many others.
In today's reading I underlined 1Corinthians 12:26. "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad". I love what this says to me. We as a body of Christ need to always lift each other up, feel each others pain, and also celebrate successes together when they come. Unfortunately too many times this isn't the case. Too often Christians "shoot their wounded" instead of encouraging, helping, and lifting. Or when success comes, jealousy rears it's ugly head. God's plan for us in these circumstances is much, much better.
Lord, remind me in times of Christian famine or feast, to apply these words and do what you ask of me. Amen.
Morgen
Brandee, your life story brings such hope and freedom, and truth. God's ways work!
Krista
Happy Sunday Sisters~
Thank you all who read my testimony and commented either here or on my blog. I have wanted to get that down for a long time and so glad I had the time yesterday morning to collect my thoughts. It has been hard for me to get it started. I have tried before and it just had not flowed right. When I shared my testimony with my MOPS group last year I did an outline and tried to write it once before from that outline but it included stuff that went with our MOPS theme and it just did not flow. I had spent some time praying Friday before I went to bed and when I got up it just flowed :)
The last part of our reading for today is what stood out to me about being transformed. I tell you ladies, I am excited for that day! No more sinus problems, that will be heaven! One verse I marked was 15:58, "So, my hear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." I just read a devotion about this the other night by Women of Faith. Here is what it said in the book "a grand new day:"
Can you imagine what an impact it would have on the world if everyone who follows Christ would wake up each morning and thank God for the gifts he or she has been given and ask for opportunities that day to use them for His glory?
I'm not saying this is always easy. The trouble is that some gifts receive immediate praise and recognition, and others don't. We must keep in mind who we're working for. If we're dependent on the approval of others, life will be very discouraging. But if we wait only on the Lord, His love will uplift us not matter what. To God, there are no small jobs or menial tasks. He sees all the late-night laundry and lunches packed. He sees the extra work your boss never credits you for. He sees it all.
As far as I am concerned, I work for God. He is my boss, and He is my King. So whether I am writing a book, recording a CD, speaking to thousands of women, or sitting in the carpool lane waiting to pick up my child, it doesn't matter. No one thing that I am called to do is more important than another; all that matters is my heart.
~Shelia Walsh
You ladies have a wonderful day! I am going to finish up my Christmas shopping this afternoon at Will's karate studio's Secret Santa shop. We are going to get him a punching bag like they use in class :) He is going to be thrilled! Our school auction was so fun last night and John and I won Will's class project. We had to pay quite a bit for it, but it is priceless and a treasure we will have forever. The kids went to a recording studio this past week and recorded 6 songs. They signed the CD and the package included a picture book of all the pictures that were taken that day. I am not sure what I am going to do with the picture book yet, I think I will probably redo it some to make it more like a scrapbook :)
Have a blessed Sunday friends!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Lots of treasures again this weekend. Quickly sharing the Word God spoke to me.
"On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.' In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant between God and his people - an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.' For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again." 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Lord's supper. God is both the host and the sacrifice.
"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other." 1 Corinthians 12:7
The gift is given for the good of the church, not necessarily the good of the individual.
The Spirit could be removed from many churches these days and nothing would be different.
“…stand firm…” “be strong and immovable.” 1 Corinthians 15:1, 58
Interesting that Paul starts and ends this chapter with a reference to our footing. Much content that has found it's way to the table of debate and discussion fills the 56 verses inbetween.
When struggles come how sure is your anchor? Sometimes storms come to see if you’re sea-worthy. A ship is sent out, not to see if it will sink, but float. Trials come, not to necessarily test our faith, but to see if we have faith. Paul gives voice to this in 1 Corinthians 15:34, “For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.”
We are being admonished here to not give in under pressure and not give up our faith. The resource for standing firm is available to us. God’s Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but with the temptation will make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it.” God Himself is our Resource. He will supply the strength to stand firm and be strong and immovable.
Does anything we experience exceed the power of God? Standing firm and holding ground is most often not a physical battle, but a mental and spiritual conflict. God’s power is the same during times of crisis and times of calm. As Christ followers we know that something within us is immoveable.
Stand firm, giving loyalty to Truth.
Have a blessed Sunday all. Tonight our family is gathering to celebrate my nephew's 13th b'day. So thankful to be together again, especially with Dad. God is so good.
Joy
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