Wives--Keepers at Home?

Just because something is "in" right now, it doesn't make it the best, or even right. 

Obvious, no?

I mean, no Christian would argue that just because abortion is popular, it is morally right (I hope not)!

How about these? Just because a certain movie is a blockbuster, it doesn't mean we have to rush to see it. Just because bikinis are fashionable, it doesn't mean we have to wear them. Just because feminism is here for good, it doesn't mean we have to subscribe to it.

Wait, what? . . . I thought feminism was helpful to get women out of horrible situations and unfair pay-cuts. I thought feminism brought justice and freedom for women! And what about the abuses of men who dominate over women, who brush their own sins under the rug and hate correction?

There may be good things that have come from feminism, but what about the things we lose or the Bible passages we ignore? What about the beauty of a home that runs so well, with wives juggling children, cooking, and cleaning--keeping the home, as per Titus 2--while the husband brings home the paycheck? Not to minimize a father's role in raising children, or even to say that a woman can't earn any income. That would not go along with Proverbs 31 or other passages.

I have heard a lot of arguments from fear, from avoiding abuse.. . . and while we must be watchful for this, we must not ignore or explain away the Bible passages that were usually so clear to people in previous decades.

If we argued that way, we would ban homeschooling for fear of those who misuse it. We would argue against churches because of those who have made a mess of them. We would argue against cars because they have killed so many. We would throw away computers because they are tools of the devil. . . . You get the picture.

There are two sides to every story--many applications, many misuses, many good uses.

And I'm here to tell you about the good things about men leading the home.

1. God says it is what we should do. This really should settle the debate.
Yes, I know some Bible teachers disagree on this point--but did they arrive at their conclusion based solely on Scripture, or was it something outside that influenced them in that direction?

2. Women are often good at nurturing, sympathizing, "mothering," while men are often good at working physically and logically. It is not that these two sides can't overlap, but there seems to be a natural tendency in the two genders.

3. Women tend to feel protected and cherished when the man provides for her/the family.

I'm sure there are more I could list, but let me go to the Scriptures: 

"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." - Titus 2:1-5 (NKJV)

What does "homemakers" mean, and why is it not applied to men? It's not that men don't help make a home--husbands and fathers are very important. The KJV says of women here to be: "keepers at home," ESV says "working at home." And the Greek? Strong's concordance says: "ouros (a guard; be “ware”); a stayer at home, that is, domestically inclined (a “good housekeeper”): - keeper at home." 

Staying at home (a general principal, not literally chained there) doesn't have to be boring or lackluster. There are so many great things about it, such as using your creativity in decorating and cooking. It does include a lot of hard work, but a loved mother and wife will be repaid many times over for this! Ultimately, as a faithful Christian, she is helping to raise children in the admonition of the Lord, helping a Christian husband's godly vision and work, and being a light in an increasingly dark world. Chin up, ladies; let us look to the Lord for strength and joy!

Here's a good message on this subject, though I'm not sure yet if I agree with the last part entirely.

Another good one!

Quotes from "New Morning Mercies" by Paul David Tripp

I've been enjoying this daily devotional that I won. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far, which I hope will be a blessing to you. :) The whole book has been good.

"We were not made to live independent, self-directed lives. We were not meant to exist according to our own little self-oriented plans, living for our own moments of glory. No, we were created to live for [H]im." - From January 1.

"Your hope of enduring is not to be found in your character or strength, but in your Lord's." - From January 12.

"For the believer, harsh, critical, impatient, and irritated responses to others are always connected to forgetting or denying who we are and what we have been given in Jesus." - Jan. 19

"Whether you have realized it or not, [H]e is what your hoping heart has been searching for, because what you've really been searching for is life, real heart-changing, heart-satisfying life--life to the fullest, life abundant. People can love and respect you, but they can't give you life." - Jan. 23

"True lasting hoping is never found horizontally. It's only ever found vertically, at the feet of the Messiah, the One who is hope." - Jan. 23

"The [O]ne who is the final definition of love, wisdom, mercy, and power makes us [H]is slaves. He who alone is able to give us life enslaves our hearts to [H]im. His absolute rulership over every area of our lives is not a deadening law but a life-giving grace. He is freeing us from our slavery to what is not true and cannot deliver." - Jan. 27

"Will you deal with life based on what you assess you bring to the table or based on who you now are as a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords---the Savior who is always with you in power and grace? Will you live in timidity and fear or in the courage of hope? Will you avoid challenges of faith in fear or move toward the, resting not in your own ability but in the presence, power, and grace of the One who rules all and has become your Father?" - Jan. 31

"We can experience peace in the face of the unknown. We can feel an inner well-being while living in the middle of mystery. Why? Because our peace of heart does not rest on how much we know, how much we have figured out, or how accurately we have been able to predict the future. No, our rest is in the [P]erson who holds our individual futures in [H]is wise and gracious hands." - Feb. 6

"We argue to ourselves and to others that what looked like sin was not sin at all. It is all a function of the delusional self-righteousness of sin. It involves daily acts of self-atonement. It is us working to convince ourselves that we really don't need the amazing grace of a faithful, loving Savior. At street level, we all tend to back away from the radical message that we all say we believe. It is a shocking denial of sin and a minimizing of the grace that is a sinner's only hope." - Feb. 7

"Corporate worship really does confront us with the fact that we are worse off than we thought and that God's grace is more amazing than we ever could have imagined. We will continue to need that reminder until our sin is no more and we are with [H]im and like [H]im forever." - Feb. 8 

"Quit being paralyzed by your past. Grace offers you life in the present and a guarantee of a future." - Feb. 8

"You don't have to hide in guilt when weak faith gets you off the path, because your hope in life isn't your faithfulness, but [H]is. You can run in weakness and once again seek [H]is strength. And you can know that in zealous grace [H]e will not leave [H]is craftwork until faith fully rules your heart unchallenged." - Feb. 12

"Grace illumines our dank hallways and our dark corners. The Son of grace shines the light of [H]is grace into the darkest recesses of our hearts, not as an act of vengeance or punishment, but as a move of forgiving, transforming, and delivering grace. He dispels our self-inflicted darkness because [H]e knows that we cannot grieve what we do not see, we cannot confess what we have not grieved, and we cannot turn from what we haven't confessed.
   The light has come. Run to the light; it is not to be feared. Yes, it is the light of exposure, but what will be exposed has already been covered by the blood of the One who exposes it." - Feb. 14

"He has not unleashed [H]is power in your life only to deliver to you things that quickly pass away and that have no capacity at all to satisfy your heart.
   This means that often when you are tempted to think that God is loving you less because your life is hard, [H]e is actually loving you more. The hardships that you are facing are the tool of [H]is exposing, forgiving, liberating, and transforming grace. These hard moments aren't in your life because God is distant and uncaring, but rather because [H]e loves you so fully. These moments become moments of faith and not doubt when by grace you begin to value what God says is truly valuable. Do you value what God values?" - Feb. 19 

Spurgeon Quotes

I haven't posted in a while, and I wanted to share some quotes I've been blessed by lately.

 "We need workshop faith as well as prayer meeting faith."

"We need to believe more joyfully. Oh what a blessed thing it is when you reach the rest and joy of faith. If we would truly believe the promise of God and rest in the Lord's certain fulfillment of it, we might be as happy as the angels. I notice how very early in the morning how the birds begin to sing, and before the sun is up, or even the first gray tints of morning lights are visible, the little songsters are awake and singing. Too often we refuse to sing until the sun is more than up, and noon is near. Shame on us!"

"The gospel ought to make us separate from the world. The gospel ought to make us lead a heavenly life here below. So it will, if we drink deep draughts of it. But if we take only a sip of it now and again, we give it no chance of working out its design in us. Do not paddle about the margin of the water of life, but first wade in up to your knees and then hasten to plunge into the waters to swim in it. Beware of contentment with shallow grace. Prove what the grace of God can do for you by giving yourself up to its power. Full assurance gives a man a grateful zeal for the God he loves."

"Men will do little for what they doubt and much for what they believe."

"Full assurance, as we have said before, is not of the essence of salvation."

- C.H. Spurgeon, in his message entitled "Assurance of Our Salvation."

~~

"If you do not endeavor to be like Christ, you are not His sheep, for it is true of His sheep, 'I know them, and they follow Me.'" 

"Who can loosen the grip of that hand which was pierced with the nail for me?"

- C. H. Spurgeon, in his message entitled "Eternal Security."

"I Love to Tell the Story" Book Review

Oops! I was supposed to post this two days ago. I even had the draft all ready. Sorry, Faith! 

Her heart is in the right place…
Bored with her life in Castle Town, Montana, Lillian Sullivan follows her friend’s suggestion and joins the horseback librarian program in rural Kentucky. Not only does she anticipate sharing her love of books, but she also wants to spread the gospel among the mountain people.

However, Willow Hollow presents her with one trouble after another and she struggles to step outside her shyness to share the gospel.

What will it take for Lillian to share her love of the Best Story? Can the power of the gospel overcome the shyness of her own heart?

This novella is part of a series with different authors, but can easily be read as a standalone.

My review: A sweet story of a pack-horse librarian named Lillian, who leaves the home of her father in order to share books and hope with the mountain folk of Kentucky. She is friendly and caring, but has a few hurdles to overcome. First there is a crotchety old man named Crow (favorite character), and then there is her own pride in why she finds it hard to share the gospel. This story speaks deeply and painfully to me, since I have an even harder time sharing with people. I'm a Calvinist, so I might not say "God loves you," to a random person, so it's a bit harder to know what to say, but that's more of an excuse than anything. Anyway, good book with good characters! I like the sweet interaction between Lillian and her father. There's no romance in this book at all, which is nice for a change. 4/5 stars.

Book Giveaway & Blog Tour

There will be a blog tour for a sweet, challenging novella called I Love to Tell the Story.  There's also a giveaway for it, and other fun objects (mug, etc.), going on here: https://kingsumo.com/g/nmyffj/i-love-to-tell-the-story

Blog Tour Schedule

August 18
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections – Blog Tour intro
A Brighter Destiny – Book Spotlight
In the Bookcase – Book Review
Amanda Tero – Author Interview
Old-Fashioned Book Love – Book Review

August 19
Nook of Grace – Book Review and Author Interview
Jane Mouttet – Book Review

August 20
Clothed with Scarlet – Book Review
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections – Similarities

August 21
Reviews from the Stacks – Book Review
Christian Author: A.M. Heath – Book Spotlight

August 22
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections – Blog Tour wrap-up and giveaway winner

Sing! Conference, 2019 - Part 2

I decided a Part Two was in order so that I can give a few more specific takeaways from the conference.

On the first full day, Monday, I was busy directing people to the correct seats in the main session--my fellow volunteers helped out here, since the room was huge.  Then I joined them in sitting, and I was a bit sleepy and didn't have a paper to write notes on, so I forget much of what I heard at that time.

There was John Lennox, Kristyn Getty's uncle and a mathematician who had heard C. S. Lewis in person, there was J. A. C. Redman, composer for some Disney films, Avatar, etc. He said to him it's like any other job one might have in a secular workplace. He arranged and here conducted a song that Keith & Kristyn Getty had written, almost medieval-sounding yet with modern chords, I think surrounding the apostle's creed and/or Christ's incarnation. D. A. Carson spoke next, also on Christ's incarnation.  To wake myself up, I didn't stay for all of his talk, though I hoped to hear it later in a download.

I meandered through the exhibitors hall, buying some sale-priced books, such as John Lennox's book Have No Fear: Being Salt and Light Even When It's Costly, as well as some Christian postcards.

I ate lunch with strangers--but older sisters in Christ--outside.

The next day I heard Mark Dever teach on marks of a Christian church--and I actually took notes this time. ;)

1. Gospel preaching should be at the center of our corporate worship.

2. Gospel theology shapes our corporate worship.

3. Hearing from God/His Word is all a gift we don't deserve. Ez. 37 Deut. 33 - "Teach Israel Your law..."

4. Usually it is good for preachers to preach exegetically. Early teachers like Chrysostom preached through Bible passages.

5. Silence and reflection. Reading a Bible passage together (Mark Dever has his congregation read Psalm 95 together).

6. Prayers telling of God's greatness. Prayer of praise, confession, and intercession.

Allow time for reflection after the sermon.

Don't be afraid to read God's Word, even long passages!

7. Congregational singing--not overcome with accompaniment.

...So that was all very good. We had an interlude of hearing more music, including a guitarist who played a beautiful arrangement of "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," which we proceeded to sing.

Next John MacArthur taught on Christ's death. I missed the ending, but here are the sporadic notes I got:

How was Jesus' death different than others? God shows us without words in the darkness that came over the earth.  Mercy and love were in His words before that.

Jesus is the Light. Darkness for 3 hours. Supernatural. Passover Day.

Is. 13:9-11 - Fury & anger...punish the world....

Joel...Day of gloom and darkness. Great and awesome day of punishment.

Amos 5 - Darkness, not light; for your transgressions are many...

John 10:18 - A voluntary and sovereign sacrifice. He "gave up His breath."

Divine satisfaction is given without a word when the curtain is torn in two!

Haggai - He will shake the earth...

And there I left the room, thinking I had to be at a volunteer meeting to prepare for the Breakout sessions. They had changed the time on that, so I ate some snacks in the meantime, resting on a bench in the beautiful Opryland gardens, then getting some salad at the Quick Service Cafe'.

My "room host" assignment was thankfully not speaking in front of the group, as I had feared, but talking to individual people at the doors and making sure they were in the right spot. It was challenging enough for me, not known for my assertiveness.

I got to sit in on the session after it began, but was still to watch the side door and direct people to the back door.

Sandra McCracken sang and spoke, answering questions from the audience. Her music was soothing.

I stayed at the same place for the next two Breakout sessions.

The couple who spoke, the Michaels, talked about children's songs and literature, how it is often man-focused, not God-focused. They spoke with emotion and conviction, many good points.

I only stayed for the beginning of the next session, enough to get most people seated, then had to go to a volunteer meeting to prepare for our next assignment, which was directing people to the buses to go to Bridgestone Arena.

I enjoyed the concert/talks there very much, in general. It was quite awesome singing "Is He Worthy?" with Andrew Peterson and the thousands of people there, "Holy, Holy, Holy," and other songs. Joni Eareckson Tada talked about her thankfulness and wanting to kneel first thing when she gets to heaven. How often do I kneel in reverence? Not enough, though prayer, as she said, can still be done sitting, etc.

John Piper spoke about Paul in prison, after being beaten and put in chains, singing to God. And then witnessing to the jailer. What an example for us!

Next morning I got to listen in to part of a vocal trainer's talk, and she gave some good tips and demonstrations, even taking volunteers (or asking people to the front) from the audience.

In the last main session, we heard from Os Guiness about his family's mission to China--nothing deep stands out to me--more music, including the convicting, lovely "Give Me Jesus" sung by Fernando Ortega. Also heard a prerecorded interview with Anne Graham Lotz about singing and witnessing. We heard some beautiful, Classical violin, and a Skype video recorded earlier of a woman from China talking with Kristyn Getty--hard to hear, but a good reminder to pray for China.

All in all it was a great conference for the refreshing of the soul and pointing us to do something worthwhile to the glory of Christ, for He died for us and is forever worthy!

Sing! Conference, 2019 - Part 1

Having grown up in a conservative homeschooling family--piano, violin, and maybe organ only for church services, please!--with limited styles of music, lest the beat and emotions overcome us and influence us badly, the Sing! conference with Keith and Kristyn Getty seemed a bit "wild" at first.

In particular, I had some concerns this year when we were at the Bridgestone Arena concert and the musicians took turns showcasing their instruments, sometimes dancing and playing flashy things. The crowd cheered wildly. "Are we worshiping Christ or the musicians?" I later asked my friend Michelle. And I believe this is a legitimate concern...but we must first wonder about our own hearts, not those on stage or others. They stand before God as their judge. Perhaps they are sincerely exhibiting joy in the Lord and having fun. Perhaps they are not proud at all, but inwardly groaning at their lack of proficiency, or hoping to help others...we don't know!

Michelle's answer gave me pause to think before I came to the above conclusion. She had likely grown up with more drums than I have, said she loved them, and had true joy, all while agreeing that the words shouldn't be obscured.

Michelle and me at Bridgestone (sorry for my cheesy grin)

Here's some of what I came away with from the Sing! conference....

I made new friends with roommates, who were found through a friend. Their joy, generosity, and instant acceptance of me made me feel welcome and desirous to be more like them. They felt like family, as they are in Christ!

Bridgette (one of my roommates) and me--sadly I didn't get a pic with my other roommate, Christianna, but here's her blog!

 Helen (another volunteer) and me

The music swelled along with the lyrics at mostly the proper times, giving testimony to God's grace, and in turn humbling me and pointing me to joy in the Lord's goodness.

The speakers, such as John Piper, John MacArthur, Joni Eareckson Tada, drew me away from a self-focus to a God-focus, to Jesus' complete work on the cross and the thankfulness that should always be with us.

He is worthy of some hand-clapping and holy dancing, isn't He? That vulnerability--of being willing to cry and loudly praise Him along with a supportive host of brothers and sisters--as well as my work as a volunteer, directing people to various rooms and making sure they were in the right place, searching places out for myself--helped me feel bolder. That coupled with the third day's teaching on witnessing. Women aren't to preach, but are we not to tell of God's goodness without fear? And I am far too timid most of the time.

I was also inspired to pray more, and live my life for Christ more heartily!

Then there were great books to buy in the exhibitors hall. Yes, we can buy online, but sometimes we don't take the time or know quite which books to search out.

And yes, we can listen to messages online for free, but sometimes being connected with people and having the freedom and focus of a conference is more helpful--at least to this distracted woman.

You have to decide whether it's worth it for you to go, weigh the pros and cons, but for me--especially as a volunteer--it was a blessing that I'll carry with me for some time to come.

Quest for Leviathan Blog Tour - Review

Are sea monsters a real thing? What about fire-breathing dragons? According to the Bible, there is a fire-breathing sea creature who really existed: the leviathan. Amanda Tero brings this dragon to life in her newest short story, "Quest for Leviathan." Join Anath and his crew of ninety-nine rowers as they face the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and the power of Leviathan.

About the Story

Leviathan took the life of his father.

Anath has spent three years preparing for the voyage that will end the threat of Leviathan. Yet as the Valor launches into the depths of the Mediterranean, an inward quest also begins, taking Anath to depths he is not willing to face.

My Review

This is a well-written, gripping short story. I prefer longer stories in which you feel entirely submersed, but this does a good job of pulling you in, and it only gets better as it goes on. 

The characters speak with an old-fashioned feel, yet not so much that they are hard to understand. Miss Tero brings the Bible's description of Leviathan into her's, but winds a believable tale around it. You may be left wanting more, but there is also a satisfying conclusion.

I love the names, I love the details, and I love that God is pointed to so clearly.

Thank you for this story, Miss Tero! I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest review.


Purchase an e-copy on Amazon or order a paperback.
Add to your Goodreads shelf.

Giveaway!

Amanda is giving away TWO print copies of "Quest for Leviathan" to one winner -- one for you, and one for your friend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Amanda Tero began her love for words at a young age—reading anything she could get her hands on and penning short stories as young as age eight. Since graduation, she has honed her writing skills by dedicated practice and study of the writing craft. She began her journey of publication with a few short stories that she had written for her sisters and continued to add to her collection with other short stories, novellas, and novels. It is her utmost desire to write that which not only pleases her Lord and Savior, but also draws the reader into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Connect with Amanda

Email: amandaterobooks@gmail.com

Website: http://amandatero.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandaterobooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandateroauthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amandaruthtero/

Blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AmandaTero

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/amandatero

With Love, Wherever You Are - Book Review

What would you do if you just met a man and he persisted in asking you to marry him? What would you do if your parents thought you were crazy to think of accepting--and you had to agree with them? What would you do if you had to separate shortly after marrying, with a war tearing you apart?

Written with all the verve of most novels, this story is more poignant because it is based on true people (the author's parents) and includes actual letters from the author's parents. Their service was amazing among the horrors, fear, and the longing for their spouses or sweethearts. Though the book is somewhat long--460 pages--they go by quickly as the dialogue and characters pop with the tenor of the 1940s.

I find it interesting to see so many words blocked out by sensors in the letters. And the code used by the main characters is too fun!

The main characters fall in love almost from the beginning, at least on the man's side. This may seem unrealistic, but it apparently happened. I knocked off a star for a bit of shallowness in the romance, but overall it's a fascinating look at wartime romance, nursing, and more! You may also feel a touch of conviction over the kind treatment of "enemies"--both of the German variety and of the coworker variety. The characters are Christian and pray occasionally, but it is not a preachy book.

The end of the book tells the story behind the story, and how the author came up with it all.

I received this book from Tyndale.

They Say We Are Infidels - Book Review

It took me a while to get through this book, partly because I lost it, and partly because it is not as riveting as I was hoping for. With a subtitle like "On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East," how can one not find it interesting?  I did find parts of it interesting, but the author herself was not really on the run. The stories of many of the people were so quick and news-like that I could not enter into their lives. Statistics and numbers are good sometimes, but I prefer a deeper look into people's lives, like a biography or autobiography, and with more quotations. We get that with a few of the people, and I did feel the horror and sadness oft-times for their troubles . . . but it was simply not enough to keep me reading non-stop. Maybe it's just me and my over-stimulated mind.

However, I do believe it is a worth-while book to read--sad, informative, inspiring. We should be praying for our brothers and sisters in other countries, who are often being persecuted, run out of their homes, and more, simply for being Christians, or non-Muslim. Even some Muslims are persecuted for not adhering to ISIS principles.

There is a mixture of Catholic, Othodox, Baptist, etc., and while they can be mentioned and provide useful examples, I would not be so careless as to put them all under a Christian banner, as the author does on occasion. They may in some way all believe in Christ, but Catholics usually mix faith and works for a different gospel.

I did not know of what to make of the politics, but I believe the author mostly lays the facts out without giving too many of her own opinions, and that can be a good thing.

I was given this book in exchange for a fair review. Thank you, Tyndale House!