tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194571162024-03-06T00:00:31.588-08:00Eternal JoyEncouragement for living with a Biblical perspective of WomanhoodOne of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-11520327321968582302009-10-30T13:32:00.000-07:002009-10-30T13:47:25.618-07:00Book Review: Spiritual Mothering<strong>Spiritual Mothering</strong>, by Susan Hunt<br /><br />I just finished another book by Susan Hunt. This is one of those books that I have wanted to read for a while, but just never got around to it. I think the reason that I had put it off was because I thought it was going to be just another book about Titus 2. Well, it was about Titus 2, but it was unique in that it did not focus so much on the "curriculum" of Titus 2 as it did on the relational factors between women. It addressed many of the problems that I have seen with women in the church. Although it sounds obvious, she talked about the primary purpose of women mentoring women--encouraging one another to live for God's glory. She brings to this subject years of ministry experience in the church. It is obvious that she has dealt with women from various backgrounds and in various stages of life. I highly recommend this book!One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-20342407622027011882008-02-08T10:05:00.000-08:002008-02-08T10:17:50.961-08:00A Helper...Fit for HimThis is going to be short and sweet (at least this time), even though I know a lot could be said on this subject. So here goes...I have been contemplating the question whose helper are we to be? This all stems from a book or books I should say that I have recently read, written by Susan Hunt. I like Susan Hunt and I like the work she has done in teaching Biblical Womanhood. The question that I am raising is because of her book co-written with Ligon Duncan, <strong>Women's Ministry in the Local Church</strong>. It is based on the fact that woman was created to be a helper. They demonstrate how this helper design can be fleshed out in a women's ministry in the local church. I like the book and I think the idea is interesting, but my question is, "Do they take the helper design beyond Scripture?" Isn't the woman created to be a helper fit for him...her husband? and as far as the local church goes isn't the gift of helps not gender specific? Is women's ministry in the local church to be primarily in her own home? These are just some thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for a few months and I thought it would be nice to think them out here.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-54101547000053377832007-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:002007-11-16T11:07:46.578-08:00Biblical WomanhoodOkay, I have been needing to make some changes with this blog and have finally decided how I am going to do it. This blog is going to be utilized for encouraging women, both married and single to pursue Biblical Womanhood. I am going to go ahead and leave all the old posts that are more general, but from this point on, I will focus more on issues pertaining to Biblical Womanhood.<br /><br />I have added in my list of links a link entitled Home- United for Christ. This is the blog that I first started and intended to be for both me and Mark. So, if you are interested in Homeschool or other things pertaining to the Callarman's you should check out that blog.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-12769399385497762982007-10-25T12:39:00.000-07:002007-10-25T12:41:12.408-07:00What does it mean to be a woman?Check out <a href="http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2007/10/helpers.html">girl talk to see what Carolyn Mahaney </a>has to say about being a woman.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-88303369343550999912007-07-28T15:08:00.000-07:002007-07-28T15:10:25.195-07:00Walk In Love.“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” -Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. -Love covers all offenses.<br /><br />“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” –Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles. –Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. –If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. –Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.<br /><br />Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.<br /><br />Eph. 5:2. John 13:34. 1 Pet. 4:8. Prov. 10:12. Mark 11:25.<br />Luke 6:35. Prov. 24:17. 1 Pet. 3:9. Rom. 12:18.<br />Eph. 4:32. 1 John 3:18. (Daily Light on the Daily Path)One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-5756687727147608862007-04-20T07:18:00.000-07:002007-04-20T07:59:29.667-07:00The Beautiful Faith of Fearless SubmissionOver on the Desiring God website they have a new sermon with the above title. You can watch an excerpt <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/2088/VideoExcerpt/">here</a>. Pastor John Piper talks about the essence of the Christian woman: Hope In God. It is good and very challenging. It strikes right at the fearful heart and admonishes us to trust God in our suffering. When I think of all the women that I admire I see they share this very trait. They are not afraid of suffering. <br /><br />My aunt told a true story about a young woman who was about to give birth. Her husband informed her that she did not have to worry about pain in childbirth because now that Christ had become a curse for us she would not have to bear the curse of pain. Needless to say this young woman soon learned the truth!<br /><br />I think this is not much different than what many people are teaching these days. They may not be so bold as to say there will be no pain in childbirth, but they do say if we have enough faith then we will not suffer in this age. This type of teaching is totally contrary to the Word of God.<br /><br />This faith, that we are told to have, is not a faith in a certain outcome to our situation; but it is faith in God's wisdom and goodness. It is faith in the God revealed in Scripture. A God who is faithful to all his promises. It is faith in the truth revealed about our God found in scriptures like, "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases." Our faith is in God, not what we think would be a good solution. It is a faith that stands firm even in the midst of suffering. It is firm because God never changes, "he is the same yesterday, today, and forever!" Our circumstances change, but God does not.<br /><br />In John Milton's <em>Paradise Lost,</em> satan says that he will make a heaven out of hell. I think this is precisely what these false teachers are leading people to do these days. They want people to deny the reality that we live in a cursed, sin-sick world that is passing away (praise God!). They want us to believe we already have attained our inheritance reserved for us in the age to come. This is not what Scripture teaches. Yes this world is filled with beauty and good things, but it is not our desired haven. We are seeking a city not built with human hands.<br /><br />So, as women let us grow in beauty as we hope in our faithful God. May we set our eyes on Christ the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross. Let us not be pulled into false teaching that says if we believe enough this life will be pain free. Rather let us remember that when we suffer we are fellowshipping in Christ's sufferings and our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-80750630802778898662007-03-30T13:20:00.000-07:002007-03-30T13:38:27.242-07:00Book ReviewIt has been almost a year now since I read <u>Created to be His Help-meet</u>, by Debi Pearl. The reason I am now talking about it is that it keeps popping up. I do not commend this book and if you would like to know why you can click over to my review <a href="http://callarmanblog.blogspot.com">here</a>.<br /><br />So what books do I recommend on marriage and womanhood? Here are a few:<br /><br />Feminine Appeal, by Carolyn Mahaney<br /><br />The Mystery of Marriage, by Mike Mason<br /><br />Let Me Be a Woman, by Elisabeth Elliot<br /><br />Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem<br /><br />Stepping Heavenward, by Elisabeth Prentiss<br /><br />The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer<br /><br />Most importantly these books are of no use if we are not growing in Christ-likeness. So, in our quest to be Titus 2 women let us not forget to be Christian women.<br /><br />May we all grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1169828935140099682007-01-26T08:27:00.000-08:002007-01-26T08:28:55.153-08:00The Joy Of Work Done In SecretAfter my first child was born I clearly discerned God’s voice telling me to go home. I suddenly realized that most of my needs were met not by God, but by the people outside of my home who patted me on the back for all my work in “ministry”. This call to go home felt like a call to be invisible. My immediate reaction was astonishment. To put this into better context, I received this revelation not when pursuing employment outside the home. I was already a stay-at-home mom. This was a call for my ministry to be to those living within my home. At this time that meant my husband and my son. Who was going to affirm me? Immediately I was reminded of the time Jesus was telling his followers that people had a choice they could do their work to be applauded by men, or it could be done in secret and applauded by God. Work done to the glory of God alone, not for my own glory.<br /><br />Six years later I have found more joy than I could have ever dreamed. Our Father created all things well. His ways are not just better, but far surpass our ways. I confess that in the beginning I thought this secret work was preparation for another work, but now I see this work <strong><em>is</em></strong> the work. There may come a day when He has other work, but it will not be superior to this work done in my home it will just be an extension of our home. I praise God for his mercy in opening my eyes.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1167666702246590102007-01-01T07:32:00.000-08:002007-01-01T07:53:46.973-08:00Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to SpeakThis is the month we corporately remember the sanctity of human life. Therefore, I thought the following was a great resource.<br /><br /> <em>Please remember to pray for the women in your life who are contemplating abortion. Let them know that it is not just a selfish decision, but a violent decision from which they will never recover.</em> -<em>RLC</em><br /><br />Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to Speak<br />By John Piper January 24, 2003<br /><br />"You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." - Jesus Christ<br /><br />1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).<br /><br />2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.<br /><br />3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.<br /><br />4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.<br /><br />5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.<br /><br />6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.<br /><br />7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.<br /><br />8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.<br /><br />9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.<br /><br />10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.<br /><br />11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.<br /><br />12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.<br /><br />13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.<br /><br />14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.<br /><br />15.Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.<br /><br />Here are the places where most abortions are done in the Minnesota. Ask God how the gospel of Christ might be most fruitfully shared with those who work here, with a view to saving life now and for eternity. The one nearest the church (Meadowbrook) advertises on their website that they do abortions up to 21.6 weeks.<br /><br />Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, HIGHLAND PARK CLINIC: 1965 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116; (651) 698-2406. medicalservices@ppmsd.org; <a href="http://www.ppmsd.org/medical/highlandpark.asp">http://www.ppmsd.org/medical/highlandpark.asp</a><br /><br />Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, MINNEAPOLIS CLINIC: 1200 Lagoon Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408, (612) 823-6300; medicalservices@ppmsd.org; <a href="http://www.ppmsd.org/medical/minneapolis.asp">http://www.ppmsd.org/medical/minneapolis.asp</a><br /><br />Meadowbrook Women's Clinic, P.A.: 825 South 8th Street, Suite 1018, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612) 376-7708; info@meadowbrookclinic.com; <a href="http://www.meadowbrookclinic.com/about.htm">http://www.meadowbrookclinic.com/about.htm</a><br /><br />The Robbinsdale Clinic: 3819 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55422; (763) 533-2534;http://www.robbinsdaleclinic.com/location_and_directions.htm<br />Midwest Health Center for Women: 33 South Fifth Street, Fourth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402; (612) 332-2311; <a href="http://www.gynpages.com/midwest/">http://www.gynpages.com/midwest/</a><br /><br />© Desiring God<br />Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way, you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, and you do not make more than 1,000 physical copies. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Desiring God.<br /><br />Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/">www.desiringGod.org</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:mail@desiringGod.org">mail@desiringGod.org</a>. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1164981123921436862006-12-01T05:47:00.000-08:002006-12-01T06:23:59.520-08:00Women of StrengthHere is an audio excerpt, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2006/for_women_20061126_excerpt.mp3">especially for women</a>, from Desiring God. John Piper gives 3 ways the world teaches women to gain power. Then he shows how the Scripture encourages women. Please listen: it only takes about 2 minutes.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1162336381142538722006-10-31T15:11:00.000-08:002006-10-31T15:13:01.156-08:00Truth: Who wants it?Recently, I have been pondering why we ignore the truth. I cannot count how many times I have witnessed someone apprehend truth and then pretend they never saw it. They push it far from their mind and then when it pops up unexpectedly they dismiss it. Why do we do this?<br /><br />I am sure there are many reasons, but I will offer two. First I think we are afraid of pain. We fear being vulnerable. Here is the scenario: the Scripture speaks on an issue and we see it and we say to ourselves, “I can’t forgive that person.” The pain is too great. So, we fill our heads with lies such as; God would never ask me to forgive that person. The Holy Spirit has graciously opened our eyes to see this area where we fall far short and we foolishly look at ourselves and say there is no way, it is impossible, it is too distasteful. So, fear of failure or fear of pain keeps us in darkness and lies.<br /><br />This leads to the other reason which is intertwined with the first. Our pride causes us to ignore the truth. We don’t want to see our brokenness we want to think we are very spiritual and we want others to think the same. So we will just stay away from those difficult verses that call us to do the impossible. Then we can feel good about ourselves. We are supposed to be happy, right? How can we be happy when we are made to look at our weakness? Often, when we see how far short we fall we had rather embrace a lie than the truth.<br /><br />Therefore, two great enemies of truth are pride and fear of vulnerability. I hope that I can show a better way. I would like to put the axe to the root of these enemies. Truth is so important. Jesus said that He is the truth. He said if you know the truth you will be free. I am no stranger to this temptation, but I feel as though God has given me the means to do battle with it. Here is what I do when I am tempted to ignore truth.<br /><br />First of all I acknowledge that indeed it is truth. The Scriptures are for my benefit, not against me. Let them do their work and expose your sin. Remember the above scenario only this time when the truth is revealed hold it and don’t let go. Let it expose your weakness, let it break you. Let it open your eyes to your weakness. Confess your weakness. Continually bring it before God and those whom you are close to. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Do not see this as something you need to change, but see it as work for God. Your work is to be broken and humble. God’s work is to transform you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Always agree with God.<br /><br />Using the above example of unforgiveness, you could do something like this: Oh, God, I see how unforgiving I am. Yet you forgave me when I was your enemy. How unlike you I am. Oh God have mercy and change my heart. You are the Creator of all things. Create in me a clean heart- a heart of forgiveness. Make me like Jesus who forgave those who were his enemies. Then go to someone you greatly respect who believes the Scripture and confess your unforgiveness and ask them to join with you in praying that God would give you a heart that longs to glorify Him in this way. Go to them often and tell them how you are doing in this area. Refuse to entertain ungodly thoughts. Soak in the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit will help you in this struggle. God’s will is for you to be humble and this may be the means He has chosen to achieve humility. Do not fear brokenness, but fear pride. Our brokenness helps us to see that there was nothing desirable about us that made God choose us, and yet He has chosen us not because of works, but that we would worship Him for His mercy.<br /><br />Do not reject the truth for a lie. You will miss out on the great opportunity of knowing Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. You will find joy that far surpasses the shallow happiness that comes when we refuse to be broken that is based on lies and avoidance of truth. Let’s seek humility and find joy in knowing Jesus.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1160140647502309362006-10-06T06:12:00.000-07:002006-10-06T06:17:27.513-07:00Teaching Doctrine To A Six-Year-OldHere is a good article by John Piper about the importance of understanding doctrine. Also, if you haven't already checked out the entire Desiring God website. It has recently been redone and it is loaded with free downloads and articles.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2002/1198_Teaching_Doctrine_to_a_SixYearOld/">Teaching Doctrine to a Six-Year-Old</a>One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1159908291563198912006-10-03T13:13:00.000-07:002006-10-03T13:44:51.790-07:00Best BooksI was "tagged" to do this over a month ago and I am just getting to it.<br /><br />One book that changed your life: <strong>The Bible</strong> continues to change my life. It is the only book that is God-breathed. And it gives me the ability to judge every other book by its standards. Also, <strong>Desiring God</strong>, by John Piper; <strong>The Way Home</strong>, by Mary Pride (although I don't agree with all she has to say the book is so counter cultural it shook up my world). <strong>Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood</strong>, edited by Wayne Grudem and John Piper.<br /><br />One book that you’ve read more than once: <strong>Toward Jerusalem</strong>, by Amy Carmichael<br /><br />One book you’d want on a desert island: <strong>The Bible</strong><br /><br />One book that made you laugh: <strong>The Mystery of Marriage</strong>, by Mike Mason (It's not a funny book, but he captures the experience of falling in love very well and it made me laugh)<br /><br />One book that made you cry [or feel really sad]: <strong>The Hiding Place</strong>, by Corrie Ten Boom, and <strong>The Shadow of the Almighty</strong>, by Elisabeth Elliot<br /><br />One book that you wish had been written: I wish my dad would have kept a journal. Then again maybe I don't. God knows best!<br /><br />One book that you wish had never been written: The numerous books that defile the reader, but are passed off as great literature!<br /><br />One book you’re currently reading: <strong>The Joy of Fearing God</strong>, by Jerry Bridges<br /><br />One book you’ve been meaning to read: <strong>The Pleasures of God</strong>, by John PiperOne of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1158183642117955082006-09-13T14:22:00.000-07:002006-09-13T14:40:42.153-07:00Thoughts on HelpingOne wife gave me the counsel to be the kind of wife to your husband that you would like your sons to have. She said if you treat your husband in a way that you would not want your daughter-in-law to treat your sons then you should change the way you respond to him. So in other words, do to him as you would have your future daughter-in-law do to your son. She said most likely they will expect from their wife what they saw from you.<br /><br />Another wife told me that she serves her husband by always making it a point to greet him cheerfully when he comes home from work.<br /><br />A very good helper to her husband, Dorothy Patterson, says to not rob your husband of time, but help him have ample time and opportunity to achieve what God has called him to do.<br /><br />If you truly want to be a help to your husband, meditate on God's word and apply it. When you read a passage about being kind and loving apply that to your marriage, not just outsiders. And when you try this and see how difficult it is to lay down your life for another it is an opportunity to understand better the gospel. And it is an opportunity to demonstrate the gospel.<br /><br />Author, Larry Crabb says, that most people get married to have their needs met which is what causes all their problems. He says, as Christians we know that only God can meet our needs. Therefore, we are free to serve and meet the needs of our husband.<br /><br />So drink deeply of Jesus and you will be free to pour out your love and service to your husband.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1151526262468297792006-06-28T12:50:00.000-07:002006-06-28T13:24:22.626-07:00A Helper Fit For Him<span style="font-size:85%;">Genesis 2:18-25</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">18Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> him." 19So out of the ground the LORD God formed</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> there was not found a helper fit for him. 21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> into a woman and brought her to the man. 23Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> <br /> 24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.</span><br /><br />In this text we see God's design for woman. She, along with man, is created in the image of God (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:27%20;&version=47;">Genesis 1:27</a>), and she was created to be a suitable helper for her husband.<br /><br />Many of us modern American women have been trained by our schools and our culture to not see ourselves as our husband's helper. This has helped destroy our families and our identities. Let us renew our minds by turning to Scripture. Here we see that as Christians, desiring to glorify God, we are called to be who God created us to be. So, as married women, one of our first desires should be to help our own husband.<br /><br />Over the next few weeks I will post some ideas from other women about helping their husband. And feel free to leave any comments about ways you help your husband.<br /><br />For the glory of God, let' s examine ourselves and see if we are conciously seeking to be our husband's helper.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1149265108362282412006-06-02T08:43:00.000-07:002006-06-02T09:18:32.153-07:00The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That's The Book For Me!God has used the Bible more than any other book to change my life. It is in the Bible where I find the truth of the Gospel. It is in the Bible where I find the purpose for which He created mankind, and more specifically woman. It is in the Bible where I find His teachings, that keep me from being conformed to this world. It is in the Bible that I learn that the world and all its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. The Bible is God's Word. And I implore you to not forsake it.<br /><br />As a new Christian I was around people who did not value the Bible. They would have never claimed to not value you it, but they constantly discouraged us from treasuring it. I think the reason was because they had found themselves delighting more in studying the pages of the Bible, than delighting in the Author of the Bible. And that is a huge problem. But it doesn’t mean we neglect the Scripture and pursue God apart from the Scripture. It means we repent and turn to Christ.<br /><br /> I think one of our problems as Americans is that we have heard so many sermons and we have numerous Bibles in our homes. This causes us to be arrogant and ungrateful. We don’t realize how much of what we have is due to the Scriptures. Imagine for a moment if everyone in the States were stripped from all access to the Scriptures. Not only the ability to read from our Bibles, but even the Scripture that we have heard or memorized. We would be plunged into darkness. It is a horrible thought. Yet many believers act as though we do not need the Scripture. They say we have the Holy Spirit and that is all we need. This is a tragedy. And most of these same people don’t realize how much they base their lives off of what they have heard or read from Scripture.<br /><br /> May God be merciful to all of us and bring us to repentance where we have neglected His word.<br /><br />The following are some quotes from a sermon entitled, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/00/030500.html">Building Our Lives on the Bible</a>, by John Piper. May God give us eyes to see our dependence upon His Book.<br /><br /><br /> "We are a people of the Book. We know God through the Book. We meet Christ in the Book. We see the cross in the Book. Our faith and love are kindled by the glorious truths of the Book. We have tasted the divine majesty of the Word and are persuaded that the Book is God's inspired and infallible written revelation. Therefore, what the Book teaches matters.<br /><br /><br />"There is no salvation from sin and guilt and condemnation and hell apart from faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13-17; 1 John 5:12). And there is no other authority besides the Scriptures to show you who Christ is and to give you his Word. So don't leave the Bible, children. Don't leave the Bible, young people. Don't neglect the Bible, dads and moms. Don't ignore the Bible, single people. Under God, the "sacred writings," the Scriptures, are the greatest treasure in the world. They alone make us wise unto salvation through Christ. O don't neglect this Book!"One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1147274385411793472006-05-10T08:16:00.000-07:002006-05-10T12:37:08.480-07:00What is the Gospel?My husband and I have been talking about the gospel. He just returned from a conference called, Together For The Gospel. It was beyond excellent! It, along with some books we've been reading (Romans, Galatians, Christ Our Mediator, and The Cross-Centered Life<span style="font-size:78%;">1</span>,) has caused us to realize how easy it is to forget the most important thing. Our sin is so great that we deserve to have God's wrath poured out on us. Yet Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath to the dregs for us. We taught the following song to our five year old and the words are something worth meditating on,<br /><br />The Gospel Song<br />Words:Drew Jones<br />Music:Bob Kauflin<br /><br />Holy God, in love, became<br />perfect Man to bear my blame.<br />On the cross he took my sin.<br />By his death I live again.<br /><br />(If you want to hear a sample of the song <a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/music/projects/crosssongs/">click here </a>and scroll down to The Gospel Song and click on one of the players.)<br /><br />One of the things that has struck me about the song is that it says blame instead of shame in the second line. So much of Christianity today focuses on how good God makes us feel and leaves out the main thing. He took our blame. Do we really realize that our sin was so heinous that we deserve to die? He took our blame. The innocent one took our blame. I think the reason so many of us do not consider our sin to be great is because we compare ourselves to other sinners. But that is not how God judges us. He judges us according to his righteousness. This is why we are all to blame. My sin cost more than I could ever pay. Jesus took the blame and bore in his own body my sin, and God poured out his wrath upon him. Jesus is my substitute. This is the gospel- Jesus died for my sin. So, now I am free from God's wrath. This is better than being free from shame.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">1 Of course I do not put all these books in the same category. Romans and Galatians are the infallible word of God, and the other two books are by CJ Mahaney.</span>One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1146437640980514202006-04-30T15:47:00.000-07:002006-05-24T13:56:31.876-07:00ConfessionThe following is taken from our worship service today.<br /><br />Holy God,<br />You have called us to live by faith and in freedom, but we oftentimes live by sight and in bondage. You have called us to be the light of the world, but we have oftentimes covered our light in the presence of others. You have called us to the walk of faith, but we cling to the paths that we know. You have called us to reach outward in love, but we draw inward to ourselves for protection. You have called us to live with abandon, in trust, but we live carefully, in fear. God, forgive us. Amen.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1144856770911888272006-04-12T08:36:00.000-07:002006-04-12T08:50:09.153-07:00Girl TalkJust in case some of you don't look at my post on my other blog "Because I Remember," I wanted to let you all know about a great post I read this morning. It is about modesty and fashion.<br /><br />The following is an excerpt, <br /><br /><a href="http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2006/04/fashion_and_fol_3.html">"...the immodest girl seeks to dress in a way that draws attention to herself and to her body, instead of serving others and bringing glory to the Savior." </a><br /><br />Please check it out!One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1144257003739704632006-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:002006-04-05T10:10:07.706-07:00Imperishable Beauty"but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the <strong>imperishable</strong> beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is <strong>very</strong> precious." 1 Peter 3:4<br /><br />I cannot tell you how many times I have heard excuses about why this verse does not apply to particular women. Why do we so often want to dismiss certain Scriptures? I believe the reason is pride and an unwillingness to repent. The verse does not say all women are born with a gentle and quiet spirit or all women naturally have a gentle and quiet spirit. No, it says "let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." <br /><br />Peter is addressing all of us women. I would say especially those of us who do not have a gentle and quiet spirit. Peter is saying something very similar to what Paul says to the Ephesians when he says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesisans 4:22-24) <br /><br />You may say, "I could never have a gentle and quiet spirit it is just not me." Then I say, you are absolutely right- apart from God you can do nothing, but with Him you can do all things. This is the power of the Holy Spirit living in you, it actually changes your attitudes. <br /><br />When we read these words that we are to adorn ourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit, it is a call for us to repent and call out to God to change us and give us this kind of "clothing" that is very precious in his sight. Then we will have a beauty that is out of this world! The Scripture calls it imperishable beauty. I don't know about you but that is what I want, a beauty that is imperishable and very precious to God. <br /><br />What is the purpose of having this kind of beauty? It is not so that everyone will say, "Wow, she is really beautiful!" The purpose is the same for all that God does in our life, it is to glorify Him. Not only is glorifying God our chief end, but it is also where we find true satisfaction and joy. Therefore, this beauty comes from God and it is through God and it is to God! To Him be the glory forever!!<br /><br />Finally, adorn yourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious; and find your joy in glorifying Him, rather than glorifying yourself with perishable, fading beauty.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1144070509029493982006-04-03T06:18:00.000-07:002006-04-03T06:21:49.060-07:00TODAYby Amy Carmichael<br /><br />O God, renew us in Thy love today,<br />For our tomorrow we have not a care,<br />Who blessed our yesterday<br />Will meet us there.<br /><br />But our today is all athirst for Thee,<br />Come in the stillness, O Thou heavenly Dew,<br />Come Thou to us - to me - <br />Revive, renew.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1143222691064416732006-03-24T09:27:00.000-08:002006-03-24T09:51:31.113-08:00BelieversI have been listening to a sermon series by John Piper called Battling Unbelief. It has been very challenging and encouraging (when I say encouraging I don't mean what our culture so often means, I mean putting courage in your heart to keep climbing). He says that faith is not to be a looking backwards, (for example looking back to the cross) but it is a looking forward and believing the promises of God. He talks about the countless number of Americans who say, "I believe Jesus died for my sin and God raised him from the dead" yet it makes absolutely no difference in their life. They do not live a life of faith in God. <br /><br />Therefore, when I read todays, <strong>Daily Light</strong>, reading I saw God reinforcing what Pastor John has been preaching. Here is what I read,<br /><br />"And [Abraham] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.' But the words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.<br /><br />"For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. - 'The righteous shall live by faith.'- Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. - 'For nothing will be impossible with God.'...'And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."<br /><br />Gen. 15:6. Rom. 4:20-24. Rom. 4:13. Rom. 1:17. Heb. 10:23. Ps. 115:3. Luke 1:37, 45.<br /><br />Finally, let us fight the good fight of faith; for he who called us from darkness into his glorious light is faithful to all his promises! Let's be believers!One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1142027590710176202006-03-10T13:35:00.000-08:002006-03-12T16:18:31.053-08:00Be Filled With The SpiritHow many times have you heard people say, "Our church is spirit-filled," or "that person is spirit-filled?" What is usually meant is that the person speaks in tongues or the church has expressive worship. Yet the Bible does not define spirit-filled in this way. So, what is evidence of a spirit-filled church or a spirit-filled person? Jesus said "Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit , nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16-20). <br /><br />I would like to suggest you look for the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." For example, in Ephesians 1:15 Paul is convinced of the Ephesians having the Spirit becuase he has heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints. Therefore, let us be filled with the Holy Spirit and love one another. We love because He has loved us. Let us obey Christ and love our enemies, love the outsider, and love the foreigners in our midst. Let us love one another. "This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience-it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary , it shares the joy of those who live by truth. Love knows no limits to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Without love we are sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. Oh Great God of Mercy look upon us and forgive us of our lack of love and wash us and fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may love with your love that passes understanding.One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1140208279384296142006-02-17T12:25:00.000-08:002006-02-17T12:31:19.403-08:00Tied Feet“We soon found that everything must go down before the claims of the children. Everything personal had, of course, gone down long ago, but now every missionary call had to be subordinated to these new demands.<br /><br />“And yet, at the beginning, we were often tempted on this point. The new work seemed poorer than the old. The district where we had itinerated is twice as large as Wales and twice as populous, and farther afield opportunities had begun to open and, apart from the ordinary routine of mission work, calls had begun to come from many parts of the Madras Presidency and beyond. Could it be right to turn from so much that might be of profit (evangelistic tours, convention meetings for Christians and so on) and become just nursemaids? ‘Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God and went to God; He riseth from supper and laid aside His garments; and took a towel and girded Himself.’ <em>He took a towel</em>- the Lord of Glory did that. Is it the bondservant’s business to say which work is large and which is small, which unimportant and which worth doing? The question answered itself, and was not asked again. It was a foolish question, for the Master never wastes the servant’s time.<br /><br />“Children tie the mother’s feet, the Tamils say, and Bishop Paget said, ‘With the venture of faith there is need of self-discipline and of effort.’ Babies are truly a venture of faith and, in India at least, they tie the mother’s feet. For there are no “Nannies” here, and we had seen enough of the difficulties of some missionaries, who had to use ayahs, to teach us that we could not be too careful of our children’s earliest years. So we let our feet be tied for love of Him whose feet were pierced.”1<br /><br />My “feet have been tied” for almost six years now, and I would not trade these years for anything. It is God’s grace that has allowed me to see the beauty of having one’s feet tied. As with all of God’s ways, when we walk in them, we come to see Him more clearly. Oh how the world scorns His ways and tries to tell you that you are wasting your time or you are doing more than necessary. May we cling to His ways and resist the temptations of the world. As the Scripture says, “the world and all its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.” <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1 <em><span style="font-size:85%;">taken from Gold Cord, by Amy Carmichael</span></em>One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457116.post-1139935717802631512006-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:002006-02-14T08:48:37.813-08:00Call To PrayerToday is a day of great confusion and pain for many in our country. Today countless young people will be deceived and seduced by the world's idea of love. Movies, television, books, magazines, the Internet, music, and peers are all busy teaching young men and women what love is. Yet the great majority of these teachers are false teachers, inspired by the serpent of old.<br /><br />May we, whose eyes have been opened to the truth, not sit by passively watching the blind lead the blind. Let us lift our voice, declaring the truth we have found. And for our children, let us cut off the channels that false teachers are seeking to use to lead our children astray. In the same way that we seek to fill our children with food that is to their benefit, let us fill their mind with ideas and teachings that are for their benefit.<br /><br />Today is a great day to teach our children about true love. And a day to remind ourselves what true love really is. Let us turn away from the worlds teaching and let us look into the Word of God, in order to see the Word of God. Jesus Christ demonstrated love for God and love for others perfectly. May we walk in His steps! And may we glorify God as we rejoice in the truth that because of Christ, God has lavished His love on us and called us His children!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But <strong>God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."</strong> Romans 5:7-8<br /></span><br />Let us pray:<br /><br />1) His love, Calvary love, would permeate our lives.<br />2) That our children would know His perfect love.<br />3) That we would be a beacon of hope and truth for a lost and dying world.<br /><br /><em>"This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience- it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.<br /><br />Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it shares the joy of those who live by the truth.<br /><br />Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"The fruit of the Spirit is love..." Galatians 5:22</em>One of the Callarmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127080561885868706noreply@blogger.com0