May 14th 2010
Take care of yourself!! (it's an ouucch for me >.<)
The Proverbs 31 woman certainly did. "She is energetic. Her own clothing is beautifully made--a purple gown of pure linen. She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age." (Proverbs 31:17; 22; 25)
Families are hard work. In order to make our family relationships (and other relationships too, i believe) replenishing, we must be replenished.
Psalm 46:10 instructs us to "be still and know that I am God." Let's apply this verse specifically.
Be still, MY MUSCLES, and know God's RELAXATION.
Be still, MY NERVES, and know God's REST.
Be still, MY HEART, and know God's QUIETNESS.
Be still, MY BODY, and know God's RENEWAL.
Be still, MY MIND, and know God's PEACE.
In order to be all that we can be to our families (our societies, friends...), we must be all that we can be mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We must be balanced. The Proverbs 31 woman was energetic and hard working for the tasks she was gifted and called to do. Proverbs 31:25 tells us this woman could laugh "at the days to come." The picture here is of a woman who enjoyed her life.She worked hard, but she knew how to stop and plant a vineyard. She liked to shop and watched for bargains. She liked to look beautiful, dressing in purple fine linen.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."
We cannot give our heart to God and keep our body for ourselves. When you take care of yourself, you are honoring God and loving your family.
Source: Girlfriends in God by Mary Southerland.
Do u need to 'fix' ur body? * I really do!!!! * :$ Let's 'fix' it and honor Him with our body. It's not ours.
Showing posts with label proverbs 31 woman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proverbs 31 woman. Show all posts
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
a legacy of love
April 8th 2010
Tadinya, saya tidak rencana untuk share tentang buku ini. Selama 3 hari belakangan ini, saya baca buku “Warisan Cinta Kasih” – A Legacy of Love- yang ditulis oleh Ruth Graham McIntyre yg isinya tentang hal yang dia pelajari dari Ibunya, Ruth Graham. Buku ini tipis, hanya 130an halaman, itupun sudah termasuk beberapa foto keluarga mereka, hehe..
Karena itu bukan buku saya, saya gak bisa mencoret2 buku itu or stabilo-in, seperti yang biasa saya lakukan ke buku saya sendiri, akhirnya saya hanya mencatat beberapa bagian yang saya suka. Saking sukanya, saya membaca catatan saya berulang kali, dan semakin saya baca-semakin saya suka, semakin saya suka - semakin saya tidak bisa menahan diri untuk membagikannya ke orang lain.
Ini beberapa yang saya catat:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ibu melakukan apa yang dia ajarkan kepada kami : Dia menghitung saat2 yang menyenangkan, dan dia berupaya keras memberikan contoh cara berpikir yang membangun dan positif bagi aku dan saudara2ku.
Ibu mempunyai kesanggupan yang luar biasa mengubah situasi apapun menjadi kesempatan untuk bercanda.
Di sepanjang hidup kami, Ibu telah meringankan beban kami ketika menghadapi kekecewaan yang paling besar.
“Bersyukurlah atas semua yang kita terima dan tidak menyesali apa yang tidak bisa kita raih.” –Ruth Graham –
Namun meskipun dia adalah seorang periang, Ibu sangat memahami kesedihan, keburukan dan penderitaan dalam kehidupan. Dia menerima kenyataan itu; dia tidak menutupi2 kesedihan atau mencoba untuk mengabaikannya. Sifatnya yang susah ditebak seimbang dengan rasa belas kasihan dan kepekaan. Kedua hal itulah yang dia tunjukan dengan begitu berlimpah kepadaku ketika aku mengalami kehilangan dan sakit hati. Bahkan, pemahaman Ibu akan penderitaan mungkin adalah hasil dari KEDALAMAN SUKACITAnya. Dia dapat menghitung saat2 yang menyenangkan karena dia sudah begitu dekat dengan beberapa peristiwa kelam sejak usianya masih sangat muda.
Kunci untuk menghitung saat2 menyenangkan : memahami bahwa yang membuat saat2 itu menyenangkan bukanlah tidak adanya saat2 yang sulit – yang kita sebut masa2 suram- melainkan karena kehadiran terang Tuhan.
Melalui pengalamanku jauh dari rumah, hubunganku dengan Yesus akan menjadi lebih nyata bagiku, dan Alkitab akan menjadi bagdian yang lebih penting dalam hidupku. “aku mengetahui itu dengan melihat pengalamanku,” tulis Ibu, “saat2 tersulit dalam hidupku telah menjadi saat2 dmana kerohanianku paling produktif.”
“Cukup katakan saja kepada Tuhan, 'aku seutuhnya adalah milikMu. Ambillah waktu ini.. dan pakailah aku disini menjadi saksi yang bercahaya bagi Kristus'. Serahkanlah hidupmu, hakmu akan kebahagiaan, hal2 pribadi yang lebih kau sukai, dsb. Dan, terimalah setiap hari, setiap teman, setiap tugas, setiap kebahagiaan, jika hal itu datang. Dan, terimalah semua itu sebagai pemberian khusus dari Dia- suatu kesempatan untuk belajar, untuk melayani Dia.” -Ruth Graham-
“Tersenyumlah ketika kau rasanya ingin menangis. Kau akan terkejut mengetahui betapa banyaknya orang yang sebetulnya ingin menangis spt kau juga. Dunia ini penuh dengan orang2 yang sakit hati.”- Ruth Graham –
Untuk menghargai buku jurnalnya, dia tidak menulis apapun yang dia pikir akan mempermalukan dan melukai orang lain. Aku menduga Ibu mengerti bahwa jurnal2nya tidak hanya untuk dirinya sendiri, tetapi juga untuk generasi berikutnya. Artinya, bahkan tulisannya pun tidak bisa menjadi sepenuhnya saluran yang aman untuk menuangkan emosinya yang terdalam. ..kehidupan doa Ibulah saluran murni bagi pemikiran2 dan perasaannya yang paling pribadi.
Jika kita dapat mempertahankan sukacita di dalam Tuhan, maka kita dapat bertahan selama masa-masa sulit. Mungkin ini satu bagian dari warisan yang telah diturunkan Ibu kepadaku : kemampuan untuk memilih bersukacita apa pun situasinya, dan bertahan pada sukacita itu ketika badai datang.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buku ini membawa inspirasi yang banyak buat saya. Dari chapter pertama saya sudah banyak belajar, bagaimana seorang Ruth Graham yang selalu memandang hidupnya dengan sukacita. Seorang yang suka bercanda dan melucu, mencairkan suasana dan membawa sukacita dalam hidup orang lain.
Saya bisa melihat betapa tugas menjadi seorang istri dan ibu adalah tugas yang sangat mulia, tugas yang berat, dan tugas yang sangat memerlukan komitmen dan konsistensi. Seorang Ruth Graham secara konsisten dan setia menulis surat kepada anak2nya yang berada jauh dari dia, untuk meng-encourage anak2nya, mengajar mereka dengan kebenaran firman Tuhan untuk bergantung sepenuhnya pada Tuhan. Walau di buku ini tidak diceritakan perjuangan Ruth Graham mensupport pelayananan Billy Graham yang luar biasa sibuk dan sering absen di rumahnya, tapi saya tetap bisa merasakan pengorbanan dan pengabdiannya.
Ruth Graham mempunyai meja khusus dimana Alkitab dan buku-nya selalu terbuka. Dia tidak pernah berhenti belajar dan menggali kebenaran firman Tuhan. Dan dia tidak berhenti disana, dia selalu membagikan apa yg dipelajari kepada anak2nya dan orang di sekelilingnya, baik dari Firman Tuhan yg dia renungkan, juga dari hal lain yg Tuhan ajarkan kepada dia.
Ruth Graham juga konsisten mencatat hal2 dalam hidupnya di jurnal pribadinya, dan kecintaan akan menulis dimulai dari sana. Dari membaca, dan menulis jurnal. Dia juga menulis puisi.
Seorang Ruth Graham memberi gambaran ttg seorang Proverbs 31 lady! Dan saya bersyukur mengetahui lagi, bahwa Proverbs 31 lady itu sungguh seorang yang nyata.
Walau Ruth Graham punya pembantu di rumahnya, dia tetap adalah seorang ibu rumah tangga yang mengatur rumah tangganya dengan kreatif, dia mengurus anak2nya dengan disiplin dan cinta kasih, dia tahu kapan harus berkata ya - kapan harus berkata tidak kepada mereka, dia juga memberkati society-nya dengan apa yg dia miliki, dia pencipta rumah yang telaten, dia menghargai barang2 antik dan mampu menyulap menjadi barang yg berharga, dia menempatkan keluarganya sebagai prioritas utama. Dia merawat dirinya sendiri. Dia tidak pernah mengabaikan dirinya. Dia tidak menggunakan keterbatasan fisiknya sebagai alasan untuk tidak rapi. Bahkan sampai di usia senja pun, dia masi dress-up!
Dan yang pasti, dia seorang yang sungguh2 mencintai Tuhan, mencintai Firman Tuhan, dan dia seorang yang bertekun berdoa! Sampai masa akhir hidupnya, dia masi berdoa dengan berlutut-walau itu adalah hal yg sangat sulit dilakukan oleh seorang “nenek” yg sudah sangat tua, dia membaca firman Tuhan dengan kaca pembesar, dan dia masi menghafal ayat Firman Tuhan yang diketik oleh sekretaris-nya dengan cetakan yg sangat besar.
Saya jadi berpikir, kalau suatu saat kisah hidup saya akan diceritakan, apakah legacy yang akan saya tinggalkan?!
Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.
ini adalah quote yg Ruth Graham letakkan di meja membacanya, dan dia menulis buku dengan judul ini juga. Yup, ini adalah daftar buku selanjutnya yg akan saya cari dan saya baca, ditambah buku biografi-nya “Ruth: A Portrait” hehe, membaca ttg legacy yg ia tinggalkan membuat saya ingin belajar lebih banyak ttg hidupnya.
Tadinya, saya tidak rencana untuk share tentang buku ini. Selama 3 hari belakangan ini, saya baca buku “Warisan Cinta Kasih” – A Legacy of Love- yang ditulis oleh Ruth Graham McIntyre yg isinya tentang hal yang dia pelajari dari Ibunya, Ruth Graham. Buku ini tipis, hanya 130an halaman, itupun sudah termasuk beberapa foto keluarga mereka, hehe..
Karena itu bukan buku saya, saya gak bisa mencoret2 buku itu or stabilo-in, seperti yang biasa saya lakukan ke buku saya sendiri, akhirnya saya hanya mencatat beberapa bagian yang saya suka. Saking sukanya, saya membaca catatan saya berulang kali, dan semakin saya baca-semakin saya suka, semakin saya suka - semakin saya tidak bisa menahan diri untuk membagikannya ke orang lain.
Ini beberapa yang saya catat:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ibu melakukan apa yang dia ajarkan kepada kami : Dia menghitung saat2 yang menyenangkan, dan dia berupaya keras memberikan contoh cara berpikir yang membangun dan positif bagi aku dan saudara2ku.
Ibu mempunyai kesanggupan yang luar biasa mengubah situasi apapun menjadi kesempatan untuk bercanda.
Di sepanjang hidup kami, Ibu telah meringankan beban kami ketika menghadapi kekecewaan yang paling besar.
“Bersyukurlah atas semua yang kita terima dan tidak menyesali apa yang tidak bisa kita raih.” –Ruth Graham –
Namun meskipun dia adalah seorang periang, Ibu sangat memahami kesedihan, keburukan dan penderitaan dalam kehidupan. Dia menerima kenyataan itu; dia tidak menutupi2 kesedihan atau mencoba untuk mengabaikannya. Sifatnya yang susah ditebak seimbang dengan rasa belas kasihan dan kepekaan. Kedua hal itulah yang dia tunjukan dengan begitu berlimpah kepadaku ketika aku mengalami kehilangan dan sakit hati. Bahkan, pemahaman Ibu akan penderitaan mungkin adalah hasil dari KEDALAMAN SUKACITAnya. Dia dapat menghitung saat2 yang menyenangkan karena dia sudah begitu dekat dengan beberapa peristiwa kelam sejak usianya masih sangat muda.
Kunci untuk menghitung saat2 menyenangkan : memahami bahwa yang membuat saat2 itu menyenangkan bukanlah tidak adanya saat2 yang sulit – yang kita sebut masa2 suram- melainkan karena kehadiran terang Tuhan.
Melalui pengalamanku jauh dari rumah, hubunganku dengan Yesus akan menjadi lebih nyata bagiku, dan Alkitab akan menjadi bagdian yang lebih penting dalam hidupku. “aku mengetahui itu dengan melihat pengalamanku,” tulis Ibu, “saat2 tersulit dalam hidupku telah menjadi saat2 dmana kerohanianku paling produktif.”
“Cukup katakan saja kepada Tuhan, 'aku seutuhnya adalah milikMu. Ambillah waktu ini.. dan pakailah aku disini menjadi saksi yang bercahaya bagi Kristus'. Serahkanlah hidupmu, hakmu akan kebahagiaan, hal2 pribadi yang lebih kau sukai, dsb. Dan, terimalah setiap hari, setiap teman, setiap tugas, setiap kebahagiaan, jika hal itu datang. Dan, terimalah semua itu sebagai pemberian khusus dari Dia- suatu kesempatan untuk belajar, untuk melayani Dia.” -Ruth Graham-
“Tersenyumlah ketika kau rasanya ingin menangis. Kau akan terkejut mengetahui betapa banyaknya orang yang sebetulnya ingin menangis spt kau juga. Dunia ini penuh dengan orang2 yang sakit hati.”- Ruth Graham –
Untuk menghargai buku jurnalnya, dia tidak menulis apapun yang dia pikir akan mempermalukan dan melukai orang lain. Aku menduga Ibu mengerti bahwa jurnal2nya tidak hanya untuk dirinya sendiri, tetapi juga untuk generasi berikutnya. Artinya, bahkan tulisannya pun tidak bisa menjadi sepenuhnya saluran yang aman untuk menuangkan emosinya yang terdalam. ..kehidupan doa Ibulah saluran murni bagi pemikiran2 dan perasaannya yang paling pribadi.
Jika kita dapat mempertahankan sukacita di dalam Tuhan, maka kita dapat bertahan selama masa-masa sulit. Mungkin ini satu bagian dari warisan yang telah diturunkan Ibu kepadaku : kemampuan untuk memilih bersukacita apa pun situasinya, dan bertahan pada sukacita itu ketika badai datang.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buku ini membawa inspirasi yang banyak buat saya. Dari chapter pertama saya sudah banyak belajar, bagaimana seorang Ruth Graham yang selalu memandang hidupnya dengan sukacita. Seorang yang suka bercanda dan melucu, mencairkan suasana dan membawa sukacita dalam hidup orang lain.
Saya bisa melihat betapa tugas menjadi seorang istri dan ibu adalah tugas yang sangat mulia, tugas yang berat, dan tugas yang sangat memerlukan komitmen dan konsistensi. Seorang Ruth Graham secara konsisten dan setia menulis surat kepada anak2nya yang berada jauh dari dia, untuk meng-encourage anak2nya, mengajar mereka dengan kebenaran firman Tuhan untuk bergantung sepenuhnya pada Tuhan. Walau di buku ini tidak diceritakan perjuangan Ruth Graham mensupport pelayananan Billy Graham yang luar biasa sibuk dan sering absen di rumahnya, tapi saya tetap bisa merasakan pengorbanan dan pengabdiannya.
Ruth Graham mempunyai meja khusus dimana Alkitab dan buku-nya selalu terbuka. Dia tidak pernah berhenti belajar dan menggali kebenaran firman Tuhan. Dan dia tidak berhenti disana, dia selalu membagikan apa yg dipelajari kepada anak2nya dan orang di sekelilingnya, baik dari Firman Tuhan yg dia renungkan, juga dari hal lain yg Tuhan ajarkan kepada dia.
Ruth Graham juga konsisten mencatat hal2 dalam hidupnya di jurnal pribadinya, dan kecintaan akan menulis dimulai dari sana. Dari membaca, dan menulis jurnal. Dia juga menulis puisi.
Seorang Ruth Graham memberi gambaran ttg seorang Proverbs 31 lady! Dan saya bersyukur mengetahui lagi, bahwa Proverbs 31 lady itu sungguh seorang yang nyata.
Walau Ruth Graham punya pembantu di rumahnya, dia tetap adalah seorang ibu rumah tangga yang mengatur rumah tangganya dengan kreatif, dia mengurus anak2nya dengan disiplin dan cinta kasih, dia tahu kapan harus berkata ya - kapan harus berkata tidak kepada mereka, dia juga memberkati society-nya dengan apa yg dia miliki, dia pencipta rumah yang telaten, dia menghargai barang2 antik dan mampu menyulap menjadi barang yg berharga, dia menempatkan keluarganya sebagai prioritas utama. Dia merawat dirinya sendiri. Dia tidak pernah mengabaikan dirinya. Dia tidak menggunakan keterbatasan fisiknya sebagai alasan untuk tidak rapi. Bahkan sampai di usia senja pun, dia masi dress-up!
Dan yang pasti, dia seorang yang sungguh2 mencintai Tuhan, mencintai Firman Tuhan, dan dia seorang yang bertekun berdoa! Sampai masa akhir hidupnya, dia masi berdoa dengan berlutut-walau itu adalah hal yg sangat sulit dilakukan oleh seorang “nenek” yg sudah sangat tua, dia membaca firman Tuhan dengan kaca pembesar, dan dia masi menghafal ayat Firman Tuhan yang diketik oleh sekretaris-nya dengan cetakan yg sangat besar.
Saya jadi berpikir, kalau suatu saat kisah hidup saya akan diceritakan, apakah legacy yang akan saya tinggalkan?!
Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.
ini adalah quote yg Ruth Graham letakkan di meja membacanya, dan dia menulis buku dengan judul ini juga. Yup, ini adalah daftar buku selanjutnya yg akan saya cari dan saya baca, ditambah buku biografi-nya “Ruth: A Portrait” hehe, membaca ttg legacy yg ia tinggalkan membuat saya ingin belajar lebih banyak ttg hidupnya.
an invitation to join the club
March 29th 2010
My friend commented on my “Speaking Beautifully” note yesterday, he asked:
“What is your imagination about this Proverbs 31 woman?”
What a question, I thought!
I heard about this woman for the very first time when I was still in college. And from that moment on, I’ve been in love with her!!! She was like my superhero, a woman I really admired and wanted to be.
However, as I learnt about her characters - her activities, I always thought that she was just a fairy tale goddess, someone I wouldn’t ever be! No matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be like her.
Hello?? For this spoiled – not attractive girl, not to mention all non girly attitudes I have, being a perfect woman like her was just impossible!! It was just a dream.. yeah?!
Let me explain why? Proverbs 31 woman is:
1. Priceless
Verse 10: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
2. Faithful
Verse 11: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
3. Good
Verse 12: She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
4. Diligent
Verse 13: She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
5. Enterprising
Verse 14: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
6. Disciplined
Verse 15: She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
7. Thrifty
Verse 16: She considers field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
8. Energetic
Verse 17: She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
9. Industrious
Verse 18: She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
10. Persistent
Verse 19: In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
11. Kind
Verse 20: She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
12. Farsighted
Verse 21: When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
13. Elegant
Verse 22: She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
14. Helpful
Verse 23: Her husband is respected at the gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
15. Creative
Verse 24: She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
16. Confident
Verse 25: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
17. Wise
Verse 26: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
18. Prudent
Verse 27: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
19. Loving
Verse 28: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
20. Excellent
Verse 29: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
21. Reverent
Verse 30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
22. Virtuous
Verse 31: Give her reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
SHE IS A RARE TREASURE
(taken from "Discovering the Treasure of a Godly Woman, by Elizabeth George)
But, girls, the more I spent time to learn about her, the more God opened my mind that she is real! Yeah, she maybe rare, but she is real!
My thought about her was slightly changed; Proverbs 31 woman can be any woman in this real world.
- She spends her time and money wisely. She uses her talents God has entrusted her, and multiplies them. Talk about get up early and stay up late, yeah, and what she does during that time!!
- She puts her family first. We can tell from how her husband and children think about her, and how they are taken care really really well.
- She may not be outwardly beautiful, but she surely knows how to take care of her body and appearance magnificently. She does exercise, for sure and she eats properly. She knows how to please her family with her look. She dresses in an appropriate way. Her inner beauty and lovely smile brings her irresistible charisma inside out.
- She always strives for the best, and never give up! She is not satisfied with just average results, because she knows her capacity really well.. she knows what she can do.
- She blesses others with her life and all she has.
- She loves and meditates on His words. That’s where she gains her strength!
- And most importantly, she loves God with all her heart, her soul and her mind. She fears the Lord.
So, yeah.. she is someone out there…someone’s real!
And now, girls, I am willing to take a step forward. Rather than thinking about who is this kind of woman whom I know, I want to bring her into my life. I want to be her.
And I invite you all to join the club.
(but, Erlyn, we are singles. I know! Thank God for the privilege, for the time He gave. It's an invitation for all women. We all do have family, whether we're married or single!)
Matthew 19:26 "With man (our own power) this (being this woman) is impossible, but with God all things are possible...." with Him, it is possible to be the woman we desire to be, and hey..., He put the desire in our heart!!
... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
My friend commented on my “Speaking Beautifully” note yesterday, he asked:
“What is your imagination about this Proverbs 31 woman?”
What a question, I thought!
I heard about this woman for the very first time when I was still in college. And from that moment on, I’ve been in love with her!!! She was like my superhero, a woman I really admired and wanted to be.
However, as I learnt about her characters - her activities, I always thought that she was just a fairy tale goddess, someone I wouldn’t ever be! No matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be like her.
Hello?? For this spoiled – not attractive girl, not to mention all non girly attitudes I have, being a perfect woman like her was just impossible!! It was just a dream.. yeah?!
Let me explain why? Proverbs 31 woman is:
1. Priceless
Verse 10: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
2. Faithful
Verse 11: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
3. Good
Verse 12: She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
4. Diligent
Verse 13: She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
5. Enterprising
Verse 14: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
6. Disciplined
Verse 15: She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
7. Thrifty
Verse 16: She considers field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
8. Energetic
Verse 17: She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
9. Industrious
Verse 18: She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
10. Persistent
Verse 19: In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
11. Kind
Verse 20: She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
12. Farsighted
Verse 21: When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
13. Elegant
Verse 22: She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
14. Helpful
Verse 23: Her husband is respected at the gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
15. Creative
Verse 24: She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
16. Confident
Verse 25: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
17. Wise
Verse 26: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
18. Prudent
Verse 27: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
19. Loving
Verse 28: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
20. Excellent
Verse 29: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
21. Reverent
Verse 30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
22. Virtuous
Verse 31: Give her reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
SHE IS A RARE TREASURE
(taken from "Discovering the Treasure of a Godly Woman, by Elizabeth George)
But, girls, the more I spent time to learn about her, the more God opened my mind that she is real! Yeah, she maybe rare, but she is real!
My thought about her was slightly changed; Proverbs 31 woman can be any woman in this real world.
- She spends her time and money wisely. She uses her talents God has entrusted her, and multiplies them. Talk about get up early and stay up late, yeah, and what she does during that time!!
- She puts her family first. We can tell from how her husband and children think about her, and how they are taken care really really well.
- She may not be outwardly beautiful, but she surely knows how to take care of her body and appearance magnificently. She does exercise, for sure and she eats properly. She knows how to please her family with her look. She dresses in an appropriate way. Her inner beauty and lovely smile brings her irresistible charisma inside out.
- She always strives for the best, and never give up! She is not satisfied with just average results, because she knows her capacity really well.. she knows what she can do.
- She blesses others with her life and all she has.
- She loves and meditates on His words. That’s where she gains her strength!
- And most importantly, she loves God with all her heart, her soul and her mind. She fears the Lord.
So, yeah.. she is someone out there…someone’s real!
And now, girls, I am willing to take a step forward. Rather than thinking about who is this kind of woman whom I know, I want to bring her into my life. I want to be her.
And I invite you all to join the club.
(but, Erlyn, we are singles. I know! Thank God for the privilege, for the time He gave. It's an invitation for all women. We all do have family, whether we're married or single!)
Matthew 19:26 "With man (our own power) this (being this woman) is impossible, but with God all things are possible...." with Him, it is possible to be the woman we desire to be, and hey..., He put the desire in our heart!!
... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
speaking beautifully
(taken from "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George chapter 19: "A Law of Kindness. Her Words")
Proverbs 31:26 : “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
The How-to’s of Beautiful Speech:
1.Establish two guidelines:
speak only if the words are WISE and speak only if the words are KIND.
By following these, you will always have something to say that’s worth saying (WISDOM) and you’ll say it the right way (with KINDNESS).
You can know a lot, but if you speak unkindly, your words will be less effective.
2.Think before you speak.
“The heart of the righteous STUDIES how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. “ Proverbs 15:28.
Literally pause and think about your words before you speak them. Rash speech and quick temper betray a shallow and less than beautiful character.
3.Learn to wait.
When something unpleasant happens, make it your first “law” to do and say nothing.
If you must respond at the moment, be sure your words are soft because “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1
Waiting buys time to:
- Search the scriptures and find out what God says how to handle the situation. (But, of course, memorize the scriptures first!)
- Seek counsel and find out what other wise people say.
Proverbs 15:14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall.”
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.”
- Pray for a kind heart and a wise solution for the situation.
- Calm down! Back off!
Proverbs 17:27 “A man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Only when we are calm can we hear good counsel and make wise decision.
- Weigh the problem.
Decide whether the situation is something to pass over or whether you need to “open” your mouth or address (with wisdom and kindness, of course) the people involved.
4.Add sweetness to your speech.
Proverbs 16:21 “Sweetness of the lips increase learning.”
Speaking pleasantly will always make others more willing to listen and be instructed.
(that’s so true, try it!!)
5.Know what you’re talking about.
Your speech will always be an indicator of what is in your mind and you want to display knowledge when you speak. True wisdom cannot fail to make a good impression.
6.Less is the best.
Remember, God created us with 2 ears and 1 mouth.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Better to be quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 31:26 : “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
The How-to’s of Beautiful Speech:
1.Establish two guidelines:
speak only if the words are WISE and speak only if the words are KIND.
By following these, you will always have something to say that’s worth saying (WISDOM) and you’ll say it the right way (with KINDNESS).
You can know a lot, but if you speak unkindly, your words will be less effective.
2.Think before you speak.
“The heart of the righteous STUDIES how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. “ Proverbs 15:28.
Literally pause and think about your words before you speak them. Rash speech and quick temper betray a shallow and less than beautiful character.
3.Learn to wait.
When something unpleasant happens, make it your first “law” to do and say nothing.
If you must respond at the moment, be sure your words are soft because “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1
Waiting buys time to:
- Search the scriptures and find out what God says how to handle the situation. (But, of course, memorize the scriptures first!)
- Seek counsel and find out what other wise people say.
Proverbs 15:14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall.”
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.”
- Pray for a kind heart and a wise solution for the situation.
- Calm down! Back off!
Proverbs 17:27 “A man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Only when we are calm can we hear good counsel and make wise decision.
- Weigh the problem.
Decide whether the situation is something to pass over or whether you need to “open” your mouth or address (with wisdom and kindness, of course) the people involved.
4.Add sweetness to your speech.
Proverbs 16:21 “Sweetness of the lips increase learning.”
Speaking pleasantly will always make others more willing to listen and be instructed.
(that’s so true, try it!!)
5.Know what you’re talking about.
Your speech will always be an indicator of what is in your mind and you want to display knowledge when you speak. True wisdom cannot fail to make a good impression.
6.Less is the best.
Remember, God created us with 2 ears and 1 mouth.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Better to be quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
to shop wisely in one thing
(from my fb notes, March 27h 2010)
Still in the heat of reading "Beautiful in God's Eyes" ..
This Proverbs 31 woman gave us model how it is to spend time wisely.. By spending time wisely means getting up really early in the morning, and staying 'til late at night. (Proverbs 31:15,18) And what she did was working..working and working!!
It was 11 am on beautiful Saturday, I was still lying on my bed, reading the book! haha :$
and suddenly, I thought..” it is not right, get up, and be productive!!! “ (Well.. I think that reading a good book is one way to be productive though, u know, enriching the soul). But, on this rare moment (me, not going anywhere on weekend), I remembered that I still had thing I've been procrastinating since forever!
*RE-ARRANGING MY CLOSET *
For only less than 15 minutes, my clothes and friends marked their own territories all over my bedroom *ouch*
I did shake my head so many times, realizing how I spoiled myself before, to buy things I didn’t even wear! I found joy finding hidden treasures inside my closet, things I even forgot I had!
Before the 6 months –only 2 new clothes each month- commitment (please read my note “beautiful money manager”), I used to shop unwisely:
- I thought the cheaper the better. Well maybe sometimes it is, but in my case, “oh, it’s cheap, I am buying it!”. I didn’t even consider whether I needed it, and since it was cheap, I didn’t even think much when I bought it! Later I figured out uuuh.. the quality was awful. So I had plenty of low quality – cheap stuffs, that I didn’t need and wore only once!
Do the math!! Plenty of cheap stuffs + useless = unnecessary a LOT of money spent!!
- I shopped when I was stressed out (1st year of work, baby!!) I enjoyed the” joy” of spending my own money, of spoiling myself, of getting new stuffs. I thought I would feel better after “treating” myself! Did I feel better? Not at all! I regretted! But, I couldn’t help; it’s about managing my mind, and again a commitment!
- I spent so much time in shopping malls!!! I led myself into temptations!
- I always found reasons to buy new clothes. Friends’ weddings, just finished work – celebrate it-, “just FEEL like buying it”, “I don’t have this color, this model.. “
- I sometimes bought clothes in smaller size than mine, I thought “oh, this will motivate me to lose weight”… Boo me, friends! They ended up becoming untouched clothes!
After down-grading my clothes into homie outfits, giving away some clothes.. My "wearable" clothes moved back to where they belong, my closet. There is a space now, I could clearly see what I have, and moreover I could see the difference of things I bought before ”the 6 months” and after!
Thank to the “6 months commitment”, after I controlled myself so strictly..
- I thought hundred times before I decided to buy something. I would rather spend more money to buy one good thing, than plenty of bad things.
-When I am stressed out, of course, I pray! I drink tea, I listen to nice songs, I read books, I write! Or sometimes, I sleep!
- I am at home much more often than before. The only temptations we have at home are sleeping and eating! (haha!!... well, I am working on eating properly too though!)
- I always go back to my closet to find treasures to accompany me attending my friends’ weddings.
- I re-arrange my closet to be reminded of what I have! And I am always surprised!!
- No more buying small size, and lose weight! But, lost weight, and buy a proper size!
- I am loyal to some good brands that are “trustable”, well at least, I know they fit me. So I don’t waste time to shop around aimlessly, I know what I am looking for, and where I can find it. If I don’t find it, I simply go back home and think about it once again.
I am still learning on and on not to fall into temptations though, to conquer myself, to be productive, to spend money wisely.
To shop wisely is one thing. There is still a lot of work to do to be a beauty in God's eyes, and the work may take our whole life time.
So, say hello to commitment, willingness, motivation and discipline! And prepare ourselves to experience the unutterable joy and fulfillment that come from acting on the desires of our hearts, desires which God has placed there (Psalm 37:4) - to be a woman after His own heart, I believe-
Still in the heat of reading "Beautiful in God's Eyes" ..
This Proverbs 31 woman gave us model how it is to spend time wisely.. By spending time wisely means getting up really early in the morning, and staying 'til late at night. (Proverbs 31:15,18) And what she did was working..working and working!!
It was 11 am on beautiful Saturday, I was still lying on my bed, reading the book! haha :$
and suddenly, I thought..” it is not right, get up, and be productive!!! “ (Well.. I think that reading a good book is one way to be productive though, u know, enriching the soul). But, on this rare moment (me, not going anywhere on weekend), I remembered that I still had thing I've been procrastinating since forever!
*RE-ARRANGING MY CLOSET *
For only less than 15 minutes, my clothes and friends marked their own territories all over my bedroom *ouch*
I did shake my head so many times, realizing how I spoiled myself before, to buy things I didn’t even wear! I found joy finding hidden treasures inside my closet, things I even forgot I had!
Before the 6 months –only 2 new clothes each month- commitment (please read my note “beautiful money manager”), I used to shop unwisely:
- I thought the cheaper the better. Well maybe sometimes it is, but in my case, “oh, it’s cheap, I am buying it!”. I didn’t even consider whether I needed it, and since it was cheap, I didn’t even think much when I bought it! Later I figured out uuuh.. the quality was awful. So I had plenty of low quality – cheap stuffs, that I didn’t need and wore only once!
Do the math!! Plenty of cheap stuffs + useless = unnecessary a LOT of money spent!!
- I shopped when I was stressed out (1st year of work, baby!!) I enjoyed the” joy” of spending my own money, of spoiling myself, of getting new stuffs. I thought I would feel better after “treating” myself! Did I feel better? Not at all! I regretted! But, I couldn’t help; it’s about managing my mind, and again a commitment!
- I spent so much time in shopping malls!!! I led myself into temptations!
- I always found reasons to buy new clothes. Friends’ weddings, just finished work – celebrate it-, “just FEEL like buying it”, “I don’t have this color, this model.. “
- I sometimes bought clothes in smaller size than mine, I thought “oh, this will motivate me to lose weight”… Boo me, friends! They ended up becoming untouched clothes!
After down-grading my clothes into homie outfits, giving away some clothes.. My "wearable" clothes moved back to where they belong, my closet. There is a space now, I could clearly see what I have, and moreover I could see the difference of things I bought before ”the 6 months” and after!
Thank to the “6 months commitment”, after I controlled myself so strictly..
- I thought hundred times before I decided to buy something. I would rather spend more money to buy one good thing, than plenty of bad things.
-When I am stressed out, of course, I pray! I drink tea, I listen to nice songs, I read books, I write! Or sometimes, I sleep!
- I am at home much more often than before. The only temptations we have at home are sleeping and eating! (haha!!... well, I am working on eating properly too though!)
- I always go back to my closet to find treasures to accompany me attending my friends’ weddings.
- I re-arrange my closet to be reminded of what I have! And I am always surprised!!
- No more buying small size, and lose weight! But, lost weight, and buy a proper size!
- I am loyal to some good brands that are “trustable”, well at least, I know they fit me. So I don’t waste time to shop around aimlessly, I know what I am looking for, and where I can find it. If I don’t find it, I simply go back home and think about it once again.
I am still learning on and on not to fall into temptations though, to conquer myself, to be productive, to spend money wisely.
To shop wisely is one thing. There is still a lot of work to do to be a beauty in God's eyes, and the work may take our whole life time.
So, say hello to commitment, willingness, motivation and discipline! And prepare ourselves to experience the unutterable joy and fulfillment that come from acting on the desires of our hearts, desires which God has placed there (Psalm 37:4) - to be a woman after His own heart, I believe-
beautiful money manager
(from my fb notes, March 27th 2010)
I guarantee you won’t like what I am about to share this time.
As I mentioned on my previous note, I love Elizabeth George’s books. Yesterday I started reading one of her best sellers “Beautiful in God’s Eyes”. She dug deeper about the treasure of Proverbs 31 woman, a kind of woman I believe you and I really long to be.
Proverbs 31:10-31
I’ve read the passage so many times. I heard so many versions of its interpretation. I even did bible studies about it with several different groups of girls.
Have I ever get bored? NO! Coz, I always learnt something different every time I spent my time to explore about it. Amazing, yeah?
I was encouraged once again, to be reminded that this woman is real. She is a real flesh-and-blood woman. You and I can be this woman-not just admire her-, but be her.
She may seem untouchable,
# she has a powerful mind : pure- honest- industrious- thrifty- strong in character- kind- wise – holy AND a powerful body : she works willingly with her hands – those willing hands plant a vineyard- they also operate a spindle and distaff- she works from early morning until late at night- she nurses the needy-she weaves the cloth for her family’s clothes, for her household needs, for her own clothing, and for sale as a professional – never idle# ,
an ideal we can’t possibly attain, but she isn’t! FIIIIIUUUUHH ~~~~!!! :D
I was reminded once again to be a woman of MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, and SPIRITUAL strength!
I have just read this book ‘til chapter 6 (Proverbs 31:13), and for only 4 verses discussed, the words related to MONEY popped up so many times! *uuuuh*
# manage money-make money-save money-give money away- thrifty- debt free- spending wisely #
Yes girls, money management’s skill is one of characters we need to have as a beauty. In God’s eyes, wise money management is a virtue. It’s one part that we need to learn to have self-control of! Money management is a ministry to our husbands (hahaha, for singles, seriously, let’s learn about it from now on!!)
How do we start, though?
Deborah Adamson, in Los Angeles Daily News, made an article titled “Building Your Nest Egg”,
1. Keep track of your expenditures.
2. Cut back on spending.
3. Shop wisely.
4. Stay out of debt (especially credit card debt).
5. Save six months’ worth of living expenses for emergencies.
6. Set aside money each month for savings and investments.
7. Invest aggressively.
It’s quite a list, huh?
Let me share what I had:
Last year on January I made commitments, for 6 months:
-No buying any magazines
(I used to buy 3 magazines each month that wrote about same stuffs all the time, tempted me to buy more stuffs promoted on the magazines).
Mr. Hodgkinson in his book “Freedom Manisfesto” wrote this, to give up reading magazines was partly money – saving exercise, but it had the happy result of removing ourselves from the temptations of a million things. It’s so true, coz u know what, I did it! Since then, I never bought a magazine! I enjoyed reading magazines for free while getting my hair cut at salon, or at Gramedia! haha..Not only I saved money for the magazines, but I was tempted less!!
-No buying perfumes and nail polishes.
-No getting manicure, pedicure at salon.
-No buying shoes and bags.
-2 is a limit for new clothes each month.
Why 6 months?
‘coz I didn’t want to push myself too hard, I wanted to learn to control myself for, at least, those 6 months.
The good news was I made it!!!
I trained myself to spend money not on things I WANT, but on things I NEED. (oh, believe me, it’s hard). I learnt to have self-control. I learnt that I could live without those stuffs, more happily!
`
This is not to say that one can’t enjoy luxuries, it’s just that we shouldn’t take them seriously as a kind of goal in life. Don’t make luxury into a meaning. - Tom Hodgkinson-
And also, it doesn’t mean that I don’t buy stuffs anymore… after I succeed my own 6 months “strict camp”, now..
I still buy perfumes, when I finished mine. I buy nail polishes sometimes too. I don’t get manicure – pedicure anymore, well maybe for a very special occasion, ok lah. I buy bags much more wisely, I choose quality! Shoes, I have no choices, - can’t have them here- haha.. thank God that Indo doesn’t have my super tiny size! (Fyi, my Charles& Keith’s size is 34 (available only in sg), so please don’t judge me one day if I buy many there ;p ). Clothes, I just bought a cute Little Black Dress this week, with no guilty feeling. :D
I am not suggesting you to do the same, we have our own struggles, I believe.
I may have had excellent 6 months, but later on I failed into “temptations” so many times too.
I am still struggling to faithfully keep tracking on my daily expenses, to stick to budgets I myself made, not to buy unnecessary stuffs, not to fall into crazy sale seasons and so on.
It’s still a long way to go…we haven’t even discussed yet about other elements of money management (nurturing savings and investments, making money, giving away money, etc).
It requires commitments, discipline and again self-control.
But, I believe that becoming a beautiful money manager is something God wants us to be. It’s God design for His beautiful women.
Who can find a virtuous woman? It's a rare treasure! Be her!
Every decision not to spend money is money saved.
AND
Money saved is money earned.
I guarantee you won’t like what I am about to share this time.
As I mentioned on my previous note, I love Elizabeth George’s books. Yesterday I started reading one of her best sellers “Beautiful in God’s Eyes”. She dug deeper about the treasure of Proverbs 31 woman, a kind of woman I believe you and I really long to be.
Proverbs 31:10-31
I’ve read the passage so many times. I heard so many versions of its interpretation. I even did bible studies about it with several different groups of girls.
Have I ever get bored? NO! Coz, I always learnt something different every time I spent my time to explore about it. Amazing, yeah?
I was encouraged once again, to be reminded that this woman is real. She is a real flesh-and-blood woman. You and I can be this woman-not just admire her-, but be her.
She may seem untouchable,
# she has a powerful mind : pure- honest- industrious- thrifty- strong in character- kind- wise – holy AND a powerful body : she works willingly with her hands – those willing hands plant a vineyard- they also operate a spindle and distaff- she works from early morning until late at night- she nurses the needy-she weaves the cloth for her family’s clothes, for her household needs, for her own clothing, and for sale as a professional – never idle# ,
an ideal we can’t possibly attain, but she isn’t! FIIIIIUUUUHH ~~~~!!! :D
I was reminded once again to be a woman of MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, and SPIRITUAL strength!
I have just read this book ‘til chapter 6 (Proverbs 31:13), and for only 4 verses discussed, the words related to MONEY popped up so many times! *uuuuh*
# manage money-make money-save money-give money away- thrifty- debt free- spending wisely #
Yes girls, money management’s skill is one of characters we need to have as a beauty. In God’s eyes, wise money management is a virtue. It’s one part that we need to learn to have self-control of! Money management is a ministry to our husbands (hahaha, for singles, seriously, let’s learn about it from now on!!)
How do we start, though?
Deborah Adamson, in Los Angeles Daily News, made an article titled “Building Your Nest Egg”,
1. Keep track of your expenditures.
2. Cut back on spending.
3. Shop wisely.
4. Stay out of debt (especially credit card debt).
5. Save six months’ worth of living expenses for emergencies.
6. Set aside money each month for savings and investments.
7. Invest aggressively.
It’s quite a list, huh?
Let me share what I had:
Last year on January I made commitments, for 6 months:
-No buying any magazines
(I used to buy 3 magazines each month that wrote about same stuffs all the time, tempted me to buy more stuffs promoted on the magazines).
Mr. Hodgkinson in his book “Freedom Manisfesto” wrote this, to give up reading magazines was partly money – saving exercise, but it had the happy result of removing ourselves from the temptations of a million things. It’s so true, coz u know what, I did it! Since then, I never bought a magazine! I enjoyed reading magazines for free while getting my hair cut at salon, or at Gramedia! haha..Not only I saved money for the magazines, but I was tempted less!!
-No buying perfumes and nail polishes.
-No getting manicure, pedicure at salon.
-No buying shoes and bags.
-2 is a limit for new clothes each month.
Why 6 months?
‘coz I didn’t want to push myself too hard, I wanted to learn to control myself for, at least, those 6 months.
The good news was I made it!!!
I trained myself to spend money not on things I WANT, but on things I NEED. (oh, believe me, it’s hard). I learnt to have self-control. I learnt that I could live without those stuffs, more happily!
`
This is not to say that one can’t enjoy luxuries, it’s just that we shouldn’t take them seriously as a kind of goal in life. Don’t make luxury into a meaning. - Tom Hodgkinson-
And also, it doesn’t mean that I don’t buy stuffs anymore… after I succeed my own 6 months “strict camp”, now..
I still buy perfumes, when I finished mine. I buy nail polishes sometimes too. I don’t get manicure – pedicure anymore, well maybe for a very special occasion, ok lah. I buy bags much more wisely, I choose quality! Shoes, I have no choices, - can’t have them here- haha.. thank God that Indo doesn’t have my super tiny size! (Fyi, my Charles& Keith’s size is 34 (available only in sg), so please don’t judge me one day if I buy many there ;p ). Clothes, I just bought a cute Little Black Dress this week, with no guilty feeling. :D
I am not suggesting you to do the same, we have our own struggles, I believe.
I may have had excellent 6 months, but later on I failed into “temptations” so many times too.
I am still struggling to faithfully keep tracking on my daily expenses, to stick to budgets I myself made, not to buy unnecessary stuffs, not to fall into crazy sale seasons and so on.
It’s still a long way to go…we haven’t even discussed yet about other elements of money management (nurturing savings and investments, making money, giving away money, etc).
It requires commitments, discipline and again self-control.
But, I believe that becoming a beautiful money manager is something God wants us to be. It’s God design for His beautiful women.
Who can find a virtuous woman? It's a rare treasure! Be her!
Every decision not to spend money is money saved.
AND
Money saved is money earned.
let's walk, shall we?
(from my fb notes, March 22nd 2010)
I had a wonderful Saturday last week. Woke up really late, had practice at church, walked home for about 45 minutes from church (uh! How I love walking!!!), enjoyed eating my fave “kerupuk udang Ny.Siok”, started to read a new book (it’s been on my “waiting list to be read” book for pretty long time).
I chose to read “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. She is one of my favorite authors, who writes much about my desire, to be a woman after God’s own heart.
As I read the introduction.. I was like “what?? She is just talking about the fruit of the spirit for the 237 pages and $20.50 book? I knew about this!!”
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control!
Talk about “knowing” it!
And, oh yeah, dearestz, I might know and memorize it really well.. but I am far from doing it! Not even close! >.<
Here it is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But the fruit of spirit is:
LOVE : the sacrifice of self.
Love involves effort, not merely emotion. It demands action, not just feelings. It is something we do, not something we only feel or say.
Love is an act of the will, action- not just words, reaches out to the unlovely, and expects nothing in return.
Love is not an emotion. It is not necessarily feeling loving toward a particular person. It may not have emotion connected with it.
Love is a decision.
JOY : the sacrifice of praise.
Jesus desired that our joy might be full, but affliction, loss, stress, and pain can too easily rob us of any sense of joy. But, when we turn our gaze upon God in the midst of our suffering, we suddenly find the power we need to praise Him despite the pain and to give thanks for His goodness, even when things are not so good.
Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God in our lives.
Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is a sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord.
PEACE: the sacrifice of trust.
Our peace has nothing to do with our circumstances, daily challenges or crises, conditions of our life. True spiritual peace comes with knowing that our heavenly Father is continually with us.
Choosing to trust God – making the sacrifice of trust – causes us to experience His peace, even in the midst of tremendous uproar. We make the sacrifice of trust and experience God’s peace:
-When we choose not to panic, but to rest in God’s presence.
-When we release our terror, and trust in God’s wisdom and ways.
-When we reject our nervousness, and remember that God is in control
-When we ignore our dread, and instead accept God’s dealing.
PATIENCE does nothing.
If we want to walk in patience when we’ve been hurt, wronged, or ill treated, do nothing! Instead of reacting and doing something outwardly negative and harmful and sinful, inwardly resist in patience. Doing nothing gives us times to do something – to pray, to reflect, and to plan to respond in a righteous manner.
KINDNESS plans to do something.
Kindness goes out looking, wondering and asking “who needs love?”
Caring, noticing, thinking, touching.
It’s about being “too nice”. It is the ability to love people more than they deserve.
GOODNESS does everything.
Goodness puts God’s love into actions, follows through on our plans for kindness, and gives – indeed, pours out! – God’s love to others.
“Christian character is not expressed by good doing, but by God likeness. It is not sufficient to do good, to do the right thing. We must have our goodness stamped in the image and superscription of God. It is supernatural all through.” - Oswald Chamber-
Advance the happiness of others : “Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance their happiness.”
FAITHFULNESS does it no matter what.
Faitfulness marks God’s presence in our life. It is reliable, faithful not only in deed, but also in word, loyalty to others.
Walking in God’s faithfulness is a three –step operation. 1st, we must desire to live a Godly life that manifests the graces of the Holy Spirit. 2nd, we need to look to God to enable us. 3rd, we must follow God’s words by moving out intentionally and confidently, empowered and guided by God. This three-step process can help us in our struggles to be faithful:
TIREDNESS “I can’t do it”, LAZINESS “I don’t want to do it”, HOPELESSNESS “it doesn’t matter if I do it”, PROCRASTINATION “I’ll do it later”, RATIONALIZATION “someone else will do it”, APATHY “I don’t care if I do it”, REBELLION “I won’t do it”.
Be faithful in small things.
GENTLENESS takes it.
"Gentleness is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised." – Andrew Murray –
It endures with tranquility the disturbances others create. It endures ill treatment. It withstands misunderstanding.
It is submissiveness to the will of God. It is an absolute confidence that God alone knows the right way to the right ends and what benefits us. It is also comes with the certainty that God is able to free us from that which does us harm.
SELF-CONTROL doesn’t do it.
Self-control is the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God.
Self -control controls and checks the self, restrains the self, disciplines and masters the self, holds in and commands the self, says “NO” to self.
Self-control does not yield to temptation, does not give in to desires, does not participate in sin, does not indulge itself, and does not satisfy itself.
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I know it is a lot to take in. But, this is what to walk with God is all about. It is about to be like Jesus, our perfect example in doing the fruit of Spirit. (Remember, Jesus was a perfect HUMAN BEING!)
Walking with God is about: Jesus in us; Jesus visible to others as we walk by the Spirit; Jesus loving and serving others through us; Jesus on display in us.
When we walk by the Spirit, we behave as Jesus did, perfectly modeled each fruit of the Spirit.
“Everyone who truly believes that he will one day be like Christ surely purifies himself and relentlessly pursues godliness as a number one priority. This is the mark of true child of God. We are to feast our eyes upon Christ, upon as much of Christ as we can find in the sacred Scriptures. We are to do everything we possibly can: we are to wrestle and fight and pray and be disciplined in order that more and more we become like Christ-whatever the cost- knowing that every sin that is overcome, every temptation that is resisted, every virtue that is gained is another step, another step, another step towards that moment when we shall be like Him.” – Dr. John Blanchard-
It is really a long journey, but He is with us, He enables us to walk through His path, He walks with us!
Let's walk together!!! :D
I had a wonderful Saturday last week. Woke up really late, had practice at church, walked home for about 45 minutes from church (uh! How I love walking!!!), enjoyed eating my fave “kerupuk udang Ny.Siok”, started to read a new book (it’s been on my “waiting list to be read” book for pretty long time).
I chose to read “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. She is one of my favorite authors, who writes much about my desire, to be a woman after God’s own heart.
As I read the introduction.. I was like “what?? She is just talking about the fruit of the spirit for the 237 pages and $20.50 book? I knew about this!!”
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control!
Talk about “knowing” it!
And, oh yeah, dearestz, I might know and memorize it really well.. but I am far from doing it! Not even close! >.<
Here it is:
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But the fruit of spirit is:
LOVE : the sacrifice of self.
Love involves effort, not merely emotion. It demands action, not just feelings. It is something we do, not something we only feel or say.
Love is an act of the will, action- not just words, reaches out to the unlovely, and expects nothing in return.
Love is not an emotion. It is not necessarily feeling loving toward a particular person. It may not have emotion connected with it.
Love is a decision.
JOY : the sacrifice of praise.
Jesus desired that our joy might be full, but affliction, loss, stress, and pain can too easily rob us of any sense of joy. But, when we turn our gaze upon God in the midst of our suffering, we suddenly find the power we need to praise Him despite the pain and to give thanks for His goodness, even when things are not so good.
Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God in our lives.
Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is a sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord.
PEACE: the sacrifice of trust.
Our peace has nothing to do with our circumstances, daily challenges or crises, conditions of our life. True spiritual peace comes with knowing that our heavenly Father is continually with us.
Choosing to trust God – making the sacrifice of trust – causes us to experience His peace, even in the midst of tremendous uproar. We make the sacrifice of trust and experience God’s peace:
-When we choose not to panic, but to rest in God’s presence.
-When we release our terror, and trust in God’s wisdom and ways.
-When we reject our nervousness, and remember that God is in control
-When we ignore our dread, and instead accept God’s dealing.
PATIENCE does nothing.
If we want to walk in patience when we’ve been hurt, wronged, or ill treated, do nothing! Instead of reacting and doing something outwardly negative and harmful and sinful, inwardly resist in patience. Doing nothing gives us times to do something – to pray, to reflect, and to plan to respond in a righteous manner.
KINDNESS plans to do something.
Kindness goes out looking, wondering and asking “who needs love?”
Caring, noticing, thinking, touching.
It’s about being “too nice”. It is the ability to love people more than they deserve.
GOODNESS does everything.
Goodness puts God’s love into actions, follows through on our plans for kindness, and gives – indeed, pours out! – God’s love to others.
“Christian character is not expressed by good doing, but by God likeness. It is not sufficient to do good, to do the right thing. We must have our goodness stamped in the image and superscription of God. It is supernatural all through.” - Oswald Chamber-
Advance the happiness of others : “Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance their happiness.”
FAITHFULNESS does it no matter what.
Faitfulness marks God’s presence in our life. It is reliable, faithful not only in deed, but also in word, loyalty to others.
Walking in God’s faithfulness is a three –step operation. 1st, we must desire to live a Godly life that manifests the graces of the Holy Spirit. 2nd, we need to look to God to enable us. 3rd, we must follow God’s words by moving out intentionally and confidently, empowered and guided by God. This three-step process can help us in our struggles to be faithful:
TIREDNESS “I can’t do it”, LAZINESS “I don’t want to do it”, HOPELESSNESS “it doesn’t matter if I do it”, PROCRASTINATION “I’ll do it later”, RATIONALIZATION “someone else will do it”, APATHY “I don’t care if I do it”, REBELLION “I won’t do it”.
Be faithful in small things.
GENTLENESS takes it.
"Gentleness is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised." – Andrew Murray –
It endures with tranquility the disturbances others create. It endures ill treatment. It withstands misunderstanding.
It is submissiveness to the will of God. It is an absolute confidence that God alone knows the right way to the right ends and what benefits us. It is also comes with the certainty that God is able to free us from that which does us harm.
SELF-CONTROL doesn’t do it.
Self-control is the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God.
Self -control controls and checks the self, restrains the self, disciplines and masters the self, holds in and commands the self, says “NO” to self.
Self-control does not yield to temptation, does not give in to desires, does not participate in sin, does not indulge itself, and does not satisfy itself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know it is a lot to take in. But, this is what to walk with God is all about. It is about to be like Jesus, our perfect example in doing the fruit of Spirit. (Remember, Jesus was a perfect HUMAN BEING!)
Walking with God is about: Jesus in us; Jesus visible to others as we walk by the Spirit; Jesus loving and serving others through us; Jesus on display in us.
When we walk by the Spirit, we behave as Jesus did, perfectly modeled each fruit of the Spirit.
“Everyone who truly believes that he will one day be like Christ surely purifies himself and relentlessly pursues godliness as a number one priority. This is the mark of true child of God. We are to feast our eyes upon Christ, upon as much of Christ as we can find in the sacred Scriptures. We are to do everything we possibly can: we are to wrestle and fight and pray and be disciplined in order that more and more we become like Christ-whatever the cost- knowing that every sin that is overcome, every temptation that is resisted, every virtue that is gained is another step, another step, another step towards that moment when we shall be like Him.” – Dr. John Blanchard-
It is really a long journey, but He is with us, He enables us to walk through His path, He walks with us!
Let's walk together!!! :D
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Proverbs 31:30
Proverbs 31: 30 really has been touching me since the first time I heard about it...
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised"
I have been fine with it, because I never felt that I was pretty ..
so, I thought.. " oh yeah ... the verse is really talking to me".."don't feel bad if i am not as pretty as others, bla blaa bla "
'til one day, a make up artist really did something different to me (well she did her job well), and I was transformed into someone I had never been, in a positive and glamourous way.
I felt beautiful ... hm... and was hoping that people would say that I was!
I kept thinking about it, moreover when a friend took a great picture of me... and daaang...it made me want to be praised even more.
And yet, pretty much, I was distracted when people didn't give a comment about how I looked...
uuuuuuh ......
And at that time.....I realized .. what it was in Proverbs 31:30 ....
I really understood that beauty in people's eyes matters nothing...
Oh yeah of course, as a Godly woman, we need to take care of ourselves, including our bodies, our appearances.. etc..
We are responsible to take care the Holy temple within us.
But ... we do it for God~ not to get people's attention, people's appreciation and comments. coz, they are all fleeting...
well, we can also do it for ourselves though..as we love Him, and know how precious we are in His eyes.
We need to remember that our values aren't about how we look, how we dress...
but .... as in 1 Peter 3:3-5
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."
I really thanked Him to allow me feeling beautiful .... as in glamour and woooow way..
For letting me to experience the "outter beauty" that I always thought I never had and could be!
For allowing me to experience Proverbs 31:30 ...
Now, I can really thankful to Him that it's enough for me knowing that I am beautiful in His eyes, no matter what people say about me..
That, I can take care of myself, and make the best out of me, only for Him not for others...
coz.. what He says about me that matters. only it! And never let people's saying bother me...
Yeah, the fear of the Lord.... a gentle and quite spirit ... those're what I am looking for... and surely the true beauty will come out from within.
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