Monday, May 25, 2009
A Biblical Womanhood Creed for Life
May 21, 2009
Summary: Rebecca Jones is a member of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and also serves on our Board of Directors. She is the author of Does Christianity Squash Women (B&H, 2005). She and her husband, Peter Jones, make their home in Escondido, California and can be contacted through their website truthxchange.com.
I believe God created me, a woman, in His image.
I believe God has the authority, as my Creator to define my whole person; body, soul, mind, and emotions.
I believe God has chosen to reveal Himself through the world in which I live and through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. I learn of both these revelations through His Word, the Bible, which becomes clear to me by the power of Jesus Christ, whose Spirit works in my heart and my understanding.
I believe that God exists as one God, in three equal persons and that these persons have Scripturally revealed relationships and functions within the trinity.
I believe that all human fellowship is a reflection of that perfect fellowship defined and experienced from all eternity by God Himself in the trinity.
I believe that God made both men and women in His image.
I believe that God gave the man a representative role in humanity in general (as seen in both Adam and Christ) and that He also gave each man a representative and authoritative role as head of his wife and of his family.
I believe that God appointed marriage and the family as the most fundamental human social building block.
I believe that God created marriage (as He created all human institutions) to reveal His character and the character of His relations with humans.
I believe that God created me to be a helper to my husband and that in serving and obeying him, I also serve and obey God.
I believe that my husband is created first to love God, but that in his human relationships he is to reflect God's nature by filling a role of protector, defender, guide, leader, teacher, provider, and father.
I believe that I am created first to love God, but (since God has not chosen singleness for me) I am also created to bear and nourish children, to help my husband and to serve God and His church principally, though not exclusively, in the exercise of these functions.
I believe that I should count my home as the primary focus of my ministry to God and that in so doing, I will bring no slander on the gospel.
I believe that I should develop sexual attractiveness, intellectual honesty, and spiritual fervor in my role as wife.
I believe that my husband will answer to God for his part in my spiritual development, but that when I stand before the throne of God's judgment, I will be covered not by my husband's righteousness, but by Christ's.
I believe that the Bible teaches me as a woman to uphold the authority of my husband in my marriage and in my home; to respect it, encourage it, desire it, appreciate it, work towards increasing it and encourage my children to do the same.
I believe that the Scriptures ask me to refrain from exercising final spiritual authority in the church. I am to avoid usurping the authoritative roles of men in teaching and in church discipline. Specifically I am to avoid teaching men or judging male leadership.
I believe I am to express myself verbally within my church family to bring encouragement, praise, witness, wisdom, counsel, prayers, hymns, songs, and instruction within the authority structures mentioned above. I am especially responsible for the training and mentoring of younger women, with a view to encouraging them to love their husbands and children, to be busy at home and to bring no slander on the gospel.
I believe that I am also to exercise my particular personal gifts in the church, without neglecting hospitality, humble service, availability in emergencies, and all sorts of good deeds.
I believe that sin affects every area of my life. I am not, therefore, surprised that my sinful nature rebels against some of the very truths I confess. May God mercifully soften my heart and conform me to His perfect will.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Blessing of Trials
Friday, February 27, 2009
OH! I LOVE BLUE AND WHITE DISHES!
I have been doing quite a bit of "spring cleaning" and organizing at our house the past month. Every year, from Jan. through Feb., I seem to "catch the bug" of getting the house more "together" ---from the inside out! One job that I have been avoiding for many months is re-arranging our china cabinet. For over a year, it has looked terrible, more like a storage cabinet vs. a cabinet for display. Last week, a LOVELY book that I had ordered came in the mail----one of my favorite and most admired authors, Carolyne Roehme's new book: A Passion for Blue and White. I ordered the book because, I too, have collected and ADORE blue and white china and dishes----everything from antique Flow Blue, antique English blue/white dishes and even, total 'fakes' (cheap!) of Blue Willow. Many years ago, my sister and I gathered an entire dish set of Blue Willow ( I still use it today!) from Kroger! They were running a "special sale" and, my beloved sister and I collected an entire 12 piece place setting (12 each!) of these wonderful looking dishes........one of the best set of dishes I have ever owned---and, we still use them OFTEN! So-----I am posting this entry as my "Ode to Blue and White" dishes........I was reminded, while arranging my china cabinet, that I DEARLY adore ALL dishes blue and white and, SILVER---the two together make such a PRETTY display! My Mother has quite a fabulous collection of sterling and, she has "passed down" the love of silver pieces to me! Thanks Mom! I highly recommend starting or extending a collection of blue and white dishes----the dishes look SPECTACULAR on a table- for an elegant dinner party or a spring luncheon. The blue/white is quite versatile because ANY linen accent color will go with it- a hot pink tablecloth and napkins, lime green linens or, for a really elegant table- the blue and white dishes with white table linens and a simple arrangement of white roses (in a crystal compote) in the center. DIVINE! Collecting blue and white is really fun and, I hope you will begin your own collection soon of something you love!
Monday, February 16, 2009
My Sales Hero! Kyle Ogle
As you know, Kyle was the top sales representative for his company for 2008 and was honored at the sales meeting for this accomplishment.They invited me to the meeting to accept his award. I got to say a few words about Kyle and got to thank the people who helped make that goal possible. They showed part of the hunting show where Kyle spoke about not letting the disease define him and several pictures.
To honor Kyle's extraordinary life and achievements, the company created a new award that will be given each year to an outstanding rep who exhibits integrity professionally and personally. I had the honor of presenting the Kyle Ogle Outstanding Achievement Award to the first recipient. Of course, both awards got standing ovations from the crowd of 150 and there was not a dry eye in the room. I couldn't help but think of Kyle's big grin! He loved to win and I am sure would have said something like, "I can't believe you guys let a one armed man with cancer outsell you". By God's grace, and sheer determination, he outsold them all from a sick bed with headset on. :)Like he always used to quote:"Can't never did a thing!". He was all about "can".
With love and pride,
Darla