A Biblical Womanhood Creed for Life

I ran across this amazing "creed" today and, I whole heartedly could have written this, as I agree with every item that she lists. May we all live each day as unto the Lord, as Biblical women. May we live a "missional" life and live each day running after the things of the Lord and in the pursuit of discipleship of women. My mentor in college and in my early 20's always made me memorize Colossians 1:28 from the Phillips version: "So naturally we proclaim Christ, we warn everyone we meet, we teach everyone we can all that we know about Him, so that, we may bring every man up to his full potential in Christ; this is what I am working on all of the time, with all of the energy God has given me." THANK YOU MARCHETTA STRADER. I Miss You and praise God for your legacy!

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.

The Blessing of Trials

I cannot remember ever reading a more powerful word of encouragement as I did this morning in one of my favorite devotionals of all time, by, Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. Here is a paragraph from today's reading:

Who has not learned that our most sorrowful days are frequently our best? The days when our face is full of smiles and we skip easily through the soft meadow God has adorned with spring flowers, the capacity of our heart is often wasted.

The soul that is always lighthearted and cheerful misses the deepest things of life. Certainly that life has its reward and is fully

satisfied, but the depth of its satisfaction is very shallow. Its heart

is dwarfed, and its nature, which has the potential of experiencing

the highest heights and the deepest depths, remains undeveloped

and the wick of its life burns quickly to the bottom, without ever

knowing the richness of profound joy.

Remember, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn"

Matthew 5:4. Stars shine the brightest during the long dark night

of winter. And the gentian wildflowers display their fairest blooms

among the nearly inaccessible heights of mountain snow and ice.

When told, "It's a gray day", an old Scottish Cobbler once

replied, "Ya, but didn't you see the patch of blue?"

Praise the Lord for loving us enough to bring times of

trial into our lives! During times of hardship, He

is never more near and, His presence in our lives is

unmistakeable! Praise the Lord for His goodness and

mercy! We are forever changed because of a Great God!

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!

My Sales Hero! Kyle Ogle

One of my BEST friends on the planet (Darla Ogle) wrote the following letter, re: her late husband (passed away 10-29-08) and, it is because of Kyle that I entered medical sales in the first place! Kyle really encouraged me and, inspired me to get into this field. Thank you Kyle! You are my sales HERO!
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

This time of year gets my heart beating....spring is just

around the corner! Some of you may know....I am a little

bit of a "clothes horse" and, I have a hobby of keeping up

with the latest fashions.....have been finding some CUTE

shoes and "fashion forward" items at Target lately and,

online at www.forever21.com. Here are 10 items to get

you up-to-date for the coming spring......FUN!

1. A striped shirt

2. Strappy flat sandal- really cute ones at Target.com!

3. Gold or silver metallic shoes or purse

4. A large slouchy purse

5. brown eyeshadow ( I love to look at www.sephora.com)

6. A bright yellow or green trench coat

7. A plaid blouse with belt around your middle....super cute!

8. One shoulder blouse or dress

9. Rolled up jeans w/ holes in the knees

10. Gold jewelry!

FASHION is FUN and, you can find GREAT deals at Target and, many other stores!

Brooke is 4 Today!

Wow! Hard to believe.....Brooke is 4 today! Today has "taken me back" to that call we received 4 years ago from the hospital in LA....."Mrs. Bryson, your baby girl has been born and, she is doing fine, but, she is really small.......". I will never forget that moment and, I quickly called John and, our parents and, we started to make arrangements to fly to the hospital! WOW! We were praying and praying that she was going to be okay......the nurses in the NICU were asking us to hurry b/c she had not had any visitors and, she was all alone. They said we needed to be talking to her and, that she needed to know our voice because "she had a long way to go, only weighing 3 pounds." We stayed out there with her 6 weeks before she was big enough to be transported back home. We were told that her vision might be compromised and that she could have learning problems and be delayed. We asked EVERYONE we knew to bathe this situation in prayer. The LORD, once again delivered! Brooke is a very ACTIVE and fun little girl! She welcomed 25 children today to decorate cupcakes at her party. She loves to learn and, she is a lot of fun! She just finished putting lipgloss (one of her gifts!) on me and, as I type, I believe she also put in all over my chin! God is FAITHFUL, GOD is always on TIME, God gave us Brooke and, she has brought more joy than I can ever explain to this childless couple! She has brought life into our home and, SO many times, people have said to me, "wow, what a lucky little girl that you all adopted her....."----every time, I always reply, "no, actually, we are the lucky/ blessed one.....she has rescued us". Happy Birthday little Girl! We adore you!

Really, Really "LOVE" this store! I have "inherited" the love of dollar stores from both my Mom and my Mom-in-law! One of our favorite things to do (me w/ each of them!) is shop in these stores and find all sorts of "treasures". Just yesterday, I walked in this fun store and, found the CUTEST iced tea glasses- with cobalt blue stems! I can just "see" them on a spring table! Also was "tempted" by CUTE placemats (red and lime green!) and some cute plates w/ roosters on them! I was a "good girl" and only bought the glasses, but, for a fun "outing" go scout around your closest Dollar Tree or dollar store! F.U.N.!

Please Pray for Jerry Bryson

Please pray for Jerry Bryson (John's Dad and my precious father-in-law). He has been diagnosed with non-Hodkin's Lymphoma for the 3rd time in the past 8 years! He started treatment today! Please pray for his strength and, for the treatment to have mild side effects. He is a WONDERFUL example to me of Christ! He truly has a heart of gold! He has taught me SO much about living for the Lord each and every day! He is VERY positive, he radiates love for Jesus! He is a GREAT man of wisdom and character and, I am SO BLESSED to be related to him! Thank you for praying for Jerry Bryson! Thank you! Prayer changes things! Prayer changes ALL things!!!

We are SUPER excited about adopting our third child! He is due February 22nd in Cairo, GA (pronounced "KA-RO"). Our dear friend Mark Ottinger (originally from Georgia) tells me that this is about as far south Georgia as we can get where lots of peanuts are grown! We are driving over there this coming weekend to meet with the birth parents! We would covet your prayers for our new son! THANK YOU for praying!

My Hometown

Wow! What a GREAT and refreshing weekend I just spent in my hometown....Lake Jackson, TX. AMAZING what time spent with family does for the soul! We did NOTHING but visit, drink coffee, and visit some more! I also was able to visit with two GREAT women in my life (have known them both ALL of my life!), Laura Mays and Judy Stone.....they are both very Godly and wise women and, I was so encouraged to be with both of them! My parents are wonderful grandparents (John's parents too!) and, then, Brooke had a ball playing with her cousin.....Georgia (2 years old!- she is my brother Ben's daughter!)- a GREAT time!
Ahhhhh, nothing like going back to a place that feels like a comfortable old shoe! The BEST!

God Bless America!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA! I am so TOTALLY touched by the attendance at President Obama's Inauguration today and, have loved watching this AMAZING and most HISTORICAL event take place in our country! WOW, WOW, WOW! I ask and beg everyone to pray for our new President as he is going to be trying to "fix" our economy and, also, PROTECT our country from evil attacks and, so many other things! Aren't his daughters just ADORABLE? And Mrs. Obama----stunning- our new First Lady! I am just SO PROUD to be an American! LOVED the way Rick Warren prayed today and, he closed "In Jesus' Name"---WOW! Praise the Lord! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!