The calling of motherhood....

" if we reject God's design from the outset, our children, and their children, and their children will reap the consequences of our unfaithfulness."

"A whole generation of children, as a result, ends up feeling rushed, pushed, with little or no sense of the comfort and stability of a satisfying home."

"the minority of mothers who choose to devote their lives to the nurturing of a godly heritage by focusing on their home as the center of life find themselves unsupported and unaffirmed by a culture that does not value their contribution. The hard, daily repetitive work of making a home a haven, providing healthy meals, correcting and training little ones, and constantly cleaning up messes is perceived as menial labor instead of the stuff from which godliness is built. The result is that the mothers who do attempt to follow God's design for families may suffer from feelings of isolation, loneliness, and discouragement."

Quotes from The Mission of Motherhood

Housecleaning Tips

1. Start each day with a load of laundry.

2. Use the right tools and products for cleaning.

3. Use both of your hands when you clean.

4. Schedule time to clean!

5. Work in one room till it’s done.

6. Get the kitchen clean before bedtime.

7. Take a small laundry basket around the house to collect misplaced items and then deliver them to their proper place.

8. Spend a few minutes each day tidying up hot spots (places that collect clutter).

9. Learn to throw away junk AND stuff you don’t use.

10. Sort mail over the trash can and throw junk mail directly into the trash.

11. When cleaning/de-cluttering have 3 bags marked Give Away, Throw Away, Put Away.

12. Disinfectant household wipes are great for quick bathroom clean ups.

13. Keep your entry way and front room tidy for unexpected guest.

14. Put little people in your house to work. Kids love cleaning.

15. Make the bed as soon as you get out of it.

16. Spend a few minutes each day de-cluttering one area of your house.

On Being a Good Guest

Luke 14:7-11

⁷When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ⁸“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. ¹¹For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Proverbs 25:6-7

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; ⁷ it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Proverbs 25:17

¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house- too much of you, and he will hate you.

Proverbs 23:1-3

¹ When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, ² and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. ³ Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

What I Do With The Hard Things In My Life

1. Immerse myself in the Word of God. His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. (2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” And Psalms119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”)

2. Realize:

a. He is in sovereign control of all that concerns me, His child. Everything is sifted through His fingers first. (Job 2:10 “Shall we except good from God and not trouble?”)

b. God has given each of us our own race to run. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Him and stay in our own lane, not comparing our lives or the life of someone we love to the lives of others. (1 Corinthians 7:17 “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” And Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”)

c. God does not ask us to understand His ways but He asks us to trust Him implicitly. He sees the whole, eternal picture. (Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”)

d. My lack of faith does not nullify His faithfulness. (Romans 3:4a “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all!”)

e. I am not the point- He is. It’s not all about me, it’s about God. It is not about me getting out of suffocating pain; it is about His Son being revealed in me, about God’s image being released in me. (Matt. 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.”)

3. Yield to the instrument of refinement He has chosen in my life. Instead of kicking and screaming, align yourself with God’s purposes for your life. (Philippians 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” And James 1:4 “And let endurance have it’s perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”)

4. Confess that I don’t know how to yield, that I am helpless and angry. (Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”)

5. Confirm that I am willing to be taught in the midst of this pain and difficulty. (Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.”)

6. Ask in the disappointment, loss, isolation, and pain that the Holy Spirit will teach me through the Word to trust God and understand who God is in all His mercy and love. (Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”)

7. Seek to walk in obedience through the storm and not waste my energy fretting it. (Psalm 46:1,2 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”)

8. Know that the secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances. (Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”)

9. Remain hopeful that through all of life’s changes, we are secure in the knowledge that we will see His face and be fully satisfied. (Psalm 17:15 “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.)

10. Press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of

us. (Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this,

or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold

of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” And Acts 20:24

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may

finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given

me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”)

thoughts on suffering/trials/sin

SUFFERING

God uses suffering to:

- reveal our character

- to humble us

- to draw us to Himself

TRIALS

God uses trials to:

- show us the strength of our faith

- humble us

- wean us from earthly things

- call us to a heavenly hope

- reveal what we really love

- teach us to value God and His blessings (grace)

- enable us to help others in trials

- develop greater strength for usefulness

SIN

Dealing with our sin:

- recognize it

- ask God for help daily

- memorize scriptures that address your sin

- avoid flirting with temptation

- have a plan of attack

- find accountability and encouragement from someone

A Resource List

This is a resource list that I typed up for a women's Bible study I was teaching a few years back and while I don't want to take the time to update it or add to it right now, I thought it would still be good to post it here. Categories are in caps and then sub-categories are in bold.

Websites:

www.girltalk.com (for women) Girl Talk -conversations on Biblical womanhood

http://www.covlife.org/familyroom (for husbands) The Family Room –conversations on Biblical manhood

http://solofemininity.blogs.com/posts (for single women) Solo Femininity

http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey Modesty Survey

http://www.seekinghim.com Devotional by Nancy DeMoss (click on Radio and then Today’s Devotional)

www.therebelution.com (for teens) The Rebelution -a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture)

CDs:

Seeds Family Worship http://www.seedsmusic.com/ - scripture through music

Books:

SUBMISSION/PERSEVERANCE/CONTENTMENT

For Women in General-

Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace (this book covers these topics- Gossip and Slander, Idolatrous Emotional Attachments, Manipulation, Hurt Feelings, Vanity, PMS, Legalism, The Feminist Influence, The Role of Women in the Church, Trials)

Women Helping Women: A Biblical Guide to the Major Issues Women Face by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Carol Cornish (this book covers Biblical Counseling, Single Teen Mothers, Singleness, Post Abortion, Marriage, Married to Unbelievers, Adoption, Mothers of Children with Learning Disabilities, Mothers of Rebellious Teens, Divorce and Single Moms, Women Abused as Children, Addictions, Overeating and Bulimia, Sexual Sins, Women in the Afternoon of Life, Facing Dying and Death, and Medical Questions).

Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A Woman’s High Calling by Elizabeth George

Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George- managing your prioritize

Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism by John Piper

Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George –anxiety, trials, worry, fear

Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Becoming a Woman of Faith and Confidence by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood by Carolyn Mahaney

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

Biblical Womanhood in the Home edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue by Wendy Shalit

Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control by Elisabeth Elliot

God’s Wisdom for a Woman’s Life by Elizabeth George

Elizabeth Prentiss, More Love to Thee by Sharon James

Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed by Carolyn Mahaney and daughters

For Men-

Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes

The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott- marriage

Contentment-

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur

Attitudes of a Transformed Heart by Martha Peace

Spiritual Growth/Purpose-

Set Apart: Calling a Wordly Church to a Godly Life by Kent Hughes

Knowing God by J.I. Packer- attributes of God (characteristics of God)

Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

Follow Me: Christ’s Call, Our Response by John MacArthur

Why One Way? Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World by John MacArthur

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

SINGLENESS

Single-

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

Singled Out for Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – for women

Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart by John Ensor

Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control by Elisabeth Elliot

Sex is Not the Problem (Lust Is) by Joshua Harris

MARRIAGE

For Married Women-

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Helper By Design by Elyse Fitzpatrick

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George –prioritizing your life

Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney

When Love Dies by Judy Bodmer

Marriage-

The Fulfilled Family/God’s Design for Your Home by John MacArthur- marriage and parenting

Powerful Promises for Every Couple by Jim and Liz George- marriage study

Walking Together by Jack and Cynthia Heald- marriage study

When Love Dies/How to Save a Hopeless Marriage by Judy Bodmer

Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart by John Ensor –dating and marriage

Love Life for Every Married Couple by Dr. Ed Wheat

How to Save Your Marriage Alone by Dr. Ed Wheat

Intended For Pleasure by Dr. Ed Wheat

Sex is Not the Problem (Lust Is) by Joshua Harris

PROPRIETY

Modesty-

Becoming a Woman of Discretion: Cultivating a Pure Heart in a Sensual World by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

The Look: Does God Really Care What I Wear by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

And The Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity by Dannah Gresh

A Return to Modesty by Wendy Shalit

NURTURING CHILDREN

For Children-

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name Sally Lloyd-Jones- shows Christ through the whole bible

Leading Little Ones To God by Marion M. Schoolland –great for family devotions

The Millers Family Series by Mildred A. Martin – out of print but you can get them through Rainbowresource.com- great for family devotions for little ones. Wisdom and the Millers, Proverbs and the Millers, Prudence and the Millers, Missionary Stories and the Millers, Storytime with the Millers, School Days with the Millers.

Read Aloud Bible Stories vol. 1-4 by Ella Lindvall

Window On The World put out by Operation World – teaches kids about missions in different countries

Concord Cunningham Series by Mat Halverson (kids use their bibles to help solve mysteries)

Science and the Bible series…by Donald B. Deyoung (science experiments that illustrate scripture truths)

Parenting-

Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp (CD only, soon to be in print)

Teach Them Diligently: How to Use the Scriptures in Child Training by Louis Priolo

Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp

Successful Christian Parenting: Raising Your Child with Care, Compassion, and Common Sense (New title is What the Bible Says About Parenting) by John MacArthur

When Good Kids Make Bad Choices: Help and Hope for Hurting Parents by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jim Newheiser

And The Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity by Dannah Gresh

A Year With Your Children In The Bible by Jim Cromarty

Don’t Make Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman

Home By Choice by Brenda Hunter

PRAYER

Prayer-

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions by Arthur Bennett

Lord, Teach Me to Pray by John MacArthur

Power of a Praying........ by Stormie Omartian

MIND

Christian Mind-

Developing a Christian Mind by Oliver Barclay

Loving God With All Your Mind: Thinking as a Christian in the Postmodern World by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

Renewing Your Mind: Basic Christian Beliefs You Need to Know by R. C. Sproul

The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

Your Mind Matters by John Stott

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Think Biblically by John MacArthur

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper

Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkley

Suffering-

When the Healing Doesn’t Come by John MacArthur (pamphlet available thru Grace To You Ministries)

Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges

Women Helping Women: A Biblical Guide to the Major Issues Women Face by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Carol Cornish

Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by

Kitchen Table Counseling by

Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

The Power of Suffering by John MacArthur

CHURCH

Set Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life by Ken Hughes

Worship-

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

True Worship by Donald P Hustad

Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper

Series On Hymns: by Joni Eareckson Tada and other authors

O Worship The King

When Morning Gilds the Skies

O Come All Ye Faithful

What Wondrous Love Is This

WITNESSING

Without a Doubt by Kenneth Richards

The God Who is Real by Henry Morris

What Jesus Demands From The World by John Piper

Why One Way by John MacArthur