Good Discussion on Revive our Hearts!

Today, there was an excellent discussion on the radio program Revive Our Hearts! The topic was Recognizing Feminist Thought 'mentality'; which has been the spiritual demise of Christian women and Christian Families.
https://www.reviveourhearts.com/

Here is an excerpt

So in a few short decades in the span of my lifetime, the ideal of a happy, fulfilled woman has gone from one who serves and exalts her children, her husband, and her community to one who serves and exalts herself and has a very different type of commitment, very different type of idea towards men and women. This begs the question, how did this all happen? 
The factors are many and complex, but a very large piece of the puzzle is feminism. Feminism is a distinct philosophy that shook the underpinnings of society in the early 1960s like a tsunamic earthquake shaking the ocean’s floor. Feminism is a distinct worldview. It’s a distinct worldview with its very own thoughts, its ideologies, values, ways of thinking. Whether or not you would admit it, all of us in this room have been profoundly affected by feminist thought.

Today's Woman and Work? 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Today's woman and work, what does 2 Thessalonians offer?

2 Thessalonians 3:10 "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." Firstly, this comment is directed toward man and not woman. Does that mean that women are excluded? I would answer yes, but that does not mean that women do not have work to do in God's Kingdom. Certainly, God does not want his people to be idle, not does busybodies 2 Th 3:11. Women and wives have a special role and position in God's Kingdom. We can read about this further in 1 Timothy 2:11 on the subject of instruction on worship.  "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." I agree and I pray that in my blogging I am not sinning. I am quiet in my learning and I do not teach or preach or have authority over a man. I am speaking to women/wives/mothers and I do so quietly and discretely. I realize that I am caught up in this 'Selfie Culture'. It is difficult  and I must remind myself everyday to walk with the Lord, to let Him guide me.
The most difficult problem I have is when other people ask me what I do. This is the "What do you Do?" Culture; where people are valued for what they do rather than who they are; unless they are a member of a certain group whose life style trumps everything else.  You see, we are groupies too, we group think and this is dangerous for women and for the Church. I will discuss this on a later post.
In this blog, I want to discuss work. Work, work work, that is what Americans do, right? For the most part, this is how Americans identify themselves as mentioned above. Today's woman is protesting she cannot work the same jobs as men and get the same pay and prestige. What is work in God's Kingdom? In God's Kingdom, women, not married, work only for the Lord "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men." Col 3: 23. As for married women, you work for the Lord too in your role as a wife and mother, you work for your husbands and children which effectively is working for the Lord. A wife and mother has enormous responsibilities; namely bringing into this world offspring and raising them into upstanding citizens and of course Christians. The Christians work is for the Lord, and your work is to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16... "because there is no need to worry about your life" Matthew 6:25. Jesus talks about roles and role fulfillment. He talks about being wise, watchful and prepared, and making the most of what you have even if it was not yours to begin with... The Parable of the Talents.
You see, we worry too much about work and working...  "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men." Col 3: 23. Mostly, Jesus asks us to rest in Him and to know that the last will be first and the first will be the last. Matthew 20:16

The Selfie Culture, where is it leading us?

The selfie Culture... What is it? Basically, taking a picture of yourself. However, it is morphing into much more than just that. In some social discussions, sociologists like myself are calling this phenomenon the 'rise of the selfie'.  Is this a serious determinant to society? As a sociologist and a Christian the answer to that question is Yes. It is so because it is a major illustration of indulgence in self idolatry linked to the virtual reality of today's popular telecommunications platforms which is hardly the venue for healthy social interaction. Christians are asked to die to themselves and submit to the will of the Lord God Jesus Christ. Being self indulgent is not the means to live a Christ minded life. Self indulgence does not motivate one to seek the Lord, find Him and rest in Him. In our culture, we as Americans want to and like to rely on ourselves for prosperity, we like to show ourselves off especially for what we do... the work we do, the way we do it, the way we look doing it and how much we love the way we look doing it. Where is there room for God? What relationship could we possibly have with the Lord in this kind self absorbed life ... self idolatry?
Where is this kind of selfie culture leading? Certainly away from Christ and into a dark abyss where we are disengaged socially in face to face interaction running the risk of losing not only ourself but losing others around us and thus losing social stability moving toward social decay.

Family is Important... 1Ti 5:8

Family is important. I am sure everyone will agree. Yet, as I listen to my favorite Christian radio programs, and I talk to people hearing their issues, I am saddened to hear so many stories about broken families. I am not just referring to divorce, but broken in many places and especially broken in relations with immediate and extended family: parents, spouses, grandparents, parent in-laws, brothers and sisters, cousins and aunts and uncles... how can this be? How can Christian families be suffering in this way? How can Christians find themselves homeless, struggling to make ends meet, or not have the care of extended family readily available when they need them. How is the possible?
Are we as Americans so embedded in this culture of 'mine', that we cannot even share with loved ones? We have been ingrained with the idea of private property, this is mine, my house, you are under my roof! Get out and get your own life... my answer to that "I thought I had my own life, my own family, my own support group." Yet, many Americans think that relying on family is a transgression in this culture of individuality and self determinism. This is a tragedy. The rebuttal is usually, "I cannot live under the same roof with them, I need my space, I want my own things, I don't want what they want, nor do I like what they do, I am different, I am my own person. If you hear that, if you say that, you are not yet of the Kingdom of God. As children of God, we need to be together, we need to share our lives, our homes, our food, our clothing with our family. If all families practiced this, the world (the US) would be a better place. If we want a better life for ourselves and children, then we need to forgive each other, love each other and live together under one roof, practically and spiritually! This... the State cannot and should not provide.
1 Ti 5:8 " If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This quote from 1 Timothy is not meant to point fingers at anyone, wives/mothers, nor to condemn or to criticize women; but to get people 'Christians' to wake up and stop living as independent islands from each other and especially from family. Today's popular culture is all about individualism and independence = freedom in all forms of self expression: the driving force behind this is none other than the 'serpent' whose desire is to usurp the Lord by encouraging lawlessness in man by having him seek self satisfaction and self preservation at any cost. Americans have developed over the last 40 years the idea that any hindrance of self expression and or opportunity is now a moral wrong which is essentially taking evil and turning it to good; the lie that the serpent told Eve, the self is superior to anyone. Hence, Americans are determined to be disconnected from anyone that does not respect their self absorbed, prioritized schedule of life style experiences. Where could family possibly fit into that kind of society?  I beg you to seek the Lord and read His Words. There is the best advice of all. Not only for women, (wives and mothers) but also for husbands and fathers. 1Ti 3:2 "Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?"

Don't Hurry the Soul: Reflect, Repent and Rest in the Lord

Don't hurry the soul, rest in the Lord.

This is not easy to do as we live a hurried life and especially we feel a sense of hurry to deal with issues on our own and or to change things for the better by our own efforts... given today's job/economic crisis existing in many Christian households; mine included. Ironically, this is what Judas did - he hurried. He hurried his soul. How? He hurried his soul when he thought the only way out of his problems was to betray Jesus for money. He hurried his soul again when he realized his terrible 'sin' mistake and thought the way out was to give back the money; worse yet, and he hurried his soul the most when he ran away and ended his own life at the end of a rope. All he had to do, was to rest in the Lord; firstly- seek the Lord and ask for forgiveness then repent (re-think) and then rest in that. Yes, Judas, the apostle who sold information to the Jewish high priests that enabled the arrest and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Some might say that Judas did the right thing by hanging himself and he deserves to go to Hell.  Jesus knows that this will happen to Judas because He knows that Judas will choose to hurry his soul, free will is our God given ability to choose our end- to live in eternal light or darkness. There could have been a different end for Judas but because he forgot who Jesus was, his Savior, he made the wrong choice. If Judas did not panic about his money problems, if he did not panic in the horror of his betrayal and did not panic in his overwhelming grief over his actions, then even Judas could have been saved. How? All Judas had to do was to seek the Lord, ask for forgiveness from the Lord, repent and rest in Him. Judas would still have been judged as we all will. And like all sinners who seek forgiveness, repent and rest in the Lord, his soul could have been saved. However, he hurried his soul to the point of no return. and he could not be saved. Not because Jesus could not save him, because Judas could not be saved by Him. The one who forgives the most (including oneself), is the most forgiven. If we hurry our soul, there is no time for the soul to reflect (ask for forgiveness) and repent (re-think) and rest in the Lord.

Sharing with You - Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

In Sacred Pathways, Christian writer and pastor Gary Thomas identifies and examines nine different spiritual paths. What exactly does this mean? Each of us has a different approach as to how we relate easiest with God. Each of us grows spiritually in different ways. Gary Thomas leads us through nine major categories, showing us the strengths and weakness of each one. And after each of them, he offers a few questions, to help identify if that particular pathway is one of the reader’s stronger characteristics.
Naturalists: Loving God Out of Doors
The naturalist sounds like exactly what it is: someone who prefers to leave everything behind and head into the great outdoors to connect with God. A walk beside the river or through the woods is more worshipful than reading a book or listening to a sermon. Naturalists are moved by God’s creation. A view from a mountaintop connects them closer to God than a classical cathedral ever will. Naturalists seek God by surrounding themselves with all that he has made.
Sensates: Loving God With The Senses
Sensates love to be lost in the awe and wonder of God. Sights, sounds, and scents add to the worship experience. A sensate desires to connect with God through the senses, and the more overwhelming, the better. Experiencing God though the five senses is a most effective inroad into the heart of the sensate.
Traditionalists: Loving God Through Ritual And Symbol
Traditionalists are fed by the classic and historic dimensions of the faith: ritual, liturgy, sacraments, and symbols. The traditionalist has a desire for worship to have a ritual and structure; without these, he feels disconnected from God. Traditionalists tend to be very disciplined and organized in their faith.
Ascetics: Loving God in Solitude And Simplicity
The ascetic would love nothing more than to spend every waking hour alone in prayer. The ascetic needs none of the symbols and structure of faith; anything along those lines would simply be a distraction. Ascetics tend to isolate themselves from others and any organized structure. Frequently seen as introspective, leaving everything behind in his quest for God is no trouble for the ascetic.
Activist: Loving God Through Confrontation
Activists love to set things right, even if that means confronting someone or something head on. The activist is quick to jump into a cause, or several of them, if it helps wage the war against injustice. The activist feels closest to God when she is standing against evil and calling sinners to repentance.
Caregivers: Loving God By Loving Others
The caregiver is a servant. Serving another is the quickest way for this person to connect to God. The caregiver sees Christ in those who are needy, poor and downtrodden. The caregiver’s faith is built by serving others. Caregivers often display the deepest compassion, seeing the needs of others and identifying practical ways to meet those needs.
Enthusiasts: Loving God With Mystery And Celebration
The enthusiast loves the excitement and mystery of worship. Joyful celebration is crucial to the growing faith of this type of person. God moves by moving their hearts. If they don’t feel moved during their worship, they wonder if they’ve experienced God at all. With some similarities to the sensate, the enthusiast doesn’t want to just know concepts; he wants to experience them to the fullest.
Contemplatives: Loving God Through Adoration
A contemplative would refer to God as their lover. The idea of a loving Father or Bridegroom depicts their relationship with God very accurately. The person who is a contemplative seeks to love God with his entire being: his heart, soul, mind and strength. The contemplative is a very humble person, seeking nothing else than to sit at the feet of the Savior.
Intellectuals: Loving God With The Mind
Intellectuals live in the world of concepts. Studying and learning are a prime way that this type of person experiences God to the fullest. Understanding doctrine and other key points about Christianity and the faith is the best type of connection for this person. The intellectual gets fed when they learn or grasp something new about God or their faith.

Gary Thomas is an American Christian  author and speaker who specializes in marriage, parenting, dating, and spiritual formation. In 2010, he started serving as a Writer in Residence at Second Baptist Church Houston where he currently writes, preaches, and pastors

God made you alive in Christ

On this Monday after Easter, we should remind ourselves of Freedom from Human Regulations Through Life with Christ Col 2:6 "So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Most of all... "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Col 2:8 ... and, know that "God make you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulation that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross and having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them by the cross...Therefore do no let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or with regard to a religious festival a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality; however is found in Christ." Col 2:13-18

What troubles me is that many women today forget the power of the tongue. "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the bod. it corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire and its itself set on fire by hell" James 3: 5-6

How are women (wives) losing their tongues, in the sense of losing control of what they speak? It is not easy in this 21st century society 'culture' we live in. We seek the world, the flesh and worry about what will be. Will my children have a future, will my husband love me when I am old and wrinkled, will I get sick, will I have a nice home to entertain my friends and impress my neighbors with. The list goes on and on. This is the life of a  carnal christian. They worry about the flesh and not the spirit. In doing so, what they speak is of the flesh and not of the spirit. This effects people around them and it effects them, their flesh. I know, I've been there, done that. Is there a way to stop being of the flesh? Yes... Remember God made you alive in Christ, rest in Him, give Him all your worries. By doing so, you as Godly women (wives) will seek the spirit and not the flesh.

Woman, Who are you Looking For? He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

"Woman", he said "why are you crying?" "Who is it you are looking for?" John 20:15... "Because you have seen me, you have believed' blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

" I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14: 6

Born Again- The Woman I used to Be and the Woman I strive to Be

Though we may say that we have always believed in God and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to save us, some women, like myself, are sure that God is busy with other people who are poorer and were weaker in terms of self reliance and or determination and we certainly don't want any man telling us what to do. So, we become our own boss. We become self engineered. We do what we think is important. We are determined to make life the way we want it to be. Even when things don't work out, we are sure that we can deliver ourselves. We can save ourselves.  If we have an idea, we just moved forward without hesitation without consulting our husbands, family, and friends and we do not think about consulting the Lord.

The woman we should all strive to be is the woman who gives herself to Jesus Christ and rests in His love and in that love know that He will take care of us. In this way, we can give ourselves to our husbands, trust them and know that they too put God first. We can be better wives, mothers and friends.

This Easter know that God is there for you, just reach out to Him.

"I am the light of the world, whoever flows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37

Misinterpretation of Scripture- God's Order is For our Salvation

People are misinterpreting scripture.  Truly disappointing to hear that and yet I agree that people and including Christians, especially, are misinterpreting scripture. Many well intending people, even Christians, have the idea to usurp God's authority, as it appears He is not doing anything to help people and their problems and suffering. Firstly, we must remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world. Problems and including suffering are because of that original sin. Secondly, this kind of thinking is largely due to our post modern society wherein we are faced with conflict that being living in man's world vs. God's world -  the natural world of the flesh vs what I call God's imagination = His Kingdom.  God is the creator of all things and He gave us good rules to guide us because He loves us and He is fully aware of our problems and suffering in this fallen world. Yet, being His creation, He offers us salvation. The way to salvation is given to us in rules that we need to apply. Rules for men and women, rules for husbands and wives, rules for parents and grandparents and rules for children. If you read scripture, you will know what I am talking about. Any of the Gospels, from Mathew, Mark, Luke, to Romans or Ephesians etc. give us these rules which are not to suppress or dominate anyone but to guide us in God's imagination, His Kingdom in order that we can be  saved. It is not easy in this post- modern 21st century to live in God's Kingdom, in His imagination. The secular world is doing a good job of trying to destroy or replace God's Kingdom and the first place they always attack is the family where role relationships are crucial. Satan is the being behind this secular world. He is still luring women to defy God and to rebel against His authority.
 In life, in this fallen world there is no equality. In fact, there is no equality in the family but in the Christian 'Godly' family there is order and that is what is essential both for the Christian individual (man/woman/wife/husband) and the family. God's order helps us to deal with this fallen world and to overcome it. If you disagree, then likely you have already been pulled into Satan's trap which is to usurp God's authority.
Men and women are different. We as Christians need to respect this and understand that differences have purpose. Paul said to the people when he was in Corinth 1 Cor 7:8... "if you want to have a spouse, if you want to have children then get married and follow God's rules for a married life that includes rules for family. If you have no desire for children or a spouse then don't get married. As men and women, (refraining from sexual sin) there is essentially equality before God as they equally pursue God's Kingdom. Now, are they equal in what they are (male/female)? No, read 1 Cor 14:26 God's order is definitively based for purpose. Read 1 Cor on Orderly worship, women have their place in the church. Though they have their place, which is God given, it does not mean that their heart's place is unequal to a man's in pursuing a relationship with God. Given that, wives and husbands are not equal in God's Kingdom as in what they are but equal in God's order - their God given role and equal in their pursuit of a relationship with God. 
Equal in order means that by respecting God's order, they have an equal opportunity to be saved!

A Prudent Wife is from the Lord

Proverbs 19:14 tells us that a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

There are a lot of women today do not understand the word of God. They think that He wants them to suffer under the authority of their husband - men. The above proverbs are to guide women as wives in their role and relationship with their husband and with God. Wives have a very important role. It may not be well 'paid' or carry worldly prestige especially if we view it through the spectacles of popular culture or world of man- a secular humanist world. The world of man is not the same as the world of God. The Kingdom of God is altogether different. In God's world, there is order and security and comfort for all that dwell in it. God's order is not subject anyone from harm or mistreatment but to provide all with purpose.  The role of wife is well paid in God's Kingdom!

Does the Increase of Autism Suggest not only Spiritual Decline but Social Decay?

1 in 68 Children Now Has a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Why?

With rates of the disorder yet again rising according to new CDC numbers, a look at how doctors are diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in children, and what might be done better. 

Not many people, parents, doctors, pastors ever think to consider this problem as being spiritual dysfunction or nonalignment. I think there is a definite connection between the increasing rate of autism and spiritual decline and more over social decay both of which are intertwined.

I have a son who is on the autistic spectrum. Before he was born and afterwards, I was insecure about my life, about my situation and the place I was living. I did not have my parents near me. I was not in a good relationship with the Lord. I felt abandoned and alone. I could not find myself in the society I was in and I could not find God in it. I was unable to impart the necessary information to my infant. As I have read, early brain development requires certain information that stimulates other brain development. That certain information is imparted by the mother, even before birth. The information contains trust, security, identity of self and group as well as connectedness to a place which arises from successful functioning social hierarchy of people in a place; including spouse and immediate family. In my own work as a social scientist, I have written extensively on this. 

The Bible tells us (Ephesians 5 and 6, Col 4:18, Titus 2) there is a certain family order necessary for healthy social function and development and of course family stability in a place. 

When that information is lacking, missing, or too fragmented, the infant will not receive all of or none of that important information necessary for brain development. 

 

This is my theory - when that important information is not given or is missing, brain development is slow or does not happen as it should and cognitive dysfunction occurs, even the condition of autism. 

So why the increased rate in the US and in other countries? I think it stems from what I described above as important even critical information that infants need for early brain development. What is the cause of this failing in information transmission? 

 

For my own situation and the observations I made as a sociologist, I conclude that the rise in autism society itself which is in a state of decay and or radical change causing an identity crisis for the whole group and for individual entities in it.  I mean exactly that society no longer considers the importance role of wife and mother, society has been devaluing women in these roles. More and more often we can see women in media portrayed either as sex bombs or corporate executives or a combination of those two a sexy career ladder climbing industrialist type. Occasionally, we may see a traditional mom. The larger discussion today is geared toward independent persons and their sexual orientation and in that discussion there is the idea that women should be self-determined, equal to men. To compound this even more are the discussions of gender 'what is it and how society has created such unfair conditions/expectations'.  

 

When a society looses sight of who they are and the role expectation, it will fall into decay. Yes, we do have children being born and the rate of single moms is growing which is a sign of this decay. For those that are married and decide to have children, they are doing so late in life so that they can build themselves up and acquire the better material goods which they think children need. And, we can see very young mothers growing early all of them, in any age, are finding themselves confronted with societies disillusionment with gender and role relationships. 

 

Lastly, the economy has put a weight on families and mothers are working outside the home when they may in fact prefer to be home. What kind of information is mother imparting with this on her mind; worse yet if she is not being supported by society (which includes her husband in that ) and second if she is not being guided by and or in a relationship (which includes her husband as he is over her in God's order) with the Lord. 

I think the statistics speak for themselves.

Respect is What you Give and Will Receive

Respect is you get when you give respect to God by respecting His order. Respecting your husband's authority. We dishonor our husbands often by wanting to take over the situation, to challenge his decision making. We should be cheerleaders for our husbands, be his listener first and cheer him on. It is not easy in this culture where women are trying to take over men; not to be equal with them before God but to usurp them in every way possible. They want to be glorified for this and cheered on. Wives and women out there, don't do this. The result of this will not lift you up but bring you down. The result will be you standing alone. Is that what you want, to be alone? No one is self made, everyone is God made. If you want blessings in your life as a woman as a wife, then reconcile with and most of all respect your role, this is your gift from God. It is His order that is the right order for you. In that order, not only will you get respect but you will give it willingly, and in His order will His Blessings be yours!

Good Intentions to Change the World

There are a lot of good intentions to change the world. Christians we have to remember that we live in a fallen world. Inasmuch as we don't like this fallen world and want to make it better, we must be mindful that God is the only one who can save us... all we have to do is believe in Him. Mistaking the inequity we see in the world for being God ordained as having a purpose as if it were God’s idea to draw us nearer to Him is a problem for Christians. God did not create inequity in the world; and yet some people think that He did in order to draw us closer to Him, so that we can better appreciate or sympathize with the lesser man/woman. some Jesus did ask us to be brotherly and reach out to others in need. Absolutely, this is the normal Christian life: heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons and devils.

In Genesis we read God created all of us in His image; therefore, we should suppose that all are equal and or normal.  The problem with that again is the assumption that there is no fallen world. If that were the situation, then what was the point of the story of the Garden of Eden and God sending His Son?
We could think that God puts people in our path who are not perfect in our eyes in order to remind us of our arrogance (sin) with the hopes that this will humble us. Some Christians might even agree to this. This kind of thinking in my opinion comes from Satan who wants us to be constantly reminded of our sin and so that we are constantly reminded to be humbling and condemning.

I think there is a misinterpreting of Genesis. Yes, God did create man in His image but His creation of man happened before the fall. We had glorified bodies. However, after the fall, that was gone and man was subject to all kinds of evil, tragedy, hardship and deformity; none of which was God ordained.
As Christians we want to make a better world that is the Holy Spirit working in us. That is possible now because God sent His Son and in this way, we can be healed...we now have been given the authority to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons and devils. This is way that our good intentions can make a better world, from the fallen one we are currently in.
When we see inequity around us, we need to ask God to heal, we have the authority to ask that and we have the right to expect it. And, when it happens we give thanks to Almighty God, Our Lord, Our Savior.

Living as Children of Light, Women's Role in God's Imagination

Women's Role in God's Imagination.
Paul told us that women and men surely have equal importance to God, they are His children. Paul said that men and women who are unmarried don't have to marry; they should stay unmarried. By doing so, they can then fully give themselves to the Lord our God, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Yet, if they cannot imagine living alone, they cannot imagine refraining from sex, and have the desire for children, they should marry.
When married, God gave man authority over his wife. Ephesians 5 tells us that Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Many wives have a problem with this excerpt. They realize that life is about relationships but fail to realize God's order for relationships and in order to have a good or even great and wonderful relationship with their husband, they must first have a good relationship with the Lord which means recognizing and accepting His order. It is only through His order that we can all live as children of light; remaining in Him. Living in His order, allows men and women and husbands and wives to live together in love as children of light.
I observe and listen to wives today and they tend to think that they have no power and or no authority in their marriage. They despise having the authority of their husbands over them. Women need to embrace their role in God's order 'God's imagination' which gives them incredible authority in their marriage. You see, God gave women/wives an important role in social reality, to socialize the next generation including men/husbands. What? Yes, women bring forth new life and their infant's first encounter with social reality and role relationships is imparted by the mother. So, effectively, women/wives have been given a very important role in God's imagination- socializing men/husbands.

Don't let Culture take over your Faith

Don't let this 'Culture' take over your Faith!

We as Americans, and other people in the post modern world, have concluded that there is no absolute. There is only 'my' relative or subjective view. In that supposition, we think that truth is relative. Which means that outside of ones own view on what is true, no one's view of truth matters nor is there any need for an anyone else's view since the individual's truth trumps all others.

This is our culture, the evolved western mindset. Our motto is "Don't tell me what to do, or don't tell me what is right or good for me." What is left but to tolerate everyone for having their own truth. What does that leave for us as a culture, nothing.  By the way, to tolerate means in phrasal verb defintion 'to put up with'.

We have lost our ability to be virtuous. How can anyone aspire to anything since everyone is already true in the form/shape/identity that they see themselves in at the moment?

How tragic that we as Christians have been defending this culture by stating that this is what Christ would do if he were here; he would not condemn people for what they think and do. Oh really? We do this because we have become relativistic (we have forgotten that there is just one absolute - God and His will); and thus, we are falsely thinking that this is the way Jesus would respond. 

Yes, Jesus loves people... but he called out their sin. By doing so He was able to deliver them from the darkness that they were living in.

Don't fall prey to this culture. We as Christians have to call out the sin we see in our fellow Christians, be Salt and Light!

Looking for Words that Lift us Up... Proverbs

Proverbs 12:4 tells us that a worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
Today, when we read the Bible, we look for words that we want to make us happy with ourselves as we already are. We in fact sinfully look for words that glorify us, tell us that what we do is right and that who we are is enough for God and therefore enough for anyone and everyone else. This is the disgrace.
Remind yourself... women, children of God, are called to fulfill His will. By doing so, we will add to the lives of those around us including and especially our spouse.

Proverbs 12:11
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

We tend to think that words as in Proverbs are not for us; they are for someone else. 
After all, I work hard enough and I have been told that my works would never be enough anyway to impress God.

What these words are not to condemn us or to dampen our hopes... They remind us is that working hard means to be diligent about living God's will (trusting and resting in Him) so that we always be in His Blessing and 'Have Plenty'!  But, if we chase after our own desires and think that it is all up to our own doing, then we will always be chasing and in that pursuit lose the sense of our relationship with Jesus Christ.