Thirty Three Things For You

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion . . .
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
(Psalm 147:12-18 ESV)

Winter Bloggity Goodness

1. Amazing images of Hoar Frost at Karla’s blog,
Ramblin’ Roads

2. Best financial wisdom of the season comes from
Randy Alcorn’s book, The Treasure Principle

• God owns everything. I am his money manager.
• My heart always goes where I put God’s money.
• Heaven, not earth is my home.
• I should live for the line (eternity), not the dot
(short life on earth).
• Giving is the only antidote to materialism.
• God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

3. "Faith Equals Fertility?"

Dr. Albert Mohler discusses a huge demographic reality—those who take belief in God most seriously tend to have more babies.

4. HollywoodAndGod.com

5. "What Every Wife Needs to Know" from Bible.org

6. A Vision for Women’s Ministry from CBMW

7. Codex Sinaticus

Handwritten manuscript which contains the Christian Bible
in Greek, including the oldest complete copy of the New Testament.

8. The Cutest Blog on the Block

FREE backgrounds and other tools for your blog's makeover. Visit Rachel at Seek First His Kingdom to see a nice example.

9. Why Human Sexuality is at the Center of Many
Current Controversies

This fascinating chart by Wayne Grudem outlines how every distortion of human sexuality is an attack on the Trinitarian God. Only biblical sexuality retains the mysterious combination of equality, difference, and unity.

10. "The Importance of the Private Sphere"
at Radical Womanhood

11. "Schooled by the Psalms" by Christianity Today

12. Five Minutes For Books

Includes family friendly book reviews, giveaways, and the popular monthly carnival "What's on Your Nightstand?"

13. Shorten long lines of code for Twitter at TinyURL.com

14. The Second Half of Marriage by David & Claudia Arp

This link takes you to readable excerpts in Google Book Search. Discover eight challenges of the empty nest years.

15. Helpful FREE tutorials by Amy at Split Decisionz.
FREE Twitter skins.

16. Joy of Living Bible Studies. Via Lynn at SUM.

17. fPhoto Friday at Married to the Preacher

18. The Big Red Button Game at Toys for your blog.com

19. Daily Christian Quote. List of authors and speakers.

20. Friday Funnies at Homesteaders Heart

21. What does it take to write full time
(and make money?) at WannaBe Published

22. Thorough summary of The Feminist Mistake
by Mary Kassian at Equip Book Club

23. Beth Moore's latest Bible study—Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman

24. "Fireproof" The Movie is now available on DVD

25. FREE blog backgrounds and tutorial from Simply Chic

26. Focus on Marriage Simulcast Conference
(Feb. 28, 2009)

Featured presenters include Beth Moore, Gary Smalley,
John Trent, Gary Thomas, Del Tackett, and Jeremy Camp.

27. Bush daughters advise Obama girls to have fun

28. Create a survey for your blog with SurveyMonkey.com

29. "Crying Wives and Angry Husbands"
by Dr. Emerson Eggerich at Love & Respect Reflects

30. "Write as You Read"
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts

31. Jennifer's Favorite Links

"The best of the web from the perspective of a Catholic mom, former atheist, and closet computer nerd."

32. Money Life Blog - Help, Hope & Insight
by Crown Financial Ministries

33. Theological Dictionary: [Word] of the Day

HT to Joe Carter, the originator of Thirty Three Things at Culture11.

Note: Please report broken links. Thanks!

Did any of these links grab your attention?

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Photos: jking & pinn (Flickr)

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Marriage Monday is Coming!

Call for Submissions

Would you like to share your experiences in marriage with other Christian women? Our community of Marriage Monday bloggers is a diverse group of joyful, Godly women. We're young, old, seasoned, and newlywed. And we’d love to hear from you! You're invited to join us for Marriage Monday on February 2, 2009.


The Surprise of Christian Marriage

Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage will be our guest hostess this coming Monday. (Thanks my friend!) Our topic is, "The Surprise of Christian Marriage."

Fire up your keyboard and tell us something that really rocked your world after you got married. Was it a blessing? Or a disappointment? Was it something you were completely unprepared for? Tell us how you handle the unexpected in your relationship.

Then, be sure to stop by Lynn's blog and leave your permalink in Mister Linky. Afterward, take some time to sprinkle your comments around the Marriage Monday blogosphere.

Invite Your Bloggy Friends

Feel free to copy any part of this announcement and post it on your blog. The more participants we have, the better.

Want this button?

See you at Spititually Unequal Marriage
on Monday!

Photos: katiew & cadmanof50 (Flickr)

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Beth Moore's Study: "Stepping Up"

YouTube Video: Intro to Stepping Up by Beth Moore

A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent

Most of us "siestas" love Beth Moore! But OK I admit it, I haven’t been a huge fan of the psalms—until now.

Last fall, I began Beth's awesome in-depth study Stepping Up in the 15 Psalms of Ascent on Monday nights with our church (psalms 120-134). The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Week after week, the verses guided my own petitions and praises to God. I’m grateful that He knew in advance how deeply I needed this kind of encouragement from His Word.

Beth Moore Teaches in Israel

There are four DVDs which accompany Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent Leader's Kit. Many segments are shot on location in and around Jerusalem. (See the introductory video clip above.)
The video footage really brings the verses to life. Did you know these are the psalms ancient Jewish pilgrims actually sang while travelling up to the Holy city for their three annual festivals? It's exciting to explore the meaning of these important feasts with Beth as she teaches from the foot of the Temple Mount, or strolls along a rocky desert byway.

Say it. Work it. Pray it.

Beautifully compiled and illustrated, Beth Moore’s study guide incorporates a unique approach which encourages her students to “Say it. Work it. Pray it.” What a thorough way to dig deeply into God's Word!

The 15 Psalms of Ascent are like a "psalter within a psalter." Themes such as unity, joy and gratitude, redemption, repentance, the power of blessings, facing ridicule, and more are explored in detail. Beth’s characteristic enthusiasm and inimitable writing style helped to propel me forward during my study times.

This treasured collection of psalms will help every modern pilgrim on their journey toward greater intimacy with God. I highly recommend it.

FREE! Study Guide Giveaway

It's that time again! Melanie at Bloggy Giveaways is hosting her awesome Quarterly Carnival (Jan. 26 - Jan. 30, 2009). Scroll down or (click here) for my directions to win a copy of Beth Moore's study guide Stepping Up. Then visit Bloggy Giveaways to find out what else you can win out there in bloggyville for FREE.

Related: Three Jewish Pilgrimage Feasts

1. Unleavened Bread:
Easy Christian Seder Supper

2. Feast of Weeks:
Preparing For Pentecost

3. Sukkot:
The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles

Bonus: Beth Moore in the Spotlight


Pure Poetry: Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.


Do you have a favorite psalm?
Have you memorized it?





Photos: Publicist & Unlucky Photography (Flickr)

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Bloggy Giveaways

Quarterly Carnival

Would you like to win a copy of Beth Moore's Bible study guide, Stepping Up: A Journey in the Psalms of Ascent? If so, simply say, "I'm in" in the comment box on this post, and I'll add your name to my drawing. The winner will be announced here at Chrysalis during the week of Feb. 2, 2009.

You can read my review of this excellent study here. I hope you'll find it as much of a blessing as I did. More information about the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival is here. Thanks for stopping by!

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Spiritual Growth: From John Piper's Pulpit

13 Reminders For Christian Women

Are you a Gen X-er? Generation Y? A Boomer? Whether we’re aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 or a Titus 2 woman, we're all called to conform to the image of Christ. Author Susan Hunt puts it this way:

Ultimately it is not the life-season or circumstances that matters. It is not so much what you do as who you are. The question you should ask is not ‘What is my role?’ but ‘What is my goal?’ Am I becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ? Am I being transformed by the renewing of my mind? Am I loving God with all of my heart, mind, and soul and loving my neighbor as myself?—Susan Hunt, “The Seasons of a Woman’s Life”

Recently, I came across theologian and pastor Dr. John Piper’s "Challenge to Women." You may not fully embrace Piper’s Reformed theology. Nevertheless, he outlines 13 important points for all of us to meditate on, no matter what our theology, and where we are on life’s journey.


1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.

2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.

3. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.

4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching…

5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you…

6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God…

7. That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies…

8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.

9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow...

10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children…

11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom—to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper?...

12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc…

13. That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day...

Read Dr. Piper's complete list here. Via Titus2Talk.


R.I.P. Thursday Thirteen

Did you know that the official Thursday Thirteen blog meme has come to an end? Not to worry. If you would like to post a list of thirteen things (books, favorites, you name it) leave me a comment and I'll drop by for a visit. Maybe I'll even put up Mister Linky next time!

Update: Barbara H at Stray Thoughts commented that some of the regular Thursday 13ers started it up again here: http://thursday-13.com/


So which challenge on this list stands
out to you?

Photos: Face it & hartp (Flickr)

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Bible Study: Dressed in a Blessing

Word-Filled-Wednesday

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
(Isaiah 61:10 NIV)

Devotional: Clothed in Righteousness
by quadriplegic Joni Earekson Tada

"For all of your who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal 3:27)

I often wish I could dress myself. I can't pull on a sweater, button a jacket, or hike up a pair of slacks. This frustrating predicament has driven me at times to God for help. And isn't it like the Lord to give not only grace, but insight.

I was reading today's verse [Gal 3:27] and decided to hunt down other references to clothes. Isaiah 61:10 says "I delight greatly in the Lord... for he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness."

There's a similar reference in Revelation 19:8. Even back at the Garden of Eden, it was God who provided skins to clothe Adam and Eve after the Fall. Why does the Bible say that God clothes us when it speaks of our righteousness?

Then it hit me. Garments of salvation and robes of righteousness are things we cannot provide for ourselves. God provides the salvation and the righteousness - yes, we can clothe ourselves with Christ
[Gal 3:27]... but it's his righteousness not ours.

Righteousness is something that God does to us and for us. In fact, when we try to impress God by our own acts of righteousness, the Bible doesn't call them clothes, but "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Can you imagine putting on a garment which you sewed out of smelly, soiled rags? I now have a whole new perspective on my "robe of righteousness" whenever someone dresses me!

The Lord Jesus Christ is our garment of praise, our robe of righteousness, our garment of salvation. Put him on today and delight in all that he sacrificed to clothe you in something so precious, so priceless... his righteousness.

Joni Tada's Prayer

Lord God, I want to head into this day clothed in your righteousness, not righteous acts performed through my fleshly effort. I put you on today. Help me to put off sin and self-centeredness and anything that detracts from your glory. You are my robe of salvation and I couldn't be dressed in a finer garment!

Via Adventures in Living. Photos: Photogrammaton & Free parking (Flickr)

Let Amydeanne and the other amazing bloggers linked at The 160 Acre Woods encourage you with their Word-filled Wednesday posts.

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Marriage: Surrendering Our Lust for Control

There is a Holy Spirit and it's Not Me
by Sue Cramer at Praise and Coffee

Mark and I have been married over 20 years. As we've 'grown together in the grace of life' we have both learned much about each other and much about how God wants us to treat one another.

Mark was raised in a Christian home, but really started serving the Lord around the time we got married. I had been raised Catholic, but didn’t come to know the Lord until I was in high school. It was then that I started living for the Lord, and so when Mark and I got married, I was the “stronger one spiritually.” I use that phrase loosely because even though I had a few more years of Biblical teaching under my belt, I was anything but spiritually strong. However, I sure thought I was!

We both wanted to live for the Lord and serve Him with our whole hearts. But, I continued to see things in my husband that needed “fixing.” I made it my job in life to “fix” him because as anyone could tell, I was more spiritually mature than he. (ha!)

I thought he should pray more, so I would drop little hints about it and put him on the spot when I saw fit. I thought he should read his Bible more, so I made sure it was strategically placed for him to find it and every chance I had I would let him know that it was something he should be doing more of.

I was stealth I tell you! I made sure that he knew there was more he should be doing for the Lord. After all- if I didn’t, who would? And let me tell you, it’s not easy being stealth when you have a giant plank sticking out of your eye getting in the way all the time! I had to work hard at it.

Then there were my moments of condescension. I could so easy manipulate a conversation to let him know that he needed to be a better Christian. Mind you…this was all while I was being a good and submissive wife. I truly felt that I was doing all the right things and that the Lord was leading me in my controlling ways.

I’m not sure how long it was before my husband starting saying, “Hark, what is that I hear? Is that the Holy Spirit speaking?”

Of course at first, I knew this was just rebellion. Surely God was about to “get him.” How dare he blame me when he is the one with the obvious issues!

I had a need to control. That need was based on the fact that I did not trust that the Lord answered my prayers. I did not trust that the Holy Spirit would actually speak to my husband about leading our family.

Until, I finally heard the still small voice of the actual Holy Spirit speaking to my heart and telling me how wrong I was. This was not an overnight lesson for me. I have learned this, repented and turned around time after time and done the same thing over again.

Eventually I realized the destruction I was bringing in our relationship and the lack of trust that I had in the Lord.

I saw that when I would shut my mouth about a situation and pray and then truly give it to God, He would intervene and do a mighty work in my husband and in me.

The key, I have learned, is stepping out of the way.

Let God be God, let the Holy Spirit do the correcting, training and teaching in both of our lives.

I had a need to control. That need was based on the fact that I did not trust that the Lord answered my prayers. I did not trust that the Holy Spirit would actually speak to my husband about leading our family. That’s really hard to admit, but it’s true. I felt that I could do a better job leading my husband than the Holy Spirit could.

Read the rest of Sue's encouraging post here...




Can you identify with this author?

Women have been born cursed. Although many women would wildly [nod] their heads in agreement and continue their plot to overthrow male domination, they forget that the curse on women is not rooted in the sin of man. The curse on women was brought about by a woman. It does not consist of the subordination of women but rather in the rebellion against women's subordination. Women are cursed in that they rebel against the created order. It is only when women embrace Christ and seek to live by the teaching of His Word that they are released from the bondage of the curse. It is only in adopting a Biblical perspective on male and female roles that women will be alerted to the sin tendencies in and around them and be truly liberated to fulfill their God-given role.
—Mary Kassian in Women, Creation, and The Fall

Photos: knowhimonline (1 & 2) Todayisagoodday (Flickr)

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News: A Tribute to Laura Bush

Laura Bush, Steel Magnolia
by Kyle-Anne Shiver (January 01, 2009)
Via Mommy Life

Laura Bush has single-handedly restored the term, "lady," to the American vocabulary. And she has done it with such rare aplomb that nary a soul seems to have even noticed, which is precisely the way I'm convinced she planned it.

I took an instant liking to Laura Bush; I won't deny it. After eight years of Hillary Clinton trying to act as an unelected co-President and leftist feminists egging her on every step of the way, Laura Bush came on the scene as a refreshing respecter of the electorate, content not to seize power that wasn't rightfully hers. What could be more democratic than that. Bravo Laura.

I've read three biographies of Laura Bush, and the one thing upon which all agree, is that there seems to be no one anywhere with any dirt on the woman. She has survived six decades without a notable fall from grace, and nearly an entire decade in the most public glare there is. She is, by all accounts, the epitome of grace and elegance, qualities trashed with a vengeance by faux-feminists for the past 40 years. In one fell, eight-year swoop, Mrs. Bush has restored authentic feminism, being for all the world to see, her own woman. So secure is she in her own skin that pressure to morph into the garish pretentiousness of "I am Woman; hear me roar," has finally taken the bruise for which it's been cruising all these many years.

Laura Bush came on the scene as a refreshing respecter of the electorate, content not to seize power that wasn't rightfully hers.

Laura Bush has been quite viciously derided, ridiculed and mocked by the debauchery-ridden left since she first stepped foot into the role of First Lady, most likely because she has more real class in her pinky than her detractors have in their entire lot. The supreme irony here is that while Laura Bush has been called, "dumb, dumb, dumb," "little wifey," "First Dummy," and a whole heap of epithets no lady would repeat, she has successfully run a scandal-free White House for an entire eight years.

These things don't just happen all by themselves. Read the entire article here.

Many thanks to Barbara at Mommy Life for posting this excerpt as a tribute to America's First Lady. "Laura Bush is a beautiful woman - a true lady."—Barbara Curtis

Related: "Is Michelle Obama 'Letting Down the Team?'"


Are "ladylike" qualities relevant in today's culture?

Photo: News Hour (Flickr)

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Works-For-Me-Wednesday

Crisp Rosemary Flatbread

Gourmet, July 2008 via smittenkitchen.com

Think of it as a cracker version of rosemary-flecked flatbread. But these are the easiest crackers you'll ever make: Rather than cutting the dough into small pieces, you bake three large pieces, then break them into smaller ones to serve. The jagged edges invite nibbling.

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon chopped rosemary plus 2 (6-inch) sprigs

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup olive oil plus more for brushing

Flaky sea salt such as Maldon

Preheat oven to 450°F with a heavy baking sheet on rack in middle.

Stir together flour, chopped rosemary, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in center, then add water and oil and gradually stir into flour with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Knead dough gently on a work surface 4 or 5 times.

Divide dough into 3 pieces and roll out 1 piece (keep remaining pieces covered with plastic wrap) on a sheet of parchment paper into a 10-inch round (shape can be rustic; dough should be thin).

Lightly brush top with additional oil and scatter small clusters of rosemary leaves on top, pressing in slightly. Sprinkle with sea salt. Slide round (still on parchment) onto preheated baking sheet and bake until pale golden and browned in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer flatbread (discard parchment) to a rack to cool, then make 2 more rounds (1 at a time) on fresh parchment (do not oil or salt until just before baking). Break into pieces.

Flatbread can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Join the good folk over at Rocks in My Dryer for more educational WFMW links and posts.

Willing to give it a try?

Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' "

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
(1 Kings 17:13-16 NIV)

Bonus: Angel Food Ministries

Do you know someone who needs help buying groceries?

Recently, Barbara Curtis at Mommy Life blogged about Angel Food Ministries. It's a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the U.S. The good news of the gospel of Christ is spread through gospel tracts that are placed in each food order. Everyone qualifies. There are no minimums, income restrictions, or applications.

Photos: smittenkitchen.com

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In the Spotlight: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Who?

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the host and teacher for
Revive Our Hearts and Seeking Him, two nationally syndicated radio programs, heard each weekday on nearly 1,000 radio station outlets. A compelling speaker, Nancy communicates a love for the Word and for the Lord Jesus that’s truly infectious.

What?

Nancy is also a prolific author—her books have sold over 1,000,000 copies. She is the general editor of Biblical Womanhood in the Home. She is also author of Choosing Forgiveness, A Place of Quiet Rest, Lies Women Believe, Walking in the Truth, A Thirty Day Walk with God in the Psalms, Brokenness: The Heart God Revives, Surrender: The Heart God Controls, Holiness: The Heart God Purifies, and she co-authored Seeking Him, an interactive Bible study on revival.

When?

For more than 25 years, Nancy has shared her burden for both personal and corporate revival in conferences and retreats throughout North America and abroad. In October, she hosted True Woman ’08, a conference designed to help women grow their love for Christ and His Word, their heart for the home, and their understanding of God's beautiful design for them as women.

Where?

A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Nancy grew up in a family that was deeply committed to Christ and to the mission of world evangelization. At an early age, she surrendered her life to Christ and to His call to serve His Kingdom.

Nancy graduated from the University of Southern California, with a degree in piano performance. After completing college, she served as the Primary Children's Ministries Director at Thomas Road Baptist Church, in Lynchburg, Virginia. Since she is unmarried, Nancy has had the freedom to serve the Lord without distraction. She currently works on the staff of Life Action Ministries, a revival ministry based in Niles, Michigan. Until 2001, she served as the Director of Women's Ministries and as the editor of Spirit of Revival magazine.

Why?

Why am I putting the spotlight on Nancy Leigh DeMoss today? Because on December 3, 4, 5, 2008 Nancy hosted a very special program dealing with current recession. The transcript of her three-part program is entitled,
"Hope for Uncertain Times: Surviving and Thriving in an Economic Crisis." Nancy’s faith and wisdom are calming and inspiring. Following is a brief summary of her message.


Surviving and Thriving in an Economic Crisis

Nancy Leigh DeMoss opens with a quote from a dad in his 80s who wrote to his grown children:

“As the effects [of the economic crisis] begin to touch our lives, we have the wonderful opportunity to put our beliefs into practice. What do our hearts really trust in? As long as we have a visible support system—job, friends, savings account, police and fire departments—we are tempted to place undue trust in something or someone other than the Living God.

I want to remind all of you dear children that just within our family we have seen the unmistakable hand of our God time and again. He has proved Himself faithful all the days of our lives, and he is the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” More…

Ten Points to Bring You Hope in Uncertain Times

Saturated with Scripture, DeMoss goes on to share ten points designed to bring hope to her listeners.

1. In times of economic crisis, we need to look upward rather than outward or inward. When we have faith and confidence in the Lord, we won’t have to be hoarders—to hold tightly to what we have. Instead, we will be able to practice the grace of giving generously. This brings joy and hope.

2. Tell God your needs. Pray. Ask God for wisdom, creativity, to direct your steps, perseverance, and for revival in our churches and this country.

3. Learn the secret of contentment—choosing that God has provided everything I need for this present moment. Contentment enables us to live within what God provides and to give Him thanks.

4. Ask God to fulfill His purposes. God uses adversity to show us what’s in our hearts. He uses adversity to purify us and to deepen our dependence on Him.

5. Ask God to purify our hearts. What kinds of things do we need to confess? eg. living beyond our means, irresponsible debt, fear, greed, temporal values, bitterness, withholding tithes and offerings, lack of compassion.

We’re all affected by this crisis, directly or indirectly, but the truth is that if we have Him, we are rich.

6. Allow God to re-order our priorities as needed. Times of economic hardship or loss have a way of exposing what really matters to us, what we really love.

7. Put our confidence in the Lord. In times of financial uncertainty or loss, we demonstrate what we’re really trusting in. He is still very much on His throne, and He is accomplishing His purposes in your life and in this world.

8. We need to reach out to others facing financial hardship. We can pray, offer encouragement with a note, email, or phone call.

9. This is a time to practice Christ-like giving. When we give out of our need, we’re reflecting the heart of Christ.

10. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. If we want to survive and thrive in an economic crisis, rejoice in the Lord. We’re all affected by this crisis, directly or indirectly, but the truth is that if we have Him, we are rich.

If you need encouragement in these uncertain times,
take the time to read the three radio transcripts.

Also, you can subscribe to the RSS version of Revive Our Hearts Radio; more tasty words from Nancy that are chock full of wisdom on a variety of subjects relevant to Christian women.

Related: For more information about Nancy Leigh DeMoss's ministry, don't miss Andrea's blog entry, "Revive Our Hearts" at Embracing Him.

Which of Nancy's ten points are most meaningful to you?

Note: If you would like to make a contribution to this ministry, please e-mail me for instructions: marriagemonday [at] gmail [dot] com. Thank you for your partnership with Chrysalis!

Photos: Revive Our Hearts (1 & 2) a.drian, djking, Lividfiction (Flickr)

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Practical Life: Dealing With Money

Responding Biblically to Economic Emergencies

Imagine a fire alarm going off. That obnoxious noise is sudden, jarring, and altogether intrusive. It's unexpected, loud, and definitely something that we hadn't planned for. And it's a reminder that life has a way of sending us surprise events, things we we didn't count on, things we weren't planning for.

For most of us, the recent economic crisis has been similar. It's been loud. It's been intrusive. It's been disruptive. It's been most unwelcome. It's interrupted our plans, and we weren't expecting it.

Trust the Word of God

A lot of people have been completely caught off guard by what's been happening in our economy over the last number of weeks and months. As a Christian wife, I am one of them. Maybe you are too. Today, and in the next two entries here at Chrysalis, I want to share some encouragement. We need to bolster our trust in the Lord, and we must choose to cling to His promises.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matt 6: 25-27 NIV)

Who Wears the Pants?

We also need to remember that if we are married, we must submit to the loving leadership of our husband in the area of our finances. It is our husband's job to shoulder the burden of providing for our family, not ours. Our responsibility is to support and follow him in that endeavor. We must resist the temptation to wrestle him for control.

Listen to the late Larry Burkett of Crown Financial Ministries on this topic:

"...the burden of maintaining a trouble free, financially sound, spiritually mature, and cooperatively considerate household is the responsibility of the husband/father. 'He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to mange his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)'
(1 Tim 3:4-5). The wife's responsibility is to support her husband and honor him by following his direction—as opposed to nagging and belittling. Sometimes she needs to be willing to suffer with him and to let him fail if necessary without judging (1 Pet 3:1)."

"God never intended for a wife and mother to function under the pressures of and to carry the loads intended for husbands and fathers. When husbands repudiate their responsibilities and subject their wives to the stress of having to shoulder those burdens, her anxiety increases and the family will lack sustaining cohesiveness.

...unless it is impossible or impractical, a husband should not demand that his wife assume the responsibility of negotiating with creditors or keeping the bill collectors satisfied. She may pay the bills, if they have agreed that she is more quailified to act as the family bookkeeper. However, she has too much to be concerned with maintaining the home, working (if she has a job), and being a mother to be hampered with the stress associated with things that the husband should accept as his responsibility."

A Wife's Active Role

"For a wife to be submissive does not mean she must remain silent or give in to every word, whim or desire of her husband. She needs to take an active part in family planning, financial planning, discipline of children, decision making, and family goals." Read the entire article, "Financial Authority" and discover four financial areas in which wives need to play an active role.

Related

• 10 Tips for Frugal Living by Chrysalis



• Prosperity and Pain by Troubledwith.com. One family finds blessings in the midst of incredible financial trials.
  


• Talking to Kids About the Financial News
  by Commonsensemedia.org
  

What is the Lord teaching you about your finances?

"Is it true that we can trust the eternal welfare of our souls to God and cannot trust to him the temporal welfare of our bodies?"—Benjamin B. Warfield

Photo: Reznicek111 & malla (Flickr)

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