Practical Life: Homemaking

Interview with a Vintage Apron-Lover
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader


7 Good Reasons to Tie Up Your Style!

• You'll feel pretty
• You'll feel like smiling
• You'll feel more creative
• Your cooking will taste better
• Your kitchen will smell more inviting
• Your family will purr with contentment
• Your guests will thank you with love in their hearts


What's not to like? Recently, Christine at Fruit in Season talked to me about her new apron, "Blue Bubbles," one of the flirty retro-chic aprons at my second blog,
Susannah’s Aprons.


Q. What do you like most about your new apron?

A. I love everything about the apron, but if I had to pick one my favorite thing about it is the flare at the bottom. If I had to pick TWO, the second thing would be the soothing and whimsical color palette. I feel more productive when I'm wearing it for some reason!

Q. When do you wear it?

A. I have one other apron (also from a blogger friend!) and I wear it most during family meal times and puttering around the kitchen. So this one will be used in a similar manner. I like to bake on the weekends for the coming week and I inevitably will get my clothes messy, so wearing aprons alleviates my mess!

Q. Would you buy an apron for someone you know as gift?

A. I would definitely buy one as a gift. A couple of people come to mind—my sister, and my blogging friend Elise from A Path Made Straight.

Thanks so much for your time, Christine! I hope you’ll stop by again soon. Meanwhile, enjoy "Blue Bubbles"
(now 17% off) while you putter in your kitchen.

Aprons Make Great Gifts

If you need to buy a birthday, bridal shower, or thank you gift, consider giving a retro-chic vintage apron from Susannah’s Aprons. Your friends will remember your thoughtfulness for years to come. Please enjoy the slide show below.


Related

1. Vintage Aprons Then & Now

2. Julia Child's Apron Memories

Photo: MizzElElly (Flickr)



Up Next—Marriage Monday Reminder with Guest Blogger Susan Amato

Can you think of someone who would enjoy a new apron?

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Personal Life: Olive Oil for Longevity

Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.
(Ex 27:20 NIV)

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:34 NIV)

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.
(Luke 21:37 NIV)

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(James 15:4 NIV)

Health Benefits & Beauty Treatments
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

Olive oil is the most important food in the Bible. It’s mentioned more than 200 times and is the symbol of goodness, purity and—especially—long life. It’s one of the few specific foods mentioned by Jesus as a healing food, and recorded by Luke the beloved physician.

If you’ve been to Israel, you know that olive trees grow very slowly and attain great age. Some of the original trees at Gethesemane, an olive orchard at the foot of the Mount of Olives, spring from the original trees that were growing there at the time of Christ. The Roman soldiers who sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD tried to destroy the orchard but found it impossible to destroy the roots. Jesus spent His last night before the Crucifixion praying in the Garden of Gesthemane. After He appeared to the disciples, He ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives.

17 Uses for the Olive

• Since the time of Noah, the olive branch has been a symbol of peace.
• Olive oil is a high energy food and one of the most digestible of all fats.
• Olive oil has been used for a fuel.
• Olive oil has been used in religious ceremonies.
• Olive oil can be absorbed by the skin.
• It’s used as a cosmetic to maintain suppleness of skin, to heal abrasions, sooth sun and windburn. Olive oil gives body and shine to hair.
• It’s been used as a sign of welcome.
• Mixed with wine its been used to soften and heal wounds.
• Folk remedies from ancient times include olive oil and olive leaves as a cure for inflammation of the gums, insomnia, nausea, and boils.
• Olive oil has been made popular in the Mediterranean Diet, which offers protection against heart attack and strokes.
• Olive oil is said to retard cancer growth by strengthening cell membranes, making them better able to resist the invasion of “free radicals.”
• Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E, one of the best antioxidants available.
• Olive oil reduces gastric acidity.
• It protects against ulcers and aids the passage of food through the intestine, preventing constipation.
• Olive oil stimulates bile secretion and provokes contraction of the gallbladder, reducing risk of gallstones.
• Olive oil aids in bone growth and is suitable for expectant and nursing mothers.

6 Folk Remedy Beauty Treatments

1. For Shining Hair. After shampooing, rub in a mixture of olive oil and egg yolk, juice of a lemon and a little beer. Leave in for five minutes and wash out.
2. To Prevent Dandruff. Rub a mixture of olive oil and cologne into the hair and scalp. Rinse.
3. For Dry Skin. Make a face mask with an avocado and olive oil. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse.
4. To Prevent Wrinkles. Rub a mixture of olive oil and the juice of lemon into the skin before bed.
5. For Weak Nails. Soak your nails for five minutes in warm olive oil. Then pat them with white iodine.
6. To Clear Acne. Try a mixture of 8 oz of olive oil and 10 drops of lavender oil.

Related: Stress Relief: What's Your Favorite Way to Relax?

This information has been quoted from Miracle Food Cures From the Bible by Reese Dubin and Healing Foods From the Bible published by the Globe Digest Series. I've referred to both of these excellent books for years! Get one or both if you're serious about learning how to achieve optimal health the Bible way. Love, e-Mom


Photos: (1) RobW (2) 96dpi (4) verseguru (Flickr) (3) amazon.com

Up Next—Practical Life: Homemaking

How do you like to use olive oil?

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Family Life: Visual Journaling

Art Activity for Kids (or Grown-ups)

Posted by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

Autumn has officially arrived and damp, overcast weather will soon drive all of us back indoors again.
So long summer!

This easy art activity can fill your childrens' afternoons with hours of pleasure. You might even discover that visual journaling gives them a new language to express bottled-up, hidden emotions.

Elementary school art teacher, Kathy Barbro at Art Project For Kids offers specific instructions for creating each of the journal entries illustrated above. At this amazing website, you'll find a total of 18 idea pages, with scads of additional art activities for kids as well. I subscribe to Kathy's RSS feed, just to enjoy her daily entries.

Art Therapy

Visual journalling can be used in therapy. If you're in emotional pain, and need help finding a Biblical counselor or therapist, I recommend that you contact Jan Parrish at Bold & Free Ministries. Jan specializes in Abuse, Post Abortion Syndrome, Grief Counseling, and Care-giving support.

Up Next—Personal Life: Olive Oil for Longevity

Are you doing anything creative today?
(Victoria Gaines is sorting beads for jewelry and I'm planning
to bake Challah bread.)

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Dos & Don'ts for Working Wives (Part 2)

My Interview With Mrs. Super-Successful
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter

Recently, I had dinner with a dear Christian friend, Jan who is a well-compensated executive with a local financial services firm. Married for the first time in her mid-forties, she revealed how she's been able to create a happy marriage with a man who earns significantly less than she does. To give us some insights, she graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions.

For the Introduction to this article, please see "Dos & Don'ts for Working Wives (Part 1)."

Q. How did you meet Pete, and how long have you two been married?

A. Pete and I have been married for almost eight years after dating for 3+ years. Pete had been married before (with no children) while I had never been married. We met in 1998 through a print personals ad that was the precursor to the whole internet dating scene that is so common today. I was the only woman to respond to his ad and after our first lively chat on the phone, his ability to make me laugh intrigued me and made me anxious to meet him in person.

Q. Since you were single for a significant part of your adult years, you became accustomed to fending for yourself in every way. How do you allow Pete to “step up to the plate” so you can feel adored and cared for? What don’t you do?

A. As noted so clearly in his classic book His Needs Her Needs; Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard F. Harley, Ph.D., the number one basic need for a woman to receive from her husband within their marriage is Affection. Being affectionate in words and deeds (saying how much he loves me, holding hands, spontaneously kissing, sending cards and flowers, etc.) are non-financial acts that I have encouraged from the very beginning of our relationship.

A man who exceedingly meets his wife’s number one need and receives thanks and encouragement every time he succeeds in her eyes, will feel successful. In the book Men Are Like Waffles Women Are Like Spaghetti by Bill and Pam Farrel, they note that a man will strategically organize his life in boxes and then spend most of his time in the boxes he can succeed in. I make sure to tell Pete what makes me happy, like date nights, flowers sent to work, sentimental cards and weekend surprise getaways. I don’t belittle even the smallest affectionate gesture as I am thankful always for the thoughtful and fun ways Pete demonstrates his love for me.

Q. You mentioned that you’ve learned the power of two words: “Thank you.” Under what circumstances are you careful to express your appreciation to Pete? What don't you do?

A. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for a wife to say "Thank you!" to her husband. Thank him for just being him and loving you in addition to all the tasks he does around the house. I always thank Pete for mowing the lawn, vacuuming and other day-to-day tasks that make my life easier. The key is not expecting to be thanked in return for what I do for him. I don’t need or expect to hear those words. His hand in mine is enough thanks for me!

Q. How do you and Pete handle the household bills? Do you have separate checking accounts? What don’t you do?

A. As I am in the financial services business, I handle paying the household bills and Pete appreciates that because it isn’t really his strength. We have one combined checking account and both of our paychecks go into that account. We don’t have allowances, per se, and we talk over big purchases or vacation plans, etc. I don’t micromanage what either of us spends on day-to-day expenses as neither of us are “big spenders.” We love to travel and so that has become the area where we splurge whether it is a cruise to the Mediterranean or hiking through the National Parks. We both have input into where we go and because we have so much fun together, I can’t say we have ever had a bad vacation. The key is to give up the “control hat” that many of us high achiever women wear all day long and let your husband love you in “his way.”

Q. Pete’s sales job has seen a downturn with the recent economic recession and he has accepted a significant pay cut along with his co-workers. How have you dealt with the reduction of income?

A. My main point of emphasis to Pete was not to focus on the reduction in his salary, but to realize that shared sacrifice is a good thing for his company. This means that valuable employees will not get laid off and the whole staff will be intact when the economy improves. He feels positive about helping his company succeed over the long haul.

Q. What parting advice would you offer to women who have suddenly been thrust into the role of family breadwinner due to the current recession?

A. Amy Pulsifer, in an article titled “The Secrets of 50-Year Marriages” confessed that she felt disheartened as she discovered that the major factor that contributed to the success of the long-term marriages in her research, was well-defined, traditional gender roles: the husband was responsible for providing financial support; and the wife looked after their home and children.

When the gender roles in your marriage are turned upside down or adjusted to meet economic realities, the key is to communicate openly, honestly and often with your husband about your needs. Together, you need to find ways to help him to be successful at meeting those that do not have financial measures as their yardstick. Your role (wife as primary breadwinner) may be temporary or permanent; the key is to work together to make your marriage permanent.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights today, Jan. As my thank you, a trip to Baskins & Robbins for ice cream is waiting somewhere in your future!

Helpful Resources

1. Weathering the Storm of Job Loss by FamilyLife
2. The Purpose-Driven Job Hunter by Christianity Today
3. "The Secrets of 50-Year Marriages" by Mary Kassian

Note: If you would like support this ministry, please click the DONATE button under "About" in my sidebar. Thank you for your partnership with Chrysalis.

Up Next—Family Life: Visual Journaling

If you enjoyed this post, would you kindly write "thumbs up" to Jan in the comments?

Photos: dchrisoh, Alpharetta+CVB, J.McPherson (Flickr)

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Dos & Don'ts for Working Wives (Part 1)

My Interview With Mrs. Super-Successful
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe to my Feed

Today, I’d like to address women who are working full time, with particular emphasis on women who earn significantly more than their husbands.

Introduction

You’re probably aware that the current recession has put more men are out of work than women. Business sectors like banking, real estate investing, construction, and engineering have been hit especially hard, and these professions tend to attract the men. Large numbers of workers are collecting unemployment, and that number may still be rising.

Many Chrysalis readers are privileged to be stay-at-home Moms. However, I know that some of you have full or part-time jobs (eg. Faith at Gold in the Clouds, April at April in January). One way or another, over the past year all of us have found ourselves paddling harder to make ends meet. Perhaps you’ve been forced to seek full-time paid work outside the home to support your family while your husband hunts for a new job.

Money Problems Create Marriage Stress

Life is full of challenges, isn’t it? When a wife suddenly becomes the primary breadwinner, or when she regularly earns a larger salary than her husband, there’s bound to be conflict in the marriage.

This is because God has wired women nurture and be provided for, while He has given men the task of “leading and feeding.” If we look at the Scriptures, it’s easy to see that the original curse on Adam and Eve is reflective of our distinct gender roles. Remember that Eve was cursed in her family relationships (Gen 3:16) while Adam was cursed in his work (Gen 3:17-19).

On the subject of successful working wives, Christian marriage counselor and author Willard F. Harley Ph.D.
(His Needs Her Needs) says this:

I have counseled many successful career women, some of whom earn a great deal more than their husbands. Almost every one has told me that she prefers to live on what her husband earns, even if he makes a much smaller income. These women want to use their own incomes for other things—investments, perhaps, or private schooling for the children…. No matter how successful a career woman might be, she usually wants her husband to earn enough money to allow her to feel supported and to feel cared for.

Well-Paid Executive Shares Her Marriage Secrets

So how does a wife who is successful in business or who must work to make ends meet live comfortably with her husband’s sensitive ego? How does a wife encourage and affirm her spouse knowing that built into his DNA is the masculine drive to provide for and protect her and the family?

Recently, I had dinner with a dear Christian friend Jan, who is a well-compensated executive with a local financial services firm. Married for the first time in her mid-forties, she revealed how she's been able to create a happy marriage with a man who earns significantly less than she does. To give us some insights, she graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions. See you here at Chrysalis on Wednesday for our revealing interview.

Why take a chance? You won't miss a single update if you subscribe to this weblog by RSS Feed or e-mail.

Up Next—Dos & Don'ts for Working Wives (Part 2)


Would you kindly take the working Moms survey in my sidebar?


Photos: AlpharettaCVB (Flickr)

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Biblical Abigail in the Spotlight

A Strong But Submitted Peacemaker
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

Pop Quiz! King David’s wives were …

A. Michal and Bathsheeba
B. Michal, Bathsheeba, Ahinoam, Maacah
C. Michal, Bathsheeba, Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital
D. Michal, Bathsheeba, Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Elgah, Abigail

Unbelievable but true! If you checked D you’re right. Despite God’s warning to the Kings of Israel, "You shall not multiply your wives," David married eight times. Abigail was among this lively group of ladies. Of all the famous women in the OT, she was certainly the wisest.

Abigail Was No Wimp

No doubt Abigail was familiar with an ancient version of the phrase “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” In 1 Sam 25, 1 Chron 3:1 we read the story of a beautiful and capable woman who averted danger for her entire household. She is first married to a man named Nabal, a wealthy owner of large herds and much land. Nabal angers David at sheep-shearing time by refusing to offer his hospitality. Abigail acts swiftly as mediator to appease the shepherd-warrior by taking gifts of prepared foods to David and his 600 men. After Nabal’s sudden death, David married Abigail and she gave birth to a son named Daniel.

Let’s pick up the story at the point right after Abigail's meeting with the infamous David. Imagine what Abigail might have expressed in an e-mail to her older married sister who was living some distance away.

Hi Anna,

Do you remember hearing my stories about David, the son of Jesse and his men who roamed our lands? I’m so grateful they’ve been protecting Nabal’s flocks and herdsmen from dangerous prowling thieves. Three thousand sheep and one thousand goats is a lot to manage.

I’m sorry you missed the party we threw over the weekend to celebrate sheep shearing time. Our house up here on the plateau was filled with guests from miles around. I wore my blue linen dress with the sash, and my shell pink headdress. I felt so pretty!

In retrospect, it was probably a good thing that you and the kids couldn’t make it. Nabal drank too much wine
(as usual) and ended up getting drunk. When one of David’s men arrived to ask for some food to feed his volunteer bodyguard, Nabal rudely refused. I immediately sensed our lives—and those of our entire household—were in grave danger.

...we baked two hundred loaves of bread, dressed five sheep for roasting, filled two wineskins, packed one hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes
of figs.

Determined to appease the self-appointed protector of our financial estate, I found a few recipes online and calculated how much food my maids would need to prepare as a peace offering. Spending two straight days in the kitchen, we baked two hundred loaves of bread, dressed five sheep for roasting, filled two wineskins, packed one hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs. My servants loaded everything on donkeys and prepared for the journey. I whispered a prayer for safety, and mounting an donkey myself, I rode out to meet the famous man David.

Under cover of the mountain, our group of traveling diplomats approached David and his men. I overheard David say that by morning all of the males in our entire household would be destroyed. Not exactly a warm welcome …

Nevertheless, I knew that I should apologize for my husband’s bad behavior as quickly as possible. I slid off my donkey and ran toward him. Bowing in humility, I admitted that Nabal was a base fellow and a fool. I begged David to accept the special foods I had brought him and to forgive me on behalf my husband.

I implored David to resist the temptation to carry out
his murderous plan, as this would not be pleasing to
our God.

Certain by the grace of God, that David will be prince over Israel some day, I told him that God would exalt him in due time. I assured him that although he has often run like a fugitive from jealous King Saul, he is the object of God’s love and care. I implored David to resist the temptation to carry out his murderous plan, as this would not be pleasing to our God.

Anna, fortunately, I understand men and their rash behavior. When they’re disrespected or unappreciated, sometimes they’re tempted to do bad things. Trusting that David needed “a woman’s touch” to appease and calm him—especially while living in such a harsh wilderness environment—I wasted no time in going to him. Dressed in my loveliest traveling outfit, I concluded my remarks to David by subtly suggesting that I would be honored to become his wife should I find myself a widow some day.

After completing my peacemaking mission, I quickly remounted my donkey. I motioned to my servant in the lead, and we set off on the long journey home. We retraced our steps across Nabal’s large territory, traversing limestone hills, bare valleys, and dry watercourses. I suspect David must have been completely transfixed by the sight of our caravan disappearing over the far hillside.

I’m humbled to have personally met the future King of Israel. Should Nabal’s entire estate one day be turned over to David, it would certainly have to come as a gift from the Lord’s hand.

Love,

Abigail

The inspiration for this piece comes from her chapter “Abigal” in Edith Deen’s excellent book, All the Women of the Bible. "A comprehensive history with more than 300 biographies—a feminine portrait gallery of saints, sorceresses, faithful mothers and wives, queens, and business women, the famous and infamous women of the Bible."

Sisters, I love this book! Edith Deen's writing is careful and engaging—it's the next best thing to Scripture. Love, e-Mom More information...


Do you notice any similarlies between the strength and submission of Abigail and those same qualities in Jesus Christ?




Join Ann Kroeker at annkroeker.com for her Food on Fridays blog carnival.


Photos: roboppy, SamiTaipale, Herberger (Flickr)

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Word-Filled-Wednesday

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.


Word-Filled-Wednesday is hosted by the lovely Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods. This week, we're meeting at Critty Joy. Please join us!




Hey, Wait a Minute

In her fantastic Bible study, "Stepping Up" Beth Moore expounds on this beloved Psalm of Ascent. She writes, "Wait a minute. What about times when our feet have slipped? Times we have been hurt on our journey? Where was God then? Did he promise something to Israel He did not promise to us? Not on your life... God always protects his children. Yes, often from the physical threats of the world around us, but always in the sunseen realm where demons hiss and the gates of hell quake. Our feet do not slip in a world so real, so vivid, that ours is a shadow by comparison. The Lord lets no harm befall us in the world where the truest threats lie.

In Matthew 10:28 Christ said, 'Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul.' (HCSB) I'm human just like you, and these words can seem like small consolation as we travel this dangerous turf. But when our eyes are truly opened and we see all the ways hell rose against us, the Devil wanted us, and God has us in the shadow of his wings, we will drop on our knees and worship the Maker of heaven and earth."

Reflection on Depression

We all have bad days. Sometimes we feel out-of-sorts because we're hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. (H.A.L.T!) Caring for our basic physical needs can do wonders to brighten a gloomy mood. Meditating on Scripture is also a sure way to transform an off-day. King David, the author of so many beautiful Psalms, certainly experienced his fair share of the blues. His remedy was to write about the mercies and glory of God.

Once-a-Month Scripture Memory Challenge

I've decided to tuck these verses away for the future. I know I'll need them in the days ahead. Would you like to participate in this month's Scripture Memory Challenge with me? You can select your own verses, or you can join me in memorizing this psalm. God bless you in your study of His Word.

YouTube Video Clip

Music is a wonderful aid to memory work. My sweet bloggy friend Roo at It's True Sighed Roo steered me in the direction of the clip below. (Thanks!) Sung by Brian Doerkson it's called, "I Will Lift Up My Eyes." I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and listen. (3:57 mins.)

Related: 1. Are You Singing The Blues? at Chrysalis
2. Memory Monday at A Pair of Bartletts


Which memory verse are you currently working on?


Photo: The Negev in Israel by StellasMom (Flickr) & Beth Moore by Christianbook.com

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Marriage: How Feminist Thought Has Changed Our Lives

How Did This Happen So Quickly?
Posted by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter

“Life for women was very different 50 years ago, very, very different. Almost everyone got married. The average age for getting married was 20 years old for girls and 22 years old for men” says author and speaker Mary Kassian. “This was the world that I was born into and that wasn’t very long ago.”

Kassian also notes that . . .

• Once married, a woman could normally count on her husband to financially support her and the family.
• The divorce rate was very low and divorced people were stigmatized.
• Chastity and virginity before marriage were considered virtues.
• Sex outside of marriage was considered immoral and shameful.
• Few people lived common-law because it carried the stigma of living in sin.
• Having a child outside of wedlock was absolutely taboo. Young women were warned against unwed pregnancy.
• Only 30 percent of women were employed outside the home in 1960. Now 77 percent of all mothers with school age children (6-17) work.
• There was no birth-control pill.
• Abortion was illegal and considered unethical.
• Pornography, rape, homosexuality, sexual perversion, sexual addiction, and sexually transmitted diseases were uncommon and rarely encountered.
• Married men assumed that it was their responsibility to protect, provide and care for their families.

TV Sitcoms Trace the Changes

Kassian shows how the speed and magnitude with which all this has been deconstructed is utterly mind-boggling. As a (Boomer) peer of Kassian’s, I completely agree. In the introduction to her speech given at True Woman ’08 conference, Kassian profiles several female cultural icons from popular TV sitcoms in recent decades.

Beginning with June Cleaver, a traditional Mom in the “Leave it to Beaver” series in the 1950s, she shows how women like Mary Tyler Moore (1970s), Murphy Brown (1980s), and Ellen (1990s) progressively became more self-serving, self-righteous, neurotic, narcissistic, superficial, and adulterous.

Kassian says the main character in the most recent series, Sex in the City epitomizes these values, and sums up her attitude with this advice for women: “The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.”

“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.”
—Sex in the City

Kassian continues: “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? How did it all happen?”

Let's Understand Our Times

Click here for the answers Kassian offered during her address at last year’s True Woman ’08 conference. In her speech, she traces the rise of feminism as a distinct worldview with its own thoughts, ideologies, and values. She warns that whether we would admit it or not, and whether we know it or not, all of us have been profoundly affected by feminist philosophy.

Kassian wants all Christian women to “understand the times” (1 Chron 12:32) so they would know what to do, and how to live Christ-like lives of self-sacrifice. Don’t miss this important speech!Join the True Woman Movement. Join the Carnival of Family Life.

Related

1. Book Review: Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley.

2. Author Tricia Goyer in the Spotlight: Generation NeXt Marriage

3. Meet the Millenials: Who Are They? How Do We Reach Them?







A Quick Poll

(Subscribers: Please click here to Vote.)

Up Next—Word-Filled-Wednesday

Do you identify most strongly with June, Mary, Murphy, Ellen or someone else?

Poll: twiigs.com Photos: Google Images


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The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

A Christian Viewpoint
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter

This year, the Jewish Feast of Sukkot takes place at sundown on Oct. 2 and concludes on Oct. 10, 2009. Also known as the Feast of Booths, it's a week-long joyful celebration of the fall harvest. It's also a time when the Jews build temporary shelters (sukkah) made of branches to remember how the Hebrews lived under God’s care and protection during their forty years in the wilderness(Neh 8:14-17). In OT times, King Solomon chose The Feast of Sukkot for the consecration of the first Temple (1 Kings 8).

Four special plants are used to cover the booths: citron, myrtle, willow, and palm (Lev 23:39-40). The roof is made of branches and leaves, with enough open spaces to see the stars. Today, many Jewish people erect booths of wood and canvas on their lawns or balconies and eat a least one meal a day in them.

Two Ceremonies

Sukkot is the last of three OT annual pilgrimage feasts when all Jewish males were required to go to Jerusalem to “appear before the Lord” (Deut 16:16). During services, a lulav made up of the same “four species” of citron, myrtle willow, and palm, branches was waved in all four compass directions and up and down to symbolize that God’s presence is everywhere.

Two important ceremonies were part of the last day of Sukkot:

1. The Jewish people marched around the Temple carrying torches and then they set them on the walls of the Temple, indicating that Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles (Is 49:6).

2. A priest carried water from the pool of Siloam to the Temple, symbolizing that when Messiah comes the whole earth will know God “as the waters cover the sea”
(Is 11:8-10).

Jesus Fulfills These Two Ceremonies

Jesus fulfilled these ceremonies when on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles he said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me… streams of living water will flow from within him (Jn 7:37-38).

The next morning while the torches were still burning, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12).

Sukkot also represents the final harvest of souls when all nations will celebrate and share in the joy and blessings of God’s Kingdom (Zech 14:16-19). Many scholars believe this feast day points to the Lord’s promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when he comes to reign over the world (Mic 4:1-7).

How Does Jesus Fulfill All Seven Annual Jewish Feasts?

"In the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophet Amos records that God declared he would do nothing without first revealing it to His servants, the Prophets (Amos 3:7). From the Old Covenant to the New, Genesis to Revelation, God provides picture after picture of His entire plan for mankind and one of the most startling prophetic pictures is outlined for us in the Feasts of Leviticus 23.

The Hebrew word for feasts (moadim) literally means 'appointed times.' God has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story. The seven annual feasts of Israel were spread over seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by God. They are still celebrated by observant Jews today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus the Jewish Messiah these special days demonstrate the work of redemption through God’s Son.

As the four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ’s first coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to the Lord’s second coming.

The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks) and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three holidays (Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period.

Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus. However, the 'blessed hope' (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will. As the four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ’s first coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to the Lord’s second coming."

This excerpt was quoted from gotQuestions.org where you can read more about the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts. I'm indebted to Rose Publishing for the information about Sukkot in their guide, “Feasts and Holidays of the Bible.” For a detailed discussion of all nine Jewish festivals, check out this fascinating book The Jewish Holidays by Michael Strassfeld.

Therefore do not 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 2:16-17 NIV)

Related: Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur (Autumn Jewish Holidays)
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Bible Study: The Chiasm of Noah's Flood

Exploring The X Factor
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter

Caving, also known as spelunking in the United States, is the recreational sport of underground cave exploration. Our journey today is a lot like spelunking. We’re going to descend into one of the literary structures found in Scripture known chiasmus or chiasm. These words derive from the Greek verb meaning “to mark with two lines crossing like an ‘X.’” (X is pronounced “chi.” It’s the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet.)

Searching for Buried Treasure

Flashlight ready? As readers, we’re accustomed to reading Scripture as if it were written in modern times. Bible publishers such as Zondervan (NIV Kindle) use conventional devices like punctuation, paragraphs, chapters, subheadings, and enumeration to establish the boundaries of a thought unit. However, in ancient culture things like words, sentences, paragraphs, and episodes were not separated but instead, ran together. For the ancient author, a literary device like a chiasmus framed the writing and signaled the beginning and end of each thought unit. Here’s a simple example from Matt 7:6.

A Do not give what is holy to dogs,
_____B and do not throw your pearls before swine,
_____B’ lest they trample them under their feet,
A’ and turn and tear you to pieces.

In this example, the statements A and B are reflected like a reversed mirror image in the statements B’ and A.’ Identifying the chiastic structure helps us to make better sense of this verse. It seems logical that dogs (A) tear to pieces (A’), while the swine (B) trample underfoot (B').

X Marks the Spot

William Ramey, the author of Chiasmus Studies says, “A fundamental principle when dealing with chiasmus is not to think linear, but concentric.” We’re accustomed to outlining a passage that progresses from I, II, III, A, B, C etc. However, we rarely stop to ask if this form of Western outlining actually does justice to a passage, chapter, or book which was written in a very different language and over two millennia ago.

Fundamentally, chiasmus involves two elements: inversion and balance which produce a third climactic centrality (X). Strictly speaking, Matt 7:6 (above) represents an inverted parallelism rather than a chiasmus. The key element that distinguishes the chiastic structure lies in its focus on a pivotal central theme (X). The author uses other statements in the literary unit (A B A’ B’) to flank and develop X through comparison and/or contrast. A classic example of a true chiasm is found in
1 John 3:9.

A whoever is born of God
______B does not sin
____________X for his seed remains in him
_______B’ and he cannot sin
A’ because he has been born of God

“KIYE-az-uhm” in The Flood Story

There are numerous chiastic patterns in Scripture—both in poetry and prose, Hebrew and Greek. One of the most impressive is the chiastic structure found in the Genesis 6-9. Here the author uses repetition to make his central point (X) more clearly. Despite the world devolving into horrendous evil so wicked that His only recourse is destruction, "God remembers Noah." The seed of the woman (Gen 3:15) will not be completely annihilated, an event that would render God’s promise of a Savior completely void.

A Noah (6:10a)
__B Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10b)
___C Ark to be built (14-16)
____D Flood announced (17)
_____E Covenant with Noah (18-20)
______F Food in the ark (21)
_______G Command to enter the ark (7:1-3)
________H 7 days waiting for flood (4-5)
_________I 7 days waiting for flood (7-10)
__________J Entry to ark (11-15)
___________K YHWH shuts Noah in (16)
____________L 40 days flood (17a)
_____________M Waters increase (17b-18)
______________N Mountains covered (19-20)
_______________O 150 days water prevail (21-24)

________________P GOD REMEMBERS NOAH (8:1)

_______________O’ 150 days waters abate (3)
______________N’ Mountain tops visible (4-5)
_____________M’ Waters abate (5)
____________L’ 40 days (end of) (6a)
___________K’ Noah opens window of ark (6b)
__________J’ Raven and dove leave ark (7-9)
_________I’ 7 days waiting for waters to subside (10-11)
________H’ 7 days waiting for waters to subside (12-13)
_______G’ Command to leave ark (15-17 [22])
______F’ Food outside ark (9:1-4)
_____E’ Covenant with all flesh (8-10)
____D’ No flood in the future (11-17)
___C’ Ark (18a)
__B’ Shem, Ham and Japheth (18b)
A’ Noah (19)

I’m indebted to Chiasmus Studies and examiner.com for this information.

More Chiasms For Avid Bible Spelunkers

• The Lord’s Covenant With Abraham (Gen 17:1-25)
• Beloved Son Hated Brother (Gen 37:1-11)
• Paul and the Book of Romans

Related: 1. The Markan Sandwich 2. Bible Poetry
3. How to Find a Chiasmus 4. Noah's Ark Replica

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Up Next—The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

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Photos: jonny_t & lasombraenlapared (Flickr) Noah’s Ark at Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles CA

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