Blogging to Advance the Kingdom of God

When I first started a blog all I wanted to do was to share the life giving word to those who really needed it. With the Word of God comes freedom and that freedom is powerful and unleashes an impact and influence that can be eternal.

I was raised in a culture that taught that motherhood was drudgery and being a wife was demeaning. When I became those things, I knew there had to be more. I learned from older godly mentors that what I had learned all my life was a lie. Motherhood was be beautiful and being a helpmeet to my husband was a noble and high calling from God. This truth forever changed my life and I wanted others to share it.

I began blogging.

So many people ask me constantly, especially since I am a consultant, if they should start a blog. I believe as Christians that is a personal decision to make taking into account what season you might be in and if it is the Lord's will for you. Blogging is not always easy especially if you do not have a natural bent towards writing. I have been blogging for five years now and think that I have seen it all. I have seen blogs come and go and seen great ones rise up. I have also been mentored by some excellent blogs and have been exposed to great heresy as well.

Here are my ultimate thoughts on blogging---if you do decide to blog and you are a Christian then do it to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth. Do it with your heart and do it with passion! With the zeal of the apostles reach across borders and nations and spread the gospel like a wildfire! The lost need to hear that there is hope and that living waters await them. Refresh the discouraged, reform the culture and saturate the internet with the living Word that sharpens the Christian and saves the lost. Teach the younger women that our foremothers never had an opportunity to reach and do it to His glory. Never in history have we ever had this type of access to the world---we cannot and will not allow media to be taken over by those who hate God so that they can share their values and lead the world (and Christians) astray.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.."

Colossians 3:23

And whatever you do, PRAY. Seek God's leading in it all. Ask HIM what He would have you blog about and not copy the blogger next door. It is a great responsibility to share His word so be careful to handle it carefully and responsibly. Watch your life because others will be watching you closely too, never let blogging consume your life or steal you away from your important priorities at home. And lastly, be careful as you are online not to be led away from from false teachers, especially in blogosphere. Remember, that there are many wolves in sheep's clothing and we need to examine them.

This is part of an excellent series called Blogging In Between, please also visit my fellow Christian sisters:

Jaime @ Like A Bubbling Brook -  Blogging As A Christian

Jasmine @ Far Above Rubies - Blogging as a Mother
Jessica @ Muthering Heights - Blogging In Between Your Marriage

Caroline @ The Modest Mom - Blogging as a Business

Amy @ Raising Arrows - Blogging In Between Homeschooling

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The Great Duty

Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion
that Sunday School is intended
to ease them of their personal duties.

The first and most natural condition of things
is for Christian parents
to train up their own children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

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Attention All Bloggers!

Are you a blogger? Have you considered writing an ebook?

I am planning to! That is why I am so happy to announce this:

My sweet friend, Sarah Mae, just launched her new ebook, How to Market and Sell Your Ebook today and she is having a spectacular giveaway that you won't want to miss---you can read about it HERE.

Stay tuned for my personal interview with her coming up soon and my review of the ebook....

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Olde Angora (& Giveaway}

Here is a special post for all the homemakers out there who appreciate items that are handmade.

Victorian Lace Bookmark ($3)

Olde Angora is an Etsy shop started by a godly, homeschool daughter who loves to knit and crochet, and now she has started a shop to sell her wares. Miss Miriam, owner of the shop, has a nice variety of quality hand-knitted items--she sells shawls, baby blankets, mini-quilts, hand crocheted bookmarks, scarves, slippers, hand spun yarn and headbands at very affordable prices. Many are hand-cleaned, hand-carded and hand-spun.

In the picture above is a soft, single ply yarn that is hand spun and measured on an old "click reel". It is sock/fingering weight: perfect for socks, mittens, gloves, or even a small lace collar! There are 164 yards in this skein of cream colored Alpaca yarn. ($10) Here are a few more goodies she also offers:

This ball of yarn is single ply (one strand); hand spun from very fine and soft sheep's wool. It was hand sheared, hand cleaned, and hand carded as well. There are 316 yards of lace weight yarn, slightly uneven by a bit of "thick and thin" spinning. This would knit or crochet a beautiful shawl or scarf in its natural shades of off-white, cream and light yellow; or it can be dyed any color!

Here is a beautiful little cowl or collar for a doll to keep warm in! It is hand knit from hand spun angora yarn that was plied with hand spun fine sheep's wool yarn. The cowl is 12" long and 3" wide, and it buttons snugly around the neck of an 18" doll. It is a creamy yellow color, with a silver gray shade from the angora. Keep your doll warm in this very soft, pretty cowl! ($20)

Made from hand spun and hand knit angora lace, this accessory can be used for decorating a lady's wrist or as a doll collar! It is silver in color with hints of brown. The inside circle or neckline measures approx. 11", but it can stretch a couple inches if necessary. For easy use, the lace has a button and loop on its ends.($15)

The Giveaway

Miss Miriam would like to generously give away one of her angora lace headbands (a value of $13) to one of my special readers! All you need to do to enter is leave your name and email---simple!

Extra Entries

• Blog about this giveaway (3 entries, leave 3 comments each)
  
• Facebook or Tweet this giveaway (2 entries each, leave 2 comments each)
• Subscribe to this blog (2 entries, leave 2 comments each)
• Tell us what you like most at Olde Angora (2 entries, leave 2 comments each)
• Buy something at Olde Angora (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

Hope you win!

Thank you Miriam from Olde Angora!

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Click here for rates or email me at wisewomanads@gmail.com


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We are linked today with the lovely Mrs. Jasmine at Far Above Rubies. 

A Champion in Disguise

There's a champion in disguise among us.....it is likely this champion is not obvious to you. His deeds are courageous and life changing for those to whom he gives his life. He is disguised as a father. His humble cloak conceals his greatness, yet his deeds, in all likelihood, will form the character of the next generation. His deeds include wiping noses and changing diapers, teaching his boys to work and his girls to guard their dignity. His job description includes providing a wall of protection, to guard his children's hearts; yet he must lead them to greater challenges--which at times seems more than they can bear, with in mind, the day will come in which he will not be there. This unnoticed hero is doing the vital work of instilling virtue, honor, and courage deep within the hearts of those who look to him for guidance. Their minds recall his praise, his encouragement, his challenge, and his correction for decades.

He must be in disguise because if the strength of his influence captured the public eye, they might tempt him away from his duty to his children for less noble endeavors. Giving all his strength and crying out for more, he does the arduous, often overlooked task, of being a dad. He may not receive the praise of a speech well given, a corporation built, or wealth accumulated--he may not receive our notice for his great physique, golf course tan or the sports car in his garage--but he is still a champion.

He is a father.

Without him, our culture will fall.




---Herb Devine

We have seen in our nation that as God has been removed what the aftermath has been--the breaking down of society and families. It is further saddening to see fatherless homes. I believe that the role of fatherhood is integral to the family while culture would fallaciously mislead us to believe that dads are unnecessary and disposable. This special note was written from a friend,  a godly dad whose desire was to encourage dads this past Father's day. My prayer is that as wives, we would also recognize the importance of godly fathers and truly respect and value them.

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Humility and Pride

"A dispute arose among them as to which of them

 was considered to be greatest."  Luke 22:24

See how firmly pride and love of preeminence

can stick to the hearts of Christian men!

The sin before us is a very old one . . .

ambition

self esteem, and

self conceit

lie deep at the bottom of all men's hearts,
and often in the hearts where they are least suspected.

Thousands imagine that they are humble,

who cannot bear to see an equal more honored

and favored than themselves!

The quantity of envy and jealousy in the world

is a glaring proof of the prevalence of pride.

Let us live on our guard against this sore disease,

if we make any profession of serving Christ. 

The harm that it has done to the Church of Christ is

far beyond calculation.

Let us learn to take pleasure in the prosperity of others, 

and to be content with the lowest

place for ourselves.

 --J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Luke" 1858

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Summer Steals

I have some amazing Wise Woman tips for you!

Today Dayspring just announced their summer sale--if you have been eyeing the Life collection it is now a whopping 50% off----plus get an extra 10% off if you use the code: fbfans10 at checkout!!!! That is a total of 60% off. Items start as low as $2.99--so now is the time to get it while you can, ladies, before they sell out.

Isn't it gorgeous and perfect for summer fun, parties and hospitality? I love the Bible verse from John 10:10 that witness for you without you having to say a word!

It is a perfect time to add to your collection if you don't have a complete set too at prices this low--

 they are so fun and festive!

CLICK HERE to view them all.
 

We love a super great sale and being able to share it with you---

now I am off to order a few things...

Happy shopping!

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A Woman of Discretion

Are we training ourselves to be women of discretion?

Women today would be wise to use their speech well. Careful before they say anything, prayerful before giving counsel or a rebuke, with the Lord leading every step of  the way.

Titus 2:5 exhorts: :

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

The word discreet comes from the greek word: sóphrón

Here is the definition: 

of sound mind, self-controlled, temperate, sober-minded, modest, chaste

We are warned against idleness and being busybodies, and why--because there is a struggle. We need to embrace a quiet life without busying ourselves with meddling, gossip, and vain pursuits (1 Thess 4:11).  Older woman must teach the younger, to be wise in situations. There should not be a judging of situations lest we know all the facts. Self control must rule us, we must gain hold of it, our tongues and our sinful flesh.

What does God uphold and view as beautiful?

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4

The tongue:

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. James 3:6

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Proverbs 16:21

Oh my, I know we all fail at times, and sometimes miserably--there is not a single one of us that is perfect! We would not need Jesus if we were perfect. I think in many cases, we need to humble ourselves and our speech will follow. How often I have looked back in different situations and thought at how humility needed to be a vital part of the equation.

 And we chase after wisdom:

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  -Proverbs 4:7

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. -Proverbs 16:16

It is my prayer that we start this week NEW,

recommitting ourselves to CHRIST,

and striving to become a vessel that God can fully use for His KINGDOM.

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We are linked today at Far Above Rubies. 

Thank You So Much

 

We have reached the goal for the funeral fund for Levi Shock in under 24 hours! WOW!

We are so thankful for such generous friends (yes, you are not just readers, you are our friends) who gave without hesitation to their brothers and sisters in Christ whom they have never met. It is amazing to see what God has done and we are so thankful to even be a small part of this.

It is beautiful to see the body of Christ in action--overflowing with love and support. God never ceases to amaze me!

I would also like to share with you a special ebook offer from author Kathy Brodock over at Teaching Good Things. She has generously offered to share her ebook, How to Comfort Grieving Parents with all of you as a way to help those who have not experienced a loss understand what the parents are going through.

This ebook is FREE and you may download it here. 

(Don't forget to share this free offer with your friends, you can use the share buttons at the end of this post!)

Again, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts and to God be the glory!

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Christian Family Needs Your Help

Dearest Friends,

There is a Christian family that is very dear to us that needs your help.

(Tony and Susie Shock)

This loving, homeschooling family of seven was recently expecting a newborn son to be born later this year but ended up sadly passing away prematurely this weekend. Just yesterday, the dear Shock family has had to endure the hardest thing a parent can do--hand their own child, Levi, over to a funeral director. Their broken hearts are so saddened mourning the lost of this child (this is a second son they have lost within a few years time) yet they have showed incredible faith in trusting the Lord at this difficult time. 

With this unexpected loss comes unexpected expenses in order to bury their beloved son. We are asking for your help--they need $800 to cover the cost of their son's funeral. If you are able to donate ANY amount (remember, no amount is too small) to help them it would be greatly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts.

Levi Shock Burial Fund

 Please also pray for this family at this difficult time, each prayer and donation is so greatly appreciated.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 4:4

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:26

Please share this post on Facebook, Twitter or your blog so we can better get the word out there to the body of Christ!
(You can use the buttons below at the very end of this post)

Thank you SO much--your love and support means so much to us all!

The Destructive Influence of Foolish Women

The destructive influence of foolish women is readily apparent in the secular world. In recent years we have seen the power of foolish women to tear down and destroy the moral sensitivities and fiber of an entire nation. We can all think of high-profile women---entertainers, politicians, wives of public figures---whose philosophies and lifestyles have wielded an enormous, negative influence on our entire culture.

However, what should trouble us even more in the extent to which foolishness among women has permeated the evangelical church. We have followed the world in redefining what it means to be a woman, as well as what it means to be a man. We have blurred, if not eradicated, the distinctions between feminine and masculine character, behavior and roles. We have lost our moorings, our sense of what is pure and good, true and right. We have little comprehension of the meaning or importance of such old-fashioned words as wholesome, modest, discreet, and chaste.

...Those of us who are "older women" have a responsibility to train the next generation of women in the ways of God: to teach them the characteristics of wise and foolish women, to warn them against the dangers and consequences of being foolish, and to instill in them a vision and commitment to be wise women. We also need to teach our sons and young men the difference between wise and foolish women--what qualities to admire and what qualities to avoid in women.

-Nancy Leigh Demoss, Biblical Womanhood in the Home

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Meekness

Meekness, to me, is  fascinating and today I share some quotes to look deeper at the topic:

Meekness is power under control.   -Warren Wiersbe

Meekness is not to be confused with weakness: the meek are not simply submissive because they lack the resources to be anything else. Meekness is quite compatible with great strength and ability as humans measure strength, but whatever strength or weakness the meek person has is accompanied by humility and a genuine dependence on God. True meekness may be a quality of the strong, those who could assert themselves but choose not to do so.  --Leon Morris

Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated than gentleness. Indeed it is considered rather as belonging to natural disposition or external manners, than as a Christian virtue; and seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle is sin.  -Bethune

The higher people are in the favor of God, the more tender they are.--Martin Luther

Rudeness, yelling, anger, and swearing are a weak man’s imitation of strength.
- Author Unknown

The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority.  Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself.  He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life.  He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels.  In himself, nothing; in God, everything.  That is his motto.-- A.W. Tozer

 Recommended:  The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit

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Scrumptious Chocolate Truffles

The lovely Miss Jen is sharing an exquisite chocolate recipe with us today...

Chocolate Truffles

Rich, semi.. bittersweet chocolate truffles

are rolled in creamy scrumptious milk chocolate

and topped with a

special sprinkling of gourmet salt.

Sounds too adventurous?...

I would encourage you to try it~

the combination of flavors is simply wonderful.

Oh... the delights of freshly chopped

Chocolate.

Freshly dipped truffles.....*sigh*

Chocolate Truffles with Sea Salt

recipe courtesy~ Tasty Kitchen

8 ounces, weight (up To 9 Oz.) Good Semisweet Chocolate

8 ounces, weight (up To 9 Oz.) Good Bittersweet Chocolate

1 can (14 Oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

8 ounces, weight Meltable Milk Chocolate

Sea Salt, Kosher Salt

or Sparkling Sprinkles

Chop semisweet and bittersweet chocolates.

Heat dark chopped chocolates and condensed milk in a double

boiler over medium low heat until chocolate is melted.

Stir—mixture will have a slight marshmallow texture. Stir in vanilla.

Remove from heat, cover and refrigerate for two hours.

Once chilled, roll in balls, then roll in melted milk chocolate coating.

Place truffles on a sheet of parchment paper.

Sprinkle with salt or other fine, coarse sprinkles.

~Enjoy~

"These are delicious and very easy-to-make chocolate truffles with an

unlikely surprise: a sprinkling of light, fluffly sea salt.

It’s a seemingly unlikely, but absolutely scrumptious and special,

flavor combination that has to be experienced to be believed."

~Mrs. Ree Drummon

There are an endless amount of possibilities

in the ways you can package these goodies for loved ones....

using~ boxes, baggies, ribbons and etc...

I packaged mine in some small clear cellophane bags

and tied them with a crisp red sparkling ribbon.

"There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate,

dark chocolate, white chocolate, and

Chocolate Truffles."

-Anonymous

.....Do Enjoy!

Hope you are having a simply lovely day.

~Many Blessings~

Having just turned 19, Jen finds great joy in serving her family from home. She firmly believes that the home is a beautiful canvas for biblical hospitality, servanthood and discipleship.  All aspects of homemaking are on her list of interests including gourmet cooking, baking, calligraphy, sewing and embroidery. She is also inspired by photography, music, theology and biblical womanhood. Miss Jen blogs at Blessed Femina, which she founded in the fall of 2008 to document her blessed life as a daughter/homemaker-in- training and to encourage other women in Biblical femininity. Happily residing in sunny northern California with her parents, it is her greatest desire to live a life depicted in I Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”



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Homemaking Pleasures

Some of the most pleasurable things in life are the simplest things. I love when I get into a homemaking 'mood' and start to tend to the little details of making a happy and enjoyable home. I recently received this set of plates and it just makes our home a cozier place and eating a basic meal a delight.

A bouquet of roses or simple flowers livens up a room and invites a welcoming fragrance...
whether new from the store or freshly cut from the garden.

And speaking of gardens---I have put in onions, brussel sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, broccoli, sunflowers in my garden so far.  I would love to plant dwarf apple trees, blueberry and raspberry bushes and grapes. I think I would also like to add another vegetable plot to the yard but we will see...how are you doing?

There are so many possibilities for summer. I am so looking forward to the lazy days and baking in the sun. To really enjoy the slower pace and to enjoy time with my children and to practice my hand at some good ole country recipes...

 Homemaking is so enjoyable when you relish the small joys it brings.

What aspects of homemaking do you find pleasurable?

Giveaway Winners

The winners of the Lilla Rose giveaway is Reilly Clan 13 and Raising4princesses!

The winners of the Accountable2You giveaway is Jill @ Jill's Home Remedies and Miss Janet@Home

The winner of the For Instructions in Righteousness giveaway is Alissa@Homegrown With Love

Many congratulations to you all!

And to those who didn't win, you will get another chance this week so be sure to subscribe and so you don't miss it!

Helping Your Husband Lead

A godly woman who knows how important it is to build up her home  knows how much more important is to help her husband to lead. Many women today struggle with helping their husband lead as many of us have been taught just the opposite. We were taught as we watched around us to stand in his way, to dominate the relationship and undermine all of his decision making. Women, this should not be so---we should determine in our hearts--how to best help our husbands leads we look to scripture.

We need to:

1. Be prayerful---before you act or speak be prayerful. A godly woman is always growing her prayer life, washing in prayer her family, herself and those around her. She knows how important it is to pray for her husband, his walk, his decision making, his character, his work, his mind, his purity, his protection, etc. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

 2. Not fearful.--Many times as wives we act out and do so out of fear. We are afraid our husbands will make a wrong decision, we are afraid of the future, what others will think,  etc. We need to recognize when that is happening a realize how we can make bad decisions from it. We need to follow the example of Sarah. (1 Peter 3)

3. Be silent--Before we speak we need to make sure we are not speaking out rashly or driven emotionally. Sometimes it helps to be silent for awhile (yes, I know this is hard for many of us!) and pray and think over the situation. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

4. Communicate biblically-- After we pray, look to scripture/get wise counsel, we need to communicate biblically. We do this with speech that expresses love, with kindness, forgiveness, submissiveness, always hoping and trusting without anger, pride, not keeping a record of wrongs, etc. (Galations 5:22)

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How to Throw a Summer Tea Party

Summer is a wonderful time to get together in lovely weather and catch up with some close friends...

What a great reason to throw a Summer Tea Party!

It can be large or intimate--- you pick what would work best for you....

How to Throw a Summer Tea Party:

1. Make invitations and invite all your friends. A summer tea party calls for light attire and perhaps a sun hat (tell everyone to bring one and you will draw a prize to a winner). These days you could even create a Facebook fanpage and have all the ladies confirm there.

2. Create a menu--make it something light without heavy sauces that might spoil in the sun. Cheese, crackers, nuts, fruits and salads, cookies, tarts, scones,  and teacakes are good. Here is a sample menu. You will want to make iced tea instead of hot tea and also have some extra chilled drinks on the side such as water, juice, pop, etc. Have fun with your drinks and add frozen fruit to it to use as ice cubes (strawberries, blueberries, grapes, pineapple chunks,  are good for this. Use lemon slices and mint from the garden for garnish.

3. Prepare your party area. Try to set up your table in a cool spot under a tree or use a canopy for shade. Clean all lawn furniture and make sure the yard is clean of debris.  Prepare the tableware--it's okay to use mismatched cups and plates, it adds to the charm. Also, consider laying out blankets on the lawn to make a restful conversation spot to gaze at stars.

 4. Decorate simply and beautifully. If you have potted flowers you can bring them near the party table area and use garden cuttings for the centerpiece. You might also need citronella candles-- be sure to find some pretty ones.

(Images from Country Living)

 5. Don't forget music! You could play some light classical music in the background or have a friend's daughter or son play a soft instrument. My daughter did that once at a friend's tea party, she played her violin as everyone walked in and it really adds a special touch.

6. Bring on the tea party games!  There are so many---do a Google search and find your favorite.

 Have fun celebrating and enjoy yourself!

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