Resources for Christian Women, Encouragement for Families
Wisdom
A lifelong study of mine is going through the book of Proverbs in the Bible.? Presently, I am reading through the Proverbs, in addition to? studying from Proverbs commentary by Charles Bridges.? This particular commentary is from The Geneva Series of Commentaries.? I am just reading/studying a few verses at a time.? I keep a spiral notebook on the table and notate each verse that includes a specific word.? In my notebook, the first page has WISDOM at the top.? On it are already listed and written out over 20 verses about wisdom in just the first 3 chapters of Proverbs.?? The next several topics are: instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, subtilty (this is needed, by the way, to tell the difference between truth and error), knowledge, discretion, learning,? and many more.? I am already on my second page of notes pertaining to wisdom.? Here are a few verses:
Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.? For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold; she (WISDOM) is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.? Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour; her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; she is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:? and happy is everyone that retaineth her.
Charles Bridges reminds us:
“Who does not admire this glowing picture of happiness?? This wisdom of this world affords no such happiness.? Yet cold and barren is admiration, without an interest in the blessing.? The happy man has found a treasure, where possibly he least expected it, under the chastening of the Lord.? David and Manasseh found ‘God’s house of correction to be a school of instruction.’? Under all circumstances, however, prayerful diligence in the search of wisdom ensures success.? The naturally wise man is a fool in heavenly wisdom.? The man of prayer getteth understanding, draweth it out to light, as out of the hid treasure…Here the wise man, himself enriched with the merchandise of fine gold points out to us a better merchandise.? It is the search for ‘the pearl of great price,’ MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES, YEA, THAN ALL THINGS THAT COULD BE DESIRED.? So the Apostle judged.? So upon a trial he found it.? All the world’s show, all his former valuable ‘gain, he counted as dung and dross’ for ‘the true wisdom’ _ ‘the excellency of the knowledge of? CHRIST JESUS his Lord.’? NEVER WILL SOLID HAPPINESS BE KNOWN WITHOUT THIS SINGLENESS OF JUDGMENT AND PURPOSE.? THIS INESTIMABLE BLESSING MUST HAVE THE THRONE.? THE WAVERER AND THE HALF-SEEKER FALL SHORT.? DETERMINED PERSEVERANCE WINS THE PRIZE. (Philip.? 3:12-14)
On Being a Grandma
I just checked the mail and guess what I got?
Today, I received a birthday card from my grandson!
Yes, yes, it did make me cry!
How old is my grandson you ask?? He’ll be one in April ’08!
Thanks very much, D/R!!? That made my day!!
Many thanks to everyone who called, sent cards, gave cards, sent flowers and gave gifts. ? I am blessed!
Happy Birthday Poem
I am half way to 98 now and this year my birthday fell on Easter!? Yesterday, the family celebrated Jesus’ Resurrection by attending Sunday School and the Worship Service at OHCC in Michigan.? Our Pastor preached about the love of God.? Right before the service began, a friend who is a new baby in Christ, came and sat by us.? My family and I? have been writing to him while he finishes his residential program at Life Challenge.? Folks, it really is all about Jesus.
Today, in the mail, I was so encouraged to receive this poem written by one of my 5 sisters.? The Poem is called, Jane.? God has been so merciful and gracious to me, and that is why I share this poem.
Jane
She arrived with the spring like
the first flowers each year,
And she remains as fresh as
the day she arrived, it appears.
She renews and refreshes her
family’s home,
comforts and nourishes the
children of her womb.
Her constancy and commitment
are a wonder to all,
Her faith in the Lord is certain,
and she has answered His every call.
Another generation will now
receive her love –
our Jane – as beautiful and
peaceful as a dove.
(Thank-you dear sister, MB!)
Reaching Out to Others
God places people in our paths so that we may point them to Christ.? On occasion, there may be someone the Lord puts in your path who is/was addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc.? In the Detroit area, there is a residential ministry called Life Challenge which is a discipleship program lasting a year.? For more details, check out the Life Challenge website.
God opened a door for our family to make and serve breakfast on Christmas morning for the last couple years.? What a blessing to be able to cook for these men (and women, housed in different facilities).? Truly, God is at work through the Life Challenge program/ministry.? Lives are being changed.? Men and women are re-training their minds with Scripture memorization and prayer, with godly mentoring and teaching.
One man stated, “At the age of 12, I had already spent 4 1/2 years of my life away from family and pretty much society as well.? I had spent time in many local city jails which included (here he mentions 5+ jails).? The more time I spent locked up, the more I rebelled against people.? I became a very mean person, not physically, but mentally and emotionally.? My family had tried everything they could to get me professional help but I rebelled against that as well………I had no understanding of God at all, but I always seemed to call upon His name when I was in some sort of dilemma or in jail – I would say, ‘God, please get me out of here and I won’t do it again.’? God doesn’t negotiate with us.? He wants and has always wanted? a personal, intimate relationship with us.? I would get released from jail or a certain dilemma would pass and I would continue doing the same insane things.? I didn’t think there was anything wrong with spending 6 months or a year in jail and get released in the morning only to return that afternoon or that night…..My life was in total shambles, broken beyond repair….I had been up for approx. 18 days and lost about 50 lbs. while snorting heroin and cocaine….the doctor at the jail stated another day or two and I would have died from a total body shut down….I was in total denial and my life was in total disaster.? I? had hit bottom on several occasions.? I became homeless.? No money.? No food.? Layed off from work.? Unemployment had run out.? Eating out of dumpsters, sleeping in abandoned vehicles and/or buildings.? Walking 20 miles to get my fix, wearing the same clothes for 2 weeks at a time with no shower…..Then, out of utter desperation and despair, my Pastor recommended I enter a Bible Ministry Program called “Life Challenge” in the city of Detroit.? Now, I wasn’t really interested at first because I remember we had driven by there some 15 years ago AND AT THAT TIME I WOULDN’T COMMIT 1 YEAR OUT OF MY LIFE TO GET TO KNOW GOD WHOM TODAY I CALL MY LORD AND SAVIOUR…”
Bless the Lord that this man’s life changed and he was drawn to the Saviour.? This redeemed man states, “I am truly blessed that the Author and Protector of my life, Jesus Christ, is a caring, loving, merciful God who? truly loves and cares about His children, whether we’re lost and broken, or just struggling with life’s battles.? GOD IS THERE….”