I really love this chapter, because I think as women, we have tremendous influence over the culture, climate and attitude of our homes. Having a welcoming, warm home allows us to show Christ's love-to our husbands, our children, and guests in our home.
Beauty's Expression
Are you romantic, adventurous serene?
*Uniquely you-Does your home reflect who you are, what you love, and the way you really live?
*Defining your expression-through color, nature, art, and objects
Beauty's Attitude
Like I said in the beginning, the woman can really make or break the beautiful environment in the home through her attitude
*Promote peace instead of quarreling-the Bible tells us to pursue peace (Psalm 34:14, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, I Peter 3:11)
*Cultivate contentment instead of complaining
Take it to God, focus on the positive. I read a wonderful book while ministering to a family member called Finding the Hero in your Husband, by Julianne Slatterly. She is affiliated with Focus on the Family and if you feel like this is a weak area for you, I can't recommend enough to read and pray for God to help you grow here!!
*Strive to be slow to anger instead of quick-tempered
Ask God to reveal the source of your anger, whether it be weariness, unresolved issues, etc.
*Set the temperature
You can decide the attitude of your home. It's as simple and hard as that. If I can tell this to our 2, 5, and 7 year olds, then surely as adults, we can choose as well!!
Beauty's focus
*Focus on your husband
*Focus on your children
1. the beauty of special memories
2. the beauty of the dinner table-Statistics are staggering at the benefits of that family connection time around the dinner table. If you are not doing this as a family, why not start now? Take that time to all gather together and share about your days.
*Focus on those in need
There is no greater way to get your mind off yourself, then by focusing on someone else's need!!
I LOVE talking about hospitality-I think this is really my spiritual gifting. I want my home to be a place where people can drop by-that I've kept it with excellence-but not so pristine that kids are afraid to play. As my kids get older, I want them to hang here with their friends. I want my kids to remember family meals together where we discussed our day and valued one another. If this is something that does not come easily for you or gets you feeling anxious just thinking about it, I want to encourage you to take a baby step this month. Take one small step that will help create the home environment your family deserves, and you deserve as well and see what God will do for all of you!!
I want to encourage you to insert your name in this scripture this week....speak this life-giving breath of fresh air over yourself!!
Jaime looks well to how
things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip,
discontent, and self-pity) Jaime will not eat.
Please take some time to look over and answer the Reflection Questions as well as the First Steps outlined on p. 196-197. Please have Chapter 11, Professionalizing the Roles of Wife and Mother, ready by our next serving time on June 2nd.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Chapter Nine.....Managing Money
I don't know if you thought the Beautiful Wife would be diving into the area of your finances, but here we go!!!
Many thoughts we have about money stem from our childhood, whether it was full of plenty or lack.
God's Financial Plan
There are over 2000 verses in the Bible that talk about money! The truth is, we are simply stewards of the money God funnels through us. So, how should we be handling this resource?
*Giving-We have great great teaching at Res regarding our finances. If you have sat in that sanctuary any length of time, you have heard this, but it's a great refresher!
Percentage-giving the tithe to God 10%. In Malachi, it's the one place God asks us to test Him. If you have not done this yet, I want to encourage you to test God and see....
Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Mal 3:10
Priority-giving God his 10%, but the FIRST tenth, not if there is enough left over!!
Progressive-giving more and more as you are blessed!!
*Debt-free-The Bible is clear, the borrower is servant to the lender (Prov. 22:7). We live in a credit card, keeping up with the Joneses society. Here are Sandy's suggestions if you are wallowing in credit card debt
1. Cut up your credit cards, or use one that requires a full payment.
2. Remove Temptation
3. End Impulse buying
4. Find a financial accountability partner
***if you find yourself in this situation, there are Dave Ramsey classes going on at Res on a continual basis. There is hope and you are able to turn that situation around and be a testimony to others!!***
*Contentment....Comparison is really our greatest enemy
~Adjust your vision-think of eternal impact when you are spending your money
~Give thanks-it is frankly hard to be discontent when you are focused on all God has done/given you. If you want to ramp up your thanks....get Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. You will be so blessed and your thinking will be challenged.
Prepare a spending plan
Dave Ramsey, Crown Financial, there are many Christian financial courses to set you up for success!
Most of you, if you examine yourselves will find between you and your spouse, one is a spender and one is a saver. Now, this often causes conflict, but just think, if you were both one or the other, the balance would be way off!!
~Track your spending for one month-to the penny. You will be amazed at where your money is going, and probably not where you thought!
~Determine leaks-does your out not equal your in??
~Build an emergency fund
~Tackle that debt
^Pay your bills on time
^Determine your financial goals. God's Word says
Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish. (Prov 29:18)
I've really been struck with this thought lately, I keep hearing it over and over again in my reading books, the Word, and pastors. Not even just financial, but spiritual, personal, family, etc. I don't want to aimlessly meander through life without having goals about the great future God has for us!!
^Caring for your children
A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children. (Proverbs 13:22)
Growing through Financial Crisis
If you find yourself in a tough situation, look to the Lord for every answer. Do all you can to line yourself up with His Word and situate yourselves to receive His blessings. God is able!!
Remember to look over the Questions and First Steps on p. 179-180. Please have Chapter 10, Creating a Culture of Beauty, read by May 19th.
Many thoughts we have about money stem from our childhood, whether it was full of plenty or lack.
God's Financial Plan
There are over 2000 verses in the Bible that talk about money! The truth is, we are simply stewards of the money God funnels through us. So, how should we be handling this resource?
*Giving-We have great great teaching at Res regarding our finances. If you have sat in that sanctuary any length of time, you have heard this, but it's a great refresher!
Percentage-giving the tithe to God 10%. In Malachi, it's the one place God asks us to test Him. If you have not done this yet, I want to encourage you to test God and see....
Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Mal 3:10
Priority-giving God his 10%, but the FIRST tenth, not if there is enough left over!!
Progressive-giving more and more as you are blessed!!
*Debt-free-The Bible is clear, the borrower is servant to the lender (Prov. 22:7). We live in a credit card, keeping up with the Joneses society. Here are Sandy's suggestions if you are wallowing in credit card debt
1. Cut up your credit cards, or use one that requires a full payment.
2. Remove Temptation
3. End Impulse buying
4. Find a financial accountability partner
***if you find yourself in this situation, there are Dave Ramsey classes going on at Res on a continual basis. There is hope and you are able to turn that situation around and be a testimony to others!!***
*Contentment....Comparison is really our greatest enemy
~Adjust your vision-think of eternal impact when you are spending your money
~Give thanks-it is frankly hard to be discontent when you are focused on all God has done/given you. If you want to ramp up your thanks....get Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. You will be so blessed and your thinking will be challenged.
Prepare a spending plan
Dave Ramsey, Crown Financial, there are many Christian financial courses to set you up for success!
Most of you, if you examine yourselves will find between you and your spouse, one is a spender and one is a saver. Now, this often causes conflict, but just think, if you were both one or the other, the balance would be way off!!
~Track your spending for one month-to the penny. You will be amazed at where your money is going, and probably not where you thought!
~Determine leaks-does your out not equal your in??
~Build an emergency fund
~Tackle that debt
^Pay your bills on time
^Determine your financial goals. God's Word says
Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish. (Prov 29:18)
I've really been struck with this thought lately, I keep hearing it over and over again in my reading books, the Word, and pastors. Not even just financial, but spiritual, personal, family, etc. I don't want to aimlessly meander through life without having goals about the great future God has for us!!
^Caring for your children
A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children. (Proverbs 13:22)
Growing through Financial Crisis
If you find yourself in a tough situation, look to the Lord for every answer. Do all you can to line yourself up with His Word and situate yourselves to receive His blessings. God is able!!
Remember to look over the Questions and First Steps on p. 179-180. Please have Chapter 10, Creating a Culture of Beauty, read by May 19th.
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