Lori | Heart of the Matter

March 3, 2010 By Lori 5 Comments

The ultrasound showed that number 3 was a boy!

We were excited and honestly, I was a bit nervous. I’d never had any brothers and with 2 girls under my belt, I wasn’t sure “how” to do a boy.

Hayden has been a breeze for the most part, but this January he turned TEN. He had a few buddies over for his birthday sleepover and WOW were they loud.

I’ve seen it coming for some time now. He’s not my baby anymore. Sure, he’ll snuggle up and cuddle, but he’s changing, and in today’s world, he is moving much too quickly into the “next phase” for this momma.

He is growing up in a tough world. Even being a “sheltered” (*wink, wink) homeschooler we clearly see the signs that society bombards him with. We’ve been focusing a lot of effort on the girls in regards to modesty and peer pressure, and now it’s time to focus in on Hayden.

I’ve spent the past few years reading about boys and the teen years. A quote in Vicki Courtney’s Your Boy really made an impression on me.

“It is my conviction that many a mother will occupy a higher position in God’s kingdom than many a prominent Christian leaders whom we might expect to find in places of great honor. Think of some of the great men of the Bible like Moses, Samuel and Timothy.

Where would they have been had it not been for their praying, Spirit led mothers?

Think of Augustine, John Newton and the Wesleys; their names may never have lighted the pages of history had it not been for the blessed influence of godly mothers! The simple prayers from our infant lips were but echoes from our mother’s heart. Can we ever forget the soft caresses of those hands of blessing on our heads as we knelt by our beds?
Can we fail to remember her night vigils, her seasons of intercession, her well-marked Bible and her words of admonition?

Her actions spoke eloquently of Him who taught us of the greater love of God. What a tragedy to neglect the counsel of a godly mother! What eternal consequences to reject her God.

“Do not forsake the law of your mother.” (prov. 1:8)
Henry G. Bosch

The fact is that I’m raising someone’s husband. I’m raising my grandchildren’s daddy.

That is a very, very big deal.

How do I raise a boy who seeks his worth in Christ?
How do I raise a boy who does not objectify women?
How do I raise a boy who respects all forms of life?
How do I raise a boy who does not conform to this “world,” yet seeks out God’s will for his life?
How do I raise a man of world changing faith?

These are questions that I’m asking daily. I’m asking them of those who have gone before me and those standing right on the front lines with me. The conclusion is always the same. There is a battle raging for our sons’ hearts, and the fact of the matter is that they will be men in a very short time. While our son’s don’t live in a country where persecution is a reality, they are on the front lines. Their battle, while not persecution, is the “popular culture.” The culture that exists just outside the front door, and often does its best to infiltrate the walls of our home. Whether you homeschool or not, lets face it, it’s not easy out there.

We are doing all we know to do. We talk, we read, we discuss and we are led by the Lord, but that doesn’t mean the war is won. It’s a continuous fight. We remind Hayden regularly these words;

“Wrong is wrong even if everybody is doing it,

and right is right even if nobody is doing it.”

Raising Godly boys, who become Godly men is no easy task in this day and age, and I’m certain it never has been– boys have always been boys, and teenage boys have always been teenage boys. Hormones are hormones. However, our faith demands that we commit to this raising of Godly men. It will require much prayer and sacrifice and communication on our parts, but the future of our “boys” depends on it.

We know that the ultimate guide to raising our sons is the Bible, but there are a few other resources that I’ve stumbled upon that are helping my husband and I walk this rather treacherous path.

Two excellent resources that we are finding extremely relevant on this journey are Vicki Courtney’s Your Boy: Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World (for me) and Steven Auterburn’s Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle ( That’s dad’s. And yes, I stick it in the bathroom!).I have read it too. It’s honest and real and doesn’t pull any punches.

“…encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Titus 2:6-8

Be encouraged today! The statistics are daunting and the culture distressing, but have faith. We can raise Godly boys who grow into Godly men! We were made to be mothers for “such a time as this!” Oh, it’s going to take PRAYER, communication and commitment and I assure you it’s going to be LOUD, but I know in the end it WILL be wonderful to see the man emerge! Let’s roll up our sleeves and get at it, we’re in this together!

Lori is a 6th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools a 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions and Exemplify.

January 19, 2010 By Lori 3 Comments

Lee Binz has become a mentor and a friend to me. I can’t say enough about the advice she has given to me and to have an opportunity to share with you my review of her new book, Setting the Records Straight, thrills me! Lee’s website, The HomeScholar is a treasure trove of resources for any homeschooler and I highly recommend that you visit it IF you have a highschooler or the thought of homeschooling through highschool terrifies you, as it did me.

Lee’s new book, Setting the Records Straight is set to debut in February! I was thrilled to review it early! Be on the lookout for it on Lee’s sit e, The HomeScholar as well as Amazon.com.

Setting the Records Straight

6 years ago when our family made the decision to home school, high school was tucked in the back of my mind. It seems that one day I woke up to find that I had a highschooler! Home school through high school? Then at just the right moment Lee Binz came into our life! Among the first words of her book, Setting the Records Straight, she reminded us, “You will be successful. Do not be afraid. Take it one step at a time.”

Lee’s practical approach and her own success in homeschooling high school students into the colleges of their choice (with scholarships!) is encouraging and reassuring. In Setting the Records Straight she outlines the fundamentals for successful transcripts and home school course classes and descriptions to help guide the college bound student to the college of their choice. The chapters include answers to many of the questions that home school families ask, the very questions I myself was asking.

Why make a home school transcript?

What should it look like?

How can we determine and calculate high school credit?

How should grades be assigned?

For each question, Lee has a thorough and detailed answer. She speaks from experience and from speaking to college admission offices all over the country. In Setting the Records Straight, Lee offers samples of academic records by year, subject and in the case of Dual Enrollment. These transcript samples are invaluable!

In the final section of the book, Lee tackles the subject of course descriptions. As homeschoolers the world of course descriptions can be an overwhelming one. She clearly outlines the three steps in compiling course descriptions into language that makes sense. Tackling the core subjects as well as electives and even outlining courses without records, are helpful in making this section of the book worth its weight in gold.

This is not just a book for home school families educating through high school, this is truly a resource. There are extensive appendixes that detail course descriptions so that a home school parent has a reliable guide with which to work from.

This book was the most VALUABLE tool I’ve seen on the nuts and bolts of transcripts and course descriptions! EVERY question that came to mind was answered in such thorough detail. It’s given me the confidence to move into the high school years unafraid. This is certainly a book that I will refer to often. This book is a practical resource for the home school community and one that will alleviate fear in many a home school parent.

I encourage you to head over to Lee’s site, The HomeScholar for up to date information on her new book as well as all a host of other invaluable resources.

Lori is a 6th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools a 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions.

December 4, 2009 By Lori 1 Comment

HeartoftheMatterWalkingAmongThem

It has been an an amazing journey. Walking with the amazing women of the Bible. We have walked with well known women as well as women who are barely mentioned. As I sit typing this last post, I remain in awe of the unique lessons each one has so graciously given to us. They were women, much like ourselves who loved, laughed, cried, worried, wondered and looked to God for answers in their lives. God continues to use their lives to impart wisdom into ours and for that we are eternally grateful.

If you haven’t joined us this year, the archives are available and the while the walk may leave your feet a bit dusty, it is a walk worth the effort. The year long study began with women from the Old Testament who offered such profound lessons. As we moved into the New Testament we looked deeper into the familiar women on our walk. We have wandered from Eve to the Widow with Two Coins and many in between, and while each one told a unique story, each one was a blessing.

Eve: article and pdf
Sarah: article and pdf
Rebecca: article and pdf
Jochebed: article and pdf
Miriam: article and pdf
Ruth: article and pdf
Abigail: article and pdf
The Queen of Sheba: article and pdf
The Widow of Zarephath: article and pdf
Gomer: article and pdf
The Shunammite Woman: article and pdf
Review: article
Elizabeth: article and pdf
Mary, mother of Jesus: article and pdf
Martha: article and pdf
Dorcas (Tabitha): article and pdf
Salome, Mother of James and John: article and pdf
Joanna: article and pdf
Lydia: article and pdf
Mary of Bethany: article and pdf
The Widow with 2 Coins: article and pdf

It is my prayer and hope that this study has in some way touched the hearts of those who have journeyed with these remarkable women of days gone by. It is with a servant’s heart that I leave you with a prayer from my heart.

Father God,

Thank you, truly thank you for the opportunity that we have had to walk and wander with these women from the Bible. Thank you for teaching lessons through the lives of others. Help us as we go on from here, that our eyes always be open, and that our hearts be ever ready to receive what you would place on our hearts. It is with humble desire that we want to live the life that you would have us live. Thank you for revealing so often in the lives of those women who have walked before us, your awesome hand and limitless love. Lord, I pray for each of the women who have walked with us this year. For those who walked each walk and those who only briefly joined the journey. I pray that your ever watchful hand be upon their lives. May mercy and grace, love and forgiveness always be theirs, and may the peace that only comes from you be always and abundant in their lives.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

November 14, 2009 By Lori 2 Comments

HeartoftheMatterWalkingAmongThem

The object of this study is to take some time out of our busy, often chaotic days and spend some time with women who have gone before us. Not just any women, but 26 women of the Bible. We’ll “Walk Among Them” and see how their stories relate to our lives. It’s my hope that we will discover God’s presence and grace in our own lives as the lives and lessons of these women unfold before us this year.

Walking Among Them, The Widow with 2 Coins

It’s a short but profound walk this week. Our wanderings with the Widow with 2 Coins can be found in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.

Mark’s account is brief;

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came in and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

She is poor, she is alone and yet she completely trusts in God. In a word, WOW.

The coins are worth less than a penny. They are Greek lepta and they are copper coins. How incredibly ironic that the coins the widow places in the box are next to worthless and yet because of her great sacrifice, are worth more than massive amounts of gold to the Lord.

We know the commands. They are evident all throughout the Bible. We are told that we cannot serve 2 masters and can not serve both God and money. (Luke 16:13) We are reminded in Hebrews 13:5 that we should not love money and to be satisfied with what we have. The command are clear and yet it’s the widow with two coins who just seems to “get it.” All those around her, those who had studied and were learned took a lesson from a poor widow, and we too walk away with the same simple, profound lesson.

With each woman that we study, I’ll have some thoughts and ideas for reflection, meditation and journaling that will be called “Reflections from the Walk.” It’s in Walking Among Them that we can learn lessons that we can take with us on our daily walks.

Reflections from the walk:

As the holidays approach there may be no better time than the present to reflect on the message that is so eloquently expressed in the story of the Widow with Two Coins.

The widow was content. In a world where many of us struggle with issues of contentment, in particular, material contentment, it does our hearts good to read and re read the story of how at peace this woman was to part with her best for God.

Is it difficult for you to part with your best? Jesus pointed out the Widow to the disciples that day. She was an example that He wanted them to witness. He wanted them to notice and 2,000 years later we are still noticing her act of generosity.

This may be a difficult session for you. Examine your habits with money. Examine the habits of your family. Look honestly at your heart for giving. Are you a spender, saver, hoarder. Pray that God will reveal areas where there is work to be done. This will likely not be easy, topics involving money rarely are, but if we are going to come to a place where we can have the “Widow’s heart” then it will begin with our relationship with money and contentment. If this is an area of struggle for you, then this may be an opportunity for you to seek quality Christian counseling on money. God has great plans for each of our lives, but money and materialism often interfere with those plans.There are many resources available. Consult your pastor or trusted Christian friend for references.

Trust is the cornerstone of the Widow’s story. Where in your life do you see a lack of trust? Do you hoard food in your pantry for fear that you will not have enough? Do you hoard clothing in your closet (perhaps 6 different sizes) just because? Do you give of what is left over out of fear? Take one small step this week. After honestly and openly praying about the areas in your life where something is getting in the way of your true relationship with God, take a step to surrender and trust.

personal note**

Personally, I have to work on the issues in regards to food in my pantry. I was convicted that my full pantry was a testimony of fear. I needed to let go of a full freezer and over stocked shelves and let God provide weekly. It has freed me from keeping it all for myself and helped me focus instead on the needs of those around me.

As the holidays approach many will find worry increase and joy plummet. Sincerely pray that this year it WILL be different. Look at ways that you can give from your heart and not out of habit. Giving from the heart will require more time and effort but moving out of worry into true joyful obedience will make the holiday season a truly a time of celebration.

A PDF of this study can be downloaded HERE.

Next month we’ll wrap up our year long study of Walking Among Them.

October 24, 2009 By Lori Leave a Comment

HeartoftheMatterWalkingAmongThem

Walking Among Them, Mary of Bethany

We all know the story. The story of the sisters Martha and Mary. We have walked with Martha and today, we have the opportunity to walk with her sister Mary of Bethany. We will find her mentioned in each of the Gospels. We’ll look at Matthew (26: 6-13), Mark (14:3 – 9), Luke (10: 38-42) (the story of Martha and Mary), and John (11:1 – 12:11). As always it’s in reading Scripture that we gain insight to the woman with whom we are walking.

Mary was a disciple of Jesus. She sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him. She is known for being still in the presence of the Lord and listening to what He has to place on her heart. This woman knew ultimate joys in her life and profound sadness as well. As the sister of Lazarus, she was distraught as her brother lay sick and dying. As friends of Jesus, they sent for him. “The two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, Lord your dear friend is very sick.” (John 11:1) When Jesus does not come right away, we can only imagine the sadness that fills the home of Mary and Martha as their brother dies. Lazarus had been “in the grave” for four days and as we can all imagine, Mary and Martha were grieving.

Many visitors came, and none of them was Jesus.

When word arrives that Jesus was coming, Martha goes to meet him, but Mary stays behind. Mary stays behind. She stays behind until Martha tells her that, “the teacher is here and wants to see you.” (John 12:28). Faithfully, Mary goes to see Jesus. Mary tells Jesus that if ONLY He had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died. Jesus knew the plans for Lazarus’ life were far from over, but that had not yet been shown to Mary and in her grief, she questioned. This “troubled” Jesus. Jesus asks, “Where have you put him?” The took Jesus to the body and we know that Jesus wept. It is in Jesus’ command that the stone be rolled aside that Jesus responds, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” After praying to the Father, Jesus calls, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus appears with his hands and feet bound in the gravecloths and everyone there must have just stood in awe.

We meet Mary a bit further down the path as well. We meet her in Mark’s account, (14:1-9). It is just before the Passover and there is talk about how to capture and kill Jesus. We know that Jesus was in Bethany and there was a feast in His honor. It is in this story that Mary comes into the room and anoints Him with expensive perfume. Imagine a strong perfume, the kind that can fill up a room. This is not a dab, but rather “poured.” It is Judas Iscariot who speaks up and questions the motives of Mary. “Why waste such expensive perfume? It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” (Mark 14:3-4) Jesus speaks up and defends Mary’s actions. In Mark 26:10, his words are “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing.” He lets them know that the poor will always be among them but that He will soon be gone. He tells them that Mary has anointed His body for burial ahead of time, and reminds them that when the Good News is preached around the world that this deed of Mary’s will be remembered and discussed. (Mark 14:6)

Mary journey’s with Jesus and along the way she learns so much. She quiets herself and listens, she questions in her grief and anoints in a prophetic act. She was unafraid and she loved Jesus. Her actions allow us to see the transparency of the woman who we know as Mary of Bethany. She was not perfect and certainly human in her reactions, particularly in grief, and yet it is her desire for God’s heart and love for Jesus that endures 2,000 years.

We take away so much from our walk with Mary. This week we have an opportunity to reflect on the life of this great disciple of Christ.

Spend some time this week learning about the Passover. There are some wonderful resources on Biblical Holidays.com.

In studying the Passover, we can see the significance of Mary’s act at the meal in Bethany. Studying the Passover is a wonderful way to involve the family in a Bible Study.

Mary knows grief when her brother Lazarus dies. Imagine that you were there walking in Mary’s shoes. Would you have reacted in faith or in grief? Look around you and notice that there are many among us who walk in grief. Pray and listen to what God is trying to tell you about reaching those who are grieving. Truly reflect and perhaps you will be led to minister to those who are living with overwhelming sadness.

As women we cannot look past Mary’s heart to “sit at the feet of Jesus.” We live busy and noisy lives and Mary is ever the example of quieting ourselves to immerse ourselves in the Word. If you struggle with quieting yourself, reflect and perhaps commit to memory, the words of Jesus.

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Jesus tells Mary those present at her anointing of Him that she has done a “beautiful thing.” God gives us the ability to do the things that please Him. We often are not willing to do just that. The opportunity to DO something beautiful is all around us. It can be in the form of the poor, the needy, the lonely, the grieving, the overwhelmed or the exhausted. Do you have anyone in your life who is experiencing any of these at the moment. Take time this week to “do a beautiful thing.” Ask God to lead you, and do it only for His glory, not yours. These are the gifts that we can give God. He surrounds us with the opportunity to “do something beautiful,” this week let us pray that we seize it.

Lord, thank you for sharing your disciple Mary’s heart with us in your Word. Help us as we strive to lead lives of discipleship. Help us to be still and truly listen at the “feet of Jesus,” as Mary did and then Lord help us to engage in “beautiful acts.” Help us Lord to cast aside selfishness and pride, for they are not beautiful in your eyes and instead clothe ourselves in humility and service so that our lives can become fragrances that are pleasing to you. Thank you Lord for this beautiful life that you have filled with opportunities to praise and glorify you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

As always we come home from the walk with a Biblical Woman with much gained and Mary of Bethany is no exception. May this study bring peace to your life.

A PDF of this study can be found HERE.

October 11, 2009 By Lori 3 Comments

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
–George Eliot

With cooler breezes, autumn hues, and shorter days……FALL has arrived… and with it comes PUMPKINS! One of our favorite FALL activities has been carving a pumpkin with a lovely and HAPPY face~

A friend of mine shared this with us years ago….We’ve adapted it for our family, but it’s proven to be a FABULOUS BIBLE STUDY, even for the tiniest of carvers. It’s a great way to share some wonderful passages while engaging in a FUN,and GOOEY Family activity! Why not pop some popcorn, throw in some candy corn and make a night of it watching the fall sky? Older kids? Let them have a carving “contest” of sorts, letting them see who can carve the happiest pumpkin and recall the most verses! Lighting these “guys” for all the world to see is always the BEST part of the night! Nothing spooky about Spreading the Good News!

~HOW GOD CARVES A PUMPKIN~

Create a pumpkin. Make it big, little, short, tall fat or skinny. No matter which, it will be a WONDERFUL pumpkin.

“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” Isaiah 66:2

Harvest the pumpkin when it’s fully ready.

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Hold the pumpkin gently as you cleanse the dirt outside, washing all the dirt away.

“Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sin.” Acts 22:16

Make an opening at the top, Search into the dark cavity for anything that needs to be removed.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward according to conduct and deeds. Jeremiah” 17:10

Remove all the stringy pulp and slime, and clean out the entire cavity.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10

Give that pumpkin a big set of eyes so that he may see all the good around him.

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” Luke 10:23

Carve a nice nose so that he can take in the wonderful scents of the world.

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart.” Proverbs 27:9

Carve a great big SMILE so that he can bring JOY to anyone who sees him.

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart of others.” Proverbs 15:30

Make the pumpkin glow all over with a little white light inside.

“God said, “let light shine out of the darkness,” and made His light shine in our hearts.” 2Corinthians 4:6

Rejoice in the “NEW” pumpkin that has been created and given new life.

“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6

Place the pumpkin in the perfect spot so that the light will guide others.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Now let it be a reminder to each of us to go out into the world and let our LIGHT shine for all the world to see! Even the “tinest” carvers can understand that!

It’s often in the details of life that our greatest messages are seen and taught. Taking time to truly ENJOY the splendor of a new season will make memories for a lifetime!

Happy Fall Ya’ll! (that IS how we say it SOUTHERN style!)

Lori is a 5th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools an 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions.

October 10, 2009 By Lori 1 Comment

HeartoftheMatterWalkingAmongThem

Walking Among Them, Lydia

Faithful witness and a woman with the gift of hospitality. That is what she was. Lydia.

As we have come to realize with these women we’ve had the privilege of walking with this year, we do not know much about them. What God does reveal about them is all we need to know. Lydia will be no different. She is a Gentile woman originally from a town named Thyatira. Lydia was not her real name, but rather the name of the town in which she lived. She was as we know according to the Book of Acts that she was a “merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshipped God.” (Acts 16:14) We are told in Acts 16 that when Paul “went to the riverbank, where he thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who gathered there,” (Acts 16:13) he encountered a woman who “listened and the Lord opened her heart and she accepted what Paul was saying.” This woman was baptized and she asked Paul to be one of her guests. This was the woman who has come to be known 2,000 years later as Lydia.

Lydia was a businesswoman who dealt with “purple cloth.” Purple was the color of the cloth that royalty wore and she was likely one of the women who was given the formula to “dye” the cloth. The cloth was produced from the shellfish in the area and the cloth was a commercial product and she was likely successful and may have had servants under her. We have no way of knowing if she was married, widowed or single but we do know that she will be remembered for her legendary hospitality.

While few things are certain, we can know that Lydia easily could have found ‘excuses’ NOT to open her home up to Paul. We like to think of our busy lives as something new, but if we look back on generations gone by, they were just as busy as we were. Here was a woman who was in the throes of a business and easily could have thought up ways NOT to serve, and yet on the contrary, this is precisely what she is remembered for.

What’s our excuse?

Lydia opened her home up to Paul. What if she had just been too busy, or preoccupied to notice that this was God’s will for her? How many opportunities do we miss simply because we aren’t looking for them?

As we walk this week with Lydia, we take away many practical lessons. This week as you reflect on our walk with Lydia, ponder these questions and ideas.

Consider this quote:

“Hospitality is becoming an almost forgotten Christian virtue in our style of life today…In the New Testament, however, hospitality was a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities.”
~Alexander Strauch
from The Hospitality Commands~

Have you taken time to cultivate your spirit of hospitality? As Christian women, we are called to be hospitable; it is a mark of the Christian community. Ponder the quote above and perhaps there will be an idea below that speaks to your heart of hospitality as we remember our walk with Lydia.

Alexander Stauch has a very practical list on ways that we can incorporate hospitality into our lives. Many of the ideas are ones that we KNOW, but we often need the reminder to inspire us along the way. The ideas below were inspired by the ideas of Alexander Stauch in his book, The Hospitality Commands. As I read through his ideas, I reflected and added a few practical ideas that will hopefully inspire the women who are walking with Lydia.

Plan ahead.
Lydia was a busy gal without the luxury of our modern day appliances to help her. She did not let her busyness become her excuse.

Make a list of people who might be encouraged by your hospitality and start here.

Often we don’t offer hospitality because we doubt our own qualifications. Be encouraged, YOU are qualified in Christ. Consider your gifts and talents. What are you particularly good at? Do you bake a wonderful cake, or a mean cup of coffee, or do you have an extra bedroom? Each of these can serve as the portal in which hospitality can walk through.

Start with your neighbors in using hospitality as an outreach.

They are often the nearest to us and the ones we forget the most. They are in need of hospitality in a hurting and hurried world.

Don’t forget the holiday season as they are difficult times for many.

Think of ways that you can extend a hand of hospitality to someone who is having a challenging time as the holidays approach.

Collect and file simple and inexpensive recipe ideas.

Remove the excuse of expense. Bread can be baked for pennies and a homemade card or an hour of your time cost little or nothing but time. I once received a jar filled with purple buttons and baubles and trinkets with a reminder to “let my purple show.” This easily could be written on a card to encourage others to engage in hospitality.

Be interested in people’s lives.

Learn key questions for meaningful conversation. It’s becoming a lost art really. Lydia listened to Paul and she was forever changed. Spend time simply listening to someone. We often forget that this too is a form of hospitality.

Pray that God would give you joy in serving.

As hard as it may be, we need to look inward at the reasons why we are not allowing the gift of hospitality become evident in our lives. We need to be willing to look at the selfishness, pride and disobedience that exist in our hearts and are often what hinder us from opening ourselves up to others. We have no excuses and prayer is the only way that we often see through the pride that stops us short.

Simple things really…

Hospitality has never been complicated, we complicate hospitality.

Going into God’s word is the best way to reflect on a spirit of hospitality. Perhaps writing, journaling or doodling these verses will be a reminder to you this week.

Another simple way to reflect on hospitality and serving others is to include these verses on your correspondence this week or in the gifts or recipes you choose to share with others.

“Rather, serve one another in love”
Galatians 5:13

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Lydia was busy, and yet she found time to listen to Paul and open her home to those who needed rest. She was able to offer her home and her heart to those around her. Wouldn’t we all like to be remembered for these values?

Let us pray that as we spend time “walking with Lydia” that we pray the words we read in verse 14 of Acts 16, “The Lord opened her heart to respond.” Lord, open my heart such that I may live in the spirit of Lydia and not merely see, but respond.

A PDF version of this study is available here.

September 26, 2009 By Lori 5 Comments

Joanna

It’s a name that we don’t often think of when we think of Biblical Women. It’s certainly not a name that comes up in the top five women of the Bible. Our brief walk with Joanna begins in Luke 8:1,

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary from whom the seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household’ Susanna and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

The ONLY other mention of her is again in Luke. In Luke 24:10 we meet Joanna again, in extraordinary circumstances.
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them,

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen!

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’”

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed like nonsense.”

Just being mentioned in Scripture is amazing! Joanna is mentioned among the women who were the first to hear of the Resurrection! WOW! We can glean a bit about her from what we read in Scripture. We can assume that she was cured in some way, from something that traditional medicine couldn’t cure and that she was helping to support Jesus and His ministry from her own money. We also know that she was married to the man who managed Herod’s estates. Herod Antipas was the ruler who had John the Baptist murdered, and Antipas was very aware of Jesus, since Jesus was ministering in the same area. In Luke’s Gospel, we are told that Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate for trial, and then Pilate handed Him back over to Antipas. Joanna was VERY aware of the risk that she was taking by being a committed follower of Jesus.

Joanna understood power. She lived among the powerful and yet she witnessed something in Jesus that was different. His ministry was not about the powerful and she became committed to it. She risked her comfortable life to serve and minister with Jesus.

Joanna was part of Jesus’ close circle of friends. She made the choice to “hang out” with those that Jesus associated with, the poor and the weak, often the lowest members of society. She could have watched it from the comforts of her home, but she chose not to. Joanna was right in the mix, using her own money to support Jesus and his disciples.

Imagine for a moment that you’ve just witnessed the death of a dear friend. Worse yet, contemplate that it was an intentional crucifixion. That is exactly what Joanna witnesses and the morning after the Sabbath, she and a few other women head out to where the body was taken to prepare the body in the proper way. She is simply doing what needs to be done. Imagine in those darkest moments, full of grief and confusion, angels of the Lord appear and remind you of what Jesus promised while He was still alive. Then to hear them proclaim for the first time, “He is NOT here! He is risen from the dead!”

Joanna is among those first few women to hear this amazing news! Joanna certainly experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs in her time on earth. Her commitment to Christ is why we remember her and the lessons of Jesus’ healing power and an example of faithfulness to Him are lessons she so clearly shares with us.

Again, it’s amazing to me that a woman mentioned so briefly in the Bible can offer us such an example. While we know so little about the woman named Joanna, we take away so very much.

Clearly Joanna had resources. Her husband was in charge of Herod Antipas’ estate. She could have chosen a much different path for her life. Her commitment to Jesus included using her money to support the ministry. Spend some time this week thinking about how YOU spend your money in regards to ministry. Often we tithe our weekly or monthly offering and forget about it. Go a bit deeper this week. Is there a way for you to take a bit of your spending money, forgo a “want” and use it in a way that serves a ministry at your church? If that isn’t possible (for some it will not be), think of how you can use your talents or offer a service to a ministry at your church that you have not ever offered before. You’ll be amazed at how possible it is to go a step further in faith.

Joanna was healed by Jesus of some medical issue. (Luke 8:1) It may have been this healing that led to her passionate following of Christ. Spend some time reading and learning about the healings of Jesus. Reference Mark 2:3 -12, Mark: 25-29, Mark 1:30-31, Luke 13:11 – 13 to name a few. Healing at the hands of Jesus is an amazing thing. Do you believe Jesus continues to heal today? Pray this week for those who heal, doctors and medical personnel who have been given knowledge to save lives and heal. Pray also for miracles, like those listed above. Pray specifically for someone in your life in need of Christ’s healing power.

Let’s doodle again! This week’s Scripture is one of promise! One that Joanna certainly felt at the time of the Resurrection!

“You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for JOY!”

Isaiah 26:19

Finally, as a woman, consider seriously your role in ministry. Are you active in ministry? Are you using your gifts and resources appropriately? Has God placed on your heart an area that He would like you to serve? Journaling these thoughts and praying sincerely about them could open up ministry opportunities that you have never before considered. Joanna likely did not always imagine herself a disciple of Jesus, but it was God’s plan for her life…what is His plan for yours?

A downloadable PDF version is available HERE.

Lori is a 6th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools an 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions.

September 5, 2009 By Lori 1 Comment

heartofthematterwalkingamongthem1

The object of this study is to take some time out of our busy, often chaotic days and spend some time with women who have gone before us. Not just any women, but 26 women of the Bible. We’ll “Walk Among Them” and see how their stories relate to our lives. It’s my hope that we will discover God’s presence and grace in our own lives as the lives and lessons of these women unfold before us this year.

Salome, Mother of James and John, The Zebedee Brothers

This week we have an opportunity to walk with another amazing woman of the Bible. A woman, who is, as many of the women we meet, only mentioned briefly in the Bible. We don’t glean anything about her physical appearance from Scripture, but yet after the brief encounters we have with her, we take much away. Her story shows a life filled with passion and purpose. Imagine being known first as a devoted follower of Jesus and also as the mother of the “Sons of Thunder.” They weren’t given this name for nothing! She knew these two and the Lord had amazing plans for their lives. She was first and foremost a mother, giving birth to 2 boys who eventually grew to become one of Jesus’ first twelve.

The fact is that she was a mom. Salome was a wife and mother. Her husband made his living as a fisherman in Capernaum, and her sons were called by Jesus while they were working as fishermen as well. They obviously knew who Jesus was at the time He approached them on their father Zebedee’s boat. We are told that they “immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.” (Matthew 4: 22) She too becomes a devoted follower of Christ and is one of the three women who stood at the cross, witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and later stood in the presence of the angel at the tomb who told of the glorious resurrection. What highs and lows she experienced in her time on earth.

Salome was a mother. Her boys, James and John some of Jesus’ best friends and it’s easy to imagine her love and devotion to Him as well. When her son’s were called by Jesus she had to be amazed. In the Gospel of Matthew we see Salome’s true “mother colors” come out;

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

“What is it you want?” He asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine sit at your right and the other at your left.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

Matthew 20: 20 – 23

It’s easy to sit and wonder, “What was she thinking?” How many of us can honestly say that we wouldn’t have asked the same questions, given the circumstances? She was doing what most of us would have done, she was trying to do what she thought would make her sons happy. A little bit of “motherly intervention.” Yes, they were grown men, but she KNEW who they were associating with. She thought she had a plan! Scripture tells us that she “begged.” Jesus understood her motives. She was a loving mother, devoted to Jesus and she couldn’t know or understand what she was asking.

As a mother she raised some passionate men. Men whose lives became a reflection of the kinds of children we’d like to raise. Flawless men, no, passionate and purposeful men, absolutely! How did she do it? Our clues lie in how SHE lived her own life. We know that children glean so much from the example that their parents are in their lives, good or bad. Salome’s devotion to Christ and His ministry are evident as she is one of the women who stands at the foot of the cross. Mark 15: 41 tells us, “In Galilee these women had followed Him and cared for His needs.” Salome was one of these women. She loved Jesus. She was an example to her sons. She stayed devoted and clearly was not one to sit around. At a time when others were running scared, she continued with a few other women to finish what needed to be done. There were preparations to the body that needed to be made, and Salome was one of the women who was present at the tomb that morning.

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell the disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as He told you.’”

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Mark 16: 1-8

It’s in the end of this passage that we see that while she was a devoted follower of Christ, she too was human. As we’ve seen before when she questions Jesus about her sons, we see here that she, (along with the other women present), say “nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” As we read this passage 2000 years later, we tend to think, “What are you ladies afraid of? You have just seen an angel of the Lord! He is alive!” BUT, imagine for a moment that you are there. You’ve watched a crucifixion, the crucifixion of the one that you have been following and caring for. You’ve witnessed the crucifixion of your sons’ best friend and Lord. You’ve gotten up early to do what needs to be done. Salome had to be exhausted. She had to be confused, just like the other disciples and above all she was sad. This news simply overwhelmed them. Could they believe it? Should they believe it? As we read these Scriptures and truly imagine ourselves there, often we find that we, in our own humanness would have reacted exactly the same way.

Salome leaves a legacy behind. While we know very little “about” her, we know so much. We don’t know what she looked like, what she enjoyed doing, how she laughed or what she cooked best, but thankfully we know that she was a devoted woman. Devoted to Jesus and devoted to her sons and that is a legacy in and of itself.

With each woman that we study, I’ll have some thoughts and ideas for reflection, meditation and journaling that will be called “Reflections from the Walk.” It’s in Walking Among Them that we can learn lessons that we can take with us on our daily walks.

Reflections from the walk:

Salome was, like many of us, a mother. Reread Matthew 20:20 and think about it from a mother’s perspective. What would you have asked of Jesus for your children? As mothers sometimes we THINK that we KNOW what is best for our children. If you find yourself struggling with submission in regards to your children, pray.

Consider journaling your prayers as a mother if you already don’t. It’s an amazing way to open your heart up to God in the written word. Often words flow on paper that we are unable to speak. As a mother, we know our children best. Present your requests to God for their lives and then reflect, as Salome had to, that there will be times when those requests will be denied. Pray for understanding and faith as you pray for your children, young or old. Remember that ultimately our children are not ours, but God’s, and it’s only in that understanding that we will truly be followers ourselves and know just how to come to God in prayer.

As a devoted follower, Salome was a woman of action. She left what we imagine was a comfortable life in Galilee to join the boys and follow Jesus. Look at your life and spend some time thinking about ways that YOU can engage yourself. It may be to prepare a meal for some of your own children’s friends or to reach out in the community. Look at the commitment of Salome to the ministry of Christ for inspiration.

Memorize Isaiah 66:13

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”

Allow yourself to get creative and doodle a bit! Creatively write out this verse in a way that best expresses YOUR creativity. (Use markers, pens, stamps or even the computer) Place this unique creation somewhere that you will be reminded daily of this promise!

Finally, examine your own sense of pride. What areas do you struggle with in regards to pride? It’s not always easy to look inside of ourselves but it’s necessary if we want to grow in our relationship with Christ. Ask God to reveal to you any areas in which your own pride or ambitions are getting in the way of what He wants to do in your life or in the lives of your children. This will NOT be easy, but it can be the most rewarding exercise if we honestly open up and come to the cross and deal with unresolved issues of pride.

A PDF version can be found HERE.

August 16, 2009 By Lori 1 Comment

DORCAS/TABITHA

“Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which when translated in Greek is called Dorcas): This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” Acts 9:36

This week we’re going to meet a woman on our walk who we’ll meet only briefly in the book of Acts, but will share profound lessons with us. Dorcas lived in a town called Joppa, a town on the Mediterranean coast about thirty miles from Jerusalem. We know that Dorcas was among a group of people who followed Christ and was among one of the first gathering groups of Christians.

istock_000003220380xsmall

Holy Scripture mentions and remembers her for “abounding” deeds of kindness and charity. What a wonderful way to be remembered 2000 years later. She must have been extraordinary! With all of the women who were alive, Luke mentions her actions and how those around her felt when she died. It’s in Acts that we read that the community was so saddened by her death that they summoned Peter to come.

Peter turned to her body and said, “Get up, Tabitha.” “Then she opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.”
(Acts 9:40 -42)

Clearly Dorcas was a servant of the Lord. She was a true comforter to those around her. It seems that Dorcas was always ready and willing to “EXTEND HERSELF.” It shouldn’t surprise us that she is the only woman in Scripture to be given the label of “disciple.” If we look at what a disciple is, we’ll discover that the word comes from Greek and English words that link it to the verb, “to learn.” A disciple after all takes in all that they can from their leader. In this case Dorcas has learned all that she could from the life that Jesus led and became a true follower. A disciple listens and learns. Dorcas listened, learned and then she went out and lived out the traits that she had learned from what she knew of her Lord, Jesus. As the only woman referred to as a disciple, her character demonstrated those traits of mercy and kindness which made her a reflection of Jesus. (See Acts 9:36)

We don’t know much about Dorcas from Scripture. In Acts, we are not told if she is married or how old she is. We do know, however, that she is the only woman in Scripture to be called a disciple. That alone tells us she was passionate. Passionate as a doer and follower of Jesus. She lived for others, earning the honor of the title “disciple.” Wouldn’t you love to have the words, “she was a disciple” spoken about you long, long after you were gone?

Certainly many women of the day possessed those qualities. Living in Joppa and the surrounding towns lived women who were good, really good. There were women who loved and cared for families and lent a helping hand to those in need, but Dorcas was different. The community called Peter in at the time of her death. Her life impacted her community and thus Luke mentions this story. It seems that what set her apart was her passion for the cause. She was truly a disciple in word and deed. What set her apart was that she was unceasing in her commitment to discipleship. She was a woman living in desperate times, and yet she found a way to live passionately for Christ, by serving and tending to the needs of those around her. It’s not that she did it occasionally, but continually. One word, made all the difference. “Continually” doing for others, not occasionally, as the mood strikes, but ALL the time. She was the one who noticed who needed what and simply did what she knew to do. She chose to DO, all the time! And, continually she lived the life of a disciple, not just when SHE was in the mood.

Dorcas lived a life that glorified God. Her acts of goodness and kindness are done to help others in the name of Christ. Then God does as He will, and He allows her to be raised from the dead by Peter, again glorifying His name through her willingness to be used in any way God needs her. Dorcas was not a woman of nobility. The account given in Luke tells us only that she was a believer. That was enough for God to use. She was a willing vessel through with God could freely flow.

Reflections from the walk:

Dorcas was a woman that is remembered in Scripture for her kindness and mercy. What wonderful traits to be remembered 2,000 years for. If you were to no longer exist, what would those around you say about you? Would they attach adjectives such as merciful, gracious, hospitable, and kind to your name? Reflect on these traits and ask God to guide you in the areas that would help you to be a better disciple.

Is there a Dorcas in your life? Is there a woman who is passionately pursuing Christ by using her gifts? Thank her. Write a note to that woman expressing your gratitude to her for her discipleship and example.

We can be certain that Dorcas was a disciple and not out among those in Joppa wanting the credit for all the work she did. Do you ever find yourself struggling with “wanting some acknowledgment” for the work you’ve done or secretly wishing that you would be “thanked” more often? Often we let these things interfere with our spirits. We can never be true disciples if it is about us, and not Him. Journal your honest feelings about this. It may be challenging. We often do not like how we react, but it’s only in going honestly to God that He can help turn our hearts to Him where we’ll become true disciples.

Take time out of your week to extend yourself to someone in need. It can be a simple act of kindness or an impromptu extension of mercy. Write out Matthew 6:3-4.

“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Allow this verse to guide you this week as you strive to live a disciple’s life. The glory is God’s, not ours. Look around you and meet the needs of those that you may not otherwise extend yourself to. Remind yourself that Dorcas did continually, not conveniently. A wonderful example of discipleship for us to follow.

A PDF version is HERE.

Heart of the Matter

Connect With Us

Sponsors

Recent Posts

Announcements

HOTM on Facebook

Archives

What You Are Saying