Mature Femininity- Mark Hamby

I received this in my inbox this morning and just loved it!  Of course, it also hit me over the head.....but we won't mention that part.

At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman's differing relationships.

-What’s The Difference? by John Piper

I have read this quote again and again and still have not been able to fully understand what Piper was trying to convey. What does he mean by 'mature femininity frees a woman to nurture strength from a worthy man'? I really hit a wall when I tried to unpack this so I asked one of the women on our staff if she could help. Here’s what she wrote: I think it means that it is freeing for a woman to support the strength and leadership of men rather than taking on the leadership role herself because it allows her to participate in the goal in an essential way, yet without the burden of final responsibility that I think God made only men to carry. This role is carried out in different ways, according to the relationship the woman is in: a wife, daughter, sister, or secretary all are different positions where a woman can serve and support the leadership of the man in that relationship, in the ways most appropriate to her position. I have experienced that in my own work: when I am in a position of too much leadership, it is a burden that hangs heavily on me because I'm a supporter, not a leader. But when I am in a supporting role, although it may be more limiting in some ways since I have to follow the leadership of whoever I’m working under, it is ultimately freeing because it takes away that burden of responsibility and enables me to focus on what I do best…nurturing the idea and bringing the details to life in a way that only I can do. When we as ladies want to usurp these areas which God has designed more particularly for men, it takes away from our ability to affirm and nurture… it takes strength and wisdom to recognize our calling as women and to delight in it; this is ‘mature femininity’. But if we can delight in it, we’ll complement the leadership of men in such a way as to enhance our own calling to the fullest.

Making ready a people prepared for the Lord, Mark Hamby  What are your thoughts on this?  Do you agree?  Have you read John Pipers book? If you haven't, I highly recomend it!  ~Rebecca *SO* excited!  Mark Hamby is coming to this years CAPE convention!

It's Here!

It's Here!  Remembering the Alamo  has finally made it!  My dear Friend's 4th published book (this one's a novella) will be entering the world today.  If you are looking for an enjoyable read that isn't heavy, yet isn't boring light fluff go check it out.

The Synopsis:

When Pastor Mark Siegler takes his youth group on a midsummer vacation to San Antonio, he anticipates teaching them about honor and sacrifice at the Alamo. But arrival at the historic landmark brings cutting disillusionment. A troubled teen is determined to make things difficult - and spread his embitterment to the rest of the group. 

Mark has two choices: give up or try again. Midst his own discouragement, he decides to give them the story behind the legendary Alamo. And his perseverance results in the unforgettable.

The sweeping events of the Alamo comes to life through the eyes of an 1800's wheelwright named Silas Edwards. As his tale unfolds, his decision becomes a difficult one. Is defending the Alamo so important? Or are the principles behind opposing General Santa Anna worth sacrificing everything for?

Join Private Silas Edwards, David Crockett, William Travis, and Mark's youth group to discover the gripping events behind America's battlecry: "Remember the Alamo!"

Alicia Willis is a homeschool graduate and avid historian. From an early age, she has had the desire to write family-friendly, accurate books about the past. When not writing or doing endless historical research, she enjoys singing, being a church pianist, and teaching music. She and her family live in New Mexico.





If you enjoy reading, if you enjoy history, if you enjoy historical fiction; then purchase your own copy- here.

The only thing missing?  That perfect cup of tea or coffee!!!  
~Rebecca

God's Love

As some of you who follow me on Google+ know, I was lucky enough to go with my dad to a trip to Portales.  He went to work a booth with his job at the NM Ag Festival, and I went along for the fun and to spend time with him.

I really like traveling, going places, seeing things, meeting people, and being with the ones I love.  That's why our bull sale season is always a fun time for me (travel!).  On top of the travel and time with Dad, I was really looking forward to the Ag Fest.  I mean, anything to do with cows has got to be good, right?!

Unfortunately, it was pretty slow there.   Maybe the beautiful weather had everyone home doing odds and ends before NM’s windy spring hit.  Who knows?  But it was very, very slow.

When you are in a situation like this (at least for me) you start thinking about ALL the things you could be doing at home!  Especially with the lovely weather!

BUT

(Yes, that was a huge conjunction with no sentence for my dear, English-loving friends!)

BUT

God had something in mind for me.  He blessed my socks off!

Josh and I have been working together on my horse Queenie.  We took her to a trainer for about a month, and now she is home for us to finish her training.  I must admit I am proud of her.  For all the bad things we did (unknowingly!) when she was younger, she has a lot going for her.  Still, she is a green horse (green meaning untrained) being trained by green trainers!  We had some GREAT help from a friend, and she gave us a lot of great exercises to be working on.

However, we were getting to a point that we had learned almost all those above-said exercises.  We were almost to a point that I didn't know how to move forward.  I know what kind of a horse I want by the time we are done- one that can work cattle easily, listens to what I want, and responds right away and enthusiastically.  However, getting that horse from point “A” to point “B” was something I didn't know how to do!!

So what does my Loving God do?

He opens the doors for me to go to Ag Fest with my daddy, in spite of battling a cold a few days before leaving.

He places me at a slow-paced Ag Fest where the sessions looked more interesting than just sitting there.

God gives me a session called- get this..........“Advancing the Green Horse”.

Yup.  That’s right. “Got a green horse?  Want to keep working it but don’t know how?”!!!! "

I was able to sit for about 4 hours watching and listening as this great horse trainer showed us several different exercises for getting your horse from point “A” to point “B”!   They all made so much sense- get your horse to do this in the pens, and he’ll then do this in the pasture.  So exciting to this Cowgirl!

God even blessed me with time to ask a question about an issue that Queenie was struggling with and getting it personally answered by him!

Really, this story isn't about horses, or horse training, or Ag Fest.  It is about God who is a loving Father and took the time to show me that He is watching me, taking care of me, and staying one-step ahead of me!

Are you there right now?  Are you in a situation where you have no idea what to do next?  Where to turn?  Keep your eyes open.  What may look like a boring, wasted ride somewhere may be your ticket of answers.  With God, who knows!

And if you are on that boring, wasted ride and nothing happens.  Look around you.  Maybe it was NOT what you needed but that you needed to go in order for someone else to be blessed.   My dad really had a pretty wasted trip when he could have been at the office working on some big things- but it is what I needed.

As God showed us in Christ’s Birth, God doesn’t mind moving a whole nation to get one person somewhere!  Keep your eyes open, you just might see something.

In Christ’s Love,

Rebecca

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.  

A day filled with roses, flowers, chocolates....and Love.  

Our family celebrates Valentine's Day differently then most folks.  We take turns pairing up to cook the family a special dinner!  We hang curtains all around the kitchen so no one knows what is being made.  We decorate the table and make beautiful menus/place cards.  Then we all dress up and enjoy an evening with our family (grandparent's included!).

A HUGE reason I love this is it really focuses on one of the true meanings of Valentine's Day- love.  Love is not about getting what I want, but showing others how much I love them.  I value this family tradition and plan to continue it for as long as I can! 

What is your Valentine's tradition?

Now, while I am not an overly romantic person, it is hard to see this day.  If it I let my mind linger, I feel stabs of pain that I don't have someone to share this day with...yet.  I mean, who (being single) doesn't?!?  Truly deep down we want to.  Here is a great blog post by a friend that I thought really hammered in some good points about the day.  Some I hadn't thought about but make so much sense.

If you are a courageous person, read it here.  And great job to Desarae!  It was a hard post to write, but truth was in every word!  Thank you for sharing it with us!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rebecca

Why Hello 2014

Well, I laugh that I really have not spent as much time blogging as I thought I would.  Life I guess has just been beyond me! haha!  I am looking forward to a new year with me setting aside the time to blog more.  I have millions of blog posts floating around my head just waiting to be snatched up and written.  

I think part of my problem was the concern of hurting or wounding others with some of my thoughts.  While that is a burden every blogger should take into consideration, I am not going to be hindered by it this year.  Instead I will ask God for a special grace of words to put my thoughts in a loving way.  

So, that is what is going on in my life!  I am looking forward to January being my time to really sit down and decide what "things" are my top priorities of the year.  There are several activities that I want to do that thus decisions need to be made on them.  That is sometimes the hardest part- there are so many good things out in the world that you have to decide what is best for you.

What does your 2014 look like?

Rebecca

Fun Pinterests

A few Pinterests I have that make me laugh every time...... Enjoy!

And my favorite.......

Have a Fantastic Day!

~Rebecca

Happy Birthday!

20 is a big age and one that feels like you are finally "making it".  Sarah, though, has never needed to "make it".  She shows it in her daily life.  Some words that describe her and that I love about her?

Drama Queen
Lovely
Spunky
Fun
Fiesty
Sweet
Discerning
Kind
Loving
A Good Friend
Fiddler
Violinist
Guitarist
Pianist
Singer
Writer
Daughter
Sister

and last but not least,

Godly Woman.

Happy Birthday to you!  I pray that this year is wonderful and that you grow even more like your Lord and Savior!

~Remember I will always pick you up when you fall down........after I stop laughing!