I am not a Hand

My sister doesn't know how much I envy her. While I managed to inherit all of the talent and IQ ... she was the angel child. She was never in trouble, always thinking of others, always giving.

Me, on the other hand ... I am, and always have been ... a mess. Disorganized, distracted, frequently disobedient, etc. I was saved at an early age because I was very aware that I was a sinner and could NOT make it into Heaven on my own merit. Yet, even so, while the spirit is willing ... the flesh is weak.

Try as I might. I am not my sister.

And it doesn't help that I'm surrounded by so many other women to whom this servant attitude is second nature. Aunts, my late Grammy, my sister's best friend. All these women to whom I compare myself and just fall short. Women who look at me and shake their heads because how can I possibly justify just sitting at my computer writing all day.

And sometimes ... I question my salvation because of it. How can I possibly be a Christian if I can't give of myself freely like all of these other women I know and respect?

And then one day, as my mother and I were discussing spiritual gifts, a second passage in the Bible sprang to mind. One that I'd considered many times, but ... suddenly ... it struck me.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

...

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

1 Corinthians 12:15-16, 21

I'm surrounded by women who are hands - reaching forward to the community, administering to needs. Service is their spiritual gift, and they give of themselves so beautifully.

But, much as I wish it were, service isn't my gift. It's exhortation - encouragement. I'm a mouth, not a hand. God has given me words to say and write and they're no less valuable. I see people down and my drive is to comfort and cheer them. I give of myself just as freely - just in a different way.

I respect and admire these women, but I am not them. God has not called me to fill their shoes.

I am a mouth. And I will speak encouragement to the people around me. I will BE an encouragement to those around me.

And to all of the rest of you who aren't hands either, and who aren't mouths (though I imagine, in my world of authors, there are a good number of mouths), you're just as valuable. Because the body needs feet, ears, eyes, arms, stomachs, noses, even little pinkie toes.

S - Sacrifice

Via Pinterest

S - Sacrifice

During the plotting process of The Ankulen, I decided that I wanted the climatic scene to be a picture of what Jesus did when He died on the cross, the distance He had to span, the sheer incredibility of it. Here He was, the God of the universe, the Creator, Holy and Perfect ... and yet He chose to die - DIE! - for puny, sinful, pathetic, insignificant human beings. He didn't have to - it was the last thing that we ever expected - yet He did. Why? Not so we can keep him company in Eternity. God is three-in-one. He can keep Himself company just fine. No, He did it because He loves us.

So I knew that the climatic scene would be Jen choosing to fight the Polystoikhedron, even though it is almost certain death for her, just so that her imaginary people will no longer be plagued by him.

Of course, the picture isn't perfect. Jen is not a perfect, holy God. She's a sinful, pitiful human being, and the Polystoikhedron being in her imagination is almost as much her fault as it is her characters. Yet her sacrifice is still there. She doesn't have to do this for her imaginary world. She can live without it - she's been living without it for the last eight years, though it's been miserable for her. Her friends don't expect her to do it, they beg her not to. But she does it. She wants to do it. Why? Not because they can keep her company - she'll miss them, sure, but she has family and friends in the real world. No, she does it because she loves them, and she loves her world.

Shortly before I actually got around to writing the scene, I was reading though the back posts on Molly Evangeline's blog, and discovered This One. Go read it. It's short. I'll wait.

Back? Good. Molly got me thinking about all of the books that pictured Jesus' sacrifice, the ones that I loved ... and the ones that kinda fell flat. The first that came to mind was, of course, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Molly had mentioned it herself. Then there was Molly's own picture in Truth. I found it extremely well done. And then there was George MacDonald's The Light Princess. (And if you haven't read this book, I highly suggest it. I know you can get it free to listen to on Librivox. If you can get past all the singing ... it's absolutely hilarious in spots! Other places almost had me in tears!) And then there all of the pictures in the Bible itself - Abraham and Isaac on the mountain, Jonah in the Whale ... so on and so forth.

And then there were the ones that fell flat. Moonbeam by Katie Comstock and Tears of a Dragon by Bryan Davis are the two that spring to mind. Both are books that I otherwise love ... they just fell a bit flat.

Why? I realized that it wasn't that they were cliche or anything. All of these were wonderfully cliche and different. What makes a sacrifice/resurrection scene work is how much it matters to the plot, and how expected it is. Even though I had heard on the radio that Aslan would sacrifice himself for Edmund, I was still at the edge of my seat as I watched (Yes, watched. The BBC version.) Aslan with Susan and Lucy towards the stone table. I despaired with them as the knife was plunged into his heart and all hope was lost. I rejoiced when the table cracked and he was alive again.

And yet, in Tears of a Dragon, Billy's death and resurrection fell flat. Why? Partially because it felt forced. But also because it didn't seem to help the plot. It seemed to me that the plot would have changed very little had Elaine not succeeded in plunging the knife in Billy's back ... and that the way he resurrected was far too easy. I mean, the knife was supposed to be one that once you're dead, you're dead. I loved the series, I really did, but that scene fell flat, and I felt almost cheated. (But I do applaud how he waited until the last book to do it. Made it feel a bit more earned.)

And in Moonbeam, the problem was that she relied too heavily on that part of the plot. It did not catch me by surprise, so I wasn't at the edge of my seat while I read the Jesus-figure's death. I didn't despair as I waited for him to rise again. When he did, I was happy, but it was more of a finally! happy.

So will The Ankulen's sacrifice seen sink or swim? I won't pretend to say, though I love it a lot, and my beta readers have seemed to like it.

What does the Bible have to say about Insensitivity

Verses drawn from For Instruction in Righteousness. Verses are in KJV.

Proverbs 27:14 Now how do you like that? You bless someone, and all you get in return is a curse? Now how unfair is that? Actually, you have to read a bit more carefully than that. It's not talking about blessing that is well given ... it's talking about a blessing in a loud voice and in the morning. In other words, they're still asleep, and you barge in there with a "WAKE UP!!! GOOD HEALTH TO YOU!!!!!!" Not very nice now that you think about it.

Romans 12:15 This one's pretty straightforward. Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. If they're happy, join in their joy. If they're sad ... don't tell them knock knock jokes. Use common sense and be sensitive to their feelings.

1 Peter 3:8 This is telling us that we need to learn to think "What is the other person thinking" then learn to take what they're thinking into consideration for everything we do.

Job 6:14 Have pity, you never know, but it may be the very thing that keeps your friend from teetering  over the edge of rejection of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:14  We must be ready to be whatever a person needs - though not always what he perceives himself to need. But we must also remember to be gentle, kind, patient.

Galatians 6:2 When someone else is in trouble, or has a burden, we need to make sure we come alongside and help them.

Deuteronomy 22:1 Don't hide when a friend or brother is in need of help!

Psalm 112:5 Lend to people who are truly in need. But use discretion.

Acts 20:35 We need to support the people weaker than us - and it feels better to help someone else than to know that you're on the receiving end of help.

Romans 12:20  We need to be sensitive even to our enemy's needs. It not only helps them, it also makes them rethink what they're doing!

How Can I Avoid Selfishness?

A report I wrote at 15.

Selfishness is the root of both hatred and the love of money. Jesus once said that “The love of money is the root of all evil.” That makes Selfishness a deadly trap to fall into. Therefore it is of utmost importance to avoid it. The question is, how?
There is the acronym JOY. It stands for Jesus then Others then You. This is the recipe for selflessness, which is the opposite of selfishness.  The best way to avoid any bad habit is to identify its opposite, then replace the bad with it.
Whatever situation you might be in, your reaction should not be “How can I benefit me?” but, “What can I do that is pleasing to Jesus,” and then, “How can I benefit others?”
Most people think that being served is the key to happiness. However, those who know would tell you that it is those who are being served are the most miserable. They have nothing to do that is constructive, and therefore are most often bored. The servants, however, if they are not grudging, are most often the happiest.
If you grudge service, that’s being selfish. One way to become selfless is to make a conscious decision to serve, and do it with a happy and willing heart. Whenever you catch yourself being selfish, stop, and make a conscious decision to change your attitude.
Don’t, however, don’t delude yourself that you can do this all by yourself. No one can. Selfishness is a trait of Self. Self cannot be conquered alone. You must have God’s help to conquer Self.
Therefore you must ask God’s help to avoid selfishness. Even if you use all the tricks in the book, you can never overcome selfishness without God’s help. You must ask him for his help and ask it daily, hourly, or even minutely if you need it. And you must earnestly seek your goal, don’t play two-face, and hold back parts; that’s being selfish, too.

My Personal Love Chapter

This was a school assignment to personalize 1 Corinthians 13. I wrote it at 15.

.......

Though I am skilled with my hands, and make scarves and hats with ease, and give them away without a thought as to money, if I do it out of pride and not love, it profits me nothing.

Though I write the best stories in the world, and donate all the money I make off of them to charity, if I don’t do it out of love, it’s worthless.

Though I have a very high IQ and know all sorts of odd facts, and teach them to others whenever possible, if I do not love, I am just a bag of hot air.

Love is long suffering, and always is doing nice thing for others, love is not jealous of the things of others, love is not prideful.

Love does not make scenes of itself, does not seek to benefit itself, does not get angry easily, and does not think that which does not please God.

Does not take joy in sin, but in that which is true,

Forbears in all things, has faith in all things, expects all things, perseveres in all things.

Love never is driven out of course, unlike predictions, which will be rendered completely useless, or languages, that end, or science, which will come to nothing.

Our understanding is incomplete, as is what we foretell.

They will be done away with when perfection comes.

Once I was a child, and I did childish things, now I’m growing up and begin to do womanish things instead.

Right now, we don’t see things completely, as if through a glass, but someday I will know as I am known.

There are three great traits, unshakable belief in God, expectation is God’s grace, and love. Love is the greatest

Don't you just love eggs?

How Does God Want us to Treat the Earth?

I wrote this at the age of 15.

How does God want us to treat the earth? That question is debated all over the place. Does one have to sell everything they have and go into the woods and live on nuts and berries? Does one have to go to all sorts of rallies and such and leave a ton of trash at the Washington Memorial grounds?

And I’m not being silly with that second one, as that seems to be the environmentalists’ normal mode of function. I’m making a point. Some of the so said most concerned people about the earth, really care the least.

Pretty eggs ...

So how should we treat the earth? What of the first option I gave? In actuality, while I don’t believe it would really hurt, it isn’t necessary. You can help take care of the earth just as well in a house as in the woods.

A first suggestion for taking care of the earth is to conserve and reduce. Don’t use more than you have to. Buy things that have as little packaging as possible. Keep your heating and cooling as close to the outdoor temps as possible. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Turn off water when you don’t need it. Don’t use your refrigerator as an extra air conditioner. Walk or ride bikes over riding in a car when possible. I’m sure you can be creative enough to come up with more ideas.

A second suggestion is to reuse and repurpose. Coffee cans and cereal boxes make great beginnings for craft projects for kids. Buy things, like shampoo and cleaners, you can take the bottles and containers back for refills whenever possible. Make things last as long as you can.

A third suggestion is to recycle. For some people this is the simplest, for others, the most difficult. This is because of where they live, usually. Some places and communities provide you with special recycling bins, and send out recycling trucks to take your recycling away. All you have to do is sort your trash. In other places and communities, all you can recycle are aluminum cans—and even that’s a hassle.

Another suggestion is to watch where you throw your trash. No, the side of the road might be convenient, but it is not an appropriate option. Throw your trash in designated trash cans and recycling bins. On top of that, if you see trash on the ground, pick it up and put it in a designated trash can or recycling bin.

Don’t trash the earth, but you don’t have to go live in the woods either.

What does the Bible say about Being a Peacemaker

An essay I wrote at 15

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,” (Matthew 5:9). This is from the Sermon on the Mount, particularly from the Beatitudes. Obviously, Jesus thinks that this is important. If Jesus thinks this is important, I think that we should think it important, as well.

That’s why mom has had us studying it in school.

One way to be a peacemaker is to not blow up at other people. Don’t start arguments, and don’t give others reasons to start them with you. Be nice to others and practice the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Notice: not what they did to you. This is another part of peacemaking, not swinging back when someone else starts the argument. It is very hard to do sometimes, though.

A third way to be a peacemaker is to smooth out pre-existing fights. Mediating between two non-talking parties is an excellent way to do this. This is the hardest way, as it doesn’t personally involve yourself, and you always have the greatest amount of control over yourself. Try to stay out of other people’s conflicts, though

I’m not saying the first two are easy, it isn’t, but at least it’s only you that you are trying to control. And you don’t sound like a goody-goody in someone else’s fight. The second is probably the easiest, as you aren’t personally, yet, the one blowing up, yet you are still part of it. The hard part is that this usually involves taking the blame. Most people don’t like this. I know I don’t.

Taking the blame is a good way to effect the first, as well. Saying, “Your fault, your fault, your fault,” is just going to ruffle the other’s feathers, and make them even more defensive and angry. Taking the blame is hard, but is usually worth it.

But don’t be a doormat. Make yourself known, but do it in a soft voice and not an accusing one. Be honest with yourself. Was it your fault? If it was, say so, but if it honestly wasn’t, don’t lie. That just complicates things. However, you can offer to take the punishment for it.

Don’t respond to teasing, and don’t tease. Teasing is one of the best ways to start arguments.

Pride

Essay I wrote at 15.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18). That’s pretty harsh. I personally believe that that means that pride isn’t a very good idea. I’ve met a good many people who agree.

Pride is the feeling that you are better than others. It can spring from many things, such as a talent, appearances, money, or perhaps even friends or family. You might be prideful because you got a compliment on how you look, or you won an essay contest. Perhaps you have relatives who came over on the Mayflower, or your best friend is the richest girl in school. Perhaps you are proud because you have better morals than someone else.

But pride, as I said before, isn’t a very good idea. The question, then, is how should you avoid it. Jesus often said that if one wanted to be the highest in heaven, he would have to be the least on earth, so that would indicate that humility is something we should really strive for.

First, identify your area of pride. If you don’t know what you’re fighting, you won’t be able to fight. What are you proud of? Your house? Your prize? Your freshly baked cookies?

Now, think of how there might be someone or something better. It might not be in your personal sphere, but I will assure you that there is someone or something. Another idea is to think of your own short comings. I believe short comings are a gift from God (and the Apostle Paul agrees), as they remind you that you are human and therefore not perfect. Maybe your parents ignore you most of the time, maybe you flunk at English, or maybe the dress you tried to make was a horrid attempt.

Now, repeat the process. Pride is a sneaky thing. Just when you think it’s gone, you’ll find yourself proud of your humility! Now what a fall is that. There are some people who are self-convinced that they are the most humble people in the world, when in actually they are completely prideful.

Here’s a method of identifying your area of pride that I completely don’t recommend: ignoring it. If you ignore your pride long enough, you will find yourself falling (see verse at the beginning). You might loose your house and find yourself homeless. You might come in last place in the next contest. You might burn your next batch of cookies beyond recognition. There is only one benefit to this method of identifying your pride—the object of your pride will now be nonexistent! Or, at least, not as big a threat.

What Does the Bible Have to say about Not Being Trustworthy?

A Companion essay I wrote to What Does the Bible Have to say about Being Trustworthy, at age 15.

The Bible has a lot to say about the untrustworthy person. He is the kind of person who would steal and lie and cheat. He is lazy and unreliable. He doesn’t have very many friends because no one is able to entrust him with their secrets because, when they do, he often uses those secrets against them.

A thief is untrustworthy because they are prone to taking things that don’t belong to them whenever the owners are not looking. They have to be watched at all times and cannot be left alone. The Bible says, (Eph 4:28)  “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”  Liars are untrustworthy because they don’t always tell the truth. People never know if what they tell them is believable or not. Even if the liar tells the truth, one doesn’t know that for sure. The Bible says, (Pro 19:5)  “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.”  A cheater is untrustworthy because they are prone to not playing games by the rules. When they win, the other players are often resentful because they don’t know if the win was genuine or not. The Bible says, (Lev 19:11)  “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”

The lazy person is untrustworthy because, when given a job, the one in charge of him doesn’t know if the job will get done. The boss often ends up having to do the job himself.  He is unreliable because no one knows that he will do what he says he will. The Bible says, (Pro 18:9)  “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” The sluggard is not liked, (Pro 10:26)  “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.”

God does not like the untrustworthy person. If you will notice, every reference I have given is negative. “Don’t steal,” “liars will be punished” “don’t cheat,” “sluggards are wasteful,” “sluggards are not liked,” they say. The general message is “don’t be untrustworthy”. There are more, for I have barely scratched the surface, but every one carries this message.

If you want to have friends, be trustworthy with the secrets they tell you. No one likes to have a friend who will spoil surprises, spread embarrassing information, or allow others to have information that will invite teasing. Think about, would you like a friend who does that? If you don’t (and I’m fairly sure you don’t) don’t be one who does.

Live up to your promises. If you say that you’ll arrive with the cake a 2:00, arrive with the cake at 2:00. If you say that you’ll make something for someone, make it. An untrustworthy person will not keep his promises.

Don’t be untrustworthy. Untrustworthy people really don’t have all that much fun.

What Does the Bible Say about Being Trustworthy?

A report I wrote at the age of 15.

The Bible has a lot to say about the trustworthy person. He is the kind of person who leaves other people’s stuff alone, tells the truth, and plays fair. He is diligent and reliable. He has many friends because they able to entrust him with their secrets because, when they do, he guards them carefully.

When left alone, one does not have to watch the trustworthy person. He can be trusted not to take things that don’t belong to him. The Bible says, (Eph 4:28)  “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”  The trustworthy person’s words can be believed. There is no second guessing or wondering how much of what he says is lies, he tells the truth. The Bible says, (Pro 12:19)   “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” His wins are genuine, his money is fairly gotten. No one doubts it.

When given a job, he gets it done decently and in order. No one has go behind him and do it over. The Bible says, (Pro 12:24)  “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”  He is well liked, (Pro 22:29)  “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

God likes the trustworthy person. If you will notice, most of the references I have given are positive. “Don’t steal, give,” “the reward for truth is great,” “diligent people get to be in charge,” “diligent are well liked,” they say. The general message is “be trustworthy”. There are more, for I have barely scratched the surface, but every one carries this message.

If you want to have friends, be trustworthy with the secrets they tell you. No one likes to have a friend who will spoil surprises, spread embarrassing information, or allow others to have information that will invite teasing. Think about, would you like a friend who doesn’t that? If you do (and I’m fairly sure you do) be one who doesn’t.

Live up to your promises. If you say that you’ll arrive with the cake a 2:00, arrive with the cake at 2:00. If you say that you’ll make something for someone, make it. An untrustworthy person will not keep his promises.

Be trustworthy. Trustworthy people always come out on top.

Esther

This is something I wrote in third or fourth grade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maidens were brought to the palace for the king's selection of a queen. Mordecai the Jew sent his cousin Esther. Esther was chosen queen. The king comanded servants to bow to Haman. Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Furious, Haman sent orders to kill all the Jews. Mordecai asked Esther to go before the king. Esther risked her life going before the king. Esther invited to a banquet. Esther revealed Haman's plot at the last banquet. Haman was hanged. Mordecai was given a position of authority. A new decree allowed Jews to gather and defend themselves.

Aren't they cute?

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is defined as 1 a : learning acquired over a period of time  b : ability to see beneath the surface of things  c : good sense   2 : a wise attitude, belief, or course of action, by the Marrian-Webster dictionary. 

According to the Bible, Wisdom is something we need to seek after. Indeed, according to James 1:5, we need to ask God for it if we lack wisdom.

So, what, exactly, is wisdom, if it is something God wants us to ask him for if we don’t have it.

Wisdom is knowing what to do when and where. It is different from knowledge in that knowledge tends to be fact-oriented, whereas wisdom is action/attitude-oriented. In fact, you can be the most brilliant person in the world - know more facts than any other person, be a mathematical genius ... and a fool.

Of course, there are also two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom, and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is knowing how to get to the top and destroy everyone else in the way ... and godly wisdom is knowing how God wants you to act.

So, what we are after is godly wisdom.

A good place to start a search for wisdom is Proverbs. Proverbs was written by Solomon, who was the wisest person in the world. Also look in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels, as well as the Epistles.
Don't be fooled by the world's wisdom. The world wants you to think that it has all the answers. It doesn't. It actually doesn't have any. Only God has all the answers, and he is the one you must go to.

The Writing on the Wall

I just discovered a story I wrote a few years back while looking for scratch paper on which to do my math. It was a project for Bible, and I'm wanting to say I was either ten or eleven ... but it doesn't have a date on it. All I know is that it was for SOS, and I haven't done Bible with SOS in quite a while. Here it is, exactly how I wrote it then:

I can hardly not thinck of it,! and I am still badly shaken that hand just apered out of nowhere and it wrote on the wall these words: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. The King called for his wise men and none of them knew what it ment, but one said that There was a man named Daniel and that he could prophisy thing so he called for him and sayd  asked him what it ment and he said that it ment that he would die soon and the land would be divided and that night he died and that scared me more than ever.

Kendra.

I got a 98 on this, so I think I was younger when I wrote it.

Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?

Why does God allow His children, His precious children that He purchased with His own Son's own Blood? Why? This is a question that has caused many to stumble and fall from the faith.

However, the Bible gives many clear reasons.

John 9:1-3  These verses tell of what happened when Jesus and his disciples encountered a man blind from birth. Now, while in our society blindness isn't so bad, in those days, if you couldn't see, you were automatically a beggar and never sure if you'll have enough to eat. Notice what Jesus says when asked why the man was born blind. Not because of sin, but because of the miracle Jesus was about to do. Therefore, sometimes suffering is allowed so that others can see the power of God through us.

John 11:1-4 This is Mary and Martha informing Jesus of Lazarus's sickness. Now sickness isn't a good thing, and those who know the story know that Lazarus did die. But Jesus allowed Lazarus to get sick and die not because he didn't love Lazarus, but because he wanted to show the world his power.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 If God had wanted to, He could give us our glorified bodies as soon as we accept Him. But he didn't. Instead, he did something even more wonderful, he placed his glory in earthly, broken vessels. Since we are still imperfect, the world will still accept us, listen to us. If we were perfect, we would drive them away with them thinking that it would be impossible for us to relate to their lives.

Psalm 119: 71 We are human .... but we get big-headed sometimes and think we know it all. Sometimes God sends us trials to remind us that He's the one who knows everything and that we need to follow His instructions.

Isaiah 26:9 Sometimes we get caught up in ourselves, and don't seek God until He sends a wake-up call, otherwise known as hard times.

Psalm 78:34 He sends us trial so that we will inquire after him and find him.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 Sometimes we aren't just ignoring God, but we're in utter defiance against Him. Again, He sends us trial so that we return to him.

Jonah 2:1 If you're suffering because of defiance, the beautiful thing is that, often, once you return to him, he often takes much of the suffering away.

Psalm 119:67 However, once you return to the Lord, stay there. If, when the suffering is gone, you just return to your former ways, he'll just have to send the suffering back to you, and that's a vicious cycle.

Luke 15:16-18 If you are facing trials, examine yourself and make sure that it isn't because you are trying to live your life without God. Return to God. He'll forgive you! Life's much better with him.

Psalm 32:3-5 Because, often, not only are circumstances rotten when we are not right with God, we feel much, much more rotten than any simple trial would make us feel.

Psalm 66:10-12 However, God doesn't send us trials to take us from bad to good, but sometimes from good to better. Raw silver and gold is valuable, but how much more valuable is silver or gold that has been put through fire and acid to refine it!

Psalms 17:3 Sometimes he sends us trial not because we have sinned, but so that we won't sin.

1 Peter 1:6-7 We should rejoice when we have tribulations, for it means that God cares enough to refine us to perfection. Of course, we will never be perfect until we get to heaven; however, God starts the process of perfecting while still on earth.

2 Corinthians 12:7 Sometimes God sends us trials so that we won't get proud and assume that we are doing everything on our own. He does it to remind us that we need Him.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 So, if you're facing tribulation and trouble, pray, humble yourself. He'll turn back to you if you turn back to Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 This world's happiness is all false. So sometimes trials and tribulations are truer.

Isaiah 48:10 Think about it! Pleasant experiences, like silver, don't refine you. It's only the fiery furnace of affliction!

Romans 5:3 People who live in the the lap of luxury tend to lack patience.

James 1:2-3 If you find yourself in tribulation, rejoice! Consider it an opportunity to learn patience!

 1 Peter 2:20 What's remarkable about patiently taking tribulation that you DO deserve? However, if you don't deserve it, but still take it patiently, that's pretty remarkable, and a great witness platform.

Hebrews 12:10:11 Here the writer of Hebrews admits that trials don't make you want to rejoice. However, he reminds you that, when they're finished, there is much reward.

John 15:2 A fruit tree bears more fruit after it has been pruned. Likewise, we bear more spiritual fruit after we have been pruned by God.

Acts 11:19-21 God sometimes sends us tribulation so that we'll scatter and tell everyone about His love, and so that more will believe in Him.

Philippians 1:12-14 We humans suffer from a horrid case of one-up-manship, we hate being out-done. God sometimes uses this to get us to be more bold. If Paul can suffer this, why do we fear suffering that? So, sometimes God uses your suffering to encourage others.

2 Timothy 2:9-10 We must remember, even if we are suffering horridly, and are cast into prison, God's Word isn't in bonds, and it will go out! God is not limited by limited man!

What Makes a Wise Counselor?

(Titus 2:3)  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
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.

These are Paul's instructions to Titus telling him what the elder women of the church should be like in order to be good examples to the younger members. What do they mean? How can I apply them to myself.

I will answer the second first. I can use this list of counselor traits to find someone to make my role model in my own life. Of course, I must take into consideration that no one is perfect, and so I will have to make allowances as I search for my role model. Now, let's look at this list and see what I need to look for.

First, Paul states that a wise counselor must have behavior as becometh holiness. He then goes on to explain. They can't be false accusers. In other words, they must tell the truth and not try to shift blame to where it doesn't belong. They should try to keep peace and you should be able to trust them when they say something.

Second, they should not be given to too much wine. That's pretty self-explanatory.

Third, they must be teachers of good things. This doesn't mean that they have to be teachers, although it is a good idea if they are, but what they have to say, and pass down to us younger generations, ought to be good. He goes on to explain what he wants the older women to teach. First, to be sober, which means not given to too much emotion (or wine). Someone who teaches you to be moderate. Second, to love their husbands and children. Pretty self explanatory, however, you may be asking, "But I don't have a husband or children???!!!" In that case, apply that to your parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews ... basically all of your family. Your family is your training ground for life, and if you can't get along with them, what make you think you'll get along with your husband and children.

Fourth to be discreet. This means that she doesn't constantly place herself in the center of attention. In fact, you might hardly realize she's there.

Fifth to be caste. That's pretty much to be loyal to your husband or future husband.

Sixth, to be obedient to their husbands. Hey, don't stone me, this is Paul saying this, not I. Yes, wives need to be obedient to their husbands, but, no, we're not their slaves! Husbands have their own instructions, and, true, it would be easier for us to obey them they followed them. However it's also easier for them to follow their instructions if we follow ours.

So that's the sort of woman I need to find. I happen to be lucky, and God has blessed me with many older women in my life that pretty much fill this role. I am aware that many others don't have as many good role models about. My advise to those people is this: find someone, and ask God to help you. He will help you to find a good role model, because he has told you to find one. God never tells you to do anything you can't do.

Topic Study - Guidance

Guidance is defined as follows:

noun

1. the act of guiding; direction; leadership
2. something that guides
3. advice or assistance, as that given to students by vocational or educational counselors
4. the process of directing the course of a spacecraft, missile, etc.

I am going more about guidance as the first three definitions describe, since guiding a spacescraft isn't mentioned much in the Bible, and it is from the Bible that I am studying.

So, what does the Bible have to say about Guidance? I'll enter the words "guidance" and "guide" into the the search engine on e-sword, which I have downloaded on my computer. I'll be using the King James Version, because that is the version I'm used to reading and studying.

The first verse I pull up is in Job and God is asking Job if he can guide something. I don't think it is quite relevant to the search I'm making. 


Therefore, I'll move on to the next verse, 

      (Psa 25:9)  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 

This verse says that God will guide the meek. The Hebrew word here is dârak. According to Strong's Concordance it means to tread; by implication to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending). So, God will guide the meek like an archer guides an arrow. He sends us where we need to go.  Another picture would be a  path that has already been drawn out. There is no other path, we just have to walk down it.

Another verse:

    (Psa 31:3)  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. 

Here David is asking that God guide him and protect him. The Hebrew word used here is nâhal, meaning, properly, to run with a sparkle, that is, flow; hence (transitively) to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain. So guidance, it appears, is not only in sending, but also in protecting. This gives a picture, not merely of sending, but going with and protecting while they go. When God guides us, he sends us, and comes with us. 

    (Psa 32:8)  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 

Here God is telling us that he will guide us where we need to go. The Hebrew word used here is yâ‛ats, which means to advise; reflexively to deliberate or resolve. So in this one, he guides by giving counsel. This gives the picture of someone watching and offering advice while the task is being done. God tells us what we need to do. And where do we find his advise? In the Bible, of course.

    (Psa 48:14)  For this God is our God for ever ever: he will be our guide even unto death. 

God will always guide us! The word used here is nâhag, which  means to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), that is, lead, carry away; reflexively to proceed (that is, impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh. This is the picture of someone doing something on their own, with instructions from their guide.

    (Pro 11:3)  The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 

This says that if we aren't guided by what we should do, we will destroy ourselves! The word used here is 

nâchâh which means to guide; by implication to transport (into exile, or as colonists). Picture the person behind the steering wheel in a car. If he has integrity, he will be a good driver, follow the traffic rules, have a good driving record. Without integrity, he would not be a man I would like driving me places!

   (Joh 16:13)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

So the Holy Spirit is our guide today. The Greek word used here is hodēgeō, which means to show the way (literally or figuratively [teach]). The Holy Spirit teaches us how we need to live. He is all of the things above. He holds our hand and protect us. He shows us our path that we need to go down. He provides us with advice (whether from the Bible or a mentor) when we need it. He gives us integrity. 

   (Act 8:31)  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 

This was when Phillip met the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Eunuch is saying that it is impossible to understand the scriptures without someone else guiding and teaching you, for the word used here is the same word used in the previous verse. We have someone to guide us. We have the Holy Spirit.