What's a Wife? Cultural or Biblical - Series Part 1

I've been thinking about starting several different series and calling them Coffee Break Talk. So, here I go, the first one is entitled: What's a Wife? Cultural or Biblical.

(I'll randomly post - for sure several times a week)

A number of years ago, I got to thinking about jobs. Most jobs that I’ve applied for gave me information on my hours, my pay and my basic job description along with any benefits that I might be entitled to. So, it was from that line of thinking, I looked at my role as a wife and thought that it’s sort of like a job. From there I began to look in Genesis, then on through to Proverbs and then into the New Testament. Lo and behold, it really is like a job. My study showed me that God actually gives women a job description and He tells them what makes a good wise wife and what makes a foolish one.

This discovery really rocked my world. It made me realize that I’ve been in my marriage—in my role as wife—having really no clue what it mean to be a wife. I really did what I thought—or what I felt was good for my own benefit. Ugh! It’d entered into the marriage contract with such huge rose colored glasses on. I acted independently in just about every area that a wife could act independent in. I think—no, I know I was the queen of disrespect. I definitely wasn’t on my way to becoming my husband’s glory. Submission? That was something I’d only do on the outside—but my inside attitude stunk.

Anyway, I think you might be getting the picture and perhaps you can relate in some small way to what I’m saying.

OK, so, then I thought, that this job description list wasn’t really just for women who are married. It is for all women, married or not. For the ones not married—perhaps it ought to be considered a study manual. It is the manual to prepare and reveal all the attitudes now—before they get married. I look at this job description list as a wife-training material.

If you’re reading this post now, and not married, then just think of yourself as a bride-in-waiting and don’t move on so quick. Come back, read it, study it, take it to heart so that when God does open the eyes of a good man to see you’re a good women—he’ll begin to pursue you and you’ll won’t be so blind going into your new life as a married wife.

What I found is that a wife IS 6 thing, 6 things NOT to be, she HAS 32 things to do, 8 things to be and —all of which is not exhaustive, I’m sure. I'll start a series here - and post randomly my list with scriptures to support my findings. I think I'll call this series What's a Wife? Cultural or Biblical.

You can read part two here and part three here.

What's a Wife? Cultural or Biblical - Series Part 1

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/whats-wife-cultural-or-biblical-series.html

Taking care of my man . . .

Michael: Do you know anyone who doesn't love Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Lylah: Hmmm . . . I don't know.

Michael: (after eating way too many cookies and being tempted to eat even more...) Can you please put these away?

Lylah: :-)

Lylah: I take care of you.

Michael: (after eating just one more cookie) You more than take care of me. : )

Lylah: :-)

Taking care of my man . . .

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/taking-care-of-my-man.html

From Lylah's Kitchen - Beef and Barley Soup

I love soup! Lately, we've been eating tons of it. I guess you can figure that out from my blogging :-)

I've been on a hunt for new recipes, if you have a favorite, I'd love you to send it to me. Here's one I got today....looks great!

Beef and Barley Soup
1 pound stew beef -- cut in 1/2" cubes

1 medium onion -- chopped

2 stalks celery -- chopped

2 carrots -- diced

3/4 cup barley

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon salt -- or to taste

pepper to taste

6 cups beef stock
Place all ingredients in a slow cooker.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally.

From Lylah's Kitchen - Beef and Barley Soup

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/from-lylahs-kitchen-beef-and-barley.html

Trusting God with Your Life to Be a Wife

Trusting God for a husband can surely create a tension in the feminine soul of a woman who longs to fulfill that which God created her to fulfill. According to Genesis 1 and 2 and 1 Corinthians 11:9, God created woman for the man, and just about every little girl dreams of the day she’ll be the beauty wearing the beautiful white dress.

Equipped in Everyway

God deposited everything in a woman to be a man’s creative counterpart, to partner with the man (a one-flesh ministry) for God’s Kingdom purposes. He’s equipped her or wired her to be his support, confidant, complement-or, encourager, lover and friend. She is designed to be the wind in his wings. She wasn’t designed nor delegated to be his mother – telling him what to do or how to do it. Nor has she been commissioned to take the weight of responsibility off of him by taking over by leading him. She was created to follow.

What's a Girl to Do? Just Wait Here?

So, what does a single woman do? How does she live in a state of contentment until God opens the eyes of the man that He has for her? How does she wait in peace and trust until HE sees her and pursues her? How does she not initiate, but wait?

Perhaps you’ve been a wife, but through life’s fallen-ness, your marriage failed. And, now there’s this unmet longing, again…to come alongside a man and be his love.

My encouragement to the woman in a season of singleness is to settle down into the Woman’s Place and stop trying to find your husband, because if you find him and pursue him, he’ll probably be a weak leader.

The Woman's Place

Finding and staying in The Woman’s Place is key to waiting in peace. The Woman's Place is a place of getting to really know God and really know yourself in light of who He is. The Woman’s Place is also that place of waiting, trusting, praying and allowing God to prepare you as a Bride – just like He did Esther.

If you’re not in this Woman’s Place, then I’m assuming your level of peace and contentment is just about nil. And, to be honest, what man is drawn to a discontented, anxious woman anyway? I'll tell you what kind. . . the kind that is looking for easy prey who will sell themselves short for a quick night of sex.

The Man's Place
I love Webster's definition of pursue: to follow in order to overtake or capture; chase; to follow (a specified course, action), to strive for, to continue to annoy.

Men must pursue. In a relationship waiting to be developed, the man, if he is a good and godly man—rightly related to God, will be the pursuer of the relationship. God designed and commissioned men to be leaders, hunters, conquerors, and pursuers.

If you are one who has initiated or pursued a man, just stop it. Do you know you’re stripping your femininity of it’s beauty?

Girl, you WANT a strong man to find you and lead you. You want a leader—not a follower, and, if you initiate, (synonyms—begin, start, instruct) then you have set yourself up to have a follower. If a man does not initiate, then he’s not mature enough, hasn’t been around some good strong men enough, and probably has a bunch of mother issues anyway. Let him go. Wait for God.

Trust in God - Let Him Find You

Trust in God. Let your soul find its rest in God. Find The Woman’s Place. Proverbs 18:22 says that it’s the man who finds the wife—not the wife who finds the man! He, who finds a wife, finds a good thing. Girl, you are the good thing waiting to be found, and if you’re "looking," then it might be awhile before you’re found.

Rachel and Ruth are two women who model God’s heart in being found by a man. Boaz noticed (he had vision) Ruth gleaning in his field. Any man that steps into an arena with a woman initiator has limited vision. You want a man with vision— trust me, you really do! What did he notice about her? That she was submitted and guess what…that she wanted to serve him.

What To Do?

A woman in the Woman's Place must first get her thinking renewed. What she thinks about her situation needs to line up with what God thinks about it. If the two don’t "match" then she’ll tend to operate out of control, manipulation, and intimidation as she subtlety seeks to get "what she wants-when she wants it." Women are good at "working it."

Next, it’s important for her to guard her heart. Right thinking about her life must lead. If "how she feels" leads she will be led into chaos.

Then, she needs to be gut level honest with God about how she does "feel." And, in that honesty, she needs to remember that this is His business in preparing her as a Bride. He has IT in perfect control—so if she’s trying to control IT—she needs to stop it and trust Him with IT. This is all about God and knowing Him and His ways.

Next, she needs to practice waiting for him (even if it takes 5, 10, 15 years). This all has to do with God’s timetable. In the waiting, she needs to get busy discovering her own dreams, passions, and gifts.

If she has children in her home, she needs to understand that THEY are her first priority. A bride in waiting needs to get to know her children in new ways. She should discover their gifts, encourage them in what they are a good at, and even prod them to try new things.

A bride in waiting does well when she models for her children what being a mother of prayer looks like. I always encourage the bride in waiting to work on manners and etiquette with her children.

I always suggest that she begin to implement the Power of the Table Principle. I encourage the bride in waiting to take walks with her children and build them up in the faith. What she says and does models much. I encourage her to pray with them about God giving her a husband and them a father. It’s also the time for her to lead in some talk about their fears, desires, hurts, longs, etc. It’s also a time to evaluate the degree of respect that is in her home.

Developing the Spiritual Habit of Sanctuary Journaling

Next, every bride in waiting needs to develop the habit of Sanctuary Journaling. The purpose of Sanctuary Journaling is to create a safe place where the feminine soul can express itself. There are no rules for journaling... just let whatever is in the soul pour out.

Sometimes journaling can help dump out the toxins in the soul. Other times Sanctuary Journaling releases expressions of dreams and desires hidden in the soul. Thoughts, attitudes, and deep feelings about life or relationships will be recognized through journaling. Sanctuary Journaling is an instrument of confession that is done in a quiet place—a place that’s your Sanctuary.

Sanctuary is that place a woman nurtures her relationship with God. It’s the place where she communes with Him about her relationship with others, about life, or whatever is on her heart. When she journals in the Sanctuary, she is able to track the Spirit of God’s work in her lives as she moves toward change and holiness.

It’s key for a bride in waiting to take a look (with the Lord and a trusted, listening girlfriend) at some of the mistakes she’s made. These kinds of questions should be answered:

What unhealthy patterns of relating does she operate out of?

Is she seductive?

Does she flirt?

How does she dress?

Is she withdrawn?

Is she obsessing about a man?

Other questions like these should be answered while the Bride waits in The Woman's Place:

What are some fears?

What does she do with the loneliness?

What is her inner life like?

Is there order in her home?

Is she bitter?

Is she honest?

Is she self-protective?

Does she love God and desire holiness enough to ask a girl friend to share with her the areas that she sees which she might be blinded to?

Is she open to an honest evaluation of unhealthy ways she might be relating to men, her children, and others?

God is Preparing Every Bride for a Day

What God is ultimately doing is preparing "the bride in waiting" for another wedding day. He’s getting her ready for THAT Day. The THAT Day, which I am referring to goes beyond a wedding day.

It’s the day where we all will stand before Jesus—at the Judgment Seat of Christ and answer for our attitudes and motives and behaviors of our hearts. Whatever was not done with a pure motive will be judged by fire—whatever is left (gold, silver) will be presented to our LORD (1 Corinthians 3: 12—16).

The book of Matthew says that all our idle words will be judged as well. More good questions for every woman ought to ask are:

Are our lips leaky with grumbling and complaining about the season that any of us are in?

Are we critical or jealous of other women?

Is our heart hardening because our timetable is different than God’s?

Have we placed ourselves in the judgment seat of how our life should be run?

If a bride in waiting is feeling desperate in wanting to get married it would be wisdom for her to evaluate her motive in wanting to have a man. In the company of good listening (not fixing) friends, she has to make it her life to trust Jesus for her future.

I always encourage waiting brides to learn NOW to trust Jesus, His ways and to practice becoming what I call a 1 Peter 3 Woman. Every woman, a married bride, or a bride in waiting must learn to walk in purity, godliness, and trust.

According to 2 Peter 1:3 God has given all of us everything we need for life and godliness. We have His power to be a 1 Peter 3 Woman. Although 1 Peter 3 is written to wives, it is for every woman.

Verse 3 says that our beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes (this isn’t saying that our appearance shouldn’t be as neat and lovely as possible). Instead, it should be that of our inner beauty, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Inner Beauty Has Power to Change Everything

As a woman, did you know that inner beauty has the power to change the world? Developing inner beauty promotes peace in our soul and it brings peace to others. Inner beauty begins to develop when our priority focus is not on our outward appearance (although this is important) or on the circumstances, that surrounds us, but on the character, that God wants to build within our feminine soul.

Putting our hope in God and not giving way to fear is the key to developing this inner beauty. In 1 Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 5, Peter discloses the secret way the holy women made themselves look beautiful. Their inner beauty came from putting their hope in God. Hope in God was their strength. And, hope in God is our strength, too.

As a bride in waiting, when your hope is in God and what He will do, how can you continue to be fearful in your present circumstance? You must be encouraged to hope in God, by looking to Him to provide the love, security, and joy especially during those times when others aren’t or when others fail you.

The Prince on the White Horse – Will Fall Off

As a bride in waiting, if you think that your future husband will be your prince on the white horse, meeting all your desires and emotional needs, you’ll be in for a rude awakening. This cannot be your goal.

When a woman makes it her goal to get her emotional needs met through a man, she’ll end up controlling or manipulating him. When those needs are met through him, she can rejoice and thank God, but when they aren’t her love relationship with her Lord can and will provide her with the fulfillment she longs for. Hope wanes when she pins it on a man. In other words, she must ultimately look to Jesus for those emotional needs to be met and not demand that others meet them.

Understanding the difference between a goal and a desire is also helpful A goal is something for which you take full responsibility. A desire is something you pray about. So, if this is a season of singleness for you, be renewed in the spirit of your mind—reminding yourself that God is in total control of your situation and He knows your heart’s desires.

Stop Giving Yourself to a Weak Man - Stop the Sex

Why in the world would you want to give yourself to a man who doesn't want you for a wife? Please precious woman . . . consecrate your "fleshly pulls" to the Lord, let character be developed in you while you wait.

Tell the Lord the truth about how you feel. And. . .

Practice the Spiritual Habit of Sanctuary Journaling.

Work on developing inner beauty.

Do not pursue a man.

Let him find you.

Seek to become a 1 Peter 3 Woman.

Hope in God and make it your goal to let the Lord meet your emotional needs until God brings that man your way.

Stay in close fellowship with some older women (whether older spiritually or in years or both) who will mentor you through your season of singleness.

To the Older Woman

And, to the older Titus 2 woman, take the initiation to invite the single women (in your fellowship) into a mentoring relationship. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to "be there" and according to Titus 2 you need to model some important characteristics and be sound in scripture (Titus 2). And, encourage them to pray Power Prayers for the Mighty Man in the Making that God just might bring their way!

Trusting God with Your Life to Be a Wife

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/trusting-god-with-your-life-to-be-wife.html

Real Simple - Gingerbread Men

Now, who doesn't make Gingerbread Men during the Holiday? Got to do it. Real Simple has a good looking recipe!

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men
5 to 5/12 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium until smooth. Add the molasses and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add the vanilla.
Stir in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time, blending until smooth.
The dough should gather into a semifirm mass. (If it's not firm, add another ¼ to ½ cup flour, but not enough to make it crumbly.)
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide in half.
Flatten into disks and wrap in plastic.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 week. Preheat oven to 350° F.

On a floured surface, roll each disk to 1/8 inch thick.
Use gingerbread-man cutters to make shapes.
Transfer them to a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Decorate, if desired.
Bake until firm to the touch, about 12 minutes.
Cool slightly before transferring to a rack
Yield: Makes 3 dozen medium gingerbread men

NUTRITION PER SERVING CALORIES 164(29% from fat); FAT 5g (sat 3g); PROTEIN 2mg; CHOLESTEROL 19mg; CALCIUM 32mg; SODIUM 92mg; FIBER 1g; CARBOHYDRATE 27g; IRON 2mg

Real Simple - Gingerbread Men

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/real-simple-gingerbread-men.html

Lime Melt Aways

I do love most of Martha's ideas. I posted a number of her Gift Ideas or Money Making Ideas on my other blog. This one just came in - Lime Melt Aways. Yum! Will someone make me these? Just kidding. Zane and Ivana and I will have to make these next Wednesday!

Ingredients
Makes about 10 dozen
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Grated zest of 2 limes
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups , plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until fluffy.

Add lime zest, juice, and vanilla; beat until fluffy.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add to butter mixture, and beat on low speed until combined.

Between two 8-by-12-inch pieces of parchment paper, roll dough into two 1 1/4-inch-diameter logs. Chill at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Place remaining 2/3 cup sugar in a resealable plastic bag. Remove parchment from logs; slice dough into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds on baking sheets, spaced 1 inch apart.

Bake cookies until barely golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. While still warm, place cookies in the sugar-filled bag; toss to coat.

Bake or freeze remaining dough. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Lime Melt Aways

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/lime-melt-aways.html

What did I make for dinner?

Making the vegetable broth - the day before.
Adding the kale and chard to the beans, tomatoes and vegetable broth.
Autumn Harvest Soup!

What did I make for dinner?

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-did-i-make-for-dinner.html

Watering Nana's Garden

Watering Nana's Garden

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/watering-nanas-garden.html

Constantly Creatively Communicating

It has been said that the first words out of your mouth can determine the rest of your conversation.

There’s a tension point for a woman. I think we must all learn the fine art of constantly creatively communicating in such a way that we can win our husbands and not nag.

A wise woman learns to use her husband’s language. And, the verse I know to apply here is James 1:19.

I know that when a woman is quiet long enough she will hear the language that her hubby does use. It’s a way that she can love (not manipulate) him. Loving him . . .to listen to him . . .is only developed in the arena of grace, gentleness, and by letting disappointment be an appointment with God.

James 1:19 says that we’re to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.

Constantly Creatively Communicating

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/constantly-creatively-communicating.html

Words, Kisses and Lips

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." Don’t you love that poetry? King Solomon, quite the lover and the king, penned 1,005 songs, his greatest being the Song of Songs. Song of Songs portrays love in the beauty and power that God intended it to be. It’s "love poetry" that expresses intimacy in a way that could almost make a girl blush. King Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Can you just imagine what that had to be like?

If you haven’t read through the Song of Songs, take a coffee break and do so, and for fun, read it aloud! Make a special note of Chapter 1:2. The New Living Translation reads, "Kiss me again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine." How romantic! I challenge you to tell your husband this and watch the expression on his face.

As a Bible teacher, I love to know the meaning of words and that word "kiss" in the Hebrew is a fun one. It means to "light a fire." When you kiss – you are in a sense "lighting a fire."

I love Solomon’s expression of the fire that intimacy and marital love ignites. I teach young girls to not engaging in kissing a boy who isn’t going to be your husband. I like to tell them the meaning of this word and then let them know that it’s possible that it would "light a fire" with boys before it’s time.

The Bible addresses another kind of fire; the kind of fire that the tongue ignites (James 3: 5-6). That scripture actually reads that the tongue is "like a flame of fire."

Living in Arizona, we hear about the summer fires. They’ve been known to destroy the national forests and the communities that surround them. Such destruction is a stark reminder of the destructive force of a fire when not restrained or controlled. Fire destroys everything in its path, and if you think about it, the tongue, as a "flame of fire" has the potential to do the same. The tongue can actually ruin lives.

Words can destroy. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese made a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. They disabled most of the U.S. Pacific naval fleet. The U.S. government feared that enemy spies would find out other key locations of naval vessels, so they felt it necessary to warn the soldiers against unguarded talk that might give useful information to the enemy. In addition, so many civilians volunteered for the government, and it was thought that they wouldn’t know how to conduct themselves when they wrote letters home, or in general conversations or even if they were captured. The government feared they would inadvertently disclose information. So, to help remind the soldiers and the civilians they came up with the phrase that was even printed on posters: Loose Lips Sink Ships.

Words and how we use them are very important, because they have the potential to give life or death. Pause and grab your Bible and read James 3, making note that this chapter is mostly about the importance of controlling the tongue. If you were to read every chapter in the book of James, you would find that in every one there is admonishment about our speech. Read James 3, making verses 1 – 2 your focal point.

Think about what your conduct looks like. Are you loud and bossy, lazy, stable, proud, humble, meek, demanding, a perfectionist, kind, loving, generous, other-centered, me-centered, pushy, faithful, rude, un-controlled, or________________????

Prayerfully review the list and think about the ones that apply to your life. Ask God to help you resolve undealt with heart issues from your past that is possibly be the root of ungodly conduct.

Both Psalms and Proverbs are full of scriptures that address our tongues and the words we speak. The heart is revealed by a woman’s words.

Words, Kisses and Lips

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/words-kisses-and-lips.html

Kingdom of God – What is it? - Discipleship Part 5

These days, you don’t hear much teaching about the Kingdom of God, except with my pastor husband. I love how he has defined the Kingdom as simply and foremost:

submitting to the King (of the Kingdom),
then living in light of the Kingdom to come then . . .
working on character issues in your heart . . .
working on relationship issues . . .
working on having greater compassion so you can . . .
care and
pray and
serve and give.

All that Jesus taught had to do with the principles of submission, eternity, heart motive and character issues that effect relationship issues that are seen in how we love others, get out of our self, have compassion on others, care for others, pray for others, serve others and give to others.

Kingdom of God – What is it? - Discipleship Part 5

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/kingdom-of-god-what-is-it-discipleship.html

Soil 4-Fruitful Disciple-Maker - Discipleship Part 4

When I enter into a discipleship relationship with women and we take a journey together. I'm purposed that it be to awaken a her heart with a fresh passion for Jesus and a new consideration of and passion for His Kingdom.

On the mentoring/discipleship journey, I want her to begin to think about ways to partner with God, take on new spiritual disciplines and be challenged to think biblically in all areas of her life.

The ultimate goal is that she become a mature kingdom-minded woman who bears fruit by discipling and mentoring other women for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

What kind of soil reproduces fruit? A soil 4 fruitful disciple-maker. Matthew 4:17 – 22

Soil 4-Fruitful Disciple-Maker - Discipleship Part 4

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/soil-4-fruitful-disciple-maker.html

My Grid to Make Disciples - Discipleship Part 3

I love to get to know other women. Partly it’s a temperament thing—I’m more of a people person than a task person. I think people are wonderful to get to know. I also know—from Scripture—that God doesn’t want anyone to perish. It’s His heart that EVERY Image Bearer come to know His Son Jesus in a personal way. Read your Bible—it says that.

So, in light of that—I look at EVERY connection with other woman—as a Kingdom Opportunity for discipleship. I purposely pursue and talk with and set myself in a position to make a connection with another woman. I listen and I seek to begin to build a relationship with this woman. I want to know her (this is done by listening) and I want her to know me.

Time spent builds trust. Trust can lead to an opportunity to guide the conversations to talks about subjects like: Life, God, Eternity, Judgment, Marriage, Womanhood—etc. I believe that EVERY woman has questions at some season in her life about these kinds of subjects.

When I HEAR something along these (subject) lines, I’m ready to shed light on what God says. I can confidently do this because I am a disciple—I am a trained learner.

In time, it will be known to her and to me IF she's ready to follow Jesus and do what He says to do. I've learned, that I cannot take time, give time, make time for a woman who isn't serious on being a disciple. That might sound harsh, but I've spent so much time in the past with women who just wanted their ears tickled - women who didn't really want to obey Jesus and apply His word to their life. I've spent too much time staking little trees. In hindsight, that was all about me, and my image rather than God and what He wanted.

Today - I don't do that. I let women know right up front what I'm about and the path I will travel on with them. They chose. Then I chose.

My Grid to Make Disciples - Discipleship Part 3

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-grid-to-make-disciples-discipleship.html

Relational Kingdom-Building Discipleship - Part 2

The word disciple means a “disciplined learner.” Scripture says that we are to Go-And-Make disciples. What that means is that we go and we make. This means that we go, develop relationships with others, be light and salt, live with integrity and we sow seeds—about the Good News of the Kingdom. If you don’t know what the Kingdom is or if you don’t understand what the Good News is—and if you have poor skills in relating to others then how can you go and make - disciples?

Can you give an answer for the hope that lies with in you?

Do you know how to share your faith?

Can you tell stories about Jesus—the King of the Kingdom?

Relational Kingdom-Building Discipleship - Part 2

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/relational-kingdom-building.html

Discipleship Training within the Local Church - Part 1

Often times many women committed to a local community of faith have never had the blessing of being discipled. They’ve never had another woman journey with them on a path toward maturity. They lack sound doctrine, they don’t have a clue what it means to follow Jesus or be kingdom-minded (let alone know what the Kingdom of God is), they struggle continually with the same issues, they gossip, are rebellious against authority, don’t know how to train their children and so on. These women are weak women—they get tossed around by the next crazy doctrine and make a mess of their lives. These reasons and about fifty others are why we must be discipled and disciple others.

I'd love to have you answer the questions: Who has discipled you? What kind of discipleship relationship was that? Who have you discipled?

Discipleship Training within the Local Church - Part 1

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/discipleship-training-within-local.html

Kiddos in Nana's Kitchen

Michael and I had a blessed Poppi and Nana day today!

We love it . . . kids are dirty,

kids are running around. . .

kids are having some creative play . . .

kids are playing "Princess and Poppi" . . .

kids are eating (a lot) and of course . . .

kiddos are helping me in the kitchen.

Today, we made - Orange Swirls. YUM . . .

Kiddos in Nana's Kitchen

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/kiddos-in-nanas-kitchen.html

Sew, Mama, Sew - HELP!

Sometimes my coffee breaks are combined with my web scavenger hunts and today's hunt came upon this great find: Sew, Mama, Sew is my kind of sewing help. Beth started posting a different tutorial every day for the month of November. Not only the cool tutorials, but she carries carry the most beautiful cotton fabric available today.

Now, you ask, why is Lylah interested in sewing and fabric and tutorials? Glad you asked! Candace asked me to sew her and Ivana some mother-daughter aprons for Christmas! How could I pass that up? NEVER! I'm smiling.

OK . . . I used to sew . . . but, it's been years! I bought a sewing machine - a good one - about three years ago, and I'll be honest, I haven't even plugged it in!

So, I'm going to devour the apron post, but if anyone has a pattern suggestion or embellishment suggestions or anything at all to help this poor Mama, Nana out . . . I'd be forever indebted. . . being as I have. . . 6 weeks left?

Sew, Mama, Sew - HELP!

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/sew-mama-sew-help.html

I am a shoe nut, I confess, but...I can't believe this...

OK . . . I do love shoes - ask my daughters . . . ask my friends.
As a matter of fact, my buddy, Linda

wrote me the coolest poem on Shoes for my 50th BD.
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But, you have to check this out . . .Beyonce's Balenciaga Lego heels
. . . heels made out of . . . my grandson's Lego's!
And they only cost . . . a meager . . . $4,175 a pair!

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I share this, not to toot my own horn,

but to hopefully challenge any reader to run and win the prize . . .

but put some good shoes on before you run.

10/9/04

How Lovely Are Her Feet

Lylah is our lovely sister whom today has just turned 50.

Her femininity has served her well, as you can plainly see.

She has style, she has grace & not a wrinkle on her face!

She loves the old & the new & loves hankies trimmed in lace.

The cutest shoes befit our Lylah who’s honor now is due.

Her stylin feet give her favor, as she delivers the good news.

If you ask her she will tell you, why she likes to fashion;

To gain attention for the Lord & win souls; that is her passion!

You can take a seat and rest your feet, there is no striving here.

The law of kindness is on her lips, you have nothing now to fear.

The compassion she so freely gives will bless your weary soul.

You’ll feel accepted in her presence & encouraged in your role.

She”ll storm heaven on your behalf donning combat boots and all;

Ah yes, her shoes of peace are varied, & she won’t let you fall.

So Lylah you press on, cause we are watching your cute shoes,

The steps you take are righteous & God knows you cannot lose!

Luv you so,Linda <>

How lovely on the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace & brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation,& says to Zion, “Your God reigns!"

I am a shoe nut, I confess, but...I can't believe this...

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-worshippain-i-cant-believe-this.html

I want to save money....

God owns it all and He tells us to manage what He's given us.

I confess, that in times past, I've been a poor manager. I've spent thoughtlessly, but in His mercy, I'm a new woman!

Of the many philosophies that I have (and my husband has many more) my big one is that if I save money, I make money! My other one is to be creative and seek ways to generate income from my kitchen.

Anyway, while on a coffee break I took a little random trip through the net, and found Katie Ricotta blog. Check it out...she's got great ideas on how to save money!

I want to save money....

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-want-to-save-money.html