#270 - The Mom of "COMPARISON"

Let's be honest mom's, we've all done it. Done what? You know, done it. Sat there comparing ourselves to that other mom. Or on a really bad day, maybe we just sat there comparing ourselves to LOTS of other mom's… having one of those moments where we just didn't feel good enough, so let's just rehearse all the things that other mom's do better than we do! 

How exhausting!

The list may go something like this: 

She makes healthier dinners than I do. She buys the good organic stuff.Her kids don't eat much junk food. Her house is always clean. Look how good her kids behave, I never see them fight. Her kids have such great manners. She's in great shape! I mean, how does she have a stomach like that after having 3 kids?!She seems like such a nice mom. Her kids get to be in so many fun activities. She and her husband are such a good looking couple. She and her husband must be so good at handling their money, I have no idea how they live in such a nice house.  She is so disciplined at working out.I'm sure my kids watch more TV than her kids. Her kids probably color, use scissors, glue and do crafts.

And the list goes on.

Proverbs 31:10a - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her?

I'm thankful for the Proverbs 31 woman, and I'm thankful that as a believer, I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me. Why? Well, I'll answer the latter part first.

I'm thankful the Holy Spirit lives inside of me. 
A few years ago, as a newer mom, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. So many mom's that I was around seemed to have everything together. I couldn't figure out how I could do everything, raise my kids up in a godly manner, work out and stay fit, and cook, clean, get up early to read my Bible… yaddee yaddee yaddee. It was one of those days for me. As I sat looking at everyone else's strengths, I wallowed in all of my short-comings. And as I sat there wallowing, I felt like the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "Just focus on the atmosphere. Create an atmosphere where I am involved, and you will be the best mom that you were created to be." 

So… I had permission NOT to be the mom of the year by the "worlds" standard by being involved in everything under the sun. I had permission to just be ME while creating an atmosphere which invited the Holy Spirit.

What. A. Relief. 

As far as the Proverbs 31 woman…. I've come to more and more of the realization that as I focus on being that woman, I don't have to search for her in so many other people. I don't have to compare when I'm focused on just being.  If you read the whole section, Proverbs 31:10-31, you'll notice that she really is amazing! I can imagine, between her doing everything that she did, there was no time for comparing. For me, if I just focus on being who God created me to be, being the Proverbs 31 woman in my own life, being and listening to the direction that the Holy Spirit leads me each day, then I won't not only not have time to compare, but I won't even see the opportunities where I could compare. I will be to busy being!

So… girlfriend…. today, when you're tempted to think that other mom is thinking about you or how your kids are behaving when she looks your way, dismiss it! Focus on not wasting your time and energy on the comparison game. Focus on BEING the Proverbs 31 woman that God created you to be! When you are in the pursuit of THAT woman inside of you, you will not have time to compare yourself to Susie Homemaker. 

Girlfriend, PURSUE the YOU that God created you to be! Pursue that Proverbs 31 woman on the inside of you!

#235 - Don't Die on the Vine!

Good morning!
Slow but sure... I'm coming back! An update? Trinity is doing great! We are working on getting into a routine with her. She has been sleeping very well through the night, which is a blessing! Anywhere from 6-11 hours through the night. Praise the Lord!! The house? Well... as most of you know, we have been building a house. The original "closing date" was October 21st.... well, we still have not closed. At this point, I've decided not to get frustrated despite the delays. My new mindset? We will be in the house SOMETIME!

Well... let's jump into the Word for today! :)

Proverbs 11:2 - When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and ^[a]virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Wow! This morning as I began reading Proverbs 11... I barely got to verse 8, as each verse just jumped off the page at me! Verse 2, verse 3, verse 5.... it was as if I had never read Proverbs chapter 11 before! But we all know, through this monthly journey of Proverbs & the Proverbs 31 woman.... we HAVE read Proverbs 11 before! Many times!

I can relate to Proverbs 11:2... and unfortunately, have personal experiences that ring in my mind when I think back over the years. Swelling & Pride. Firsthand, I can relate to the whole cycle that Proverbs 11:2 is talking about! Swelling & pride, leading to emptiness & shame, then leading to what for me has been painful pruning & chiseling, but now coming out on the other side with soundness. A cycle somewhat unavoidable if one wants to bear great fruit. I'll share a personal story shortly, but as I was meditating on this verse, this is what the Holy Spirit had to say to me about it:

Being pruned IS part of the process. For every great tree, bearing great fruit, pruning is necessary. A time is involved where cutting back may cause a season of no fruit, BUT because of the pruning GREATER harvests are to come. As long as you are willing to grow through the process of pruning, as long as you are not willing to give up, to throw in the towel, to lose home & lose your dream - as long as you are willing for the pruning to lead to the harvest - you will experience the joy of completion. The joy of fullness! The joy of expectations being fulfilled. Will you come out strong after the pruning takes place? Don't die on the vine.

I read briefly how this actually takes place with the growth of grape vines. "Pruning is simply getting the plant or in this case grape vine growth to encourage more growth. Grapes will not appear on your grape vine for at least a few years, in the meantime you will need to maintain and care for your vines and this is done through careful pruning. How you prune your grape vines will have a massive effect on the sort of harvest that you will yield." 


OK... take off your robes & put down your stones for a minute.... I'm going to share ONE of the ways I've personally had to change in this area. Back 8-9 years ago after Tyler & I started our own business, with good intentions, I remember speaking to a group of people saying if they didn't do "________" they were "saps." I remember saying that everyone should be able to grow their numbers and business to a certain level within a certain period of time. I know, horrible, huh? What kind of terrible person would be so cold? I was fiery and excited, I spoke with passion & believed what I was saying. I was just overly excited. I look back on that time and season, and I now would love to apologize to anyone who may have been in hearing distance. My zeal most likely hurt feelings and was based in a degree of pride versus humility. 


Shortly after that time, the pruning process in me began. If you are the one being pruned, is it fun? I would answer that with a HEARTY NO! :) But, has the process been good? Absolutely. Some of the things I have gained from the pruning include; feeling compassion for others, seeing where others are coming from, being able to truly empathize, learning how to allow GOD to be in control instead of "my ability" to do or accomplish through my own efforts, not judging (I'm still learning this!), allowing people to grow at their pace versus my pace for them.... and the list goes on! 


As I read about the Proverbs 31 woman, I read in verse 10 how she is a capable, intelligent & virtuous woman. I see her having encompassed compassion, having most likely traveled through a pruning season coming out on the other side bearing much fruit. Eyes full of compassion. A heart that sees where you are and where you have been. Ears that listen & when you stop talking, she allows the silence to penetrate so you will continue talking.... ears just listening, as if they are saying "Go on. Tell me more. Don't stop there. I want to hear what YOU have to say. Tell me your story. Share your pain, I will be here and won't judge." The Proverbs 31 woman encompasses trust. Not only does her husband trust in her (Proverbs 31, verse 11), but those she knows trust her too. 


Pruning WILL produce a harvest for you. Will you, can you be patient even in the season where the harvest is not coming in? Will you allow the pruning to produce a growth in you and around you that will bring completion? It will encompass what you are called to do and be. As the Holy Spirit reminded me, I'll leave you with this too.... Don't Die on the Vine. God is not through with you yet. Enjoy the growth. Enjoy what you are learning and allow the pruning to take place. Proper pruning produces extraordinary crops! Don't Die on the Vine, allow yourself also to be pruned! 


Have you experienced a season of pruning? Do you have a harvest you'd like to share? I'd love to hear your story!

#229 - Cut Yourself Some Slack!

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Let me just be honest, is that OK with you? This morning as my alarm went off at 6:30, I hit snooze. At 6:35 I hit snooze again, then again at 6:40, 6:45.... and so on until after 7:00 I heard Tyler downstairs and jumped out of bed just because I didn't want him to leave with my Bible still in the car (I accidentally left it at church Sunday so I had to pick it up yesterday.) 


Why do I say all of that? Well, to be transparent, because I've felt as of lately I've been in a bit of a funk. As I sat down this morning to begin journaling and talking to the Lord... the first 10 lines or so of my journal was equivalent to a whining session to the Lord. Really just telling Him all the areas I feel I've maybe dropped the ball, or felt 'dry' in certain areas, lacked motivation in others. One clue that quickly revealed my state to myself has been the 'snooze' button. Where at one time, even not too long ago, my alarm went off, and I looked forward to jumping up, getting out of bed, beginning my morning routine of writing in one of my books, spending time with the Lord, talking, fellow-shipping, then writing a daily devotion from the insights the Lord gave me. I enjoyed delighting in getting up. I enjoyed the fact that I looked forward to getting up to spend time with the Lord. I anticipated that I would hear from Him. I looked forward to what He was going to say to me. Would He direct me in a certain way? Give me insight into something? Reveal a break-through revelation in the Word? Or maybe just pour hope & belief into my heart?

After my brief whining session, the Holy Spirit cut in. Well... I actually took a brief moment to stop whining and decided I would focus on listening. What did He have to say? Was I off-base in my frustration? My failed attempts to be the super woman of productivity, would He give me some insight into how, why & where I failed? Would He give me a 3-step solution to being better, more productive, more accomplished in my days? Being a stay-at home mom, I am the one in control of my daily calendar. "If only I was a 'female version' of Tyler," I've often thought, "I'm sure I would get more done. Have a system of execution. Be better. Be more. Be SUPER!" You see, I am married to a 'self-starter,' someone who constantly is working on improving himself. When he is not diligently (& consistently) reading in one of the 3-4 books he's reading at the current moment, he is planning, watching some amazing leader or minister on-line, listening to a pod-cast or audio about 'improvement'.... since he was 17, he has been a walking, living, breathing reflection of someone always getting better. Indeed, amazing! You may also be able to see where it COULD be easy to compare myself to him? :) Praise the Lord I'm married to such an amazing man.

Well... as I stopped this morning, and chose to stop & listen to give the Holy Spirit a moment to maybe give me some insight, He did. Praise the Lord. Here are just a few of the nuggets He shared with me in the 3 pages that I journaled....

You will have seasons of what seem like great productivity. You will also have seasons of rest, preparation. During this time, don't get discouraged or be despaired. Take this time to enjoy Me. To sit & drink in from My well, from living waters, to get refreshed daily in My communion. Amy, I don't want you to feel pressure from Tyler about being "productive." I don't even want you to feel "pressure" from Me. My intentions are not to push. My intentions Amy, are to mold & make you, through TIME, into the woman I have created you to become. The key is - TIME. It's a process to develop & does not, can not be done overnight! Trying to do it overnight causes burnout & frustration. 

His Words led me to flipping open to Proverbs 31, verse 10, like I have done countless mornings. What more could be hidden in this Word? What more could He have here? As I read the first verse that talks about this amazing godly woman, I realized, like it jumped off the page to me, it coincided exactly with what the Holy Spirit said to me. One word, TIME.

I decided to check into how long it takes a precious gem to form. You'll notice some of my "inserts" in parenthesis. Here is what I found (www.SmithsonianMag.com):

There have been attempts to try to date inclusions in different parts of diamonds, and those have largely been unsuccessful. It may be that diamonds (Godly Women) form over periods as short a time as days, weeks, months to millions of years. Typically, as with many crystals that grow on the Earth, it's not a continuous process. The diamonds (godly woman) may start to grow and then there may be an interruption for some reason – a change in conditions (marriage), temperature  (job change), pressure (having a baby), source of carbon (moving), whatever—and they could sit for millions, hundreds of million of years, and then start growing again. That's part of the problem of trying to put some sort of a growth period on them; things don't always occur continuously...

I found similar information about the formation of a pearl. The one common thread between diamonds and pearls is this, TIME. It takes TIME.

What can we conclude? We are a work in progress. We take time to develop. This woman of God, this Proverbs 31 woman, is said to be more valuable than rubies or pearls. We can conclude, she does not become this woman overnight. She isn't just born with all of these qualities & attributes. It has taken her time. And maybe, just maybe, like the formation of the diamond, there are interruptions at times. The growth process is halted, or may even temporarily stop for a season of rest or change. Ultimately though, it is ALL part of the creation of this beautiful gem. Ultimately the pressure, the pauses, the time, the growth, is all part of the process of this rare & beautiful woman forming into who we know as the Proverbs 31 woman.

So.... today.... cut yourself some slack! Allow time to be on your side. Allow time to do it's work. Relax in the TIME. Relax in the process of becoming. Let God do His work in you! Because we know according to Philippians 1:6, I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.


God is not going to leave you! He is going to COMPLETE the work that He has begun in you! So... cut yourself some slack! Rest in the Lord. Enjoy the process. But mostly, cut yourself slack! You are becoming. You are in the process. Love yourself where you are. You are a process!

Xoxo! Have a blessed day! :) 

Amy

#208 - Iron Sharpener!

Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].

Proverbs 31:10-11a - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently....

Clanging swords and metal sparking sounds as you see two warriors sparring in and out of the forest trees. Their moves smooth, swift, planned. Until but a second delay and the opponent is found on the wet foliage with his life out of his hands, he has lost today's battle. It was a good thing it was only practice. His friend helps him to his feet, sharpened just a bit more by the consistent training.

As I read today in Proverbs 27, it talked a great deal about friends & enemies but I could not help but be drawn back to the familiar verse in verse seventeen. Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. I believe when couples get married, one thing many long for marriage to be is an eternal friendship. To be able to say we are married to our best friend, who sees us in our good and in our bad. To be married to the friend who can finish our sentence where we left off, or know our thoughts without words coming out. For women, I believe we desire to be married to someone who 'completes' us, obviously without taking the place of the One who ultimately fulfills us. No man or woman can bring fulfillment like having a relationship with our heavenly Father, and when we begin to put that expectation on our spouse, we are often disappointed, but isn't it nice that God designed man & woman to come together and be one?! That ultimately the design was for us to be "iron sharpeners" for each other. 


Reading in Proverbs 31:10, a question was posed in the first sentence. In essence, who is he who can find this virtuous woman? HE. Who is the MAN who can find this amazing, godly & virtuous woman? This woman who does excel all other women? It tells us of her worth, how precious she is, her worth & great value. 


Who is HE who can find her? How can this godly man ultimately find the woman who was made to complete him? I believe verse 11 gives us a clue into how he finds her.... by his heart. As believers today, when we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit becomes our guide. I believe that this man of god is led & directed. His diligence to the Lord, draws him to this woman who will ultimately be his "one." 


Like many places in Proverbs that talks of hidden treasure and having to search for it, Proverbs 31:10 also bears the same characteristics of value. This woman, this jewel, is like a treasure. Because of her faithfulness to the Lord and his calling on her life, she will be searched out! Her love for the Lord causes her to be that jewel, that treasure. She is far more precious than jewels. In the Hebrew, the word "far" breaks down to: remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones.   To "find" is defined as: to find, secure, acquire, to get the thing sought, to be found, to be recognized. The Proverbs 31 man, RECOGNIZES what he is looking for when he finds it. The qualities that he has sought after and searched for are obvious when he finally comes across this virtuous woman. 


And... how appropriate, that until death do they part, they can be iron sharpeners for each other. I know in my own relationship with Tyler, he is most definitely an iron sharpener in my life! He sharpens me by asking me questions, by challenging me. He sharpens me by loving & comforting me when I need it. He sharpens me by the encouragement that he gives me to pursue the unique gifts God has given me. He sharpens me by prodding me to follow the Holy Spirit even when it may not seem to make sense to the world. He sharpens me by spending quality time with me when he knows I need it. He sharpens me by his first love & devotion to the Lord. His continual pursuit of growth sharpens me. 


Tyler McCart is truly my best friend. He is my iron sharpener. For that, I am thankful!


I'd love to hear from you! In what specific ways do you sharpen your spouse? How does your spouse sharpen you? 


___________________


*Picture used with permission. For handmade swords, shields and products of the like, contact Tim at Forged in Time. Their website is informative about the historical background of Medieval weapons and the theme/graphics of the site draw you in to want to learn more!

#33 - Fairytales Do Come True

Good Morning! Today is a very special day.... I'll tell you why in a minute. In the meantime, let's check out our verses....

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

July 13th, 1998. Today is a very special day. Both of the verses for today took place on July 13th. Let's rewind... let's have story time. It was twelve years ago on July 7th that a girl traveled across the country on a mission trip that would extend over the next 3 weeks, until July 27th. She traveled all the way to London, England, Gatwick airport. In the middle of her greatest low in her short Christian life, she felt sad, dirty, unworthy. She felt like a great screw up. How could she even be worthy to be on a trip to share the gospel with anyone. Someone who had messed up so greatly. Someone who just a week prior had really ruined her testimony. Had allowed a non-Christian friendship to escalate to a relationship that went against everything she stood for as a Christian. Standing in the Gatwick airport, with 50 other young people from around the United States and Canada, she most definitely felt unworthy. 


Meanwhile, a small bus drives up, dropping off about 20 other young people who had just traveled France & the Czech Republic for the previous 3 weeks. Loudly singing... and laughing, they joined the 50. The 50. Quiet, new, alone, unsure what to expect, a bit lost. The 20 had been together, had established friendships over the last 3 weeks. So around walks "Mr. Congeniality" introducing himself, shaking hands, finding things in common with the 50, trying to make others feel welcome and warm. 


In the small town of Ashford, England the group begins to minister. From sports clinics, school auditoriums, street ministry, street drama & acting, large evening events with bands, and a gospel message, the 70 minister. One by one, salvation's begin to take place. 


July 13th, 1998. The girl, accompanied by Mr Congeniality walk through the park in Ashford. Rose bushes everywhere, sidewalks, fountains, finely trimmed grass... a perfect picture of an "English Park." Walking to their next event, they talk as they go. Then, there, in the park he stops and hugs her. A simple hug, but one long enough for her to see it. With her eyes closed, she sees a vision.... a large green chalk board, white chalk and The Hand. The Hand simply writes, "This is him. This is your husband, this is the man you are going to marry." 


"How could it be?" she thought. "I have just experienced the greatest low of my spiritual life. I just had the greatest mess up. I am still in the middle of the feelings of unworthiness, disgust. In one hand I held a choice. My God. In the other I held a choice. A Non-Christian Relationship. Though I chose my God, I still messed up so much, messed up my testimony. How could THIS be my husband? How could God be revealing him to me now, at my greatest low?"


The mission trip came and went. She got home and daily prayed, begged, sought the Lord pleading, "Please let this man know he is going to marry me. Please let him know I am his wife." Two years of pleading. Two years of hope deferred making a heart sick. Every day, wondering if he would call, wondering if he would email. Maybe this would be the day. 


Through a series of events, rather amazing events, God revealing to him that this could be the one. His list of 30 plus qualities he wanted in his wife allowed him to check off as each quality was discovered. Athletic, virgin, loves the Lord... and with a few qualities left to find out, she landed in his town for an entire summer. Mission trip #2, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. LT - Leadership Training with Great Commission Ministries. Now, officially dating, officially together. And one evening in the midst of possible physical temptation, the last of the qualities checked off. In a moment of potential "flirting with impurity" or "remaining pure," she began to sing. A beautiful singing voice, the last quality was checked off. She was the one. 


July 13th, 2000..... the scavenger hunt occurs. Unbeknownst to him, 2 years prior, God had most assuredly shown her that he was her husband. July 13th, 2000..... the scavenger hunt for "Lifegroup Leaders" led her on a trip that would end in a garden, roses surrounding it, a fountain trickling....the garden would end with the question she had waited on for 2 years. She had pleaded, cried about, dreamed about. 


As she strode across the garden, she saw a card propped up on a small box. A box just small enough where there had to be a velvet box somewhere. The card went on to say, how special she was. How God had chosen her just for him. It went on to say how much he loved her qualities and her heart for the Lord. She knew through conversation that "I love you" would not be a phrase that would occur in their relationship. The only time "I love you" would occur would be if it was followed by "Will you marry me?" And at the end of the card, for the first time there it was, "I love you. Turn around I have something to ask you."


There he stood. As he walked up, a suit, tie, a smile and a heart that you could see from the outside. His heart was so big. So full of love. As he grabbed her hands, he got down on one knee, "Amy, I love you. Would you be willing to be #2 in my life for the rest of your life? Amy, will you marry me?"


"YES! YES! YES!" 


July 13th. One of the most special days in my life. God told me Tyler was going to be my husband, and a long 2 years of waiting and pleading with God. Crying. The vision did become a reality. That has been 12 years ago that God told me. Fairy tales most certainly do come true! The man I have loved for twelve years just gets better every day. The desire has been fulfilled! 


Single ladies.... he is looking for you! The man that you have always wondered is out there. He is looking for you. You were made to complete each other. You were made just for him. In amidst of your pursuit of God, in your pursuit of the Lord... being obedient to Him, even maybe at your greatest low.... there is where you may find him. He may not even know that he is looking for you.... but he is looking. God will reveal it to him... at the right timing, God will show him. It is your time to pursue God with reckless abandon. To pursue God with fervor! With passion! I remember Tyler asking a question on the mission trip, "What should a girl do to get a guy to notice her?" Answer...."Absolutely nothing. If she is seeking out and pursuing the heart of God, the man who is meant to marry her WILL FIND HER!" She doesn't need to dress to get noticed, flirt to get noticed, pursue the "guy" to get noticed. She needs to do one thing and one thing only, SEEK AFTER THE HEART OF GOD!


More than you could ever imagine, more than you could have ever dreamed is waiting for you. Get your eyes focused on your purpose. On GOD's purpose for you. As you are pursuing that, great things are in store! 


Single guys.... know what you are looking for. Know who YOUR Proverbs 31 woman is. As you pursue God, he will reveal her to you. Be a gentleman. How would you want a young man to treat your daughter? When you find her, treat her with the utmost respect. Do not violate. Do not pervert purity. Treat her like a lady. Treat her like the princess you have always looked to rescue. But first, you must know who she is. You can pray for her before you even meet her. You can pray for her even now. Purity, safety... that she would be developing into this Proverbs 31 wife for you. It could be at her greatest time of struggle, in her greatest moments of temptation, YOUR PRAYERS that save her for you! YOUR PRAYERS that reserve her to be all you have written on your list. YOUR PRAYERS are important. 


Married ladies.... Married men.... Do the same! Is your marriage not turning out the way you thought? Not all you had dreamed? God can restore it too! God can make it into the marriage you had one day dreamed it could be. He can make every day into a day you feel like you have to pinch yourself. A love that just continues to go deeper and deeper. One that gets greater and greater. Where you will fulfill your destiny together, you will create a legacy together. Seek #1 to pursue the NUMBER ONE! Put your God where He belongs, first. If you put God first, above everything else, your spouse will be the most loved and cared for spouse imaginable. Their needs will be met to such a degree that YOU didn't even know you were capable of fulfilling. BECOME that man or woman God is calling you to be. It is there, in the middle of a passionate pursuit, that you will find happiness in EVERY area of your life. 


Fairytales do come true. I am living proof. 

#6 - Awaken!

Good morning! So many ways I could go this morning. To be quite honest, I'm a bit on the edge of "righteous anger". Hopefully you will continue to read...I believe you will be awakened by reading today's blog, and hopefully be awakened to take action in some way. 


Today's scripture.... as we welcome in June 1st, we are back to Proverbs 1, and we will do some cross referencing with our Proverbs 31 woman. 

Proverbs 1:4 - That prudence (subtilty) may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

First of all, as I was studying this morning and Proverbs 1:5 mentioned the "wise will hear & increase in learning...", I just immediately had a rush of thankfulness. Thankful purely because our GOD loves us so much that he will not just leave us where we are. He will not just leave us to remain the same. Praise the Lord that He gives us eyes to see & ears to hear, that he gives His children, YOU & ME, a moral compass that instinctively knows when we see or hear something that just is not right. 
The cutting edge.... that is what we are going to visit today. The cutting edge. 

A few synonyms for discretion are: judgement, wisdom, sense. 
Let's check out our "Virtuous" Woman. If you are a studier of the Word, you have most likely heard the talk of this mysterious, "Virtuous" woman. But, who really uses that word much these days? So, I looked it up. I wanted some more clarity on who this woman really is.... really, who am I really called to model my life after. You may be a bit surprised when you hear this....
"Virtuous: conforming to moral & ethical principles, morally excellent, upright, chaste."
Ok... all that made sense... but, what in the world does "chaste" mean?? Give me some more clarity on who this woman is!

Chaste: refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion, virgin, not engaging in sexual relations, free from obscenity, decent, undefiled or stainless, pure in style. Synonym: Elegant, Classic, Clean. Antonym:  Immoral

Whoa! May sound like a tall order to someone not walking with the Lord...or someone not allowing themselves to follow godly convictions that will lead & guide them in wisdom. For the married woman or man.... yes, this may be an easy area to follow, being "virtuous".


What can we take out of this? What can we apply. How are we being virtuous in our lives? How is your dress? I know a woman who, I know is a Christian, she's a great and fun person... but everytime we come in contact with them, my husband has to bounce his eyes. Most of the time, her shirts are very tight & she has a LOT of cleavage showing. I know I have to be on guard for my husband. So, ladies... are you causing other men... married men to have to be on guard because of the way you dress? That is one way we can practice being virtuous. Free from obscenity... so, how is your speech? Our Proverbs 31 Woman most assuredly does not have profanity slip, gossip, sarcasm, snide remarks to or about others. 
It may sound like a funny remark... but I had to apologize to Tyler yesterday. I was watching a movie with a friend, and Tyler was getting ready to interrupt and  make fun of the movie and how stupid it was. Even though it was in "gest", but I was also serious because he was interrupting, I said, "Please shut your Pie Hole! We are trying to watch this!" Yes... I partially, lol.... but, that is a great example of what the Proverbs 31 would NOT have done or said. Actually, she would've probably turned off the movie, because it was not going anywhere, and ultimately was not a real "virtuous" movie (who knows just because it says PG13, does not mean that it is up to the standards of a virtuous woman!)


Well...that brings me to my real beef! Tyler studies business & entrepreneurship all the time. He has a gift for it! He was reading in the June issue of Fast Company about the Top 100 Most Creative People in Business, well... we were very curious to see who was #1 & why. Wouldn't you know it... as we flip open the magazine, we were surprised to find out it was the cutting edge, hip-hop, great beat, fun Lady Gaga. She was given the #1 position of MOST CREATIVE people in business. Well... Tyler & I sometimes stream "fast/dance" music on our Pandora Radio. Her songs are fast, have a great beat... seem fun. So, Tyler was reading about all the innovative things she has done to give her this #1 spot. But, then... he wanted to see it for himself. So, he went out on YouTube to watch one of her videos. Red Flag #1 - You had to be 18 or older to watch the video. (Yikes! So in movie world, that would be a Rated R!) How do they know you are 18, as long as you have a YouTube profile and your birthday shows you are 18, you can watch it. Nothing is stopping a 13 year old to set up an account and push their birthday up a bit. Red Flag #2, 3, 4 - Her dress was extremely scandalous, she comes out with G-string panties, and a little bit of tape over her nipples. She is in a cage, a jail cell & then proceeds to make out with another female. 


AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! HELLO!!!! Can we say AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!



The teen, pop idol... fun, sweet & spunky. Hannah Montana....Miley Cyrus. Her new released video has her coming out in no less than skimpy lingerie, in a cage, dancing on other dancers and singing the lyrics, "I can't be tamed."


So... you want to know what is influencing this generation? Why is porn being frequented more? Why is having sexual affairs with someone of the SAME sex OK, or even fantasized about? 


Also, recently on a talk show hosted by doctors, teenage girls were asked about their high school experience. 13 year old girls proceeded to tell the doctors that in their school the new thing was to have a list of who you wanted to "be with", have sex with, and the goal was to see how QUICKLY you could get through the list. 


I guaranty, our Proverbs 31 woman would not be partaking in ANY of these activities. In the Hollywood or music industry, to get a "one-up" on the top performers, I would anticipate a common mind-set is, "How can I do something that is more cutting edge, that will draw my viewers in more. Something dangerous, sexy, immorally over the line."


The Calling is out! We need BOLD, unafraid, Godly Men & Women to decide to make a difference. To love more, to pray more, to be in the Word more, to change more, to positively Impact MORE! 


Well, I just want to leave you with a challenge. 

1. Can you change something today in your dress or speech be elegant, classic, clean, chaste, virtuous? 
2. What can you do to begin to boldly change this generation? To make a difference, an impact? Every little bit counts, YOU COUNT! Pray and see how God would direct YOU to impact others for His glory. 
3. In the Spotlight: Pick someone in the spotlight, who is currently influencing this generation. Pray BOLDLY for them! I have added Lady Gaga to my prayer. That she would have a RADICAL, Damascus Road experience. How Saul who tortured & killed Christian, had the scales removed from his eyes. His name was changed to Paul, and he wrote a majority of the New Testament. Lady Gaga CAN be a Paul. Add someone in the SpotLight and commit to praying for them!