A submissive wife?

 Gooood Morning ladies! Today's shot of espresso has been brewing in my brain for some time and I just haven't been able to put it inot words...So here's my best shot!

In our generation it is so odd to hear someone say to be "submissive," isn't it?  Sounds like you are supposed to bow down and worship whoever you are submitting to.  I guess that's why I cringe when I read in scripture that I am supposed to submit to my husband.  M and I went to a marriage conference this past weekend and there are always going to be things that rub you the wrong way, but there were some key points that I took away from the time we had together. 

First, let's lay out some scriptures that we will use throughout this blog. 

Ephesians 5:22-33

"²²  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

²⁵  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.^{[a] 28} In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body. ³¹  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

and

Colossians 3:18

^"18  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."

Ouch!  Sounds like we are like a maid servant right?  Well that's what I thought to for a long time.  As I have gotten older (And I know I'm not THAT old) I have realized that if both the male and female are designed to be a "head of the household" it would be quite chaotic!  God designed us to have different roles than our husbands, and the more I have trusted God to let M make the right decisions, the more I feel relaxed and not so tense all the time!

At the conference this weekend the woman speaker said that ever since Eve "Got up and went and took control" we have been trying ever since!  And when you sit and think for a few minutes isn't it true?  When you think your husband isn't doing something fast enough or just the way you want it done...you just do it yourself?  I know I am guilty of that...can I get a AMEN?  One of the fruits of the spirit is patience...maybe we should try that when we are letting our husbands live out their roles as the head of the household?  I by no mean think that women should be at home all day saying to their husbands, "Your wish is my command," and wait patiently on instruction. But I think we get so twisted over responsibilities that we weren't created to handle. 

I love the picture that Ephesians paints though of a marriage.  Although it says that a wife is to submit to her husband, it says we are to do it as the church submits to Christ.  Don't we joyfully submit to Christ's pan for our lives (When we know what it is anyways haha)?  Don't we "Consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2-4)?  Why is it that we get so stuck on having to be a slave when it says to submit to your husband?  Do we think he will take advantage of that? 

If you continue reading in Ephesians it speaks to the husband's responsibility (WOWZER!).  Love your wife as Christ loves the church...did you grasp that?  Because it is really hard for me to grasp that...that MY husband is called and commanded to love ME in the same way that CHRIST loves the CHURCH!  WOW!  What an amazing picture of love that is!  That my husband should love me unconditionally, be my comfort when I am vulnerable, my strength when I am weak, to protect me...even if it costs him his life. 

This week as we contemplate our roles in our marriages...I want you to take some special time out of your day (I know...you already have 38 hours of stuff to do in the 24 you have) to specifically pray for your husbands.  It is such an enormous responsibility he has to love and care for you.  Pray that he will "Be strong and Courageous." 

As for me, I pray for my Husband to be a Joshua.  That he would stand up and say to the world "choose this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

Our marriages take work, lots of work. And it takes committment on both sides.  Our committment is to love our husbands and support and encourage them to be the men that God created them to be. 

I hope you have a great week!

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Wednesday's Shot of Espresso: Getting the Wrinkles Out

Source: realsimple.com via Jenny on Pinterest

As I was ironing E's little 12 month sized button up shirt, I realized that it was harder to iron the wrinkles near the seams and pockets than it was with my husband's that I had ironed a a few hours earlier. I tried different angles and then I tried the bounce spray.  That seamed to help, but it was definitely a task and I was in a hurry.  I had laundry to do.
  During my problem solving with the wrinkles I was reminded of how God washes us clean and then shows us how to iron out the wrinkles.  Sometimes he uses other things to get the wrinkles out like my bounce spray.
  Let me show you what I mean.

Isaiah 1:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁸Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
 ¹⁹If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
 ²⁰But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

In this verse He shows us that He washes our sins away. This is a daily process, just as we daily wash ourselves in the shower or our clothes in the washing machine.

Proverbs 27:17

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
   so one person sharpens another.

Sometimes He uses another person to help us iron the wrinkles out. It is definitely not a process we can do on our own. We can only do it with His help and being open to those he puts around us to show us how to iron out those wrinkles. If we only look around us and ask God who He has placed around us to sharpen us, He will use them. I encourage you to live in obedience and ask God who He wants you to sharpen today. Remember it's always in love.

I hope this encouraged you as much as it did me today. Remember the What Women Fear Bible Study starts tomorrow. Let me know if you have questions.  Email me here. 

Click on the picture for NEW USES FOR OLD THINGS

25 New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

Double Shot of Espresso: Long day of {Blessings}

      I don't know about you, but I could use a double shot of Espresso right now.  I need a shot of physical espresso and a shot of spiritual espresso.  This week has been an incredible journey of spiritual warfare. I have been reminded to "be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV).  Several other translations say to "sober-minded" an", watchful", "be of sober spirit", "on the alert", "vigilant" but my all time favorite is the way the message puts it. " 


^8-11Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does."  

  This week has been a long week already. E is teething again so I'm not getting much sleep {hence the typos}. I am trying to make things and get things ready for his first birthday this Saturday and nothing is falling into place. Everything that could go wrong has. Literally. To the point that when my pictures to display at the party of E were finally printed 2 days later instead of an hour.  Oh did I mention the photo machine crashing on me right when i was getting ready to hit the submit button.... there's more to the story than that, and I'm not complaining. Just trying to paint the picture of my day with a migraine headache going on.  Today, the manager called and said, "is this Miss. Jen?" To which i replied, "it is." She continued to say that my pictures were ready and she is terribly sorry about what happened yesterday and she was going to take care of the cost and I could pick them up at any time. Thrilled! I thought to myself,  favor! He loves me so He wants to bless me with free pictures because He knows that will keep my hubby happy and me completely thrilled that I was able to receive pictures of my baby.  Who cares that he looks jaundice in the pictures and I will never use that photo lab again.... they were free!!!!!!

   I'm sure you completely know the kinda day I'm talking about. The one where you just want to start all over. Jump in the shower and rinse it all away and feel rested, refreshed and renewed.  But the fact is the day just kept going wrong. Yeah you know the kinda day. Again I am not complaining. Just sharing with you that we all have days like this.

  Have you ever asked God why days go this way?  I totally got the answer from Him.  He reminded me of His Word.

Ephesians 6:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

  It's not personal. God isn't punishing me. I am fighting a spiritual battle that's going on in the heavens. In looking at my day that way I gain a new perspective. An okay so if I'm patient, something good is going to come out of this. But more importantly, it was because of my obedience to Him that these battles were going on. Satan was mad. And I knew it. Have you seen that picture on Pinterest that says "Satan heard my feet hit the floor and said, "awe crap, she's awake".  Well that's the kinda day it was. He knew he had thrown the first arrow and had missed yesterday so today he was going to throw more at me. He knew that the 3 hours I just invested in a life long friend that I haven't seen in 10 years was for God's Kingdom and he didn't like it.  So I suffered at the photo lab with a guy named "Sharky" to which I laughed at God for His humor and said, okay Lord patience, you will bring something good out of this.

See what Satan knows is this friend doesn't need to be around me and he is going to do everything He can to keep her away. Why you ask?  Because have learned to hear his voice and the Holy Spirit speaks through me and he knows I will be obedient and be the voice from the Lord that my friend needs right now.  He knows that if he can just get her to go to the pit of hell again with him that this time it will be the last and he will have her forever.  He's throwing drugs and suicide hard core at her and she can't even see her way out.  She needs to hear His voice and I'm the only light she has.  Satan knows all of this.

I hope your still with me and you hear my heart.  It's not me, but He that is in me. I'm not perfect. But I know He uses imperfect people to change hearts for the Kingdom.  So I go with it, you know that "mommy" kind of gut feeling and tell her what's on my heart. Even if I think she will think I'm crazy. Satan wants us to think that way. You know what I have to say about that?  Get over your self. Don't put yourself up on that pedestal to think that it's by your might or power.  Hello! It's by His! (Zachariah 4)

Sorry this post is so long, but maybe you need this as much as I do. I really need a double shot of espresso. I am tired and weary and I need His rest spiritually and physically.  Do you remember the post about strength? We talked about this scripture: Psalms 73:26 "God gives strength to the weak." there are a lot of realms of the word weak hear and take out of it what it means to you. To me it is physical and spiritual. Physically because I'm not sleeping because of E. Spiritually because I am in a prayer battle and physically I'm on the front line with this.  Let me tell you girls you better put on your full armor.  Because if you don't you will go down!  I truly hope your hearing me and I totally believe this is speaking right to your heart.

I was reminded of God's unconditional love today. I was reminded of His protection. I was reminded of His provision. I was reminded of His guidance. I was reminded of His peace. I was reminded of His {Blessings}

Are you there?  Are you there with your new perspective?  It's not us. It's the lion that is searching to steal from you and whoever else God has sent you to bless, kill those that he can bring to hell with him, and destroy everything that would glorify the Kingdom of God.

Let me share with you a song God brought to me today at the right moment on the radio.  "Blessings" by Laura Story.  The video is posted below if you haven't heard the song yet. But the story behind it is amazing. Her husband had a brain injury that from what I gather was pretty extensive when this song was birthed. I have shared the video of that below. Through all of the "trials of this life" God has brought to her blessings. She just received her first Grammy {I believe I'm not really up on all of that, but it was a huge award}. And she just found out that she was pregnant. Now that is pretty awesome!!!

  So the next time your having a bad day. Stop and ask God to open your eyes to the spiritual battle that is going on around you.  He will show you what's going on and you'll appreciate your blessings in a whole new way.

  I can not go any further with out saying that maybe your the girl that has disappeared for seven years in to hell and darkness. You truly know what the valley of the shadow of darkness and death looks like. You may have never had a "plan" or maybe you have and you've not been able to execute the "plan" to end your life in this world. I just want you to know there is a gift that God wants you to have. It's unconditional love. But there's more... it's wrapped in grace and the bow on top is hope. Oh and ther's more... it's dangled with a jewel of mercy.  It's the most amazing present you have ever seen, kinda like the pretty one Avery shared on Monday but in your favorite colors.  (I totally forgot what she named that post...total God thing.) He loves you just the way you are. Turn to Him and he will pull you out of your dark place and create a new creation in you. BTW, this song is for you. I think it's new because I had a hard time finding the audio to it. So if you like it hold onto it and surly iTunes will grab onto this one soon.

Source: flickr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

That is what we'll will be sipping on this Monday... "A New You".

Okay so here are the videos I promised...
Click here to see the story behind the song.

Click here to see the whole song.



I know... I haven't forgot about the give-a-way. I haven't had time to do the random drawing through the computer. I know you get it... it's been one long day.  ;)

Love to you ladies! I'm off to Bible study. I need refreshment with my hubs from our 3rd and final piece of our rope... Jesus Christ.


Blessings!

Count your blessings!

 Hey Ladies!

Today's {Shot of Espresso} is pretty short!  I am out of town for training (Missing M and G like CRAZY!)  But recently for a gift to M I did a homemade gift, "52 reasons why I love you" and put one reason on a playing card to fill a whole deck of cards.  It was a really awesome thing for me to come up with "one liners" of reasons why I love him.  But as I am away from him and our little boy, I can think of a million reasons!  But I am also reminded of how my God loves me! 

Ok, so here is the challenge: I want you to think of 52 blessings in your life.  I know, I know, you're thinking "52?"  yup...52!  I know we can do this, I am going to do it too!  This will challenge you to think outside the box...and be thankful for the little things in life.

When Jesus prayed the Lord's prayer he thanked His father for "the little things"  and sometimes I think we forget the "little things."  So take some time this week (ok maybe not 52) but think of your blessings.  Today I am thankful for Skype...so I could see my little boy.  We are blessed more than we know, and when we put that in perspective...everything seems a little bit clearer. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  And I pray that you "count your blessings" this week!

Psalm 119:1-2 says,

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,"

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Good Morning!  Thanks for stopping by for your weekly {Shot of Espresso}

I want us to take a look at overcoming the "tough spots" in our lives.  I was so blessed by last weeks {Shot} that as I prayed about this weeks, one song came to mind..."I am a seed."  This is a relatively new song, it is off the new David Crowder Band CD.  But let's have a look shall we?

Oh I've been pushed down into the ground
Oh how I've been trampled down
So many feet on top of me
I can't help but sink, sink, sink

Oh I've been pushed down into the ground
Oh how I have been trampled down
Lord I put my trust in thee
You won't turn your back on me

Oh I am a seed
Oh I am a seed
I've been pushed down into the ground
But i will rise up a tree

Oh I can see it won't be long
Till I break free from what I was
Your river of grace flows endlessly
You won't turn your back on me

Oh I am a seed
Oh I am a seed
I've been pushed down into the ground
But i will rise up a tree

I've been burned up in so many fires
From these ashes I will rise
Lord your power has rescued me
For you I'll always sing

Oh I am a seed
Oh I am a seed
I've been pushed down into the ground
But I will rise up a tree

Oh I am a seed
Oh I am a seed
Won't stay long here in this earth
When you rain your love on me
Lord, rain your love on me 

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." 

So many times we feel like a "seed" being pushed down and pushed down...but I want to challenge you today to remember that a seed grows into a tree!  And that tree bears fruit!  It is so important for us to remember even in the tough times that God is watering us and sometimes even protecting us from "the elements."  

So if you are soaking up the sun today or weathering a storm...just remember that God is in control...and he is giving us exactly what we need to grow us into the trees he created us to be!  

Be proud to be a seed today!  

Click HERE to hear the song and enjoy!

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{Shot of Espresso} Wednesda

Good morning! Welcome to your "Shot of Espresso"! 

I am reading a fabulous book right now entitled, "A marriage without regrets."  A dear friend of mine gave me a copy when I got married, I read it then...and now 4 years later I am dusting it off and reading it again.  I just want to give you a taste of something this morning, that we may not otherwise think of in our daily lives.  

"What is God's standard of success?  It is obedience to His Word."  Let's couple this with a scripture: 

"Be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.  This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,  so that you may be careful to do according to all  that is written in it;  for then you will make your prosperous, and then you will have success.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  So not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:7-9)

How often do we "meditate on God's work day and night?"  I want to challenge you today to Be strong and Courageous!  Lean on the promises that our faithful God has given us in his word today and rejoice in the promise that our God is faithful!  

I hope you have a fabulous day today, and I pray that God would reveal himself in a very special way to each and every one of you! 

Thanks for reading!

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