Fight Like a girl

The last Saturday of February I got to co-plan a church lady's tea! It was so much fun!! We had 55 ladies attend and I was asked to share a short devotional. I wanted to share that message with you. Although since I have more time on here then I had with the ladies I plan on going into a little more depth into each point. This week is the introduction!

Fight like a girl!

I recently turned 30. Now I realize that all you women reading this are 29 and under and I thank you for allowing me to share my 2 months wisdom with you! Something happened when I hit that age, to me age really is just a number and I in no way feel old or am going through a mid life crisis. Before, when I was in my 20's I felt like the song "not a girl, not yet a woman" was like my jam. I struggled with the well, I'm not that old or i'm too old for that. Then when I turned 30, I realized hey, that's the age when you ask a kid what's old they say 30! Or the age when I was a kid, the age my mom would tell me to act when I was acting up. Which I translated into to act like my grandma. At the age of 30 I suddenly liked tea, it was kind of the weirdest thing before 30... tea, uh no thank you i will pass. 30, tea? yes please with one sugar. At the age of 30 I kinda had this realization that I can't pass for college age any more, nor should I. At the age of 30 my prayers took a change too. In my 20's and also my teens I remember praying "God who do you want me to be?" Suddenly at the age of 30 my prayers became "God help me to be a better woman."  I wish that God worked in my way, that as I pray He gives me a step by step plan to become a better woman. I love lists, I like to make them almost daily. Usually the first thing on my list is wake up; which I get to cross off almost instantly. I already feel accomplished. Next on my list is usually; make a list. Whoo hoo two for two today is a success. Third is get ready for day, sometimes that's a 50/50 (do I want to change out of pj's?) and fourth is eat, again 50/50 which also ensues a debate. Does a twix count as breakfast? God doesn't usually give me a list he just slowly reveals things to me as I go. I know I am not yet the perfect woman but I do know I am better today than yesterday. I don't pray to be a better wife or a better mom. I feel like as God molds me to be a better woman all those other things will click into place. As I pursue being a better woman being a better wife and mom will follow naturally. As I follow God in pursuit of being a better woman I will naturally become a better girlfriend, sister, daughter and such. In this day and age where we are constantly told we live in a man's world, I think the power behind being a woman has been lost. In this day and age being told you fight like a girl is an insult, instead of a recognition of a woman. One movie I have always liked, although it will never take the place of High School Musical or Step Up. There is a certain scene that stands out to me, It's the scene where a royal princess is standing in a battlefield where death lays about her. You don't recognize her as a royal princess because she has hidden her womanhood in a man's armor. She is there because she wants to help, she has practiced with a sword and is just as good if not better than most of the men. As the battle rages on she watches her father the king fall at the hand of an evil creature and it's rider. She rushes to her father's side but the creature prevents her, she begins to fight the evil dark figure. Just as the evil king thinks he won he claims, "You fool no man can kill me." At this time she rises up, takes off her helmet and claims, "I am no man." Stabbing the evil king, he had no reason to worry of a female presence on the battlefield. He shrivels up and dies. She hid her identity to come onto the battlefield but it was not until she showed her true identity did she become victorious. This scene has grown in importance to me as I have gotten older, the fact that she did not win until she revealed her womanhood. This scene is from the movie Lord of the rings the Return of the King (click the name to see the clip). We are living in a world where we are told to blend in a become like the man, to be successful you must act more manly. This is not the way we will win, this is not the way to success. It will not happen until we realize our true identity and power in being a woman. I may realize my prayer changing at the age of 30 but, God is calling all of his females to stand up and be proud of the women He made you to be. To stop trying to fit into the man's world and start fighting as He made women to fight.

I have 3 points to get you started.

1. What's our battle

2. Best Weapon

3. The way to win

I have been in love with this topic for as long as I remember and the book by Lisa Bevere titled Fight Like a Girl brought some new insight into my message. I would definitely. encourage reading it. I will continue this series trying to post each point once a week. 

Before I go though I want to share with you a challenge our Pastor gave us this past Sunday, it is an easy one and one I know will change your life if you follow it.

It's called Rise and Nine. First thing in the morning instead of hitting your snooze start with;

3 minutes praise

3 minutes prayer

3 minutes reading

I hope you join our church in this challenge! I also look forward to sharing more with you on Fight like a girl.

Dorinda

Enjoy Today

Matthew 6:34New International Version (NIV)

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So, as the days drag on this time of year I started a countdown on my phone to encourage me to keep looking forward. On there I had anything and everything I could look forward to until baby number 2 comes. I told myself I was also using the countdown to remind me that time is running out and I need to get stuff down. Eventually the countdown started to consume me, I got so excited everyday to move the numbers down one. As I started to realize this the Holy Spirit pointed out that I was no longer enjoying that day, just rushing through it so I could mark it off as done. 

Realizing He was right (DUH!).  I started trying to slow down and enjoy the day for what it is, a day the Lord has created to rejoice and be glad in (Psalm 118:24). One of the best ways I decided to do that was to be thankful!

Everyday I want to find 3 things I am thankful for, one first thing in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one before bed.

This is inspired by the book 1,000 gifts by Anna Voskamp and the scripture 

1 Thessalonians 5:18.

There are always things to be thankful for what are you thankful for?

Now, I know that Halloween is here and this month of Thanksgiving is an easier time to accomplish this task, but this is something we should do everyday of the year! It is also great to do when things don't seem to be going your way. I hope you found this post an encouragement for you during the month of November to  give thanks for everything around us but, I hope you continue to do this through out the next year. If you are going through a difficult time I really encourage you to do this and maybe even journal it, it might seem difficult but, I do know it will help!

Have a Halloween and remember to Enjoy Today!

Dorinda

Breaking Out of the Beauty Mold

A week or so ago I was invited to a jewelry party, I was also asked while at the jewelry party if I would do a short devotional on the Proverbs 31 woman. 

I was super excited and said "Yes!" right away. I later then thought, I never teach on the Proverbs 31 woman. It's not because I don't think she is great, I just think everyone always teaches about her, so I like to do something different. Plus, I have always had a connection with Esther. So, I started into studying. The hard part was this was going on the week we were moving and packing, playing with a toddler, working, being pregnant; and studying was a lot to take on. I constantly prayed for the devotional and gave time to study wherever I could but, not as much time as I usually do going into these things.

The message turned out great and I wanted to share it with you.  What made me most excited about the devotional was with my lack of prep time, I knew going in that what I would say was from the Holy Spirit. It had to be I didn't have time to make it up. So here it is.

Breaking Out of the Beauty Mold

The Proverbs 31 woman has a lot of characteristics we all want to achieve peace, hard worker, good mom, amazing wife and so on. When reading the Proverbs 31 woman we rarely look at her as someone who desired to be beautiful. Yet here it is in verse 17 and 22

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

We know she cared how she looked because she took care of herself and she dressed nicely. Dressing in scarlet is like dressing in Michael Kors. By reading on we do know that the Michael Kors was bought at a great deal, and probably on sale. So many of us become captive by the beauty mold by obsessing with how we look, or ignoring our looks, comparing ourselves to Hollywood, which eonline has made the perfect botched woman based on people votes for who has the best body part, 

eonline

We are held prisoner by comparing ourselves to friends or women we see on the streets, or maybe you are ashamed of your beauty so you hide it. We as women don't want to be admired for our beauty but we don't want it dismissed. We want to display both inner and outer beauty. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman. To break free from this captivity we need to realize the only way is through Christ, and if our freedom is going to be a reality we are going to have to walk it independently with Christ. Here are 3 things to help you break out of the beauty mold.

1. Know that the King already finds you beautiful!

Psalm 45:11 (NCV) the King loves your beauty

Psalm 45:11 (KJV) the King desires your beauty

Psalm 45:11 (NIV) the King is enthralled by your beauty.

I just love that last one I want to put it on a sign and place it all over my house. God finds you beautiful as He was designing you He didn't accidentally mess up your nose and say "Oh, Well, I guess she is good enough", As He designed your hair He didn't get frustrated and say; "I guess that will just have to do." No, He spent time making you exactly how He wanted you. He made you that way and He finds you beautiful.

2. Seek His face!

Hey, that's a beauty regime in itself. Look at Jesus and Moses.

Exodus 34:29 but Moses did not know his face had been shining because he had been talking with the Lord

Luke 9:29 While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became shining white.

The more time you spend seeking Him the inner beauty becomes outer beauty. Also, the less you focus on what others think, or obsess over your looks because you realize He loves how you look. The shackles of the beauty mold start to break free.

3. Everyday remind yourself that He finds you and He made you beautiful

Psalm 139:13-16New International Version (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

I know this seems to be a repeat of number one but, this is a reminder that this is a daily challenge. You aren't going to be able to read this and suddenly the chains have broken and you are out of the beauty mold. Everyday remind yourself He made you perfectly, spent time forming you and created you to be a representation of Himself. 

4. Don't let the mirror rob you of your beauty!

How do we get mugged by the mirror you ask? If we seek our identity in what is staring back at us and how we can "fix"it.

If we want to lose weight to be healthier, by all means go on a diet.

If we want to be in better shape to have more energy, by all means, workout.

But, 

if we think we need to do those things to find happiness, to make people like us or love us, that if we could change our appearance to be thinner, stronger, more shapely, and by doing that we will be happier, more successful, have a better life, we are being mugged by the mirror.

Sidenotes:

There is nothing wrong with enhancing your beauty. Working out or putting on makeup, dressing in nice clothes. (Psalm 45:13, describes a beautiful wedding dress) We know the Proverbs 31 woman took care of herself we discussed earlier. Just don't let those things take over. Proverbs 11:22 says like a ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Basically, a woman who flaunts her beauty by showing no modesty, or knows she is desirable, prideful is a silly looking and useless as a ring in a pig's nose. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says; Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles or wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great worth in God's eyes.

Beauty comes at all ages Esther was a young lady found to be desirable by a King. Sara was 65 when a King invited her to bed before finding out she was married. This happened two times to Sara in her old age.

To close up I want to share this letter a friend posted on her blog. 

My Pretty Little Princess, 

I want you to know how very beautiful you are to me. I adore you, my daughter! I love the way I created you. When you look into the mirror, remember that I carefully chose the color of your eyes and the highlights in your hair. I love you so much that I know exactly how many hairs are on your pretty little head! I designed the shape of your nose and your happy smile. I made every part of your precious body. Don’t ever try to look like anyone else but you. I think you are perfect just the way you are. I love every little thing about you, my princess. There is no one in the world like you. 

Love, Your King who created a perfect you”

“I Made You Beautiful” 

 “His Little Princess: Treasured Letters from Your King.”

Fight Like a Girl: Our Greatest Weapon

This is a continuation of a devotional I taught at our Church at our Women's tea. I loved it and wanted to continue studying so I brought it with me to the blog. You can read part 1, and part 2. Now onto the next point Our Greatest Weapon!

A lot of times we are told to think of ourselves or to move up in this world you must step on people. Jesus says something different to the disciples in Matthew those who are last will be first. I think Women especially are gifted and talented in the area of hospitality, we are going to look at a few women in the bible as our example.

Let's start with the first woman Eve she was called to be Adam's helpmate that's it. Designed and created to help Adam her job was to serve him and help him accomplish what God had called him to do. I bet there were times she felt like a doormat, Adam would say; "hey honey will you help me with....." She probably was thinking; "seriously you can't do this one thing by yourself?" Yet, that was her job. Sometimes when serving others you feel like a doormat, I hear a lot people say don't be a doormat and it sounds good but, I looked in the bible and I can't find scripture to back that up. I did find Matthew 5:38-40; 

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

Gosh, I am pretty sure that defines doormat right there. Sometimes you are going to feel stepped on and walked on and used. Keep on serving, and serve with a smile. God's Word contains promises saying, promotion comes from God, and do everything as doing unto the Lord, and the last shall be first. Serving isn't the easiest way but it is the only way recognized by God.

Before we continue onto our next lady I want to mention that there isn't room for physical or mental abuse. If you are being abused get out of the situation, it is bad. You can use your gift of serving else where.

Next lady I want to look at is one of my favorite, in fact whenever I am asked to speak to women I almost automatically plan on teaching from her story. I love a story with spa and fashion!! It is Queen Esther! When it was time for her to save her people and ask the king for a favor, she choose to serve him dinner. She called the King and her worst enemy; the one planning the whole plot to kill not just her family but, her whole race of people, over to dinner. After she served him food the king says; "What is your petition? Even up to half the kingdom is yours at your request." Wow!! What an answer just for giving him some dinner!! Guess what! The king gave her, her request and destroyed the one who had plotted to kill her whole nation! What can we accomplish by serving someone else? 

Don't give up on your dream plant seeds by helping others reach their dreams. God will make sure others help you do the same. Serving is planting seed in the lives of others whether they are Christian or not. Your servanthood could make a non- christian see the love of God and run into His arms. Don't under estimate the power of serving!

There is a flip side to serving and again since this is our greatest weapon sometimes we can over use it. Whenever I think of serving I also think of Mary and Martha. When Jesus came to the door Martha was in the kitchen and Mary sitting at His feet. Martha gets upset and says; "Jesus, tell Mary to help me." To which he replies; "Mary has chosen the better thing." There is time to serve and there is a time to listen. To become truly skilled at our weapon when we need to know when to use it and when to not. Martha didn't choose the wrong thing, she just choose the wrong time to do the right thing. Sometimes when serving we let it take place of everything and forget we need to take time and sit and hear from God. When we don't do this it builds resentment, I know I have been there. Don't let serving take the place of hearing.

Serving is our weapon! Like a sword if you were to practice with it everyday and never sharpen it, when time came to go to battle it would be dull and of no use. You could be great and talented at it, but because you are so tired and dull you can't do any good. To sharpen our sword of serving we need to take time listening. First at home, and second at church. Don't serve every Sunday in the nursery make sure you are in listening to your Pastor preach the Word. Don't let the kids be your alarm clock take back your mornings and listen to God before you serve them and your husband. Before you go to work, listen, so you can better serve your boss. 

Romans 12:13 says; Share with the Lord's people who are in need; practice hospitality. An old saying comes to mind "They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." The greatest way to reach people and to show people God is to serve them, show them God's love.

I want to encourage you again, to join me in the Rise and Nine challenge. Wake up 3 minutes praise, 3 minutes prayer, 3 minutes read. 

I have a few book suggestions on this topic;

Mary heart in a Martha world; I have no actually read this one but, it does have some great reviews and I do want to read it.

Women after God's own heart; Great read!!

Keep serving and keep listening! In two weeks I will talk on the last point!

Heart Ponders

Here are a few things that have been on my mind the past few weeks.

1. Prayer. I have been feeling a calling and drawing to spend more time in prayer. Not just my fleeting one sided conversations that go on through the day but, to sit at His feet and hear Him speak to my heart. The books by E.M. Bounds have been fueling this desire. With it has come a hunger for His Word. I know that He speaks to us through His Word so, I am constantly reading it, I started a one year bible study in my logos app. I no longer listen to the radio but instead sermons and teachings. I desire to be a true prayer warrior, like in the bible the ones Kings called on to get their prayers answered.

2. Thanksgiving. I got the book 1,000 gifts for Christmas. I am only half way through but, it is about one woman's journey seeking Thankfulness. I have started my list of 1,000 things. Every night I write down 3 and reflect on the day. I thank Him for the day He has given me! Did you know before each miracle Jesus gave thanks! Thanks is the answer to our troubles!

3. Worries. My mom has always told me I was great at the what if game. As I grew I got better! Although no one wins at the What if game, God reminded me that my worries are lack of Faith in Him. So, I remind myself not to worry for God is good!

4. Being a woman. This fueled by the women's tea I am speaking at, at end of February. I want to be the Woman God has called me to be! I am woman hear me Roar! I have special giftings and talents only a woman can use. I want to use those to better my family, this world and to spread His love.

These are few of the things my heart has been pondering and I wanted to share them with you. What are your heart's ponders?

Next week Valentine goodies!!

apparently Max likes fritos and pb!

Dorinda