More Notes...

Earlier this week I shared with you some things I learned from Mrs. Victoria Botkin’s first webinar session, All About Eve, and I wanted to share with you some things I learned from her second session, All About Sarah: Biblical Submission and how Godly Women Do It.

One of the first things Mrs. Botkin addressed was the question, “Is there such a thing as virtuous Christian feminism?” She pointed out that “we are all feminists at heart. Clear back to Eve. It’s just the way we are.” But feminism is a clearly ungodly mindset for women. She quoted Colossians 3:19- “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (This is applicable for the Father-Daughter Relationship, as well)

Mrs. Botkin gave two tips for practicing submission: 1) Taking every thought captive, and 2) Hoping in God to do His Will. My Mamma has said before that it is much easier to develop submission before marriage than after. Mrs. Botkin indicated this as well in the following quote:

“Get on board with your husband’s vision right at the beginning. This is really at the heart of submission…you submit your will and your vision to the will and vision of your husband.”

To be able to someday “get on board” with my future husband’s vision at the beginning of my marriage, I need to practice now, by submitting myself to my Daddy, and furthering his vision, rather than my own. The thing that really pricked my heart while I was listening, though, was this- “God’s will is more important than your will.” (Doesn’t that hurt!?!) Too often, I feel as though I must defend my will, rather than submitting to my God-given authority’s (aka, my daddy) will. When I do that, I sacrifice God’s Will, in an effort to get my way!

More on the Tongue

Yesterday at Church my Daddy gave a very interesting talk on the Apostle Paul and his life and work, and Mr. Trent Hendrix gave a wonderful (and very convicting/encouraging) message on how we are supposed to use our Tongues! One of his main Scripture passages was Ezekiel 2:3-8.

"Son of man, I am sending you to...a rebellious people who have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' As for them, whether they listen or not- for they are a rebellious house- they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..."

There were things that stood out to me in this passage:
1.- Several times it mentions "speaking" the Words of the Lord. It made me think, Do I know enough of what God's Word says to incorporate it in my speech?

2.- I realized one part of this passage was very necessary to the rest: "listen to what I am speaking to you". I have to heed what Scripture says! I can't make Scripture say what I want it to-- it can only mean what God wants it to mean!! Even when it's difficult.

3.- Fear Costs! Fear is death wish to anything. And look at what God tells us not to fear! "neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles are with you and you sit on scorpions" How often does fear keep me from being a witness to the Lord with my life?

4.- "Speak My Words to them whether they listen or not" How discouraging this can be! It is so hard to apply this, especially with family members you love. For me, it's hard to keep on keeping on when the person your heart wants to help doesn't seem interested AT ALL!!!

5.- Last of all, it is sooo easy (at least for me) to fall back into old ways of thinking, ways of thinking that are worldly and anti-God. And look at what God says here: "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..." Rebellion is especially hard for me... I want my way NOW!!! (What a terrible attitude!)

Another Scripture he used was Galatians 4:6- "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

He asked all of us, "Are you "full of grace" or are you a "salt shaker"?" He pointed out that neither are right if not properly balanced with the other! If you are always kind and full of grace in your speech, but you don't share the Truth of God (which sometimes hurts) it's no more right than being "too salty"-- speaking the Truth of God, but with no love or grace towards others! One thing that I noticed was the ending of this verse: "so that you will know how you should respond to each person". That is so true. When we speak God's Word,with Grace, we can answer in a godly way, that points others to Christ.

I hope this encourages all of you as much as it has me! Do any of you have any tips for keeping our tongues in submission to Christ? If you do, I would love to hear them!!