Author: RefreshHer

Godly Character Traits

A Woman of Excellence

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There are some really special verses that I pray for people on my prayer list.  Two verses are in Philippians one. Paul says in verses 9,10,

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

After I memorized that chapter last year, the Lord has often brought a phrase from those verses to my mind – that ye may approve things that are excellent.  Something that is excellent is “possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.”  Do you ever find yourself, as I do, wasting time on things that are not excellent – things that are just mediocre?  I get frustrated at how easy it is to waste time and  energy on unworthy things.

A godly woman needs to make excellence a trait that she exemplifies.  What would excellence look like in a woman’s life?  Perhaps we first need to note that excellence is not perfection. 

A woman of excellence will:

  • make it a priority to do her best at whatever she attempts to do – I Corinthians 10:31, Eccl 9:10
    • If she’s making a meal, she’ll not just throw something together, but will think ahead and make it tasteful and appealing.
    • If she’s preparing a lesson she is to teach, she will study well and be as prepared as is possible, realizing that God is her Enabler.
    • If she is getting dressed for the day, she will choose clothes that will give the right opinion of her God, will suit the occasion, and will be tasteful and attractive.
  • spend her time wisely Psalm 90:12
    • If she’s reading or watching a form of media, she will only allow material into her heart that is excellent. 
        • This would eliminate
          • books/movies that use the Lord’s name in vain or contain cursing
          • books/movies that give the wrong view of husband/wife relationships
          • books/movies that teach a wrong view of God
          • books/movies that turn her heart from loving God
    • If she’s using the computer, she will watch her time so that she isn’t spending more time than necessary staying in touch with her friends and family through email or Facebook
    • She will make sure she saves time to accomplish that which would help her husband, children or home
  • seek to improve herself  James 1:23-25
    • Through the study of God’s Word
    • Through memorization of the Bible
    • Through learning new skills – see side note on this blog =)

A Patch the Pirate song comes to mind here…”Only my best will do for you, only my best will do.  Not second or third – that’s quite absurd, only my best will do!  That is the mindset of a woman of excellence.

I desire, and I’m sure you do too, to be a woman of excellence.  I’m praying Philippians 1:10 for myself now too.  I need the excellent things added to my life; mediocre just won’t do for my God.  We don’t desire excellence to be snobbish, but because we have a God of excellence and He deserves no less from me as His child. I have several specifics the Lord has shown me that I need to improve.   What areas of excellence do you need to work on? 

With love,

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A Peek Inside the Parsonage

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Sometimes refreshment in the parsonage comes from a day away from the parsonage.  Jesus told his disciples to come apart and rest a while.  We all have to do that from time to time.  Last week we headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was restful.  It was beautiful.  It was refreshing!
You pass through many tunnels on the parkway.  They add to its beauty!

The higher we got, the more vivid the color became.
My companion…through life and the parkway (Good thing!  I’d get turned around up there in a minute!)
 Oh, the vastness!

We went up on Mt. Mitchell.  This is a view from the restaurant window.
We walked up on the overlook.  Can you tell it was COLD?  =)  It was 45 degrees with a windchill that dropped it into the 30’s!
The clouds and sky made the views even more spectacular!
This just makes me want to say…

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
What do you do to be refreshed in the busyness of life?

From outside the parsonage window,

trust

Child-like Faith

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The blessings of teaching children in Sunday school are abundant.  I get lots of hilarious lines to add to my list of “
Sweet Sayings,” I have the opportunity to read passages of Scripture over and over in preparation for teaching it to young ones, and.I am humbled at their  faith.

Last Sunday I reminded the children, as I do each week, about the missionary for whom we are collecting offering.  We have chosen to support The Harrell’s, serving in Peru.  I’ve shown the children  pictures of their family, of the country of Peru, and of the ministry they are endeavoring to begin in their second term – that of an orphanage.  Each week as the children drop their coins into the jar, the sensor on it calculates each coin that is added and gives the total on the top of the jar.  The children get excited each week as they see the total increasing.  I told the children on Sunday that we had almost $30, and when it reaches $50 we would send it to the Herrell’s.  One little boy asked, “Why don’t we just wait until the jar gets full?”  “Well,” I answered, “the Herrell’s need this money now.”  “Oh” came his thoughtful reply. 

A few minutes later I was taking their prayer requests and this same little boy said, “I want to pray that God will give me money for the offering this week so we can send that offering to the Herrell’s even sooner!”  My heart was so touched by his longing, and my heart was rebuked at his great faith.  Wow! 

My prayers this week have been, not just for the Herrell’s, but also for this full-of-faith 5 year-old.  I’m asking God to supply abundantly so He can give generously in our Sunday school offering next Sunday.  Oh, may that $50 mark jump up there in the next week!  God can do it…this little child reminded me of that truth!

What do you need to trust God to do, that to a child would seem so small?  Is your faith great as you trust our Great God?  Maybe we alll need to sing that little chorus:

He is able,
He is able,
I know He is able.
I know my Lord is able to carry me through!
Trusting in the God Who is able,

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Freshen Up Friday

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Fall is a great time to add little lights around your home.  There’s something so inviting about a flickering candle, votive, or lantern brightening up an otherwise dark corner.  Refresh your home by adding one or more lights.  Need some inspiration?
Lanterns come with LED lights now.  All they require is a battery. 

Get a branch of lights (Michael’s has battery-operated ones) and find a clever container.  A tall bucket like here…

or you could use a ceramic pumpkin, or a tall vase.  Even placing these on top of the fridge would give a nice glow in an otherwise dark spot!
Here’s a strand of white Christmas lights inside a wire pumpkin.  Cute!

This is cute on the table, but would look great on a mantle or shelf!  The nuts hold the taper candle in place.  I love the candy corn in the mason jar.  This is an inexpensive and adorable centerpiece!

Hope you’ve been inspired!

See you in church Sunday.

Refreshed by the Light of my world, Jesus Christ,

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A Peek Inside the Parsonage

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You couldn’t peek inside my parsonage for long without seeing my furry little friend, Liza Jane.  If you came inside and sat down, she wouldn’t jump into your lap, but she would be waltzing around your feet sniffing at your purse, nosey as Mrs. Kravitz (remember her?)

She could very possibly be the cutest cat on the planet. She’s not a piggy cat that wants to eat all the time, but every time I bring home a bag of cat food this is what she does…

I think Kit and Kaboodle needs her as their catertizement, don’t you?!  =)
From my parsonage window,