Let’s continue on with our fascinating journey with Peter: God’s fingers can touch nothing but to mold it into loveliness – George MacDonald 1 Peter 3:3-4 (New International Version) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. What is adornment? It refers to what a woman uses to make herself attractive to others. Who are we actually trying to attract. Women usually are dressing to impress – not men—but other women. Interesting! The societal pressures upon women are immense. The focus on physical beauty so completely permeates our culture; I believe we are incapable of escaping some degree of compliance. LD Peter is teaching Christian women not to relying on their... Read more →

Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" ---by Charles Wesley Today we reflect on the birth of a King. He is not a distant image of an ancient story. I know this King. He talks to me. He walks with me every morning, every moment. He sees me! I know Him and He knows me. To comprehend this truth is utterly humbling. I know this King, whom we celebrate today…… Lynn Donovan One Solitary Life Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He... Read more →

1 Peter 3:1-2 (New International Version) Wives and Husbands Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. In an intimate relationship like marriage, actions often speak louder than words. Words get preachy, but actions demonstrate reality. Words create division, but loving action builds trust. Words lay out propositional truth – the information about salvation – but actions show the living Christ in the believer’s heart and life. Did Peter forbid a spouse to witness? Obviously not. Words built on trust and love can transform a life. Does Peter downplay street preaching, testimonies, sermons and personal witnessing? Truly not. He was advising married partners how to treat unbelieving spouses. If you husband is a nonbeliever,... Read more →

I want to thank you, the readers, for the suggestions and words of wisdom regarding our 1 Peter 3 study on submission. The following books were suggested by you the readers for further study:  Me? Obey Him?: The Obedient Wife and God's Way of Happiness and Blessing in the Home by Elizabeth rice Handford; Suggested by Heather  Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs; Suggested by Lynn Donovan and Iris  For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn; Suggested by Iris and e-Mom  Won Without a Word by Heather Mardon; suggested by Amy Forbes Web links that were suggested:  Respect In Marriage by e-Mom at Chrysalis  Complaining or Asking by Amy Forbes, Article written for Spiritually Unequal Marriage I am preparing for the next installment, Witness... Read more →

How does submission play out in real life? Whew, it is an every day in every way attitude. Again, our bending of the knee to Christ, is daily, so too our love and respect is given daily to our mate. However, some decisions to bend your will to your spouse are more difficult than others. This was the case for me several years ago. If you recall, I told you the story about my stubbornness and my perceptions of marriage a few post back. Submission was old fashioned and certainly not fair. It may not be fair, however, trusting God to guide my spouse was wise in the end. I was at the top of my career and thriving in my industry. Stressed, perhaps, not enough time in the day, certainly, living for Christ, no. God’s patience with me was over and he was sending in the rescue party. It... Read more →

1 Peter 3: Wives in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands. (NRSV) What is submission? Submission is voluntarily cooperating with someone, first out of love and respect for God, and second, out of love and respect for that person. Submitting to nonbelievers is a difficult but vital part of leading them to Jesus. We are not called to submit to nonbelievers to the point that we compromise our relationship with God, but we must look for every opportunity to humbly serve in the power of God’s Spirit. Submission is: Functional: distinguishing our roles and the work we are called to do Relational: loving acknowledgement of another’s value as a person Reciprocal: mutual, humble cooperation with one another Universal: acknowledgment by the church of the all-encompassing lordship of Jesus Christ Submission of the wife to the husband is an often misunderstood concept, although it is taught in several... Read more →

A stubborn streak! Yes, that is what my Dad would say to me. I would look straight into his face and grin, proudly. My stubbornness I wore proudly when I believed in something. I would become passionate and it would take a world of convincing to change my mind. By the way, I am still this way today; however, I have learned to filter my stubbornness through the word of the Master. Fast forward: I am a young adult and my stubbornness followed me. In fact, under certain circumstances it worked well for me. In the corporate arena, I engaged my stubbornness and determination to be recognized a success, a leader in the industry. My sticktoeddness (Dad’s word) landed big accounts, grew the bottom line, and found me promotions. By the time I married my husband, I was an independent woman who was certain of herself. The word submission was... Read more →

I am currently reading through several Bible commentaries on 1 Peter. I also am looking at the suggested material from you. Thank you for your suggestions. While I am preparing for this leap into, um, the touchy subject of submission, I want to thank Christian Women Online for the nomination, Sweet Scent, Blog Awards. I am humbled and grateful. I now want to ask God’s hand on the study ahead. Lord, Today place your hands over mine as I type. Let Your words draw us closer to you and to our spouses. You know those who need healing in their marriage relationship, I ask your divine presence in their lives today. Teach all of us how to apply 1 Peter 3 to our lives. Amen. I will have my next post up on 1 Peter tomorrow. See you then. PS. Surprise your mate with the words, "I appreciate how you......... Read more →

1 Peter 3 can be a difficult passage to accept because of the specific teaching regarding marriage. Over the next few days, let us delight in God’s word and allow Him to lead us into a thought provoking and truthful study of 1 Peter 3. This scripture holds profound hope for us living in a spiritual mismatch. If you have found a worthy study of this passage, would you please forward the information to me? I know that many of us have personally experienced the truths stated in this passage. Please share your wisdom with us. And now, 1 Peter 3… 1 Peter 3 (New Living Translation) Wives 1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your... Read more →

If you find the following post an encouragement, I hope you will stop in at Laced With Grace where I have included a post about finding yourself on DEAD END STREET. ----- It was last week. Yes, I felt hopeless. I cannot express to you how rare this emotion is for me. I have lived here only one other time in my life. However, I believe God took me to the Valley of Hopeless that I may empathize with others who reside there. The timing of this valley experience is interesting falling around the holidays. The holiday season intensifies feelings of sadness and despair. It became clear, through this experience, God desires to encourage others as He encouraged me. We can have hope in our hopelessness. NEVER GIVE UP! To make our way out of this valley, we must first take an inventory. Name those around us who are watching.... Read more →