Monday, February 28, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is a rainy day. Practically all the snow in my backyard has melted. My front yard is another story after the 8 foot toboggan run my husband made!

I am thinking... time to get dinner started.

I am thankful for... my Gazelle Sprint Master and Tao-Bo tapes. I am back to a regular intense exercise routine.

From the learning rooms... the regular curriculum and I started reading Treasure Island to the kids.

From the kitchen... oven baked fried pork chops with veggies for dinner. I just had a Chobani peach yogurt. It was so good!

I am wearing... my favorite Lands End jeans, a brown v-neck and purple flip-flops.

I am going... to acupuncture tomorrow.

I am reading... the Bible, Womanly Dominion: More than a Meek and Gentle Spirit.

I am hearing... the paper shredder downstairs as my husband cleans up his office.

One of my favorite things... naps on rainy days. I had a ten minute one!

A picture for sharing...


Click here to v1isit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Thursday, February 24, 2011

My First Review

I am really starting to feel like a blogger! I was contacted by CSN and asked to do a review of one of their fabulous products. They have so many wonderful products...from toys to household items to modern decor.
I am so excited to choose a product. Keep posted for my first offical review!

Book Talk Thursday



Today we will be reviewing part of -Chapter 3: "Womanly Dominion Deceitfully Assaulted". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Mr. Chanski starts the chapter out by stating "No one likes to be duped". He gives the example of George Bailey from the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". He compares women of dominion to George Bailey. We have been appointed to undertake a wonderful life mission, and God has called us to take on grand projects which will nobly touch lives in earth shaking ways (Chanski, page 47).

Women are also having "you are being duped" whispered in their ear by the enemy. "The enemy daily lights up slender cigarettes and tells ladies how it is far more fulfilling to lasso the moon their way, than to subdue and rule God's way" (Chanski, page 47). Since the beginning when Eve was in the Garden of Eden, Satan has not left women alone to serve God. His attacks on the women are by way of subtle suggestions. Mr. Chanski goes on to discuss the possiblities of why this is and then gives us the warning. "The Liar takes a special pleasure in whispering into your pretty ears. You are darling targets for his dart-like wiles" (Chanski, page 48).

Satan wants us to leave our dominion mindset and take on a victimization mindset. Isn't that common in our society today? So many fall into the victim mantality. Mr. Chanski goes on to list four contemporary lies. Today we will be reviewing the first.

1. You're a Genetic Victim
Here is a common hiss: "I know God has called you to subdue and rule your life responsibilities, but you've been dealt a bad genetic hand, so you just can't do it." Chanski includes some quotes from Nancy Leigh DeMoss' Lies Women Believe (the book I previously reviewed here). They have to do with believing that you will be just like your parents; you can't help it, and blaming it on your hormones.
Chanski discusses the homemaker whose home is a wreck because she is not a multitasker. He smashes that one with the truth found in Ecclesiastes 10:18 "Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks."
What about the woman who is signifiacantly overweight yet blames it on her bad metabolism which she inherited? The wife who pleads she doesn't have the same drive for physical intimacy as her husband? The mother who claims she can't help that she loses her temper certain times of the month? The lady with a "high-octane" less than sweet and tender personality who believes she is exempt from "a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4)? These are some of the ways in which we believe the lies and excuses as to why we can't "win it" in the battles against the world, the flesh and the Devil. We fail to act as women of dominion.

There is so much more to this chapter but in order to subdue and rule my home I must wait until next week :) I hope you will join me then as we look at the second lie.
Can you see yourself in any of the lies we looked at this week? If so, don't believe them. Refuse to live in those lies. Walk in God's Truth!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark and snowy. We had another few inches of snow today :)

I am thinking... back to schoolwork tomorrow.

I am thankful for... a fun weekend with my son's 6th birthday party.

From the learning rooms... we took today off for President's Day. The son played with his new Legos, my daughter played with her paper dolls, and they played in the snow.

From the kitchen... leftover sausage and peppers, meatballs, spaghetti, and cake. Oh and Irish Soda Bread- I am starting early this year.

I am wearing... blue flannel pajamas with a snowflake and "let it snow" pattern.

I am going... to host our ladies' book club this week.

I am reading... the Bible, Womanly Dominion: More than a Meek and Gentle Spirit.

I am hearing... "Leave It To Beaver" on the TV.

One of my favorite things... seeing my children smile.

A picture for sharing...here is the robot cake I made for my son's party:


Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Book Talk Thursday



Today we will be reviewing chapter two. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Here is a question that was presented in this chapter- Has the number of mothers in the workforce increased or decreased from 2000-2005? The answer is decreased! I was a bit surprised although I left my teaching job in 2003.

Chanski discusses the three chief dimensions of the creation mandate.

The first is dominion. To subdue and rule. The definition for subdue is to make it serve you by force, to bring something into bondage, to dominate it. The definition for rule is to govern something, to reign or hold sway over it.

The second is procreation. In Genesis 1:28 we are told to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. There have been some negative consequences of this mandate being ignored. Can you guess what they are? Fertility rates have dropped and depopulation has started in some countries.

The third is position. We are all one in Christ, but men and women are different. Men were created to be leaders and women followers. I know that is not very popular these days, but God's Word does not change with culture.

My favorite quote from this chapter is "By rocking the cradle conscientiously, you rule the world profoundly" (Chanski, page 42).

I am linking up with The Chatty Mommy

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15:17

In Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, he writes, "What will such a charity as this, that consists in bare words, avail either you or the poor? Will you come before God with such empty shows of charity as these? You might as well pretend that your love and charity will stand the test without acts of mercy as think that a profession of faith will bear you out before God without works of piety and obedience."
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Monday, February 14, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is sunny and warm! It is 56 degrees- that is real warm for this time of year in NY. No jacket for me :)

I am thinking... what should we have for dinner?

I am thankful for... Valentine's Day- a day to show our love in a fun way and who doesn't like chocolate?

From the learning rooms... Valentine's Day activities- we sorted, counted, estimated and graphed conversation hearts, did Valentine's worksheets, and I am saving a special story for tonight.

From the kitchen... nothing at the moment :) This week I made Irish Soda Bread and Banana Bread.

I am wearing... jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt.

I am going... to the chiropractor in a little while.

I am reading... the Bible, Womanly Dominion: More than a Meek and Gentle Spirit.

I am hearing... my computer humming and the clock ticking. The house is very quiet since the kids are napping.

One of my favorite things... Russell Stover chocolates- my favorite is the caramel ones.

A picture for sharing...

My friend Michelle took this picture. You can see her post here.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Book Talk Thursday



Today we will be reviewing chapter one. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

The two fundamental positions discussed by Chanski are:
1- Play your postition!
2- Win it!

The author uses the example of a soccer coach and then compares it to our role as women. As women we are to play our position and win it, meaning don't let up; keep at it!

The dominion mandate given in Genesis 1:28 charges us to subdue and rule. This will be a major point that will be focused on in this book.

We as women must tell ourselves "Win It" to the glory of God. We must resolve to put forth maximum effort to rule and subdue our daily challenges. What are some of the challenges that women face on a daily basis?

As we seek to be in our God-assigned posts as women, we hear shouts telling us to leave those posts. Some that I hear are:
"Put yourself first. If you don't love yourself, no one will." This can be a stumbling block when you are seeking to put others first and show your love through serving. There are many others. What are some that you hear?

What does "playing your position" mean to you?

Won't you join me in linking up with The Chatty Mommy?

Monday, February 7, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark and cold. Not too bad though. I was BBQing without a coat :)

I am thinking... I hope to get the kids to bed early tonight.

I am thankful for... news of a healthy baby girl born to my good friend.

From the learning rooms... in addition to our books, we made robot birthday invitations and prepared our Valentines Day cards to be sent to family.

From the kitchen... London Broil and broccoli.

I am wearing... khaki pants and a navy long sleeve t-shirt.

I am going... to a church business meeting this week.

I am reading... the Bible, Womanly Dominion: More than a Meek and Gentle Spirit.

I am hearing... my daughter playing Mappy and my son as he is climbing on me. LOL.

One of my favorite things... homemade gooey cinnamon buns. I really need to make these again. The picture is before I frosted them with cream cheese icing.

A picture for sharing...


Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Book Talk Thursday


Since finishing the review of "Lies Woman Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss I have been thinking of what book to do next. I have decided on "Womanly Dominion[more than a gentle and quiet spirit]" by Mark Chanski. I read this book last year by myself and am now rereading it with some friends from church. We meet once a month to discuss the book and for some sweet fellowship. I really look forward to it.

The author first wrote "Manly Dominion" before he was asked to write a book for the women. The challenge is the same in both books: to subdue and rule. In the introduction he gives examples of women who had a very gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4) and strength as well (Proverbs 31:17,25). He exposes the false stereotype of a Christian woman being a "helpless and frail mouse, who passively shades herself under the parasol of her soft femininity, and adoringly waits for her husband to do all the lifting" (page 13). The rest of the book is devoted to how a woman is to subdue and rule in the various areas of her life.

I hope you will join me here each Thursday as I share more about this powerful book. I would love for you to read along with me. If you do, please let me know so I can send you the outline and study questions we use for our book club. It would be fun to share our thoughts.

"And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:27-28

Are you ready for the challenge to subdue and rule?

Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge


Here is week three's challenge from Courtney:

This week's challenge is:
Pursue intimacy and place the intimate needs of your spouse above your own. Give him a foot or back massage, shower together, be creative!
Seek to "kiss him like you mean it" every single day this week! Solomon 5:16 says "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely." Look at your husband through the eyes of his fiance...do you remember those butterflies and your longing for him. Renew that passion. This is taken right from Courtney's blog. To find out more you will have to visit her, this is so not my topic!
If you are visiting from iFellowship, please let me know so I can be sure to come visit you!