Book Talk Thursday

Today we will continue reviewing Chapter 4: "Womanly Dominion In The Old Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

This week's woman of dominion is The Excellent Wife of Proverbs. Next week we will begin "Womanly Dominion In The New Testament".

Chanski describes the excellent wife of Proverbs 31 as "the Bible's chief poster-girl for womanly dominion" (page 81). Let's take a look at the highlights he gives:

1- She is a subduing woman.
"She rises also while it is still night...Her lamp does not go out at night" (Proverbs 31:15a,18b).
"She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar...She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard" (Proverbs 31:14,16).
"She opens her mouth in wisdom" (Proverbs 31:26a).
In these verses we see that she subdues her daily schedule, the forces of the marketplace and her tongue.

2- She is a ruling woman.
"She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness...She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet" (Proverbs 31:27,21b).
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future" (Proverbs 31:25).
"...a woman who fears the Lord" (Proverbs 31:30b).
She rules her household, she rules with foresight over her long term annual calendar, and she rules over her own sinful heart as she fears the Lord (Chanski, page 81).

3- She is a multiplying woman.
"Her children rise up and bless her" (Proverbs 31:28a). This is "the product [literally, fruit] of her hands" (Proverbs 31:31a)- not the bitter fruit of obviously neglected children, but the sweet fruit of conscientiously cultivated children. They've been clothed, not only outwardly with scarlet, but inwardly with wisdom: "The teaching of kindness is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26b" (Chanski, page 81).

4- She is a helpmeeting woman.
"Her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain" (Proverbs 31:11).
"She does him good and not evil all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31:12).
"Her clothing is fine linen and purple" (Proverbs 31:22b).
"Her efforts to please him do not go unnoticed: "Her husband also, and he praises her" (Proverbs 31:28b) (Chanski, page 81).

Don't you just love the Proverbs 31 woman?!

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. What is something that bothers you if its not done perfectly?

Well as a person with Type A and perfectionist tendencies, I am trying to change that. I do like things done decently and in order though. I would have to say that dresser drawers need to have all the clothes neatly and in the same direction.

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?

Going to the beach with my mom and sisters. She always packed the best cooler. She didn't forget a thing and the ham sandwiches were ice cold, she brought iced tea and lots of fruit. We would sit under the umbrella and play in the sand and then go play in the water.


3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?

I will probably watch it, although not sure about live due to the time difference. I do not like wearing hats. They mess up my hair and make my head hot. I did wear one this winter while playing with the kids in the snow.


4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?

I am the youngest. I am sure it has influenced my personality. I was spoiled and everyone called me the "baby". Since I have grown up I work hard at undoing that. I have always been a hard worker but have had to get used to not having anything I want, even if it means buying it myself.


5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?

Housing. Hello....we live on Long Island. The price for housing here is ridiculous. We are both Long Islanders though and it is our home.


6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, by phone, by email or by letter? Why?

I do not like confrontation (does anyone?) but when it is necessary I believe in person is the best way. I think it is easier to do in a letter or email because there is no interaction so you can just write what you want, but it is rather selfish.

7. Dodgeball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.

If I had to play one now I would choose kickball. As a kid I liked all of them, but now I would choose the least activity involved. With kickball you get to stand around a lot :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Wow, do I feel like I shared a lot today about me personally! Is it just me, or do you feel funny after sharing about yourself?

Top Ten Tuesday

I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Amanda. Since I recently won a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker and the weather is warming up here I have ice cream on the brain!

Top Ten Ice Cream Flavors

1. Mint Chocolate Chip

2. Maple Walnut

3. Butter Pecan

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

5. Vienna Mocha Chunk

6. Cookies and Cream

7. Fudge Swirl

8. Cherry Vanilla

9. Neopolitan

10. Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup

Now tell me, what is your favorite?

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it looks like it rained last night but the sun is fighting to come out.

I am thinking... I hope my husband puts the air conditioners in today. It was hot yesterday; not sure if it will last but want to be prepared.

I am thankful for... a great day yesterday celebrating our risen Savior!

From the learning rooms... we are on a relaxed day since we didn't take a formal spring break this year.

From the kitchen... leftovers from Easter- sausage pie, spiral ham, mashed potatoes, asparagus, eclairs and carrot cake.

I am wearing... blue shorts and an Old Navy t-shirt.

I am going... to acupuncture, soccer and church this week.

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

I am hearing... birds chirping, cars driving by and my computer humming. Everyone else is sleeping in today.

One of my favorite things... brightly colored Easter baskets filled with goodies!

A picture for sharing...

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

"At The Cross"

Remember to pause my playlist (on the right sidebar) before listening :)



Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Book Talk Thursday

Today we will continue reviewing Chapter 4: "Womanly Dominion In The Old Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

This week's woman of dominion is Abigail. Next week we will take a look at The Excellent Wife of Proverbs.

In Samuel 25, we find Abigail, the wife of Nabal. Abigail had an intelligent mind (verse 3), a beautiful appearance (verse 3), a servant's heart (verse 41) and a dominion attitude (verses 18-24). Nabal was a rich but evil and harsh man. Abigail really saves the day for her husband. Chanski writes, "David's mighty men had acted as security guards protecting Nabal's flocks from harm, but Nabal insultingly scorned David's diplomatic request for compensation. David was furious. He ordered four hundred of his warriors to strap on their swords and follow him down the mountainside to slaughter every male in Nabal's household. That's when Abigail got the word that David was offended and was on the war path." (page 75-76)

As we read in Samuel 25:18-24, Abigail acted quickly. When she heard that David and his men were on their way she didn't hide and retreat in fear. She came up with a plan. "Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread and two jugs of wine and five sheep already prepared and five measures of roasted grain and a hundred cluster of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs and loaded them on donkeys" verse 18. She went on her way with her men before her and as she was going down the mountain she saw David approaching. "When Abigail saw David, she hurried and dismounted from her donkey, and fell on her face before David, and bowed herself to the ground. And she fell at his feet and said "On me alone, my lord, be the blame. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant" (verse 23-24).

What was the result? David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed, and from avenging myself by my own hand" (I Samuel 25:32-33). Later David ends up proposing to Abigail after Nabal's death.

Chanski summarizes the characteristics of Abigail as a woman who knew how to tell time (she knew when to act) and knew how to remain sweet. He then uses real life examples of how we can be like Abigail in asserting our womanly dominion. He also addresses the question of how a woman can be assertive without being unsubmissive. He reminds us of the sin of "sharp-tongued argumentativeness" and encourages us with the example of Abigail's "bold assertiveness with humble sweetness".
"Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." Proverbs 21:9

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. What are your plans for Easter day/weekend?

I put out Easter baskets to wake up to Easter morning. I may try to make Resurrection Rolls this year for breakfast along with sausage pie. Then off to church for Worship Service. We will have dinner with our family. I am helping with the cooking this year. I am making Spiral Ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, asparagus, green beans and carrot cake for dessert.

2. Besides Jesus, what one person from the Bible would you most like to meet and why?

Paul. He has penned some of my favorite books of the bible.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

Computers. We typed on a typewriter and wrote letters by hand that were sent by mail. When we wanted to research something we would use an encyclopedia. When we wanted to buy something we had to actually go to the store. To check the weather we used a newspaper or watched the TV forecast. If we wanted to chat with our friends we would go to their house or call them on our home phone.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained? If you're not sure what that means there is an interesting little quiz here.

Left brain! My results were 67% left brain and 33% right brain.

5. What is one thing you intended to do today but didn't?

Sleep more. I was up half the night with a horrible headache and couldn't sleep.

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses Peanut Butter?

Reeses for sure! The rest of the famiy loves the creme eggs but honestly they kind of gross me out. I do put them in everyone else's baskets though.

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

Don't know if I had a favorite but I love the classics...Woody Woodpecker, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, Mighty Mouse.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Anyone have any good natural remedies for a massive headache? Please share in the comments if you do :)

Top Ten Tuesday

This is my first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Amanda. It looks like fun so I will give it a go!

Top Ten Easter Basket Fillers

1. Russell Stover Solid Chocolate Bunny

2. Russell Stover Maple Cream Eggs

3. Russell Stover Jelly Beans

4. Russell Stover Marshmallow Eggs

5. Peeps

6. Chocolate Eggs

7. Cadbury's Creme Eggs

8. Cadbury's Caramel Eggs

9. Whopper's Robin's Eggs

10. Russell Stover's White Chocolate Bunny

Russell Stover is my favorite brand of chocolate for Easter. Really the brand does make a difference. I love making Easter baskets for my children (I make one for my husband and myself too)! But most of all I love the reason we celebrate Easter...He Arose! He Arose! Halleluia Christ Arose!!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is shining :) There is a nice breeze and the birds are chirping. It is finally beginning to feel like spring.

I am thinking... time for more spring cleaning.

I am thankful for... a risen Savior!

From the learning rooms... Grammar, Phonics, Spelling, Math, Handwriting, History.

From the kitchen... Southwestern Chicken for dinner tonight. I am back on my eating plan so no baking until preparations for Easter.

I am wearing... blue floral pajama pants and a hot pink top.

I am going... no definite plans yet. We may go to a farm out east for a planting workshop on Thursday (Earth Day).

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

I am hearing... the washing machine going, birds chirping.

One of my favorite things... open windows and fresh air coming into the house.

A picture for sharing...the bunny cake we made for church yesterday.


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

Book Talk Thursday

Today we will continue reviewing Chapter 4: "Womanly Dominion In The Old Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

This week's woman of dominion is Ruth. Next week we will take a look at Abigail.

"So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest." Ruth 1:22

Ruth being a Moabite, was considered a social outcast in the Israelite town of Bethlehem. On top of that she was a widow. But Ruth didn't let her circumstances lead to a terrible existance for her and her mother-in-law. Instead she took action. She went out to glean the grain left behind by the harvesters. In Ruth 1:16 we read "Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God". Ruth was trusting her new Lord and stepping forward in faith.

"Ruth's mother-in-law, in seeking out provision for the future, counseled Ruth to make a bold attempt at securing the wealthy and dashing Boaz as her husband: "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor...(Ruth 3:3)(Chanski, page 72).

Ruth did just that and was rewarded by becoming the wife of Boaz. She eventually became the great grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17-22)

Chanski writes, "Realize also that Ruth's discreet and deliberate "hankie dropping" overture is a far cry from the bawdy and brassy female "stalking" that takes place in our day. High school and college girls "hit on" boys in the hallways and parking lots, constantly telephone males seeking their attention, forwardly "ask out" young men on dates, and physically force their suductively attired bodies into male laps. This is an unfortunate perversion of the lovely "weaker vessel", and a sad forecast of manly passivity in marriages." (page 73).

"We must be men and women of dominion, boldly making decisions on the basis of our duty, obligation, and opportunity, not on the basis of our fears and insecurities" (Chanksi, page 74).

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark and cool. All the blinds and drapes are closed for the night.

I am thinking... I am so tired. It has been a long, but good day.

I am thankful for... a good day today. I visited with my family and went to a new doctor. He was nice although not exactly what I wanted to hear. He is running tests to confirm Grave's Disease. I am thankful I know the Great Physican.

From the learning rooms... basics today.

From the kitchen... I didn't cook anything today! Breakfast was cereal and leftover pancakes, lunch was pb & j and dinner was at my sister's- yummy pizza.

I am wearing... jean capris and a plum colored t-shirt. Today was the first day for wearing capris so far this year.

I am going... to a birthday party for the kids, acupuncture, the chiropractor, Soccer, an Easter Egg Hunt and Church. Whew!

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

I am hearing... the sweet sound of my kids.

One of my favorite things... Girl Scout Cookies. Today we picked up our's from my niece. Samoas, Tagalongs, and Thin Mints. Did anyone else notice that the price went up and the packages are smaller?!

A picture for sharing... our local beach and the beautiful Long Island Sound.

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

My New Ice Cream Maker from CSN

About a month ago I posted that I would be doing my first product review with CSN. I was given a $50 credit to review a product of my choice. I have had my eye on the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker for a while. I even entered a few blog giveaways in hopes of winning one. Now I had the perfect opportunity to get one for just about free. I did pay $1.07 for the difference in shipping costs.

I just love CSN. I placed my order online and the next day there was a big brown box on my doorstep! I couldn't wait to open it. I wasn't the only one. My husband and two kids were just as excited. Once we read the directions we realized we would have to wait a day to make the ice cream. The bowl has to be frozen before using it. So I quickly made room in my freezer (that is no easy task), and washed all the parts. Meanwhile I started reading the instruction manual and recipe book that came with it. I added heavy cream to my shopping list at COSTCO and made sure we stocked up.

After reading the instructions I learned that you had to mix the ingredients and then refreigerate them for a couple of hours. So we started early in the day :) The first batch we made was vanilla. We dissolved the sugar and salt in the milk, added the heavy cream and vanilla and it was ready for the fridge.

We set the timer for two hours and went on with our daily activities. When the two hours were up, we got our machine ready to go.

We followed the simple directions and turned the machine on and just added the mixture. We set the timer for 15 minutes and let it go. Here is the result:




Can you say "D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S"?!!!!
Even though it wasn't quite lunch time, we just had to have some :)

We still had some left, so I packaged it up for the freezer.

Before dinner I made another batch for strawberry ice cream. We chopped the fresh strawberries in the food processor and added it to a similar mixture. It took longer to thicken in the machine so we let it go for 20 minutes and then froze it (not before having some). We will be having that tonight. I'm planning on having mine on a leftover buttermilk waffle from this morning :)
I am so happy with the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker and would recommend it to anyone. It is easy to clean, easy to use and makes great ice cream. I also plan on making frozen yogurt and sorbet in it. The next ice creams I have in mind are maple walnut and mint chocolate chip. Thank you CSN!
Linking up today with The Chatty Mommy's Friday Follow.

Book Talk Thursday

Today we will continue reviewing Chapter 4: "Womanly Dominion In The Old Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

This week's woman of dominion is Deborah. Next week we will take a look at Ruth.

"During the period of the Judges, Israel was in a backslidden state. "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). Personal preferences and feelings ruled. God's Word and Law were trampled" (Chanski, page 69). Israel was under the rod of God's discipline.
"Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him,
For the reward of his hands shall be given him.
As for My people, children are their oppressors,
And women rule over them.
O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err,
And destroy the way of your paths.” Isaiah 3:11-12

"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time." Judges 4:4

Chanski points out that Deborah judging Israel was part of God's chastisement.
"Quite clearly, her divine appointment as a female leader was a divine rebuke to male dereliction" (Chanski, page 70). Deborah tries to get Barack to lead 10,000 men to defeat the Canaanites at Mt. Tabor. He responds:
"Then Barak said to her, 'If you go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." Judges 4:8
Thomas Scott comments, "He was culpably afraid and not honoring God as he ought to have done." Chanski writes "Shame on you, Barak! Act like a man!" (page 70).
Deborah responds:
"So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh." Judges 4:9
Chanski responds, "That's right! Another woman named Jael was enlisted to the shame of the faint-hearted Barak, to finish off the Canaanite commander Sisera, by driving a tent peg through his temple and into the ground (Judges 4:21).
This section is summarized with a charge to us women: "At times, when men are passive and inattentive, their women need to step up and become aggressive and decisive" (Chanski, page 70).

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is setting. I can see the pink sky out my kitchen window over the pine trees.

I am thinking... that really startled me! The basket of plastic eggs just fell from the top of my entertainment center!

I am thankful for... our BBQ.

From the learning rooms... Little House on The Prairie books, making Superman shirts, multiplication, and the regulars.

From the kitchen... London Broil, roasted red, yellow and orange peppers, broccoli.

I am wearing... comfy jeans and a lavender polo.

I am going... to the doctor for my blood work results tomorrow. Praying my thyroid calmed down.

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

I am hearing... my husband and kids, Mighty To Save playing on my blog.

One of my favorite things... Adirondack Raspberry Lime Seltzer on lots of ice :)

A picture for sharing...

"He rose and conquered the grave!"

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

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Hello and welcome to Being Refined As Silver. I am a Christian wife and homeschooling Mom. I started blogging as a way to connect with other women and to share what God is teaching me as He refines me as silver. I seek to glorify God with my life am a strong clinger to Romans 8:28 "For we know that all things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purposes." If it is your first time visiting here please leave me a comment and let me know so I can be sure to visit you back. And of course if you have been here before I love hearing from you!
Click here to join the party!