The Redeemed Rose

  Satan has been sowing seeds of deceit in my family. This is not surprising or unique to us because Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) and he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Sometimes he uses the same old things; sometimes he uses the unexpected. For us it looks like a couple of different things right now. We are a single income family of 6, living paycheck to paycheck on a minister's salary, which is considered poverty level by our government. We are so thankful for God's good provision and we try our best to be good stewards of what He has given us. In the past, however, we acquired some credit card debt. It was not a matter of living frivolously or buying "extras" at Walmart that we didn't need, it was a matter of survival. God provided and we no longer have to use any credit cards and we are working toward paying the old cards off completely (praise The Lord)! We would like to start saving money, ...

When I get in a room of other women that I don't know very well, I'm not immediately uncomfortable. But then they start talking, and my insides start to squirm a little. This is what happened the last time I was at my Homeschool Co-op. But let me backup the story a little bit. I am 30 years old. I have been a Christian for 15 of those years. Christ, in his kindness, has sanctified me past the superficial, first impression uncomfortableness that we ladies tend to get when we gather -- you know, the "check-out-if-your-shoes-clothes-hair-makeup-physique-exceed-or-fall-short-of-the-other-women-in-the-room" routine.  God has graciously brought me to the understanding that He desires beauty on the inside (Proverbs 31:10; 1 Peter 3:3-4) and that my treasure is my Lord, not earthly possessions (Matthew 6:19-21). But back to the room full of women. When the conversation starts, what do women like to talk about: their kids, their homes, their hobbies, their husbands. This...