The Heart Matters

31486261#31486261 - A link to the Today show report on “outdated marriage.”

Upon reading the article, On marriage: Let’s call the whole thing off, a clever play on the song by George Gershwin, I am at a loss for words. Perhaps, it is not a loss of words, rather a sense of being slapped in the face with a piece of rotting meat. I am astonished. Marriage is no longer viable. It is outdated and unrealistic, not worth the time.

This was news to me, a mother of four sons, ages 15 through 9, married now for 18 years, most of which have been amazingly fulfilling and full of love. Sweat dripped from my brow as I calculated the time left for me in antiquated marriage. Two years until I wake up and file the papers. Gulp.

Author Sandra Tsing Loh, after 20 years of hard work as mother, companion, professional writer, household manager and “go-fer,” has decided to get a divorce. She laments that she just works too hard to attempt to put the romance back into a marriage that lost the heat long ago. Her marriage is not worth her effort. She hasn’t got time for the pain.

After counseling sessions and confessing an affair, not only has Ms. Loh opted for divorce, but she is now questioning the entire institution of marriage. Marriage is not worth it. This is not a view from an embittered divorcee, but rather the insight of the enlightened. She writes :

Why do we still insist on marriage? Sure, it made sense to agrarian families before 1900, when to farm the land, one needed two spouses, grandparents, and a raft of children. But now that we have white-collar work and washing machines, and our life expectancy has shot from 47 to 77, isn’t the idea of lifelong marriage obsolete?

Well, it seems that in many Western countries the notion of marriage is becoming less popular as statistics from the World Values Survey indicate, while Americans embrace marriage as “highly valued,” even though America has the highest divorce rate of any country. Ms. Loh points out that Americans have the highest view of marriage.

“Marriage is an outdated institution” than citizens of any other Western country surveyed (compare the U.S.’s tiny 10 percent with France’s 36 percent). We are also more religious — more Americans (60 percent) say they attend religious services once a month than do the Vatican-centric Italians (54 percent) or, no surprise, the laissez-faire French (12 percent). At the same time, Americans endure the highest divorce rate in the Western world. In short, although we say we love religion and marriage, Cherlin notes, “religious Americans are more likely to divorce than secular Swedes.”

So Americans are a marriage centric nation of individuals who embrace the values of monogamy in marriage as well as the pursuit of personal happiness. Loh observes that since Americans value individualism as well as happily-ever-after-marriage, these competing values result in divorce, which explains our country’s high divorce rate as compared to other nations.

Honestly, I found this argument intriguing, for she argues that our sense of the individual over community, or even family, contradicts the substance of marriage.  Hence, Americans are doomed to the grinding cycle of marriage, divorce, remarriage, divorce and so forth. It just isn’t worth it. Interesting concept, I suppose.

Then, Ms. Loh begins to share her observations with her core group of women friends, who all have been married for many years.Soon after Ms. Loh divorced and shared her enlightened perspective, that they too were considering to make the break from the bonds that imprison them. They too just don’t have the time to make their marriages work. Marriage and love relationships take work. Effort is required.

Far better to be happy as an individual and to arrange some sort of civil agreement with the baby-daddies. So long as the children are not disturbed and they have the security of a household where mom and dad come and go, no harm done. The kids are just fine. Just follow the rules. Rules do not require love. Rules make it easier – to make excuses – or to leave.

That's right ladies - you don't need a man.

This is where my brain pops forth from my skull. So, Ms. Loh and Company, since you and your gal pals all have white collar jobs, which equals wealth, you can purchase your freedom. You will have your home – apart from your ex and your kids. Your ex will need his separate place. Your children will have their fake – fairyland home where mom and dad come and go. I count three households, unless you and your ex share a pad.

This plan is economic disaster for anyone other than the wealthy, not to mention it is peculiar. So what you are really saying is that the wealthy can have their separate lives and marriage is outdated for them. The poor and undereducated, well, they must remain in outmoded marriage, even though it is supposedly biological torture – as humans only experience the sensation of chemical induced love for the max of four years.

Geez, after reading this article, I felt like I had just finished watching the HBO series Rome. Now that was a show full of debauchery – masses of intertwined flesh - the wealthy women had all the choices – plotting for power, using their bodies for gain. For them, marriage was a power play of position and political strategy. Personally, I am having difficulty seeing the difference from what Ms. Loh is proposing and what I witnessed in that series – moral and civil decline, not to mentioned the absence of  love.

So now the women’s movement is recruiting wives of modern wealth and education to leave their husbands, or heck, never marry. You reason, children only suffer harm when a string of men are introduced to them. Those children must bond with these men and, in turn, suffer repetitive emotional loss. Children thrive in a stable home where civility and rules are followed. Under your paradigm, love is not necessary, because love takes work.

A world without genuine loving relationships is what you postulate, Ms. Loh. A world where men and women do not sacrifice and work at love – is a world not worth living in. A world lived for self only – is a world without God. It is a world of death and decay. Maybe that’s why I felt as though I was hit in the face with rotten flesh – for that is what man and women are with out love.

The apostle Paul put it best in 1Cor 13: 1-3.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Sometimes, we need to take a good look at ourselves and acknowledge that love takes work and it requires sacrifice that is other’s focused. I know that after reading this article, I am taking a good look at myself.

I use rules all the time to replace the work – the huge painful effort- that love requires. It is not easy – that is for sure, but is it genuine and it is alive. Love focused outwards is anything, but decayed. It is everything that is good.

Happy 18th anniversary, Steve. I love you more than when we first said “I do.”

Additional Information

Here is a description of a wife of noble character from Proverbs 31: 10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously;  her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,  and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

My mind wrestles with the character of this woman. Her worth surpasses that of precious rubies. I am not even sure what that means. Exactly what does this passage mean for wives today?

This passage is often cited as the ultimate goal for the woman of God. It is frequently placed before harried, exhausted mothers as the crowning achievement of womanhood. So, exactly what does a godly wife look like?

As best as I can tell from this passage she has super natural power. I mean look at what she does. She always has her husbands best interests in mind – including the running of a household that can only be described as some sort of plantation. Not only does it run well, but it is a lucrative enterprise bringing wealth and praise to her spouse.

Gifted. This woman puts Martha Stewart and Rachel Rae to shame – selecting wool and flax and spinning it into amazing cloth. Yes, it’s all about the clothing, isn’t it? Her family is clothed in scarlet and in purple – not just any dye will do. She has plenty of fabric.  Such an abundance of fabric that her beds have coverings. Not only does she clothe those in her household – but there is extra to make sashes and garments. The profits add to the esteem of her husband.

Thrifty. She has an eye for deals. Oh yes, she can sniff out a good buy and turn around a hefty profit through the labor of her strong arms. She purchases land and uses it to grow produce. She not only has enough food for her own but sells the excess for the purchase of wine. I bet she makes an amazing Shiraz.

Industrious. She employs other women and they benefit from her shrewd handling of assets. There is such plenty that she gives to the poor and strives to meet the needs of those in poverty.

Multi-faceted. This woman does it all. She even is an learned teacher – sharing her wisdom with others. People seek this woman out. Her man is praised and respected among the town’s leaders. He is deemed worthy to sit in public meetings.

Joyful. Concerning the future, she has no worries. She can live without anxiety or fear as the needs of her family are met. No bills to be paid. Not debt accumulating. She can live in today – to the fullest – without the weight of uncertainty.

Busy. This woman is never idle. Not that she doesn’t enjoy those around her or laugh in the company of friends. She does. Yet, she always has some purpose in her activity. She rises before the sun and works late into the night. This is a woman of worth – of significance.

Esteemed. Above all, her children praise her name and respect her. They call her “blessed” or happy I suppose. Even that man of hers praises her to others in her presence. I bet that feels amazing to have your husband say great things about what you do when he is away busied with his work. He praises her face to face.

It is a strange sort of compliment. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Then comes the insightful commentary:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Her character is juxtaposed to that of many other women. Those who portray charm – have a deceptive nature. The value of someone goes deeper than their enchanting methods and ways. As for looks, those fade with time – but character that is something that endures and remains. Character impacts those around you.  People remember that, not how a woman looked in her youth.

How do I rate myself in light of this scripture? I can’t even begin to do so. Geez. It’s not that I haven’t or can’t do many of the things described in this passage. I can and I have.

The problem is that I can’t do it all. I try and then I fail. Either my house and exterior are in order, and then my relationships fall apart. Or it’s vice versa. This must be where the supernatural comes into play – the clinging dependence upon the Lord. This appears to be missing from the text of this passage. Yet, it must be core to her character. How else can she be so freaking amazing?

Without utter and complete dependence on the Lord and identifying with his precepts and will, she could not possible maintain this way of living. She gets it. She must have learned this well in her youth. Look at what she has accomplished.

I’m not sure what to make of all this. I’ve just been wrestling with the balance between my perceived two worlds. But that is the problem. They are not separate realms. They are one and the same united and completed through spiritual dependence.

Perhaps there is still hope for me and my household. Perhaps someday I will depend solely upon the Lord and get my strength and my guidance from Him and His word. Perhaps my husband too will praise my name in my presence – face to face. Perhaps this understanding can yet be manifest in my life. Perhaps …

Additional Information

By what standard is a person’s worth measured? Seriously. Look around you. What do people value? What qualities do most desire?

• A stable income with benefits and perks.
• Someone significant with whom to share ourselves and our dreams – to build a life together.
• A family that works together and plays together.
• Children who are successful and have attained a favorable status within the community.
• Deep friendships that carry us through the dark times and give a purpose beyond ourselves.
• Awesome looks and a buff body – far beyond the firmness of youth.
• A home – finely decorated and spacious – the envy of family reunions.
• Lofty degrees – followed by professional accomplishment.
• Adventure and excitement – exotic vacations and thrilling experiences.

This list could continue ad nauseam.

Now as believers, often we dismiss these as values of the world – the desires of those who do not have a relationship with Christ. But I wonder, are we truly being honest with ourselves. Am I? Don’t we all struggle with the “things of this world?”

It is as if I have some sort of internal gauge that subconsciously measures my worth. My worth as a person is measured on performance. I rate my worth effortlessly. It just happens – like breathing.

As a mother of four sons, who has recently entered middle age, I have allowed myself several concessions. I acknowledge that I will never be the wasp-waist girl of my 20’s. Years of cycling and weight lifting has worn my joints. The creaking in my joints advise me not to continue the tissue wearing exercise of my youth. (Regrets, yes some. I really enjoyed working out daily – I need to find some less damaging exercises.)

I have conceded, and then embraced, that my job is to stay at home with my children and to look after my family’s interests. Furthering my education is not in my future. I have closed that chapter in my life. (This is particularly sad for me as I just love studying and enjoy working. I love to get outside of this house and “just do it.”) I guess a bachelor’s degree will have to suffice. The exhilarating climb up the professional ladder is not a height I will attain.

As a result of these decisions, I probably will not earn an income that will support my family. (So much to contributing to the financial security of my family.) No one will lust after my dwelling. My only hope is that they do not mock what I warmly call home. (Why I care if people make fun of my house – I still can’t quite figure.)

These values have long since been removed from my personal list of merits. Yet, I still cling to several others. I deeply desire to succeed as a wife, a mother and a friend – and yes as a servant of the Lord. These are what I struggle – wrestle – contend with – almost daily.

I look at my children. They are so amazing. What a gift and a mighty responsibility the Lord has entrusted to me – (and my husband too). They are the delight of my soul. And yet, they are also the ache in my heart – the kink in my neck – the bitter bile in my gut. I am at a loss – I flounder and do not know what to do. I know what I desire to do and I understand my natural tendencies – but still I am lost. How do I attain excellence as a mother?

God entrusts you with these free thinking creatures who you just fall in love with – even before you get to hold them in your arms. As a mother, you are given the honor of feeling them stir within you. A child moves about and wakens a place in your heart you never knew existed. This is such a great treasure and a mighty responsibility.

I feel the weight of that great burden on my shoulders. At times I am crushed by the enormity of it – at other times it is as if I cannot breathe. My tendency is to react – to plan – to devise – to manage – to monitor – to attempt – to correct. In the end, I usually end up fluttering around like some sort of deranged hen. I function. I deal. I handle. I mediate. But do I enjoy and laugh and revel in joy? Do I rejoice in who my sons are? Am I present? What is the purpose of all this activity? Who the hell do I think that I am?

So then, I am paralyzed. Thoughts race through my head.

“Do nothing.”

“Sit at the feet of the Lord.”

“Be still and know that I am God.”

“Let him who has ears, let him hear.”

“Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you.”

In college I lived in a ministry house. A girl named Louise lived there too. She was always so preoccupied with keeping everything in order. Clean up. Do the dishes. Vacuum the house. … You get the picture.

I would laugh at her in my mind, “Just look at the little Martha.” I would congratulate myself on being like Mary and not busying myself with such worldly matters. “Such a waste of my time,” I would smirk inwardly. “Look at her fret over such mundane things – I am sitting at the feet of Jesus – studying his word and reveling in the relationships around me. Too bad for Louise. I am living the abundant life!”

I acknowledge that my perception of my roommate was by no means accurate or fair, but I think I was on to something then … something I seem to have forgotten in my personal efforts to gain merit and to succeed. In truth I have lost sight of several things.

First, people are important. Enjoying people and letting people know that you enjoy them is key to healthy relationships. I am not saying that I should have been such a sanguine, untidy disaster by neglecting my household responsibilities. It seems that I did understand something about valuing people and the times that you share. As a mother – I can lose sight of this. I forget to enjoy my sons and to express warmth and acceptance towards them. Some how I am always on patrol – seeking violations and implementing corrections.

Second, don’t sweat the little things. I get so agitated when things are out of order. Who gives crap if flour is all over the kitchen and contact paper is stuck all over the wood floors. What is important is that people felt loved and that a good time was had by all. Conversations have a way of just happening while people are having a fun. The mood is relaxed – so too are the people. This way mom interrogations are not the only verbal interactions.

Third, spend some time with Jesus. Sit at his feet. Lean on him and allow him to carry your load. This can happen several ways.

• Spend time in the word. Just read it – get a feel for what was going on. Do this before you get out the commentaries and exegete the passage.
• Even before you read the passage, pray – invite the Spirit to give you supernatural insight. He will.
• Share your struggle with a brother or sister in Christ. Share you burden and enjoy the relationship. God has equipped your friend with a very special gift that may benefit you.

Merits. Just how do we assess our worth? Is it by the world’s standards? Or is our worth determine by what Christ has done, who He is, and who he says that we are as his fellow brothers and sisters?

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Revelations 5:12

Additional Information

From Eve to present, women have been viewed as the “thorn in the side” of men; the daughters of Eve have been characterized as manipulative, deceptive, and even inferior. Was it not Helen of Troy who “launched a thousand ships” and caused the destruction of the glorious city of Troy? Did not Cleopatra seduce noble Marc Antony into betraying the Roman state? Yes, even the extravagance of Marie Antoinette was blamed as the cause of the French Revolution. Many purport that the Hebraic Old Testament is the source for this misconception; nevertheless, this very source is the foundation by which this assumption is refuted. The Old Testament books of Ruth and Esther support this refutation. These books reveal how these two women were used to dramatically affect the future of the nation of Israel in similar yet different manners. Through these women the promise of the Messiah was fulfilled, even though they were drastically different in background, in character and in situation.

Exactly what sort of backgrounds did these women have? Ruth was not a Hebrew; in fact, she was born of a race descended from an ancestor common to both the Hebrews and the Moabites. The Moabites were descended from Lot, nephew of Abraham, and from Lot’s elder daughter as told in Genesis 19:30-38.

(Ewww…yucky, yucky ancestory)

Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters. One day the older daughter said to her sister, “There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can’t get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children. Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again. The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had intercourse with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again. As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father.  When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites.  When the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites.

Esther on the other hand, was of Hebraic origins. Ruth becomes associated with the Hebrews through her marriage to Mahlon, the son of Elimelech and Naomi, who were Ephrathites from Bethlehem. Where Ruth was a foreigner living among Hebrews, Esther (also known as Hadasseh) was a Hebrew living among foreigners, known as the Persians. These women were not contemporaries. The time peroid in which the narrative of Ruth takes place was during the reign of the days of “Judges.” It is speculated that Ruth lived as a contemporary to the Judge Gideon, assuming that Ruth was the great-grandmother of David and that David began his rule in 1010 B.C. which places Ruth in the latter part of the 12th century.

(Oh the pain of details and grounding theology in history!)

Five hundred and twenty-seven years later in 483 B.C., the story of Esther occurred. This date is derived from the assumption that the Ahasuerus mentioned in chapter one of Esther was none other than the Persian King Xerxes, who reigned from 485 B.C. to 465 B.C. In Esther 1:3, it states that Xerxes gave a banquet in the third year of his reign which gives the date of 483 B.C. as when the Book of Esther historically begins.

Though these women come from different backgrounds, their moral characteristics are somewhat similar, yet again they are ultimately different. Ruth was extremely faithful to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Whether this loyalty stems from the tradition of her people, as Ruth’s sister Orpah also desired to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, or from her acceptance of the Hebraic God Yahweh, is difficult to discern. Nonetheless, Ruth did indeed follow Naomi from her native land to provide for her widowed and heirless mother-in-law.

Esther’s loyalty, in comparison, was more patriotic than personal (or so it seems). Even though Esther was silent regarding her nationality upon assuming the position of queen, she does portray a slight element of loyalty to her people. True, Esther did enjoy special privileges above and beyond those of any of the exiled Jews. In fact, Esther, elevated to the position of queen (Esther 2:12-20), probably participated in many “unorthodox” Persian ceremonies and customs, which were contradictory to her Jewish background. (And that is stating that mildly!) Granted, Esther was deceptive in concealing her heritage from Xerxes; yet, when the occasion arose for her to intercede for her people, she acted appropriately (so, she was coaxed a bit) and revealed her heritage and supplicated the king to spare not only her life, but also the lives of her people. She saved them from certain genocide.

However, though both Ruth and Esther possess the characteristics of loyalty, these women had dramatically different relationships with their God. Ruth, although a Moabite, swore to Naomi that “her people would be my people” and that “her God would be my God.” Ruth totally denounced her people and her gods to follow Naomi. Ruth placed herself under Mosaic law so as to provide for the needs of her mother-in-law; she even went as far as to actively seek a Levirite marriage (Deut. 25: 5-6) so that Naomi’s inheritance could be obtained. Ruth continually shows her devotion to her mother-in-law and to Yahweh, by being obedient to Naomi’s every request. Thus, Ruth was persistently and actively seeking God and to do God’s will.

Esther, on the other hand, was among the disobedient Jews who did not return from exile to the “Promised Land.” She did not attempt to keep the Mosaic law. If it can be assumed that the Queen of Persia was in accordance with the local custom, the Esther most likely ate unclean animals and practiced unlawful customs. The only reference in the narrative of Esther to any Jewish custom practiced by Esther was the act of fasting in Es 4:15-17. Therefore, it is apparent that Esther lacked in an active and personal relationship with God while Ruth pursued one.

Thus, it seems that Ruth and Esther were both involved in rather separate relationships with the Hebraic God, Yahweh. Despite this difference, God used both women to fulfill the promise of the Messiah, if it can be assumed that Jesus of Nazareth was truly this “Savior.” Ruth, after she wed Boaz through Levirite marriage, became the mother of Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David. Jesus Christ’s lineage, through Mary, is traced to David (Matthew 1:1-16). Christ is therefore call the “Son of David” (Matthew 15:22). As mentioned in 2 Samuel 7:16 and Revelations 20:4-6, Christ will some day return to earth and will sit on the throne of David as the millennial King.

2 Samuel 7:16

“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

and

Revelations 20:4-6

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

Ruth’s part in fulfilling the prophecy of “Christ” is obvious, where Esther’s role is not quite as apparent. Esther does not have any place in the direct lineage of the Messiah. Her contribution to the fulfillment of the “promise” is that she interceded on behalf for her race, the Hebrews, who faced certain extinction as a direct result of the decree of Haman, a high ranking Persian official in Xerxes’ court.  Haman ordered a massive execution of thousands of Jews; this decree could “thwart” God’s plan of salvation for the nations through the Jewish nation.

However, as seen in Job 42:2, God cannot be “thwarted.” God placed an orphaned Jewish girl in the esteemed position of queen, and through her, he preserved His people through an unlikely set of circumstances. Esther, against the custom of the Persian people, approaches King Xerxes without having been summoned; if the king was displeased by her appearance, she would have faced death. However, the king was pleased and pardoned her intrusive presence.

At a second banquet, Esther requested that the king spare her life and the lives of her people. The king consents and Haman is hanged for his evil plots. God had, in His sovereignty, worked in various circumstances so that the Jews could be delivered.  And through their deliverance from certain extinction, the Hebrew nation continued; thus, God rescued the Jews from extinction so that he could fulfill His promise of the Messiah through His Chosen People, Israel. Therefore, it is evident that both Ruth and Esther were instruments in the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah, the Son of David and Israel.

Although Ruth and Esther come from different historical backgrounds and have different moral characters, God used these women to prepare the circumstances necessary for the coming of Christ as promised in the scriptures by the prophets. Yes, God was not biased in His perception of women. Regardless of the general consensus of the religious leaders of the day who rejoiced that they “were not born a woman,” God found that or determined that these two women were vital (or at least honored) in fulfillment of  His plan of redemption for all men and dare I say women. Therefore, even though many a man (or woman) may regard certain people or races of people as inferior or as meddlesome or even worthless, God used these very people to work His plans out into completion.

So, are you available to be used by God as well? Do you willingly pursue His purposes or do you need more coaxing?

Additional Information

Blog, Blog, and Blog.  What is blog?  This was the question presented last night at a  “basecamp” tutorial.  Several women, equipped with laptops, notepads and what I describe as “tude,” spent last night venturing into the world of binary code and electronic media. What a journey of enlightenment that was! What an evening of angst, pain and even laughter. Oh and what a gas!

To answer the first question, a “blog” is an abridgement of the words “web log.” A web log is generally a commentary on current events and trends or other materials such as movies, music and sports.  It can also be sort of a personal journal that logs the events of someone’s daily activities. It can also be used to document personal insights someone may have concerning moral or spiritual issues. It can be a place where one writes about what God has revealed to someone through the truth of His written word, The Bible. All in all, it can be whatever the writer desires for the benefit of self and for others.

Another question that was asked was, “What is a Blogosphere?” A blogosphere is a term that refers to the interconnectedness that blogs have within a defined community or a social network.  NeoBlogs is an example of a Blogosphere.

After we answered the fundamental questions, the quest for competency continued. These zealous students only whined and feigned disinterest to challenge those leading the tutorial. In reality they were quite excited by the new challenges and opportunities placed before them.  The highly energetic women, full of enthusiasm, delved into the this brave new world with unabashed courage. Surely a positive charge was in the air. In fact the one, full of quips, had to be restrained from injuring herself she as was so filled with joy at the prospect of creating a blog entry.

Alas and alack, a wrench was thrown into the midst of the women’s jubilation. They could not access the outside world as the “Code-keeper Steve” was not around and his ever so sweet, charming and faithful companion was not permitted such lofty knowledge. Fortunately, these clever women could not be discouraged.  They sought out another link to the world and gained access to the wireless net. (Go girls!)

The next endeavor was to get the jabber/Pandion instant messaging up and running.  This seemed also to be a roadblock as the IM Jabber administrator had yet to attempt such a feat as she had received no instruction or training in this matter.  (The code-keeper has been really busy.) But, once again, Lady-enlightenment graced the eager students with victory and accounts were set up and connections made! Such a great celebration (of what should have been silence broken by the sound of “keys” being struck.) ensued. Instead due to the close proximity of the women (they were all sitting around a table IMing one another), the room filled with laughter and conversation.

The industrious women grew weary.  Straining to grasp and conquer these new concepts, they had expended their energy. Tired, yet inspired, the women collected their supplies and reluctantly returned to their homes.

That night, as they all slept, visions of “110001111″ and “00110011,” danced about in their heads.  New terms, like “Pandion, Blogosphere, NeoZine,” jumped in and out among the strings of numbers. The scene was so hypnotic and soothing. Each woman, anticipating the dawn of a brave new world, slept soundly that night.

Additional Information