Here we go EWR!!
Another week. Another blog. But let me just point out how excited I am to write about this week! Oh my lanta. BY FAR the best week at Link Year. This week, we split up into guys and girls and had Proverbs 31 and Manhood week. It was fantastic and I’m so sad that it is over! This week built with each day. Monday consisted of us girls making cinnamon rolls, watching Raising Helen and the Devil Wears Prada, and eating Jayne Dough. How could a day get better than that? Oh, by having Angie Daniels speak to you on Tuesday morning. She talked about God’s relentless love for us. She did this through the life of Esther. What is so cool about the story of Esther is that the Lord’s name is not mentioned in the whole book, but you can see God throughout the entire book. The greatest characteristics of Esther is that she was beautiful inside and out. Society tries to tell us that us Christian girls do not need to be pretty on the outside because guys should like us “just the way we are.” This is not an excuse to not embrace your womanhood! Esther was also absent, was the aroma of Christ, and she was obedient. Esther trusted the Lord, obeyed commands, and became a hero because of it.
Later, Beth Wiebe taught us how to inductively study the Bible. We learned why it was important to know your Bible. My favorite thing that we learned was how to be a good soldier. There are 6 characteristics of a good soldier. One, a good soldier knows what to guard. Two, he knows who the enemy is. Three, knows and uses the resources around him. Four, they have a strategy. Five, endure hardness. Six, Do not get entangled with everyday affairs. What is my strategy and how am I going to be a soldier for Christ?
Wednesday, Jennifer Farley was our speaker. We learned about relationships. Relationships with God, others, and males. How do we know we were build for relationships? God’s word tells us. First, He built us to have a capacity to be in a relationship with Him. Then, He gives us life. Also, He means for us to extend our relationship with Him to others. He does not want us to live alone. Last, He redeems us. True and good relationships bring life and life to the full. The enemy is going to exchange the truth for a lie. He wants death. Death which is true separation from Christ, but what Satan does not realize is that death is not the end. God wants us to have life and life equals God. He loves us. God gives us a perfect example of a healthy and fruitful relationship in His word. Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 18. Their relationship was selfless, loved each other as much as themselves, enjoyed each other, selfless motives, and both helped each other pursue God’s calling on their lives. Also, another great example is in Luke 5. The friends of the paralytic. They helped him get straight to Christ. Be that friend. We also learned that while we are dating, we should not be acting like we are married. Not just in sexual ways, but in everyday life. Find a man that is in movement, a cultivator, warrior against sin, a sage, and head of the friendship. In return, this will fall off into a relationship, then into marriage.
Last day, sadly, was Thursday. But this was BY FAR my favorite day. We started off the morning with my favorite speaker. Chantel Mack. We compared the woman folly and the Proverbs 31 woman. The folly woman is loud. Speaking at inappropriate times, seeking attention, and is a woman of many words. She also is seductive, dumb, a schemer, has low standards, manipulative, and is a liar. I can say that I do not do any of these things, but if I am being real, I fall guilty of all of these things. I strive daily to be a Proverbs 31 woman, but my sinful nature pulls me back to be a woman folly. I ask the Lord to help me daily resist it. I do not hide my funk, but I am also not proud of it. I need to know my heart behind each issue and pursue Godliness. The world tells us two things. One, since we are women, we are allowed to be all emotional, and two, that we have to be super manly, because a man does not want a wimpy girl. Yes, this is true, but he also does not want to fall in love with a man! Be feminine. Embrace being a woman, but do not use this as an excuse. Through all of this, may my actions show that I am seeking the Lord. That I am trying to live for Him daily. My P31 journey starts now.
To end the week, Karen Chancey talked to us about insecurity. “There’s a difference in who you are and what you do.” There is also a difference in insecurities and pridefulness. God hated pride. “Pride comes before the fall.” Also, Satan is the one that encourages low self-esteem. He wants us to focus on ourselves. He exchanges the truth for a lie! We need to stop carrying around this. It is a sin. It is nasty roadkill. The Lord wants us to be selfless, not selfish.
Overall, this was the most fantastic week. Ever. Exactly 7 days until I head off to Ireland and I cannot wait! I know the Lord has great plans for us there!
Family Dinner: The Farley’s
The Fort: Cole Wardell on Proverbs 18
Now go and be blessed! Love Jesus. Be awesome. Until we meet again.
