Dear Dottie: Why Aren’t Working Women In Your New Homemaking Book?

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 by Dorothy Kelley Patterson

Dear Dottie,

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Spice Up Your Speech!

Thursday, May 2, 2013 by Teresa Ambra

I was in my forties before I first sampled Tex-Mex cooking. Friends encouraged me to try jalapeño peppers, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos, and everything else I now enjoy. I am also learning to like foods seasoned with curry, coriander, turmeric, saffron, and other Middle Eastern spices. Spices, herbs, and seasonings are what make recipes work. Recipes that are bland are not memorable and rarely enjoyed. It’s only when we add flavoring—even something as simple as salt and pepper—that foods become tasty. Life is a lot like spicy foods. My life and witness can be a fragrant or pungent aroma to others. It can be spicy in a good way as my example pricks the hearts of the lost with the gospel. But my life can also be spicy in a negative way. Just like too much spice in food becomes inedible, too much spicy “kick” in our lives and conduct can be offensive, hypocritical, and certainly ineffective in reaching others for Christ.

 

There are two ways I can model the spice of life. One is to make sure my words are respectful of others. My words shouldn’t be so spicy that they offend others with curtness, gossip, critical or judgmental attitude. Nor should my words demean others so that they are viewed less honorably or considerately. When my words diminish another’s character or reputation, or judge another’s motives, I have crossed the line and my words are no longer honoring to God. Rather, my words should be “seasoned with salt and full of grace” (Col. 4:6). I can be a shining light to others when my speech is kind, Spirit-led, full of godly wisdom and insight, encouraging, and beneficial to others.

 

In the same way, I can model the spice of life when I seek to build others up rather than tear them down. Satan constantly seeks for ways to discourage God’s people; I should seek for ways to encourage, hearten, and cheer others who have been beaten down by life’s hardships. Sharing stories of how God has answered prayers in my life is a way to gladden the hearts of others and increase their faith in an All-Powerful God. Instead of trampling others down with my words, I can inspire, uplift, and strengthen them as they walk through the valleys and tribulations all of us must face. As Biblical Women let’s follow David’s heart, “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin” (Ps. 17:3). Additionally, let’s resolve to make sure that our words are the spice of life like the Psalmist declared, “Pleasant words are like the honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24) and, may our words be “aptly spoken” which are like “apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11). In this way, we can be the spice of life to both fellow believers and those who don’t know Christ. Following these “spice of life” principles will enable us to be the Biblical Women Christ wants us to be.

 

I’ve included a few of my favorite spicy Tex-Mex recipes! Mexican Lasagna is a wonderful casserole with the spiciness of chilies and salsa. Mexican Corn Casserole also has the bite of chilies, but with the added bonus of hot sauce! Sopapilla Cheesecake is a sweet dessert that is easy to make and delicious to the tastebuds. You will inhale the wonderful flavors of cinnamon-sugar wafting through your house as it bakes.

 

Mexican Lasagna: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/06/28/mexican-lasagna/

Mexican Corn Casserole: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/09/03/mexican-corn-casserole/

Sopapilla Cheesecake: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/06/14/sopapilla-cheesecake/

 

Teresa Ambra loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen! Over the years she has tried thousands of recipes and now shares them on her blogwww.cantstayoutofthekitchen.com! She also loves to prepare meals for others no matter what the occasion. Teresa graduated with her Master of Divinity in Church History and Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary last May. Connect with her on Facebook,Twitter and her blog!

 

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Planning a Romantic Picnic for Two

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Melissa Meredith

Need a fresh date night idea that is both simple and romantic?  Look no further!  The following is a guide to planning a perfectly romantic picnic for two.

 

The Perfect Location

Choose a special spot that can become your special place, just for the two of you.  To help pick the perfect location, think about your personality as a couple.  Do you prefer quiet solitude or being surrounded by people?  Also, think about what your city has to offer. Does your city have a botanical garden? Any nearby lakes, national parks, or scenic outlooks?  Do any downtown buildings have rooftop gardens?  Know a friend of a friend that owns any country acreage? Nothing nearby? Consider taking a spontaneous day drive to add a touch of adventure. Also, consider the time of day for your picnic.  Does your significant other love the stillness of the morning?  Do you love watching the stars together at night?  Do you love the feeling of the warm spring rays of sun on your face?  Whether you are a morning or evening person, personalize your picnic to you and yours’ tastes.

 

The Perfect Setup

To make a picnic extra special, consider going all out.  You’d be surprised at how simple {and fun} trading in the paper and plastic for a smidgen of fancy.   Regardless of your location and time of day,
bring your home on the road.  The following is a guide to packing the perfect picnic:

• A picnic basket (or any oversized basket will do)
• Two comfy and oversized outdoor pillows
• Soft Blanket (think cotton/linen blends)
• Two Linen Napkins (think greys, blues, or naturals)
• Two China or Dinner Plates (layer with paper plates for toting)
• Two Glasses
• 2 Sets of Silverware
• Bouquet of Flowers (think favorites and keep wrapped in tissue)
• Fragrance-free Tea lights and glass holders (don’t forget the lighter)
• Wet Wipes and Trash Bag for cleanup

 

A Perfect Menu

Step up the romance and order out a “tasting” of food from your favorite restaurant.  Or. order out from that restaurant that you’ve always wanted to try.  Consider cooking something new (but plan to make it one day earlier to make sure it comes out right).  If you like adventure, stop by a local food market and build your picnic menu together.  While you are planning a romantic picnic, it’s always good to keep in mind that it is still a picnic.  If you and yours love messy barbeque, go right ahead and enjoy the very messy {and memorable} time of eating it right off of your china plates.

A Perfect {and Surprising} Touch

To make the time together extra special and memorable, consider bringing your guitar and playing you and yours’ favorite song.   Or better yet, write them a song or poem.  It might sound mushy, but it will be a memory that the two of you will not too soon forget.  Later, you can handwrite the lyrics or lines, frame it, and place in your home.

An {Imperfect} Surprise

Just as life has surprises, you might experience a few of your own.  Don’t get discouraged if you have a flat tire on the way to the countryside, or if a rainstorm drenches your beautiful spread, or if it turns out to be children’s day at the park.  Embrace the surprises and don’t let it ruin your special time.  Surprises give couples a chance to laugh together, make adventures of their own, and have a fabulous story to tuck away until the perfect dinner party with friends.

As biblical women, our marriages are faint images of the true marriage between Christ and His Bride (Eph 5, Col 3:18-19).  Spending quality time as husband and wife is essential to building a strong and loving marriage, and can be a model for younger women in our lives (Titus 2).  Planning a romantic picnic for you and yours is a creative and meaningful way to spend time with your significant other while embracing simplicity and without abandoning charm.  Plan the essentials, throw in a few  surprises of your own, and embrace the interruptions.  You’ll create a romantic space and a memory to share.

Here’s to making your house a home…even on the road.

 

Melissa Meredith is pursuing a Master of Divinity in women’s studies at Southwestern Seminary. She loves decorating, dark chocolate gelato, and is passionate about teaching women God’s sacred design for set-apart femininity. Connect with Melissa on Facebook!

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I Wasn’t a Plan…I was a Hot Date!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 by Gayla Parker

…or at least I’m pretty sure that was the case. You see, my parents were only 15 and 16 years old when I was born.  When they found out I was on the way, they headed to the courthouse and married. Like many other marriages that begin under those circumstances, it came to an end before I was a year old.

My mom went to work as a bartender and my dad headed to Nashville. Their life choices were not improving their circumstances. Nor were they taking them to places that would reflect the love of Christ.

As for me, I found myself moving from place to place sometimes living with my mom, sometimes living with my dad and other times living with a grandparent. I was that kid who went to 13 schools in 12 years.  It was the move in the last six weeks of my tenth grade year that changed my life forever! That was the place I met Jesus as my Lord and Savior when a classmate told me how Jesus had changed her life. I didn’t know much, but I knew my life needed to be changed.

A few years later I met my husband who was already called to the ministry. My biggest fears…how could someone with my past ever be a pastor’s wife?! Could our marriage survive our vastly different backgrounds?

He grew up in the world of “Ozzie and Harriett” and I grew up in the world of “Days of Our Lives.”

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Walking the Tightrope: Thinking Critically Without Being Critical

Thursday, April 18, 2013 by Cheryl Bell

One of the challenges of ministering to others is dealing with what we know about them.  Fellow believers come to us with hurts and sorrows and we end up knowing more than we ever thought we would.  They entrust us with their lives and we become fellow burden bearers.

As a part of this ministry, we are called to be spiritually discerning as we think and pray about the information they have entrusted to us.  Often, God gives us insights from His Word and then by His Spirit, calls us to speak those truths into their lives.

If we are not on guard, our sinful nature will tempt us to use this information wrongly.

• We may use it as a standard of comparison and let ourselves off the hook.
• We may use it in a manner that wounds the one who has entrusted it to us.
• We may become overwhelmed with their burdens and lose sight of the fact that God has the situation under control.
• We may think that we are the solution to their problem and think of ourselves more highly than we should.

Even if we do not fall into one of these areas of sin, we will probably struggle with the temptation to be critical based on what we know.

As we face the challenge of thinking critically for the sake of the gospel, we must reject the temptation to adopt a critical spirit.

How then are we to think about what we know?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  (Rom. 8:31-34)

These verses are very encouraging when we apply them to ourselves but quite convicting when God applies them to those we criticize. Take a moment to think of a person toward whom you have been critical.  Re-read the Romans passage placing their name in the place of every underlined word.

Suddenly it becomes clear that we may have enjoyed the grace that God extends to us but
not graciously extended it to others.

At this point, we need to ask ourselves some hard questions:

• If God is for them, how can we be against them?
• If God was willing to sacrifice His own dear Son for them, why can’t we die to ourselves for their sake?
• If God has justified them who are we to condemn them?

Christ Jesus, the one who is intimately acquainted with every sin they have committed, is the only man who could condemn. Instead He intercedes for them. How can we do anything less?

In ministry, we know what we know so that we may intercede.

1. List the names of those who you are tempted to criticize and add these names to your prayer list as those for whom you will faithfully intercede.
2. You are still responsible to confront or encourage, but may now do so without the critical spirit.
3. Yield yourself to God for the gentling of your spirit by His.

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (I Thess. 2:7-8)

 

Cheryl is a homeschooling mother of four who loves having a “front row” seat in watching The Lord transform women’s lives. Trained as a nurse, Cheryl is now pursuing a Doctorate in Biblical Counseling at Southwestern Seminary. She also serves at Southwestern’s Baptist Marriage and Family Counseling Center. You can contact Cheryl at cbell@swbts.edu and find more information about Southwestern’s Counseling Center athttp://www.swbts.edu/counselingcenter.

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Move Over, Martha Stewart! An Interview with the Editors of “The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook”

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 by Katie McCoy

Move over, Martha Stewart, there’s a new “good thing” in town! Last month marked the release of the highly anticipated go-to resource, The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook. Covering everything from parenting and money-management to nutrition and working from home, this 40-chapter volume is designed to motivate and mentor today’s woman in modern challenges of nurturing her home and family. Featuring over 20 authors, contributors range from single young adult to seasoned professional woman, both single and married, and wives with and without children. For many women, the term “homemaker” invokes visions of a June Cleaver vacuuming in pearls. But with relevant topics like using your kitchen to serve others, cultivating family worship, and caring for aging parents, the Handbook challenges readers to check their preconceived notions about homemaking at the door.

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A View from the Crow’s Nest: Trends in Women’s Ministry

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by Terri Stovall

A crow’s nest is a perch at the top of the main mast on a ship. The person sitting in the crow’s nest is able to keep a keen eye on the horizon to spot hazards, other ships, land, or impending changes that could impact the forward motion of a ship. The one sitting in the crow’s nest has a unique viewpoint.

Serving at Southwestern, I have the unique vantage of having a type of “crow’s nest” perspective. From the sharp young women who are students here, to the opportunities to regularly minister in the local church, to the intentional networking with other seminaries and denominational agencies, I can see that there are changes coming on the horizon for ministries to women.

 

Here are some of my observations from the Women’s Ministry “Crow’s Nest:” 

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