A virtuous woman builds her husband up. She offers praise and kind words that make him feel like the man he wants to be.
You have probably heard the saying, “Behind every good man is a good woman.” The woman of Proverbs 31 had a good husband. He sat at the gates with the elders of the city. He was respected in his field. He was a successful business man. He could not have been all that he was had she abused him with her words and sliced him to the core with her disrespect.
Whether your man works in an office, likes to putter around the toolshed, or use his hands to work hard, he wants to know that he is the man you desire. He wants to be your knight in shining armor, your hero, your big strong, hunk of a guy.
When he fixes the sink for you, tell him how clever he is. When he builds the kids a swing set, tell him how strong he is. When he saves money on a purchase, tell him how much you appreciate his concern for your family’s financial well being.
Don’t tell him what an idiot he is, or that you could have done a better job. Don’t make him feel like a failure. Tell him you need him around, that he provides well for you. He will work hard to live up to your praise!
Photo by: Josh Armstrong. You can visit his ministry site at: www.globalyouthnet.com.
Melissa Ringstaff is theP Founding Director of A Virtuous Woman. She lives with her husband and five children in the beautiful Appalachian mountains of Harlan, Kentucky.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
MUAK opens!
Hi all,
Finally, our little online store has been launched.Thanks Jocelyn for doing such great work with the website. So , friends and my dear readers, please help me to do some advertising, word or mouth..or whatever!We are selling internationally and the goods are located in the States. Singapore customers can contact us directly for other methods of transfering funds but the goods will still take about 1 week to arrive from the States.We are going to have more promotions coming along. So check out now and then for them. Remember to MUAK us!!!Click on the picture below to get to the site.
Finally, our little online store has been launched.Thanks Jocelyn for doing such great work with the website. So , friends and my dear readers, please help me to do some advertising, word or mouth..or whatever!We are selling internationally and the goods are located in the States. Singapore customers can contact us directly for other methods of transfering funds but the goods will still take about 1 week to arrive from the States.We are going to have more promotions coming along. So check out now and then for them. Remember to MUAK us!!!Click on the picture below to get to the site.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Jittery Spider
In times like this, when your heart just can't stop beating fastly,when time seemed to tickle by slowly, when the whole world seemed to revolve just you and him, you know LOVE is Empowering. LOVE transcends all things.
Blessed Child -Shannice
Shannice, my lovely niece who was the main highlight of my wedding coz she dressed so well in the morning and in the night. This little one who just passed her 3rd year birthday this May was such a bubblejoy to everyone around her. She has amazing linguistic abilities, able to speak up what she wants clearly. I am amazed how intutively she seemed to be able to connect with the adults, somehow like her mum, she has high emotional intelligence. She was able to comprehend black humor and able to tease you back.I would say "A" in her cognitive abilities and comprehension. She could rattle on and on for hours. She was the only child who could conduct conversation with me about three hours. And i said a decent logical flowed conversation about fish " for three hours. She was really loveable and you just couldn't smother her with lots of kisses and hugs.She loved to read and write which was innate in her since she was young.I couldn't count the number of times she has asked me to read when she was just two and yes, she woahhh me with her super long concentration of two hours in the library, sitting on my lap doing reading.
I have been wondering what has contributed to this high level of reasoning and understanding, amazing concentration and linguistic abilities. Then recently, while helping to clear her mummy's stuff, i realised my dear cousin has been so diligent doing the flashcards to her . Kudos to J who has been so committed in parenting despite her busy schedule. Even though you are somewhere in the heaven looking at us, i am sure all these efforts have helped her in her development.I reckon this could be one of the factors which has led to her wide explosion of vocabulary and knowledge but of course, i think she has some innate abilities which could rub off from the good genes...like being talking and sociable like J.
So Nature vs Nurture? Which is which?
The worry antidote
Anxiety and worry can lead to an extremely negative attiude. Ephesians 2 tells us this kind of thinking gratifies the craving of our sinful nature. Negativity keeps us busy with "self obsessions. The enemy uses these as distractions to keep us from experincing the peace of god which leads to a positive attitude and a life that glorifies God.
When you are involved in a task that cause you to be irritated, "praise focus" becomes a delightful challenge.
Colossians 3:17
" And whatever you do,in word or in deed,do everything in the name of the lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
When you are involved in a task that cause you to be irritated, "praise focus" becomes a delightful challenge.
Colossians 3:17
" And whatever you do,in word or in deed,do everything in the name of the lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A boy meets girl
Got this from Susie's blog.Think she has done a good review of the book which i have bought for her.Enjoy this interesting review on relationship between man and woman.
"My dear sister in christ got me this book as a gift. This is a sequel to the author’s bestseller “Kiss dating goodbye” which I mentioned in my previous entry that I’m gonna get my hands on. This new book is an excellent read. I couldn’t put it down since I started reading it on the train ride to work this morning. I was totally immersed in it and wasn’t at all bothered by the sardine packed train. I read it every moment of free time I had. I met Weig during BSF lecture and she told me she read this book twice cos it was really so good! She is also an avid reader on christian relationship books and she strongly reccomended it. True enough. I think it’s another good book to study on.
Few random points that struck me throughout the first few chapters of the book:
Wisdom complements romance. Current trend in relationships now is guided by impatience, lack of purpose and misguided emotions - which are all expressions of foolishness.
Courtship is a relationship between a man and a woman who are actively and intentionally together to consider a marriage. It shouldn’t be rushed though but involves commitment to each other by willingness to explore the merits of lifelong commitment.
Courtship is a season for two people to grow in friendship, to get to know each other’s character, and to see how they interact as a couple.
Two central priorities in God-glorifying, wisdom-guided courtship. First, to treat each other with holiness and sincerity; second, to make an informed and wise decision about marriage.
Learn to grow and guard through these 3 stages: In friendship (Learning about each other through qualitative and quantitative time together), fellowship (Biblical fellowship, spurring each other on in righteousness etc.) and eventually romance (showing genuine affection).
God knows all things and knows the plans He has for us. Our responsiblity is to love Him, study his word, deepen our relationship with Him and learn to evaluate our choices in light of biblical wisdom.
Now, the important part on the author talking about the role of MEN. Haha. I very much like his perspective on the definitive roles of men with close relation to biblical terms. I quote, “God calls men to be servant initiators - firm but gentle, masculine yet caring, leaders yet servants. Called to be protectors, not seducers.” There are 4 important main points pertinent to the above quote:
Assume the responsibility of leading and intiating in your relationships. ( Setting direction, proposing ideas but at the same time listening and taking others’ interests into account)
Be a spiritual leader in your relationships. ( Strive to set an example of passion for God)
Do little things in your relationships that communicate care, respect and desire to protect. (Goal is to show through the actions the noble status of women)
Encourage women to embrace godly feminity. (Be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God)
There should be a balance in the roles played in the relationship. To show impartiality, I will present the definitive roles for WOMEN as well. It’s for all to learn. These are the four practical ways to practice Godly feminity:
In the relationship with Godly men, encourage and make room for them to practice leadership. ( During times when the men initiate in conversation, in fellowship, in activities or any other areas, be sure to show appreciation and cheer him on)
Be a sister to the men in your life. ( Pray for them. Be natural. Be a friend.)
Cultivate the attitude that motherhood is a noble and fulfilling calling.
Cultivate godliness and inward beauty in your life. (1Peter 3: 4 - the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight)
Talking about the heart of women, I’d recommend John and Stasi Eldredge’s book called ”Captivating” which is a touching book that feeds the souls of women and unleases the feminity that God created and wanted us to be. I teared a little while reading this book. Girls, go grab this book ya. Haha. Think all the guys must thank me for advocating feminity through recommending such readings huh. Hahaha. So, back to the book. I sort of summarised the crux of it, or at least those which I thought spoke to me. Im eager to read the rest of Joshua Harris’ other titles after finishing this.. Will do the updates…"
"My dear sister in christ got me this book as a gift. This is a sequel to the author’s bestseller “Kiss dating goodbye” which I mentioned in my previous entry that I’m gonna get my hands on. This new book is an excellent read. I couldn’t put it down since I started reading it on the train ride to work this morning. I was totally immersed in it and wasn’t at all bothered by the sardine packed train. I read it every moment of free time I had. I met Weig during BSF lecture and she told me she read this book twice cos it was really so good! She is also an avid reader on christian relationship books and she strongly reccomended it. True enough. I think it’s another good book to study on.
Few random points that struck me throughout the first few chapters of the book:
Wisdom complements romance. Current trend in relationships now is guided by impatience, lack of purpose and misguided emotions - which are all expressions of foolishness.
Courtship is a relationship between a man and a woman who are actively and intentionally together to consider a marriage. It shouldn’t be rushed though but involves commitment to each other by willingness to explore the merits of lifelong commitment.
Courtship is a season for two people to grow in friendship, to get to know each other’s character, and to see how they interact as a couple.
Two central priorities in God-glorifying, wisdom-guided courtship. First, to treat each other with holiness and sincerity; second, to make an informed and wise decision about marriage.
Learn to grow and guard through these 3 stages: In friendship (Learning about each other through qualitative and quantitative time together), fellowship (Biblical fellowship, spurring each other on in righteousness etc.) and eventually romance (showing genuine affection).
God knows all things and knows the plans He has for us. Our responsiblity is to love Him, study his word, deepen our relationship with Him and learn to evaluate our choices in light of biblical wisdom.
Now, the important part on the author talking about the role of MEN. Haha. I very much like his perspective on the definitive roles of men with close relation to biblical terms. I quote, “God calls men to be servant initiators - firm but gentle, masculine yet caring, leaders yet servants. Called to be protectors, not seducers.” There are 4 important main points pertinent to the above quote:
Assume the responsibility of leading and intiating in your relationships. ( Setting direction, proposing ideas but at the same time listening and taking others’ interests into account)
Be a spiritual leader in your relationships. ( Strive to set an example of passion for God)
Do little things in your relationships that communicate care, respect and desire to protect. (Goal is to show through the actions the noble status of women)
Encourage women to embrace godly feminity. (Be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God)
There should be a balance in the roles played in the relationship. To show impartiality, I will present the definitive roles for WOMEN as well. It’s for all to learn. These are the four practical ways to practice Godly feminity:
In the relationship with Godly men, encourage and make room for them to practice leadership. ( During times when the men initiate in conversation, in fellowship, in activities or any other areas, be sure to show appreciation and cheer him on)
Be a sister to the men in your life. ( Pray for them. Be natural. Be a friend.)
Cultivate the attitude that motherhood is a noble and fulfilling calling.
Cultivate godliness and inward beauty in your life. (1Peter 3: 4 - the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight)
Talking about the heart of women, I’d recommend John and Stasi Eldredge’s book called ”Captivating” which is a touching book that feeds the souls of women and unleases the feminity that God created and wanted us to be. I teared a little while reading this book. Girls, go grab this book ya. Haha. Think all the guys must thank me for advocating feminity through recommending such readings huh. Hahaha. So, back to the book. I sort of summarised the crux of it, or at least those which I thought spoke to me. Im eager to read the rest of Joshua Harris’ other titles after finishing this.. Will do the updates…"
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