Week Four . . . 

Resolution #3 - I will accept and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem and encourage the distinctions I admire in others. 

Authentically me!

Intelligent Design . . .

Basing a decorating decision on a tassel? How often do we base a decision on a half-truth fed to us? Do we allow our mins to be controlled by someone other than Jesus Christ? Perhaps a friend? News broadcaster? Have we let memories in our past control our present or our future?

Our lives need to be balanced.

• Do all things decently and in order. I Cor. 14:40
• A false balance is an abomination to the Lord; but a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1
• A false balance is not good. Proverbs 20:23b

We need to give ourselves value. God has chosen us for this place, this time, this part of His will. Orbit your life around this truth (not a tassel). 

• I Peter 2: 9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Supernatural Selection. . . 

Healthy self-esteem.

Jeremiah 1:5 - chose you, separated you, appointed you.

God made you, and placed you here. On purpose. His choice was based on an intimate knowledge of you and who you are. Is it hard for me to believe that an Almighty, Powerful God would take the time to really know me and who I am . . . Psalm 139

You are uniquely equipped for this time, this place, this assignment.

 You. Are. The. One.

Even when we are rejected by others, God chose us. John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you! :)

We have been set apart. God has a specific task for you. Don't look at the past, or your past. Focus on the goal ahead. Set apart shows a specific purpose like china, or a specific part of a marathon race. God's toolbox. . . every tool has a specific purpose for a specific job. Embrace your role. Enjoy the thrill of capitalizing on your strengths without wallowing in misery over your lacks and differences or allowing yourself to feel threatened by those traits you should be celebrating in those you admire. You are NOT a mistake!

He has appointed you. Even if you are not pleased with the person He has made you to be, you can be sure that God has planted you here with design and intention. He has selected the "soil" to place you in, and has watered the correct amount -- it is your job to produce. 

Bring all your gifts, talents, propensities, and passions into this thing called life, and believe that they are good enough to produce the fruit that is expected of you. 

Trust Him. He KNOWS you. He has special plans for you.

Happy to be you. . . 

the REAL you.

Do you know who you really are?

Trials can often help us to find that out.

Ask those closest to you to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Accepting yourself. 

The Affirmation Crusade. . . 

Praising others in a genuine way. No ulterior motives. 

We cannot hinge our self-worth on other's praise.

Mary Kay told us to imagine that every woman we saw was wearing a sign that said, "Make me feel special."

Natural progression - once you are comfortable with the real you, you are freed to complement others.

A word fitly spoken . . .  apples of silver, and pitchers of gold. . . 

Week Three. . . catching up...


We reviewed a little bit. Letting go of the past, looking to the future, it's all about choices. 
"Fear, uncertainty and doubt will rob you of your future if you let them. They will be present every minute, every single day, right up to this very date! That is certain. Learn how to deal with your fears, and you will move faster in the direction of your dreams and goals. Allow fear to intercede, and you will frequently find yourself turning gloom into doom, moving you further away from the success you desire. This, of course is a choice. Your choice." -E. R. Haas, CEO of TQ.
Be content where you are, with great anticipation of what God will do in your future. 


Resolution #2 - I will champion God's model for womanhood in the face of a post-feminist culture. I will teach it to my daughters and encourage its support by my sons. 


Pretty in Print . . 
Definition of feminine - pertaining to a woman or girl, having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, such as sensitivity or gentleness, belonging to the female sex. 


We are an unusual paradox: Strong, yet vulnerable. Powerful, yet tender. More than able, yet willing to yield. andwe are smart, wise, capable, equal in worth, secure in yourself, etc. 


Each of us have an platform every day. Someone is ALWAYS watching! The home, the workplace, the grocery store, the beauty shop, church, from the youngest to the oldest, wise women are watching and wanting to see you YOU handle the issues that God puts in your path. Will you choose to be feminine? Will you be the example to others as to how a feminine Godly woman behaves?
The higher up the ladder you are, the rougher the fall, and the more people that see it. . . 


It's Good to Be a Girl . . .
God created male and female in the image of God . . . He was not biased because of gender. However, each had unique qualities that make them different.


Look around you at the sphere of people that you can influence . . children, siblings, co-workers, spouses, friends, roommates, ???


You were not an addendum- you were made in God's image. 


Don't be afraid to reach outside the box, to love someone. . . Show God's mercy and love is often what can melt a hardened heart.


Jesus showed that women are IMPORTANT, WORTHY AND TRUSTWORTHY. He entrusted the women at the well, with a very important message to tell others. 


Role Reversal . . . 
Example of very large football players submitting to the decisions of referees. They choose to submit. Submission is not limited to the home in the marriage relationship. It is all around . . . submitting to a red light, even when there are no cars in the intersection. . . 


You may be more powerful, capable, and/or intelligent than the person that you are called to submit to... however, this is not a suggestion, it is a way of life. 


Order matters.


Jesus Christ was the perfect example of submission in Philippians 2: 6-8. While he had every right to consider himself equal with God, He humbled himself. (He submitted. . . .)


Submission builds a fence of safety around us. We can flourish within the confines of this fence. It is a place of freedom. Think of a child in his bedroom, or the confines of the home- boundaries are set up for his/her protection. In the backyard, fencing is put up to make clear the limits. We can choose to flourish in those places, or be determined to find out what is on the other side, and be discontent with the limitation placed on us for our own protection.


It is a choice. . . 


Submission  . . . is sometimes getting out of the way so the Holy Spirit can get directly to the person that you are submitting to. . .