A Mother's Prayer - Rachel Aldous / baby lullaby, dedication song

Beautiful Hair Naturally

Hot Avocado Oil Treatment for damaged hair

Sun, wind, rain, smoke, pollution, dust, life in general, even many commercial hair-care products: All can wreak havoc on your hair. For natural damage control, apply this oil treatment once a week before shampooing. It will strengthen your hair and leave it shining with vitality.

• 1/4avocado, mashed
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons jojoba
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

1. In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients together, then warm them by placing the small bowl into a larger bowl filled halfway with hot water. Stir occasionally to distribute the heat evenly.
2. As soon as the mixture is at body temperature, apply it to your damp hair.

Yield - This recipe makes enough for 1 treatment.

To use - Apply directly to dampened hair, working from the scalp through the hair to the ends. Wrap your head in a warm damp towel (use an old towel, as the avocado may stain it.) Leave the treatment on for about 20 minutes. Without rinsing, shampoo hair, then rinse thoroughly.

Captivate Us

The Unfading Beauty

There is no neglect of beauty in Christianity, for God would have the daughters of Zion be beautiful. There is no commendation in scripture for an unkempt, frumpy or dowdy appearance. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, Peter cast a vision for multifaceted beauty that is not merely outward. Consider God's desire that you would possess a deep unfading beauty that enhances outward appearance. In this way you will not be restricted by shallow outward beauty.Instead becoming obsessed with appearance that passes away.

He calls you to nurture what is eternal and precious.

 In this way, Christianity argues for a beauty that is both inward and outward. And it is a modest beauty that does not flaunt either fashion, riches or sexuality.

This is a beauty which adorns itself "In modest apparel, with shamefacedness, and sobriety" (1 Tim 2:9) To dress modestly then is to fulfill the principle of "shamefacedness" which breeds a sense of humility and reserve that causes a woman to shrink from the boundaries. This stands in strong contrast to the boldness and showiness that is often encouraged among woman.

How blessed it is to have a beauty that is both inward and outward, and shines brightly for all eternity. In this way you can walk in confidence because you know the lie of outward beauty and the truth of multifaceted inward beauty. This knowledge will keep you from being lured into it's hollowness. And this knowledge will help you to think clearly about yourself with a balanced view. And you know how to cultivate it, for it is at your fingertips. It is only God who opens the opportunity that is deeper than skin. For the beauty of Christ upon you is not only outward, it is imperishable, creating in you an ever, radiating inner beauty that cannot be extinguished.

Biblical Womanhood, Part 2 of 8

This is a good video to Voddie Bauchams study on womanhood! He mentions reverency and how important that is! Hope you enjoy this! :)

What Does it Mean to be a Woman?

The breathtaking significance of womanhood is revealed in the garden of Eden, in what appears to be the first poem in the Bible. We as women are created in the image of God, this means you possess valuable attributes which are divinely endowed. As image bearers, women possess an immortal spirit, and are gifted with qualities that are reflective of God Himself. We have the capacity to know God and to be known. This means that we demand thoughtful and special care.

 What you believe about woman matters. There are many different  views on women and their role in society. Atheist believe that women are simply a random collection of atoms and you can do whatever you want with her. Hindus believe that woman are a liability and their doctrine of womanhood gives men the freedom to despise them or even kill them. In Islam, women are viewed as property to be used for pleasure and exploited for procreation. In non-christian philosophies and religions of the world, women are devalued. But in striking contrast, Christianity places women in high honor. One way that God honors women is by surrounding them with protectors who are under specific commands to know, protect, and nurture and even die for them. (Due 30, Ephesians 5:25, 6:1-4) Every daughter of Zion should marvel that she is made in the image of God. There are three radical life transforming implications of this for every daughter.

First, the knowledge of your nature should cause joy and confidence to fill your soul, for you have received your dignity and value from a source far beyond your imagination and your culture. You are a completely unique creation for the glory of God. You were knit together in your mother's womb by the wisdom and knowledge of God. You lack nothing in value. Therefore, you must understand the wonder of your creation.

Second, this is one of the most important arguments for the godly government and care of your mind, body and emotions. Dear daughter of Zion, "Possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor." Preserve and keep it for the glory of God, by presenting "your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God." (1 Thess 4:4, 2 Tim 2:21, Rom 12:1-2)

Third, don't despise the commands for the guardianship God has placed you around. Your nature as a woman is the reason God has built around you so many protectors. Since you bear the marks and attributes of the Image of God, you have an appointment from God to live according to your design. You must play the role appointed. You are the specially designed daughter of the King of Kings!

God I ask that you remind me everyday that I am your creation and I was created for a purpose. God I am created in your image with unique attributes that suits my kind. I ask that you help me grasp these attributes and shine them to the world for your glory father. God thank you for the protection you have provided me with. I pray that I honor men as they should be. Let me never place myself above them and help me to respect them. Guide me as a woman Father to fulfill the calling you have for me. Let me honor you Jesus in word, deed, emotions and heart!

A Quiet and Gentle Spirit

                                                                      I Peter 3:3-4,

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great
worth in God's sight."

A gentle and quiet spirit is beautiful to God. And, even as I attempt to explain this I wonder if I myself understand the attribute of a gentle heart.

Watching trees remind me of a gentleness. Yes, trees do not have a will that could choose otherwise - but just looking at them reminds me of a gentle and quiet beauty.

What does it mean to be gentle and quiet of spirit?

Some thoughts/ideas that come to mind are:
* gentle - makes me think of a soft touch, taking great care with something fragile, soft, light, careful, quiet
* quiet - sweet, thoughtful, content, peaceful, humble, wise, self-control/restraint

This all prompted me to think of what a gentle and quiet spirit is NOT:
* the opposite of gentle: harsh, rude, rough, uncaring, heavy handed
* the opposite of quiet: loud, obnoxious, boisterous, selfish, proud, foolish, rash

This means being kind to others, content, one who does not complain.

We as women should cultivate a gentle spirit. In light of taking care of children we should do this in gentleness.

Then, I wondered what else the Bible had to say on the ideas of gentleness and quietness.

Gentle:

1 Kings 19:12 ~ Elijah hears a gentle whisper and it is God's voice speaking to Him.

Proverbs 15:1 ~ A gentle answer turns away wrath.

Zechariah 9:9 ~ Prophecy of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Describes Him as gentle.

Matthew 11:29 ~ Jesus describes Himself as gentle and humble in heart.

Acts 27:13 ~ a gentle wind made for easier sailing

1 Corinthians 4:21 ~ Paul reminds the Corinthians that God's kingdom is not just talk and words. It is the power of God! He puts it to them in a question, "Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?"

Ephesians 4:2 ~ "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

1 Thessalonians 2:7 ~ describes gentleness as the way a mother cares for her little children

1 Timothy 3:3 ~ opposite of violent; requirement for one in authority at church

2 Corinthians 10:1 ~Paul appeals to the Corinthians in the "meekness and gentleness of Christ"

Galatians 5:22-23 ~ part of the Fruit of the Spirit: gentleness

Philippians 4:5 ~ "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."

Colossians 3:12 ~ God's people are to clothe themselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

1 Timothy 6:11 ~ gentleness is a quality we are to pursue

1 Peter 3:15 ~ We are called to be ready to tell others why we have the hope we have, but challenged to do it with "gentleness and respect."

Quiet:

Isaiah 30:15 ~ there is a strength in quietness

Isaiah 32:17 ~ "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."

1 Timothy 2:11 ~ specifically a characteristic God's women are to pursue: quietness

Genesis 25:27 ~ Jacob was described as a quiet man

1 Chronicles 4:40 ~ Family of Simeon was looking for new land and found a place described as, "rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful and quiet."

1 Chronicles 22:9 ~ Israel would be granted a season of peace and quiet during Solomon's reign

Job 6:24 ~ a spirit of humility, a teachable spirit. One who is willing to be quiet and admit wrong when necessary.

Psalm 23:2 ~ The Lord, our Shepherd leads us by quiet waters

Psalm 83:1 ~ a prayer requesting God not to keep silent and quiet

Proverbs 17:1 ~ A peaceful, quiet - yet, modest home is to be desired over many possessions with quarreling and strife.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 ~ listen to quiet wisdom over loud foolishness

Amos 5:13 ~ knowing when to keep quiet shows prudence

Zephaniah 3:17 ~ God will quiet our hearts with His love

Mark 1:25 ~ Jesus commanded quiet from the evil spirits

Mark 4:39 ~ Jesus commanded quiet from the weather

Mark 6:31 ~ Jesus encourages His disciples to come with Him to a quiet place to rest

Luke 19:40 ~ If all of God's people are required to keep quiet, even Creation will cry out

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ~ "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life..."

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ~ "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kinds and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

A couple of things that jumped out at me as I read and looked up all the above Scriptures are the connection between prayer and quietness, having a teachable and humble heart, the respectfulness of having a gentle and quiet spirit and really what strength is displayed in this humble attitude.

So, in the end - I have come up with this definition for myself of a gentle and quiet spirit:

The pursuit of a gentle and quiet spirit is part of my calling as a child of God and brings great pleasure to God in its beauty. It is an attitude of humility, respect and peacefulness. It requires and models great strength to live this kind of life. Trust in God and His Word are foundational to this attitude and way of life. And, to pursue the true qualities of gentleness and quietness means we will be modeling our lives after Jesus Himself ~ therefore, drawing closer to Him and modeling His love to those around us. I must want to live with a quiet heart before Him so that I can hear His whisper of the way to walk humbly but with purity and holiness before Him! 

Lord, the things described in Your Word about gentleness and quietness are so beautiful and evoke a desire in me to have a gentle and quiet spirit. Please do give me a quiet heart before You so that I can hear Your leading, follow Your example and live out these desires You have for me. Please cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit in me ~ a heart at peace, filled with Your strength and filled with genuine humility and respect. Thank You, Lord for teaching us about these beautiful characteristics and desiring them for us!

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts