GET EXERCISING!

Here it is!

Encourage your friends and family

to join with you.

Form a team!

It's time to get in shape!

BLESSED MOTHERHOOD

We women are blessed with the privilege of being mothers for the glory of God. It is accomplished through the God-given sphere of the marriage of one man to one woman. Our mission is to give ourselves away for our family, so that they are able to worship the heavenly Father. When the mundane duties of doing the dishes, keeping the laundry going, picking up toys one more time, or perhaps the filthy challenges of changing another dirty diaper and cleaning up vomit in the middle of the night cloud our minds, we must remember what great influence we have over this generation and for many generations to come. Keeping this eternal, futuristic perspective in mind, makes those ill-favored duties of the home fade away. Through the Lord's intervention, we have the high calling of giving our children the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control and, as James says below, making them "ornaments" in society. Since the Lord of all the universe has made us women and has given us this awesome task, we can't help but give thanks and worship Him!

"The Bible gives [woman] her place of majesty and dignity in the domestic circle- the heart of her husband and the heart of her family. It is the female supremacy of that domain where love, tenderness, refinement, thought, and feeling preside. It is the privilege of making her husband happy and honored, and her sons and daughters the ornaments of human society. it is the sphere of piety, prudence, diligence in the domestic station, and a holy and devout life. It is the sphere that was occupied by Hannah, the mother of Samuel; by Elizabeth, the mother of John; by Eunice, the mother of Timothy; and by Mary, the mother of Jesus; It is the respect and esteem of mankind. It is the silent, unobserved, unobtrusive influence by which she accomplishes more for her race than many whose names occupy a broad space on the page of history." A Woman's Mission by John Angell James

Respect for rulers

I've been reading about this subject in By this Standard by Greg Bahnsen. He has a lot of great words to say. To summarize, Rulers are to be respected because they were given their authority by God Himself. Yet our rulers are under obligation to keep the law of God as well, for they are our example. We are also obligated to not stand for injustice when clearly a ruler is not following the law of God. All of these points are prevalent to us today. Another important thing to remember is prayer. Our rulers and those in authority need our prayer, for they have been given a great privilege and awesome responsibility by our great God. We must remember to give them the respect they rightly deserve which includes pointing out the errors they make when they make wrong decisions which are contrary to the law of God. I pray that this will be more practiced and we will be better equipped to follow the law of our God in this aspect in these days.

The Persecuted Church

I have been reading the book Tortured For Christ, by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, and have been made more aware of those suffering for the sake of following Christ. We may not be persecuted openly here in America, but we can certainly be in prayer for those who are. Here are two women who need our prayers (as of April 3, 2009).


Iran- Two Iranian Women Arrested and Held in "Notorious" Prison

On March 5, Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustampoor were arrested by Iranian security forces and labeled "anti-government activists," according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Thirty year-old Marzieh and 27-year-old Maryam are being held at Evin Prison, which is notorious for treating women badly. "Both women are allowed just a one minute telephone call everyday to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention," FCNN reported.

During their last call on March 28, Mazieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said, "I am dying." Marzieh and Maryam's apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated. "Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus," FCNN added. " They are being unfairly labeled as 'anti government activists' because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians." The women have reportedly been interrogated numerous times and were held in three different police detention centers before being sent to Evin Prison. FCNN reported an exorbitant bail amount of US$ 400,000 has been set even though Marzieh and Maryam's families have been told on numerous occasions that a judge is not available to discuss the case.

Marzieh and Maryam's arrest is the latest incident highlighting increased government intimidation of Christians in Iran. Believers are subjected to surveillance, arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes torture. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for the immediate release of Marzieh and Maryam. Ask God to heal, encourage and protect them. Pray they will continue to stand for Christ during this difficult time.

Kids' Carnival Report

Saturday went well! There was a good crowd of children and helpers. It looked like everyone was having fun. The puppeteers did two performances; the first one was well attended since the kids were waiting to eat their lunch after the puppets. It was a beautiful day so many activities were outside as well. What a blessing for all!

Carnival For Special Needs Children

This Saturday Joni & Friends of Southern Oregon is hosting the annual luncheon for mothers of children with special needs. Mothers will be treated to an elegantly served lunch, an inspirational program, and a gift basket overflowing with goodies and gifts, while the children will be treated to a fun carnival packed full of games, activities, food, and puppets. The Living Faith Puppeteers, of Faith Presbyterian Church, will be ministering the gospel to the children through their puppets. Please pray for a good day for all, and that many would look to the the Lord who sees and knows the challenges that we all face. He is the One who gives lasting hope!

Happy Easter!

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earth quake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Matthew 28:1-8

Do you ever wonder why God chose women to find out first about the resurrection? We might be tempted to believe that it's because women are superior to men, or women somehow have special privileges with God. But with other scriptures in view, this cannot be the reason.

This is what John Calvin says in his commentary on Matthew:
"He began with the women, and not only presented himself to be seen by them, but even gave them a commission to announce the gospel to the apostles, so as to become their instructors. This was intended, first, to chastise the indifference of the apostles, who were like persons half-dead with fear, while the women ran with alacrity to the sepulcher, and likewise obtained no ordinary reward. For though their design to anoint Christ, as if Ire were still dead, was not free from blame, still he forgave their weakness, and bestowed on them distinguished honor, by taking away from men the apostolic office, and committing it to them for a short time. In this manner also he exhibited an instance of what Paul tells us, that he chooses those things which are foolish and weak in the world to abase the loftiness of the flesh. And never shall we be duly prepared to learn this article of our faith in any other manner than by laying aside all pride, and submitting to receive the testimony of the women. Not that our faith ought to be confined within such narrow limits, but because the Lord, in order to make trial of our faith, determines that we shall become fools, before he admits us to a more ample knowledge of his mysteries."