Be Still...

Women of God

There's something so  inherently lovely about being a godly young woman. Something so precious and beautiful in God's sight, that unless you truly understand what His calling is for women, you will never fathom the purpose of what being a godly woman is all about.

True femininity is something that I have been seeking more these days as my walk with the Lord continuously becomes more intimate. I have begun to see the real purpose in which God created woman; and I must say that it is absolutely breath taking! I long to always be the godly woman the God has created me to be.

This topic of femininity is something that has become even closer to my own heart because I am a Women's Studies major at school. ... Say what?!

No I am NOT a feminist, so why Women’s Studies? Simple. Because feminists talk about topics that I am passionate about. And if I want to make any sort of a difference against the feminist ideas in our society today then I plan on knowing how to teach women the right way and point them towards the truth; God’s truth!

After I decided that I was going to pursue a Women’s Studies major I questioned myself on this about 14 million times. I still find myself questioning this decision. But you know what? I have a longing to correct our society on its feminist ideas. What better way than to show people I actually took the time to listen to what feminism had to say?

You want to know what else brought me to Women's studies? The women who run that department (who by the way all claimn to be feminists) are such caring individuals I was intrigued by their own passion for women.
Believe it or not feminists today are (in a weird but similar fashion) trying to empower women to become all that they can be. They are just going about it the wrong way. They have been decieved as to what true femininity is and thus have strayed off the path that God chose for women. I know this because I have met many feminists at my college who are sincere, sweet, and genuine people! They are compassionate, helpful and kind. They have just been decieved. This helped me to realize something very important; feminists are not the enemy. They have just believed the enemy.

I don't agree with more than half of what feminists say; in fact some of the things they teach absolutely horrify me. However I now see just how easily our culture embraces even little aspects of what feminists have taught.

But in the hearts of all the feminists I met so far, I do see something that strikes me as peculiar. They too have a longing to be feminine in the way God created women to be. They might not see it and they might even deny it, but I see it. Sometimes you have to look closely at what they say and how they approach certain topics, but they actually are wanting to embrace their own femininity.

Women are compassionate creatures. God has made us this way. Unfortunately if we are led astray then we can use our compassion for things that are not what God wants, but the compassion is still there.

As a godly young woman I long to correct these beautiful women, who were also made in the image of God, and show them the truth that will set them free. If that means I have to listen to them first then I will. It is by God's grace that I have been able to see the truth at such a young age in my life and I would love for the women who have embraced the feminist agenda to experience the grace God has for them too.

I'm not saying we are to become feminists nor am I saying that feminists have the right idea. I am saying that we have a duty to show the world the truth and point them to Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who can show us what being a real woman is all about. He holds the answer to true femininity.

Ladies, we are children of God and as such we need to be the light of the world. Let's shine our lights of true femininity to those who have gone astray and show them that Jesus Christ is what their hearts are searching for.

We all know the parable of the prodigal son; this parable also applies to the prodigal daughter.

May God bless you all!
~Gretchen

Gaze upon Jesus

key ingredient to beating anxiety... two

The first key ingredient that I see as crucial to beating anxiety is believing in Christ. If you have not read the entry I wrote on believing, I encourage you to take a look at it.

My next ingredient (I like using this analogy because I'm learning how to be a better cook at this point in my life ;) ) is the Word of God!

Don't believe me? Take a look at the Scriptures posted in this entry here.

The only reason I was able to believe was because of the Word of God! It took hearing God's Word in order for me to be set free!

Jesus said to His disciples:
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

What is the truth? As we know the Truth is God's Word!

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The Word of God, Jesus Christ, is what is good, pure and true. Reading God's Word is essential to being free and believing. The only way we can know that anxiety is not needed nor is it something from God is by reading His word and following Jesus Christ.

May God bless you all!
~Gretchen

Set Apart for Jesus Christ

Ready to live a set apart life for Jesus Christ? Here's what to expect when you start...
First and foremost... freedom!

Second, a love that none can ever fathom.

Third, light in a world that loves darkness.
Thy Word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path Psalm 119:105

Fourth, a new attitude full of joy and blessings.

And fifth, a life that is not only set apart but a life that is clothed in Christ! What does clothed in Christ look like?
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 Start off clothing yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Not only will you see a difference but the people around you will see a difference as well. Christ has the ability to transform you from the inside out!

There is so much more than these five things when you choose to live a life set apart for Jesus Christ. These are the first five things that brought me out of darkness into light. I encourage everyone to experience the love of Christ and discover the set apart life waiting for you!

Ladies, for more information on how to live the Set Apart Life, I encourage you to read Leslie Ludy's book Set Apart Femininity: God's Sacred Intent for Every Young Woman.

May God bless you all!
~Gretchen