Seminary Wives Fellowship

affiliated with Baptist Bible Seminary of Clarks Summit, PA

May 10

Tired of waiting?

by Linnea

We ended seminary, as all of you know, last week. It was a wonderful feeling! Full of joy and excitement and all the bitter sweetness of the end of something amazing.

But we came back today to reality. We’re still waiting to hear what God has for us next. Actually we have been waiting for the better part of 8 years. I’ve also been waiting to see when our family will finally be finished. It could be years more of waiting. And honestly, I’m tired of it.

But it doesn’t change any of it. In fact, I heard tonight while I was listening to a radio preacher that I’m not the only one waiting in the world. Revolutionary thought, isn’t it? :)

The nation of Israel has been waiting for lets see…hm…thousands of years.  Abraham never saw the fulfillment of all of God’s promises for him. Jacob never really got the nation either.  To this day the nation is still waiting. Why? Because God has not given it to them yet.

Why do I still wait? When will I ever know? I have no idea. I live in the tension. I live in the middle. And there’s nothing I can do about it but choose my response to the wait. I can choose to be bitter and angry constantly trying to figure out what is next…or I can choose to rest in God – trusting that He will use us in His timing, not mine. He will reveal His will in His timing.

So here I sit mulling over my choice while I wait… knowing already what He wants me to do.

Psalm 63

1 You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

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May 2

I Must Rank Under Him – He’s in Charge

by Michelle

It’s a Beautiful Thing

During our March monthly meeting, Joanna spoke to us concerning the last portion of Titus 2:5 on young women learning to being subject to their own husbands.

aka. submission

Does that sound like a dirty word to you?  Does it feel gritty between your teeth as you say it?  Does it make you cringe with distaste?  Do you want to hit the “x” button in the top corner of this blog to make this information disappear??

Most would say “yes”.

It’s unfortunate that our current society has placed such a negative stigma on submission.

Joanna was able to bring to light for us a fresh new perspective concerning submission.  Showing us that it is a beautiful thing.  It something that works(!) because it is God, Himself, Who has created such balance, purpose and place in the concept of submission.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Titus 2:3-5 (emphasis mine)

Submission is important!

It’s about you and the Lord.  It’s NOT about trying to have a wonderful marriage.  Be sure to examine(!) your heart and your motives when attempting to biblically submit.  It is VOLUNTARY obedience to the Lord.  You submit to your husband because you want to please God by obeying His command.

Tenderly Love Him!

However(!), there must be tender love and affection in a marriage before submission can even happen.  Of course, submission has the ability to be carried out in the absence of tenderness, but it is terribly difficult.  Strive to think tender thoughts about your husband and to be affectionate towards him.  Pray and ask the Lord to help you to do this.

The “Wife Boss”

Have you seen her?  The woman who “wears the pants” in a family.  What kind of family dynamic does it produce?  What characteristics does her husband exhibit?  How do the children treat their father?  Does she seem happy?  Or is she a bit of a grouch?  Would you even dare say she’s a tad-bit….mean?

When a wife is the boss of the family, it does not honor God and His word.

Make Him a Strong Leader

When you say “yes” to your husband, when you allow him to lead, when you give him the freedom to be the man God has created him to be, and when you compliment him on his hard work…you make him stronger!  However, if you disregard him, badger him with endless petty questions, and flippantly say “no” more then you ought…you weaken him.  So be his best cheerleader and encourage him to take the reins of your family…to make decisions…and do your best to trust in him and his leadership.

Your Marriage is a Window

When you submit, it is clearly evident that you love your husband!  People looking at your marriage should be able to easily recognize your love.  One way to do that is when they see you allowing your husband to be in charge.

A Loud Message!

The main purpose of this letter to Titus, from Paul, was to instruct Titus on how to help the newly converted Christians in Crete.  Do you remember when Joanna taught us that the Cretens were liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons?  These new Christians didn’t have a clue on how a biblical family should function!  They needed to learn the characteristics of a Christian family.  Why?  So that God’s word would not be blasphemed!  So they would be glaringly and positively different from their Cretan counterparts!  Their family-lives were to loudly proclaim = JESUS HAS RESCUED ME FROM MYSELF AND FROM MY SIN!

What Submission Is and What it Isn’t

Submission is NOT…

  • being a doormat
  • slavery
  • inferiority
  • silence
  • outdated
  • being bossed around
  • obedience to your husband
Submission IS…
  • a way to cheer on your husband
  • being a helper
  • ranking under him
  • respecting his position as leader
  • honoring the Lord’s word
  • a contribution of your gifts & abilities
  • obedience to the Lord
  • relief

  A Diagram Summary of Titus 2:3-5

 

The entire purpose of being a Titus 2 woman is NOT so that we have happy homes, loving marriages, well-behaved children, and a perfectly run home.  The purpose is so that the word of God will not be dishonored as we live out our Christian lives.  All those other qualities are wonderful bi-products and blessings of a God-honoring and Bible-following life.

A Pictorial Conclusion

I’m ready and waiting for the March meeting to start.

The following pictures are of Juleah and Karin acting out the current culture’s views on submission…

…and gossip.

Small groups filled with food, fellowship, and prayer.

 

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Apr 27

Silence Means So Much…

by Michelle

….because I’ve been busy actually living my life.  Whodathunkit?

Now, is that fair to you, dear reader?

I’d say absolutely not!  But it’s the truth.

As the “administrator” of this here SWF blog, I’ve been taking to heart all of Miss Joanna’s monthly teaching.  True story.  With a husband in seminary, I’m left to tend to him, the children (2 under 2) and my home…and doing it all (mostly) solo.  So most things that are good things, but things that live in the “extra-things” category, have been less of a priority.  I’m putting my husband and children FIRST.  And now you know where that leaves you.  So sorry.  But the Bible made me do it.

And to throw another wrench into life, my husband and I begin internship this summer (July 15th to be exact).  So with that comes organizing, purging, getting life in order, yard sale-ing, and packing.  Not to mention the wave of emotions that hit me when I least expect it, which leads to hysterical breakdowns, hyperventilating, and squeals of happy anticipation.  oh. my.

With that said, I only have a few more months until I hand over the reins as the administrator of this blog to that one unfortunate lucky soul!  Soooooo…I’m gonna catch up with what I’ve missed writing about.  And boy, is it ever good!

On the docket:

  • March’s meeting overview
  • April’s meeting overview
  • Book List (lovingly collaborated by the mentors for YOU!)
  • Intern Updates

I hope you all are still with me out there, despite my absence.  Are you?  Hello??  Anyone???  Well, if nothing else, the purpose of this blog is to ultimately glorify our LORD…and if I’m doing that, I’m doing well!  I’ll be seeing you soon!  Or will I?

 

p.s.  Today is the last day of the semester!  So I’m pretty sure you are doing a little dancing-jig right now, aren’t you??  I knew it!  It’s one of the few days of the year that us ladies will actually put on our dancing shoes in celebration of another completed semester…meaning???…WE GET OUR HUSBANDS BACK!!!!   Rejoicing with you as you get a little more one on one time with the man you fell in love with.  Now get out of here and go snuggle that husband of yours.  Get!  Go!  (but don’t forget to come back again soon, ya hear…)

Sunset in Clarks Summit

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Apr 5

God as a refuge

by Linnea

“Truly, my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, He is my defense. I shall not be greatly moved.” Psalm 62:1-2

Sometimes when everything is going well and there is beautiful sunshine outside I forget this concept. I have it all covered. I don’t really ‘need’ God. Not really in the sense of desperate need like when I have no where else to turn. But truly this concept is for now and it is for when there is an urgent necessity.  I need God. I need Him to defend me. I need to wait for Him and I need to know that I will not be moved when I rely on Him, my defense, my rock, my fortress, my salvation.  He alone can fulfill me, even in the midst of the good times when it all seems so good. And it is rather good. :) Even while there is still homework and deadlines and end of the year stuff, overwhelming people, lack of sleep from everyone being off kilter, sickness, and uncertain futures. It truly is good. God is good even now.

“My soul, wait silently for God alone. For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my salvation and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us”. Psalm 62:5-8

 

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