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February 2007 ETC Corner
Christ is Our Example
For a Gentle and Quiet Spirit
By Pat Ennis
Gain insight on how to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit from Pat Ennis's book "Designing a Lifestyle that Pleases God."
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."1 Peter 2:21
As Wise Women, our internal thought life, which controls outward behavior (Philippians 4: 8-9), is to reflect that our lives were changed for the better when were "called" (1 Peter 2:21)-that is, when we became Christians. (2 Corinthians 5:17). The liberty Jesus gives us is not license to act as our old nature directs us, but freedom to do what is right (John 8:34-36; Romans 8:1-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1; James 1: 22-25). God's Word teaches us that to live under the sovereign control of God, it is necessary to submit to human government and the institutions that He allows to be in existence (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13). Our Lord modeled this behavior for us when, as the Creator of the universe, He chose to pay the temple tax for Himself and Peter (Matthew 17:24-27).
Most important, however, our Lord's role model teaches us how to respond to difficult situations. We are to accept patiently any unsought suffering for doing what is right. Contemplate our Lord's lifestyle on earth. His attitudes, speech, response to the needs of people, and the training of His disciples reflected consistent perfection. Then the time came for Him to fulfill His Father's plan. He was to suffer the supreme insult of the cross. Observe His response. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate. (1 Peter 2:23); when He suffered, He made no threats (1 Peter 2:23); instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). "Christ 'handed over' Himself to God, suffering in surprising silence, because of His perfect confidence in the sovereignty and righteousness of His Father." Take a moment to ponder our Lord's response and compare it to yours when a situation that is hurtful to you occurs. Do you find it difficult to keep from retaliating, threatening, and trying to get even? Does your mind phrase comments such as "How could this be happening to me?" or "This isn't fair!"? Or are you willing to believe in and trust the judgment of your heavenly Father, even when you don't understand? Bear in mind that God has no obligation to explain His rationale to us; more than likely, at the time, we would not understand it anyway (Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28; Nahum 1:3).
Pat Ennis is the establishing chair and professor of the Department of Home Economics-Family and Consumer Sciences at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California. She is the author of Precious in His Sight, the Fine Art of Becoming a Godly Woman, a contributing author to Think Biblically! Recovering a Christian Worldview as well as coauthor of Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God and Designing a Lifestyle That Pleases God.
Adapted from the book Designing a Lifestyle That Pleases God, Moody Publishers, © 2004 by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock. Used by permission.
Above the Clouds
by Muriel Larson
There's nothing like the panic of being lost in the fog or being overtaken by gloom on an overcast day. Muriel Larson gives us hope and inspiration as she describes the search for sunshine among the clouds.
We lived on the highest ridge in the scenic southwestern section of Wisconsin. One day, I decided to drive down to town to get some groceries. The beautiful sunshiny day lifted my spirit as I drove toward the asphalt road that led to town. But as I headed down the steep hill, I saw clouds spread out across all the land below.
Shifting into second gear and turning on my lights, I continued on prayerfully. It was pea-soup fog all the way down. In comparison to the ridge above, the town looked dreary indeed--what you could see of it! I bought my groceries and headed back up. When I got near the top, I broke through the cloudbank into the golden rays of the sun.
When you're under the clouds in the lowland, I thought, things look dreary indeed. Above the clouds, though, the light restores your spirit. That's just the way it is in life, isn't it? When we're going through trials, things tend to look gloomy and depressing. We wonder, how long will this go on? What's going to happen? While we're asking that question, we're imagining the gloomiest scenario possible!
It goes just as my trip down to town did:
Life seems to be going quite smoothly, and then we hit the clouds. As Christians, however, we have some great resources. As I went toward that cloudbank, I shifted gears and turned on the lights. When we see trouble coming or start into it, we can "shift gears" and "turn on the light."
How? Well, when things are going smoothly, we sort of take life for granted. When we encounter trouble, however, we're wise to wake up, switch to "prayer mode," and start praying about every detail involved in the troubling situation. We also can turn on the light by running to our Light, our Lord, and being conscious of His presence with us through it all.
By switching gears and turning on the lights, I arrived safely back home. Prayer and walking with the Lord will see us through the darkest night.
When I went down into that cloudbank, I knew the visibility would be poor and that I had better keep my eyes on the road. I knew also that I would be returning to the beautiful sunshiny day. So it is with trials. We face the fact that we are going through them, but we're wise if we keep our eyes on our attitudes and outlooks.
If we allow ourselves to get angry, bitter, and resentful, we'll dwell in depression and gloom Our lives will be miserable. If we resist such attitudes, however, and keep looking to Jesus and depending on Him, life won't get us down. Also, it helps to realize that above the clouds the sun is shining. This trial will pass!
God tells His precious children, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you" (Isaiah 41:10). God is the Father of lights, and with Him there is no shadow of turning!
The Basic Valentine
By Ginger Plowman
Imagine the smiles on their faces as your child hands them a hand-made Valentine! If you have children at home, they'll love creating their own special cards to give to classmates, grandparents and neighbors.
Supplies:
Paper- Use red, pink or white construction paper, or get creative and use paper lace doilies, fabric, foil, wrapping paper, wall paper samples or "stained glass" (see below)
Scissors - Regular or ones with a decorative edge like the ones used for scrapbooking
Glue- Regular white glue or a good glue stick
Markers- To write your message or decorate
Optional:
Recycled cards from last year
Poster paint
Fabric paint for outlining
Stamping materials
Double sided tape for adding a "pop-up" effect
Free clip art from your computer
Photographs
Candy
Glitter
Trims
Dry jello mix (yes, jello!)
Assemble Your Valentine
1. Fold the paper vertically and cut out half a heart. You may want to practice with plain paper or cardboard. When you get the perfect shape, you can use it as a template.
2. Make two hearts, one slightly larger than the other.
3. Write your message on the smaller one and glue it inside the larger one.
4. If you'd like to make a pocket, simply do not glue the top of the smaller heart. You can tuck a treat inside!
Choose Optional Added Decorations:
Splatter paint.
Put a heart shape over your card. Use an old toothbrush and watercolor paints to splatter contrasting color paints on the card, then remove the shape and let dry.
Add a sucker or attach other candy to the card.
You can use the candy as part of the decoration as well. For example, use chocolate kisses as part of a flower or individually wrapped Lifesavers to make a design. To attach a sucker, simply cut two slits in the heart and insert the stick.
Use photographs, pictures from magazines or old greeting cards to decorate your cards.
Utilize any stamps or stamping markers you may have on hand.
Sprinkle glitter or use glitter gel pens on the card for added sparkle.
Decorate with lace or ribbon.
Include a coupon for a hug, kiss, back rub etc.
"Stained Glass":
Press crayon shavings between two sheets of wax paper with a warm iron. Once it's cool, cut out your "stained glass" into heart shapes. Use them by themselves by writing your message on the heart with a permanent marker or add them to paper cards.
Write a message with glue. Then carefully shake dry jello mix over the glue for a sweet-smelling message. Different colors will have different scents!
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