by Barbara Latta
Do you groan every time you read the 31st chapter of Proverbs?
Does that out-of-reach pinnacle persecute your self-esteem?
We read about this woman who appears to have no faults. She
works night and day and never makes a mistake. She makes money, she is kind,
and she is praised.
The comparison demon tells us we don’t measure up so why
try.
But is the Proverbs 31 woman perfect?
This month marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
At lot of attention will be focused on abortion and the
results. Statistics will be broadcast of how many babies have died due to this
Supreme Court ruling.
Yes, the babies are the victims.
But so are the parents. While many will say they are fine, the truth is post-abortion stress syndrome lies deep within the soul.
Please welcome guest blogger Leigh DeLozier this week. Leigh and I met as members of East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers and we are now connected through Word Weavers. She is a talented writer and lives a life that shines as a Titus 2 woman. Leigh shares with us through her experience as an author and writer and her knowledge of Bible study. Please connect with Leigh through her website and the social media links in her bio below.
by Leigh DeLozier @lbdelozier
The older I get, the
more I’m learning to appreciate living in the moment and soaking things in
instead of always having my phone or camera at the ready to snap pictures or
record what’s happening. It’s taken me a long time to get to this point, but I
think it’s often a good place to be.
Maybe that’s why one verse tucked into Luke’s version of what we know as the Christmas story is especially resonating with me this year:
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| Love the gift that keeps on giving |
by Barbara Latta
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16 NKJV).
John 3:16 is
probably the most familiar verse in the Bible. It is printed on cards, cups,
plaques, banners, hats, and shirts. This scripture shows us God’s heart and is
the gift that keeps on giving.
The danger of
familiarity is that the words can lose their meaning.
Nicodemus, a
member of the Sanhedrin, but one who sought the truth, had a difficult time
understanding what Jesus told him. He viewed the words from a physical, human
perspective. But God’s words are always spirit and truth.
What does John 3:16 really mean?
by Barbara Latta
A giveaway at the end of the post!
It’s that time of year. Christmas music flows through the airwaves on radios and store intercoms. In some parts of the country the weather has cooled off and the crisp air feels like snow and smells like evergreen. The Hallmark Channel is bursting with mistletoe and holly and the oldies we can’t find there can be viewed through DVD.
Black Friday sales have been advertised for weeks and now it’s time to shop.
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| A Prayer Walk |
Anyone who loves me will obey my
teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home
with them.
(John 14:23 NIV)
My husband of
three years and I spent most of October moving and settling into a new house. I’d
been praying for months for this future home. That we’d find the perfect one to
meet our needs in the right location. That we’d be in it for the holidays. The
prayers had been answered.
by Barbara Latta
War has existed since the first violence against the image of God in the Garden of Eden. Mankind lost that soulish encounter.
Battles have been fought since that time because of the condition of man’s heart.
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| Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
The world's attention has been on domestic abuse the last few weeks with the death of Gabby Petito. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, guest blogger Terri Webster, shares some vital information about this stain on our society. Terri is a true Titus 2 woman and has been instrumental in helping women in need and at one time started a ministry that helped women who sought a safe refuge after abuse. Her novel, Journey to the Forgotten Coast, spotlights the trauma of domestic abuse. She recently released the sequel to this story in, Island of Refuge. Read to the end of the post to find out about a giveaway for Terri's book.
by Terri Webster
She may stand in line behind you at the grocery store. You might pass her on the street every day or work side by side at your job. She even sits next to you every week during worship at church.
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| The Tragedy of Abandoning God |
by Barbara Latta
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America.
Each year we have commemorated this event with memorials at
crash sites and the reading of names of those who were lost.
These attacks have been labeled by some as judgment from God against America. But this wasn’t God’s judgment, it was the tragedy of abandoning God.
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
As Paul ministered to the churches he established, he never
lost sight of them even when he was not there in person. His letters indicate
his love and care for these saints and his encouragement to them that they stay
in the fold of Christ and follow God’s precepts.
In verse seven of Philippians chapter one, Paul thanks these people for standing with him during his imprisonment. In that day to associate with a person who was in chains was shameful. According to that society, it put those people in the same regard as the prisoner they supported. The Philippian church, at the time of this letter, was the only one who supported Paul monetarily (Philippians 4:15). For this, he was ever thankful and commended their faith.
Have you ever felt like your prayers were empty? I have. When I realized all my prayers were for God to meet my needs, take care of a problem, or change a circumstance, I found out I was praying wrong.
Paul the Apostle prayed many prayers for the saints in the
New Testament Church.
What does the prayer to the Colossian believers mean to us?
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
The second Sunday in August is recognized as National Spirit
of ’45 Day.
The era of the 40’s which comprised those who fought and lived during World War II has been designated as the Greatest Generation. But what brought about this illustrious title given to those who lived in a segment of time?
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
The earth around us is filled with depressing events.
I can find myself sometimes falling into a hole of
impossibility. Just looking at the travel restrictions imposed by governments
around the world started to play on my mind. How can I ever see my family
again? We are spread out across the world.
I guess it’s human nature to start leaning to our own
understanding without even knowing that’s what we do.
Until God brings us back to what He said. He used the story of David and Goliath to remind me that he kills the giants of impossibility. Goliaths don’t win.
by Dr. Mel Tavares
@barbaralatta
Digitally Savvy
Grandparents
“Hey, Grandma! How do
you know so much about TikTok and Instagram?” my then twelve-year-old
granddaughter asked inquisitively.
Looking intently at her
facial responses, I inquired, “Does it bother you that I know the social spots
you hang out in?”
She laughed a nervous
laugh and replied, “No. Why would it? I don’t even use them.”
After several seconds of
silence, I called her by her Instagram handle. She gasped. “How do you know
that? I didn’t tell the family!”
I smiled and said, “I am a digitally savvy grandma and make it my business to know because I love you and want to be able to stay connected.”
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
We must first define love the way God does.
It is not the emotional, hugging, card-giving, “I want to be
with you” feeling.
While we do show these actions and feelings to family
members and friends, God’s kind of love goes deeper.
His kind of love is dying to self. Putting the needs
of others before our own. Even people we don’t like. Or those who drive us crazy,
cut in line, bless us with foul words, or just really don’t like us.
How do we die to self?
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
Have you seen the picture that has gone viral of a tiny lizard asleep inside a pink rose? The creature was in nocturnal bliss enclosed inside those velvet petals. She was so small the flower created a safe haven. Although the rose had been cut and carried into a house, Lizzie wasn’t disturbed. (I’m taking liberties and calling it a girl and naming her Lizzie).
When thinking about George Washington and the Revolutionary
War we think of winning battles, crossing the Delaware on Christmas Eve and the
signing of the Declaration of Independence.
But do you know what the Newburg Conspiracy is?
More than once in the Bible we are commanded to watch our thoughts. Why?
Because our thoughts produce words which eventually evolve into actions.
Depressing thoughts lead to more depression, angry thoughts can
escalate into violence, and assumptions that thrive can lead to misjudgments.
With all the negative, suspicious, vile images, and words
that surround us in our lives, how can we take every thought that crosses our
minds captive?
What does it mean to take thoughts captive?
by Marilyn Nutter @marilynutter
@barbaralatta
Today's post is written by my friend and fellow writer, Marilyn Nutter. Her words exemplify a Titus 2 woman through encouragement and advice that will comfort you if you have lost a loved one and struggle through holiday celebrations. Please welcome her with your comments below.
Mother’s Day, the supreme Hallmark holiday, is met with flowers, fancy dinners, and cards. Father’s Day is often celebrated in more casual ways, with Dad grilling or golfing. But either day opens a wounded heart when a husband, wife, or parent has passed. As others celebrate, our beloved guest of honor is absent.
by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
Have you ever wondered where the American flag came from?
During the Revolutionary War, there was no flag representing the 13 colonies. Each regiment served under their own banner. George Washington set out to design a flag that could unify the army and the country.
