Painting by Carl Larrson
Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
There are many blessings that we have in Christ, among them is the mercy and grace of prayer. Do you know the difference between mercy and grace? Grace is unmerited favor - the blessing and kindness and love of God given to us even though we don't deserve it. Grace tends to get all the publicity these days. I think it's because grace tells us we're loved in spite of ourselves while mercy reminds us we're sinners who deserve judgment. Mercy is the withholding of deserved judgment - although we deserve the wrath and justice of God for our sin, He passes over us because we are in Christ Jesus, who is our passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
One of the miracles of prayer in the New Testament is that we have direct access to the throne of grace, where we obtain both mercy and grace. In the Lord Jesus, God has made us kings and priests , Revelation 1:6, and a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9. Because of that we have access to the very throne of God, to the mercy seat in heaven, through our High Priest. In Old Testament times only the earthy high priest had access to the mercy seat, but now every believer can go directly before the Lord with his or her requests. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
An old picture of me from when we were first moving into our house here.
I guess we all have housekeeping jobs that we dislike and reasons or excuses that we use to avoid doing certain things when we should – or ever. Patty Gardner at Homemakers Daily posted a couple of useful articles on this subject. [As usual, probably disclaimer on some content of this site. I’ve actually read very little of it.]
Patty wrote a two part article:
10 Things That Make House Cleaning Difficult, Part 1
10 Things That Make House Cleaning Difficult, Part 2
Some of her observations are so accurate, and some of her suggestions are really helpful. But, as she seems to make clear, to really overcome the difficulties you’ll have to work out a plan that will help you according to your particular needs.
There are few things I want to emphasize or point out.
First off, she stresses that if you’re dealing with health issues and that’s a hindrance to your cleaning, not to overdo things when you are able to work. This is so important. I have learned this the hard way to my sorrow. When we feel better and we start overdoing things we’re very apt to cause a new flare up or such.
Secondly, more than once in certain situations she recommends lowering your expectations. This is something that my mom taught me by example, but I still struggle with it in some areas. I also know there are some people who really let their expectations rule them. Be realistic about your situation and decide what is really important and what people will really notice. I know one person who regularly goes “crazy” when company is coming and will clean things that no one is going to see – and if someone does see them they should probably be rebuked for putting their nose into some place that wasn’t any of their business. You really don’t need to clean the shower of the master bath when company is coming for dinner. Close the curtain or hang a towel over the door if there’s a remote chance someone might need to use that bathroom. If your lady friends are coming for exercise and Bible study and there’s a load a laundry that needs to be folded in the living room carry it somewhere that they won’t be. It is not necessary to fold it and put it away if you’re already struggling to get things done. Also, people aren’t likely to look behind your dressers or in your laundry room on casual visits. (I know some of my readers may wonder at this kind of advice, but I’ve seen some pretty ridiculous behavior – when company was only coming for the afternoon and dinner. Sorry to say, I’ve done some silly things myself in this line!)
In point No. 7 she recommends if you have kids making them help you with chores, and working together rather than at different times. This is good advice. However, one thing she seems to indicate is that certain ones in her household did certain jobs all the time, or their preferred jobs. I strongly recommend mixing things up and making everyone take a turn at all chores suitable to their age – and, yes, that means the boys too. Sadly, there are some homes where the boys get away with not learning to do certain chores because it’s “girls’ work”. One day they may be very sorry or hindered by that, mothers, so don’t deprive them of the full education they may need to run a household if they remain single or “wife” is sick in bed or, even worse, dies. There are also some homes where certain jobs are considered “men’s work” and so the girls never learn to do them. This is just as unhelpful for the same reasons. By having everyone learn all jobs they can cover for each other, and there won’t be holes in your house work when someone is away or leaves home.
My mom and I experienced this because for some years my brothers were always the ones to clear the dinner table and wipe it after meals and we girls cleaned up the kitchen. Mom and I both have struggled with remembering to wipe the table because of that. For me it’s partly an irritation thing because for so long someone else did that and I only had to do it when he annoyingly forgot. You get the picture. This is why I recommend sharing the chores around. Plus, if you share them around the least assertive person won’t get stuck with the most tiresome or tedious chores all of the time that no one else wants to do. If you had a few siblings or have a few kids you know what I mean.
I hope that I haven’t posted this article before. I couldn’t find it on my blog, so hopefully it isn’t a repeat. :-)
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The Mouth of A Priest – How Does Your Speech Represent the Lord?
Malachai 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
This is a very interesting passage of scripture. I'm sure some "men of God" would be quick to apply verse 7 to themselves; but then there are verses 8 and 9. :-) There is a serious responsibility that goes with this.
Peter tells us in his epistle, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1Peter 2:9 We are all of the royal priesthood now, and so this passage applies to every believer, though we know this passage specifically applies to the priests of Old Testament Israel.
Sad to say, many Christians do not know the word of God, so people cannot seek it at their mouth. Many think that "the preacher" or "the pastor" is "the messenger of the Lord"…
1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
