Bloom Where You Are Planted: It's All Greek to Me

Tuesday, March 27

It's All Greek to Me - NOT!

Recently, a bible discussion group led my thinking to re-researching the origins of thought and debate about Titus 2:5. Paul, a very stoic disciple of our LORD, penned these words:

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Contextually, Titus 2 is a chapter from a letter to Titus - a faithful Greek companion to the apostle Paul - about 'how-to' present one's self as a Christian in this world we live. The passage is usually referred to as 'qualifications' for elders and deacons of our LORD's spiritual bride.

It seems, to me, however, the passage has lately been used to validate the notion that older women should teach the younger ladies how to be 'homemakers' and 'stay-at-home mommies. ' First of all, let me state emphatically that there is NOTHING wrong with our young ladies who are able to stay at home with t he blessings GOD gave them - their children! My daughter is able to do that with her two beautiful (Mimomma's humble opinion) daughters. As a Christian wife and mother, I am delighted to watch as my granddaughters flourish under her watchful and disciplined eye! That's great! And I see a wonderful trend among the faithful of younger couples planning ahead and making that siutaion work for their young families. Superb! GOD wants us to grateful and expects us to be good stewards of all HE has blessed us with. (Psalms 127:4-5 points out that happy is the man who has a 'quiver full' of children.)

Then, allow me to follow that statement with and equally emphatic comment that there is NOTHING wrong with ladies 'working outside the home' as well. My mother exemplifies godliness - and she only worked outside our home while I was in the fifth grade. As I attended college and earned my professional degrees, I planned my life's avocation - educating our young ones - in order that I could have the same hours as my own children with the same 'vacations', etc. (My life's vocation has always been Christian - follower of the LORD of lords and KING of kings - although I have stumbled many times over and again trying to be as HE was and is and will always be.) Likewise, I read of many biblical examples of 'professional' women who managed homes AND worked for profit. (Lydia Dorcas, Lemuel's mother, Deborah, Ruth, etc.)

So what's the rub? I know I have been guilty of overlooking the broader issue of the 'keepers at home' phrase in Titus 2:5. I'd like to share these thoughts with you hoping that you will encourage all young women - whether homemaker or professional - to be discreet, chaste, keepers, good, and obedient. Let me first show you the Greek that Paul wrote to Titus (the Greek).

oikouros
Pronunciation: oy-koo-ros'
Origin:
from 3624 and ouros (a guard, be "ware")
Part Speech: adjective
In Greek:

keeper at home 1

Definition:
1) caring for the house, working at home
2) the (watch or) keeper of the house
3) keeping at home and taking care of household affairs
4) a domestic

ouros (a guard; be "ware"); a stayer at home, i.e.domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper"):-keeper at home. GREEK for 3624

(www.bible.org; www.biblegateway.com)

While I believe keeper at home does refer to the physical responsiblity of maintaining a household, I believe there is something larger to understand about this passage. Anyone who knows me personally recognizes my passion for the European 'flavor' in history. Recently, the light blinked on that Paul must have known a thing or two about Europe and its wealth of historical evidences. And I'm thinking this is one time he was giving us women a bit more prestige or value than just a domestic. (By the way, my house is decorated and furnished "Haut Well-Lived In" - if you know what I mean! BUT my children have been clothed with "the whole armor of GOD" described in Eph. 6:13-15 that they STAND therefore!)

Paul would have witnessed many mighty fortresses and castles of the era. Typically, each structure had a 'keep' as the central edifice. (Proverbs 31:11-12 describe the worthy woman as the central figure in keeping her houseold from spoil and ruin.) A keep was a self-sufficient structure that castle defenders could retreat to as a last resort during a battle. It was the strong central tower at the heart of the castle. (Proverbs 31:21. 28)

Keeps come in a remarkable variety of shapes and sizes. They can be of 'square' variety, generally found on the British Isles, cylindrical, octagonal, regular and irregular polygonal forms, or a combination or several of these features. Some castles were effectively fact no more than a keep. Often these are simply referred to as tower houses. Proverbs 31 tells us that the outward 'appearances' when Solomon writes, "30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." However, a closer look at the f unction of castle keeps, I believe, will render a parallel that we can find useful to the general application of form when applied to the heart of the mother.

The form and function of the keep changed with time and depended on the region. As the keep was a defensive structure, the shaping trend changed to accommodate for the developments in weapon technology. For example, the round or cylindrical keep was first introduced as a defense to the battering ram. A battering ram could cause severe damage to a square tower but would merely glance off the side of a rounded one. Also, a round corner is much harder to successfully undermine than a square one. Rounded towers also have the advantage of less "dead ground", or areas not visible from the tower summit.

Sometimes we as mothers must be the defense, protector of the heart of our children. We have to be ever watchful ready to fight for our children's emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health. Read about what one mother did to protect her son from the outward influences of power and affluence in Exodus 2. WOW!

After this study, I found myself reviewing my maternal history with my three children. I believe that I was a very 'well-rounded, tower of love, hope, joy, and peace' protecting my children from the wiles of the devil and the worldly ways of so many wicked people. I have no regrets for 'working outside' our home. I gave my three the opportunity to be a light and shine as HE shines and salt to flavor their daily encounters with what GOD expects (Matthew 5)- all the while allowing them to 'retreat' to our Keep where they knew a biblical GOD-supported defense would be waiting for them.

Matthew 28:19 tells us GOD said GO - MAKE - BAPTIZE. So much better it was for my children to learn this lesson at an early age! I know three people who have been directly taught and converted because my children practiced the GO - TEACH about the good news. But that's another blog for another day.

Feel free to leave comments - I want to know if your Keep is as secure as mine has been all these years - as I have genuinely left it in GOD's Hands (Isa 41:10)!

Labels: Pearls

posted by Marsha @ 3/27/2007 09:01:00 PM

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Thursday, October 11

ABCs of Righteous Living

Excellent timing on this one, Mom! My love to you:

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of 'Camp Complaining'
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o 'thank' is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Mom adds (and I concur):
'I AM Too blessed to be stressed!' The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 10/11/2007 10:35:00 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 25

Wordless Wednesday - I didn't tke any of thesebut,

I wanted to share my Grand"angels" - especially the unborn Cadence through the 'eyes' of technology. (She's sticking out her tongue in that pic!)

posted by Marsha @ 9/25/2007 10:33:00 PM 2 comments

Wednesday, September 19

Wordless Wednesday - Pastoral ASF

Labels: Children, grandchildren, wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/19/2007 08:42:00 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 18

My Fork Is Ready

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted one of her pastors and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit in which she wanted to be buried.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork.... the best is yet to come.'"
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.

Personal note - thanks, Momma! I've got my fork ready!
And keep your fork...

Labels: Bible Nuggets

posted by Marsha @ 9/18/2007 04:30:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 13

Wordless Wednesday - Better LATE than Never!!

Very Late Wordless Wednesday!!

Labels: wordless wednesday

posted by Marsha @ 9/13/2007 09:56:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, August 23

Does "LIFE" really have a Silver Lining?

My granddaughter Ansley was diagnosed on Monday with pneumonia. That was after paramedics, ambulance workers, and hospital ER personnel poked and prodded for the better part of the day on her little 15 month old body and emotionally on her 25 year old pregnant Mommy. I didn't think we could have a worse day - until I experienced first hand the run-around with Ansley and Mommy today.

Mommy called early to ask about sending Ansley to MDO but had reservations because the 'labored breathing' had not really subsided. While Mommy talked on the phone to me, I made plans to go sit with Ansley as Mommy slept - very rough night for them both. Just as I walked out the door the phone rang - Mommy was headed to 'doc-in-a-box' because Ansley had worsened. I headed to the same location and was greeted by rude receptionist-type personnel who, three times when asked, replied "They left." She seemed annoyed at best that I'd even think to use her time asking where my daughter had taken my grand baby.

Two and a half hours later, searching two local hospitals and Mommy's physical address, I returned home to discover a message from my daughter that she and the baby had been 'sent' to the next small city's LARGER "better equipped" medical facility because pediatrics could tend to the baby's needs more efficiently and quicker. This is what military intervention had recommended via the doc-in-a-box facility. That was the first BIG lie told to my daughter.

I arrived at the hospital at 11-ish a.m. "They" were sending someone immediately to diagnose etc. and so forth. BIG LIE #2 (An RT did come every four hours or so to administer breathing treatments to Ansley - THE only consistent professional ALL day long.) My grand baby labored for hours with her breathing - she was scared of the seemingly unconcerned staff and terrified that she could not breathe. Her little face told the whole story - petrified sunken eyes, red tinged feverish cheeks, and uncontrollable twitches (at times) of fear and sobbing.

My wearied worried daughter, although 7 months heavy with a new little life growing inside, cuddled and comforted Ansley as best as she could. Her little wiser yet still youthful face told the same sort of story only from an adult "Mommy" viewpoint - dark circled sleepless eyes slightly reddened from pushing back the tears trying to be stoic, intermittent Braxton-Hicks contractions...a reaction, I believe, from sleep and nourishment deprivation (unable to rest for fear that something will happen to Ansley and "no food or drink permitted in the ER" .). ER personnel promised "to see what they could do" at 1:30 about getting Mommy something to eat - BIG LIE #3 - I broke the rule at 3 o'clock because Mommy hadn't had anything since sending Big Sister to school at 6:30 a.m..We gave anything Ansley wanted from our purses just to get her some kind of sustenance - she tried to eat fruit bars, Nerds, peanut butter from crackers and water. My two actually three "babies" were being mistreated by professionals who had promised to CARE for them!!

Gratefully, Mommy has a beautiful MiL who retrieved Big Sister from school and joined us at the hospital. That was at 4:30 p.m. Since 10:30 a.m. Mommy and Ansley had inhabited ER #22 triage 'closet' - waiting area at the point I arrived at 11-ish was COMPLETELY vacant; when Big Sis and MiL got there the same area was overflowing with all sorts of ailments. Ansley still had not seen a physician.

After a brief visit with Mommy and Ansley, I took Big Sis to my house (I needed an extra change of clothing for tomorrow) to see Granddaddy. Then we headed to her home where Big Sis would feel more comfortable and be ready for the school day tomorrow after a good night of sleep. (Big Sis's wish) At 9 o'clock a physician was on his way to check things out and admit Ansley. BIG LIE # 4. I requested that Mommy call me with room info as soon as that was available. Big Sis finally drifted off into a fitful 'sleep' - but not before expressing her 'Big Sister 5 year old fears' for Ansley and Mommy as well as for Daddy - he's out of the country with the military doing what he does best for the rest of us in the USA. Tearfully she said her little heart is "'broken" (her word for her feelings) because she could not do anything to help - "I'm too little." Good opportunity for object lesson about GOD's love and care for us AND the POWER of prayer. I know Daddy's heart is "broken" as well for his adoring pregnant wife, his temporarily 'guilt-ridden' oldest daughter, and for his sweet yet very sick baby....8,000+ miles around the world having to rely on professional personnel who have yet to put their ducks in a row....wishing he was the one HERE pushing to get comfort and relief for his young and growing family...Please GOD ALMIGHTY grant him peace perfect peace throughout this ordeal.

Mommy returned the promised phone call - ER #22 triage closet would be their room. Seems that Someone dropped the ball at 11-ish that morning and forgot to tell Anyone that little Ansley was struggling so that No One would be able admit Ansley because Everyone had completely filled the pediatric unit/floor. Mommy had tried to get assistance all day long....I had asked question after question to get the process moving to get relief for my Babies....MiL made phone call after phone call to find that elusive Someone or aid for Mommy and Grand baby... And now there's "no room in the inn" - so what about another floor? Did Everyone get all those spaces, too?

For those of you who know me, I usually see the silver lined clouds when the 'sparkle' is not yet evident. This post is a very raw self-examination of my emotions. I cannot seem to find the Silver Lined Cloud tonight. I am "broken" - not just my heart...my feelings, my thoughts, my actions, and as of right now my words. I am thankful that Big Sis fitfully tosses and turns in the bed so she does not experience my doubtful disposition. I guess, in a simple way, that can be the beginning of the SILVER LINING HUNT.

I ask for prayers on Ansley's and Hayley's behalves. I DO believe that Phil 4:9 holds a promise and blessing for me - in HIS time....maybe tomorrow.

Labels: Children, grandchildren, prayer requests

posted by Marsha @ 8/23/2007 02:13:00 AM 1 comments

Thursday, August 16

Photo Hunters: Twosies-twosies