"Treasured Word Blog"
Nourishment for the Feminine Heart
Feb. 2, 2009
"Answers To Your Prayers"
Hi Treasured Sisters.............
Delays. Answers that come, but aren't what you expected. Absolute No's. Exactly what you asked for. These can all be the result of our prayers.
The No's are really tough. The Delays are frustrating, but they build patience. The surprise answers stretch us and make us realize just how all knowing our God is. The perfect answer we expected, well that brings us incredible joy. But, every answer should remind us of our dependence on our Lord. He alone should be our source. Our answer.
My pastor at First Baptist Orlando, David Uth, said this past Sunday that we must rely fully on God not only for the big prayers but for the small ones as well. He taught that we sometimes find it easier to seek Him about the big things we know we can't handle, but when it comes to the smaller things, we feel we are capable on our own and we leave Him out. That means we become our own answer. Now, there's a dangerous thought for me. I don't want my answer for anything in this world. I want His for all of it.
When I started this TWN web site last year, I was so thankful just to have a presence here on the internet. I have a great vision in my heart for this outreach to women and so many plans that I thought would happen this year. But, God had another plan. It wasn't for meetings, groups, conferences or seminars. It was to bring me a husband . The one He had chosen in answer to my heart's desire and prayers. I had thought this year would be about books being published, seminars, fellowship and study groups being formed in several cities. Instead, most of the ministry activities I've set up in the past all but stopped. I was surprised that this was God's plan. No, honestly,I was disappointed that this was God's plan. Not because I didn't want this amazing man God has blessed me with that I will marry this summer (or maybe before), but because this passion in my heart to see hurting women healed and made strong through Christ wants to take wings and soar!
Instead, God chose to establish a new life for me in a new place. It's coming together now after over a year and a half of prayer, allowing God to change me and facing the enemy's attempts to stop it. I know this is His path for me. My prayers for TWN have been delayed, but not denied. He knew what I needed first. Had He given me exactly what I prayed for when I prayed for it, I would not have been able to develop this special relationship with my soon to be husband. I wanted to share my story and help women before my story was completed by the Lord. In His wisdom, He did not allow me to do that. I have grown so much in Christ after meeting this special MOG (Man of God). Because of his Christ-like influence in my life, I have acquired the fruit of patience that I so longed for in my Christian walk. His ability to rest in Christ and wait upon His Lord has brought me what I sought but seemed to always evade me. Proverbs 27:17 says " Iron sharpens iron". That means we make each other better. When God brings you the answer to your prayers for a mate, you may find you are different from one another. It will be those differences that sharpen your "iron".
Are you waiting on God for an answer? Is there something great and powerful growing in your spirit? Are you enduring trials you thought would already be over? Does it seem you've been forgotten? Sweet Sisters, where are you on the path of prayer? Delayed? Given a No? Received an apple when you prayed for a pear? Or are you wearing that diamond on your hand you have stood in faith for? Each one of these answers has been given for your maturity in Him. To build faith. To make your stronger. To comfort you. To ease your pain. To bring you hope. To send you out on your mission. To complete your calling. Whatever your answer and wherever you are on that path, remember who is there with you. It's Jesus. He knows why you are there. Seek Him. Embrace the answer at the moment and know that He directs your path as you obey and love Him. Rest in Him right now because you can trust in His love for you. (Matt. 11:29,30 and "Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his path." Proverbs 16:9 )
I desire so much for TWN. I have many plans that I pray will become reality. I wish it could all happen today. But, God has told me to wait patiently and be faithful. So I will. Please check back with me from time to time and see what He's doing here, won't you? And in the meantime, know that I come here to pray for every one of you that might visit and ask Him to touch you in just the way He knows you need to be. If I can be of help to you in any way, please email me at karenh@treasuredwomannetwork.org. I will answer. :-)
You are loved and treasured,
Karen
My Man of God and Me
October 12, 2008
Greetings Sweet Treasured Women!
Soon, we will elect new national leaders for our nation. As we see the most historic campaign of our lifetime taking place, the race for the White House is quite a battle zone at the moment, I'm not here to promote one party over the other, but I'd like to make an observation as it relates to women in contemporary culture and the response of mainstream liberal media to Gov. Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin came on the national scene just a few short weeks ago with great thunder. As an accomplished woman, Governor of the state of Alaska, wife, mother of 5, intelligent, beautiful, talented, and gutsy, you would have thought the feminist would have been celebrating with fireworks in her honor. But, that has not been the response from many women in the media. To the contrary, it seems feminism is only a good thing in their eyes IF it reflects liberal ideology.
The debut of a conservative, Christian SUPER WOMAN does not warm the coggles of their hearts from what I have been reading. We must ask ourselves why this is the case as we seek greater understanding about the worth and value of a woman in today's society. It would seem that the only kind of woman American feminist will champion is one that promotes abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and post modern societal values.
As female journalists, such as Katie Couric, blatantly patronize Sarah Palin in full view of the public, their bias towards anyone upholding Judeo-Christian beliefs is revealed without shame. Such hypocrisy should be alarming to women of all walks of life. This does not help the cause of women in our society. In light of their rude and classless treatment of Gov. Palin, they are making a mockery of the very cracking of the glass ceiling they have purported to be so concerned about.
Gov. Palin is not perfect, Ladies. But neither are the women in the media who are throwing any stones they can find at her with the hopes of rattling her cage enough to locate the chinks in her armor. Their imperfection comes laden with hypocrisy, unlike Sarah who is just being who she is and not making any attempts to put on airs. You don't have to agree with her politics, but please give her credit for being a woman who loves her husband and children, has accomplished great things for her state and this nation, is a true American patriot, an excellent role model for young American women, is physically beautiful and feminine, and is obviously confident in her ability to do the jobs that she has set before her. And I believe has done so with a smile on her face and having kept her composure with those who were far less than gracious to her. I believe she is a true lady........guns, boots and all! To me, she is the essence of the American Woman. And to be fair, I feel the same way about Michele Obama, though I take differ greatly with her stand on almost every issue. Even so, I applaud her effort and achievement to obtain an education and apply herself to the causes she believes in. To me, this attitude is what our Lord Jesus would ask of us as Christian women and patriotic Americans whether we agree with another woman or not. Agreement has no bearing on giving her respect or honoring her as a woman. I would say the same applies to HIlary Clinton. It is a woman's character and integrity that we must look at just as we would any man seeking office in this country. Should that woman be found lacking in character, that is another matter.
Mrs. Palin is a member of Feminist for Life of America, a group focused on the benefits to women of a pro-life agenda. Yet, many female journalists are saying she is in no way a feminist because of her conservative platform. Feminism is defined as "a movement for granting women political, social, and economic equality with men" by the American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I think they would be hard pressed to say that Sarah Palin is against equality for women in America and around the globe. Here, we have a woman who has indeed broken through the glass ceiling in national politics, declaring that a woman CAN and IS achieving at the same level as men, yet liberal feminists in the media are mocking her both professionally and personally, belittling her with words such as "stupid, dumb, tacky, trailer trash" and more. They themselves are guilty of the very cultural backwardness they say they abhor and have fought against for decades. Their inability to report without bias, no excuse me, without malice, shows a lack of integrity and credibility in my opinion.
As a strong Christian American woman, I may not agree with the pro-choice/same-sex marriage beliefs of Michele Obama, but I would never call this accomplished, intelligent, beautiful, woman, "stupid, dumb, tacky or trailer trash". I do indeed find areas of inconsistency in her ideals and life, but would never think to demean her in such a way that has been done to Gov. Palin. I don't think it would occur to Sarah Palin to be anything other than gracious with Michele Obama herself. And though Mrs. Obama's speech at the DNC convention did not ring of great depth, she did an incredible job and I did not hear conservative female journalists belittling Michele's performance or making snide personal remarks. Much to the contrary. They gave Michele her due respect and argued points without attacking her personally with regards to her hair, clothing. personal looks or intelligence. Although Saturday Night Live says they are searching for someone to play Michele Obama, unless it has slipped under my SNL radar, there have been no Michele skits yet and nothing on par with Tina Fay's representation of Gov. Palin. (She does look and talk so much like her, but if I were the Governor, I'd take that as a compliment to her beauty and genuine, down to earth spirit.)
I don't have to agree with Katie Couric, or Whoopi Goldberg or Barbara Walters to show them respect. But, evidently as exhibited by some of the treatment they have shown the Republican VP candidate, they need to agree with the women they interview before THEY offer her the respect she is due as a woman of accomplishment. Gov. Palin seems to be the recipient of unusually increasing patronization and slander. I believe it comes from a spiritual basis, as she professes to be a born again believer and exhibits the character and traits of a Godly woman. All women are precious to God, but not all women are a threat to the work of the enemy of God. I believe Satan targets those women in particular and seeks to destroy them. Scripture tells us in I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
Women of America, we need to call the media to task on their classless, unfair behavior and confront the hypocrisy they are exhibiting. If you do not condone their behavior, do not give them your viewer support. Don't buy their magazines. PRAY FOR THEM! Speak to other women about this issue and let your thoughts be heard. And in turn, listen respectfully to those who differ with you. But, keep fighting the good fight as we labor to bring this great nation back to God fearing status.
In my opinion, if a woman truly treasures herself, though she may disagree with another's ideals, she will confront her idea of injustice with a gracious spirit, not a spirit of malice or unfairness. Lets' pray for those on both sides of this election this year and ask our Father in Heaven to intervene according to His Word and Will.
Treasuring you in His Love,
Karen*******************************************************************************************************
BREAKING FREE FROM THE GRIP OF FEAR
June 10, 2008
Fear had dominated my thoughts since sun rise. My body was wracked with pain from a chronic illness I have had for over 16 years. Walking was very difficult for me. The crafty whisper of the devourer was in my ear sending one fear after another in my head. The dominos of my demise were falling as fast as the thoughts were forming. At the point of having to choose between staying in bed with tears flowing and giving audience to this gallery of fearful impressions parading through my mind, the Spirit of God arrived on the scene like a swat team swooping in for the rescue. Boldness rose up in my heart like a force field of protection. I didn’t will it. It just came on its own. So, don’t think I have any special kind of faith or believing gifts. I don’t. But, I am the Lord’s and His Spirit does live within my temple, this 49 year old, wishing it was 25 today, temple. I willed myself to sit up straight and put my feet to the floor. Willed myself to get dressed and let my dogs out. Chills went through my whole body from the pain I was experiencing. I was about to get a heavenly mandate to seek the answer for the overwhelming situation I found myself in.
A small voice in my head said, “Hey, that book over there…..your Bible….where you left it a few days ago (yes, it had been a few days since I cracked it’s pages)……has your answer, so go get it and come see Me.” Thus, the stage is set for me sitting out by my pool, my favorite haven at home because of the flowers, trees, the soft trickle of my fountain, a beautiful vista of the water and golf course I live on, and the slight breeze that seems to lollygag there each day. With a frothy French vanilla cappuccino in hand, I opened my Bible and began to pray and seek God.
I always start my time with the Lord by just greeting Him with praise, thanks and worshiping Him. I like to think of it as a hug between us, not in an irreverent way, but with respect, love and adoration. To me, it’s an acknowledgement of the intimacy I have found with Him and continue to seek. My prayer was for Him to show me what He wanted me to know in His Word that morning. Unless I am already in a study of something else, I usually start by reading the Proverb that matches the day of the month,. Today, He clearly took me to Psalms 54, 55, 56 and 57. Chapter 57:1-3 stood out to me and I read it several times over.
Psalm 57
–To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.
2 I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The last line of verse one seemed to leap from the page, “And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by”. I read these words over several times and then the voice of the Lord began to speak to my heart that this set back would pass and was temporary. Earlier, as the pain gripped my body from head to toe and my knee was so swollen I could barely walk, I had started to panic. I started worrying about taking care of my children and my home that I was in the middle of remodeling and preparing to take to market in the spring. I thought, “what if I am this bad from now on…..I will never be able to sell my house…..everything I have is invested in this house and I HAVE to sell it….God knows that….doesn’t He?????” Then, it turned to, “Oh no, I won’t be able to ride my bike or work out and I will gain back weight I have lost and put on even more.” Satan’s strategies are fairly blatant most of the time.
The fears just sort of mushroomed from that point. Oh yes, I know better. I have walked with God for over 35 years now and I SHOULD know better. But, that is why the Word of God says in Luke 9:23, “ Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This means that each day, we have to stand for Christ anew. We can’t rely on how great we did yesterday in the obedience and faith department. Each new sunrise brings with it a new dose of God’s mercy, but it also brings its fresh challenges that we must address and rise to overcome. Our faith, convictions, visions, and dependence on Jesus to live for and in Him, must be a daily discipline.
So, I read “these calamities have passed by”, I knew God was telling me that I was not to fear what was happening to me that morning because He was with me. His Word said He was protecting me in the “shadow of His wing”. How sweet His loving words were to me. I was crying now, but not from fright or worry, but from love and a grateful heart to my Father God for His precious attention to my need and pain.
I continued to read my Bible and pray. Seeking Him. Loving Him. Asking Him to instruct and direct me. To build my faith. And, to rescue me from what the enemy was trying to do to me. As I turned the pages of my Bible, I knew He was directing me. Each new Scripture I found had something in it about the righteous in Christ “not being moved”. Verse after verse was about not being moved and standing in faith. I began to ask Him, “What does it mean to “not be moved”, Father?” He showed me in text that it meant to not be shaken. Wow! I had been shaken that morning. To my core! Yet, here He was addressing so specifically what was happening to me and giving me divine reassurance that He would not let what was happening to me bring destruction. Each verse was a reminder that IN HIM, in His Spirit, my answer would come. By His Power and not my own. The enemy would not have victory over me because God had swooped in, filled my Spirit with boldness to stand up to the fear and then given me a Word that He would rescue me and all would be okay. I was so humbled. I sat on my relaxing patio paradise feeling as if I was in Eden walking with my Maker, holding His hand and hearing Him reassure me of the plans He had in store for my life. His mighty wing covered me that morning and I left my divine appointment with a heart expectant and excited to see what He would do.
He was faithful to everything He spoke to me that poolside morning. My knee began to shrink back to a normal size. My swollen, aching fingers and hands relinquished their pain and regained regular movement. Hope rose in my heart to walk in the promises God had given me. Though I knew better than to give into fear, God did not chastise me. Instead, His faithfulness met me at the point of my need and His Spirit made a way out for me. He has been bringing healing to me on a daily basis since. My faith seems to rise by the day and I feel His presence moving me forward. I don’t deserve it. I wish I could tell you that though He has rescued me so many times before that I didn’t give those fears a moment’s audience. But, that wasn’t true. I watched them take a seat in my thoughts one by one until the room was full and the door was just about to be closed and my fate sealsed. But, before the key was turned and locked, a foot stuck itself in the doorway, blocking its final sealing and the Holy Spirit walked in and said, “Sorry, boys, this one’s Mine and you fellas aren’t welcome, so scram!” Please don’t think me disrespectful or flippant about the things of God, as I am neither, but as I conceptualize this in my head, I see it this way. I felt it this way. How amazing is our God that He sometimes just takes it upon Himself to intervene even when we can’t remember or aren’t brave enough to ask Him to!
This moment with God has had a huge impact on me. Not only am I seeing a healing taking place in my body, but I am seeing a new faith arise within me that I know did not come from me. He will do that for all those who are His and are depending on Him. I’m not usually an excuse maker and I don’t think I would have pursued that path if things had not gotten better, but my way would have been rough and I know it. This was His grace and mercy in action. After many years of seeking Him diligently, His voice was familiar to me and I seized his instruction and my way of escape from demonic attack.
Fear need not have control over us. “Perfect Love casts out fear”. His perfect love. Not ours. So the next time fear grips you, stop, drop and roll…..roll right over to your Bible and cry out to Him to come to you. Let Him hide you under His wing, allow calamities to pass you by and then hear His might voice of Love showing you the way. Fear was put to death on the cross. Deliverance and rescue arose on the third day and now is alive and living in us all who have accepted Him as Savior. I pray you will know His deliverance in all your times of need.
Jan. 19, 2008-
Good Morning Treasured Women!
Weloome to our first blog entry. I ask for your prayers today for this ministry, that it would be what the Lord wants it to be and never stray from that. We are small and if that is what God wants from now until forever, then that is fine. The thing that is most important to us is that YOU have a place of love, comfort, truth and healing when you need it.
We have produced this site with no expense due to the kindness and love of the American Bible Society, for which we are most grateful. Truly it was an answer to prayer for this tech challenged founder and has been such a tremendous blessing.
I would love to hear from you with ideas, prayer requests, things you are working on or might need help with, whatever you would like to share with us.
My goal is to discuss different topics here that will help you....topics that might have been the catalyst that brought you here looking for healing and hope. I have been there, Girls! I remember one night my broken heart felt like it was going to burst and I didn't know what to do. I had prayed and sought God, yet my pain was immense. I went to my computer in the middle of the night while the kids slept and typed "help for Christian women in divorce" in the search engine. Up popped a site where I found hope! The founder of the ministry, Erin Thiele of www.encouragingwomen.org emailed me and it was a divine appointment. God used her friendship and the site to introduce me to some of my dearest friends, to show me what I really did believe about the Word of God and begin to open my eyes to the power of ministry on the web. So I don't take this site lightly. That is why I want to put some real meat here for you to come to. I ask for your patience as we build this safe haven for you a bit at a time. I know one day it will function more efficiently and offer you alot more, but for now, I am just grateful to have this place for you to come.
Well, off to make cupcakes for the teens in my house. :-) One can never have enough cupcakes, you know! Or so they tell me. You are in my prayers and in my single mom weariness (how's that for transparency, Treasured Women?:-) I send you my love and the love of Christ to each of you.
Because He Treasures You,
Karen
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