Archives for May 2019

Woman.of.God

05.28.2019 by Mackenzie Carter //

Welcome to FACETS and spring (for real)! I (Tracy) can’t wait to introduce you to Mackenzie Carter as she shares her writing and communication gift with us. Truth be told, as I read her piece ahead of time, it moved me. A lot! I pray God touches your heart through it at least as much as He moved mine. Rhema. A good word, fresh and in season for all God’s girls.

I wish I could say that I am an expert on this subject, that I have steadily walked this out with beautiful grace and dignity, but that would not be true.

I stumble and fall – quite literally

all. the. time.

I have allowed myself to be tossed about with emotions and questions throughout the last twenty-two years of following Christ. I have struggled with shame. I often feel I am not deep enough, a bit quirky, and maybe a little too loud and excited for most. Questions often fill my mind – Am I ok? Do I belong? Who am I?

What would I want preached to myself during all those times that I question or stumble?

Fellow women of God, maybe you need to hear this too.

Quit trying to earn everyone’s love.

Jesus loves you. The King of the Universe. Live your life falling more and more in love with Him.

Though sometimes it may feel this way, God is not mad at you. He doesn’t pace back and forth in heaven frustrated as He thinks about you. He is not the voice of the critic in your head. It is quite the contrary. When God thinks about you and I, a smile warms His face. A love that can never be squandered fills His heart for you. His thoughts about you are kind. His plans for you are good.

When Jesus died on the cross – you were on His mind. His blood covers you. He breaks strongholds. Fear and shame flee at the sound of His Name. You have been made into a new creation. There has never been a day that He has left you alone. He delights in YOU and I. He is proud of you. He will be faithful through all your years. In the midst of insecurity and doubt, you are held, known, seen, and loved.

Anchor yourself in the Word of God. It is your steady in a world of turbulence.

Being a woman of God inherently means knowing Whose you belong to and Who defines you. Honestly, it is way too easy to look around, desperately trying to find affirmation from likes and hearts on social media, peers, what group we belong to, or our titles. You are a woman of God – OF GOD – not of the world, not of Insta or Facebook. Our worth – the meaning of our lives can only come from one place if we are to be truly satisfied. That place is Jesus. The faithful One. The One who invites us to follow Him and find our identity in Him.

My friend, we were meant to live an abundant life of abiding in Jesus. That is where true joy and satisfaction are found. We are daughters of the King. We are women of the Word – the unchanging, never wavering Word of God. Culture shifts, the trends change, but the Word of God remains the same. It is this – the Word of God that defines who we are as a women of God.

Take hold of the Word – read it, believe it, and live it out.

Follow the ancient paths.

Remember the ones who have gone before who lived solely for Jesus – the Elizabeth Elliot’s, the Mother Theresa’s, and the Amy Carmichael’s. Remember the mentors who simply showed you Jesus. This world is trying so hard to suck you into the vortex of comparison and self-focus. Don’t you give in. You were meant to live a counter-cultural life.

Therefore, I urge you, sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:1-2

Live a life worthy of the One who called you. Live every moment as a continual act of worship unto God. Be the one to go against the grain. Don’t worry so much about being “on trend”. Trends are here today and gone tomorrow. Become the woman you would want to sit across the table from in twenty years. Faithful, shining with beauty from within, holy, full of grace and mercy, kindness on your lips, wise from the Word of God being hidden in your heart, and closer to Jesus than ever.

Run together with other women.

You are not alone as you walk this road. I know this can be so hard sometimes. I know you have been hurt and betrayed. I know it feels like sometimes going it alone would be easier.

My friend, you were never meant to be an island. It sure can feel like it though, can’t it? All of us trying so hard to accomplish it all, achieve it all, look and feel the best doing all the things.

We were meant to run together. We were meant to encourage each other in the hardships, to be honest and open with one another, and to cheer wildly as we see our fellow sisters move forward. Y’all, this life is not easy, so lend a hand. We are not in competition! We were made to celebrate one another.

“If we don’t open up, we will miss out on other women’s wisdom and perspective. We might even walk around with a bunch of burdens we shouldn’t be trying to carry alone.” ~ Sophie Hudson, Giddy Up, Eunice

Always trying to get ahead may be stifling your progress.

Bloom where you are planted.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25

I know it is easy to want to look ahead and see what is coming. Maybe it seems impossible to know how it is all going to work out. Perhaps you are wondering if you missed it? Maybe you thought you would be somewhere completely different by now.

Be still.

Wait.

Don’t rush over the present – the very gift Jesus gave you today.

You have everything you need for today.

The truth is, God holds what is yours. You are on your way, sister! God has an appointed time for everything. Stay in it, friend.

Run the race that is all your own.

Follow Jesus. Obey His lead. Allow His sanctification process to take place. His timing is perfect and His way is right. He is faithfully leading you.

God is using everything for your good.

There is miraculous joy to be found in the journey, in the process – right here and now. Look around and really see all that surrounds you. Live to the full right now.

Trust Him with it.

Woman of God, you have been called to live out the purpose set before you.

Build your house

“A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands!” Proverbs 14:1

Every time I come across this verse, it stops me in my tracks. I start pondering how am I building up my house-with words and attitude. How I am spending my time? What I am pouring into my children? How I am praying for my family? How am I loving my husband? Am I making it count?

In Finding Your Purpose as a Mom by Donna Otto, she says that our homes are holy ground. Just like Moses took off his shoes at the burning bush, we are to take off our shoes as we come into our homes because of the great work God is doing in our midst.

I want to be a part of it. I don’t want to miss it.

If you are married, rock your marriage. You are the only one who can be your husband’s wife. Love him, encourage him, allow God to show you the joy and beauty of submission, be his teammate, and have fun!

If you have children, you are the only one who can be their momma. Take the time and trouble to shepherd them, train them up, listen well, spend time with them, enjoy them at every stage. You are raising the next generation of warriors for Christ. Teach them about Jesus. This is the most important calling of your life.

Woman of God

You are here on purpose for such a time as this. You have been called to pick up your cross daily and follow Him. We are called to seek first the Kingdom of God. Though this life is not about us, we get to take part in an incredible story – a beautiful tapestry of God’s faithfulness. This life is for God’s glory.

Live for God. Obey Him. Trust Him. Love ferociously. Bring the Kingdom of God in your sphere of influence.

… Wasn’t that great? So many nuggets to ponder!

Add your voice to the conversation at FACETS of Faith’s Facebook page or sign up to receive our weekly blog post and comment to share what God is doing in your life as it relates to each topic.

Want to know more about Swordgirl Conference? Click Mackenzie’s bio link above to be directed to the Swordgirl conference web site.

The Woman of God: Who is She?

05.14.2019 by Jennifer Howe //

Hello, friend, we’re so glad you’re here! If you drop in faithfully, we are thankful. If you’re new, welcome! The Facets team select a topic each month and explore it from our individual perspectives. We love to invite guests to share, too. This month we’re wondering what it means to be a woman of God. Tracy shared here last week, Kim is up next week, and we are excited to introduce a lovely new friend the fourth week of the month. Join us on Tuesdays when new posts go live. We hope you’ll enjoy!

When I (Jennifer) began the dive into what it means to be a woman of God, I wondered what I could possibly say. I considered the culture I live in, the polarization “Christian” values cause when they include more of what a Christian woman is against than what she is for. In a culture of superhero fanaticism, women tend to want to be Wonder Woman or at least land squarely in a successful position in the home, the marketplace, and in society at large. The conversation about these things is full of “fightin’ words.” (That makes me sad.) Who is this woman of God?

When the topic is broached with some, one of a few things happens:

“It’s all about the Proverbs 31 woman—she’s crazy-busy,” one quips.
“A submissive spirit—she’s totally got to have a submissive spirit,” another suggests.
“Don’t forget Titus 2—the godly woman shares wisdom,” a mature woman reminds us.
“She’s a stay-at-home mom and homeschools, obviously,” someone says.

Ask another group how a woman of God appears, and strong (sometimes negative) words surface.

“Women can not only run a household, they can run the world!”
“Submission is archaic. Don’t you dare say the S-word!” has an edgy tone.
“Women should never leave their dreams and education in the dust!”
“Women should be able to do everything in the church.”

Who is She?
The views above represent competing slants from differing perspectives. There’s nothing wrong with different views, but acknowledge they originate somewhere. The question is—where do they come from? To identify a woman of God, I start with God, the Creator of the woman, and highlight traits specific to the created woman who aligns herself with her Creator. Her identity and lifestyle are colored by choosing and committing to a relationship with God.

Created by God
This woman (actually every one of us, male and female) has been created by God. Life never accidentally appears and thrives.

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV

The Creator, the Designer of the universe and everything in it, has her individual biology, purpose, and personality in mind. I imagine an artist taking every color and brushstroke into account: hair and eye colors, skin tone, and height. Will silver glitter and diamonds make this one smile, or will pink ribbons and bows bring joy? Will deep thoughts and logic ignite this one, or will boisterous conversations fill her up? Is she a performer, a watcher, a writer, a reader? The details matter because she is precious; she is His masterpiece and made in His image.

That she is created by God is not in question. Whether she will choose Him, that’s the unknown—for us, not for the God who loves His creations and also knows all things.

Loving God and Others
The woman of God makes one choice starkly contrasting other women’s choices: she chooses God. Being created by God reveals the Creator’s fingerprints in some way, but choosing to love Him is entirely different. A woman of God wants to know the mind, heart, and ways of God—not merely as an intellectual endeavor but as a lifestyle to honor the One she loves.

When she comes across a command from God, she doesn’t just consent with a head nod; she puts forth the effort to hear and do the thing.

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 ESV

…those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5,6 NLT

Loving God yields a life others can identify as reflecting the truth, love, and power of God. It also reveals a heart that loves others well, whether they are followers of God or not. The woman of God loves “enemies” well.

Serving God and Others
Serving God is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life. We begin to know the heart, mind, will, and ways of God on Bible pages, but it’s more than an academic exercise.

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. James 1:21-23 NLT

The woman of God is careful to read the truth of God, hiding it in her heart so it transforms her deeply and permanently (Psalm 119:11). She won’t attain perfection this side of eternity, and she knows it. It’s sobering, but she balances it with this—

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands 1 Peter 3:5 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12 ESV

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 ESV

Yes, the S-word is up there. It’s from love and honor, not a shameful position. She is beautiful because she loves God and, therefore, loves others. When the woman of God knows the love of God, she lavishes that on others.

I won’t lie. Loving God can feel like a thing I should muster and keep, but the real deal is different. I can’t manage heart transformation; it’s not a behavioral management thing. (I tried.) The woman of God I genuinely want to be is formed by the hand and heart of God. It starts with my created physical being, but new life becomes real in my spiritual being—by first identifying with Jesus’ suffering on the cross and then knowing and doing what the Word of God says. I’m definitely a work in progress, friend!

A Woman of the Word
The woman of God is a woman of the Word—the Word she has read and knows—not what she thinks it says or what others say it says. That takes time. Reading and studying the Bible (two very different things) change the mind and heart, and receiving the Word saves the soul (James 1:21).

Now the question is—who wants to be a woman of God? (I’m the little woman raising her hand and jumping up and down in four-inch heels.) We don’t come to our Daddy-God cleaned up and ready to go. We come as we are and ask Jesus to cover us and the Spirit to completely change us.

Beautiful friend, each of us is a masterpiece. Can you identify the beautiful, golden God threads woven throughout your identity? Count them. There may be more than you thought.

Do you want to be a woman of God or are you on the road? What does that mean to you now? What is your first step or your next step?

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments below or at our Facebook page. If you think someone you know could benefit from reading the Facets blog, please share!

What Does it Mean to be a Woman of God?

05.07.2019 by Tracy Stella //

Welcome friends! FACETS of Faith is delighted you could join us as we explore this woman of God thing. How does one do it when the world tugs this way and that? Tune in each week in May as we explore what it means to be a woman of God. We pray you’ll be blessed with freedom to explore who you are in Christ as you journey along with us.

Don’t worry! I’m not going to break out the Proverbs 31 woman on you. We women (or at least this woman) already feel enough pressure to perform, to get it right, or just plain ole get it together.

Maybe we’re in a wrestling match with God. Maybe we’re wrapped up in a scratchy, wooly blanket called worry. Maybe we wouldn’t want people to see what’s hiding in our closet, crumpled on the floor. Heck, it might be us crumpled on the floor! Maybe just maybe things are unravelling faster than we can stitch them back together.

As a woman of God, I’ve been this woman. Not always shining. Sometimes struggling. You too? (Shhh, it’ll be our secret.)

We’re not less saved. We’re more human. Proof we need Jesus. Oh boy do we!

Even those of us who may look like we have it together (momentarily) have melt downs we wouldn’t want anyone to see. But Jesus does. He sees us in the midst of our muddy mess called life, and I believe He smiles, not because of the mess, but in spite of it. He looks at us through eyes of Love.

God doesn’t see the mud. He sees what He is making ─righteous, holy, pure, clean women of God.

We need to take the pressure off ourselves. Way, way off ourselves. We don’t have enough Clorox® wipes to clean up the muddy places in our hearts, thoughts, words, actions, inaction, and disobedience (and I could go on).

None of us is immune from needing God’s cleansing. No immunity for the pulpit. No immunity for the most pious. No immunity for the amount of pride God’s kids can possess. No immunity for you. No immunity for me.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.─John 14:26 NKJV

Ladies, we have a Helper! The Holy Spirit was sent in Jesus’ name. And our compassionate, loving Jesus wanted to make sure we would know it.

Is there something even now, woman of God, that you need His help with?

Stop. Ask the Helper. Ask Him. He is faithful.

Holy Spirit, God’s Word says you are my Helper. I need your help. Please help me with ________. I have faith enough to trust You at Your Word.

I’m reading a book about the Holy Spirit right now. He’s fine tuning my ability to hear His voice (again). I love that He’s always teaching, always transforming.

Spoiler alert. I’m going to give away the answer to the question much earlier than I normally do in a piece.

What does it mean to be a woman of God?

It means we are women willing to seek after God. He’ll always honor any effort toward that.

He’ll show us who He is, who we are to Him, who others are to Him, and what He wants from and for us.

If we seek God, we’re going to get this “woman of God thing” right after all, and overall, even if we sometimes get a thing or two wrong along the way.

Can I get an amen for grace?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.─Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Did you catch what the Scripture said?

As we seek God’s kingdom, His kingdom shall be added to us. More of His presence. More of His purpose. More of His power. More of His peace. More of His love. More, more, more. More kingdom.

As we seek God’s kingdom, His righteousness shall be added to us. Like a dash of salt added to a recipe, little by little we grow more flavorful. We taste a bit more like Jesus each bite. Salt has purpose and so will we when we follow God’s kingdom ways.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”─Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

We’re not the dispenser of salt. That’s God’s job. As women of God, we just want to let Him sprinkle us wherever He needs, when He needs to. A dash of love here. A sprinkle of joy there. A pinch of compassion toward this one.

We aren’t in charge of all the world seeing the kingdom in us. God has many ambassadors across the globe to flavor the world. So much flavor sprinkled from one faithful woman of God to the next, neighborhood to neighborhood, nation to nation.

This seeking after God’s kingdom thing? What does it look like? Honestly, I think it looks a lot of different ways. God is creative. He is limitless. He has all sorts of things up His sleeve.

It’s impossible to winnow Him down to one or two ways He’d call us to be women of God, so you won’t be getting the Top 3 Things You Should Do To Be A Woman Of God in this piece.

Instead, I’m going to give you an example from my own life, because I am a woman of God. Messy. Imperfect. Sometimes sweet. Sometimes not. Woman of God covered by His grace.

One of the ways I’m seeking after God is by reading about Him. I want to partner with the Holy Spirit. I know He will honor my seeking after Him, and He will teach me. He always shows up when my heart is open to Him and what He has to say.

Women of God seek the kingdom of God.

I pondered a question posed in the book about the Holy Spirit. I didn’t move past it in a rush, presuming I knew the answer. That’s definitely a risk when we’ve been walking with the Lord and find ourselves in a sweet relationship with Him. But guess what? That’s pride to presume. Just because He said it one way once doesn’t mean He’ll say it the same way twice. Every situation and season of life calls for God’s creative hand.

Women of God can’t think because they know God that they know ALL of God.

Press pause, ladies. Don’t presume. Ask. Seek. Seek the kingdom. Seek the King!

The question was, Have you been frantically trying to change yourself? If so, how? What do you see differently now?1

Before I share my actual response, I want to share how I processed, because it might help you too. Sometimes, I’m not sure on things. I start writing what I think and while I am, I’m praying for myself. I pray that God reveals. I try to go to Him with an honest, open heart to hear. As I do, He reveals His truth, what He wants me to hear in that moment.

Often, I am surprised at where God brings me, of what He shows me. Most certainly He’s revealing Himself, His wisdom, His truth, His love, His compassion, exactly what He knows I need to hear. That looks different today than it did yesterday or what it will tomorrow.

As I processed the idea of frantic changing of myself, I wrote…

I don’t think so now. (Which is what I thought the answer was, only to be led to this…) Other than I think I try too hard, fearful I’ll disappoint God somehow. Like maybe He won’t see me as His good girl. (Woah!) Then, I heard the song lyric “You don’t have to try so hard” and it made me emotional.

God revealed the underlying emotion in all of the above is rooted in fear. Fear of not being good enough, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment. There’s probably more than that, but that’s what I needed to know in this season.

Well now, this woman of God will continue her journey to glean from what God is showing.

Women of God seek the will of God. His will is to make us into His image, which is healthy, courageous, and whole.

God’s will is always a kingdom thing. He gives us free will, but He invites us to follow His.

I want to leave you with a bit of freedom here, because God gave me a good salty dose of it in all of this.

Here’s an excerpt from the book, “Don’t give into thinking, I should be more spiritually mature. It’s not true. It only makes you feel more condemned and drains you of spiritual strength. Pause and pray, ‘Holy Spirit, how do You see where I am right now (my level of spiritual maturity?” What is He saying to you?”1

Here’s what He said to me, When you slow down, you hear Me. Be careful to observe the rhythms of rest and pacing, not performing. I don’t need you to perform. Pray and seek My face.

Isn’t that beautiful? (And reassuring)

Please, please, go back up and read the excerpt from the book. Process the question for yourself. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?

Don’t read past it. Allow Him the quiet space to answer you.

If you’d like to share what He told you, we’d be honored to hear. I’m praying you hear His voice, maybe even for the first time. And because we can never hear it enough, I pray for those of you who have heard God’s voice that you hear it even more.

God sees what He is making ─righteous, holy, pure, clean women of God. And He sent us a Helper to do it!

Seek the kingdom. Seek the King!

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

1Bevere, John. The Holy Spirit: An Introduction. Palmer Lake, CO: Messenger International, 2014.