Noble Womanhood

Excerpt from the article In Defense of Noble Womanhood, by Becky Morecraft, wife of Pastor Joe Morecraft. Published in The Counsel of Chalcedon, December 2005.

". . . In contrast to the worldly-wise woman who is "ever learning, but never coming to a knowledge of truth," examine the woman whose heart, mind and body belong to Jesus. Observe true satisfaction! See a smile shine on the lips of the woman who writes "homemaker" on questionnaires as she watches her children grow into spiritually mature, productive adults. Attest to radiant beauty! Full of kindness and grace, such a woman is an adornment to her husband. Place her on a pedestal, young woman, rather than those whose manipulative whining may have coerced the lifestyle and jewels they craved to falsely beautify themselves. The Christ-centered woman is able to walk with poise amongst the most elegantly attired, thought her countenance is more sober than many. The beauty of holiness shines through the window of her eyes from a heart softened by grieves bravely borne. A deep contrition for her own sinfulness coupled with the joy from sins forgiven radiates from her soul and thus tills her conversation and directs her behavior. Her pity for those still walking in darkness creates in her patience and compassion. Mark true strength! She knows how and when to speak, with plainness and kindness, and can be patiently quiet. Attend to true wisdom! She holds in light regard all things but those that possess eternal value. Her perspectives and her priorities, shaped by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, inform and beautify her life's callings. She daily increases her scope of learning because she knows that all truth, goodness and beauty reflect her Creator/Redeemer. Heedless of scorn and disdain from those around her who do not k now her Lord, she persists in rightly diving the Word of Truth so that she will be ready with answers for those who ask, being bold as a lion and gentle as a dove. Her thoughtfulness and kindness of speech decorate her with such light and warmth that those who are cast about in a cold and heartless world may safely come to her to be warmed and fed. To be with her is to be nourished.

"Her husband's love ennobles her and her children, who rise up and bless her, are of unquestioned righteous character. Together, she and her husband shoot their children into the future, confident that the God Who planned their lives before the foundations of the earth was laid, will keep and use them as sharp arrows to pierce the hearts of His enemies and bring great increase to His Kingdom on earth. The attractions of this world and those who devote their lives to obtaining them will pass off the scene and be replace with the next generation's baubles, but the woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Her works will follow her, not to her credit, nor would she have it so, but the praise of His glorious grace Who has held her heart captive and made her life count.

"This is the woman after God's own heart. This is the only woman worth becoming. Learn her ways and imitate her, young ladies, for only then will you experience the nobleness for which you were created."

Still Ticking

Our 50,000th hit was today. Thanks for your support and encouragment!

Piano Solo Night

I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Friday night was a very special evening for the Serven Clan. After weeks of diligent practicing, we had the joy of listening to our piano students share what they had learned. A wide genre including folk, classical and hymns were represented.

The purpose of the "Piano Solo Night" is to encourage and motivate the students as they gain confidence playing in a relaxed environment for a strictly friendly crowd (their families and fellow students). This was the first opportunity for five of the students to play in public. Everyone did excellent job. What a delight it is to hear the students not only play for their families, but for their true audience--the Lord.



Joel surprised us afterwards with asking to play a song with Sarah! I guess we will have to be better prepared next time. : ) Other selections from the program included Beethoven's Fur Elise (track 3) and Chopin's Etude Opus 25 No.1 In A-Flat Major (track 13). [Editor: Unfortunately, I can not locate any of the other pieces online.]


Part of our audience for the evening.

Sovereignty

Do you ever look at life differently, just to see what it would be like living without a Sovereign God? When you step into those shoes, the bleak world of random nothingness is frightening.

God is so gracious to bless us as our sovereign, all-knowing King. What a comfort that is. Knowing he is sovereign gives you rest in the little everyday occurrences as well as the major, life changing ones. Missing a phone call, plane flight, conversation or activity was part of God's plan. Watching a nation rise or fall, people be born or die--you can be confident that God's providences in your life are always for His glory.

It is a comfort to know that when you pray He will not always give what you request. He knows if what we ask is wise and beneficial, or foolish and not a direction He would take us. We can pray for what we believe is God's will, always ready for Him to show us otherwise. Sometimes it is easy to grow frightened when God starts bringing about the very thing for which your heart has yearned, earnestly desired and prayed. In these times too, His sovereignty comforts. He will bring all things for His glory. Nothing will happen apart from His decree.

How awful it would be to walk through life always second guessing. "If only I would have . . . " or "Maybe I should . . . .?" God is merciful to lovingly guide our footsteps in His pathway. We do not need to have all the answers. We just need to know Someone who does.

Righteousness will go before Him,
and shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Psalm 85:13

Winter Days

Life continues at a normal pace for the Serven Clan--full of everyday adventures.


We bade farewell to Peter over two weeks ago . . . and two days ago we said goodbye to Nathan. They are both working down in Tennessee--Peter still on film projects, Nathan on remodeling. We miss them very much and can't wait for their return.


We had a little snow--enough for our first official (respectably sized) snowman. This morning we received another dusting plus 0 degree weather.


Notice the shoes. : )


Every Wednesday is piano day. While Rebecca and the students work inside at the piano, everyone else visits and plays, having a marvelous time. We have been preparing for our "Piano Solo Night" on February 17th (pictures to follow).


Beth lovingly keeps us well nurtured. We have had a lot of fun trying out new recipes over the last few weeks.


Meanwhile in Tennessee . . .


Hmmm.

Snowy Green Thumb

Though everyone we talked to in Missouri had never heard of doing a garden through the winter, we decided to take a stab at it. We had questioned the availability of greens through the winter months and as our California Fresh taste buds warned us, it was true. Prices in the stores go up and produce stands shut down.

That did not stop our enjoying of a few greens this winter.

I got the idea from Square Foot Gardening and with help of the boys put together some contraptions--buried a electric coil under the soil (attached to hardware cloth so it does not shift), then 3 inches of soil, encased by 12 inches of redwood and topped off with some old windows (Many thanks to David Fry and Co.).

We have enjoyed the results . . . and just this last week ordered seeds for our summer garden! As the weather lets up, I have been continuing to slowly dig in the summer garden area. We keep you abreast of the progress.


Our garden set up. There are two boxes about 2 1/2 by 4 feet with old windows for covers.


We have enjoyed lettuce (3 types), spinach, arugula (a peppery green), a few smallish carrots, green onions, and Swiss chard.

From the Field: Family Meal Table

Peter's film-making adventures continue in Tennessee. This past week found him helping with Franklin Spring Family Media's shoot for Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies. Mrs. Campbell spoke on the importance of the family meal table. Post production is due to start soon.

'Tis the Season

Or "Confessions of a Weary Computer Maiden"

"I do enjoy writing. And I like to keep up the blog. But sometimes I just want to live it, not write about it."

This last week was a little unusual for me. With Peter and Beth in Tennessee, our regular responsibilities were all shuffled around. Triage took effect early in the week, and I found myself throwing all my regular projects out the window just to keep the basics going. Us Serven ladies are used to a certain amount of regular division of labor. Between us three, all the responsibilities and projects are divvied up just-so. With Beth absent, my usual balls fell to the wayside while I attempted to keep hers going. I'm sure you have noticed the lack in posts on the blog--one of my responsibilities (and yes, she is back home now; thus this post).

At the beginning of the week, I was not too sure about the whole cooking and shopping thing. Beth usually handles all that, so I felt a little out of practice. She is very good at keeping track of everything in her own head, but for me to try and take over involved a little leg work (i.e. categorizing our food supplies, creating lists, doing the bi-monthly shopping, menu planning, etc). Mom encouraged me over the first part of the week while I was combatting an overwhelmed, inept, "I'll-never-be-a-good-homemaker" feeling, that it is five times as hard to come into the middle of an established system than gradually building and implementing your own plan.

Over the week though, I started having lots of fun, trying out tons of new recipes, organizing our freezers (don't laugh--accomplishments come in the little things too), cleaning and organizing the laundry room, and even (be impressed now) making my own whole wheat sourdough bread. I find that I am loath to give all this up. I would love to continue working with my hands in such a satisfying way.

I wish I could spend my days working in the garden, cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, reading, teaching . . . but duty calls. Someone else needs an airline flight, a phone call made, a paper edited, a business card created, a website updated, a letter responded to, a computer fixed--again. [Editor: Yep. Our monitor is broken--another good excuse why I have not posted this week.]

So reluctantly, I'll exchange my cooking spoon for a mouse.

Someday Lord willing, it won't be the season of computers. Then blogging and the like will take a back burner. [Blog Readership: *Gasp!!* Is she threatening?!!?] Hopefully another clan member can run the blog--maybe I'll even send in a article every once in a while. But I'll be busy. The season of computers will have ended and the joyous season of homemaking will have begun.

From the Field: Gideon Shoot

Wondering at the quietness of our blog? Our clan is scattered around the states--here is an update from Peter. For 3 weeks in February, Peter is being a "go-fer" for Ken Carpenter in Tennessee. Today was a shoot for the Gideons; they are making a narrative promotional. Production is in full swing. More reports forthcoming. . .

-----

Here are some pictures from the shoot today. I got to go, we are going to start shooting again.

-Peter



Panasonic AJ-HDC27FP DVCPRO HD


Before the Shoot


During the Shoot


Makeup


Crane in Action


Recording Light


Producer & Director


Craft Service






Camera... Speed... Action...




Directing