I’m a skeptic. Always have been. I’ve long had the habit of asking “Where did you hear that?” when someone shares “a fact” that seems suspect. My skepticism sometimes makes me wonder how I ever became a Christian. Well, I know the answer to that question actually. God did it. It wasn’t easy, at least from my perspective; but that’s a story for another time. Right now I’d like to share how my skepticism is valuable in my life as a Christian. [...]
I love the glimpse into God’s heart that we see in 1 Peter 3:4. We read that a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in his sight. I love being able to know how he feels about this. Knowing that he so highly values a gentle and quiet spirit has made me value it too. It also fosters a great desire in my heart to pursue it. […]
In my last blog post I wrote about meekness in marriage. I drew from 1 Peter 3: 3-4. In those verses we read that a gentle (meek) and quiet spirit is precious in the side of God. Before and after those verses Peter writes about submission. He directs his comments to Christian wives and instructs them to adorn themselves with godly submission and behavior just as Sarah and the holy women did in the past. Appearing within these verses is a very important phrase. I believe it has a lot to do with why Sarah and the women of old were able to live as they did. [...]
If you have been a Christian for even a little while, there is a good chance that you are familiar with the teaching that Eve was created to be Adam’s helper. Many churches still teach this from Genesis 2:18. Christian wives are rightly encouraged to take this role in their marriages. While there is understandable emphasis given to the second half of this verse, I have noticed that the first half of this verse does not often receive the same attention. Have you considered how it might relate to your marriage? […]
It’s been four months since I began working on the Chapter 3 Ministry website! I’m happy with the progress that has been made and with the direction things are going in. This work is a delight for me. I thank God for this opportunity. I love computers, software, writing, the Lord, and his people! It’s wonderful to combine them all together. [...]
Years ago while heading to church on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning I was mulling over the expression What if. I don’t remember why, but I imagine I was doing so because I had probably just asked it. Those two words can come off my lips all too easily when I anticipate a negative outcome. Thankfully, I have gotten better at not asking that question as often as I used to. God has worked in my heart in many different ways including through something that occurred to me during that ride. [...]
There is an endless stream of voices in the world. For better or worse, our modern technology allows us to hear those voices like never before. It has given us access to countless people and opinions. Regardless of the topic, we can find experts or self-proclaimed experts who are more than happy to enlighten us. Question is – who do we listen to? [...]
We are three days into National Marriage Week. It started on February 7 and runs to Valentine’s Day. Marriage Week originated in the United Kingdom in 1996 and made its way to the United States in 2002. Today it is observed in countries all over the world. The aim of the week is to highlight the importance and benefits of marriage and to offer encouragement and assistance for married and engaged couples. [...]
When I was growing up, I made a list of four things that I thought were essential for a good relationship. They all started with the letter C. I can’t remember how old I was when I made it or why I made it or even what the four things were! They say the memory is the first thing to go. I must be well on my way. At least I do remember one of them. It was communication. [...]
Today I took down the “Coming Soon” sign on my English Bible Quest page. I’m excited that it is ready! Beginning in the fourth century and ending in modern times, the quest highlights some of the important people and events that played a part in the process of God’s word becoming available to English speaking people in their native language. [...]
I recently came across a very interesting website. I was doing some online reading and ended up on Openbible.info. This site has all sorts of Bible data presented in clever and colorful ways. The tagline for the site appears to be “Remix Bible data”. I think it is very appropriate. If you like data collections and creative charts you will like this site. Bible data and related subjects are the source for the output. [...]
The Christian wife’s biblical submission is a subject that I will be writing about on a regular basis. It is one of the main reasons why Chapter 3 Ministries exists. I have seen the blessing of living according to God’s will in marriage, and it is a delight for me to encourage other women to see it too. Though there are blessings, it does not mean that submission is easy. It can be quite difficult. In my writings I will address both the blessings and the challenges of and to submission. I do not believe that it does anyone any good to ignore or cover-up the challenges. [...]
This New Year’s Eve was the twenty-eighth that my husband and I have spent together. Starting with the first year we met, we’ve never missed a year; even the year I had the flu and he took care of me. I remember details from other New Year’s Eves as well. Remember Y2K? So much hype. So little consequences. We did try to have some fun at our house that night. At midnight we shut the main power off. The house went black! Well, none of our party guests fell for it; but we did all have a good laugh. [...]
Part Five in a Five post Christmas series (Part One) Jesus was promised and sent. His coming, life, death, and resurrection had great purpose. But let me continue to remain quiet and let the scriptures proclaim his glory…
"'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"
(Luke 2:11-14 ESV) [...]
Part Three in a Five post Christmas series (Part One) The Son was sent, but why? Why did he come? Read the reasons He gave ...
"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" [...]
Part Two in a Five post Christmas series (Part One) The Son promised was Sent by the Father Keeping with my intention to let the scriptures speak:
"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5 NASB)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV) [...]
This is the first of five Christmas posts. It is my desire to say as little as possible in these posts. Instead, I wish to let the scriptures speak to the wonderful reality that we celebrate at Christmas. I will start simply by sharing verses that foretell the birth of Jesus.
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) [...]
You may have noticed that my author name on these posts is thirdstrand. I’d like to share its meaning. I came up with the username thirdstrand years ago. I was in need of a new username for an online account. Because I love symbolism, I sat down and tried to think of a name that would have special meaning instead of something like sharon123! I went through different ideas and combinations of words and eventually drew from something that was significant in my life. [...]
As I mentioned in my previous post, the anniversary of my new birth falls on Thanksgiving this year! I love it when that happens. I would love to tell the whole story right now about how I came to know the Lord, but it is a long story. I hope to write it out someday. Today, I would like to tell part of the story. I think it is a pretty cool part. I came to Christ and out of the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13) in the darkness. What I mean is, it was night time. That night, after I was given eyes to see the sacrifice for my sins in Jesus’ death and my heart was opened to believe in him, I was filled with incredible joy. [...]
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. Somehow, even after all these years, that day always feels special. I love the way the house smells when all the food is being prepared. I love relaxing with the family after we are all stuffed. I love the pies! This year Thanksgiving falls on the 26th anniversary of my new birth. It happens every so often that they coincide. It always seems like Thanksgiving is a little bit more special those years. I can’t help but be mindful of the anniversary of my salvation at Thanksgiving even when they’re not on the same day. It is what I am most thankful for. I guess it’s still amazes me that such a wonderful thing happened. [...]
