...obedient to their own husbands

This is certainly an unpopular topic in this day and time!  However, God's Word is timeless and always true.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing....33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

1Pe 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1Co 14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.


The word used in all of these verses (except for 1Tim. 2, which is a derivative of this word) is  hupotasso,  which means (from Strongs) to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.  I sure don't see any "wiggle room" here.  I have to admit that it is not an easy thing to do.  Our society and culture teach us the exact opposite, and unfortunately the pervasiveness of society's influence can affect us even when we don't want it to.  I've always believed and embraced the teaching that I am to be submissive to my husband, but my carnal self struggles with this...even after 34 years of marriage!  Not that I want to oppose Dennis, but my pride and selfishness and stubbornness war against my submissiveness at times.  We wives need to be constantly on our guard to be the godly wives that the scriptures admonish us to be.  For those who are still single, see that you find a husband who you CAN submit yourself to and reverence!

Cooking 101

I'm going to diverge from the study that I've been working through for today.  I mentioned in my introduction post that we might have some handy tips along the way.  This is my tip for the day: 

I’m going to be brutally honest with you today.  There are some who would have you believe that I’m some kind of great cook.  They are mistaken.  I am, at best, an average cook.  I have had more kitchen disasters than you can shake a stick at.  (Which, by the way, is a phrase which makes no sense whatsoever.  I did a little research on it and no one seems to know where it came from.)  I have blown up a pressure cooker full of beans (we never did get that stain off the ceiling).  I have overcooked and undercooked many a dish.  Some things I’ve tried to make just flat didn’t turn out at all.  And there have been a few times when supper just ended up in the trash!  I didn’t learn to cook at my mother’s knee.  Momma didn’t like to cook and was too sick to bother most of the time.  At our house, you pretty much fended for yourself most of the time.  Grilled cheese, corny dogs, TV dinners…you get the idea!  I did a little cooking at home, but didn’t really start learning much until after I married. 

For many years, I cooked only from a recipe.  I had no intuitive ability to throw something together that tasted wonderful.  I just tried recipe after recipe until I found ones that we liked.  As I’ve gotten older and more experienced, I’ve gotten a little more creative, but I’m still not a big experimenter.  I mainly just tweak a recipe here and there to fit with my family’s tastes.  I do love trying new recipes…I get SO tired of cooking the same old thing over and over!  I have devoured countless magazines looking for and cutting out recipes…and then trying to find a convenient and organized way to store them.  Now, with the internet, thousands upon thousands of recipes are available at our fingertips…plus variations and comments added from people who have tried them.  And still, it is so easy to get stuck in the same rut of fixing the same meals over and over!

What am I trying to get at here?  Being a “good” cook isn’t about talent or intelligence or natural ability.  It is about perseverance and desire.  I really WANT to be a good cook.  I love eating good food and I love feeding others food that they love.  Finding recipes that appeal to you and your family and experimenting OVER and OVER again…that’s the “secret”.  Now there are those out there that do have a natural flair for cooking or baking.  Unfortunately, I’m not one of those.  I just have to keep plugging at it and trying to find what works best for me and my family.  So my advice to all of you “wanna be great cooks” out there is to JUST DO IT, and keep doing it, and keep doing it until you finally get it right.  I derive so much pleasure, not from cooking, but from finding and successfully preparing a dish that my family and friends love.  (Just don’t fret over the flubs along the way!)

  Ec 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

...good

Simple word, simple concept.  Right?

Mt 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mt 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ro 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

The kind of women we ought to aspire to be:  1Ti 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

...keepers at home

 oikouros:    a stayer at home, i.e. domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper"):--keeper at home.

1Ti 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Pr 31:10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

A woman's job is to manage the household and make sure everyone's needs are met.  This is a multifaceted job!  Her job makes it easier for her husband and children to function well.  When you look at the "qualifications" of the Proverbs 31 woman, you see a woman who is always busy caring for the things of the home, as well as reaching out to others.  As we also see there, as well as in 1 Timothy, she doesn't spend her time being a busybody or speaking idly.  It is a high calling, indeed, and one that requires a lot of forethought and effort.

I'm not going to get into the "stay-at-home" vs. "working outside the home" debate.  I know that today's economy makes it extremely difficult to manage on one income.  But whether a woman works outside the home or not, the scriptures are clear that it is her responsibility to tend to her household and take care of her family's needs...as well as reaching out to those in need. 

Pr 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Pr 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Ac 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

1Ti 2:9  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.