Mismatched Values

James 1:22-27 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. ...

Before school, my son came up to me and began his morning soliloquy on the importance of living a debt-free life. I chuckled as I could see his father's influence overflow from his lips.

So often, we impart our values on our children without even knowing it. Some of these are what we want our children to learn from us, such as the importance of a debt-free life. However, sometimes, we send messages to our children that do not correspond to our true values. For instance, yesterday, a car almost ran into me and I called them, “stupid.” My daughter asked me, “Mommy, who is stupid?” I immediately retracted my statement and told her that the person was not stupid, but they simply made a mistake which almost caused us to be in an accident. However, had she not said anything, I would not have corrected my rhetoric. I was convicted that I had not acted in a way that tries teach my children to value all people.

What messages could someone's current actions be sending to a child? Each week, when a parent decides to skip church, they subtly are saying to their child, fellowship with the Body is not THAT important. When someone uses foul language, they are in essence saying that Colossians 3:8 doesn't matter. When one speaks words against someone, you are telling them that it is really okay to slander your brother.

What values do you want to instill into your children? If you don't have children, what values do you want others to see in you?  How consistently do your actions match your values?  For instance, if I truly valued living a healthy lifestyle, it would be logical that I would eat leafy greens, not eat my weight in Kit-Kats, and I would exercise in moderation.  In the same way, if we hold true to our values, our actions will be consistent with what we believe.   However, f they are not, we serve a God of grace, who wants nothing more than for you to turn from the wrong path, get back on track, and move forward.

Introduction to Becoming Ministries

There is something inspiring about the bud of a rose blossom. Perhaps it is the anticipation of the beauty that will be displayed as it reaches its pinnacle of glory and splendor. In a rose, there is great potential, yet great fragility. If you have ever had a rose bush, you know the care they require in order for each blossom to exert a bloom of extravagant scent and beauty. They need proper sunlight and fertile soil. They also need pruning and weeding. Likewise, roses are prone to attack by diseases and bug infestations. Yet, though a wide array of hostility within their environment awaits them, with diligent care and maintenance, unsurpassed beauty is achieved.

I often equate a woman's spiritual journey with a budding rose. There is great potential, yet great fragility. The Creator has fashioned her with remarkable beauty that comes from within. She is becoming. Yet, at the same time, she continues on a process. In essence, she is still becoming who God created her to be. When planted firmly in Scripture and receiving living water that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, she grows in her relationship with God. However, there is still work to be done on her part. She must be aware of her sin nature that creeps in her life as quietly as weeds arise amongst the rose bush. She must get to the root of those formidable issues which entangle and snare her walk with the Lord before they hinder her growth and destroy her potential. Meanwhile, she must also face arduous circumstances which are beyond her control; those which consist of the pests, diseases, and storms of life. Yet, there is hope, knowing she is loved and cared for by the Gardener, who gives her living water which produces hope and allows her to go through the pruning trials in order to ensure proper growth. The end result that comes with steadfast care is maturity of growth which produces a bloom the world cannot ignore. It is a splendid testimony of the work and faithfulness of the Gardener and the perseverance of the rose.

Becoming ministries exist to help women recognize their beauty, value, and purpose in Jesus Christ by providing Scripture focused studies and messages in order to build up the kingdom of God and edify the body of Christ so that by our radiance, Christ may be glorified.

Services Provided: Curriculum Development, for retreats, conferences, small group Bible studies, etc. and messages for women's and girl's programs, conferences, retreats, Bible Studies, MOPS, and other engagements.