Friday Five

I'm going to do something a little different this week for Friday Five. I want to share five posts from a blog I found recently that I think is fabulous called Practical Theology for Women. I hope these words bless you the way they blessed me.

1. For Moms, Former Moms, and Wannabe Moms

Excerpt:
"Motherhood is not the greatest good for the Christian woman. Whether you are a mom or not, don’t get caught up in sentimentalism that sets it up as some saintly role. The greatest good is being conformed to the image of Christ."

My thoughts:
The church often falls prey to the assumption that motherhood is THE highest calling of a woman, thereby making all women who are childless feel less than. Motherhood is certainly a high calling, but God's highest calling for us is that we be women after his own heart. God does not honor mothers over non-mothers.

2. Counterintuitive Words of Comfort for the Hurting

Excerpt:
"As far as we know, Job didn't know until heaven what all was going on behind the scenes...I am beginning to see that the primary point of long periods of silence by God during our earthly sorrows and suffering is that we show His worthiness of our belief and trust based fully on who He is and not on what things He gives us...The truth is that true faith doesn't worship God because God is good but because God is God. We don't endure because we expect deliverance but because He is worthy...The other truth is that for no one in Scripture did that season last the rest of their lives."

My thoughts:
There are so many good thoughts in this post. It reminds me of one of my favorite worship songs, The Desert Song. The bridge of the song says:

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

During a particularly difficult year, I would sing this song, and especially the bridge, over and over again as a prayer. Dear God, my life is really messed up and hard right now. I don't get it at all. But you are still God and that means you are worthy of worship, even if you do not deliver me.

3. Authentic Confession

Excerpt:
"The thing that most often undermines sincere confession is the 'yes, but' mentality. Especially when it's 'Yes I did that, but you said this about me.'"

My thoughts:
I don't know about you, but I have certainly done this one. I try to own up to my mistakes, but I know that I fail at times. Let's face it, saying, "I'm sorry, please forgive me," is less than fun.

4. Wisdom Verses the Law on Women's Issues

Excerpt:
"She pointed out Christians' confusion at times over the difference in wisdom and law, Proverbs and the Ten Commandments. There are no opposite laws, but we are all familiar with opposite proverbs...Wisdom is not law. And wisdom is only wise when applied correctly in the right situations. You can't read Proverbs the same as the 10 Commandments...The answer to our fears of moral relativism as we apply wisdom in ways that are actually wise is the indwelling Spirit."

My thoughts:
This was a really interesting post! I love the comparisons of biblical wisdom verses law. Very interesting indeed.

5. Helping the Hurting

Excerpt:
"Silence, even if your motive is well-intentioned, can be the most hurtful response of all."

My thoughts:
If you are hurting right now, there is comfort in this post. You are not alone. If you have a loved one that is hurting, there is real and practical advice for you here.