Question and Answer Week: Responses Part 1

I received the following questions from a friend of mine from church, Monika.

First of all, I want to thank you, Monika, for all of your great questions!

How did you get the idea to start this blog?

Wow, what a great question! To be honest, I didn't get the idea until back in June, but the Lord began working in my heart to draw me and lead me to start a blog like this back around this time last year. For Christmas last year, I received Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin's outstanding book, So Much More, from my parents. I read it, and the Lord radically changed my convictions in a lot of areas through the reading of that book. I began to look at the culture around me through different eyes, and began to see how so many many young women my age were being influenced by the horrible and detrimental heresies of feminism. The Lord began to show me the huge need of godly and feminine influences for these such ladies. It was then (back in June, or so) that I began to feel like the Lord was wanting me to begin a blog, one that would be an encouragement and strength for those ladies who have likeminded convictions, and also an edification for those ladies who have feministic beliefs. I didn't actually begin the blog, though, until August 12th.

Who is your favorite woman in the Bible?

Wow, can I only choose one?! That's going to be hard! :) If I could only choose one, I would have to say Mary, our Lord's mother. More than likely, she was around my age(15), when she became pregnant. Because she was unmarried, to be found pregnant (especially since she was betrothed) would have meant utter disgrace. She would have been looked down upon, ridiculed, and would have been the object of severe disdain and scrutiny. People would have criticized her and distrusted her. And, despite all this, she joyfully and happily submitted to her Lord's will and willingly and wholeheartedly trusted in her Master's plan. She knew that the people around her would look down upon her with disdain, yet she joyfully said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." What an example! I desire to be more like her in my own heart and life. All too often, I worry over things and don't trust fully in the Lord as I ought.

What are you studying in school right now?

I'm currently in 10th grade. For math, I have geometry (which I don't like at all! :)). For science, I have biology this year. For Bible class, I'm currently reading The Battle for the Beginning: Creation, Evolution and the Bible by Mr. John MacArthur, Jr. It's a wonderful book! I'm also memorizing various Scripture passages. For history class, I'm currently reading an in-depth study of the Pilgrims, which is also very good. I also have spelling class and for english/composition I'm studying the history of feminism for some articles I will be writing on it soon.

How did you start coming to our church?

Back at the beginning of last year, the Lord was working in my father's heart, showing him the Biblical truth of the doctrines of grace. The Lord was also showing daddy the problems of our current (at that time) church's youth group, showing how detrimental it was. During the summer of last year, Daddy began searching online for reformed Baptist, family-integrated churches in our area. In August, he discovered that Mr. Goodpaster and his family were planning to begin a Reformed bible study for Friday nights, in the hopes that he and the interested families would begin a church. We began the bible studies at the beginning of September 2006, with 5 families, and then began meeting on Sundays as a church in December. In the past year, each and every family of this church has been such a tremendous blessing. The completely Biblical preaching has changed me, edified me, and blessed me so very much. I praise God for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful, wonderful church.

What is the homemaking skill you're best at and/or enjoy the most?

My very favorite homemaking skill is cooking and baking. I really enjoy cooking-I see it as a way to serve my family. I love trying new recipes, mixing together the ingredients to create something special, and seeing the dish take shape. Seeing the happy looks on the faces of my family members while they enjoy whatever it is that I made, brings me much joy. One thing that I really enjoy doing is making cookies and/or brownies and giving them to Daddy to take to the father/son meetings on Wednesdays at church. I see it as a way to be a blessing to them and to serve them, and it brings me joy to know that they've enjoyed the treat.

I also really really enjoy doing handiwork, such as sewing, crocheting and doing cross-stich work. I just love doing projects to create things to help beautify our home. I also enjoy making these things for my future home. I'm hoping to receive a hopechest for my 16th birthday(which isn't until July) and I look forward to filling it with lovingly made items for my future home. I would also love to learn how to knit and embroider.

What is the one you are worst at/or hate the most, if any?

I don't like cleaning bathrooms all that much, or dusting. But I do enjoy seeing the finished product!

Many believers lately seem to be looking into male and female roles a lot, and how they are designed and what makes them different. I've been thinking about it a lot myself, as I told you once, and I see your blog is meant to encourage young women to follow God's plan for them. This is all important. But I wonder, what, in your opinion, are some things both men and women are made to be and can do in Christ? What is some common ground they have?

Wow! What an outstanding question! There are some roles and jobs that men and women have that cannot and must not overlap. For instance, it's the man who is to be the head of the home(1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 3:12) and the woman is to submit to her husband(Titus 2:5b, Ephesians 5:22-24). It's the man who is to be providing for the family, out in the workforce (Genesis 3:17-19, 1 Timothy 5:8), whereas the woman is commanded to be a homemaker( 1 Timothy 5:14, Titus 2:5). It's the man who can be a pastor or elder(1 Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:5-7, etc.), not the woman-women are not to be in leadership positions of any kind(1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35). However, there is some common ground. For instance, contrary to ancient Jewish culture, women do have the ability and opportunity to read God's Word and learn from it. Women also have the ability to witness to others, and to teach people what is found in God's Word(they must not do so in leadership positions, such as in the church, however). A woman has the ability to teach other women the principles and commands concerning women found in God's Word (Titus 2:4). Also, the office of deacon may be open for women. I'm not completely sure. In Romans 16:1, we read that Phoebe was a deacon. Also, in 1 Timothy 3:11, it says that deacons' wives must be sober, etc. A study bible that I have points out that in the original greek, this may actually be translated women, rather than wives. In other words, women may be able to be deacons, providing that they meet the qualifications. Or, the passage may be saying that a deacon's wife may also serve right along beside her husband. Either way, I think that a woman can be a deacon if she feels that that's what the Lord wants her to do, providing that that's what her husband wants her to do as well. Because the office of deacon is not a leadership role; it's a serving role. Therefore, I think that's some common ground.

Are you a night owl or a morning person?

I'm more of a night owl. I'm trying to overcome this, though, because I want to be more of a morning person. The Proverbs 31 woman does not eat the bread of idleness, so I'm trying to prepare for my future home and for being a wife and mother by getting up earlier in the mornings, so that I can get more done and accomplish more throughout the day.

What are some traits, likings, etc. that you share with your parents?

My father(and my mother as well) is a sensative person and so am I. I can be overly sensitive at times. :) I can't stand to see other people upset, hurt, sad, or mistreated. I can get pretty teary eyed over things like that. :)

We all really enjoy old movies and spending time together playing games, etc. We also tend to get annoyed with overly immature people(although we can get crazy, as well, especially late at night.:))

Did you ever make a really embarassing typo here on the blog and not notice it for a while?

I usually check my posts for typos before I publish them, so I don't think I have. But, for all I know, there's a post somewhere on my blog with a very embarassing typo that I have no idea about! :)

Is your birthday coming up? Some of the comments seem to indicate that. It could just be Christmas, now I think about it. When is your birthday, though?

My birthday isn't until July 12th. I'll be 16. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for your questions, Monika! I really enjoyed answering them-it was a lot of fun. :) If you have more, please don't hesitate to send them to me!!

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Lord's day!