I had such a wonderful time of fellowship and teaching recently with the ladies of Providence Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama, and their guests from the surrounding area, at the Staying on the Path in a World of Compromise women’s conference.
PBC was the staging area for disaster relief operations following the devastating tornado in the area in March of 2019. A beautiful memorial to the victims has been erected on the church grounds.
Providence’s WOVEN (Women Of the Vine Encouraging and Nurturing) women’s ministry put on a fantastic conference.
Everything was so nice and no detail was left unattended…
The Lord sent these lovely cross-shaped shadows as the morning sun shone through the windows.
These radiant flowers graced each table. I am a sucker for a centerpiece that includes candy! :0)
Photo booths are a fun way to capture conference memories.
Here are some of the charming ladies who attended the conference…
The WOVEN team and me. Photo courtesy of Belva Guy.
The ladies of Center Ridge Baptist Church and me. Photo courtesy of Bryan Sanders / Cortney Culverhouse
I had the pleasure of teaching three sessions, God’s Word, Our Foundation – on the necessity, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture, Discernment 101 – an introduction to discerning false doctrine and false teachers, and a great Q&A session where these ladies asked some really smart questions! (Sorry, no audio of the conference sessions at this time.)
Photo courtesy of Belva Guy.
Photo courtesy of Belva Guy.
Photo courtesy of Belva Guy.
Hostess bags are never necessary for a speaker, but I’m always so humbled and grateful to receive a special treat like this, especially after a long, tiring day of traveling. Although the contents are appreciated, the gesture of hospitality and caring is so precious and meaningful to me. I’m not especially gifted in that area, and I so admire sisters in Christ who are.
April, WOVEN’s director, machine embroidered the bag (notice the monogram on the bag is LSU purple and gold!) and the hand towel herself. So pretty!
Many, many thanks to the conference organizers, especially April and Lynda, for taking such good care of me and making me feel so at home. It was a pleasure fellowshipping with them and with the ladies who attended the conference.
If your church or organization is ever in need of a speaker for a women’s event, I’d love to come share with your ladies as well. Click herefor more information.
Or maybe I answered your question already? Check out my article The Mailbag: Top 10 FAQs to see if your question has been answered and to get some helpful resources.
My church is having women’s ministry painting party. While I don’t have an issue with painting or even learning to paint, my concern is the paintings they have chosen for us to choose from. We were given 4 choices; a watering can, ice cream cone, circle plaque, and a gnome. What gives me pause is the gnome. What little I know of the history of a gnome isn’t biblical. In fact, it is demonic, I believe. Is it ok to still go even if I don’t choose the gnome? Should I say something to my pastor? What should I say?
It’s always important to think biblically about everything, not just accept something because your church endorses it. So, kudos on thinking this through!
Here’s what I would do if I were an invited attendee and if I were the event organizer:
Invited attendee: I would go and simply opt for one of the other three items to paint. I would not look down on any of the women who chose the gnome (not that you would, either), knowing that they (and probably upwards of 99% of people today) don’t know anything about the history of gnomes. To most people a gnome is just an imaginary, fairy tale type of fictional character, like a unicorn or a fairy godmother. A picture or figurine of a gnome doesn’t physically carry a demon within it, and it’s not going to curse your household or anything like that. That’s superstition, and superstition is definitely unbiblical.
I would not go to the pastor about this. In fact, I probably wouldn’t go to anyone about this, including other attendees. But if I felt I had to speak to someone about it, I’d go to the women’s ministry director (I assume she’s the one in charge of this event). I would just briefly (like a minute or two, tops) and breezily explain to her, “Hey, I know you probably didn’t know this, but I was reading this really interesting article about gnomes, and it said A, B, and C (give the 2 or 3 most important points – don’t overwhelm her with the entire history of gnomedom). I just thought you might want to know in case that would bother any of the ladies in our group. I decided to choose the ice cream cone instead. See you at the party on Saturday!”. And then I would go and have a good time while attempting not to embarrass myself with my severe deficit of artistic talent. :0)
Event organizer: If I were the event organizer and someone came to me the way I’ve just described above, if possible, I would explain the information to the ladies and rescind or replace the gnome option so as not to unnecessarily offend anyone. I can’t guarantee that’s what any other women’s ministry director would do, but that’s what I would do.
I think some of the principles in my article Is Christmas Pagan? might be helpful to you.
Two days ago I had a D&C after a miscarriage. This is the second time I can’t have my baby in my arms. It’s heartbreaking but I am so grateful to be alive, since both the pregnancy and the procedure ended up being life threatening.
During these days of recovery I re-read your article, Elizabeth’s Gift, and it comforted me deeply. I understood that no matter what happens, as long as I have my God around me I have everything I need.
But I also read an article that said that every unborn baby goes straight to hell. I don’t really know if it’s true but as a mum of two unborn babies thinking about this breaks my heart. What are your thoughts?
First, let me say, I’m so sorry for the loss of your two babies. I can only attempt to imagine how devastating that must be. I have taken a moment to pray for you, and I’m asking everyone reading this to pause for a moment and pray for you too.
I’m not sure what the author of the article you read meant by saying that babies who die before birth go to Hell, or which Scripture(s) she may have twisted to come to that conclusion, but I can tell you there’s nothing in the Bible which explicitly says that.
Here’s what we do know: God is far more loving, compassionate, just, and merciful than we are. We also know that every decision He makes is right and perfect, and He is not capricious. So that’s the foundation we start from when we look at an issue like this. We can always trust God to act in keeping with His nature and character.
So “judging” God by His own nature and character as He Himself has revealed it to us in the totality of rightly handled Scripture, does it sound like it’s in keeping with His nature and character to unilaterally condemn an entire group of people (babies who die before birth) to Hell based on a particular physical quality (lifespan and sentience) over which they have zero control and He has 100% control? Do we see Him doing that with any other people group – males, people with red hair, white people, etc. – in the Bible?
No, we do not, because, when it comes to entrance into Heaven or Hell, God judges us individually, not for being a member of a certain people group. And He’s able to do that because He knows – even better than we know, ourselves – what’s in our hearts.
As to the eternal destiny of an individual pre-born baby who dies, let me direct you to some resources that go into this in more depth, which I think will be helpful and comforting to you:
Any suggestions on biblically sound podcasts for teens?
Yep. I would, first of all, suggest mine, A Word Fitly Spoken, not because it’s mine, but because we try to make sure we explain things in a way that new Christians and people who are new to whatever topic or passage of Scripture we’re discussing can understand.
I would also recommend any of the podcasters you find at the Recommended Bible Teachers tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page, as well as any under the “Blogs and Podcasts I Follow” heading (that’ll be in the right sidebar if you’re reading this on a computer, or near the very bottom of the page if you’re reading on your phone or tablet – just above “Links I Love!”).
Personally, as a mom of 6 and a former teacher, I think we baby and cater to teenagers, especially Christian teens, way too much. They need to grow up and mature. And…hey…they want to be treated like adults, right? Well, this is one area in which we can confidently treat them like adults – turn them on to doctrinally sound podcasts geared toward adults instead of toward teenage silliness and the cult of cool.
I was wondering if you knew of a good book for a young college age woman on the topic of biblical womanhood. I’m trying to find a book that provides a biblical view in contrast to most popular “Christian” books which seem to try to tear down the biblical view. Any suggestions you have would be great.
I would strongly recommend that she study straight from the text of Scripture about this. Books necessarily have to approach these topics in a “one size fits all” way, and that’s not going to teach her what it looks like to live out biblical womanhood in her unique life and context. But the living and active Word of God can.
I was wondering what are your thoughts on Prophetess Kimberly Moses?
I’ve never heard of her before, but I cannot fathom any circumstance, any stretch of the mind, or any reason, under which a doctrinally sound woman would call herself a “prophetess”.
I would recommend you stop following her immediately. She’s almost certainly teaching New Apostolic Reformation heresy.
(So, after I wrote the above, I was just going to leave it at that. But my curiosity got the better of me, so I Googled her. Yep, NAR. If you know anything about the NAR, you’ll spot it all over her website in about 10 seconds.)
Any recommendations for female African-American authors/bloggers/influencers?
No, because I don’t recommend teachers on the basis of ethnicity. I recommend teachers on the basis of sound, biblical doctrine.
I would recommend any of the women (or men) at the Recommended Bible Teachers tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page, as well as any under the “Blogs and Podcasts I Follow” heading (that’ll be in the right sidebar if you’re reading this on a computer, or near the very bottom of the page if you’re reading on your phone or tablet – just above “Links I Love!”).
If you have a question about: a Bible passage, an aspect of theology, a current issue in Christianity, or how to biblically handle a family, life, or church situation, comment below (I’ll hold all questions in queue {unpublished} for a future edition of The Mailbag) or send me an e-mail or private message. If your question is chosen for publication, your anonymity will be protected.
“Can’t you just recommend somebody – anybody – whose Christian book we can walk into a store, pick up off the best-seller shelf, and buy?“
Unfortunately, with a few rare exceptions, the answer is no. There are several reasons for that which I won’t go into in this article, but, generally speaking, you’re not going to be able to walk into your local Christian retailer and buy a book authored by a doctrinally sound Christian woman whose name you recognize. Women who rightly handle God’s word? You’ll usually find them out of the spotlight and close to home- serving their husbands, families, and local churches, and impacting them with the gospel- too busy for book tours and autograph sessions.
That’s the kind of Christian women you’ll find below, only they’ve dedicated their moments of spare time to edifying others. Their blogs, podcasts, and other materials can be a great leisure time supplement to what you’re learning in church- but they’re not a substitute. Look to your pastor, good teachers, and the godly women of your church for teaching and discipleship.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Don’t take my (or anyone else’s) word for it that any ministry, podcast, book, or blog is biblical in its doctrine. You MUST do the work of comparing with Scripture everything you read and hear. If it doesn’t match up with God’s word (in context), chuck it.
Women’s Hope Podcast– “Join Dr. Shelbi Cullen and Kimberly Cummings as they bring hope and encouragement through 25 years of combined experience in biblical discipleship and counseling as ACBC counselors. Shelbi and Kimberly provide biblical and practical wisdom by coming alongside women with the teaching and resources necessary to grow in the grace and the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Facebook GroupTwitterInstagram
Sheologians– Tune in weekly (available on iTunes) for episodes dealing with…well, you never know. From feminism to abortion, chick-lit to Christian bands, Summer Jaeger and Joy Hunter tackle a wide array of topics, both sacred and secular, from a biblical perspective. It’s good theology with a healthy dose of hilarity. Check out their articles, too! FacebookTwitterInstagram
4 Truth Ministry– “4 Truth Ministry seeks to publicly proclaim with boldness and clarity truths from Holy Scripture. Our mission is to teach through a public venue into places where the whole of Scripture might not be clearly taught…We do seek to make teaching available to believers who may have theological questions which they are not getting answers for in their particular contexts.” Kerri Sheldon (a previous guest poster here on the blog) helps run 4 Truth Ministry alongside her mom and theologian dad, with whom she co-authored the book Resolute.FacebookTwitterInstagram
The Berean Millennial– You can always find super content on Katie’s platforms, especially Instagram. Geared toward young women hungry for good theology and doctrinally sound resources, Katie informs her audience on everything from church history to great homeschool books to biblical terminology and concepts, and more! And be sure to check out her podcast, Abide, with her co-host, Natalie. FacebookTwitterInstagram
A Word Fitly Spoken– I don’t mention it often here on the blog, but I actually have a podcast too, with my lovely co-host, Amy Spreeman. We cover a wide variety of topics – discernment, discipleship, church, current events in evangelicalism, the occasional interview, and even a fun listener Q&A every now and then – all from a doctrinally sound perspective. Listen in on your favorite podcast platform or on the AWFS website. FacebookTwitterInstagram
You can always find these – and more great Christian women and men to follow – at the Recommended Bible Teachers tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page.
1. Go back to lesson 3 (link above) and review your answer to the first part of question 5, Israel’s pattern of sin and repentance in 2:16-23. How does today’s passage fit this pattern? How does today’s passage fit the theme verse of Judges (21:25), “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”?
2. Read chapter 4. Did Deborah take it upon herself to assume the position of judge (4:4)? According to 2:18, who placed her in the position of judge, and why? Was it for her own personal fulfillment or for God’s purposes in the nation of Israel? According to 4:5, what was Deborah’s day to day “job description“? How does this reconcile with God’s stated purpose for raising up judges in 2:18?
3. Notice how Deborah has to prod Barak to action (4:6, 14) and Barak’s hesitancy (4:8). What does this phrase – “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you…?” (4:6) – tell you about Barak’s awareness of God’s command before Deborah confronted him about it? Why weren’t he and his fighting men already out there obeying God’s command and fighting to protect their wives and children?
(Notice how 4:11 – seemingly random, useless information at the moment – becomes vital backstory when you get to 4:17. Always keep an eye on those seemingly random bits of information in the Bible. You might need them later.)
Where are Heber and the rest of the men of his clan when Jael is taking care of business (4:17-22)? Why aren’t they standing between Jael and Sisera, protecting her and the rest of their wives and children from danger?
What happens to women and children when men fail to fulfill their God-ordained role of protector? In what ways does men failing to carry out their God-ordained role impede women from carrying out our God-ordained role, and vice versa?
4. Compare 4:7 with 4:23-24. Did God keep His promise?
5. Many evangelicals today see this passage as a “girl power…’I am woman, hear me roar’…’Who run[s] the world? Girls!'” story. But is it? Carefully examine chapter 4, especially verse 9, in light of Isaiah 3:12 (Read 3:1-5, 9-12 for context. Notice the themes of Israel’s sin and God’s judgment in this passage. Notice also the “support” God is “taking away” in judgment. Are the people listed in 3:2-3 men or women? Why is God taking them away?) In both Judges 4 and Isaiah 3, is a woman in leadership portrayed as a blessing or as God’s judgment on His people? Explain why the original audiences of both the Judges and Isaiah passages would have seen these passages, not as a “girl power” celebration of women, but as a “man up” indictment of cowardly, lazy, faithless men.
Does the fact that God used Deborah as a judgment against the Israelite men who would not step up and do their duty as men in any way diminish her godliness or her wisdom as a judge?
6. Read chapter 5. As you read, compare the people, places, and actions with the the people, places and actions in chapter 4. Explain in your own words, verse by verse, how chapter 5 elaborates on, explains, or celebrates the events of chapter 4.
Which words and phrases in chapter 5 indicate that Deborah and Barak gave glory to God for the victory over Jabin and Sisera?
In a time in which literacy rates were low and writing materials were scarce, explain how this song would have helped preserve the historical events of chapter 4 in the memories of the people of Israel. Why would it have been important for them to remember these things? What lessons would God have wanted them, and us, to learn from these events?
7. Take a moment to meditate on the depth of mercy and grace it took for God to rescue these sin sick souls from His own judgment and wrath, and give them the victory. Then, consider that He extended the same mercy and grace to you in the cross, rescuing you and giving you the victory over sin, death, and the grave. Kind of makes you want to sing a song of worship like Deborah and Barak did, doesn’t it? Pick a good one and sing His praise!
Homework
Many egalitarians and feminists today try to use the story of Deborah’s position of leadership to justify women “pastors,” women preaching to and teaching the Bible to men, and women exercising authority over men in the church. Read my article Rock Your Role: Oh No She Di-int! Priscilla Didn’t Preach, Deborah Didn’t Dominate, and Esther Wasn’t an Egalitarian. Practice how you would explain to a friend who’s using Deborah to argue against 1 Timothy 2:12 that Deborah as judge does not support the idea of women pastoring, preaching to/teaching men, or exercising authority over men in the church? How might women holding these positions today be just as much a “man up” indictment of evangelical men as Deborah was to the Israelite men in her day?
There’s an empty chair at the table
Where my child once used to sit
When we all broke bread together
A family whole and fit
There’s an empty place in the photo
As his siblings celebrate
Without him again, missing him in
The memories they create
There’s an empty stocking at Christmas
Another year far from home
Joy with tarnished edges
As the wayward one still roams
There’s an empty place in my heart
That longs to be peaceful, content
Praying my child heeds the call of Christ
But fearing he’ll never repent
And so goes the song - it goes on and on -
Of a godly mother’s heart
Life’s full of empty moments
Her prodigal’s sin imparts
Until our knees and hearts are raw
We pray and pray again
A thousand tears we offer up
“How long, O Lord?” and “When?”
And the Father who once welcomed us home
- For we were His prodigals too -
Says, “Come and rest, and stand the test,
My grace is sufficient for you.”
