Helping Widows
18/12/12 12:25
Dear Auntie Ann:
I know several women who are single either by being widowed, having a military husband who is deployed, having a husband who travels extensively, or having gone through a divorce. How can the church and I bless them? I'm not thinking about a fix-a-car day. I'm not able to do that.
I believe the Lord laid this on my heart, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
Sincerely,
Wanting to help
Dear Wanting To Help
I commend you for your desire to help those in the body of Christ who don't have the support system you have or they have had it and lost it. I have been on both sides of the issue, so I will share some of what I have done and now what others are doing for me in my widowhood. Much depends on your age and resources.
What I and my family have done:
1. "Adopted" a single mother and her children by remembering birthdays and holidays.
2. Invited them to our home for meals. (I found the easiest time was after Sunday morning service, especially when I was working.)
3. Visited the elderly in their homes or nursing homes, and of course those who were hospitalized.
4. Kept children for a weekend so a single mother could experience some alone time.
5. Took children and mom to a park or other attraction. There are so many in our area.
Consider theme baskets for special occasions (courtesy of Peggy Reed):
1. Cookie baking with kids. Contains boxed cookie mix, cookie cutters, tub of frosting, spreading knife, sprinkles, and CD of children's worship songs. Give in a plastic box with lid to store cookie cutters and spreader.
2. Happy feet. Contains foot lotion, nail polish, toe separators, pumice stone, clippers, emery boards, and a Christian magazine. Place in a small plastic bucket with handle.
3. Office organizer. Contains decorated file folders, paper clips, pencil holder and pencils, computer labels, and a magnet with Scripture. Place in a small trash can.
4. Spa indulgence: Contains fancy soap, bubble bath, lip balm, a fragrant candle, and a Christian novel. Wrap in a large, soft towel.
5. Spaghetti dinner: Contains jar of spaghetti sauce, box of noodles, can of green beans, Italian salad dressing, croutons, and some Italian cookies. Arrange in a tote bag or reusable shopping bag and attach a card printed with a table blessing.
What is now being done for me:
1. I attended a S.E.L.A.H. meeting in the home of a young couple.
2. I have a prayer partner, who is married. We usually meet in her home, where I am treated to a wonderful breakfast.
3. I have been asked by Convoy of Hope to do volunteer work by calling donors. Since my income is limited, I feel I have a small part in disaster relief.
4. I have been invited to hayrides and other church events.
Sincerely yours,
Auntie Ann
I know several women who are single either by being widowed, having a military husband who is deployed, having a husband who travels extensively, or having gone through a divorce. How can the church and I bless them? I'm not thinking about a fix-a-car day. I'm not able to do that.
I believe the Lord laid this on my heart, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
Sincerely,
Wanting to help
Dear Wanting To Help
I commend you for your desire to help those in the body of Christ who don't have the support system you have or they have had it and lost it. I have been on both sides of the issue, so I will share some of what I have done and now what others are doing for me in my widowhood. Much depends on your age and resources.
What I and my family have done:
1. "Adopted" a single mother and her children by remembering birthdays and holidays.
2. Invited them to our home for meals. (I found the easiest time was after Sunday morning service, especially when I was working.)
3. Visited the elderly in their homes or nursing homes, and of course those who were hospitalized.
4. Kept children for a weekend so a single mother could experience some alone time.
5. Took children and mom to a park or other attraction. There are so many in our area.
Consider theme baskets for special occasions (courtesy of Peggy Reed):
1. Cookie baking with kids. Contains boxed cookie mix, cookie cutters, tub of frosting, spreading knife, sprinkles, and CD of children's worship songs. Give in a plastic box with lid to store cookie cutters and spreader.
2. Happy feet. Contains foot lotion, nail polish, toe separators, pumice stone, clippers, emery boards, and a Christian magazine. Place in a small plastic bucket with handle.
3. Office organizer. Contains decorated file folders, paper clips, pencil holder and pencils, computer labels, and a magnet with Scripture. Place in a small trash can.
4. Spa indulgence: Contains fancy soap, bubble bath, lip balm, a fragrant candle, and a Christian novel. Wrap in a large, soft towel.
5. Spaghetti dinner: Contains jar of spaghetti sauce, box of noodles, can of green beans, Italian salad dressing, croutons, and some Italian cookies. Arrange in a tote bag or reusable shopping bag and attach a card printed with a table blessing.
What is now being done for me:
1. I attended a S.E.L.A.H. meeting in the home of a young couple.
2. I have a prayer partner, who is married. We usually meet in her home, where I am treated to a wonderful breakfast.
3. I have been asked by Convoy of Hope to do volunteer work by calling donors. Since my income is limited, I feel I have a small part in disaster relief.
4. I have been invited to hayrides and other church events.
Sincerely yours,
Auntie Ann
Needing Help with Relationship issues
15/02/12 17:41
Dear Auntie Ann:
If you have been married and then become widowed and remarried, which husband will you recognize in heaven? I assume believers who have divorced and remarried believers ask the same question. Signed, Needing Help with Relationship issues
Dear Needing Help:
Your question has been asked through the ages. Earthly relationships mean so much to us. We're just, well, so earthly.
According to Dake's Annotated Bible, rabbis in Jesus' day believed if a woman had two husbands in this life she would have the first only in the next life.
Wrong.
Let's look at Jesus' answer in Matthew 22:23--30, when the Sadducees asked Him a question regarding this. Interestingly, the Sadducees didn't even believe in a resurrection. But Jesus
graciously entertained their trick question. A teachable moment.
Jesus said, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage" (v.30, NIV).
With the help of Matthew Henry's Commentary we learn: (1) Jesus will be all in all; (2) No helpmate will be needed; and (3) Our glorified bodies will be spiritual. No carnal desires will need to be gratified.
About being earthly in our thoughts: A widow told me she would love to have Bob hold her one more time. I too would love to have David's strong arms around me...just once.
Whatever is prepared, the Bible says, is beyond anything we imagine here. (See 1 Corinthians 2:9.) What a hope we have.
Blessings to You,
Auntie Ann.
If you have been married and then become widowed and remarried, which husband will you recognize in heaven? I assume believers who have divorced and remarried believers ask the same question. Signed, Needing Help with Relationship issues
Dear Needing Help:
Your question has been asked through the ages. Earthly relationships mean so much to us. We're just, well, so earthly.
According to Dake's Annotated Bible, rabbis in Jesus' day believed if a woman had two husbands in this life she would have the first only in the next life.
Wrong.
Let's look at Jesus' answer in Matthew 22:23--30, when the Sadducees asked Him a question regarding this. Interestingly, the Sadducees didn't even believe in a resurrection. But Jesus
graciously entertained their trick question. A teachable moment.
Jesus said, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage" (v.30, NIV).
With the help of Matthew Henry's Commentary we learn: (1) Jesus will be all in all; (2) No helpmate will be needed; and (3) Our glorified bodies will be spiritual. No carnal desires will need to be gratified.
About being earthly in our thoughts: A widow told me she would love to have Bob hold her one more time. I too would love to have David's strong arms around me...just once.
Whatever is prepared, the Bible says, is beyond anything we imagine here. (See 1 Corinthians 2:9.) What a hope we have.
Blessings to You,
Auntie Ann.
In Need of Wisdom
05/01/12 10:21
Dear Auntie Ann:
My friend thinks he cannot be healed because his mother was such a good Christian and was never healed. She died in her 40s. How can I make him believe that he could be healed if he would just ask, even though he doesn't believe?
In Need of Wisdom
Dear In Need of Wisdom:
I have been miraculously healed twice, the latest in 2010 of blood poisoning. In the cemetery near my home are the bodies of my son Steven (21) and my husband David (62), both of whom loved and served Jesus. Even with their difference in ages, I see nothing to negate Jesus' power to heal. Psalm 90:10 says the "length of our days is 70 years ... if we have the strength."
This may not help your friend because a man/woman convinced against his/her will is of the same opinion still.
Author Anthony Palma (The Spirit in Action) writes that "the early disciples did not and could not perform miracles indiscriminately or at will. Otherwise there would not have been a sick or dead person anywhere in sight" (p.83). He adds: "The Holy Spirit cannot be circumscribed as to the manner in which people are miraculously healed."
Allowance must always be made for the sovereignty of God and for the sick person's attitude and spiritual condition.
I pray your friend will have the scales removed from his eyes and see his Christian mom healed and walking with Jesus on streets of gold.
Blessings my friend,
Auntie Ann
My friend thinks he cannot be healed because his mother was such a good Christian and was never healed. She died in her 40s. How can I make him believe that he could be healed if he would just ask, even though he doesn't believe?
In Need of Wisdom
Dear In Need of Wisdom:
I have been miraculously healed twice, the latest in 2010 of blood poisoning. In the cemetery near my home are the bodies of my son Steven (21) and my husband David (62), both of whom loved and served Jesus. Even with their difference in ages, I see nothing to negate Jesus' power to heal. Psalm 90:10 says the "length of our days is 70 years ... if we have the strength."
This may not help your friend because a man/woman convinced against his/her will is of the same opinion still.
Author Anthony Palma (The Spirit in Action) writes that "the early disciples did not and could not perform miracles indiscriminately or at will. Otherwise there would not have been a sick or dead person anywhere in sight" (p.83). He adds: "The Holy Spirit cannot be circumscribed as to the manner in which people are miraculously healed."
Allowance must always be made for the sovereignty of God and for the sick person's attitude and spiritual condition.
I pray your friend will have the scales removed from his eyes and see his Christian mom healed and walking with Jesus on streets of gold.
Blessings my friend,
Auntie Ann
Carnivorous Wannabe
11/11/11 08:20
Dear Auntie Ann:
I am a teenage guy who recently heard a message about Christians who are on milk when they should be on meat. I get the we-need-to-grow-up thing. But what does a person look like who is on milk compared to a person who is on meat? What really makes a Christian grow?
Carnivorous Wannabe
Dear Carnivorous Wannabe:
I commend you as a teen who wants to "subsist on nutrients obtained from the breakdown" (Webster's) of the Word of God. Sounds like you are well on your way. But, remember, we are all works in progress. No one goes from being a baby in Christ to a full-blown carnivore.
Interestingly three authors--Paul, Peter, and the writer to the Hebrews--used the same analogy. (See 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2; and Hebrews 5:12.) I'm thankful the Holy Spirit uses terminology we can grasp: baby, milk; mature person, meat.
The process has two parts:
God's part
1. He gave us His Word.
2. He gave us His Son.
3. He gave us the Holy Spirit to effect the changes we desire.
4. He "gave ...apostles...prophets...evangelists and pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we...become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV).
Your part,
Your part can be summarized in the following action verbs: long for, crave, desire, be on alert, resist temptation, feast on the Word, divide the Word rightly, serve, obey, etc.
"So whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely" (Philippians 4:8, NIV)--as you think on these, you, as a carnivorous teen, will definitely be on your way to being that mature teen you desire to be.
Best Regards,
Auntie Ann
I am a teenage guy who recently heard a message about Christians who are on milk when they should be on meat. I get the we-need-to-grow-up thing. But what does a person look like who is on milk compared to a person who is on meat? What really makes a Christian grow?
Carnivorous Wannabe
Dear Carnivorous Wannabe:
I commend you as a teen who wants to "subsist on nutrients obtained from the breakdown" (Webster's) of the Word of God. Sounds like you are well on your way. But, remember, we are all works in progress. No one goes from being a baby in Christ to a full-blown carnivore.
Interestingly three authors--Paul, Peter, and the writer to the Hebrews--used the same analogy. (See 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2; and Hebrews 5:12.) I'm thankful the Holy Spirit uses terminology we can grasp: baby, milk; mature person, meat.
The process has two parts:
God's part
1. He gave us His Word.
2. He gave us His Son.
3. He gave us the Holy Spirit to effect the changes we desire.
4. He "gave ...apostles...prophets...evangelists and pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we...become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV).
Your part,
Your part can be summarized in the following action verbs: long for, crave, desire, be on alert, resist temptation, feast on the Word, divide the Word rightly, serve, obey, etc.
"So whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely" (Philippians 4:8, NIV)--as you think on these, you, as a carnivorous teen, will definitely be on your way to being that mature teen you desire to be.
Best Regards,
Auntie Ann
Brighton Women Attending the Lioness Arising Conference
02/11/11 11:36
Dear Auntie Ann,
How do you feel the women of Brighton Assembly and our church as a whole will benefit from going the next level(s) at our Lioness Arising conference in January?
Sincerely, Anticipating
Dear Anticipating:
Good question. Only the Spirit knows as we buy into Lisa Bevere's vision. But no matter where a woman is in her spiritual journey, she will learn how Lisa's vision is fleshing out in her life. Among the principles she will challenge us with are:
1. To be a stunning example of strength;
2. To fiercely protect the young;
3. To lend our voices to the silenced;
4. To live in the light, but hunt in the dark; and
5. To raise a collective roar to see changes that need to be made in our areas of influence.
Lisa is transparent when she admits she doesn't know what a fully awake woman will look like. Bottom line: Brighton Assembly women need to be strong in God, an asset to men, and a voice of redemption to the lost and hurting. The lessons are unique in that they use the lion kingdom as an example. Those who attend will be pleasantly surprised to see the many Scriptures that reference lions and lionesses.
How do you feel the women of Brighton Assembly and our church as a whole will benefit from going the next level(s) at our Lioness Arising conference in January?
Sincerely, Anticipating
Dear Anticipating:
Good question. Only the Spirit knows as we buy into Lisa Bevere's vision. But no matter where a woman is in her spiritual journey, she will learn how Lisa's vision is fleshing out in her life. Among the principles she will challenge us with are:
1. To be a stunning example of strength;
2. To fiercely protect the young;
3. To lend our voices to the silenced;
4. To live in the light, but hunt in the dark; and
5. To raise a collective roar to see changes that need to be made in our areas of influence.
Lisa is transparent when she admits she doesn't know what a fully awake woman will look like. Bottom line: Brighton Assembly women need to be strong in God, an asset to men, and a voice of redemption to the lost and hurting. The lessons are unique in that they use the lion kingdom as an example. Those who attend will be pleasantly surprised to see the many Scriptures that reference lions and lionesses.