With all that's going on in the world
sometimes we need a little beauty in our lives to encourage us.
Sometimes we need to take a moment to remember
that we are called to be women of excellence
and how that calling can have an impact on what we do
and on the people around us.
Sweet friends,
take a moment to be still and breath in the goodness of our Lord.
Pour yourself a cup of soothing tea
and let us ponder some precious thoughts and quotes. . .
The Father and the Child
The Father spoke:
Come, child, let us journey together.
Where shall we go, Father?
To a distand land, another Kingdom.
So the journey will be long?
Yes, we must travel every day.
When will we reach our destination?
At the end of your days.
And who will accompany us?
Joy and Sorrow.
Must Sorrow travel with us?
Yes, she is necessary to keep you close to Me.
But I want only Joy.
It is only with Sorrow that you will know true Joy.
What must I bring?
A willing heart to follow Me.
What shall I do on the journey?
There is only one thing that you must do-
stay close to Me.
Let nothing distract you.
Always keep your eyes on Me.
And what will I see?
You will see My glory.
And what will I know?
You will know my heart.
- Cynthia Heald -
Our desire for excellence and for becoming women of excellence
who bring God glory delights Him,
but we must understand that His purpose is to conform us to the image of Christ.
This transformation is a lifelong journey.
{ Becoming a Woman of Excellence pg. 29 }
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 -
We must practice the art of long and loving meditation
upon the majesty of God.
This will take some effort,
for the concept of majesty has all but disappeared
from the human race.
- A. W. Tozer -
"If we are going to pursue a life goal that reflects our desire to
"Be our utmost for His highest,"
then we need to study God's character.
We want to become women of excellence
because we are children of an excellent God.
First, we need to acknowledge God's lovingkindness-
reflected in His unfailing, unconditional love
as well as His all-sufficient grace.
Second, we must recognize God's sovereignty.
Third, we need to accept God's loving provision for us,
giving us everything we need to do His will."
{ Becoming a Woman of Excellence - pgs. 15-16 }
Lord,
Open my ears!
So much of what I read in your Word speaks
of the importance of hearing.
Wisdom demands it;
Righteousness requires it;
Understanding necessitates it.
I see so much of selective hearing.
Am I a selective listener?
Do I only hear what I want to?
Oh, Father!
You know I long to be wise,
understanding,
discerning. . .
Teach me to open my ears and really hear.
- Carole Mayhall -
We must "ask" for wisdom.
Then and only then can it be given.
"Wisdom," wrote Spurgeon, "is a beauty of life that can only be produced
by God's workmanship in us."
God is not satisfied to save us from this world alone.
He wants to change us,
to make us real in the righteousness that is in His Son.
The only path to real change is to ask for His help.
When we do, we're in for the full treatment.
God's goal for us is greater that we could ever imagine.
- David Roper -
Society beckons us to succeed-
to achive excellence in our appearance, our earning power, our family life.
God Himself also beckons us to be women of excellence.
But was exactly is He asking?
If you're hungy for God's perspective on success
in a society that bombards you with conflicting demands,
feed on the truths of God's Word that you'll discover in these pages.
Not only will you learn to "approve the things that are excellent,"
but you will also experience the joy of becoming God's woman of excellence.
A little while ago Tyndale Publishers sent me a copy of the 30th anniversary addition of
Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald
and I must say that this book arrived at the perfect time.
We are living in a day and age where there is great heartache and pain
in trying to live by the worlds standards.
Becoming a Woman of Excellence is not only refreshing,
but it is also greatly encouraging.
Lovely ladies, we are called to be women of excellence,
and oh, what joy there is to be found when we pursue the goodness and grace of our Lord.
We have a beautiful and high calling to live by God's standards of excellence
and when we take that step in faith
- that step to becoming a woman of excellence -
we are embracing the woman that God desires us to be.
Becoming a Woman of Excellence is for ladies of all ages.
We {no matter our age} must actively pursue the Lord Jesus
in order to become women of excellence.
May this be our hearts desire.
There is a lot of Scripture references
as well as questions that will cause the reader to think deeply.
The book is also full of quotes from people such as:
A.W. Tozer
Elisabeth Elliot
C. S. Lewis
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Dwight L. Moody
Amy Charmichael
I highly recommend Becoming a Woman of Excellence.
** I was provided a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers
in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received. **
This post reflected the book Becoming a Woman of Excellence.
I hope this little taste of sweetness and encouragement
made you hungry for more.
{ this sweet and charming tea cup was a Mother's Day gift
from my dear hubby and son - they have good taste, don't they? }
Love and hugs to you, friends!