Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 3: Approach

Here is the video blog to Chapter 3: Approach

1. Read the third point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 45-55)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog

• What are some specific ways pop culture encourages women to manipulate men?
• Which type of manipulation have you used the most? The least?
• Can you describe an instance when being wily has blown up in your face?
• How can we become less wily and and more wise in our relationships?

© Mary A. Kassian Girls Gone Wise. Visit Mary’s Website at: GirlsGoneWise.com

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 2: Counsel

Chapter 2
You can find the video book blog at www.girlsgonewise.com or you can watch it at the end of this post!

1. Read the second point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 35-44)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Take the Media Reduction Challenge
4. Post your comments on the Blog

• Do you agree or disagree that “you’ll become what you expose yourself to”?
• Do you think you’ve been influenced by things you’ve seen? How?
• What adjustments have you made (do you want to make) to your media intake?

My responses to the questions above. Comment if you have anything you would like to add!

1. I agree that you'll become what you expose yourself to. You might not think it could ever happen, but it is easy to become desensitized to what you put yourself around (see, hear, and think about). Just like Mary Kassian said, it is a slow, steady drip, drip, drip, and then by the time you have been exposed to something 30 times you have it imbedded in your mind and thoughts.

2. Yes, I think I have been influenced by the things I have seen. I will never forget watching a movie with a group of friends in high school one Friday night. It was a violent movie, one that I didn't want to watch. There was a very violent scene where someone was killed, and to this day it still send shivers up my spine when something makes me remember it. I hate that it is stuck in my head. I think things we watch influence us; our moods, what we want to buy, eat, etc.

3. I have already made some adjustments in the last week by limiting my "media" intake. I cut down the amount of time I spent watching television. I thought that this would be something that would be incredibly hard for me, but surprisingly it wasn't been hard at all. I have found other things to do and occupy my time. Now, when I have actually been sitting down to watch TV I haven't even been finding it as enjoyable. I keep thinking of all the other things I would like to be doing.
The next step for me is to cut back on my internet time. I spend too much time on the internet.

Are You Swept Off Your Feet?

Chapter One was all about the heart-foot connection. I encourage all of you to watch the video below even if you aren't reading along with us. You can gain little nuggets of truth even in this seven minute video. I have shared my thought below on these questions. Please share your answers and insight by commenting below.

1. Read the first point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 23-33)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog.

• Explain why the Sage told his son to take careful note of a girl’s feet.
• How would the behavior of a woman who is “swept off her feet” by Jesus differ from one who is swept of her feet by other things?
• What things in your life compete for the center spot in your affections?
• How can you keep Christ at the center?

1. Explain why the Sage told his son to take careful note of a girl's feet.
The Sage Father tells his son that he will be able to tell a lot about a women by her walk (so true). Why? "Her walk demonstrates where her loyalty lies. It reveals whether her heart is inclined toward the Lord or toward other things--whether she's moving toward Him or away from Him, whether she prefers the path of uprightness or the path of wickedness, God's way or the world's way--whether she favors being wise or wild"(page 24-25). The small steps she takes daily add up to reveal what is important to her or where heart is in relationship to God.

2. How would the behavior of a woman who is “swept off her feet” by Jesus differ from one who is swept of her feet by other things?
If a woman is swept off her feet her attitude and speech and conduct are pleasing to God. She follows the Lord, and relies on Him. One who is swept of her feet by other things will do the things which are pleasing in her own eyes. "She will follow her own desires, turn aside from the straight and narrow, go after things she has no right to, and mess around with sin" (pg 25).

3. What things in your life compete for the center spot in your affections?
I think that a lot of times it is the "busyness" of life. I find myself getting up and wanting to get this or that done before I get into my quiet time with God. That is not the way it should be. I need to put all things aside until I have had my time alone with God. He should be my number one priority, not throwing a load of laundry in the washing machine. It can also be "me time," or what I want to do. If I find a free few minutes I will turn on my sewing machine or want to scrapbook; before I have had my time with God. Page 33 tells us that an important characteristic of a girl gone wise is that "Jesus Christ occupies first place in her heart. He is the object of her greatest affection." A good question to ask yourself is, "Are you swept off your feet in love with Jesus?" If the answer is no...you need to do some reprioritizing.

4. How can you keep Christ at the center?
By focusing on Him. Stop living the world's way and live God's way. "The more a woman's heart is seized with affection for Jesus, the more her life will be transformed to walk His way" (pg. 32).

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog Intro: Wild Thing

Here is the first book blog from Mary Kassian on Girls Gone Wise (you can view her comments about this introduction at the bottom of this post by clicking on the play button). She will be posting twice a week. This post is on the introduction chapter Wild Thing. The instructions are below. I have posted my responses to the first set of questions below.

Now it’s your turn:

1. Read the Introduction of Girls Gone Wise, entitled “Wild Thing” (Pages 1-20)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
   
3. Post your comments on the Blog.

• What’s your definition of a Girl Gone Wild?
• Do you think that women nowadays are wilder than they used to be?
• Do you see any evidence of “wildness” in your own life?
• What is required of us in order to withstand the pull to be wild?

Here is what I have to say about these questions. Feel free to post your responses to these questions. There is also discussion on Mary Kassian's blog site here.

1. My definition of a Girl Gone Wild is anyone who is relying on her own way (doing things on her own), rather than God's way and relying on God. I think every woman can fall into this category at some point (at different times of the day). It is important for me to remember not to rely on my own strength or on what I think I should do in a particular situation. I need to turn to God and ask Him to help me and turn to His Word to guide me. A Girl Gone Wild does not rely on God's Word to guide her conduct. To me this is the key of a girl gone wild and it can be found on page 17, "Wild is what we are whenever we disregard God and rely instead on the world's advice, or on what seems right in our own eyes."

2. Do you think that women nowadays are wilder than they used to be? My answer would be yes and no! I think woman have been wild since the beginning. We can see this as evidenced with Eve. She went against God and ate of the fruit. I think that being "wild" is more acceptable in our society today than it used to be. It is actually even viewed as attractive.

3. Do you see any evidence of "wildness" in your own life? I touched on this in the first question. There are times I try to do things my way without going to God and seeing how He would have me do them. This is wild too, not just the obvious women we see out there who are wild. I think it is important to recognize this as wild so we don't fall prey to thinking there is not "wildness" in our own lives. We must look to God and His word for guidance

4. What is required of us in order to withstand the pull to be wild? To know what it is to be wild is the first thing in helping to withstand the pull. When you know the characteristics and can then begin to see them when they start in your own life it will be easier to combat them. We must be in the Word to show us how we should live, and be in close commune with God.

The "GPS" of our Soul

Girlfriends, journey back with me to five years ago when I was a newly married twenty-four year old woman. Chris and I were traveling around the country with Kidz Blitz Live, an interactive shared family experience for children and their families. This particular week we had arrived in Houston, Texas at a church called Champion Forest Baptist Church. Back in Kansas City, I was participating in my first Beth Moore Bible study, which was the Patriarchs study, and I was learning so much and enjoying her style of teaching. I remembered hearing Beth Moore say, in one of the videos in that series, that she had a Sunday night Bible study at her church in Houston. I looked it up online and realized I would be there when the Bible study went on. I was so excited. I wanted to try to go. Unfortunately, it was during the event that we had at Champion Forest. Chris encouraged me to go even though he could not drive me there.

What?...me drive by myself on the freeways of Houston and not get lost? I am someone that can get easily flustered on roads that I am not used to driving on. I like to drive on familiar roads where I know exactly where I am going. If you know Houston at all, they are not only known for crazy traffic, but also for their crazy highways. They are everywhere! They crisscross, intersect and go this way and that. They are built on top of each other and soar so high in the sky that you often feel like you are on a roller coaster.Here is a picture for all of you who have not had the pleasure of driving on these amazingly engineered freeways; and yes, you do drive on the very top road that is way up high in the sky (see what I mean about roller coasters:)

Chris said he thought I could maneuver the roads just fine. He said we would set the GPS (global positioning system) and away I would go! Well, the nice lady's voice sweetly guided me on my way. I had my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight. I was soon switching from one freeway to another like I was a seasoned pro and began to feel more at ease. Then the nice GPS lady's voice came on and told me to get on a certain freeway and I look up and make sure I am in the right lane and I see a big orange sign slapped across the sign of the lane I am to be in that said CLOSED. I immediately panic. What do I do. My palms were sweaty and I had 7 different lanes to pick from. I immediately had this gripping fear that I would become lost on the Houston freeways never to be seen again!

I quickly decided to stay in the lane I was in and the nice GPS lady started trying to recalculate my route. Luckily, within a few seconds she found me a new route to take and I was able to safely make it to my destination. As I pulled into the parking lot of the church a huge wave of relief swept over me! I had made it! I ran into the church with seconds to spare and found an open seat in the class room eagerly waiting to see Beth Moore emerge to teach us from the Word of God. I waited, and kept looking at my watch..five minutes went by...then ten. Finally, a nice woman came out and took the microphone. She said, "Hi, my name is Karen. In a few minutes we will be starting class. Beth Moore is not able to be here tonight so I will be leading our study this evening." What? Oh, no...I came all this way and braved the Houston freeways and do not get to sit under the teaching of Beth Moore. Then, I suddenly remembered....I had to get back in the car and do this all over again!

Girlfriends, just like I had a GPS guiding me through the freeways of Houston, we also have a "GPS" or Shepherd, His name is Jesus! ("For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25). If you have given Your life to Him and asked Him to be your Savior, He knows you, and hears your voice ("I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14, 15). He is willing and waiting to guide us through the highways and byways of life. He is just waiting for us to ask Him for help or guidance. With the good Shepherd guiding you, you may not know where you are going or where He is leading you, but that is okay. He is our path. He does not leave us or forsake us. And He has promised to stay until the very end. Matthew 28:20 says, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild Video Blog Starts This Tuesday

The Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild Video Blog begins next Tuesday, May 18th. Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book today so you can join us on this journey as we go chapter by chapter through the book with the author Mary Kassian. I have never participated in a video blog book club before. I am excited to see what this is all about.

I have already started reading and this book is very good. I have especially loved chapters 2 and 3 and can't wait to discuss them!

What Does God Require of Us?

Micah 6:8
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

I know many people ponder the question "What does God really expect from me?" I heard a great sermon by the senior pastor of my church that really helped answer this question. People usually fall into one of two categories. The first being that God doesn't expect much of us. The second being that God requests more than we can give (never really understand grace). Neither one of these is true. To help everyone better understand what God does require of us here are three main characteristics. Use these to check yourself and see if you are living up to what is required of you.

First, we must have a Reverent Attitude. We must walk humbly with God. I looked up the word reverent in the dictionary and it says, "feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful." I think the key here is it is not only an outward action and how you act when others are looking. Are you reverent to God when no one is looking as well? Pastor Steve posed the question, "How's your attitude?" He said that 95% of reverence is attitude and the other 5% is action. You will be ineffective for Christ if you have a bad attitude.

Secondly, do we love the things that God loves? Are those things what are important to you? Do you impart mercy, and it should be ongoing (not just every once in awhile) just like our Lord does.

Micah 7:18 "Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy."

Lastly, we must do what is right (to do justly). Do you have a righteous walk and a lifestyle of truth? If you sow the seeds of dishonesty that is what you will reap. A small example would be if you were given more change back than you should have received at the bank...what would you do? Would you be honest and return it, or would you think it was your lucky day and keep it? This very thing has happened to me in stores before and when I return the money they are always surprised. Amazing...this is what we should do, yet, all too often people sow their dishonest seeds.

If you are consistently doing these three things then you are doing what God requires of you! Girlfriends, I pray that you have a reverent attitude, love the things that God loves, and do what is right. If you feel you are having trouble in any of these areas, simply pray and ask God for help and guidance in doing these things. He loves you deeply and wants only the best for you!

Happy Mother's Day

As I sit back and reflect on the three years and 23 days (every day counts, right!) that I have been a mother I am first of all how amazed at how quickly it goes by. This was again reiterated to me the last few days as Chris, Max, Cooper and I spent time in Tishomingo, OK. We drove down to attend the celebration service of Chris' cousin Ryan's life. Ryan was only 33 years old when he passed away unexpectedly after marrying the love of his life in March (only a little over a month ago). The common theme that I heard was that those who knew and loved him best wished they would have been more intentional in being with Ryan.

This Mother's Day I think the greatest gift I could give myself would be to take this advice to heart, to be more intentional in the time I spend with my boys. I feel guilty as I think of all the times Max wants me to play with him and I will quickly rush through my time with him so I can get on to the next thing I need to do. This Mother's Day I am vowing to spend more time just "being" with my boys; focusing on them, playing with them, and loving on them. I challenge you to take more time and be intentional in the time you spend with your kids. For we do not know the Lord's plans nor how many days we have on this earth.

Happy Mother's Day...cherish every moment you have with your loved ones!

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

The Attitude of Your Heart Towards Your Trouble

James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

I love this verse. It is one that often brings comfort to those facing difficult circumstances in life. I wanted to take a closer look to see if I could gain more insight into this scripture. Thanks to the help of my study Bible, my husband, and commentaries here is what I found.

Count it all joy. The greek word for count may also be translated "consider" or "evaluate." What is your natural human response to trials? Not to rejoice, right? It is easier to have a doom and gloom attitude towards them. That is why we must remind ourselves to face each one with joy. It is not something that will always come naturally, me must be conscious about it!

The Greek word for trial connotes trouble or something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, joy and happiness in someone's life. The verb form of this means to put someone or something to the test with the purpose of discovering that person's nature or that thing's quality. God brings such tests to prove--and increase--the strength and quality of one's faith and to demonstrate its validity. For example, if an athlete never works his or her muscles they will not grow stronger and not improve in their sport. Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen: if the believer fails the test by wrongly responding, that test then becomes a temptation, or a solicitation to evil.

This is a very interesting fact that I did not know until my husband shared it with me. The word trial and temptation are the same word in the greek. It can either be from God who is proving our faith, or from Satan who is trying to destroy our faith. Another good reason to press on with faith, my dear sister!

Testing means "proof" or "proving." Patience...better translated "endurance" or "perseverance." Through a test, a Christian will learn to withstand tenaciously the pressure of a trial until God removes it at His appointed time and even cherish the benefit. (It's important to note that God does not give us trouble for troubles sake, there is a purpose in mind).

Perfect. Not a reference to sinless perfection, but to spiritual maturity. The testing of faith drives believers to deeper communion and greater trust in Christ--qualities that in turn produce a stable, godly, and righteous character.

My girlfriends, life is constantly throwing trials at us. We do not need to know the source of the trial, but we do need to know the source of our strength through the trial. When the waves of life are buffeting you, look to God and He will get you through. Once on the other side you will be more spiritually mature, and have more of the abundant life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)!