The purpose of The Internet Café is to unite women of faith, regardless of our stage in life, our roles as women, our hair color, our political party, or the church we attend. We believe that one of the best ways to do this is to encourage each other in faith, by our spoken and written words accompanied by a short study each day to challenge and motivate you.
Most of our devotions are written by regular monthly contributors but we do accept submissions...
A Woman Inspired was a vision birthed in the heart of a small group of online friends whose mission was to minister to women online. It all started with the successful venture of a home education online conference and it just took off from there. The first A Woman Inspired Conference, Get Revived 09′, was held on April 6-9 and we had a record breaking number of women registered and even more set free from bondage and inspired to live the life Christ died to give to us.
The ladies at A Woman Inspired know that you want to simplify life so we've created this FREE toolbar just for you!
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Our mandate is given in Exodus 18:20. God wants us to teach our children His principles, His thoughts on family, His plan for our future. Those are His mandates that must be taught at home. Every parent is a teacher. This is not a just a homeschooling conference but also a parenting conference. Please join us for this fun, informative, and encouraging conference from the convenience of your own home!
I am up to my ankles in building materials this week because we are doing a semi-remodel of the kitchen. We had a very old 27” drop-in stove and it finally went up in smoke, literally. We found it was cheaper to get an average range and remodel to accommodate it versus buying another drop-in. The problem we had with this was the inconvenience. We honestly pondered the idea of spending almost $600 more to get around it. I mean, we seriously considered it. Can you believe that?
We finally realized how foolish that was and decided to begin demolition. Of course, I tried to cut every corner possible. “Save that! Maybe we can use if for something else.” I didn't want to get rid of anything. I also gave my $.02 worth when it came to the supplies that were needed. I assumed that we could just use what we had. Why did we need a trowel and tile sponges? Why can’t we use a kitchen sponge and flat blade knife?
My brother the engineer/construction guy insisted that if he was going to do this job then it needed to be done right and he would also need these tools. He said we couldn’t use old warped wood because the tile wouldn’t lay right. He said he was not going to be a part of any project that was done so poorly. Then, my 20 something brother began to preach to me about foundation and structure and how I could make it look like a million bucks cosmetically but it still wouldn’t matter if it collapsed because the structure was weak.
sigh…. Can you hear God’s voice already?
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Our Lord doesn’t pretend to be good, He is good. He didn’t put a smile on his face and calm the tone of his voice just to be aesthetically pleasing. He did it because that is who He was as a man. If I am to imitate Him then I must do it from the inside out. I need a good structure or else I will collapse under pressure. This has happened to me many times before. I have slipped up and revealed my true insides in front of others. This happened because I tried to modify my behavior instead of letting God change my heart. Being Christlike is a result of loving Him. It can be hard work to change your heart but it is the only way to imitate Christ.
I want to be as true and strong as my new kitchen!
Thank you, Father for speaking to my heart even in day to day tasks. Amen.
Ephesians 6:6
Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.
I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: In Pursuit of Proverbs 31
You are a blessing.
Amy, isn't it interesting how God takes details from each of our lives and teaches us through those? I mean, he speaks to each one of us in a way that is unique in that moment in time--amazing! I'm glad he never tires of teaching and re-teaching his principles.
Loved the illustration. What a wonderful post. Thanks! You have a wonderful way with words. God Bless!
Excellent words.
You hit the nail on the head. :0
Wow, this is such a great post and a great reminder.
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings
I agree with Cheryl about the illustration--it was great. Our lives need to have the solid foundation in Christ. Great post and I'm inspired to work hard today to HIS will with all my heart. Thanks!
Blessings in Christ--
It's wonderful how God uses our everyday happenings to teach us lessons. Thank you for sharing. God bless, Cory
I love how you can take situations in your life and make such a wonderful analogy between it and God. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thank you for your wonderful post! It is amazing how God works in so many ways.
I have "carded" you. So check my blog to check it out.
Great word Amy!
I'll be delving into some of these subjects tomorrow on my Marriage post.
It's so true, the foundation and the right tools make all the difference. My husband would have been just like your brother! He's so picky about his tools.
In fact, I use that to my advantage when I want some "tools" in my kitchen from Pampered Chef...I remind him that it makes such a difference to use the right quality tools! :)
Blessings,
Sue
Wonderful thoughts! I love writers who are gifted at relating everyday life to their spiritual walk.
I can really relate to this illustration--I am surrounded by a house in the midst of renovation!
Wow - great thoughts on remodeling - thank you!
Of all the things that God has spent many years teaching me, this one resonates the loudest. An inner foundation that is built on the work of the Holy Spirit deep within . . . in His timing, His way - not mine. I, too, have shown the world (a time or two) the "real me" when the pressure got too great - not pretty! I now trust only His work in me - not MY work in me.
Girl, this brought back memories of God's mercy in all of my foibles. Almost made me cry.
Darnelle
What a post. You and God hit my heart where I needed it. I am glad God is will to wait on me as I get stronger in struture to be more like Him. Good luch on your remolding project.
Love and Hugs,
Every time I start to post a message and I see the other Cheryl, I have to think, "did I already leave a post?" I'm scatter-brained, I know!
THanks for the good word!
I'm so enjoying these devotions!
i too have been thinking about foundations, pillars of my faith. this was just one more way God has been trying to remind me to keep the main thing the main thang. :)
great post Amy!
Lisa
girl it AMAZES me daily how HE is standing right there in the middle of it...in the DETAILS...
you amaze me...posting these FABULOUS words of wisdom on the eve of a debut...
Ephesians 6:6...I needed to hear it and I'm writing it down...
"work hard but not just to please your master when they are watching. As slaves of Christ do the will of God with all your heart!"
OH YES!!
that is IT!!
love you!
lori
The foundation is so important. What are we building on?
Smiles!
Great post...I loved:
"Our Lord doesn’t pretend to be good, He is good. He didn’t put a smile on his face and calm the tone of his voice just to be aesthetically pleasing. He did it because that is who He was as a man. If I am to imitate Him then I must do it from the inside out. I need a good structure or else I will collapse under pressure."
Thank you for writing the words I needed to hear (read) this morning.
I enjoyed visiting your blog. I'm a fellow Louisianian, although I've been gone for about 15 years. Geaux Tigers! B.
amy, I agree with Linda he does speak to everyone of us in a very unique way ,just at the right time he knows just when we need ot hear from him,we are all unique to God and that is the beauth of it all how wonderful we are made.blessing,marina
My "pride" often gets in the way. Thanks for reminding me that it is Christ that I am to imitate, and not anything or anyone else.