Ginny - TWM Day 14

Good Morning Girlz!!!  I woke up late, text my boss to tell him I'd been in later, run by the coffee shop to get a drink, my music minister is in there and buys my coffee for me!  Moral of the story: somedays you just need to sleep in.

I really liked today's post.  I'm excited to get some thoughts down.

S - likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

O - We are still in 1 Timothy today, but Nancy is specifically focussing on the word "self-control."  I never realized before how PREVENTIVE and PROACTIVE self-control is, but now I think I will never hear the word "self-control" again without thinking those two words.  You see when we have self-control we don't even get into situations that are sticky.  This can be in the world of relationships, finances and FOOD (still the thorn in my flesh!!!).  Self-control allows us to stay away.  It protects us, and as Nancy says, that is not a fuddy duddy thing, it is freedom.  Living under the Holy Spirit and living by His design is so much more fun than giving in for quick fixes and than finding ourselves in a mess.

A - Some questions to answer:

Am I a self-controlled woman? Mostly yes, except in the area of FOOD!

Do you have sound thinking? Not all the time.  My brain wanders and changes.  I don't think I think stupid, but it's not always sound.

Are you moderate and temperate in your eating habits, your exercise habits?  NO!  Not when it comes to eating.  Yes, when it comes to exercise.

Is your tongue temperate? Most of the time.  I'm much more likely to keep it in, then let it out.  But then there are those occasions when I can't keep it in anymore and it all comes out.  This is still pretty rare though (and something I need to work on - blurting out isn't such a pretty thing no matter how rare it is).

Is your tongue controlled and restrained by the Spirit of God? I could use more of this.  I don't take advantage of opportunites where I could say something about the Lord or add in a verse or one of His truths or a conviction.  I just let the conversation keep going without saying anything.

Are you one of those people that just blurts out whatever comes to your mind? Maybe 4 times a year ;)  And that still only happens with those VERY close to me.  I'm much more apt to keep it to myself (which isn't always a good choice either).

Are you self-controlled in your use of time?  Yes.  Many years ago the Lord spoke to my heart about being busy.  Ever since then I have placed a lot of importance on having down time to be at the house, to take care of those things that need to get done.  I try very hard to not fill up my schedule with lots of stuff going here and there.

Are you prone to emotional outbursts, to anger, to temper? Not really.  There are definitely times that a good cry is in order, but it's nothing that ever happens with anyone else around. 

Do you have command and discipline over your body and your physical appetites: food, sexually, morally, alcohol, drugs? There's that FOOD thing again - ugh!

Are there any habits that enslave you, habits that are not godly habits? Yes, my need for sweets!  I struggle with reigning in my cravings for sweets.

Are you willing and able to restrain yourself from unnecessary extremes? It's tempting on this question to look at other people and go, "compared to others I'm not extreme," but the thing is I have to look at my situation.  I may not spend much money, but do I spend more than is in my means.  In my own way, there are times that I go extreme for me.

• In the way you spend money? every once in awhile I'll buy something I really want, but don't need and can't afford.
• In the kinds of clothes you buy? not too extreme here, probably a little boring
• In your work habits and doing chores around your home? extreme is not a word I would describe my work habits or chores with

Are you disciplined to do the job when it needs to be done? Yes.
Or are you like I am so many times, a perpetual procrastinator? Not so much a procrastinator.

When you find yourself up against the deadline do you throw everybody's life into a tizzy because you didn't have self-control over your schedule.  I use to do this.  I use to plan and try to accomplish way too much.  The Lord has taught me to let somethings go and to focus on the most important and to be O.K. with not everything being perfect.

Are you restrained and appropriate in relationships with men? In your demeanor with men? Again, compared to others, yes, but thinking back on past relationships there are things I would have done differently.

P - Lord, again I thank You for giving us instructions on how to be a true woman.  I pray that I would have self-control especially in the area of food.  How I deal with my eating choices reflects my heart, and I want my heart to be one that reflects Your soverignty.  I ask for strength and perseverance to run the good race and not give in.  Even today I pray for victory over temptation. 

*Also, have a quick personal prayer request.  I have a friend that is coming in this weekend for a visit.  This friend is a boy, and we've been talking on the phone for many months, and have met once.  In the beginning, I wasn't too interested, but as we've continued to talk and get to know each other I've really started to like him.  So, he's coming down again and I'm so excited, but I would love it if y'all would send up a little prayer this weekend when you think about it.  I know it will be a lot of fun, but there are some things we need to talk about and I pray the words flow and the conversation is good.  Love you girls!  Thank you sooooo much!