Counsel - Ann

Hello Ladies!

First off I wanted to thank Emily for her beautiful insight and thoughts. I really do admire how you have a "bubble"  and that you do your best to not let your thoughts and life revolve around the ways of the world. Thank you also for your sweet prayers.

I must say that I am very thankful to my parents, and for the upbringing that I had, and that I was able to be home-schooled. I was able to grow up in a "bubble" and although I didn't think it was that great at the time I am thankful for it.

Where do I get my counsel? "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.' Psalm 1:1-2

When I reflected on this, I realized that I have some work do to in this area. I very much agree with the idea that what you put in is what will come out, however, I do find myself attached to the radio, as I love music, and I find myself glued to the TV before I go to bed. I am not a person who has ever followed a certain show or think  that I am a TV addict, nevertheless I am now more aware of what I am watching, and will be working cutting out all of the garbage. For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to just have the Christian music station on in my car and I have noticed a difference in my attitude, but at the same time I am pulled to listen to the secular stations, with their catchy tunes, however, I have been more aware of the lyrics, and must say that most music is quite trashy when I actually think about it. Yes, I need to be better about what I let in.

The parts where Mary says "she goes about her daily business and neglects to walk in the way of the Lord......the way of the world side-tracks her".........that this is "caused by aimlessness,"...."how much of a poison pill can we swallow before it kills us?" these passages caught my attention. I personally find it very easy to get distracted and pulled away from God on a daily basis. I do feel like I am aimless sometimes. After reading this I am reminded once again that I need to make God the center and I feel I am being called to do this through daily scripture reading the first thing in the morning. I had been very dedicated to daily bible reading, and have now found that I have fallen off track and am not getting my bible reading in every day, even though when I do make time for God, it changes my whole outlook and I end up having a better day regardless of what happens during the day. I now feel energized to make this my #1 priority in the morning!

I also like how Mary points out that we need to be good at discernment, to know what is truly of God and what is not, as the evil one is trying to deceive us constantly. Being good at discernment will make it easier to tune out the world and tune into God. Philippians 4:8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Right after I had finished this chapter yesterday I decided to read my Bible. I use a website that gives daily scripture readings and the reading happened to be Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits."I thought this scripture passage tied right in to what Mary talked about in this chapter. Beware of the wild ways of the world, do not be deceived by the lies that the world will constantly tell you, fill yourself up with good things,be a good and Godly person and you will bear good fruit. 

Lord help me tune out the world and tune into you, as I want to bear good fruit! : )

Counsel - Emily

Honestly, this chapter is a pretty easy read for me. Over the last several years  I've developed a lifestyle that's relatively media-free. {Not bragging on myself, just stating fact}. And I am so thankful for my "bubble"!! Really, what's out there today is such garbage in light of God's Truth.
Yes, I believe 100% that we are whatever we feed ourselves (our minds). Back in My Quixtar/Amway days they told us to turn off the TV and promoted only listening to their audio cd's and reading from a 'Top 20' book list. This isn't a bad thing, just goes to show that they wanted to have major influence on my thought process. How much better off would I have been if I had someone encouraging me to read the Word everyday and take in other good audio/book teachings about God's way of life?!?! Well, we can only move forward, right? Right.

Overall, this chapter has encouraged me to be more proactive in feeding myself "good stuff" (reading the Bible, or related books, listening to worship music or audio messages, etc). My days can have a lot of 'mental down time' where my mind can just run around and think whatever crazy thoughts fly in, and that's generally a place where Satan likes to play (Grr). SO I have to be on guard with what paths my thoughts are taking and really 'take every thought captive'. 2 Cor 10:5
 Phil 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I confess, I like country music :-) But I do notice a shift in my demeanor if that's all I listen to for more than a day or 2. Sad isn't it? That a few simple songs on the radio can puff me up into thinking I'm a big deal, make me more defiant towards my husband, encourage wrong thoughts that don't honor God, etc. etc..... not that these are things anyone else would notice, just subtle shifts under the surface feeding my fleshy desires. Mary says "Daily exposure to the world's way without a counteracting exposure to God's way will kill you...." (pg.42)

Thankfully in this season I don't find that I have much time for extra 'entertainment', a husband, toddler and infant are plenty of entertainment for me :-) And my time is so much better spent serving and investing in them! I've noticed in myself that if I do try to follow a TV show for a season it can really mess with my attitude.... it can consume my thoughts "when the next episode will be available, and when I will be able to watch it" and I can get really ugly and frustrated if I am interrupted during it (yikes - some of these reactions surprise even me) So where is my focus then really? Personally, I just can't get wrapped up in trying to follow anything like that right now. Doesn't mean it's bad for everyone, just means I can't handle it right now, my family suffers from my distractions.
 I do have a stack of "good" books that I want to read (Bible-related, parenting, etc.) but I don't even have a lot of time to do that.... {oh how I wish I could go back and tell my single self to invest more time chasing the things of God!! But, moving forward} I know that I need to be in the Word and on my knees EVERY DAY so that He can fill me with His life to pour out to my family and those around me. Also on pg 42 Mary talks about intentionally tuning in to what God has to say... that He will feed and nourish our souls.... and that it will be a delight to us! Getting up early to spend time with Him isn't always easy but it's so vital to the health of my day! And I really do delight in sitting at His feet!!!

Praying over you two ladies because I know that you are faced with a lot more media than I am just based on our situations. (The office might have an uproar if you wanted to listen to Veggie Tales music and sing nursery rhymes all day)

Love and Blessings!

Heart - Ann

Hey Ladies!

This book definitely makes me take a step back and examine myself as well, and although that is painful to do sometimes it is always a good thing to do.

What a great reminder that God should be the center of our lives! At all times!

I am such a stubborn person...I think I have to do everything on my own....which causes me to push God away.....usually when I need Him the most. So, when I read where it says: "If on the other hand Christ is not at the center, then she will walk in her own way in the way that is "right in her own eyes" (Proverbs 12:15) "a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 12:12) it really made me stop and think, and realize once again that, yes, God needs be the center and God needs to be in charge.....not Ann,otherwise Ann is just going to cause herself some trouble.

The passage where Mary says "the wild woman is a very religious woman, professing to be a holy woman. It is one thing to be acquainted with Jesus it is another thing to uphold Him as the Lord of your life." hit me hard too. How often do I put on a show? Am I truly the person I like to make others think I am? Am I truly the person God is calling me to be? I know I am religious but do I have any subsistence? Well, the more I think about it the more I realize I have a long ways to go....and to grow in the Lord. I can be a better woman, and I can be better at making God #1!

I liked how she pointed out the Heart-Foot connection: "your foot bone is connected to your heart bone" "1)Follow me with your feet and 2) love me with your heart" (Deuteronomy 11:22, Joshua 22:5) How true is this?!

I know I have much to work on and I found it encouraging to be reminded that "success in our relationships with God does not depend on our personal resources or capabilities. God's Spirit provides us with all the power love, wisdom and self discipline we need" How wonderful is this......God provides! 

One more area that really stuck out to me was where Mary points out that our obedience to God is not a "requirement" to have a good relationship with Him, but that obedience is the "by-product" of a good relationship with God. What another great reminder that God does not make up a bunch of rules to weigh us down, but rather to help us. Because the closer to God we are, not only are we going to be more obedient Him, at the same time we are also more free, because sin just weighs us down, but on the other hand obedience to God frees us!

Neato! 

Thank you Lord for loving me so much! Help me to be the woman you want me to be! 

Heart - Emily

Morning ladies!

I feel like I have to add an addendum to my email from last week... this book makes me totally cringe in regard to my past. I was 100% Wild the end of high school/beginning of college; so when she reminds us that the 'wild woman' can be in our churches.... yep, that was me. I know first hand what it's like to say all the right things but maintain a life completely opposite and against God's ways. Oh the grief I've stirred in my own life and, sadly, the lives of others. {{Needless to say, I will absolutely be having my girls read through this book in their teen years}} And yes, even now there are parts of my mind, heart and emotions that still have 'wild' tendencies, but I am getting better and better at recognizing and confessing them.

I have a lot of things underlined in this chapter, but I think what stands out the most right now is Mary's description of a girl her son should be looking for (pg. 26) "...does she bubble over with Jesus...?" I wonder what people see bubbling out of me? I know Jesus is not #1 in my heart and mind as much as He should be but I have an increasing desire for Him, it's a work in progress. But sometimes it's so easy to let the things right in front of us get in the way... diapers, cooking, cleaning, socializing, etc.

Matt 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord,Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father in heaven..."

** Oh how I want to enter the narrow gate!! I don't want to just look like the 'general christian population', I want a crazy love for Him that saturates my whole entire being; laying down all of myself so that He can overlay His plans for me (whatever they might be).

I know by continually seeking Him, He'll keep working in my heart! I am so thankful for His great grace and patience with me.

Wild Thing- Hannah

Hey girls!
Well,  to be completely honest, I read chapter 1 on Tuesday, and then read the Intro last night- I skipped over the into :) And let's just say that after reading chapter 1- I already felt quite convicted..when I went to read the Intro, it was a bit better :) I have a feeling that this book is going to do some things to my heart!  I am praying that we will all benefit and grow in our own lives and together as we read this book each week!
With that said, I can already tell you that I am currently a wild woman- yes, seeking to be wise, but I am most definitely wild.  I am not where I need to be or should be with the Lord.  I would say that looking back over my life- I have gone in and out of "wildness" - obviously, sin never really leaves us- it is something we do daily, but the concept of WHOLE-heartedly seeking God- is not something that I am always pursuing.
The story of the modern day girl- though I cannot relate specifically to that story- I can say that it is easy to become distracted by things around us and to lose focus on what we have and what is right in front of us- we can become so distracted that we forget what we were actually working towards..
The verses that stuck out to me were, "All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ Jesus" Colossians 2:3 and Psalm 19:7, "The Lord's instruction is perfect.  It nourishes the soul.  And it's trustworthy.  It is what makes a woman wise."  So, I read those and think if I SEEK what is hidden in Christ, I will become wise- I will gain the treasures of wisdom.
I think that there are different levels of being "wild"- some that are further away from God than others, but just the same- for now I would put myself in the wild category- and though it sounds funny : ), because I'm not going to lie- there are parts of me that like being wild : ) there are also parts of me that desire to be wise.
Anyway, here's to another week ladies!  Let's get wise! :)
Love to you both.

Wild Thing - Ann

I'm excited about reading this book together as well!

Mary makes it easy to read and like how it is clear and right to the point. I also love that she brings the scriptures to life in this book!

I went to girlsgonewise.com and it has free chapter study questions that I found helped me get more out of my reading.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as wild but as wise" Ephesians 5:15 I like this!

When I first think of the word "Wild" or a wild person, I think of it as exciting or a spontaneous person......after reading "wild thing" I defiantly don't think of wild as being that great. : )

I now think of a wild person as someone who is out of control, someone that does not listen to reason, someone who pushes God away.

I definitely want to be a Girl-Gone-Wise: a girl who's actions are based on doing what is good and wholesome for the glory of God! 

That quote that Emily mentioned: "Sin makes us stupid".... stuck out to me to! At first it made me laugh but then it was also comforting to think that yes we are all sinners, and yes we will make mistakes and get caught up in our own ways, but i is great to be reminded that we have a very loving merciful God who is always there for us!

The part where it talked about Proverbs 1:22 and the 3 types of wild people: Simple/Apathy, Fool/Resistance, and  the Scoffer/Rebellion. 

I can relate to all three in my own way in how I need to work on always wanting to learn more about God, reading my bible daily, always doing what is right no matter what and in how I sometimes I let God be in the back of my mind instead of the front, thinking that I have things handled, acting like I do not need God. Uh oh I guess I am kind of wild!

Oh it is better to be wise!

I can't wait to read and learn more!

Wild Thing - Emily

I'm pumped to go through this book with you guys. The way Mary contrasts the wild and wise really brings life and light to the verses!

Quote: "Sin makes us stupid.... None of us is beyond falling into the prideful assumption that we have enough smarts to make our own decisions about the way we live." ** Oh how sin clouds our good judgement, and we do/say things that we wouldn't normally do/say :-( Reinforces our constant need for Him to guide our steps. If Solomon was the wisest man on earth and he drifted away from God, it can so easily happen to us too.

Scripture: Ecc. 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  ** I don't know if this one was in this week's chpt but it stands out to me this week. Solomon's conclusion after a life full of wisdom, wealth and riches>> all is vanity except loving and serving God, doing life His way!

Blessings!