Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Today I am posting you another writing from my granddaughter, Meadow. Be blessed.

I have a question for liberal feminists (I love you, please don’t hate me):

I agree that women should have rights. I’m glad that I have the privilege to vote in this country. I have a career of my own. And I am glad that I am free to openly share my personal opinions. I believe that women can still be intelligent, bold, and contribute to society without calling themselves feminists.

And seeing that American women have more rights than we’ve ever had before and more rights than most women in the rest of the world; seeing that I am content to let my husband be the head of our household (which is biblical and he is much better at leading than I am) and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t respect my opinions and that I am in bondage; seeing that I do not believe in abortion; and seeing that I don’t feel like life is unfair to me as a woman . . . I do not consider myself a feminist. I have nothing to complain about.

But that is not the point . . . The point is a that I see a flaw in the liberal stance of feminism, which some of you may not have considered yet.

What is feminism? What do feminists stand for? Feminism is the belief of the social equality of the sexes, correct? Feminism is the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women to be equal to those of men. Feminism says that women are just as important as men (I believe men and women are important for different reasons). Feminists thrive to prove they can be just as independent, capable, and contributing as men.

But is this the true nature of women? Many women are at least forcing it to be so. According to feminists, women who do not want to prove they are just as good as men (like me), simply haven’t been enlightened yet.

Back in the old days (before feminism), when women considered a man to be her husband, she was drawn to qualities that made her feel protected and provided for. She didn’t want a man who was weak and lazy. She wanted a man who would take care of her NEEDS. Women were wired to feel this way. This was a natural attraction. And it was one of the qualities that I naturally found attractive in my husband. There were many other reasons why I fell in love with him, but I also loved that I could DEPEND on him.

But now days, it is not feministic to depend on a man. Women aren’t looking for men to be their providers anymore because now they compete with them. It is almost shameful for some feminists to admit they depend on men because the whole point they are trying to prove is that they can do without them.

Feminists seek to prove that they are independent and can take care of themselves . . . and that is why liberal feminism confuses me.

Instead of looking for those ancient attractions that used to draw women towards men, liberal feminists now look for those same qualities in the government. They want a government that will protect them, provide for them, take care of their needs, and give them free stuff. They want to feel like they can depend on the government. They place their security in the government. They seek the same qualities in a government that women used to seek in a husband.

This is why a majority of voters who elected President Obama (who was sending the message that he would provide for their needs) were women. And perhaps, this is part of the reason why a majority of protestors against President Trump (a conservative, whose agenda is an economy that provides for themselves and he doesn’t believe in giving free-hand-outs) are women. (I know there are other reasons why women hate Trump, because he has been disrespectful towards women in the past, but that's off subject).

This is my question . . . If they really are feminists and they’re capable of providing for themselves. . . why should they need the government to be their husband? Why should they need the government to give them free care if they are independent and strong women who can provide for themselves? Even though I am not a feminist, I at least have a better understanding of conservative feminism because they don’t rely on the government to provide for all of their needs, which is true independence.

Forgive me if this post has angered you. I am not trying to judge you or attack you. I don’t want to start a heated argument. I am just trying to challenge that way of thinking. My request is that since feminists like to believe they support women to express their own opinions and rational thinking, that you will at least support me for expressing my own rational thinking, even if is not something you agree with. Even though I challenge this way of thinking, I do not want further division and conflict, so please keep responses polite and let's respect one another. I want liberal feminists to understand where the rest of us are coming from . . . and I really want to see peace and unity in the country we all love.

MEADOW HALL

In what capacity, do you like to introduce yourself? Some like to introduce themselves as a teacher, a singer, or even a mother. Many pastors like to introduce themselves as Pastor So and So. They make sure they precede their name with the word, Pastor!

How did Paul and Peter introduce themselves? When writing to the Romans Paul begins: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.“ 2 Peter 1:1 Peter begins: “Peter, a servant . . .” He then adds that he is also an apostle. The word servant is “doulos” and literally means a bondslave, one who is in permanent relation of servitude to another. Although Paul and Peter were apostles, they first saw themselves as servants of Christ. Even Jesus himself confessed that He did not come “to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 ESV).

How do you look upon yourself? In this day of feminism and liberal theology a “servant” would be unthinkable. Isn’t it amazing that many Christians think they are better than the early apostles and even Jesus Himself? We are too proud to be servants.

Dearest mother, when you feel overburdened and overworked and you have no time to do anything you want to do because all you do is serve others all day long, don’t despair! You are following the footsteps of Jesus. You are like the early apostles. You are in the perfect will of God.

Oh, I know you don’t like being a servant. None of us do. We are so fleshly and selfish. But do we really want to be increasingly more like Jesus? There’s no greater way than to serve. How blessed we are as wives and mothers. We can joyfully serve in our homes all day long. We are in the very sphere where we can become like Jesus.

What way do you like to serve? We can serve grudgingly—sighing and complaining. Or we can serve joyfully. That takes the sting out of serving and relegates it to a high place. We can serve faithfully. This is the serving that Jesus talks about in Matthew 25:21 where He says: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

You may have dreams of big things you want to do in your life. There’s no way you can do them with all your little children around you, needing you every minute of the day. Dear mother, be faithful to your menial, daily tasks. God sees them. As He sees you faithful in the little things, He will bless you in His time with bigger things.

Although I must interrupt my writing here. I don’t believe exactly what I have just written. Because I believe that no matter what “bigger things” you may one do in your life, nothing is as big as what you are doing now. Nothing is as big a bringing into this world an eternal soul that will live forever. Nothing is as big as pouring out your nurturing heart to your children. Nothing is as big as preparing and training them for God’s destiny here on earth. Your God-given mothering career influences nations, governments, generations, and eternity!

I hope you have the most wonderful day SERVING your husband and family.

Love from Nancy Campbell

I am sure that many of them have only become this way because of feminist programming from liberal teachers and professors. They have been propagandized and directed toward a path of destruction. But they can be redeemed. I know many mothers who love being mothers and yet were once feminists. We must continually share the beautiful truth of God’s design for women which hasn’t changed since the beginning of time.

Sadly, there are also women in our society, and even in the church, who are deceived. They are such lovely women—women who are admired, women who love God, women who serve God. And yet many ignorantly oppose themselves. Because they too have been influenced by our liberal society and education system, they do not fully embrace motherhood and childbearing. In other areas, they have a beautiful attitude and spirit, but many are as deceived about their womanhood as those in the world. They are still living opposite to God’s original design, especially when careerism conflicts with motherhood. It is difficult to embrace both fully.

Why do women deny the way they are created? God created us physically to be the bearers of life and eternal souls. He created us to be the nurturers and nourishers of our children, and ultimately society. He created us for the glory of motherhood. Why do women resist? I know it is Satan’s subtle deception for he hates life and hates motherhood. Satan is always in opposition to God.

Let’s embrace God’s blessed and beautiful design. His plan is perfect. It brings rest and peace.

Be encouraged today.

Nancy Campbell

Painting: Kelley Carey MacDonald's "A little joy!"
Kelleymacdonalddailypaint.blogspot.com

The following is a writing from my granddaughter, Meadow, which she wrote on her Facebook. I would love to share it with you. I know you will be blessed . . . .

I have decided to make another exception to post something political. On second thought, I think it's bizarre that this is a political topic, because once upon a time, both parties would never have even considered that this would become a political issue . . . So, let's not call this a political issue. This is a basic human's right issue.

I am sharing this after being inspired to see so many of my brothers and sisters in-Christ stand up for something many of us believe in . . . Life.

I have always been passionate about the topic of pro-life. And I know plenty of others who are, too, but sometimes I wonder if God placed this issue to be so strong in my heart so that I would especially defend it. This has been a topic I am willing to stand up for, despite being criticized . . . which I have been plenty of times.

The most bizarre criticism I can think of, is was when one woman angrily compared me to Hitler because I was apparently forcing my opinions onto others (this is when I wrote a pro-life article that was comparing the abortion holocaust to the original holocaust and it was shared on a public fan page). But I can only laugh at the absurdity of that statement, while at the same time, be saddened by her opinion.

Another bizarre time was when I realized that pro-choice people who were getting abortions saw people like me who were there to persuade them to choose life, as their enemies. They would have been thrilled to see us arrested (though, we were doing nothing illegal). I remember feeling baffled and hurt at that realization. I was there to peacefully show that I cared and wanted what was best for them and their children. But I was despised for it. I'm not saying this to make you feel sorry for me, but to show the persecution that can come from defending life.

I know what many pro-choice people like to say . . . pro-life people do too much talk and no action. But I have nurtured this cause by writing articles, writing a pro-life song, recently filling out an application to counsel at a pregnancy crisis center (even though I don't know if anything will ever come out of that) . . . and by personally going to an abortion clinic several times to try to talk to women out of getting abortions. But I know that there is much, much more that we need to do.

People would like to argue that I don't really know what those women are going through, so I have no right to judge them. But I have seen first-hand some of those women at their most vulnerable moments.

People say that many people get abortions because they are too poor, I watched couples arrive at the clinic in fancy cars.

People say that women get abortions because it is their choice. I have seen a woman drive away from the clinic in tears because she must have felt like that was her only “choice.”

People say that the man has no say in the matter when it comes to abortion. I have seen a father fall to the ground paralyzed in the parking lot at the abortion clinic, because his girlfriend was about to murder his child and he didn't know how to stand up for the child. He was rushed out in an ambulance. After that the woman chose life.

I have seen people literally laugh at the fact that they were about to kill a baby. I've seen people be in total outrage that we would dare tell them what they're doing is wrong (one man threatened violence). I've seen people be so self-conflicted and torn about whether or not it was really the choice they needed to make.

I've seen people turn around from the clinic and choose life.

I know that some of them were struggling to ignore their conscience that murder was wrong. I know that there were demons in that facility . . . I felt the darkness. Sometimes the weight of the darkness was so heavy in that place that I would be so depressed while I was there and even awhile afterwards.

I am sharing all of this to show you what I have seen. Please don't tell me that I am ignorant and don't know where other people are coming from. If you look at the statistics from a study in Florida, most abortions don't happen due to rape or because the mother's life is in danger. They mainly happen because the baby is somehow interfering with the mother's life.

Have you ever considered why mothers turn on their own babies? The connection between a mother and her baby is one of the most powerful things that God ever created. It is something beautiful by God's design . . . and Satan hates what God loves.

God created the womb to be the safest place in the world for a baby to grow in . . . so Satan has tried to turn the womb into a grave.

God created a mother to live her life for her baby and be willing to give her life for her baby . . . so Satan has deceived mothers into thinking they should live for their own lives and even take the lives of their babies.

God created men to be protectors and defenders of women and children . . . so Satan has tried to push men to use women, leave them, and neglect their own children.

God created families to love and take care of each other, and be the foundation of a strong nation . . . so Satan has tried to weaken families and our nation by trying to prevent children from being born in the first place.

This is not a war against pro-choice people. This is a war against the darkness of the world. This is a war against serving the idol called "Pro-choice" that devours human sacrifices. This is something that not only needs to be changed in the government, but more importantly, in the hearts of men and women.

Many people are defending the rights of women and people of other races. But if we are really fighting for equality, that means we should fight for the rights of ALL people . . . including the unborn.

This is not an issue we can tolerate with silence. Everyone has a right to live.

MEADOW HALL (Pearl Barrett’s daughter).

Meadow, who is now married to Kendall Hall, is in charge of Social Media for Trim Healthy Mama.

It comes from 2 Peter 1:10: “Give DILIGENCE to make your calling and election sure.” The word “diligence” means “to use speed, to be prompt, to make an effort, to be earnest, labor, study.”

I think we could helpfully add this word to our family vocab, don’t you? This word teaches our children how to do their daily chores—not haphazardly, not complainingly, not dragging their feet, but instead as quickly as they can and putting their full effort into it.

Why not teach this word to your children? Get them saying the word aloud. Get them saying it all together at breakfast time as you start the day. It’s fun to say. When you ask them to do something, remind them to do it with SPOO-DAD-ZO!

If you as the mother, and each of the children embrace this word with everything you do throughout the day, can you imagine the fun? The change in attitude? The efficiency that will come to your home?

This word applies to our spiritual and practical lives.

Be blessed. Nancy Campbell

MORE SPOO-DAD-ZO SCRIPTURES:
Ephesians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4;11; and 2 Peter 3:14.

May you be blessed. Love from Nancy

FULLY FEMALE
http://tinyurl.com/FullFemale

Love from Nancy Campbell
Painting by Zula Kenyon (1873 – 1947, American)

I felt very saddened as I read and saw pictures of the Women’s march on Saturday. How grieving to see so many beautiful young women protesting, and yet deceived. Why were they marching? It began as an anti-Trump rally, but became a liberal, feminist rally to stand up for their female rights. And yet they stood against them. Madonna even disclosed that she considered blowing up the White House.

Instead of standing for all that is female and beautiful, they angrily held up banners picturing vaginas and private female parts, demanding abortion and gay rights. They are furious that Trump wants to defund Planned Parenthood that sells body parts of precious babies murdered in the womb.

Most of the signs are too vulgar to print, but a few milder ones:
“My body, my choice.”
“Fempire strikes back.”
“We are the granddaughters of the witches you could not burn.”

A beautiful little girl held up a placard “Trust Women” from the “Reproductive Freedom for All.” She is being deceived from childhood.

“My uterus is private property.” I beg your pardon? Why do they proclaim such a sign? Of course, it is private property within the protection of marriage. But they have turned from God’s original plan. If only I could tell them how God’s plan for His female creation brings joy, protection, and blessing. Instead they reject purity and reap heartache. They reject marriage and miss the glorious joys and fulfilment of a committed, faithful marriage. Many reject children and miss the greatest joys a woman can experience. They stand for womanhood and reject what womanhood is all about.

I know many have been hurt through unfaithful husbands and perhaps even abusive fathers. But many are just brainwashed. They don’t know that God is jealous for His female creation. That’s why He is so strong when he talks about widows and the fatherless. God wants to protect women. And when women and children do not have the protection of a godly man, look out. God is on their side and look out those who tamper with them. Psalm 68:5 says; “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation.” Read more Scriptures at the end of this post and you’ll see how He feels.

But these women want their rights without men. They hate men. They protested against “stereotypes” (God’s eternal plan for a male and a female), “traditionalism” (committed marriage relationship), “sexism” (discrimination against women based on sex). This is the very root of deception. Because God created us female, this is who we are. To reject it and to be otherwise is to reject the destiny of our lives. To embrace our femaleness (which includes marriage and motherhood) is to walk in the destiny our Creator has designed for us.

They protest against “Marginalization” (to treat a group as inferior). God does not marginalize women. He lifts them up to the highest status. His plan protects women. It does not leave them vulnerable. This nation doesn’t marginalize women. They have every freedom they want. They even have the freedom to murder their babies and turn to the abominable lifestyle of homosexuality. What more do they want? What are they really protesting about? Do they really know. I don’t think so. I think they are confused.

God, our Creator loves these women. I pray that He will come in supernatural ways to show them His love and His truth and bring them into the fullness and liberty of true womanhood and femaleness. Will you pray too?

Love from Nancy Campbell

SCRIPTURES OF HOW GOD FEELS ABOUT THE WIDOWS AND FATHERLESS
Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12, 13; 27:19; Job 22:9,10; 29:11-16; 31:16-22; Psalm 10:14, 17, 18; 68:5, 6; 82:3; 146:9; Proverbs 23:10, 11; Isaiah 1:17, 23-25; 10:1-3; Jeremiah 5:28, 29; 7:6, 7; 22:3-5; Ezekiel 22:7, 14; Zechariah 7:9, 10; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 23:14; 1 Timothy 5:3; 5:8, 16; and James 1:27

Painting by Polina Luchanova

What about your children? Do you teach them to be friends with the Bible?

God says in Hosea 8:12: “I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a STRANGE THING.” God has written great things to us. Beautiful things. All we need to live this life at every moment and in every situation. And yet we are often very unfamiliar with what He says. We don’t live in the fullness of our salvation because we don’t know all that God has provided for us.

I remember a fellow New Zealand friend of mine telling me about her brother in New Zealand. He purchased some land that he thought would enable him to provide for his family. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to provide and so he just used it for a hobby farm. After about ten years he decided to sell. At this time he discovered he owned more land than he thought—land that was fertile and lush and would have provided totally for his family. He missed out because he didn’t know he owned it!

My heart is often grieved when I find so many Christian young people are not familiar with God’s Word. They know more about sports and movie stars than they know of God’s Word. They have been brought up in the church, even home-schooled, but they are not BEST FRIENDS with God’s Word.

Dear mother, we pave the way. Is God’s Word your best friend? You can’t go without it. You’ve just got to get it into your soul. It’s your life and sustenance. You love spending time in it. It’s only when God’s Word is your best friend that you can introduce this best friend to your children—a best friend they can have for life.

Blessings today from Nancy Campbell

And of course, don’t forget each of your precious children. Each one is a very special blessing. I notice that when I receive Christmas cards from friends and family that many send them with pictures of their family. They don’t send Christmas cards with pictures of their home, their car, or any of their material possessions. They proudly display the children God has given them. They are our GREATEST BLESSINGS!

Thank God for every blessing today.

Love from Nancy

Did you know that Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in Bible, but not once in Koran?

Jews pray facing Jerusalem, but did you know that Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem?

King David founded the city of Jerusalem, but did you know that Mohammed never came to Jerusalem? And what does the Bible say about King David’s reign in Jerusalem which is the forerunner of Jesus’ reign forever and ever? Look up: Psalm 89:4, 29, 34-37; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 24:23; Jeremiah 33:14-22; Micah 4:7; Luke 1:32, 33; and Hebrews 1:8.

Here’s a link for more information: http://www.targetofopportunity.com/palestinian_truth.htm

We know of course that Sarah was past the time of childbearing. She didn’t believe that such a thing could happen and so God speaks again the second time! Verse 14 says: “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (verse 14).

I believe that God restored Sarah’s cycle so that she could ovulate again and therefore God was able to come and visit her during her “time of life.”

Our “time of life” is also a time of “visitation” from God. We read again about Sarah’s conceiving in Genesis 21:1, 2: “And the Lord VISITED Sarah as he had said and the LORD did unto Sarah AS HE HAD SPOKEN (in Genesis 18:10, 14). For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”

We read also of God visiting Hannah and giving her children. After Hannah had taken Samuel to live at the temple because she had dedicated him to the Lord, 1 Samuel 2:21 says: “And the LORD VISITED Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters.” She was blessed with five more visitations of God. You can also read another story about the “time of life” in 2 Kings 4:16,17.

What a privilege to be visited by God. A responsibility too. Understanding this truth makes clear what we are actually doing when we choose a plan to stop life during the time of ovulation. We refuse a visitation of God. We thwart the sovereign plans of Almighty God. We say No to life instead of Yes. And when we stop one conception, it is not only one baby, but a dynasty to come!

Love and blessings to you today,

Nancy Campbell

The painting: “The Wait and the Reward” by Anna Rose Bain

Therefore, it is not enough to build. We must be on the lookout. We must guard our home on every front.

When Nehemiah came back to build up the walls of Jerusalem and the gates that were burned down, the enemy tried every way to thwart his plans. He didn’t want the walls of Jerusalem to be built up. Nor does he want you to build a godly family and train children who know how to destroy his works (1 John 3:8). He doesn’t want your walls to be strong to guard against his intrusions. He constantly lurks around waiting to attack with his deceptions and temptations.

What did Nehemiah do when their enemies surrounded them? He encouraged the Jews to keep building with one hand and have their weapon ready to use with the other hand. Nehemiah 4:16-18 (ESV) says: “Half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail . . . Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built.”

Never give up building, Mother. But also beware of the devil’s devices. Put on your armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Build with one hand and hold your weapons in your other hand. Make sure your sword is strapped to your side. Keep God’s Word in your heart and mouth, ready to resist the enemy and send him kicking. Jesus pushed back the enemy with the Word of the Lord which is the sword of the Spirit. Every time the devil came to tempt him, He said, “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). You can push back the enemy the same way Jesus did.

Be encouraged today,

Nancy Campbell