Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

I cried out to the Lord, "Lord, please show me what I can do. I don't have time to shop, but I want to give something meaningful. God answered. Colin woke about 2.00 am, accidently sent the light and books flying, and woke me up so I couldn't go back to sleep. Praise the Lord, God gave me time!

I got my paper and pen (which I always have by my bed) and began to write a small poem for Vange and Howard and each of the children that related to their lives. I typed them out the next day and pasted each one in a homemade Christmas card. I also made a big 14" long loaf of sour dough bread, their favorite! I read each little poem out to them and they couldn't have been happier. They appreciated them more than any store-bought gifts. Vange was hugging the bread and pulling off the crust to eat (her favorite part) before anyone else could get to it!

Over 20 years ago we enjoyed our first Christmas in North America. We were staying with my sister, Kate, when she lived in a huge log house in the Cariboo of British Columbia, Canada. We were totally snowed in and also had no money to purchase gifts. Once again we decided to each wrote poems to one another which each one stood up and read out. We still have these poems today and they will outlast transient gifts. (Oh yes, I should mention that they cooked a wonderful meal of venison, a deer which Zadok shot).

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus also reminds us that how we treat others and how we give to others is how we minister to Him. And don't forget to read Proverbs 19:17.

I'll continue the discussion tomorrow.

Love from Nancy

At a Christmas event on the weekend the speaker quoted that we should not give gifts to one another, but rather give to the Lord. I find this a confusing statement. I know that we should give to the Lord--our time, our talents, and our whole lives. But, let's face it, how do we practically give to the Lord? I believe we give to Him by giving to one another.

Psalm 16:2-3 says, "Thou art my Lord: my goodness extends not to thee; but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight." How does God see us showing goodness and love to Him? By extending it to His people! When we give to others, we give to God.

Of course I don't advocate spending money you can't afford on expensive gifts that people don't need and that are often for show! Although we all get together on Christmas Day, we have lots of other little traditions in our family. The other night it was our special night with Vange and Howard and the 10 children. I didn't have money or time to purchase gifts, and yet I wanted to give. There's something wrong if we don't want to give, isn't there? I think its miserly, stingy, and boring!

Find out what happened tomorrow.

Love from Nancy

I love the last stanza from Christina G. Rossetti's beautiful song, "In the Bleak Midwinter" which she wrote in 1872. This is the last stanza. My children learned this poem when they were young. You may like to encourage your children to learn it, too.

“What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him—
Give my heart."

Love from Nancy

Not only did Zacharias prophecy at Jesus' birth that He came to bring light, but also Simeon. God had told Simeon that he would not die until He had seen the Messiah! When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, dear old Simeon perceived that this baby was THE MESSIAH for which he had been waiting. He took Jesus up in his arms and proclaimed, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:26-32). Jesus Christ is "THE TRUE LIGHT, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" John 1:9).

Every new baby is born with a God consciousness, a light from God our Maker. Proverbs 20:27 says "The spirit of man is the candle (light) of the Lord." Have you noticed that when a new baby is born into a family that there is a heavenly atmosphere in the home? There is an "awe" that we only experience with a new babe. I believe we are experiencing a new light from heaven. I think this is why little children are so open to God.

Job 18:5-56 says, "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." What a terrible indictment it would be to have people say, "The light is dark in their home!" I don't want there to be any darkness in my home, do you? I don't want our light to die out. I want the light of Christ to increase.

Let's make room for the light of Christ Jesus to shine into our hearts, into the hearts of our children, into our plan of every day, and into every room in our home. Let's push out any darkness that comes creeping in.

Are you a lighthouse or a darkhouse?

Love from Nancy

The celebration of the Feast of Dedication is over. Now we prepare and look forward to the most wonderful celebration in the history of the world--when Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth as a little baby. We know that this was not the actual time of his birth, but it is the time we remember His miraculous incarnation.

Just as we celebrated that Christ is the Light of the world during Hanukkah, so we continue to celebrate that He is the Light. God spoke through the prophecy of Zacharias that He was sending His beloved Son into the world "TO GIVE LIGHT TO THEM THAT SIT IN DARKNESS and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79).

They had no room for the Light of the World in Bethlehem. Are we making room for Him in our lives? Every time we respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives and say Yes to God we open up to His light. When we are stubborn, want our own way, and say No to the convicting of the Holy Spirit, we choose darkness.

Dear mother, we must teach our children this powerful principle, too. Every time they say Yes to you and Yes to the Holy Spirit speaking to them they will receive more and more light into their lives. When they are disobedient and say No to you, and No to the voice of their conscience they bring more darkness into their lives.

May we open up MORE AND MORE to the Light and less and less to the darkness. Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day." Each new day, individually and as a family, ask God to FLOOD YOU WITH HIS LIGHT.

Love from Nancy

We read about a number of Hanukkah celebrations in God's Word.

1) Dedicating the tabernacle for 12 days. Each prince of Israel dedicated the altar for a day each (Number 7:10-11, 84, 88). This was the first dedication we read about.
2) Dedicating a new house (Deuteronomy 20:5). It is biblical to dedicate a new house.
3) Dedicating Solomon's temple which he built for the Lord (1 Kings 8:62; 2 Chronicles 7:5, 9).
4) Dedicating the rebuilt temple when they came back from Babylon--Zerubbabel's temple (Ezra 6:16).
5) Dedicating the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem(Nehemiah 12:27).

And there is one more! You'll never guess!

It is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The word "train" is "hanuk," the verb of Hanukkah, meaning "to initiate, dedicate, consecrate." It is not enough to celebrate Hanukkah for eight days. As parents, we are in a FULLTIME HANUKKAH CELEBRATION!

When we understand that to train our children means to dedicate them to the Lord, it gives us new vision. Everything we do is now in the light of dedicating our children to the Lord and setting them apart for His service. It's not a one-time dedication. It is a verb which requires daily action.

When our children are disobedient or don't complete what we have asked them to, we can sometimes be lazy and let it go. But, not if we understand we are daily dedicating them to the Lord. How can we let things go when we consecrating them to God's holy service. We have the responsibility to train and prepare them for Him.

As children get older, they may become more worldly and want to do what other teens are doing. We could think, "Oh that is the stage they are going through." But, not if we understand that we are daily consecrating them to the Lord. We will pray up a storm. We will fight the devil. We will work with our children to keep them on the narrow road that leads to life. We will do everything to save them from the broad road that leads to destruction. WE ARE HANUKKAH PARENTS!

When we "hanuk" our children, it determines how we educate our children. It would be ludicrous to send our children into a an ungodly education system each day when we are daily consecrating them for God's purposes.

As we consecrate our children to the Lord, we recognize that they totally belong to the Lord, for whatever time God has for them on this earth. Above everything else, we know that we are ultimately preparing them for eternity.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

Without God we live in darkness. He is the one who said, "Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Jesus is the Light of the world. He is "THE TRUE LIGHT,WHICH LIGHTS EVERY MAN THAT COMES INTO THE WORLD" John 1:9). Every person who is born into this world is without excuse regarding their relationship with God. Every new baby is born with a God consciousness, a light from God our Maker. We have a conscience that knows what is good and evil. This only comes from God.

Proverbs 20:27 says "The spirit of man is the candle (light) of the Lord." Have you noticed that when a new baby is born into a family that there is a heavenly atmosphere about the home? There is an "awe" that we only experience with a new babe. I believe we are experiencing a new light from heaven. I think this is why little children are so open to God. Recently I watched little 3-year old grand-daughter sing all day about how Jesus is in her heart and how she loves God.

Why then do many walk in darkness? The answer is in John 3:19-21. We are all born with a light from God, but we can either push back the light or open up more and more to the light. It is a privilege for children to be born into a home where parents love God. These children have an opportunity to open up more and more to the light. In an ungodly home, the light with which they are born can be gradually extinguished.

I believe that every time we say Yes to God and obey the prompting of His Holy Spirit within our hearts, we will experience more light in our lives. Every time we say No to God and are disobedient to the Word, we accept darkness. Teach your children this principle, dear mother. Teach them that saying Yes to you and Yes to God will bring them to more and more light. Teach them when they say No to you and No to God's ways, their minds and hearts will cloud with darkness.

Job 18:5-56 says, "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." I don't want it to be dark in my home. I'm sure you don't want it to be dark in yours either. Let's open our hearts and minds more and more to the light of God. Begin each day by praying, "Lord, please flood my mind and heart with your light, today."

Love from Nancy

Judas Maccabee and his brothers were continually fighting battles to save Israel and every time they faced armies far larger and stronger than themselves, but their trust was in God.

Listen to Judas' confession on one occasion... "When all his followers saw the host coming against them, they said to Judas, 'How can so few of us fight against so many? Besides, we have had nothing to eat all day, and we are exhausted.' Judas replied: 'Many can easily be overpowered by a few; it makes no difference to Heaven to save by many or by few. Victory does not depend on numbers; strength comes from Heaven alone... Heaven will crush them before our eyes. You need not be afraid of them.'"

I know that you, too, often face dilemmas that loom much bigger than you can handle. Don't focus on your difficulty. Look to God. He is your Strength. He is your Source. He is your Sufficiency. He will always do what you cannot do. When we try to handle our problems we usually make a mess of the job. Put them in God's hands for He knows what is best to do.

Victory does not come by intelligence or fleshly strength. It only comes from God. Just as God delivered the Maccabees over and over again as they faced insurmountable armies, so God will deliver you as you trust in Him. Make sure you have the right confession. Don't confess your problems; confess your trust in God. It's the way to victory.

Love from Nancy

Hanukkah is also called the "Festival of Lights" because of the relighting of the Menorah. This was a huge thing that happened that day, because the Jews knew that God had commanded the lights in the Holy Place were to BURN CONTINUALLY. They were to never to go out--and they had been out for a long time! God said it was a statute that must continue for all generations (Exodus 27:20-21 and Leviticus 24:1-4).

How did they keep the lamps burning day after day, year after year? God said they had to attend to the lamps every morning and every evening. They had to trim the wicks and pour more oil into the lamps, the oil speaking of the Holy Spirit. Once a day was not sufficient. It required attention two times a day to keep the light burning

This is a type for our lives today. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, He fills us with His light, but it is very easy for the light to go out. There are many temptations, deceptions, and evils around that dim our light. To keep the light burning, we must tend to them every morning and evening. We need to do this individually and as a family.

A powerful way to keep God's light burning in every member of our family is to have Family Devotions every morning and evening. Each time we come together as a family, read the Word, and spend time in prayer, we relight our lamps. If we fail to do this, our light will go out very quickly.

How big is the flame in your family? We are not meant to be a flickering light, but a great light. If your flame is only smoldering, get back to God's "morning and evening" principle. It's the only way that works. Let the light in "the holy place" of your temple and your home shine for all to see God's light.

Love from Nancy

A brave mother watched her son being killed. No, not just killed but cruelly tortured. They cut out his tongue, scalped him, cut off his hands and feet, and then maimed and helpless fried him alive! But, in the same manner they tortured and killed her second and third sons. The third son cried out, "I have received these limbs from heaven, and I give them up for the sake of God's laws." Another cried out, "We are prepared to die rather than sin against our ancestral laws" (2 Maccabees 7:2, 11).

Because they would not bend and turn from God's laws this dear mother watched as Antiochus tortured he fourth, fifth, and sixth sons the same way. The mother had only one son left, her beloved youngest. Antiochus tried to influence the mother to save his life. He promised he would make him rich and prosperous and even a political advisor. She obliged by turning to her youngest son saying, "Son, pity me who carried you in the womb nine months, nursed you for three years, nurtured you, and brought you into this stage of life with care. I beg you, child... Don't fear this killer but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death so that in God's mercy I should recover you with your brothers" (2 Maccabees 7:27-29). She watched her last son die before she was put to death herself.

This mother was a nurturing and caring mother. But, she had a vision for her children beyond this earth. She raised her sons to fear God rather than man. She raised them to stand for truth, no matter what the consequences. She raised them to see beyond this earth to the endless life of the heavenly.

May God help us to be courageous mothers. May He save us from raising wimpy, mediocre children who are seduced by the humanist trend of an ungodly society. May He anoint us with the mighty power of God to raise children who will have the courage to stand for God and for truth, no matter what persecution they face. (You can read the whole story in 2 Maccabees chapter seven).

Why do we call this celebration "Hanukah"? The reason is that "hanukah" is the Hebrew word for "dedication." When Judas Maccabee (the hammer) and his army eventually crushed their enemies, Judas and his brothers said, "Let's go up to cleanse and rededicate the sanctuary" (1 Maccabees 4:36). The temple was desolate and the gates burned. But they restored the sanctuary, built a new altar with unpolished stones (because the altar had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes), brought in the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Showbread, and offered sacrifices." So they celebrated the rededication of the altar for eight days" (1 Maccabees 4:56).

How does this affect our lives? God no longer lives in the Holy of Holies in the temple, but in our bodies, which are the temple of His Holy Spirit. In fact, we are not just the temple of the Holy Spirit, but the "naos" which is the Holy of Holies (1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16). What an indescribable truth!

Our "naos" may not be desolate, but it is very easy for us to allow things to come into our lives which grieve the Holy Spirit and spoil and dirty our temple.

It is a lovely idea to have a rededication of our temples one night during Hanukah. Choose which morning or evening you would like to do together as a family. Explain to your children about it, and then ask each one of them to confess to the Lord anything in their lives that grieves the Holy Spirit and to rededicate their body temple to the Lord. This includes mom and dad too, of course.

When we have all dedicated ourselves individually, then the father can rededicate the whole family to be living sacrifice to the Lord and to be set apart for His purposes (Romans 12:1-2). I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily as you experience this dedication service in your home.

Love from Nancy

Jesus Christ, the Son of God was never reticent to speak the truth, even in the face of death. When he came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Dedication, he was walking in Solomon's Porch (on the eastern side of the temple) and people gathered around him.

Jesus knew the Jews would be remembering more than the rededication of the temple and the lighting of the Menorah again. They were remembering the great victory over Antiochus Epiphanes, but also how he lifted himself to be god over them. It was Antiochus himself who added "Epiphanes" to his name, which means "God manifest" which was utter blasphemy to the Jews.

In the midst of this thinking Jesus boldly and publically declared, "I and my Father are one (John 10:30). In other words, He confessed that He was God, which of course, He was! This was too much for the Jews who, remembering Antiochus Epiphanes the evil blasphemer, took up stones to stone him (John 10:22-33).

It was no coincidence that Jesus chose this timing to speak these words. Everything about Hanukkah speaks of standing up for truth even in the face of danger.

May we never cringe to speak the truth, no matter what the consequences.

Love from Nancy

Today is the first day of Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication as it is called in the New Testament (John 10:22-23). It is a festival of lighting candles for eight days to remember the dedication of the temple and the relighting of the lampstand which God commanded should never go out (Exodus 27:20-21).

It all happened because of a very brave family. At this time in history Antiochus Epiphanes ruled over Israel and commanded all Jews to renounce their way of life, practice pagan observances, and live like the Greeks. He erected the "abomination of desolation" in the temple. Many Jews assimilated to avoid persecution and being killed. BUT NOT THIS FAMILY!

Mattathias was a godly older man with five brave sons--John, Simon, Judas (known as Maccabeus), Eleazar, and Jonathan. When the officials came to their town of Modein, they tried to get Mattathias to influence the people of his town to turn away from God. Listen to his reply, "Mattathias answered in a LOUD VOICE: What do I care if everyone in the king's entire kingdom turns from their own religion and starts obeying his laws? MY FAMILY AND I WILL ALWAYS KEEP THE PROMISES OUR ANCESTERS MADE TO GOD. WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP OUR FAITH OR DISOBEY EVEN ONE OF GOD'S LAWS. WE WILL NOT OBEY ANTIOCHUS!" (1 Maccabees 2:19-20).

When a cowardly Jew stepped forward to obey the king by offering a sacrifice, Mattathias was so furious that he rushed over, killed the man, destroyed the altar, and killed the official who ordered the sacrifice. He and his sons then ran to the hills leaving everything they owned behind. But, thus began the bravery of the Maccabee family to conduct continual battles against the enemy and eventually deliver Israel and Jerusalem.

We don't face being killed for our faith today. But, we do face subtle indoctrination to succumb to the Satan's plans and give in to humanist, progressive ideology. Will we be those who give in or will we have courage, individually and as families. to stand for God, even if no one else is standing? The Scripture says, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).

Love from Nancy

I have prepared Scriptures for us to read at our Family Devotions each day during this week of the Festival of Lights. I will post them here for you too in case you would also like to use them. Because this celebration remembers the rededication of the temple and the relighting of the menorah, the Scriptures are about God who is the light and how He also wants us to be His light in this world.

Feel free to use the Scriptures in the way that best fits your family. You may like to take half of them at Family Devotions in the morning and the other half in the evening. If you have older children, it's a lovely idea for each one to have their own Bible and give a Scripture for each one to read aloud--and to share what they feel God is saying through the Scripture. If you have little ones, you may only want to take one Scripture from the list.

And don't forget to ask your children questions as you read the Scriptures. This is how you learn and receive enlightenment from the Scriptures together.

Day 1
God is the Source of Light and gives Light
Genesis 1:3-5
Exodus 27:20-21; 40:24-25; cf. Leviticus 24:1-4; Numbers 8:1-3
Exodus 13:21; Nehemiah 9:12,19
Psalm 36:9
Psalm 104:1-2
1 Timothy 6:16
James 1:17

Day 2
Jesus is the Light of the World
Isaiah 9:2, cf. Matthew 4:12-17
Luke 1:76-79; 2:27-32
John 1:4-9,cf. Job 18:5-6; Proverbs 27:20
John 3:19-21
John 8:12
John 12:44-46
Acts 26:22-23

Day 3
Shine the Light of Jesus to the world
Proverbs 4:18
Isaiah 58:6-8, 10
Isaiah 60:1-2
Matthew 5:14-16
Luke 12:35
Philippians 2:14-15

Day 4
God's Word is our Light
Ezra 9:8
Psalm 19:7-11
Psalm 119:18, 105, 130
Proverbs 6:20-24
Ephesians 1:17-18

Day 5
Walk in the Light
Psalm 89:15
Isaiah 2:5
Romans 13:12-14
2 Corinthians 4:4-7
1 John 1:6-9
1 John 2:8-11
Ephesians 5:8-20

Day 6
Out of Darkness into Light
2 Samuel 22:29 (Psalm 18:28)
Isaiah 42:16
Isaiah 50:10
Acts 26:17-18
1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Thessalonians 5:5
1 Peter 2:9

Day 7
Living in God is living in Light
Psalm 4:6
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 37:3-6
Psalm 43:3-4
Psalm 112:4
Micah 7:8

Day 8
God is the Light of Heaven
Isaiah 24:23; 30:26
Isaiah 60:19-20
Revelation 21:22-25
Revelation 22:3-5

For this coming week I will continue to tell stories and insights regarding the Feast of Dedication. Stay tuned and don't miss each day.

Love from Nancy

The Psalmist said, "I LOVE THE LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, THEREFORE WILL I CALL UPON HIM AS LONG AS I LIVE" (Psalm 116:1-2).

If we love the Lord, what will be our response? We will call upon His name. We will be continually crying out to Him. Did you know that the early Christians were known as those "who call upon the name of the Lord"? (Check out Acts 9:14, 2; 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 2 Timothy 2:22).

If we are families that love the Lord, we will take time to gather together and pray and call on the name at least once each day, don't you think? Let's not get too busy that we don't make time for what is most important.

And if you don't have a desire to call upon His name, ask Him to revive you. Asaph, the psalmist cried out, "Revive us, and we will call upon your name" (Psalm 80:18). We know we are need of revival when we don't have a desire to pray.

Love from Nancy

I read Isaiah 66:10-13 again in my Bible reading this morning. These Scriptures talk about how God is going to bless Jerusalem, but in doing so, they liken Jerusalem to a nursing mother. As we read the words we get an understanding of how God sees a breastfeeding mother.

When I started off my mothering journey many years ago I was brainwashed by the four hourly schedule. It nearly sent me crazy. My precious baby would cry and be hungry well before four hours was up and I would feel a guilty mother for picking him up to feed. Instead of enjoying the freedom of motherhood, I was constantly frustrated.

I remember crying out to God for His answer. Praise God, every answer I have ever needed I have found in the pages of God's Words. He led me to these Scriptures and the revelation changed my mothering. I picked up my baby whenever he cried and laughed with the joy of my new freedom. Not only was I happier, but my baby was happier.

Have you ever read Isaiah 66:10-13 and noticed that although it is talking about nursing a baby, there is no mention of food? Instead, the words used are:

SATISFY which in the Hebrew means "to fill to satisfaction, have plenty of, satiate." This sounds like abundant nursing, doesn't it? No holding back.

CONSOLE means "to give compassion and solace." Nursing a baby is more than giving physical nourishment. It is ministering to the inner needs of our baby. It is satisfying the sucking instinct of our baby. The breast is not only for food, but to console. It's certainly not compassionate to leave a baby crying because their scheduled time to feed has not arrived.

DELIGHT. Nursing becomes a delight to both mother and baby when we realize it is not only for food but to comfort every need.

ABUNDANCE. The Hebrew word is "ziyz" and means "fullness of the breast." It comes from a root word meaning conspicuous.

FLOWING STREAM which means "to gush out, to pour out abundantly." This is a familiar experience, isn't it?

CARRIED IN HER ARMS AND CUDDLED ON HER KNEES speaking of an older baby continuing to nurse at the mother's breast.

COMFORT. The Hebrew word is a strong word. It means "to breath heavily with the feelings of compassion and comfort."

Enjoy your mothering today.

Love from Nancy

Are you downcast today? There's no need to stay discouraged any longer. Your God is waiting to lift you up. David confessed, "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head" (Psalm 3.3). Don't forget, your confession will determine your attitude.

The word "lifter" in the Hebrew is "ruwm" and means "to be high, exalted, the state of being on a higher place, or movement in an upward direction." God's intention for you is not to be downcast, discouraged, disheartened, dejected, depressed, dispirited, dismayed, disconsolate, and down in the dumps! Help! It's time to come UP!

God's intention for you is to live on a higher plane--a plane where you trust in His unfailing love, a plane where you know beyond all shadow of doubt that God is bigger than your problem, a plane where you look at your afflictions in the light of eternity, and a plane where you rejoice in the Lord even when you can't rejoice in what is happening.

God is waiting to lift you up to this plane. Look up to Him today.

My heart has no desire to stay,
Where doubts arise and fears dismay.
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven's table land.
A higher plain than I have found:
Lord, plant me feet on higher ground.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Dear ladies, Some asked yesterday where I got the information about women only ovulating about 100 times in their lifetime years ago. I have known this information for years. It is easily researched. However, I read an interesting study recently about a study conducted by scientist, Beverley Strassman who lived amongst the Dogon tribe in Mali, Africa for two and a half years. Her purpose was to study their womanly cycle. It is interesting that in this tribe, who are not influenced by our western culture, they still only cycle about 100 times in their lifetime. This is typical of most tribes around the world who are not influenced by western society. They mother intuitively, not by conditioning of modernism, or what they have read.

Strassman found that the women had their first period at about 16 years. This was also normal many years ago. I myself didn't start until I was 16--I'm a bit older than most of you! I think that one of the reasons girls begin their periods so early today is that they are reaching their body fat much earlier. When the female body reaches about 20 percent body fat, menstruation usually begins. Today, with fast food, fattier food, sugary food, and so much MORE food to eat, and a more sedentary lifestyle girls reach their 20 percent at an earlier age. Tribal women do not live on this kind of food and live a very active lifestyle and therefore reach 20 percent body fat later.

The Dogon women give birth eight or nine times during their childbearing years and only menstruate about 100 times in their lives.

Of course, they nurse their babies--wear their babies all day and sleep with them at night, consequently they don't start menstruating again until their babies are about 20 months. I happened to be reading this out to Serene and she replied, "I'm right on plan! Breeze is 20 months and I have just started my cycle." This is normal for Serene as her babies nurse day and night.

Strassman believes that the basic pattern of late mencarche, many pregnancies, and long menstrual-free stretches caused by intensive breast-feeding was virtually universal up until the "demographic transition" of a hundred years ago from high to low fertility. In other words, what we think of as normal frequent menses is in evolutionary terms abnormal. She states, "It's a pity that gynecologists think that women have to menstruate every month. They just don't understand the real biology of menstruation." The shift from 100 - 400 menses is enormously significant. It means that women's bodies are being subjected to changes and stresses that they were not necessarily designed to handle.

Love from Nancy

Did you know that most modern women menstruate about 400 times during their childbearing years? Did you know that this is ABNORMAL? God intended the ovaries to have resting times through pregnancy and lactation. Did you know this is one of the reasons why there is such an epidemic of ovarian and endometrial cancer?

Did you know that a hundred years ago women only ovulated about 100 times in their entire lifetime? Did you know that this is NORMAL for the female body? Did you know that every time a woman gets pregnant and bears a child, her lifetime risk of ovarian cancer drops 10 percent?

Did you know that women in their childbearing years are meant to be predominantly "suckling mothers" rather than "menstruating mothers"? This is far kinder to their female body and how God intended it to function.

Malcolm Gladwell quotes Drs. Coutinho and Segal when citing an anthropological work by scientist, Beverly Strassman in Mali, Africa. "Incessant ovulation serves no purpose except to increase the occurrence of abdominal pain, mood shifts, migraines, endometriosis, fibroids, and anemia." And again, "Ovarian and endometrial cancer are characteristically modern diseases, consequences, in part, of a century in which women have come to menstruate 400 times in a lifetime."

Love from Nancy

I read this morning in Isaiah 29:16,"Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that made it, He had NO UNDERSTANDING?"

Truly God has fashioned the male and female bodies awesomely and wondrously (Psalm 139:14). In fact, we don't have to be very intelligent to see that a predominate part of the female body is for the purpose of childbearing. Our womb, (the divine sanctuary where God plants an eternal soul to grow, develop, and come forth into this world,) is our most distinguishing feature as a woman. And God also designed breasts to nourish the life that comes forth.

And yet, thousands of men and women in our society today spurn the intricate design of their Creator. Men vasectomize. Women sterilize. They make sure their womb cannot function, even though it is the very spring of who God created them to be.

Does God have no understanding? Or, is it we who have no understanding?

Love from Nancy