Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Through the weekly and daily devotionals you can be constantly encouraged in your great role of parenting, the highest career in the nation. You can also stay updated on what's happening with the Above Rubies ministry.

Strengthening Families Across the World through the encouragement of women in their high calling from God as wives, mothers and homemakers.

THE SUCKLING MOTHER

Suckling MotherLet's get to the nitty gritty. Did you know that the Bible portrays the female as a suckling mother? We seem to have gotten so far away from truth in our modern and humanistic society that we hardly know what is normal anymore.
 
In Matthew 19 we read about how the Pharisees came to Jesus to ask him about divorce. He answered them with these words: "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female . . ."
 
When Jesus spoke the word "female," He used the word thelus, a different word that is usually used in the New Testament. It comes from the root word thele. The noun means "the nipple of a woman's breast from which a baby sucks to find sustenance and to thrive." The verb means "to suckle at the breast."
 
In other words, Jesus described the female as a "suckling mother." "This is how God made them in the beginning" He reminded them. And God has not yet made a new model! It is the true picture of a woman, created with a womb to nurture life and breasts to nourish that life. When we breastfeed, we embrace our womanhood the way God intricately and wondrously designed our bodies.
I know that this description would be offensive to some women today. Isn't that sad that women have turned away from the way they were created? We see the end result of this in Romans 1:26 where this same Greek word is used:
"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women (thelus) did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
 
Even the animal kingdom does not turn away from its natural function to nurse and nourish its young. Lamentations 4:3 (NIV) says: "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people, have become heartless like ostriches in the desert."
 
In this hour of deception, it is time to rise into the glory of our femaleness. To embrace our femininity. To be proud of the word mother. To encourage breastfeeding mothers. To be who God created us to be.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
Painting by Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max
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WE ARE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

Blessed beyond measureFurther thoughts to my post yesterday regarding Breastfeeding or Chestfeeding.

To be a suckling mother is a beautiful blessing. When a mother nurses her baby, God releases in her the hormones of oxytocin and prolactin. Both are both very special hormones which are a boon and blessing to the mother.

Oxytocin is released by the pituitary gland and is the hormone that stimulates the mother’s let-down or milk-ejection reflex. This incredible molecule of motherly love is called by many other different names:

The stress relieving hormone,

The calming hormone, even reducing blood pressure, cortisol levels, fear, anxiety, and staving off psychological as well as physiological problems,

The life hormone,

The love hormone,

The cuddle hormone,

The bonding hormone,

The empathy hormone,

The trust hormone, and even

The bliss hormone!

Who wouldn’t want to have this hormone? Every mother should want to get as much of it as she can. It’s a great way to live instead of filled with anxiety and stress. And this is the blessing God gives to every nursing mother. The secret: keep nursing your baby as long as you can!

Prolactin is another wonderful hormone. It’s a very strong protective hormone. They have done studies to find that when they inject this hormone into a rooster it becomes “clucky” and begins to mother the chickens. A female animal nursing her young in the wild will fight to death any other animal that comes near her young.

The release of prolactin when nursing causes the mother to become more motherly and very protective of her baby.

Many scientific studies also reveal that lengthy nursing of babies is a deterrent to breast cancer and other female cancers. And this is apart from all the blessings to the baby.

O yes, Isaiah 66:11 calls it “glory.” God’s way is always the best way.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Panting: one of Katie m. Berggren’s lovely paintings.

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BREASTFEEDING OR CHESTFEEDING?

BreastChestThe liberals don’t only want to get rid of the word “mother.” They don’t like the word “breastfeeding.” Why can’t they embrace the creation of the female? It is not only sad but scary that so many people are so deceived by the transgender propaganda that they want to eliminate anything that reveals the true characteristics of male or female.
 
There is now a movement in progressive circles in certain hospitals in England to refer to “breastfeeding” as “chestfeeding.” Have you ever heard of anything so preposterous? Are they scared of the female anatomy?
 
I will not give in to such ridiculous nonsense. Men have chests and women have breasts. And they were given to us by divine creation. The Bible speaks of the “blessings of the breasts, and of the womb” (Genesis 49:25). And please notice that the word is not a singular blessing, but plural blessings! God gives multiple blessings to the baby and the mother when during breastfeeding.
 
Breastfeeding is God’s plan. One of God’s names reveals Him as the Breasted One, the nurturing, comforting, and protecting God, the One who pours out His love and mercy to us. God is called Almighty, and the Hebrew is “El Shaddai.” The root word of Shaddai is literally “the breast.” The fulness of this word is the “God who is Enough.” Just as the breast is enough to physically and emotionally minister to our baby’s needs, so God is Enough to minister to our needs.
 
God give physical breasts to women to feed and nourish life. But He also puts this maternal anointing in each of His female creation to nurture, feed, and protect. It is inherently within every female.
 
Although every female is born with this nurturing anointing, we receive a double portion when we are breastfeeding. God gives the hormones of oxytocin and prolactin to the nursing mother which release even greater motherly hormones to her. The more she nurses her baby, the more motherly she becomes.
I’ll tell you more about these hormones in my next post.
 
In the midst of a pro-transgender society, we will embrace the nursing breasts of the female.
 
Standing for the roles of male and female,
 
Nancy Campbell
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MOTHERHOOD IS MORE THAN BIRTHING

MotherhoodbirthingI’d love to add a few thoughts to my post yesterday. Not every mother has the privilege to give birth to a baby, but every woman is created with the anointing to nurture and to mother. It is innately within her by divine creation. This is why the eradication of the word “mother” is a slap in the face against women.
 
As I shared yesterday, God used the word “mother” before there was a mother on the earth (Genesis 2:24 and 3:20). It is His design.
Women cannot get away from their nurturing anointing. Many who refuse to birth and mother their own children will mother something, usually a pet cat or puppy. Childless women always have a pet. They must have something to pour out their nurturing instinct upon.
 
Some of the greatest mothers in history have been women who have never given birth. We think of Gladys Aylward (the little English woman who rescued hundreds of children to safety in China), Mary Slessor, Amy Carmichael, Lillian Trasher (founder of the first orphanage in Egypt) and so many others who poured out of their mothering and nurturing hearts to minister to so many needy souls.
 
And we cannot forget the late Mother Theresa who mothered more children than any mother in the last century. She never birthed children but lived in the anointing of motherhood.
 
Motherhood is far more than birthing a baby. It is the revelation of the mothering heart of God to the world. It is the fulfillment and glory of every female. That is why mothers who have not given birth but have adopted children into their families are mothers in the same essence as those who have given birth.
 
Motherhood is a God-given career. It is the glory of every female, whether she has birthed or not birthed. I think of my own sister who was not able to have children. She experienced a “long” pregnancy as she waited and prayed and agonized for a child and eventually, after much heartache, God blessed her with a precious little baby from China. My sister was a mother before she ever received Promise, her little Chinese baby. She mothered everything she could get her hands on. She mothered animals like her babies.
 
Last weekend we went to Promise’s graduation. She has grown into a beautiful young woman as Kate has mothered her through the years. When Promise came into her life she lived in the glory of motherhood even though she hadn’t given birth.
 
God has placed mothering above every other career in the nation. Read the allegory in Ezekiel 19:10-14. Exalted! The highest of all.
Never be ashamed of motherhood.
 
Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell
 
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MOTHER IS GOD’S WORD AND I’M NOT GIVING IT UP!

MotherGodsWordI am sure you are already aware that Biden and his cohorts have removed the word “mother” from their health programs for the phrase “birthing people.”
 
Because they do not want God to have any part of their party, they keep taking out words from the Bible that have belonged to the generations since the beginning of time. They want nothing to do with God and His ultimate plan.
 
Yes, a mother is someone who births a baby into this world, one of the most beautiful and powerful experiences a woman can have. But birthing a baby is only the beginning of motherhood. A mother also nurses and nurtures her baby.
 
Motherhood is a lifestyle. Motherhood is lifetime work. We don’t stop becoming a mother when our last child leaves home. Our mothering heart broods upon that child until the end of their days. Scientific studies reveal that the mother carries something of every baby she has birthed in her body. And when our children leave home, we become older mothers who teach the younger mothers, continuing to show by example and word the anointing of motherhood.
 
Motherhood is the innate and God-given instinct that God has put in every female. We were born and created to nurture. Motherhood is nurturing, loving, praying, agonizing over every child, training, teaching, feeding the body, the soul, and the spirit. It never stops.
 
Motherhood is the highest career God gives to women. She may fulfil other careers, but they are secondary to motherhood. Every other career will be left behind when we meet God face to face, but motherhood continues into eternity. Every child God gives us is an eternal soul that has the privilege to inherit eternal life and to answer the call to eternal glory forever and ever.
 
God chose the word mother! And I’m not giving it up. God used the word “mother” before there was ever a mother on the earth (Genesis 2;24)! He ordained mothers before there were mothers. Mothers are His plan for the world. To reveal His maternal heart to the world. To bring softness and tenderness to the knocks and the hardships of this world. To keep this world going and to birth, nurture, and train great men and women who will bless the world.
 
In this world of ridiculous deception, embrace your motherhood anointing in a greater way than you ever have before. Know that you are walking in the perfect will of God. Lift your head high and be proud of the calling God has given you. You have been named “mother” by God. You have been created for this purpose. Never be intimidated by those who are deceived.
 
It’s time for mothers to rise!
 
From one mother heart to another,
 
Nancy Campbell
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A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO SHOW LOVE

BeautifulWayIn yesterday’s post I shared about how God thinks about preparing food and how we are also like God when we care about preparing food for our families and for others.
 
I’d love to share an example with you. On Sunday evening, Erin Harrison, who lives on the Hilltop here prepared a special Ladies’ High Tea for my 80th birthday. She called it “Fancy for Nancy” and everyone was asked to come really dressed up and with a hat to match!
 
Each person was asked to bring a dessert or savory dish, but the day before Erin got an idea, which was a surprise. She decided to turn it into a really royal Tea Party, and she set to work to bake 10 different English recipes for the party! Did I say 10? Yes, 10 different recipes that would have taken most people a day to do one of them!
 
At the party, one of our lovely ladies brought each dish around to show everyone and they had to guess the name of the recipe. I have to confess that even with my English background I didn’t win the competition.
 
Anyway, let me tell you about what she made. And I’d love to know how many you would have guessed!
 
No. 1. Scones. Well, we all knew what they were. It is very English to have scones with jam and cream. In our family, often on a Sunday evening we will make scones with jam and cream, a favorite because we come from New Zealand.
 
No. 2. Victoria Sponge. Erin made such a beautiful six-layered sponge with whipped cream between each layer.
 
No. 3. Chelsea Buns. They are made with currants or raisins, and cinnamon, allspice, and lemon peel. They look a little like cinnamon rolls.
 
No. 4. English Shortbread. We could all guess this one. Shortbread is a favorite of most people, but I think this was the best shortbread I have ever eaten in my life. Erin made all her dishes with freshly ground einkorn flour. so they were so healthy.
 
No. 5. Figgy Pudding. We sometimes sing about this when we are out caroling at Christmas time . . .
“Now, bring us some figgy pudding,
Now, bring us some figgy pudding,
Now, bring us some figgy pudding, and bring it out here!
 
The funny thing is that I had never eaten figgy pudding until Sunday evening! I didn’t even know what it was! But wow, I have never eaten anything so delectable I’ll post a picture of it. It includes dates and figs and raisins and eggs and flour. Erin made a beautiful job of them.
 
No. 6. English Trifle. This is a familiar one of course, made with sponge cake, custard, jelly, whipped cream, and berries, all layered. It's always a favorite at every party back home in New Zealand. We could purchase packages of custard powder (from which we make the custard) from the supermarket but it is difficult to procure here in USA. However, not to be outdone, Erin made her own custard with eggs which was even healthier.
 
No. 7. Spotted Dick. This was another one I hadn’t heard of. Apparently, it was also a favorite of Queen Victoria's. It is a boiled pudding with lemon undertone and is spotted with raisins. Dick was another name for pudding, derived from the word “dough.”
 
No. 8. Cornish pasty, made perfectly by Erin. Couldn’t get better at any restaurant.
 
No. 9. Mincemeat pies. These aren't made with meat, but with raisins and such in little cases of pastry which they make especially at Christmas time.
 
No. 10. Bubble and Squeak, made from leftover potatoes and cabbage. I sometimes made this for the children when they were growing up. You can also include eggs and other leftovers when frying them up.
 
How many of these would you have guessed correctly?
 
But what I am really wanting to share with you is the time, effort, creativity, and thoughtfulness Erin put into making all these recipes in order to make it such a special evening for all the ladies.
Food is a beautiful way to show love.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
Pictures:
Erin’s table laden with food
Figgy Pudding
Spotted Dick
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DO YOU THINK ABOUT FOOD?

ThinkFoodElijah was running from wicked Queen Jezebel. He’d been running for two days and was exhausted, so exhausted he was ready to end his life.
 
But God was watching over him and thinking about him. Thinking about he needed to be refreshed and nourished. So He sent His angel to bake him some bread on some hot coals and give him a jug of water. The angel woke up and told him to get up and eat!
Elijah enjoyed this delicious hot bread and pure energizing water from God and went back go sleep! Awhile later, the angel come back, shook him again, and told him to eat some more. “You’ve got a long journey ahead” he said.
 
He got up, ate and drank to the full, and set off on his journey. It was such a nourishing meal that we walked in the strength of that food for 40 days and nights.
 
What gets to me about this incident is how God thinks about food. He thinks about feeding His people. He thinks about nourishing us. God loves food. He created all the beautiful fruits and vegetables for us to eat. He gave us creativity to cook with them and make them into palatable and delicious meals.
 
But dear ladies, if God thinks about feeding, we should think about it too. Of course, we can’t help thinking about it in our homes when we have hungry children all around us and a husband wanting a good hearty meal. But sometimes we don’t think about it enough.
 
We just cook the food because we’ll have grumbling children if we don’t. I believe we should creatively think about it. Think about how we can nourish our families. How we can make the most nourishing and health-filled meals. How we can make the food taste tantalizing and delicious.
 
Food is all about taste. That’s why God created so many different tastes in foods. Food is boring if is tasteless. An important part of preparing food is to make it appetizing and delectable to the palate.
 
So let’s think about preparing food for our families. And not only our families, but for others. Do you love hospitality? There’s hardly an evening that we don’t have people joining us at our meal table. Tonight we’ll have 12 of us, mostly young people. I am looking forward do it.
 
Let me remind you again dear mother that you are not wasting your time as you think about the food for your family. You are being like God. He thinks of how He can feed and strengthen His people, both physically and spiritually. That’s one of the powerful things about motherhood. We are feeders, both physically and spiritually. We reveal the likeness of God as we do this in our families and also reaching out to others.
 
Be blessed today.
 
Nancy Campbell
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NO EXCUSES

NoExcusesLying in the bath the other night I read the words in Psalm 30:9: “Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth? No. We have only one chance to declare God’s truth and make known the glory of God and that’s while we are here on this earth. When we meet the Lord, all our opportunities will be gone.
 
The word “declare” is a strong word. The Hebrew word, ‘nagad” means “to front, to stand boldly out opposite, to manifest, announce, expose, predict, denounce, and certainly declare.” We can declare God’s truth in different ways.
 
1. The Bible tells us we can declare God’s truth by sending a message through the post ((Jeremiah 51:31). You can write an encouraging word on a card and send it to someone who is hurting or downcast. That’s a beautiful thing to do. These days, you can use your social media. It can be a time waster, or you can use it to proclaim God’s truth. If you can’t think of messages to send out, you can share some of mine.
 
2. The Bible tells us we can declare God’s truth by singing (Psalm 78:9). I love the words in Isaiah 48:20 where it says: “God ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a VOICE OF SINGING DECLARE YE, TELL this, UTTER it even to the end of the earth; SAY ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.” God wanted the miracle of bringing His people from the bondage of Babylon to be declared to the ends of the earth.
 
But do you notice that God uses six different words to remind them to boldly proclaim His works? Voice, singing, declare, tell, utter, and say! The Hebrew words for voice and singing both mean to make a LOUD noise.
 
3. And of course we declare His truth by speaking boldly. Upfront. Speaking boldly. We are not afraid to speak the truth even if it is counter-culture. We fear God rather than man (Acts 4:19, 20 and 5:29). In most cases in the Bible, it was only the remnant that stood fast to God’s truth. Let’s never be taken in by the most popular opinion (Matthew 7:13, 14).
 
We have no excuse for hiding our light. Being too fearful to speak. Not wanting to step on anyone’s toes. e
 
Let’s be declarers of God’s truths to our children, our grandchildren, and all whom we meet. Let’s remember that our only privilege and opportunity to declare God’s truths are in this lifetime.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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THE LAZY WAY OR THE DILIGENT WAY

TheLazyWayWhat’s happening in your home today? Is everything piling on top of you--laundry, dishes, and teaching the children all waiting to be accomplished? Don’t despair, dear mother. Don’t look at everything waiting to be done. Just tackle one job at a time. Priorities first. But do each task with ALL YOUR MIGHT. Not half-heartedly, grumblingly, or lazily. And teach your children to do their chores with all their might too. You will inspire this attitude in them as they see the way you work in the home.
 
The Bible always shows us the way:
 
Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy MIGHT.”
 
Colossians 3:23, 24: “And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
 
Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
 
1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD.”
 
Philippians 2:14: “Do all things WITHOUT MURMURING.”
 
Matthew 25:21, 23 and Luke 16:10: “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much.”
 
Enjoy a great day in your home today as each one does everything with all their might.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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DON’T STOP BEFORE THE FINISHING LINE

FinishLineI remember seeing a cartoon many years ago. It was a picture of a mother looking at the adverts in the newspaper. Around her were children out of control and the house in utter chaos. The caption read: “I’m looking for a job, I need a rest!”
 
This may be just how you feel sometimes. Dear mother, I want to remind you today that you already have the greatest career in the nation. I know it’s not easy. It has the longest hours. It’s full of challenges. Sometimes you feel so tired you can hardly see straight. But no job that is nation-changing, generation-influencing, and eternity-investing is easy.
 
And to top it all off, God is with you all the way through. He does not give up on you halfway through your commission. He is with you to the end. David reminded his son, Solomon: “God will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED ALL THE WORK for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV).
 
God is also with you as you build your “house of the LORD.” He is with you as you mother and train your children. And did you get the message? He will be with you UNTIL YOU FINISH THE WORK! Yes, in all the serving in your home. Not halfway through, but all the way through. You may feel exhausted along the way, but because God is with you. You will make it to the finishing line!
 
God’s promise to you in Hebrews 13:5, 6 says: “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament reveal the full meaning of this Scripture: “I WILL NOT, I WILL NOT, I WILL NOT let thee down, leave thee in the lurch, leave thee destitute, leave thee in straits and helpless, abandon thee.
 
Lift up your head today. You are not doing this on your own. GOD IS WITH YOU UNTIL THE FINISHING LINE!
 
Be encouraged.
 
Nancy Campbell
 
Painting: Theodore Robinson (1852 – 1896)
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ONLY TWELVE YEARS OLD!

Only12YearsOldDo you remember the account of Jesus when he was only twelve years old? The family came to the Feast of Passover at Jerusalem. On the way home, along with all the other hundreds of families returning from Jerusalem, his parents noticed Jesus’ was missing. They immediately returned to Jerusalem, but it was three days before they found Him.
 
Where was he? In the temple, sitting among the teachers and doctors, asking and answering questions about his Father. What did Jesus answer his frantic parents? “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).
 
What vision do you have for your children at this age--twelve years and moving into early teens? It saddens me that when they get to this age many children become less interested in the things of God. This breaks my heart. Statistics reveal that children who grow up in Sunday Schools rather than being in the main service with their parents are usually not interested in church by the time they are twelve years of age. They are influenced and conditioned by their peers to worldly things rather than pursuing after God.
 
Some translations of the Bible say that Jesus replied, “I must be IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE?” The Greek allows for either translation as it is only a definite article, not a specific word. At This age, Jesus loved to be in His Father’s house. He loved to be discussing the things of God and His word. He loved to talk with and learn from older men of the deep things of the Word of God. This was home to Him.
 
Do your children love to come to church, love to pray, and love to listen to adults sharing the deep truths of God? What is the spiritual temperature of your twelve-year-olds and teens?
 
Let’s pray intently for our children that they will become more passionate for God with every passing year, rather than less and less.
 
Bless you today,
 
Nancy Campbell
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HOW DO YOU THINK?

howdoyouthinkWords and ideas are indivisible with God. It is the same with us. Our ideas and thoughts about any issue determine what we confess about it. And get this. What we confess is how we live! Our confession determines our lifestyle.

What do you think about motherhood? What you think in your mind is what you’ll confess with your mouth.

Do you complain about mothering? Do you relegate it to something inferior? Or is your confession, "I LOVE MOTHERHOOD"? When you begin to confess that you love motherhood, you’ll find your attitude changes! The atmosphere in your home changes. Even your children’s behavior changes!

How do you think about your marriage? Do you complain to others about your husband? Do you speak disrespectfully about your marriage? Or do you confess wonderful things about your husband? It all depends on how you think. And what you think is what you’ll say. And what you say is how you’ll live. You either enjoy or endure your marriage according to your attitude and confession.

Let’s get our thinking straight. Not falling into fleshly feelings which are only temporary. Let’s gird up the loins of our mind and bring every thought into captivity to Christ. It’s a much more exciting, positive, and overcoming way to live.

Have a wonderful day,

Nancy Campbell

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WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

WhatIsYourPurposeIt is important to have purpose and vision in our lives, isn’t it? In our great role of mothering and homemaking we also need purpose. Purpose keeps us motivated. Purpose keeps us going even as we face trials.
 
As I was raising our children, I took hold of the Scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your WHOLE SPIRIT AND SOUL AND BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lod Jesus Christ.” My constant prayer was that one day when I stand before the Lod I could present my children before Him, whole, in spirit, soul, and body. This is a huge vision.
 
We may not fulfil completely our dreams, bu if we keep them before us, we will be constantly motived to keep pressing forward in our goals.
 
I have also refined my purpose a little more with an acrostic. My desire as a wife and mother is to:
 
P Passionately love my husband and minister to his needs.
U Unflinchingly keep my eyes upon the goal of raising a godly generation.
R Resist all temptation to come down from my high calling.
P Persevere in building my marriage and home in the face of all obstacles.
O Order my home with diligence.
S Saturate my children with God’s Word and loads of encouragement.
E Embrace my life-giving role of mothering and nurturing.
 
Blessings to you today,
 
Nancy Campbell
 
Picture by William S. Kendall
 
It is important to have purpose and vision in our lives, isn’t it? In our great role of mothering and homemaking, we also need purpose. Purpose keeps us motivated. Purpose keeps us going even as we face trials.
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HOW DO WE DO IT IF WE DON’T KNOW?

howdontknowKing David was passionate about building as house for the name of the Lord, although his son, Solomon completed the vision. 1 Kings 8:17-19 says: “And the LORD said unto David my father . . . thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house UNTO MY NAME.”
 
God wants us to also build a house unto His name. A home that honors and lifts up the name of the Lord. A home where God delights to dwell. Solomon acknowledged in 1 Kings 8:13: “I have surely built thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in forever.” And when He dedicated the house to the Lord, he prayed: “Now therefore arise, O LORD God into thy resting place” (2 Chronicles 6:41).
 
Is your home a resting place for God? Does He feel comfortable in your home? Or is it a place of conflict and tension?
 
Like Solomon, are yo building a home for the name of the Lord? Or for the pride and glory of your own name?
 
To answer this question, we have to ask another question: Do we know the name of the Lord? This is a huge challenge to me. How can we build a home to the name of the Lord if we don’t truly know the name of our God? We often think we know God, but sadly, it is often a name we have conjured up in our own imagination. We so easily bring God down to our level, to fit into our lives. or into the “box” we make for Him.
 
The greatest challenge and pursuit of my life is to know more and more of the character, the attributes, and the name of God. It is only as I know His name and His attributes that I really know Him. And I can only know His character as I see it revealed in His Word.
 
We will never ever fully know God. It is impossible, for He is God. He is incomprehensible! But in His mercy, He chooses to reveal to us what He wants us to know of Him. Therefore, here is a good idea for you. I did this when raising our children as I not only wanted to know God for myself but to reveal Him to my children.
 
When I read about an attribute of God in His Word or one of His names (for He has many names), I wrote it in a notebook at the top of the page. Underneath I wrote the reference. As I read the Word each day, I continued to write the attributes I discovered. As I found more Scriptures about His name or attribute, I wrote them under the heading. Eventually, I had my own book, filled with Scriptures about the character of God.
 
Gradually, one at a time, you can read the Scriptures regarding a certain attribute of God to your children in your Bible reading time and discuss it together. This is the way we get a true understanding of God.
 
And the more we know of Him the more we can build our home to His name, not a false name of our imagination, but the true image of God.
 
Love from Nancy Campbell
 
P.S. Go to this link to read more about building a home to the name of the Lord:
 
Here some books that I love about the character of God:
“The Knowledge of the Holy” by A. W. Tozer
“The Attributes of God” by A. W. Tozer
“The Attributes of God” by Arthur W. Pink
“The Names of God” by Andrew Jukes
“The Names of God” by Lester Sumrall
“Names of God” by Nathan Stone
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MY FAVORITE BIBLE

MyFavBibleOh yes, time to get a new Bible too. This is the Bible I use daily. My favorite. It is the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, edited by Spiros Zodhiates. I use the King James Version, but you can get it in other versions too.
 
I have worn out three of these Bibles and must now order another one. I love it because when giving the number for a Hebrew or Greek word, it not only takes you to the Strong’s Concordance at the back of the Bible but also to a Lexicon which gives a fuller understanding of the word.
 
If you like to study when reading God’s Word, you’ll find this a wonderful Bible to use.
 
~ Nancy
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OUR DAILY BIBLE READING

dailybiblereadingOh my, it’s time we got a new DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH! We have worn this copy out. We use this devotional every morning and evening at our Family Devotions. After reading it day after day, month after month, and year after year, we really wear it out. We love it because it is only the Scriptures—verses put together on a particular theme for each reading.
 
You can also see by the picture of the inside pages (of a new book) that it has just the right amount of Scriptures. Not too many for little children, but enough to talk about, ask questions, and discuss together with older children.
 
We have this devotional available on our Above Rubies store. You can purchase either the NKJV version or the KJV version. The KJV version has the added blessing of CREATIVE WAYS TO READ GOD’S WORD TO YOUR CHILDREN, a new idea at the beginning of each month.
 
Even with the few Scriptures provided it is easy for children to get into a daydream and not hear what is being read. These ideas will help to keep your children on their toes and make it exciting for them.
 
This devotional is also a great blessing for fathers who may not know what passage of the Bible to read to their children. This saves the day. Takes away all the stress. All you have to do is go to the date, and PRESTO, the Scriptures are WAITING FOR YOU TO READ!
 
Some parents think that the King James Version is too archaic to read to their children and you may like to read a more modern version. However, I think it is a good thing to enlarge our children’s vocabulary rather than keep them to a limited vocabulary. It also opens up wonderful discussions as you talk about some words that may not be used so much in our language today. It’s an opportunity for them to come to a greater understanding of truths in the Bible and enlarge their vocab at the same time. So don’t be scared of the KJV.
 
Although I love to read the KJV I am not a King James Only person. Often as we read, we check out other translations to see how they compare, and that sometimes give more understanding.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
To order the King James Version with creative ideas to keep your children on their toes go to:
 
Or the NKJV which does not have the ideas for each month:
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MY PRAYER FOR YOU, DEAR MOTHER

PrayForYouDear manager of the home, beloved of the Lord,
Your power as a mother cannot be ignored,
You are the heart and the queen of your home,
Making a haven of love so your children won’t roam.
 
As you nurture and teach your children each day,
Tain them, discipline them, and oversee their play,
May you be filled with joy and overflowing with love,
That God has given you these “rewards” from above.
 
Each precious child is a blessing from the Lord,
You will no longer ever have time to be bored!
You have the greatest career in all of the land,
As you teach your children to follow God’s command.
 
Lift up your head; be proud of your calling,
It’s an eternal work and totally enthralling.
I know that you often feel tired and worn,
But confess God’s promises, His truth He has sworn.
 
"The joy of the Lord is your strength,” God has stated,
And whatever He promises cannot be negated!
As you shine with His joy, you’ll be a testimony to all,
That embracing children is God’s perfect will and call.
 
Don’t be deterred by those who don’t embrace God’s way
And who limit their children and leave them each day,
As you receive God’s “gifts” and at home with them stay
You are a beacon light to save others from going astray.
 
Your sweet, gentle spirit is very precious in God’s sight,
As you serve in your home with all of your might,
You are revealing the spirit of Jesus the King
Who showed us the example to serve in everything.
 
May God bless you and strengthen you each new morning,
May you know His faithfulness each new dawning,
May God’s presence be with you in a mighty measure
As you train your “arrows” for God’s purpose and pleasure.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
Painting by Mary Casssatt
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WHAT IF THEY WON’T LISTEN?

oldwayI am replying to a frequent comment on the thread of the post below, GOD’S MANDATE FOR OLDER WOMEN. A number of older women shared how they feel the younger generation are not interested in listening to them. There are many who are desperate for the teaching of older women, but there are also many who would rather do it their own way.
 
They are not interested in the “old way” which is actually the best way. Jeremiah 6:16 says: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the GOOD WAY, and walk therein, and ye shall find REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” The biblical way is the good way, and it is the way of rest. Sadly, many young mothers are involved in so many things outside their home that they can no longer live in a state of rest. They join with the answer at the end of that Scripture: “But they said, We will not walk therein.”
 
I was reading about Rehoboam the other day. He was the son who began to reign after Solomon died. The people of Israel came to him and asked him to make the burden lighter than they had experienced under his father.
 
Rehoboam first went to the older men who had been with Solomon and asked them what they thought. They advised him to be a servant-leader to the people and to speak good words to them.
 
Rehoboam then check out with his peers, the younger guys he grew up with. They advised him to tell the people: “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins . . . whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father that chastized you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:10-13).
 
And that was it! The 10 tribes rebelled and deserted. Rehoboam was left only with the tribe of Judah.
 
It is sad that many younger women would rather listen to the voices that are all around them. However, we never give up our mandate. We always keep encouraging. And as many shared on the thread, the greatest thing we can do is not tell them what to do, but to encourage and inspire them.
 
When you see a young mother with her little children, take a moment to tell her what a great job she is doing. That she is fulfilling the greatest and most important career in the whole nation. That she is determining the destiny of the nation. Tell her what lovely children God has blessed her with. Pray for her and bless her if the moment if right.
 
We can be a “blessing older mother” wherever we go. There are always young moms around—at church, in supermarkets, and at functions who need encouragement.
 
Invite a young mom with her children for lunch. Wait on her. Bless her and encourage her. Take some young mothers on a picnic at the park. Hospitality is such a wonderful ministry. As you sit at the table together and she unburdens her heart, you can minister to he and pray for her.
 
Begin a Bible Study in your home for wives and mothers. Even to facilitate some mothers to get together for a morning tea or lunch is a great idea. Mothers need fellowship with other mothers. It’s a necessity. It’s survival for mothers! As you seek the Lord, He will give you wonderful ideas.
 
The main thing is to keep our vision. To be faithful to our mandate. We do what God has commanded us to do. We will all do it in different ways. Seek God for how He wants you to do it. And remember, we not only teach, but we SHOW!
 
The Jerusalem Bible says: “The older women . . . they are to be teachers of the right behavior and SHOW the younger women HOW they should love their husbands and love their children, HOW they are to be sensible and chaste and HOW to work in their homes and be gentle and do as their husbands tell them.” We must keep living the way God intends us to be an example. We can’t be out doing something else. The young women should see us in our homes—loving and serving our husbands, loving homemaking, loving preparing meals for our families, loving to serve, and loving hospitality.
 
The Message Bible paraphrases it: “By LOOKING AT THEM the younger women will know HOW to love their husbands and children . . .”
 
Will the young women be inspired as they look at you?
 
Love to you today,
 
Nancy Campbell
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GOD’S MANDATE FOR OLDER WOMEN

Mandate4WomenIt seems that many older women are not aware of the mandate God gives to them. Titus 2:3-5 tells us that the older women are to teach and show the way for the younger women.
 
These Scriptures are very specific about what we are to teach—to love their husbands and to submit to their husbands, to love their children, to be keepers at home, to be self-controlled, kind, and pure. It’s all to do with the home.
 
The sad thing is, that once their children have grown, many mothers move on to other things and other careers, forgetting that it’s not time to give up motherhood. It’s time to extend and enlarge our motherhood.
Now that the new Above Rubies is arriving to women, I often receive emails from woman who say: “Thank you so much for encouraging me in motherhood over the years, but now my children have grown, and I no longer need it.”
 
My heart grieves because we older mothers still need the message of Above Rubies (which is the message of Titus 2) as much as ever. If we don’t continue to walk in the truth of this message and continue teaching it to the younger generation, we fail our mandate from God. And we older mothers constantly need refresher courses. I am now in the great-grandmothering stage and yet I am still learning more about God’s ways for marriage and motherhood. There is always more to learn. And if we don’t keep learning, how can we teach the younger generations?
 
Do these mothers not care about the younger generation of mothers? And what about their own children? That’s an even greater responsibility, to teach and train them in God’s plan for marriage and the home.
 
But God’s word is even more definite. It goes on to say that if we older mothers do not fulfill our mandate that we blaspheme God’s Word. Oh wow. That’s a strong word, isn’t it? It’s not mine, it’s God’s.
 
Some other translations of the Bible use the words: slander, revile, malign, insult, dishonor, disgrace, discredit, bring shame, disrepute, reproach and shame. All powerful words too.
 
Oh for a powerful army of older women to rise up to show the way for the next generation.
 
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT?

WHATSMostImportantThis morning at our Morning Devotions we sang the beautiful old hymn written by Isaac Watts. I’d love to share the words with you:
 
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does its successive journeys run,
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
 
To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His head.
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
 
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on his love with sweetest song,
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on his name.
 
Then all the earth shall rise and bring
The highest honors to our King,
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen.
 
This old hymn gives a picture of families all over the world meeting together for their morning devotions (and evening devotions). This is what godly families did in those days when this was written way back in about 1719. It even talks about the little children bringing their praises to the Lord each morning. Sadly, this biblical practice has gone out the window in most Christian homes today.
 
But can you image what He is picturing here? As parents gather their families to meet together each morning to read God’s Word, to pray, and to worship together, they are part of families all over the world who are giving their allegiance to God.
 
As the sun rises and goes across the world each family wakes at a different time and so there is a lifting up of continual praise to God from homes all over the world. Isn’t that beautiful? Its how it is meant to be. What does Psalm 113:3 say? “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.”
 
And what about Malachi 1;11: “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in EVERY PLACE incense (which speak of payer and praise to God) shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”
 
Do yo notice the words, “in every place”? Every morning and evening. In every home. In every state. In every country. Continual praise to God from all over the earth.
 
But oh, isn’t it sad, that so many families are breaking the continual praise going up to God? Is your family schedule too busy to fit in your morning and evening sacrifice?
 
When we don’t make time to gather our families to meet with Him each morning and evening, we show to our children that God is not No. 1 in our home. They grow up knowing that that all the other things that fill our lives (which are usually just things) are more important than God.
 
I have found in my experience that I have to MAKE THESE GATHERING TIMES in our home. If we don’t make them happen, they won’t happen. Life is so busy. There is so much going on. Every other thing in life can take the place of meeting with God. Therefore, we make these times happen and everything else in life fits around them. If we have to forego or miss out on other things, who cares? We are doing the most important.
 
Love from Nancy Campbell
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Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
Email Nancy

PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
Office Hrs 9am - 5pm, M - F, CTZ