Did you know that you can tell the difference between a Girl-Gone-Wild and a Girl-Gone-Wise by looking at her feet? The Sage tells his son that he’ll be able to spot a Girl-Gone-Wild by the way she walks. He advises him to check out a woman’s feet, steps, path, and ways. The foot-heart connection is the first point of contrast between a Wise Thing and a Wild Thing. Are you swept off your feet with Jesus? Watch the video book blog, and check out what your feet reveal about YOU.
1. Read the first point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing
(Pages 23-33 in Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild).
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal
Reflection.
3. Post your comments on the Blog.
* Explain why the Sage told his son to take careful note of a
girl's feet.
* How would the behavior of a woman who is "swept off her feet"
by Jesus differ from one who is swept of her feet by other things?
* What things in your life compete for the center spot in your
affections?
* How can you keep Christ at the center?
Leave a Comment:
We love hearing from you, and will post your comment as long as it is appropriate, and is written in a tone that is encouraging, edifying, and loving to others. Even then, know that the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts.
Comments
Other relationships are probably the thing that compete the most for my affections. The way that I keep Christ at the center is daily spending time with Him and pouring His truth in my life as much as possible through reading and memorizing His Word, reading good books, worshipping Him through music, spending time with sisters in Christ who have the same goals as I do, and listening to ROH.
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 11:24 am
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 1:34 pm
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 2:48 pm
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 3:27 pm
I really pray for these type groups.
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I am so happy I learned to think for myself.
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Vivian
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 11:29 pm
"Oh to have the obedient feet of Jesus!"
That's my prayer.
on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:34 am
My grandmother firmly believed the modern practice of men counseling women was leading to an epidemic of good Christian men becoming vulnerable to both physical and emotional adultery.
Honestly, I had never considered "emotional" adultry.
Some men assume this responsibility without a healthy fear of their own vulnerability and without regard for what is truly in the best interests of trusting women who need more than a few words of help and encouragement.
We have forgotten that God has made a provision for women counseling women.
For a woman to confide the details of her personal life to a man (outside her marriage) was considered improper years ago. This woman would not have considered the dangers of confiding highly personal information to a man in private.
I had never thought much about the dangers myself until I became involved in women’s counseling and saw the dangers of this one-on-one arrangement firsthand. I believe we need to reexamine what we’re doing in relation to men and women serving in such a ministry.
As a women’s counselor, I know that emotional intimacy is the doorway through which even a good woman becomes attached to a man. I also know that even godly men are aroused by the intimate descriptions and helplessness of a female seeking Godly advice.
So why do we ignore all the warning signs and disregard the biblical provision God has given to meet women ministering to women?
And why do we make ourselves vulnerable to all kinds of unnecessary temptations?
What man or woman who became emotionally or sexually entangled through ministry with the opposite sex ever thought the situation was dangerous before the entrapment?
The older women of our day were WISE. We have turned from the wise and become WILD (or un-wise if you will).
I believe we are reaping the results of leaving the WISE teachings behind us, and justifying our own ways rather than God's.
The legitimate ministry God has given to spiritually qualified Christian women, who have godly marriages and faithful children, has been rendered obsolete.
Therefore, I truly beiieve we must turn back from our Wild ways to the biblical Wise ways as God orginally intended........with women leading women in ministry.
Thank you for such a blog where women can come to get Godly Women advice. Your blog is such a blessing.
on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:23 pm
WOW! What a blessing that chapter was. Just packed with good stuff. Thank you! I am very edified doing this study! I am a "New Englander" who wants to be "seized" in greater measure with that "great affection"!! (Pp. 31-33)
Vivian, you express beautifully, I think, the heart of a Christ-centered woman! Amen, Melanie, Paige, Annie, Cindy -- yes, to have my focus on my service to my family (through Christ); yes, to not be "cliquey" (if that's a word); yes, to have the obedient feet of Jesus. That old hymn by Francis Havergal comes to my mind, "Take My Life and Let It Be" -- one verse starts with "Take my feet" (I sang it w/my children this a.m.! May it be as the song says, Lord!). Yes, Annie, to have godly attitudes always even toward believers and not be the prodigal son's brother. Amen!
Mary, to answer your questions above:
* The sage father told this son to take careful note of a girl's feet because her steps -- her walk -- would show where the affection of her heart was. Is her life centered around Christ? Her daily decisions, reflected in her "walk" ("the way the human life is lived in relation to God", p. 24) will show "where her loyalty lies". As you said, Mary, "her small individual "steps" all day add up to reveal the dominant direction of her heart". Amen!
* The behavior of a woman who is "swept of her feet by Jesus" will be Christ-centered. She will love the Lord with all her heart, and walk in His ways (though she may be a work in progress!). The one who is swept off her feet by other things will not be stable. She will be headed in the wrong direction; her ways will wander, and she does not know it. Her ways will be right in her own eyes, but not in God's. (p.25)
*I think that the things in my life that compete for the center spot in my affections are -- reading information that's not really necessary, in catalogs, on Christian internet blogs, in the news ... some of it has a place, but I sometimes have wasted time on these things. Also, not wanting to be rejected by people -- fear of man, self-love -- has hindered me from sharing Christ as I should and am beginning to long to. And sometimes the telephone (though I know sometimes valid ministry takes place there).
* Your chapter beautifully answers the deepest key to keeping Christ at the center, I believe, though it issues into many practical applications. The key is to be truly saved, so the Ezekiel promise (Ez. 36:26-28) is a reality for us. Then, as God's Spirit enables us, to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and affections, so much so that we will cry out for His grace to change us and all our ways that are not Christ-centered!
I cannot repeat here the nuggets and depth of instruction Mary has provided in pp. 23-33 of her new book. I highly recommend to you sisters to read the book and do the study -- I didn't think I had time to either, but the Lord is making a way -- it is truly enriching, deep, and even much more meaningful than I would have imagined!
Blessings to you, Mary Kassian, and to all the other sisters who post here.
Ez. 36:26-28 (referenced in this chapter!)
In His awesome love,
on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:42 pm
It all starts innocently enough. The man gladly listens to the women's every word and feels her sadly sagging ego. Many women dont realize that men are spirtually sensitive. They're instinctively drawn to a godly woman.
Adulterous affairs (whether emotional or physical) usually begins when a woman is missing the friendship of her husband. She's an easy prey for any man with attentive ears. She falls into the tender trap because the relationship first appears to be an innocent friendship centering on similar ministry interests.
This new friend subtly takes the place of the husband. She confides in him because he listens to her. She enjoys his companionship because he makes her feel like a woman again. She cant help but respond to his flattery and male charms.
While she may sense danger, the deceit has so captured her that she dismisses all warning signs and becomes deeply entrenched in an emotional affair.
During this process, spiritual warfare often lessens.
The woman is decieved into believing that everything is alright. After all, they are still operating for God's will, right?
As women, we MUST wake up and realize this is yet another ploy by the devil himself!
on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I told her next time round to confide in a woman, a psychologist/nurse/girlfriend whatever.
We have maybe not all made that mistake but thanks to God, at least now we're aware!
on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 2:39 pm
I have a friend now in the same position as your friend was in then. She felt lonely because her husband worked so many hours and she turned to another "Godly" man for advice. He is a single man and its very obvious he is emotionally attached to her but despite the many warnings from friends, she will not change this situation. She justifies it by saying they are just friends.
Even though this does looks sinful to those on the outside, she refuses to change her position because she "enjoys" his company and encouragement. Also, her whole family is friends with him also.
What I dont think she realizes is how much he is actually depending on her relationship with him and the fact that she could unintentionally be making him sin....totally unaware.
We will keep praying for eyes to open.
on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Christians will be held accountable for that which they did that affected others; much more if it was brought to their attention and they still justified it and continued.
Flee from these people so you will not be judged also.
on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 5:37 pm
In our church, a group formed together for a bible study. This group consisted of both married and single members. During their visitations, it was not uncommon for a married man to go visiting with a single woman. Our pastor spoke with this group concerning this and how even though their intentions were good, it could possibly cause someone they were trying to reach to fall further away. Needless to say, they did not take this constructive criticism very well and was even more determined to make it work.
Approx. 6 months later, members of this group began to leave the "bible study."
God will separate the Wheat from the Chaff if you allow him to.
I think sometimes we decide in OUR minds what is right and wrong based on what WE want, not on what the bible teaches.
on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 8:12 am
Not sure if "cliquey" is an actual word, but I fully understand your meaning! Is your life centered around Christ or around a group of people?
I was guilty of being in a "click" (as I call it) until one day I examined my heart and realized I was following a group, not Christ. I had justified our "outreach" and our "bond" and did not realize until much later the negative impact we were having on others.
Thank you Mary for allowing me to see where my feet goes does determine if I am a wise woman!
Thank you God for allowing my feet to walk away from the distraction and focus entirely on you.
on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:14 am