What constitutes 'abundant life'?

"In our day there seems to be a lot of confusion about what constitutes an abundant life. In fact, the phrase abundant life has come to mean almost anything. For instance, to some it means psychological health; to others it means material prosperity; and still others believe that it means freedom from suffering. In contrast, we believe that abundant life is found in the pursuit of God-honoring holiness. It is holiness--the humility of spirit, the mourning over sin, the hungering and thirsting for righteousness--that will produce in us that happy blessedness that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Abundant life is life that is freed from the power of sin and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, focused on the pleasure of God and resting in His love. Our goal is to help you and the women you influence grow toward this kind of abundant living.

Sadly, what Christian women need to know to live an abundant life is not found in many of today's "Christian" self-help books. Instead of guidance in knowing and pleasing God, which is the way to finding abundant life, we are given man-centered philosophies on how to love ourselves more, how to get more out of life, how to assert ourselves. Our greatest need is being ignored. What we need most of all is to know God. We need to be intimately acquainted with Him because He has designed us to live for Him."

"Women Helping Women"
Elyse Fitzpatrick & Carol Cornish, General Editors

First Woman in Pulpit at Irving Bible Church...

...Irving Bible Church placed one of their women "pastors" in the pulpit to teach all services this past Sunday.

The funny thing to me is the elders and/or leadership of the church claim that she was "under the authority of an elder board that will continue to be all male". Pardon me, but that would matter because...??????

Here's a link to the story, Irving Bible Church Puts First Woman in the Pulpit

Side note #1: this 'position' was taken at First Baptist Church of Dallas back in the 80's and 90's when Mrs. W. A. Criswell was teaching an adult Sunday School class. Pretty shaky ground to be standing on.

Side note #2: I'm curious (and will attempt to find out through our alumni dept.) whether Ms. Roese is a graduate of DTS. It wouldn't surprise me because DTS has steadily weakened in their position on women in church leadership since the 70's and 80's. Rather ironic (but encouraging) to read that Mark Bailey (current DTS Pres.) has 'distanced' himself from the church.

Side note #3: this also goes to show you can no longer 'trust' a church just because they are a so-called "Bible Church". Gone are the days when anyone can walk into a church with certain expectations and understandings because of the name of the church.

Would it surprise you to know...

...that I own a headcovering (I made mine, but it's very similar to the one pictured above) and have used it regularly? And, would it surprise you that I keep it handy since I have no Biblical or personal objections to covering my head if the leadership of a church we visit/attend determines that it is fitting for women to cover their head during worship?

I recall my first encounter with a sister-in-Christ who practiced covering her head in the assembly, it was in the mid-80's while my husband was attending Dallas Theological Seminary. Up until that time the only women I'd ever seen cover their head for 'religious reasons' was the occasional Mennonite women at the grocery or discount store--and even then I'd 'written them off' as odd and old-fashioned.

So when my friend and neighbor, Gaye, came knocking at our apartment door one evening I was more than a bit puzzled when she asked if she could 'borrow a doillie' since she was scheduled to sing in one of the upcoming chapel services at DTS (DTS did not require this, it was Gaye's practice). Keep in mind that this was the 80's and the "country" style of decorating was still quite popular, so I actually had a number of doillies for her to choose from. She selected one that covered just the crown of her head, thanked me and promised to return it in a few days. Thus began my initial quest to understand, and submit to if necessary, the practice of Christian women wearing headcoverings.

I soon found out that I was not alone, as I met other seminary wives (women married to seminary students) who were curious about this practice and were eager to know if it was something they should also consider and embrace. While we enjoyed countless conversations and many 'working lunches' together studying the topic in light of scripture, none of us came to a firm conclusion or conviction that headcoverings were required of us.

However, what I did walk away with was the desire and willingness to submit to--and embrace--the practice if/when I (or my husband) confidently came to a Biblical understanding of it's necessity. Consequently, when we began to attend a small 'Brethern' assembly in the early 90's I was glad that I'd decided to wear a hat that first morning, and subsequently made a trip to the local Wal-Mart where I bought some lace fabric for my own headcovering.

Thanks the time devoted to discussion and study, and time among the 'Brethern' assembly (who by the way, welcomed us in spite of our 'reformed/Calvinistic' theology), I have absolutely 'zero' problem and no reservations whatsoever with joining other Christian women in covering my head when/if called for by the leadership of a church.

I realize that this is not a common or even a popular topic, but I'm still surprised when I hear an attitude of scoffing--even scorn--among women (professing believers) who have admittedly given little to no careful consideration of the practice, but steadfastly renounce it as something 'I could/would never do!'. As Bereans wouldn't the better response and attitude be, 'Maybe I need to study and consider that...'?

Sidenote: while we were in Russia adopting our daughters our translator and our host took us to visit a number of Russian Orthodox churches--I wonder if it surprised them how willingly I (a thoroughly 'modern' American woman) followed their lead and covered my head as we entered their places of worship?

Headcovering photo found at, Headcoverings.com