Out of a Stump

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." Isaiah 11:1

Some of my midlife suffering came from tensions within my marriage. While (my husband) Sandy and I were away for a weekend at a lakeside cabin, the internal wrestling became intense. The pull to autonomy verses the pull to intimacy. Growth verses fallowness. Old wounds verses new healing. Freedom verses commitment. Choosing verses settling for. Leveling verses starting over. Hope verses despair. They were all there.

Early one morning we took a walk, moving through the shadows and listening to the crunch of pine cones beneath our shoes. The path wound uphill, getting steeper. I couldn't help but think how appropriate that was Marriage has its own steep hills.

On the pinnacle of the hill, I paused to catch my breath. Sandy wondered ahead, "Look!" he called. Standing twenty yards ahead he was pointing to a scarred tree stump. "Come closer."

I came closer. And there, growing in the center of the stump, was the green shoot of a new oak tree.

I don't know how long we stood side by side gazing at the new tree "hatching" from the old stump. All I know is that it seemed to me God was speaking eloquently once again and rebirth . . . a simple message about how life comes out of death and healing comes out of scars and wounds. The message said that rebuilding can happen after leaving. It said that hope is bigger than despair.

I looked at Sandy. Could we heal the wounds?

As we continued on the trail in the woods, I reached a "combustion point." I felt a firming inside me of the truth, as if the knowing had begun to congeal in my soul. And not just the knowing but the desire to unfold it, the strength to follow it. A little act of creation happened right then. A little birth. An "eastering."

I slipped my hand into Sandy's. "I love you," I whispered. It was the firs time in so long that I had said the words.

I felt his fingers tighten around mine. "I know. I love you too," he said.

By Sue Monk Kidd, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

A Fresh Vision

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah 6:1

At the time of today's Scripture, King Uzziah had died. Changes in leadership often bring uncertainty, concern and confusion. Isaiah felt the king's death keenly, for not only was Uzziah his king, he was a dear friend.

Isaiah went to the temple, and there he was transformed! God knew that what Isaiah needed at this time of crisis was a new focus, a fresh vision of the Lord. There is the temple Isaiah saw the lOrd in all His glory, perhaps a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ.

As he gazed in rapt worship, the glory of God was revealed to him. He saw the Lord on His throne, reigning in all His majesty and power. There was no need to fear the future, for God was still on His throne. He was in control. The occupant of the earthy throne had changed; but God's throne is eternal, occupied by the one who said, "I the Lord do not change" (Malachi 3:6). Earthly events do not change God.

After Isaiah's perspective changed, he was never the same again. Our need, too, may be to shift our focus from people, possessions, and problems to a fresh vision of the Lord.

By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible"

Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: Romans 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 24-26 & I Peter 2
Historical: Eph. 1-3
Chronological: Gal. 4-6
Blended: 2 Chron. 13-14 & Luke 7:1-30

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

Wealth

"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Judges 6:15

Some of us feel that it is a lack of money that holds us down. Gideon replied to God's request, " But Lord . . . how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least of my family." (Judges 6:15). With no finances behind him t all, Gideon was turned into a wise prophet by God's commanding power. Many times I have had sweet Christians tell me they cannot have friends in for fellowship because they do not have good china or matching napkins, because their house is to small, or because their talent is too slight. But these are only excuses for our unwillingness to do as God has asked us. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (I Peter 4:9). I would enjoy a peanut butter sandwich if someone else prepared it and handled it to me.

The world tells us that we need money to be happy, but as God told Gideon, "I will be with you" (Judges 6:16). Should not his presence be assurance enough?

By Florence Littauer, taken from, "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: Mark 15-16
Old and New Testaments Together: Isaiah 65-66 & I Tim. 2
Historical: Romans 8-10
Chronological: Matthew 18
Blended: I Samuel 25-26 & I Tim. 2

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

Usefulness to God

"Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time." Judges 4:4

Deborah - the only woman in Israel to become a judge. Who was she? What made her so outstanding that she was given the job? We know that she was a wife (Judges 4:4) and mother (Judges 5:7). How did she juggle her job with her family responsibilities?

The fact that we aren't told these things may be significant. It may be because to her and to the writer of the book of Judges, Deborah herself wasn't the emphasis. Her usefulness to God and to the nation of Israel was what mattered. The fact that she could keep that perspective, rather than thinking about her position, is probably a reason she was uniquely used. Even after the victory over Sisera, when it would have been tempting to take some personal credit, Deborah sang a song in praise of the Lord.

Have you ever experienced a unique time of usefulness to God, then found that in a very short time you had gotten quite far from him? Perhaps it was because you became overwhelmed with your service to God rather than with God himself. The devil has many subtle ways to turn your eyes from God. He knows that if you are all caught up in your own service, regardless of how many people you may be helping you will eventually burn out or become ineffective because your work is simply revolving around you.

Service for the kingdom does not consist of what you do or what you give; it depends on who you are. When you give God control, he will give you ways to serve. You will not need to drum up any areas to be of use to God. He will give you a zestful, fruitful life purely as his gift to you because you gave your life to him.

And then, when he is using you, be careful to keep your eyes on him. To begin to look anywhere else, as Peter discovered when he tried to walk on the water (Matthew 14:30), spells failure.

By June Gunden, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible"

Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: Daniel 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Proverbs 22-24 & 2 Cor. 8
Historical: I Chron. 7-8
Chronological: Daniel 4-6
Blended: Lam. 1-2 & John 6:22-44

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

Housebuilding

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

We were facing yet another problem in our housebuilding project. Our patience and our purses were beginning to wear think.

We hadn't decided to move to a new community and build a new home (by ourselves, no hired carpenters involved) on a whim. Only after much prayer and talk and seeking God's will did we make the move.

But now, one water-filled basement, two broken ribs, several lost cupboards, and many tears later, we were beginning to wonder. Had we missed a cue somewhere? Was thee a direction from the Lord that we had missed? Or, worse, ignored?

We soon realized that worrying and fretting about whether we had made a wrong or a right decision accomplished nothing. We had consciously included the Lord in our decisions-making. We couldn't go back. We could only plug away, night after night, Saturday after Saturday, and finish this do-it-yourself project.

And in the work, in the middle of problems, usually unexpectedly, would come peace. A sense of well-being. A sure knowledge that God was with our family in this new community, in this new and problem-filled house. We hadn't abandoned him, and he wouldn't abandon us.

That's why, as a finishing touch, we had a friend's father cut out of wood those words of Joshua. Today they stretch across the front of our fireplace mantel - a testimony to our friends and a reminder to us:

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

By Jean E. Syswerda, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"


Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: Proverbs 4-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 19:1-20
Historical: Psalm 90-95
Chronological: Micah
Blended: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 10:24-48

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

Isn't Life Grand?

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. raise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:1-3

Isn't life glorious! Isn't it grand!
Here - take it - hold it tight in your hand;
Squeeze every drop of it into your sould,
Drink of the joy of it, sun-sweet and whole!
Laught with the love of it, burst into song!
Scatter its richness as you strie along!
Isn't life splended - and isn't it great
We can always start living - it's never too late!

Help me, Lord, to see your beauty all around me. May my gratitude spill over from a cup full of thanks to you.

By Helen Lowrie Marshal, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"


Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: Joshua 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Deut. 28-29 & Mark 14:54-72
Historical: Joshua 19-21
Chronological: Deut. 14-16
Blended: Job 28-29 & I Cor. 10:1-18

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

Just Call Me Ma!

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

Fortunate woman!
My children usually arise and call me, "Ma!"
"Ma! Where are you?"
"Ma! Where is my blue shirt?"
"Ma! What's for supper?"
"Ma! Can you give me a ride to the football game?"
"Ma!!"

I wonder, does anyone know that my real namem is twice as long as the one I"m usually called? "Ma!"

My husband enters and calls me "Dear" or "Babe" or "Hon." Granted each name is longer than "Ma," but they don't reflect the real me.

Or do they? "Ma" is the one who can be depended on to provide the ride the money, the answer to the homework crisis and the meatloaf for supper. "Dear" provides the companionship, "Hon" provides the listening ear and "Babe" provides the back rub.

My children may never rise up and call me blessed. But I'll settle for "Ma!"

Dear Lord, help me to remember that who I am in my family is probably the most important who I am.

By Jean E. Syswerda taken from "Women's Devotional Bible"

Bible Reading:

Beginning to End: Genesis 46-47
Old and New Testaments Together: Genesis 39-40 & Matthew 11
Historical: Genesis 46-47
Chronological: Genesis 12-15
Blended: Genesis 39-40 & Romans 13

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible

"Teach Me What I Need to Know"

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, apply your heart to what I teach." Proverbs 22:17

Everybody should have a friend like Ralph.

He can fix a lamp or a lawn mower, refinish furniture, build bookshelves. All by himself he has transformed his garage into a workshop and completely remodeled his mother's house.

One day, marveling at these results over coffee, I asked, "Ralph, where did you learn to do all this? Who taught you - your father?"

Thoughtfully he sipped his coffee, his blue eyes twinkling, "I never knew my father," he said. "But I did meet a good carpenter a long time ago. And he still helps me In fact, every time I have a problem, all I have to do is stop and ask him, "Teach me what I need to know.' And he does. This morning, for instance, those boards just wouldn't work. But after I'd stopped and asked him, 'What am I doing wrong?' the answer came: I was cutting them too short."

Then Ralph gave me the words of his own special prayer:

Jesus stand beside me.
Guide and direct my life.
Teach me what I need to know.
Help me with my work.
Let me serve You and others,
That I may be worthy of God's grace.

Ralph's special prayer has become a part of my own life now. I say it every morning. And all day. Whenever I am anxious or confused about a situation, one phrase of the prayer comes to my rescue: "Teach me what I need to know." Of all the things Ralph has done to help me, his prayer has helped most of all.

By Marjorie Holmes, take from, "Women's Devotional Bible"

Steps and Stops

"When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out." Numbers 9:19

The children of Israel had been told to watch the cloud for guidance. But there were also times when the cloud indicated that they were to wait.

The wilderness was not the most delightful place in which to wait. The barrenness of the dessert was not inviting. Waiting in itself is not easy. Regardless of their strength and eagerness to start out again, regardless of their impatience to be on the way, the Israelites did not move until God, by means of the could, direct them to do so. It may not have been difficult to wait a short time. But in the above verse of Scripture we read that they had to wait "a long time." This was no doubt difficult. It was the test of their obedience.

Sometimes we are kept waiting, too. We may be in the midst of heartaches, of problems, of trails, of temptations when we see the could stop and wait. Sometimes our waiting is for a short period. We may, on the other hand, be kept waiting for a long time. but we dare not move until He moves us.

There are times when we seem to settled in a comfortable place. We are happy and contented. Suddenly the could begins to move. We may not want to move, yet we will have His blessing only if we willingly move with His cloud.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm." Psalm 37:23

Both the steps and and the stops of our lives are ordered by the Lord. The important thing is for us to follow where He leads.

By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

The Waiting Game

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11

Impatient people are like cats petted backwards - apt to yowl over the discomfort of things not done right or not done at all. But Proverbs 19:11 spells out the divine imperative: "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

Unlike jigsaw puzzles, people don't always fit together perfectly. Everyone's personality has unique ins and outs. Some are busy, get-it-done types, for whom people are a means to an end. Others are more laid-back; they talk about getting something done, but never quite get to it. To them, people and relationships are the end.

When these two types get together, they can despair over the other's failures, blind to their own. Or they can see those conflicts as opportunities for their own growth.

Single until her mid-thirties, Dora had numerous roommates who stretched her comfort zone.

"I like the dishes always done and the floor vacuumed," she says. "But the Lord needed to expose my inflexibility. The roommates he sent were my opposites. They lived on the telephone and were blind to dust. But they also drew me out of myself and taught me how to care for people."

In (my) family, cartoons help us celebrate our differences and be patient with one another. Any comic strip that hits home is clipped and posted on the refrigerator for laughs. Then I paste it in a notebook, kept with the family photo albums, for repeat laughs and long-term reminders of how human we are really are.

By Jeanne Zornes, taken from "Women's Daily Devotional Bible 1"

Vision

"Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." Exodus 33:18

O Lord, I need you to know that you are you!
I need to have a glorious God in view;
To see your plans, so infinite and wise,
I need a mighty God before my eyes.
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.

So often, when I face which way to go
The problems seem to multiply and grow;
I do not see you standing, waiting, there,
So full of power for me, to do, to dare!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.

O God, I know that in my present state
I could not stand the sight of you, so great;
Yet even now, the smallest glimpse is bright
Enough to bathe my soul in dazzling light!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open my eyes of faith to you.

Anne Ortlund, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

Celebrating Laughter

"All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

Laughter is a gift of God that brightens our good times and lightens the rough ones. Laughter even has a healing quality to it. People have recovered from serious diseases by learning to laugh each day. Even more people have regained the courage to go on in painful circumstances when they were able to laugh.

Proverbs 17:22 says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter can draw others to you and lighten your load in life. "When you begin to laugh at life and at yourself you gain new perspective on your struggles. You begin to see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.

A life without laughter quickly becomes a breading ground for depression, physical illness and critical spirit. But a laughter-filled life unleashes the spirit of celebration.

So cultivate the spirit of celebration in your life by making room for laughter. Deliberately seek it out. Begin today as you smile at someone and find something worth laughing about. As the laughter permeates your life, the spirit of celebration will take root in your heart and you will discover the meaning of another proverb: "The cheerful heart has a continual feast." (vs 15).

By Emilie Barnes, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

Encouraging Thoughts

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

I often get "encouraging thoughts" from my good friend, Mary Lou, and one of her timeliest contributions came on a day when trying to help os many people who were down in the pit almost had me down there, too. I opened the envelope and here was a cartoon of a bewildered-looking woman tied hand and foot lying on the railroad tracks. The cutline said: "I don't recall asking for any of this!" As I chuckled, I thought: That's right! I didn't ASK for any of this, but it's what I've G"OT, so I'll just take my own advice and stick a geranium in my hat and be happy!

That little envelope from Mary Lou didn't contain anything expensive, profound or "deep," but nonetheless, it picked me up and refreshed me for the rest of the day. I think that's the secret to being a real friend 0 to always be looking for ways to encourage and refresh others.

As you refresh others, you relieve your own pain. YOu may be going through a painful time right now or trying to get over a tremendous loss. If so, try "refreshing" or "watering" another person's life; and as you encourage that person you will find that your own pain is lessened."

By Barbara Johnson, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

Do Not Forget

"And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant." Exodus 14:31

The Israelites witnessed miracle after miracle, even as the shackles of slavery fell off their ankles. They were protected by the goodness of God from the Egyptian plagues and were led by His goodness out of Egypt.

But the most miraculous display of God's goodness was when He shored up the waves of the Red Sea to open a path for their escape. I can picture the Israelites looking up like bewildered tourists at the water, which rose like glass skyscrapers on either side. "Wow, look at that . . . God is amazing!" they must have exclaimed.

If you want to hear how thrilled they were, read Exodus 15. The people were so excited that they went on for twenty-one verses shouting hosannas to the Lord. But exactly three short verses later, in Exodus 15:24, their joy turned sour. It seems that for three days "they traveled in the desert without finding water . . . So the people grumbled."

It was as if the miracle of the Red Sea had never happened. The excitement of the Israelites' songs and praises faded all too quickly when they ran into a little trouble. And the irony is, they grumbled about water! Didn't they recall that God could do wonderful things with water? They had just watched him hold back a whole sea of it. yet they couldn't trust for His goodness even for three short days. How quickly they forget.

Yet how quickly we forget. W>e are slow to remember God's goodness, yet quick to complain. We doubt the protection and provision of our God. Perhaps we ought to take the advice God gave those Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen." That's one verse we ought not to forget.

By Joni Eareckson Tada, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

God's Sovereign Control

"The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" Exodus 4:11

I received a letter recently from a woman names Joanna. She wrote:

Joni, thank you for your ministry to the disabled. I'm legally blind and teach at a church school. My husband and I would like to know if you have a Biblical answer to the question of whether it is right to have children when there's a possibility they might inherit a handicap. we believe children are gifts from God, but many have said it is selfish to have a child who could potentially have a handicap. We're unsure of what to do.

I searched high and low in the Bible to find a direct answer to Joanna's question. But it only says that God gives children as blessings with no reference to their abilities or disabilities. In my opinion, in the absence of a clear direction from Scripture, the decision is left up to the individual.

But there was an important verse in Exodus 4 that I was able to share with Joanna. It seems Moses was distraught about his own handicap, a kind of speech impairment. God answered him in the eleventh verse: "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him site or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (4:11)

Moses needed to hear that. But Exodus 4:11 is also a powerful statement and a wonderful assurance to an expectant mother. God controls all things, whether genetic mistakes or chromosomes miscounts. Somehow, all these, "accidents" - whether prenatal problems or injuries at birth - come under the sovereign control of God.

And what does God value most in any person's life, whether able-bodied or disabled? Isn't it a personal relationship with Him? A life of love and kindness? A cheerful spirit and a heart that is godly? These qualities are possible for even severely disabled people to cultivate.

And Joanna and her husband? They're decorating a nursery right now.

By Joni Eareckson Tata, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

Omnipresence

"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5

I walked the other day along a river
And watched the ducks and heard
some hawkings' cries;
Then suddenly the nearness of my Saviour
Brought tears of joy and wonder to my eyes.

Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you treat is holy ground.

I stopped the other day to watch a fountain
And marvelled at the magic of its grace;
Then suddenly my heart was on a mountain
And worshiping Jehovah face to face!

I wept the other ay - oh, Christian, hear it!
I wept the other day without control,
But suddenly the blessed Holy Spirit
Spoke peace again and calmed my needy soul.

Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you tread is holy ground.

Anne Ortlund

Taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

A Place to Stand

"Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark." Genesis 8:8-9

A single lonely bird hovered over a submerged world. Below her were the results of the catastrophic flood. There was nothing to be seen but water. The world below her was desolate and seemingly without a future. Nowhere could she find a place to hold on to, to set down her tiny foot. She found no rest.

Yet the dove that fluttered around purposelessly was less lonely than she appeared to be. Noah - his name means "he who will bring rest" - had not forgotten her. He waited for her return. When the bird came, she found an outreached hand, ready to take her into the safety of the ark. Together they were on their way to a new future. The submerged earth would be habitable again.

We can be compared with this dove. We feel lonely and forsaken. We flutter around in a world that increasingly offers less to hold on to in every way. We see little hope for humanity. Spiritually and emotionally we find no rest.

Yet there is Someone who cares about us, who watches closely for each individual: GOD! Through Him we can find rest in spite of the catastrophes that harass the world. He offers us a place to stand, and hope, even in an apparently lost world. He offers a new beginning to those of us who return to Him.

By Gien Karssen, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

Favor in God's Eyes

"This is the account of Noah, Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." Genesis 6:9

Noah lived in the midst of a wicket people. Yet he was an example of one who could live a godly life in an evil world; a life pleasing to God in his everyday environment. "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." (Genesis 6:8). His favor with the Lord was through no merit of his own but through his personal faith in God.

God could see that Noah's life was upright, He was "blameless among the people of his time". God recognized Noah as a perfect man, not perfect in character but in a life revealing a genuineness of faith in God.

We also read that "Noah walked with God". In the midst of wickedness, he was able to keep close fellowship with God. It is not the environment but the heart that determines one's walk with the Lord.

Noah was not as concerned with pleasing people as he was with pleasing God. "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."

We may question ourselves, "Do I find favor in the eyes of the Lord?" Remembering our weaknesses and failures we realize we have no merit by which god can accept us. But God knows all about us and has provided a way by which we can be accepted by him. We find grace in God's sight through our relationship with Jesus Christ. God sees us perfect in Him.

We may find ourselves in a place not conducive to Christian living, just as Noah did. Even there, God gives us grace to live victoriously. "He gives us more grace." (James 4:6).

Ponder the words, "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." In the eyes of the Lord, is my life pleasing to Him today? Do I find favor in His sight?

By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

His Brother's Brother

"Then the Lord said to Cain, "where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9

"AM I my brother's keeper?"
No. he was his brother's brother.
Zoos have keepers.
Bees have keepers.
Prisons have keepers.
Only families have brothers.

By Ruth Bell Graham, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"

A Self-Image in the Image of God

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

God created man - male and female - in HIs own image. What an awesome reality that is. There I am in the first chapter of the Bible - a woman - distinguished from animals, distinguished from my male counterpart, and literally created in the image of God. Certainly womanhood was no afterthought with God, and it was through the creation of both male and female that God has offered his fullest self-revelation.

If somehow in our imagination we are able to recreate all the qualities of perfect man and perfect woman in one being, we have, perhaps, a faint hint of who God really is. And, as we reflect on who God is, we see a picture of the image we carry in ourselves individually.

Unfortunately, that image of god often bears virtually no resemblance to our own self-image. The reason for that, according to many Christian counselors, is because many of us suffer from a low self-image. but how can our elf-image be low when we contemplate the image of god in which we were created? Personally, I find that my self-esteem is lowest when I am least reflecting the image of God. Indeed, my self-esteem has very little to do with the ego-boosting gratification that comes with awards, promotions, bonuses, and new clothes. These are the temporary "uppers" of the "me-generation," but they are not what builds a healthy self-image.

I feel best about myself, not when I read a flattering review of one of my books or when I am wearing a new outfit, but when I have selflessly reached out to someone in need and given with no thought of reward - or of self. It is only when my self is submerged that God's image begins to shine forth. Then I have a healthy self-image that truly reflects God's image.

By Ruth A Tucker, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"