Eve -- A Special Hatred

Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A Special Hatred

The assault on femininity-its long history, its utter viciousness-cannot be understood apart from the spiritual forces of evil we are warned against in the Scriptures. This is not to say that men (and women, for they, too, assault women) have no accountability in their treatment of women. Not at all. It is simply to say that no explanation for the assault upon Eve and her daughters is sufficient unless it opens our eyes to the Prince of Darkness and his special hatred of femininity.

Turn your attention again to the events that took place in the Garden of Eden. Notice-who does the Evil One go after? Who does Satan single out for his move against the human race? He could have chosen Adam . . . but he didn't. Satan went after Eve. He set his sights on her. Have you ever wondered why? It might have been that he, like any predator, chose what he believed to be the weaker of the two. There is some truth to that. He is utterly ruthless. But we believe there is more. Why does Satan make Eve the focus of his assault on humanity?

Because she is captivating, uniquely glorious, and he cannot be. She is the incarnation of the Beauty of God. More than anything else in all creation, she embodies the glory of God. She allures the world to God. He hates it with a jealousy we can only imagine.

And there is more. The Evil One also hates Eve because she gives life. Women give birth, not men. Women nourish life. And they also bring life into the world soulfully, relationally, spiritually-in everything they touch. Satan is a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He brings death. His is a kingdom of death. And thus Eve is his greatest human threat, for she brings life. She is a lifesaver and a lifegiver. Eve means "life" or "life-producer."

Put those two things together-that Eve incarnates the Beauty of God and she gives life to the world. His bitter heart cannot bear it. He assaults her with a special hatred. Do you begin to see it?

(Captivating , John and Stasi Eldredge 82-85)

I was reading this email devotional this morning, and it made me once again stop and think "Why would Satan have a particular hatred for women?" I mean, the author does make some pretty good points above, but there is still that within me that thinks, "Ah, here is the world's view of feminism creeping in on our faith." (The funny [or not so funny] thing is that I have taught from this book.) Our 'traditional' Christian roots seem to be so 'male' dominated and Eve has been ridiculed for so long that to think otherwise seems sacriligious.

So, because my mind always looks for the spiritual illustration of truth, I tried to find a reason for Eve to be a particular target. I believe I have my answer, and my answer for Eve's strengths and weaknesses. I thought of Eve as representing the bride for the first Adam, just as the church is the bride for the last Adam, and I immediately saw why she became the target for the evil one.

If we think of it in those terms, by attacking Eve, not only has the evil one indirectly attacked Adam in this move, but he also has hit at the amazing work and purposes of God in the creation. But if you think of it, in attacking Eve, he also has done more to wound the heart of Adam than he would have by attacking Adam himself. (Hope that convuluted reasoning makes sense.)

I guess I can best express it in the spiritual sense. Satan cannot and does not attack God in Christ Jesus directly, rather he sets his sights on the object of His affections, the church. As Satan comes against the church to wound, pervert, and disable her, not only does he interfere in the workings of God's purposes, but he also strikes at the very object of Christ's deep affection!!

When I look at Eve in this light, it is so much easier to see her in the light she is presented in the book 'Captivating.' And it helps me to better appreciate the role I play in this battle. I am both a combatant and a target. Maybe I need to get up, take up my armor, make my stand, and fight back.

Merry Christmas and have a wonderful victorious new year!!!!

Ev


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Who is your life centered on?

The essence of salvation is denying self instead of affirming self. Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God

In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby, et al, describes:

God-Centered Life:
- Places confidence in God
- Depends on God and His ability and provision
- Focuses on God and His activity
- Is humble before God
- Denies self
- Seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
- Seeks God's perspective in every circumstance
- Chooses holy and godly living
To know and do God's will, you must deny self and return to a God-centered life.

Self-Centered Life:
- Is focused on self
- Is proud of self and self's accomplishments
- Is self-confident
- Depends on self and abilities
- Affirms self
- Seeks to be acceptable to the world and its ways
- Looks at circumstances from a human perspective
- Chooses selfish and ordinary living

Looking at the latter list and thinking of it from my own experience, I would add:
- Is ashamed of self and self's failures
- Is self-critical
- Degrades self
- Seeks to be acceptable to everyone, especially God and other believers
- Chooses self-pity and isolation

As I went through this week's study for Experiencing God, which we just started this is my 3rd time through), and especially the above section on a self-centered life vs. a God-centered life, I realized that I spend far too much time focused on my feelings and thoughts and abilities. I believe that I need to set my heart and mind on God, His promises, His words, His abilities, His thoughts, and His feelings. Rather than worrying about how I am doing (am I failing or succeeding); or about how others perceive me (am I good or bad), I need to be more focused on God's goodness and His righteousness.

It reminded me of the verse, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." I always struggled with "His righteousness." What does it mean to seek His righteousness?

I realized that it is all about God's goodness, justice, mercy, grace, and love! I can leave the judgment of my life to Him. My focus needs to be on Him, on who He is, what He has promised, what He is doing, and what He wants to do in my life.

How freeing to release my life to God! To not worry about how righteous or obedient I am. To just focus on His will and His leading and instruction. I got this picture in my mind of a servant who walks around all self-centered and self-pitying. How can he do anything for his Master when he is so focused on himself. A servant's job is to be focused on his Master's will, his Master's well-being, his Master's concerns.

And so, my testimony is:

I love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress. My Deliverer, my God, my Rock in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Oh, and I'll add a little something from Oswald Chambers.

If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words -- 'Come to me....' In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather than come; you will go through sorrow rather than come; and you will do anything rather than come the last lap of the race of seemingly unspeakable foolishness and say, 'Just as I am, I come.' As long as you have even the least bit of spiritual disrespect, it will always reveal itself in the fact that you are expecting God to tell you to do something very big, and yet all He is telling you to do is to 'Come ....'

Don't worry, just come!!!

Love,
Ev

Temptation as a Test of our God-given Possessions

Through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptation our Lord faced. ... Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things--he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil.

Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. ... He (Jesus) went through the temptation 'without sin,' and He retained all the possessions of His spiritual nature completely intact. ~~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

No wonder I feel that I get no where in my usefulness to God! I succumb to the temptation over and over to relinquish what God has given! Time and again, the enemy is able to stop me from growth and usefulness to God. It isn't so much about sinning, but rather laying down all the gifts and possessions and weapons before the enemy in total surrender and agreement with his demands -- "Who do you think you are?" or "Has God really called you?"

The temptation is answered only by faith! Faith in what God is doing in our lives and in His will, promises, and purposes!

Holy Spirit, please help me to stand firm in all that You have given me and in all that Christ Jesus has done for me and in all that the Father has called me to! Amen



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Let the River Flow

Our Lord's teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person – His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that really counts. . . .

Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it but only by what God pours through us – and we cannot measure that at all. . . .

Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did – not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. . . .

`He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water' – and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break `the flask' of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him.
Oswald Chambers

Well, you haven't heard from me in a while, and I guess it is because I sank into the `dark abyss' of depression yet again. So, let me just update you by saying that I won't be moving out for the time being, I've postponed it to next year to give us all time to better prepare financially. Although I was very disappointed at the change in plans, I can see God using this time for His purposes.

Last night Dana and I went to Calvary Community Church for their Wednesday night service, and it was wonderful. The worship time was so good – no wailing guitars drowning out the congregation's singing praises to God and the songs were more worshipful than I had heard in a while. When we sang A Mighty Fortress is our God, wow, it just lifted my spirit so much!!

The message was also so good. It was expository preaching rather than taking a topic and applying some verses to it. I LOVED it!! When did we decide that we could do a better job of speaking to hearts than God's Word can do? Anyway, it was an awesome message and spoke very clearly to my heart.

So, it lifted the weight of depression that was pinning me down, and has allowed me to turn to the Lord again. Yay!!

I read the above quote from Oswald Chamber's devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, and it so ministered to my heart. What it says to me is that it is not about who I am or how good a Christian I am. It is about how open my heart is. I don't have to worry about how spiritual, how smart, how compassionate, or how wise I am. All I need to do is be open for God to pour through me what He wants to, when it is needed. I don't have to `be' anything special at all to be a conduit. It is the Source that matters.

Interestingly, I then don't have to worry about having what is needed at a particular time, don't have to worry that I will have the right words for someone's need. That's not my worry; it's up to the Source to send it through as long as I keep the channel open. Wow! So much pressure taken off!

The focus then goes back to my relationship with Him and keeping connected, keeping the channel open and clear, and letting Him direct the flow.

For me, this is big! This is freeing! This is what I needed to hear. I don't have to be `a writer' for God to pour a book through me, I don't have to be `a teacher' for God to instruct others through me, and I don't have to be `a golden vessel' for Him to flow through me. An earthen trough will work just fine so long as it is open and clear.

I don't have to be anyone special at all. I don't have to be a perky, blond polished and perfumed Christian woman dressed to the 9s. I am not the Source, not even a secondary source.

I can relax! I don't have to examine each drop of water as it passes through. If I'm connected to the true Source, I can just let it flow. I don't have to try to force it, or to shape it, or to flavor it. You can't improve on the stuff He provides!

So, for me, I need to keep the channel open, both the inflow and the outflow. Keep the channel clear of self, doubts, fears, bitterness, and lies. Let it go! I'm not in control of it, just let it flow. I'm not responsible for it. No pride. No Shame. Set it free!

Love,

Ev

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Good figs removed for their good

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers. Jeremiah 24:5 - 10

God says here that those carried away first were sent out of Jerusalem for their good. They would be brought back again to be built and planted in the land again by the Lord. That He would give them a heart to know God, for they would return unto God with their whole heart.

This reminds me that there may be times when what seems to be judgment or punishment from God, may actually be a case of God protecting "the good figs" from a coming judgment. In Noah's day, the flood did not come until Noah's righteous ancestors had died, God took them home in death before His judgment fell. On the other hand, He had Noah prepare an ark for him and his family to carry them safely through the judgment to come. He removes some, while others He carries through the storm safely.

There are times when it is so difficult to understand why God has taken this one or that one home, perhaps leaving behind those who don't deserve His protection. Perhaps it is the mercy of God giving those who don't know Him time to repent. We cannot see what lies ahead, and it is possible that God in His mercy has removed those "good figs" to spare them from what is to come.

I think the one thing that we can always hold on to is the nature of God Himself. He is always good, and He is always just. His love endures forever!! And, I remind myself never to be so quick to interpret a tragedy as God's judgment on those affected.

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Our sufficiency is insufficient!

Came across this going through my journal:

The disciples responded in each situation as we all would respond. We are all great experts on our own limitations. When dealing with God, He invariably seems to direct us to do that which is beyond the limits of our strength, the capacity of our faith, and the sufficiency of our supply.

When He does, we always turn to Him in amazement -- amazement that all-knowing God doesn't seem to know our limitations -- so we tell Him all about how insufficient we are. Remember Moses' "Who am I?"

I think we should finally get the point -- God chose us specifically for our insufficiency! In fact, if we do feel sufficient, He must first show us we're not, before He can use us.

The disciples felt sufficient to cross the lake without Jesus. He sent them on without Him and not a murmur of protest is uttered. They felt sufficient -- they were fishermen. But their sufficiency was sorely tested and found to be insufficient. Even for that which is familiar and for which we are well-experienced, we must learn to remain in His presence. We must learn to go only in His strength even when we have already traveled that path and it is familiar. When we know the lesson, when we know the choruses, when we're comfortable with the program -- even then, we must not go without Him. We must never go in our own sufficiency.

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My vacation - Episode 2

OK, finally getting back to writing about my trip to Jordan. I left off with my preparations to leave.

Leith took me to the airport Saturday morning and I caught the flight to Chicago. The flight was jam-packed, but I had a good seat in the last row on the aisle, so it wasn't too uncomfortable. The flight was delayed into Chicago due to bad weather over Chicago, and I started getting worried about missing my flight to Amman. If you hadn't heard, Eyad was supposed to be on the flight with me, but the airline rescheduled him, so I would be traveling alone from Chicago to Amman.

Our flight to Chicago finally landed at about 7:00 pm, and the flight to Amman was supposed to leave at 9:00 pm. I was really worried about getting my bags and getting over to the international terminal in time. As I got off the plane, I was praying that I would find an abandoned cart to help me move more quickly through the airport. Getting off the plane, I immediately spied a cart off by itself, and I grabbed it! Thank You, God!!! (By the way, if you do any flying, be sure to have a credit card with you. I didn't think I would need it, so I left mine at home for my son to use in emergency. You need it for just about everything!!! Checking your bags and renting a cart! DOH!!!)

I rushed down and finally got my bags, then ran like crazy to take the tram to the international terminal. Luckily, the check-in desk is right inside the terminal, and I made it with a little time to spare. My son, Eyad, was so good to me the entire trip, and he really went out of his way to get me bumped up to first class on the international flight. They even sent me on to the VIP lounge to wait for boarding of my flight. Have you ever been in the VIP lounge?? They have all kinds of snacks available, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, just about everything! The seats are MUCH more comfortable than the regular seats at the gates! What a treat it was!

First class on the plane was amazing! It has been a long time since I have flown internationally (18 years to be exact), and things have changed so much. We were barely seated on the plane when the flight attendants came around with drinks, hot towels, and a little flight kit (sleep mask, socks, and ear plugs). The chairs are amazing, and recline totally into a bed. And each seat has its own personal screen, so you can watch the movie, or choose from several other channels of programs! It was amazing!

It wasn't long after take off, that they brought our dinner trays. The trays had rolls, salad, desert, and something I didn't recognize. I thought, "great dinner," so much better than I remember coach meals. So I ate it, and it was delicious. However, I was surprised, because they came back with entrees, a choice of lamb, catfish, pasta, or chicken. The chicken was marvelous!

Breakfast in the morning was also superb. We received a tray, and then they came around with a cart of omelets, sausages, mushrooms, potatoes, croissants, and rolls. It was so good.

The other neat thing about the flight was that before and after the movies, they showed our flight progress on the screen. It was really cool to see where we were and what we were flying over. BTW, they showed two movies, the first was Sherlock Holmes and then they showed an Arabic movie.

Going through the airport in Amman was miserable after so many hours of flying. In the terminal, I got in the line for foreigners, which took a half hour or so. When I got up there, the guy told me I was in the wrong line, I needed to get in the line for those without a visa. So, I got in that line, but after waiting a while, noticed a sign that said I needed Jordanian money to pay for the airport taxes. So, I had to get out of line, go to the money changer to exchange some money. By the time I got back into the right line, I had a good hour wait to go through check in.

Thankfully, after going through the lines, I found Eyad waiting with my bags! We were ready to go! The drive into the city was quite a bit different than I remember it. There is so much development going on there, things are so different than they were when I was last there!

But you know, when we got to the house, it was like I was coming home. We are all a little older, but otherwise, it was so good to be back with them, to see them all again! They are the most welcoming and wonderful family!

The building is 5 stories high with a garage under the first floor. When I lived there, my family lived on the first floor, which is now rented out to a pharmaceutical company. My mother-in-law,Sameha; her sister-in-law, Saleema; and my sister-in-law, Fadia, live on the second floor with a live in helper, Selwa. The third floor is occupied by my brother- and sister-in-law, Mohammed and Haiffa, with their two sons, Hamze and Youssef, who have just completed university. I stayed with them while I was there. The fourth floor is currently rented out to a doctor; and my son, Eyad, rents the fifth floor apartment. It is a wonderful way to live, all the family together, and yet, with privacy.

The house hasn't changed much, very beautiful and stylish (they are much better at decorating than I have ever been). However, they have installed air conditioning, mostly in the living room. They are room-type units rather than central units. But I am sure that they make things much more comfortable during the summer. I should mention that the buildings are made from cement block faced with decorative stone outside and plastered within. The neat thing about this building structure is that it does moderate the heat somewhat in the summer.

Well, that's about all I have time for right now. Next message will have more about the actual vacation time, I promise.

Love,
Ev