Beth Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "christianity"
Why didn't God come as a woman?
I was sitting with a few friends the other day and I made a remark that stuck in my own head for several days.
Here is the setting: graduation of some of our children, discussions on aging parents, and so on. I jokingly stated:
Why do women have to battle the emotions of our children leaving home, aging parents, and menopause all at the same time?
Our poor husbands have to mop up tears for weeks.
Then I jokingly said:
"Why didn't God come as a woman? Maybe then he would have changed the timing on all of this."
We all laughed; but I was haunted by the idea that I might be on to something.
Why didn't he come as a woman? I know the obvious answer of the stigma of a woman in the old culture, etc.
But...we marvel at how he came as a baby...laid in a lowly manger...in a dirty barn...I mean why not make him a woman as well to really stack the odds against him in that culture? (Again, laughing here is encouraged)
There is no way to understand the ways of God; but I do know the ways of man in that century and there is no way anyone would have listened to her. That is a fairly well known fact of that culture at that time. There is more though.
I believe that God has represented himself as a male throughout time, calling himself "Father" (Numerous verses reference this; but try 1 Corinthians 8:6 as a start).
God has also made it clear that man is to be the spiritual leader of the home (1 Corinthians 11:3), therefore, God would have to come as a man.
OKAY! So the Biblical stuff points to a man, I get it. What I am saying is this: Of course Jesus (and God) can relate to all that we go through since God came in the form of man.
Can we all just breathe in and out and then laugh for a second when I say this:
I just think that a little PMS might have gone a long way to help us women to NOT have to pay for Eve's mistake forever.
This is where you smile and laugh...I just wanted to be a little funny. Please know that I do understand the big picture here.
For those of you who are confused...that was not my intent. Just laugh with me as I say it again:
Why didn't he just come here for a couple of months as a woman...preferably with aging parent and menopause (he didn't have children...but maybe when his nieces and nephews were moving away too).
It's okay.
Jesus is my life.
I love him.
He does understand me, even though I am a woman and even when I am a little hormonal.
Here is the setting: graduation of some of our children, discussions on aging parents, and so on. I jokingly stated:
Why do women have to battle the emotions of our children leaving home, aging parents, and menopause all at the same time?
Our poor husbands have to mop up tears for weeks.
Then I jokingly said:
"Why didn't God come as a woman? Maybe then he would have changed the timing on all of this."
We all laughed; but I was haunted by the idea that I might be on to something.
Why didn't he come as a woman? I know the obvious answer of the stigma of a woman in the old culture, etc.
But...we marvel at how he came as a baby...laid in a lowly manger...in a dirty barn...I mean why not make him a woman as well to really stack the odds against him in that culture? (Again, laughing here is encouraged)
There is no way to understand the ways of God; but I do know the ways of man in that century and there is no way anyone would have listened to her. That is a fairly well known fact of that culture at that time. There is more though.
I believe that God has represented himself as a male throughout time, calling himself "Father" (Numerous verses reference this; but try 1 Corinthians 8:6 as a start).
God has also made it clear that man is to be the spiritual leader of the home (1 Corinthians 11:3), therefore, God would have to come as a man.
OKAY! So the Biblical stuff points to a man, I get it. What I am saying is this: Of course Jesus (and God) can relate to all that we go through since God came in the form of man.
Can we all just breathe in and out and then laugh for a second when I say this:
I just think that a little PMS might have gone a long way to help us women to NOT have to pay for Eve's mistake forever.
This is where you smile and laugh...I just wanted to be a little funny. Please know that I do understand the big picture here.
For those of you who are confused...that was not my intent. Just laugh with me as I say it again:
Why didn't he just come here for a couple of months as a woman...preferably with aging parent and menopause (he didn't have children...but maybe when his nieces and nephews were moving away too).
It's okay.
Jesus is my life.
I love him.
He does understand me, even though I am a woman and even when I am a little hormonal.
Award Winning Book---again!
So happy to announce that A Rose For Jonathan has won another award! This makes the third award for this book and I am more than humbled. Thank you to all who have encouraged me along the way!
The sequel, Quiver, is getting close to a release date...stay tuned!
The sequel, Quiver, is getting close to a release date...stay tuned!
Dressing For Today
How are you dressed today?
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
As I stand each morning before my closet and try to decide what to wear, many times I'm challenged and burdened with trying to find that perfect outfit for the day. I don't know if you're like me, but I go through several outfits before I decide what to wear. I usually check the weather forecast and balance that against what my activities for the day will be. A lot of thought usually goes into my choice.
As I read this verse today, it occurred to me that we should be working just as hard to spiritually clothe ourselves for the day. I wonder what our world look like if we truly clothed ourselves in compassion…kindness…humility…gentleness…and patience.
The world would most definitely notice…
Compassion: Do you like the feeling of compassion? Many do but some don’t. Maybe for you, compassion is more difficult. Is there someone in your life that could use some compassion?
Kindness: What about kindness? It’s easy to grant this to those we love; but what about to strangers? Those in need around you? Is there someone you know who is struggling and could use a kind word or act?
Humility: I think this is difficult for us all. Satan loves Pride. In my novels, I try to highlight that as much as possible. There is something so seductive about ourselves that it’s hard to deny ourselves for someone else. How can you display humility? Is there someone you need to forgive?
Gentleness: Are you too harsh with those you love? Sometimes I am. I want to be known to be more gentle. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes I expect or ask too much of those closest to me when they need more gentle responses.
Patience: I think I struggle here so much. In our day of instant everything, we have lost the art of waiting. Sometimes it might be the waitress who is having trouble handling the large number of tables when you’re in a hurry. Or the old man in front of you in traffic. It could be as simple as a slow internet connection that sends you over the edge.
Are you honoring God in all you do?
Take some time to review these attributes in your life and see if you are truly “clothed” in them every day.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
As I stand each morning before my closet and try to decide what to wear, many times I'm challenged and burdened with trying to find that perfect outfit for the day. I don't know if you're like me, but I go through several outfits before I decide what to wear. I usually check the weather forecast and balance that against what my activities for the day will be. A lot of thought usually goes into my choice.
As I read this verse today, it occurred to me that we should be working just as hard to spiritually clothe ourselves for the day. I wonder what our world look like if we truly clothed ourselves in compassion…kindness…humility…gentleness…and patience.
The world would most definitely notice…
Compassion: Do you like the feeling of compassion? Many do but some don’t. Maybe for you, compassion is more difficult. Is there someone in your life that could use some compassion?
Kindness: What about kindness? It’s easy to grant this to those we love; but what about to strangers? Those in need around you? Is there someone you know who is struggling and could use a kind word or act?
Humility: I think this is difficult for us all. Satan loves Pride. In my novels, I try to highlight that as much as possible. There is something so seductive about ourselves that it’s hard to deny ourselves for someone else. How can you display humility? Is there someone you need to forgive?
Gentleness: Are you too harsh with those you love? Sometimes I am. I want to be known to be more gentle. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes I expect or ask too much of those closest to me when they need more gentle responses.
Patience: I think I struggle here so much. In our day of instant everything, we have lost the art of waiting. Sometimes it might be the waitress who is having trouble handling the large number of tables when you’re in a hurry. Or the old man in front of you in traffic. It could be as simple as a slow internet connection that sends you over the edge.
Are you honoring God in all you do?
Take some time to review these attributes in your life and see if you are truly “clothed” in them every day.
Multiple Awards!
Three awards and counting!
A Rose For Jonathan has now been honored three times:
Winner of the New Apple Book Award for Independent Publishing (Religion category)
National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) Finalist
Readers' Favorite Book Award Contest Bronze Medalist (Religion category)
A Rose For Jonathan has now been honored three times:
Winner of the New Apple Book Award for Independent Publishing (Religion category)
National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) Finalist
Readers' Favorite Book Award Contest Bronze Medalist (Religion category)
