Resources

     There are many amazing resources out there to help you grow in godliness as a Christian, wife, and mother. Here are a few of my favorites to get you started!

---Bible Study Resources---

ESV Single Column Journaling Bible - I love this journaling Bible. There is plenty of room in the side columns to take ample sermon notes.

The Valley of Vision - This is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. They are so beautiful and lead me to meditate on various areas of Christian growth.

Free Grace and Dying Love - This is a collection of devotionals written by Susannah Spurgeon. It is amazing the depth of understanding she was able to have concerning so many verses in the Bible. If you do not know who she was, this copy is printed with an incredible biography of her life.

Concise Theology - This is one of my absolute favorite books! J.I. Packer is so easy and un-intimidating to read. This book consists of ninety four 1-3 page meditations on various aspects of theology. If you're short on time or brain capacity but still want to grow in your knowledge of the Lord, this is a phenomenal resource!

---Blogs---

Jess Connell - This blog is written by a pastor's wife and mother of seven (soon to be eight!) children. She is a wealth of practical wisdom and advice for moms.

Emily Jensen - This blog is written by a young wife and mother of four. I find myself drawn to her blog because of how gospel-centered it is. No matter what the issue is, Emily keeps coming back to the Gospel and THAT is so refreshing!

Laura Wifler - Sister-in-law to Emily Jensen (above), Laura is a wife and mother of two little ones. She seems to have a talent for writing such raw and honest things, but again always bringing it back to the cross. If you want to laugh and come away refreshed in the throws of mom life, check this out!

The Bright Blush - Fellow seminary wife, McKenna, writes about all things hair and makeup here! If you're in the mood for something fun and want to learn a few new beauty tricks for date night, she's your girl!

---Podcasts---

 The Homemaking Foundations Podcast - This podcast is by Jami Balmet of The Young Wife's guide blog (another great blog!). She discusses a huge variety of issues pertaining to Bible study, theology, marriage, parenting, and homemaking. Each weekly episode is 30-45 minutes in length.

Risen Motherhood - I cannot rave about this podcast enough! It's produced by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler (their blogs are linked above). They discuss various issues moms face and how those topics ultimately must always lead us back to the Gospel. After every episode, I am so inspired and renewed for the work that I have to do each day. Each weekly episode is 15-20 minutes in length.

Ask Pastor John - This a great podcast where Pastor John Piper answers various theological and pastoral questions scripturally. I typically read the written transcripts, but the content is always edifying! Audio episodes are daily and usually 10 minutes in length.

By Lexi Zuo

Rabbi

     Rabbi is a term of respect and honor for teachers. A Rabbi was considered to have spent a lot of time studying and gaining knowledge. The word literally means "my great one." A person got the name "Rabbi" from their previous teachers who gave him authority. The Jewish leaders didn't like Jesus being called Rabbi because He did not have authority from them to be a Rabbi, and they didn't understand where His authority came from.

     Others were called Rabbi, but Jesus was the true teacher. John 3:22 says, "He came to Jesus at night, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God for no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with Him.'" In this passage Nicodemus, who himself was a teacher of Israel, called Jesus a Rabbi, meaning he understood where Jesus' authority came from.

     Jesus' disciples also called Him Rabbi, meaning they had a lot of respect for Him and understood He had a great depth of knowledge and wisdom. It seems like the disciples called Him Rabbi when they realized He was trying to teach them something. Mark 11:21 says, "Peter remembered and said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree You cursed has withered!'" In this passage Jesus had previously tried to teach them something about the fig tree, but the disciples did not understand. It was only later when they came by the same tree again that Peter calls Jesus Rabbi, showing he understood what Jesus was trying to say earlier. Another instance that a disciple used the term Rabbi was when Judas called Jesus Rabbi to show who he was betraying. Mark 14:45 says, "Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, 'Rabbi!' and kissed Him." Using the term Rabbi to identify Jesus was an even deeper level of betrayal and disrespect.

     By understanding what it means for Jesus to be Rabbi, we can learn to honor Jesus as a teacher. As we try to be more like Christ, we grow in our understanding of what the concept meant. This comes with a great responsibility to be well studied and be the best teacher we can be, just as Jesus was. It is also a privilege that we get to learn and study under the best teacher there ever was. We learn that with Christ as our teacher, He know how our lives ought to be lived, meaning that He knows our future better than we do. In summary Jesus being a Rabbi means we need to honor Him as our teacher and follow His example of how to teach others.

By Karla Nyhuis

Welcoming Well

     When our family first moved on campus, it was in the middle of my first snowy Chicago winter. It was also two weeks before Christmas, when nearly all our neighbors were traveling to see family for several weeks. The next few months continued to be challenging. My pregnancy with our third child was high risk requiring weekly 4-hour hospital visits. We were still adjusting to living in the US. I missed my extended family in Florida. My husband was getting used to the workload of his program. We lived an hour away from our beloved church family. I was lonely and it was cold.

     Now eighteen months later, things feel much different! I love the seasonal changes in the weather here. We adore our cozy apartment. I finally know where to do my grocery shopping for the best prices. My kids have a great pediatrician. We have developed wonderful friendships among our neighbors. We have joyfully settled into life here, but as I start to welcome new neighbors this summer, I want to remember how difficult those first few months can be.

     Some of our new neighbors may have just moved halfway across the world and speak very little English. Others may be newlyweds learning to live together for the first time. Some may have left a lucrative career in another field and be adjusting to a major lifestyle downgrade. Others may be barely making ends meet with their combination of scholarships, student loans, work, extreme couponing, and WIC. Some may have several precious children running about. Others may be silently grieving the loss of their baby from a miscarriage.

     Our new seminary neighbors will come from diverse backgrounds and have different circumstances. Regardless of the differences, we should love and care for them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us commit to warmly welcoming them when they arrive!

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:13 ESV).

 How can you provide a warm welcome to new neighbors?

1) Introduce yourself. This one is basic, but essential. When you learn of new neighbors arriving, go introduce yourself. Take them a treat. Offer to help them unload their moving truck or unpack their suitcases. Give them your phone number or email address. Let them know who you are and that you are here to serve them. I know that this first step can be incredibly difficult if you are shy or introverted, but let us think less of self and more of loving others.

2) Explain life.  Explain the essentials of living in your neighborhood. Take them to the best grocery stores for their budget or dietary needs. Explain the toll road system. Show them the nearest banks. Offer recommendations for doctors and dentists. Invited them to church with you. Help them figure out how to do life at your school and in your neighborhood.

3) Enjoy them. Invited them for dinner. Host a game night. Plan a BBQ. Take them sightseeing. Have their children over for a play date. Host a Bible Study. Have fun together and delight in the blessing of new friends to do life with!

4) Pray for them. They just left their old home and are adjusting to many new things now. Pray for their sadness. Pray for their joy. Pray for their marriage. Pray for their training at seminary. Pray for their finances. Pray for their children. Pray for the Lord to continue to grow them in godliness.

5) Pray for yourself.  Pray that you would truly love your neighbors. Pray that you would not be too busy to warmly welcome others. Pray that even as you grieve old friends, your heart would be open to forming new friendships. Pray that you would bring glory to God by warmly and selflessly welcoming your new neighbors.

By Lexi Zuo

 

Lexi is a sinner saved by grace, wife to Jeremiah, mother to  three little ones, and an avid reader. She blogs regularly at www.MrsSeminary.com.

Jehovah Roi

     Psalm 23 is such a familiar Psalm that is can be hard to find something fresh in reading it. Don't get me wrong the poetry and imagery is beautiful, but if you learned to recite the whole thing by the time you were in 2nd or 3rd grade, it's easy to think you know it. Or, at least it's easy for me. So let's look at this again. Not rushing through for a perfect recitation, but looking at each line to see what this psalm says about our God, our Good Shepherd (John 10).

     "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing." Already I want to pause and argue with the psalm. "I lack nothing"? Surely David meant something else. What about my husband's entrance in to the program he would excel in? Don't I lack something there? What about a full-time job, so we can pay rent? What about...? Our questions fall silent when we feel the arms of the Shepherd read down to comfort us. I can almost hear Him saying, "Keep reading, My child. Read and remember what you need."

     So I keep reading. I picture wide green pastures. Bountiful food for hungry sheep. Gentle streams of water babbling through the grassy hillsides. Doesn't God promise that He "knows that you need [these things]" (Matthew 6:32)? Our Shepherd is a Good Shepherd, after all. So I keep reading. Ah. "He refreshes my soul." What a relief! My soul often frets and worries over things only the Shepherd controls; only the Shepherd knows. We all need Him to restore our souls to give us the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

     "He guides me along the right paths." What a Good Shepherd! We've been stumbling along in the way, uncertain of where to turn. He guides. I can see Him walking and calling for me to follow. I hurry on to read more. "For His name's sake." Wait. What? Doesn't God provide for us because we have needs? Well, yes but that isn't His main reason, you know. Why did God give Abraham a ram to sacrifice in Isaac's place? To show He is the Lord who provides (Genesis 22). Why did God lead you here to Trinity? For your own benefit? That's part of it. But He brought you here to connect you with a network of people who need to see Christ in you (Colossians 1:27). "For His name's sake." This is what will sustain you in the path God has chosen for you.

     Here the psalm's imagery shifts. We can almost feel the clouds take over. Our green pastures and quiet waters have vanished. We now stand in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This valley looks different for each one of us. Maybe we are entangled in the vines of grief as we mourn the death of a  friend, a parent, a child. Maybe we are stuck in the sands of depression or loneliness. Or maybe we are trapped on the cliff of perfectionism. The valleys all look different, but our Good Shepherd is the same. "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Our Good Shepherd pulls away the vines of grief with His rod and shows us the way out. He reaches to us in the sands of depression and loneliness and makes us stand on high ground. He comes to our aid on the cliff, each step steady and sure, until He has brought us down from the idol's high place of perfectionism. Isn't He a Good Shepherd? There's more.

     Now the psalm speaks of enemies. Our hearts almost stop. We feel the pursuit of a temptation we can't shake. We hear the footfall of our enemy closer and closer. The lion's roar is deafening. Where is the Shepherd? "[Preparing] a table before me in the presence of my enemies." God calls us to stand and see His deliverance. Once again the armies of enemies will fall as His people stand and watch. We must be vigilant and fight, yes. But the key, dear friends, is the we fight alongside Him. He gains the victory. He prepares us. He anoints us with oil until our cup overflows, because through the battle He is with us. What a Good Shepherd we have!

     As we come to the end of this sweet familiar psalm, we have the best promise yet. "Surely Your goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Through it all, green pastures, still waters, the valley of the shadow, enemies, it is the goodness and the love of God that carries us through. The Good Shepherd always leads, and He always leads right. He will gently guide us, guard us, chasten us, and care for us until He leads us into His beautiful home. And there we will dwell with Him forever.

By Sarah Price

Secretary for Trinity Wives

From the Archives - Part 2

     [Editorial Note from Sarah Price] In order to include all of what Ginger Eppinette shared regarding her family's struggle with infertility, I decided to let her story speak for itself and then follow up with her suggestions how to minister to a family struggling with infertility. Without further ado here are her thoughts on what to say and what not to say.

What NOT to say:
     "Just relax."
"Go on vacation and you'll get pregnant."
     "I've had it with my kids. You can have one of mine."
"You can always adopt." (NEVER a good thing to say!)
     Teasing by saying "You don't see to know how to do it right."
"You'll be a parent by this time next year." (How do you know that?)
     "You shouldn't be so unhappy."
"I wish I had your freedom."
     "My friend adopted and got pregnant right away."

What TO say:
     "I'm praying for you." (Is there anything better than that?)
"Is there anything I can do?" (If there is, they will tell you. Don't be pushy.)
     "We got a babysitter for Friday night. Do you want to go to dinner?" (Being willing to go out without your children is Huge!)
     "If you would like to talk, I'd like to listen." (Without offering advice.)