Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms
July 2007

Welcome
Announcement
Blog/Online Bible Study
Article – Are You Polluted?
Final Thoughts

Welcome

Summer is flying by. Can you believe it is July all ready? I’m always amazed how God has brought all of us CWM’s together from all over the world. I can’t wait to meet you in person one day in heaven. For now, we can meet virtually.
By the time you receive this newsletter there will be nearly 1,400 fellow CWM’s supporting and encouraging you. Feel free to tell a friend and encourage her to fill out the CWM survey at www.christianworkingmom.com. Click on survey on the home page. Over 1,500 women have filled out the survey. Enjoy your summer.

One more thing when I ask for your help you all respond overwhelming. Thanks so much for all of you willing to be interviewed. We will have many fascinating interviews for months to come. You all are wonderful.

John MacArthur has recently written a book called, “The Truth War: Fighting
for Certainty in a Age of Deception.” This book is closely related to some of the points in the article today. You can find his book here.

Announcement

I would say I average one email monthly or more asking a question about where in the Bible does it say women cannot work outside the home. I often reply it does not. I finally wrote a rather lengthy article about the subject. The link to the article is now posted on the home page and on the Free Article Page. The article is entitled, “What does the Bible Say About Christian Working Moms?” Once I began writing I could not stop. I dare say I probably left something out. I would appreciate any comments you may have. I will post a heading on the CWM Blog for comments on the article. Feel free to use the article in its entirety.

Blog/Online Study

I know you all are busy, but when you get a chance visit the CWM Blog at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com. Often people will post questions in the Open Comment Section and want some advice or support. Also, like I said above feel free to comment on the new article. The Online Bible Study has 5 lessons posted and can be found at http://kimberlychastain.com/discussCWMU.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions to Kimberly@kimberlychastain.com.

Article – Are You Polluted?

No, I’m not talking about greenhouse gases or if you are drunk. So, what am I talking about? Recently, I have been reading in James and a verse stopped me in my tracks. James 1:27, in the end of the verse says, “Keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Another version reads, keeps oneself unstained from the world. Do you feel polluted by the world? I certainly do. We are bombarded daily by messages about the world’s way: greed, watch out for #1, don’t let anyone walk all over you, and make sure your children are the fastest, smartest, etc.
We also have to have the best of everything. I think it is much easier to be polluted by the world than to stay unpolluted.

So, how do we begin to become unpolluted by the world? How do we become unstained? Here are a few humble suggestions:

1. We need to affirm and believe in absolute truth. The world keeps telling
us there is no absolute truth. The Bible is true and has been for centuries.
God’s word never changes.

2. We need to study the Bible and know it, so we can recognize untruth
when we see it and hear it.

3. We have to be discerning listeners. In our Post modern world, people
are good at sharing a small piece of truth and then adding their own
untruths. We need to listen to the whole argument and dissect word
for word.

4. We need to pray for wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks
wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault and it will be given to him.” If something does not seem
right pray to God and ask him for wisdom about the situation.

5. We need to daily put on the armor of God discussed in Ephesians 6.
We are in a serious battle for truth in our world.

6. Are we trying to live out God’s values or the world’s values?

7. Are we teaching our children that we as Christians are different
and we make different choices in the movies we watch, TV shows
we watch, and music we listen to?

8. We need to keep our eyes focused on God, the author and
perfector of our faith. The more time we spend with him the
more we will recognize pollution in our lives.

9. Do we daily ask forgiveness of sins and get cleansed of the
pollution in our lives?

10. We are not in this battle alone, but we must access the power
we have through the Holy Spirit, our comforter.

Finally, I think we have to be proactive in keeping from being polluted. We have to ask God for help, direction, and wisdom. We have to know the Bible in order to recognize untruth. May we all consciously seek God’s help in staying unpolluted and unstained.

Final Thoughts

Do you realize when your children argue they are learning to resolve conflict for now and for the future? So, we don’t need to rush in and solve their disputes too quickly. I should know, I have been listening to an argument between my two children the whole time I was writing this issue. (Yeah, me!!!)

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain

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