Take Back Your Dreams! by Linda Kozar

In Genesis 37:6, Joseph had a prophetic dream, of twelve sheaves of wheat in the field representing Joseph and his brothers. In this dream, the other sheaves bowed down to Joseph.  His eleven brothers were not amused. In fact, they were going to kill him, until they came up with a better idea.

The dream ultimately came to pass. But not before a Joseph suffered many years of pain, rejection and hardship. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers and later, falsely accused of a crime by the wife of an Egyptian official name Potipher, and sent to prison. Yet instead of giving in to despair, Joseph remained a man of faith and trustworthy allegiance, both to God and to those appointed over him. Joseph demonstrated a strong work ethic, and always went above and beyond what he was required or expected to do. Both Potipher and Pharoah recognized the integrity and excellence in Joseph, and promoted him to rule a household and a kingdom.

Tell me what God has promised you and I will remind you that God cannot fail to keep His Word. His promises are certain and true, and will come to pass. When God says a thing, heaven and earth bow to His command!

Our worldly dreams are too small to contain His promises and blessings. His salvation is bigger. His healing is bigger. His protection is bigger. His deliverance is bigger. YOU are your own worst enemy to fulfilling your Godly destiny. Faith and Doubt work against each other--like trying to drive forward with one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake. 

But it's not enough just to move forward. Moving forward in the wrong direction will get you nowhere fast. One day I was driving home with my two young children, and into a terrible storm. The  black and ominous clouds on the highway ahead were terrifying! I knew that we were headed into a dangerous situation, but all I could think about was getting home, and home was in that direction. So I prayed that God would protect us. And He did! We made it home just as the hail started pinging off the ground. And the tornado, spawned from that cauldron of clouds, struck south of where we lived, though thankfully no lives were lost. 

Don't give up on your dreams. Give up on your doubts.

Joseph didn’t dream about the hardships, only the end result. God appoints our paths, but He doesn’t tell us what is going to happen along the way. And that is a good thing, because most of us would run in the other direction! We expect our dreams to come to pass the way we envision them being fulfilled. AND in a timely manner too. Which is how most of us miss God. 

God's delays are not His denials.

Your assignment this year is write down every answer to prayer you've received from God...as far back as you can remember... and then continue forward writing down every answered prayer for the rest of your life. And whenever you feel like God has forgotten you, or passed you by, or ignored your tears, I want you to pull out that journal and read out loud all that God has done for you and on your behalf. 

Sold out? You Bet!

Carla McDougal, Author of "Sold Out"

I had the pleasure of meeting Carla McDougal when our kids were still in high school. They were a tight-knit group of friends, but she and I had never met! Carla was already speaking and had quite a church following at that time, but she just starting to put those wonderful words into print. Anyone who knows Carla, knows she has a heart for God, and it flows from her heart to the page. I hope you will see that for yourself as you read her books.  ~Linda Kozar

Where did you get the idea for your new book, SOLD OUT Live for Jesus?

In October of 2014, Philippians 1:21 lingered in my heart, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." I couldn't get it off my mind. Over and over I asked God, "What does it mean to live is Christ, to die is gain?" In the stillness, I heard, "Live sold out to Me. Let every action, thought, and conversation reflect an attitude that says, "I'm sold out to Jesus." Suddenly, the cover of the book popped into my head. A woman with a sign covering her face that reads, "SOLD OUT Live for Jesus." A message embedded deeper still, "It's not about me, but all about Jesus." Without a doubt, God embedded in my heart, "This is your new writing project!" I praise God for the unique ways He works, for it's all about Him.

What is the purpose behind the name of your book––SOLD OUT Live for Jesus? 

God desires for us to live each day with purpose. From the moment we wake up, God waits for us to connect with Him. His voice calls, but do we listen? SOLD OUT encourages readers to find purpose in life by drawing nearer to Jesus in real and practical ways. The heartfelt messages and analogies bring laughter, tears and understanding to God’s Word. Be inspired to live in victory and sold out to Jesus through your thoughts, words, and actions. SOLD OUT not only nourishes the soul but also ignites a purpose for living. 

What inspired you to write SOLD OUT Live for Jesus?

At age 40, I heard a phrase that rocked my world. Changed my perspective. Moved me to tears. These nine words opened my eyes to view God’s purpose for me in a whole new way... “Life is not about me, but all about Him.” Under the umbrella of God’s Word, my focus changed from what I can do for Jesus to surrendering it all to Him. Over the past 12 years, God has used this statement to shape and mold my writing. The front cover of SOLD OUT is symbolic of what I want my life to be. Just like the sign covers the woman’s face, I desire for others to see Jesus working in my life. SOLD OUT focuses on living out God’s Truths in every conversation, action, and thought.

Is SOLD OUT Live for Jesus a devotional or an individual read? Can it be used as a Bible study for groups or individuals?

SOLD OUT Live for Jesus is unique because it serves as a devotional and Bible study in one. This format caters to those craving to dive deep into God’s Word and is just right for those without much time on their hands. SOLD OUT is designed both for group studies as well as an individual read. Either way, the reader will be molded to look more like Jesus by the end of the book. I am in the process of writing the SOLD OUT Leader’s Guide, which will aide the leader in facilitating an in-depth group study. The guide scheduled to release January 2016 as a free PDF download from the Reflective Life Ministries website which is www.reflectivelifeministries.org.

God desires for us to live each day with purpose. From the moment we wake up, God waits for us to connect with Him. His voice calls, but do we listen? SOLD OUT encourages readers to find purpose in life by drawing nearer to Jesus in real and practical ways. The heartfelt messages and analogies bring laughter, tears and understanding to God’s Word. Be inspired to live in victory and sold out to Jesus through your thoughts, words, and actions. SOLD OUT not only nourishes the soul but also ignites a purpose for living.

Share with us your favorite entry from SOLD OUT Live for Jesus.

Wow, this is a tough question. But, the entry PRAY 911, from chapter one, pops into my mind. In the midst of an oppressive time, or should I say a spiritual attack from the enemy, I was scheduled to speak at a women’s retreat. The oppression was so heavy and burdensome. Doubt plagued my mind. The morning of the event, I was sitting in my prayer chair and opened my Bible to Psalm 91. The first verse seemed to jump off the page, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Peace washed over me. God’s Word strengthened me for the event that evening. The next day I shared my experience with a close friend who said, “Next time text me to pray for you.” Her words continued to linger in my heart and mind. Later in the day, I read Psalm 91:1 again, and this is what I saw––911. My heart pounded with excitement! Immediately, I decided when oppression comes my way I will text PRAY 911 to my prayer team. I jumped up and started praising God. A smile emerges when I think of how God used this real life situation to teach me His spiritual life lesson.

Besides SOLD OUT Live for Jesus, have you written any other books?

SOLD OUT is my third book. The 1st book I wrote is a ten-week bible study called "Reflecting Him." Like Jesus's parables, Reflecting Him uses familiar objects to identify the connection between our physical and spiritual lives. God wants to be a part of everything we do, and this study is designed to help you become aware of His life lessons twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. My second book is called "My Prayer Chair," which focuses on encouraging the reader to engage in ongoing conversations with God, 24/7. My grandmamma is the inspiration behind My Prayer Chair. Her love, trust, and ongoing communication with Jesus played an important role in molding my prayer life. My Prayer Chair won multiple awards in 2013, and is now available in Spanish, and as an audiobook through Audible, iTunes, and the RLM website: wwwreflectiveministries.org/shop. All of my books are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, and other online bookstores

Just for fun... How do you deal with writer’s block?

Prayer. Waiting. Listening. For me, prayer is the key to writer's block. Communicating with God opens the door to the waiting room. In the stillness, I listen and anticipate His voice behind me saying, Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it" Isaiah 30:20. 

Babes With A Beatitude: Cuppa Tea and Cupcakes--A Pleasant Way to Celebrat...

Babes With A Beatitude: Cuppa Tea and Cupcakes--A Pleasant Way to Celebrat...: Cuppa Tea and Cupcakes Spring is in the air. Palm Sunday and then Easter are fast approaching and the sun is warm and welcoming. A...

Cuppa Tea and Cupcakes--A Pleasant Way to Celebrate A Spring Day With Friends!

Cuppa Tea and Cupcakes

Spring is in the air. Palm Sunday and then Easter are fast approaching and the sun is warm and welcoming. At least where I live.

So why not celebrate in a simple way? A simple afternoon tea with close friends is a great way to entertain on a dime. 

First: Text a sweet invitation to your friends. Use an image you own (like the one I purchased from Fotalia above) or if you have skills, draw or paint an image of a darling little cupcake. Take a picture and send it with your text invite.

You are invited to enjoy an

afternoon "Cuppa Tea and Cupcake"

with Linda Kozar and friends

on_____________

at her home

__________________________

RSVP_____________________

You're presence will be the 

icing on the cupcake!

Second: Gather what you need to host your tea. If you own a few teapots or can borrow a few, let's be honest, teapots make a tea party a tea party! So gather those teapots. Do you have tea cups? Same advice. If you don't own enough tea cups for your guests, borrow some or cruise the dollar store for plain cups and saucers. You can embellish them by placing pink cupcake papers flat on the saucer, tying bows out of thin satin ribbons on the cup handles or even painting little hearts or other designs on the cups. Pair a small plate, spoon, and napkin with each teacup and set the table.

Third: Choose your tea. It's always best to have a variety of teas on hand. But a good crowd pleaser is usually an English Breakfast Tea. If you can afford it, buy a Mango, Raspberry or Strawberry Tea for those who enjoy a fruity flavor. And a Chai for those who like spice. Keep some non-caffeine options open too. Chamomile tea has a pleasant taste and has a calming effect. Perfect for those with busy lifestyles. 

Fourth: Bake your cupcakes! Use a mix, ladies. This is an easy tea. Not fancy or elaborate. All we're serving are tea and cupcakes. If you live near a Trader Joe's, I adore their Vanilla Cake Mix. There are flecks of vanilla bean throughout and each bite of cake is heavenly. Easy to make too. A piece of cake! (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

How about two kinds of cupcakes? Cake mixes (especially with coupons) are reasonably priced. Serve a chocolate fudge cupcake right alongside your vanilla cupcakes. Or strawberry cupcakes with a batch of Dreamsicle cupcakes. Let the ideas flow! Bake and ice your cupcakes the morning of your tea so they're tender and fragrant. Plate them on a pretty tray with a tiny vase of fresh flowers from your garden or a sprig of herbs. And voila! Your table is set.

Fifth: Now to brew the tea. Word to the wise. Never try to brew tea in a coffeemaker. The residual oils from the coffee beans will spoil the taste of your tea. Trust me--I tried.

Gather

• A tiny pitcher of milk or cream
• A small bowl of sugar or sugar cubes (*You can pipe some leftover icing on each cube if you have some left from icing the cupcakes. Place leftover icing in a small sandwich bag, then snip a tiny opening off one corner of the bag, hover the corner over the cube and gently squeeze).
• 
  
  

Boil a large pot of water, or use a teakettle if you have one on hand. The first thing you should do is pour boiling water into the teapot you plan to use. Put the lid on. Cover the pot with a tea cozy and let it sit for a few minutes. Warming the teapot in this manner will keep the tea hot a lot longer. After a few minutes, dump the water out, then place your loose tea or teabag into the pot, fill the pot with boiling hot water and replace the lid and tea cozy (or clean dishtowel). In a scant few minutes of seeping, your tea will be ready to serve!

Now enjoy a pleasant afternoon of good tea, glorious conversation and delicious cupcakes with dear friends. What better way could you celebrate a delightful spring day?

When The Fat Ladies Sing Mystery Series: 

Misfortune Cookies (Book 1)
A Tisket, A Casket (Book 2)
Dead As A Doornail )Book 3)
That Wasn't Chicken (Book 4)
Felony Fruitcake (Book 5--A Sweet Petite Christmas Mystery)
AND COMING SOON--Weighty Matters!

Read my latest article on Cozy Mystery Magazine. Marvelous Mystery Titles 

For a treasure trove of terribly terrific titles, go to my Pinterest page.

Read Two Left Feet, a funny story about learning how to dance with my dad.

Get a SNEAK PEEK at the book cover for my upcoming release!

And listen to the Along Came A Writer Radio Show (formerly Gate Beautiful). We're Christian authors interviewing four or more guests in our two-hour show--authors, screenwriters, agents, editors, and other publishing industry professionals. Find out how they got started in the biz. Learn useful writing hacks and tips, trends, industry news. And LOL at our funny rapid-fire questions at the end of each interview. Click the link above or below to listen to this month's show.

Along Came A Writer Radio Show

Linda Kozar (http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/linda-kozar/) and (www.lindakozar.com) writes both fiction and nonfiction titles, but is well known for her cozy mysteries. She founded and serves on the board of The Woodlands, Texas ACFW chapter, blogs regularly on Cozy Mystery Magazine and is the lead host on the Along Came A Writer radio show. She and her husband live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters.

How to Makeover Your Kitchen Table With Chalk Paint--By Linda Kozar

Linda Kozar striking a crafty pose

Wait, this is a blog for women of faith, isn't it? Sure it is! But this blog is also about three things Faith, Family and Fun. Hopefully, this project falls into the last category.

Here's the before picture of my kitchen table. Not bad, right? I bought this hand-crafted table years ago and fell in love with it. But over the years, the tabletop began to feel rough and uneven, staining easily from coffee mugs and spaghetti sauce. My husband and I didn't know that the top was finished with paste wax and just needed another coat from time to time.

So, after a light sanding, my husband painted a coat of Polyurethane on the table top. The result? Not so good. Immediately afterwards, our table would forever be "tacky". I liked to joke with guests about our "tacky" table. But it didn't take long for them to experience it for themselves. Literally, every plate, cup or glass stuck to the table! Let's just say you had to yank hard to clear the table of dishes or even to lift a glass to your mouth. At times it was almost comical. Especially during the Babes With A Beatitude Bible Studies. Every Tuesday, the table would be surrounded by women, trying hard to lift their coffee cups without spilling hot coffee all over the place.

In true Proverbs 31 woman form, I decided to tackle a home project and believe me, I needed a lot of faith to accomplish it! The summer of 2014, I decided enough was enough. A friend had told me about the wonders of Chalk Paint. She'd refinished a bedroom set and was delighted with the results.

Chalk Paint is a wondrous mixture of: One cup latex paint, One-half cup Plaster of Paris, and One-half cup water, that goes on over the surface as is! No need to sand (unless the surface is terribly rough). I should warn you that there is quite a bit of light sanding in store for you however. You will need to sand in between coats. Lightly. Not too bad.

Whaaaat? I almost jumped for joy and decided that's what I needed to do!

So, the day before I planned to begin, I assembled my painting supplies. I like to get that task out of the way so I can get right to the painting in the morning. Makes life easier.

Supplies:

• A tarp or plastic sheet. (Do this project outdoors or in the garage as things get a bit messy).
• Paint tray OR a use a simple plastic vegetable tray you buy some of your veggies in--without air holes at the bottom of course. Lettuce trays work great because the top closes. You can leave your project to take a break and come back to your paint without worry it will dry out. Great way to recycle plastic to good use.
• Paint Brush. An inexpensive medium size brush will do, but you might want to use a few smaller ones to get into tight spots. I had a bunch of old brushes around the house. Maybe you do too.
• Rags. You will need to use a few rags to test dab or clean off excess paint. Old towels work great.
• Sandpaper. Fine sandpaper and/or a sanding block if you have one. Better yet, if you have a rotary sander, use that instead. You'll barely break a sweat!
• Tack Cloth. To clean off the surface. Works great!
• Latex paint. I chose the colors I wanted (which took a lot of time and thought) and bought the more economical half-pints of paint for under $5 bucks a can. You won't need a lot of paint for this project. The water and Plaster of Paris really stretch it. Also, search paint stores for clearance paint. You never know what bargains you'll find.
• Plaster of Paris. Any craft store carries this. I purchased mine at Wal-Mart for under $5. Mine came with four packets to a box and I only used one packet to do the table and chairs. Lots left to do future projects!
• Water. Just plain tap water.
• Latex gloves! Use latex gloves when you paint, ladies. Your hands and manicure, if you have one, will thank you later. Before I started using gloves to paint, I would have to use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to get all the bits of paint out of my cuticles. No more!

Mix your chalk paint in here and close the top when you take a break from painting.

I started off with the base coat in a shade of green I liked--Valspar's Herbes de Provence:

I let that dry, gave it a light sanding as the Plaster of Paris is gritty. I sanded the surface smooth and then applied the second coat, a different color entirely! Valspar's Cottage White. Why? Because I planned to sand it down to reveal little streaks of the green underneath for the rustic charm I was after.

Next, I sanded that coat a bit. Depending on the consistency of your paint and how well you covered, you might need another light coat. Just eyeball it. Sorry about the non-technical instruction, but creative people have their own lingo:)

Now for the stencil. I fell in love with a Martha Stewart stencil, but you can use any stencil you fancy OR if you're talented that way, design your own stencil. Ambitious artistes' might want to go ahead and paint whimsical designs directly onto the table. Whatever suits you best.

The colors I used (just tiny bottles of craft latex easy to find at Hobby Lobby), were: FolkArt's Classic Green and Spring green for the leaves and vines, Podge Orange and Napthai Crimson for the flowers.

After the stencils are completely dry, give the surface another sanding. The images should not be crisp. Whaaaat? That's right. You should sand them down and blur them out a bit. But it's all a matter of personal taste. If you want crisp stencils, go for it. I like the vintage sort of look.

The surface of the table should feel smooth to the touch. Caution: use your gloves for this touch test. The oils in your skin will leave behind blotches. Yech!

Use a tack cloth to remove all traces of dust and grit left behind by your hard work.

And now for the wax. I used Trewax paste wax. Definitely use gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Do not wax in your house or it will create a very toxic atmosphere. The inside of your home will smell like charcoal briquettes! You could experiment with a safer, more natural alternative like beeswax. But I went for the toxic industrial stuff. Alas...

If you have a random orbital sander/buffer, use it! Or maybe your husband waxes his own car and owns an orbital buffer. Use it! Your job will be oh-so-much easier than buffing by hand.

Once the buffing is complete and your table (and perhaps chairs) glow, you're ready to dress your table. I kept my stencils to the four corners of the table with that in mind.

Shop for a table runner, or continue your craftiness and make one. Dress the center with an interesting piece. I found a bowl with a concrete base at Cost Plus for $14.99 and added some items I found on sale at various places. Place mats coordinate with the base color and serve a utilitarian purpose by catching bits of food and splashes. Mine are straw and easy to rinse off.

Voila', your refurbished kitchen table is done. Yes, I was sweaty and tired and inhaled toxic fumes along the way (next time--bees wax for the finish), but my fingernails weren't swathed in paint (thanks to the gloves). AND now my table is smooth, not sticky.

I can't wait for our Babes With A Beatitude Bible Study to start up again in the fall. The ladies are going to love drinking their coffee without having to jerk the cup up off the table in between sips.

And that, my friends is my craft journey with chalk paint. Thanks for letting me share it with you this week. If you have any questions or items I didn't cover, please leave a comment below and I will be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge.

Kitchen Table Makeover

Turn Shabby into Chic

Short Video--A Few of Linda Kozar's Books...

Books by Linda Kozar

The Titus 2 Woman--Am I HER? By Linda P. Kozar

You mean Banquet understands us "Titus 2" women? Good Lord! But this vintage ad brought a prompt to my heart that many of us need to revisit the definition. Here's a reminder of the scriptures that describe a Titus 2 woman:

Titus 2:3-5 "...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Mothers--if you've succeeded in raising godly kids without losing your mind--if you've gotten them off to college or watched them walk down the matrimonial aisle, good for you! Time to breathe a sigh of relief. Now God is moving you into a different role, that of a mentor to younger women.

Now you might be asking yourself, "what could I possibly teach younger women about marriage? I have no idea how my husband and I made it this far." But you did--thank goodness! You know you didn't do it alone. If God is at the center of your marriage, you've got a good thing going. And it's likely you learned some good and useful things along the way too. Think about it. You have the opportunity to impart Godly wisdom to a younger generation struggling with the same issues you did when you were younger. That is the heart of what a Titus 2 ministry is all about--training a younger generation of women to live a loving, biblical, spirit-led life.

Reverent in Behavior

The word reverent means expressing great awe or respect. Women who live a reverent life are living sacrifices (Galatians 2:20 "Bodies presented as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, not conformed to this world,  but with transformed and renewed minds...")--dedicated wholly to the Lord in thought, character and action. This sacred devotion to God infuses and influences every aspect of your daily life. This means you are the same woman behind closed doors as you are in public places--an example to others of what Godly devotion is.

Not Slanderers

The Greek word for slanderers in Titus 3 is diabolos, the very name for Satan, the false accuser of the the brethren! Those who give in to gossip and slander are surrendering their tongues to Satan to be used for his evil purposes. Gossip can start innocently enough. "Did you hear about so-and-so? She did blankety-blank or was seen doing blank. We should really pray for her." Soon the conversation goes far beyond simple care and concern and a widening circle of so-called confidantes are all putting their two cents in. So make sure you have the proper motives and desires before calling others with sensitive information. Why not connect with a discrete prayer partner and actually pray for the person or situation instead? When in doubt, it's always better to take it to the throne, not the phone.

Self-control

Resisting excess in every area of a believer's life is important. Self-control is a Godly characteristic and it applies not only to alcohol, but to any substance or action (overeating, workaholic, shopping or fashion, abuse of prescription drugs) that has a foothold in your life. Simply put, addiction means you are putting something or someone before God.

An occasional glass of wine is not a bad thing, but Paul stresses the importance of Titus 2:3 "...not given to much wine." In ancient times, pagan women turned to wine for solace. Romantic love between wives and husbands was not the norm. Husbands practiced infidelity without so much as a second thought. Men married women to bear legitimate children, to enhance their standing in society, and to keep house. As a result, many women turned to wine for a temporary respite from emotional and physical abuse or neglect.

Even after becoming believers, many women reverted to their old habits--turning to the cup instead of to God. Self-control is a mark of spiritual maturity. These women needed someone to encourage and teach them how to overcome these enticements with the Word of God and through practical instruction.

Now for the flip side. Some modern day believers pride themselves on never having tasted a drop of alcohol, and have no qualms about their opinion on others who indulge. However, they have no qualms about overeating or maxxing out the credit cards shopping or abusing prescription drugs.

I remember an incident in the checkout line at a local grocery store. A older man in front of me was vocalizing his faith loudly and obnoxiously to the checker. The man must have noticed my carton of ginger beer on the conveyor belt, because he started instantly proclaiming his disdain for alcohol and those who fall prey to it. Thankfully, he took his bags and left. However, when the checker rang up my ginger "beer," he seemed confused. "Hmmm, this doesn't ring up as alcohol."
I smiled. "That's because it isn't. Ginger beer is just like root beer."

The man in line took pride in his abstinence, so much so, that he failed in what should have been his primary mission. He should have used his faith to impart a sweet savor to those around him, but instead left a bad taste in everyone's mouth!

Teachers of Good Things

The Titus 2 women in the early church began to teach younger women about marriage. As mentioned earlier, the notion of a romantic marital relationship between man and woman was not the norm. And some believing women were married to unbelievers--which presented an even greater challenge.

This scripture calls for women to love their husbands (and for husbands to love their wives too!). Most men sought illicit sex outside of marriage, so sex with their spouse would have been sporadic, not the cherished, sacred sex life that would have created an intimate, godly bond between a wife and husband.

I'll never forget the call I received late one afternoon. A friend called to tell me she was in her car sitting in the parking lot of a strip club. She'd suspected her husband of frequenting strip clubs and followed him discretely one day. Most women, including myself, would have been full of anger and fury, and would have stormed into that club to confront him.
When I first heard her speak, I have to admit I was worried she might do something else to the man. I asked if she had a weapon. But she assured me that she didn't intend to do anything to hurt her husband. She simply wanted him to know that she knew what he was doing.
After breathing a sigh of relief, I talked to her and was particularly impressed with her calm and graceful attitude. She was prepared through her prayer life, and full of faith for this painful situation. Though I sensed the deep wound in her voice, I knew God was with her in a mighty way.
My friend filled me in on what happened later. She sat in the car next to her husband's vehicle and when he emerged from the club, the first thing he saw was her. She didn't scream or yell at him or create a scene of any sort. After he saw her, she drove away, tears streaming down her face. Her silent witness of his actions later brought her husband to repentance.
And her godly response to an ungodly situation left a lasting impression on me!

Believing women were taught and encouraged to love and pray for their husbands and to live a noble and godly life. The Titus 2 women prayed for and with these younger sisters, that God would uphold and transform their marriages. They also taught them practical ways to improve their marriages, their parenting skills and how to run a household--even a business. If you read about the Proverbs 31 woman, wives could be wise investors concerning business as well. Proverbs 31:16 "She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard." 

Today, women are still in need of godly models of what a true marital relationship is supposed to look like. Because so many marriages end in divorce, marriages that survive and stand the test of time and temptation are outstanding examples of success.

Unconditional love is referred to in the bible as agape love and is defined as the "selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications, especially love that is spiritual in nature."

Let's take the example of this agape love and apply it, like the Titus 2 women, to our own marriages and families and to both encourage and mentor other women!

My latest nonfiction release...

My latest release...

God's Top Ten--By Linda Kozar

How many of us can name all of the Ten Commandments in the bible on the spot? Apparently, not many--and as Christians, we should be able to do so. In fact, we should be living our lives accordingly. Below is a gentle reminder for everyone. Commit these to memory--and heart.

From Exodus 20:1-17

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, theLord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.