Scriptural Reasons for Having a Hope Chest

This is Part 4 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction, or Part 1: “What’s in my Hope Chest?” ; Part 2: “What am I adding to my Hope Chest?”  or Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?” you can find them here, here, here, and here.

"Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Colossians 3:23

 There’s No Commandment:

Of course, if you are any at all familiar with the Bible, you know that there’s no commandment declaring, “Thou shalt have a hope chest!”

Yet, if you look at the different Biblical principles for young women, having a hope chest is a reasonable, fun, and awesome project to make these principles REAL in our lives!

Having Hope for the Future:

As discussed in our Hope Series Introduction, having a hope chest is not about how many items you can accumulate over time, but about the hope of a future, a good God-based future.The Lord desires that we follow His plan, for He has the plans of hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (NIV)

Having Patience:

James 5:8 tells us to “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (KJV)

When creating a hope chest, patience is definitely required, whether you are waiting patiently for the day you may open your hope chest for use or are patiently creating (or buying) your items! As you practice this patience, your heart will become established in this project. You will learn to apply your patience and devotion to not just waiting for the future, but for the coming of the Lord! He is our groomsmen (even if you were planning on never marrying, as I was), and we must patiently wait, with our heart established in Him!

Being a Proverbs 31 Woman:

Whether or not you marry, you have to admit, this Proverbs 31 woman is kind of, like…yea, perfect! And I am sure that allll Christian women everyone desire to be as godly and well-rounded as she, (and sometimes are, and sometimes are not).

If you notice her adeptness in skill! She “works with eager hands,” verse 13 says in the NIV Bible.  And The Message says of her, “First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.” She knits, sews, cooks, gardens, and “skilled in the crafts of home and hearth.” Seriously–she has so much talent and skill! Not to mention she loves the Lord.

Having a hope chest prepares us with the same skills. As we make our own quilts and pillows, lay aside recipes of delightful tastes, include devotionals and Bibles and memories to pass on to the next generation, we gradually become this Proverbs 31 woman in our own unique way. How very special!

In Your Youth, Be An Example:

Finally, while we are young, we can be a shining light for the Lord! And what a great way to share the love of Christ than by having a hope chest. All the items are set aside in love, in patience, in hope, and in the faith in Christ for His plans of a future, which can be passed down and passed down and passed down.

(Either to your own children or, if you choose not to marry and/or have children, to other’s children.)

1 Timothy 4:12 says “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Of course:

There are many other Scriptural reasons why having a Hope Chest is such a delightful idea/project, but the above are all I am sharing–for now.

Do you have a reason in addition to these? Leave a comment if you like! I would love to hear it.

This concludes our 4-Part Hope Chest Series! Again, if you missed the other articles, their links are provided above. And if you enjoyed this series, I am very glad!

What Am I Adding to My Hope Chest?

This is Part 2 of the Hope Chest Series. If you missed the Hope Chest Series Introduction and/or Part 1: “What’s in My Hope Chest?”, you can read them here and here!

Unfortunately, these lovely china plates are not mine, they're just a picture off of Google Images!

The Need to “Build Up”:

After seeing the pitiful amount of items–and the even more pitiful variety of functions of these items, (since most are for decorating only)–in my hope chest, you see my desperate need to “build up,” or “stock up” on items that can be useful for everyday use. (More along the lines of pillows, quilts, and the like…)

What I Plan to Include in My Hope Chest:

Hopefully I can get most of these things this summer, but if not…that’s cool, too. I actually have not spent more than $10 on all the things in my hope chest because almost everything was given to me. (Yay!) 🙂 If I do end up buying most of these items I have listed below, I will not pay full price for them (unless I have to), haha! (But that’s another subject and another post, which you will find in Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?”)

Once these items are added, I will try to link them to a post giving the hows, whens, wheres, and whats of that item. 🙂

So this is my list, but remember you can add ANYTHING you want—

Books

:: Family Bible:: I may have to buy this one full-price, since most family Bibles you find at garage sales and such are already marked in.

:: My Favorite Books:: Just to let others borrow and read, and for me to read for the millionth time, too.

:: My Senior Year Book (High School/College):: My high school senior year was so special! I met amazing people, gave up a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League, moved all the way across the United States (from Texas to the Northwest) in January of that year, and enrolled in a community college (which so many people did NOT expect of me).

:: Baby Memory Books:: I thought I might get five, one for each of my four sisters and my one brother (for their first child). Who knows, though? If I do get married, I may have to use them for my children (or at least some of them)!

:: Recipe Books:: I have not totally made up my mind on this one, as I may just find certain recipes and place them in a book/binder. Books are bulky!

:: My Favorite Devotional Books:: I also may make my own devotional, comprised of all my favorite single devotions, instead of getting just books…

:: Scrapbooks:: This one has 2-parts. The first are my picture scrapbooks. The second is a number of scrapbooks with me making certain homemade products and sewing certain things, like a “picture-how-to” book. When I make my first one, I will show y’all how it turned out and exactly what I mean by this!

Bedroom Items

:: Pillows/Pillow Cases:: I am thinking maybe three pillows and at least ten pillow cases. I am thinking of neutral-colored pillow cases, so they will match anything.

:: Blankets/Sheets/Quilts:: Not sure if I am going to make a homemade quilt–seems kind of difficult! (But I will try.) Once again, neutral-colored blankets/sheets, and I will make these (mostly). Maybe 3-5 sets.

:: Hangers:: These are everywhere, so I should have no problem finding them for cheap (or free)!

Bathroom Items

:: Towels/Wash Cloths:: A couple of fun colors like lime green and blue, but then also neutral-colored ones.

:: Towel Rack:: To hang towels on, just a mini one, nothing major.

:: Baskets:: These are GREAT for organizing things in the bathroom!

:: Soap Dispensers:: Maybe just one or two.

Kitchen Items

:: Silverware:: Regular things, forks, spoons, knives, you know.

:: Dishware:: Again, just the regular, bowls and plates.

:: Measuring Spoons/Cups:: Just a couple sets of these, and stainless steel!

:: Cooking Utensils:: This includes wooden spoons, spatulas, dipping spoon, etc

:: Rags/Oven Mitts/Pot Holders:: I am planning on making these myself, and I really want a red and apple-themed kitchen!

:: Aprons/Table Cloths/Cloth Napkins/Place Setters/Table Runner:: I already have plans to make some of these next week! Again, I’m not really looking to buy these items or make them expensive.

How Does this Tie into “Natural Living?”

Natural living is about living self-sufficiently and friendly for the environment and our bodies. Since most of these items I will be making and/or will aid the process of living naturally (for example, cooking homemade meals or making my own deodorant), I will be either living naturally and/or preparing to live naturally. It’s a win-win situation! How exciting!!

Am I Missing Anything?

If I am missing items that you would deem “essential”, I would LOVE if you would tell me! Or, if you have other items that you have included (like baby items), let me know what they are in the comments section!

NEXT: Part 3: “What Does Having a Hope Chest Mean $$-Wise?“

Book Review: Modesty by Nan M. Pamer

Modesty: A fresh look at a biblical principle by Nan M. Pamer

Just today, I completed Pamer’s 47-page 1997 booklet on modesty. Although Pamer singles out the Apostolic Pentecostal, or Oneness Pentecostal, church as one that has held its ground and not conformed to the low moral standards of the world, she does a fine job of explaining why modesty is such an important–non legalistic– biblical principle that Christians should adhere to today. The chapters include:

1. “Is Modesty Legalistic?“– a look at why modesty is NOT legalistic. Legalism, as Pamer explains it, is the belief that “works merit salvation,” ie dress standards. Pamer defends the Apostolic Pentecostal churches with conviction, stating that modesty is misunderstood and can be a deterrent to immorality. She says, “We were hopelessly lost when Jesus Christ found us and saved us from sin, and we are forever indebted to Him. Because we love Him we endeavor to reflect Christ in everything we do, even in our outward appearance.”

2. “The Blessing of Distinction“–delving into why modesty, and the separation from the world that comes with it, is a blessing. Pamer claims that “the society that allows this deterioration of modesty takes something very precious from its young people.” Modesty and immorality are directly related, as “when modesty was  thrown to the wind, immorality swept in like a flood.”

3. “An Old and New Testament Principle“–explaining that as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), so is His desire for us to live a Christ-like life. Modesty is part of living Christ-like, according to Pamer, and can be found in both the Old and New Testament. Pamer gives the example of the Old Testament priests who were set apart by their apparel and connects this to 1 Peter 2:9, where the church is called “a royal priesthood…” (among other examples and connections). Pamer also addresses and warns against “the danger of overemphasis” where one “practices an outward dedication to God while allowing his heart to become a bulwark of nasty attitudes and hard feelings against others.”

4. “The End Results of Immodesty“–an examination of our world, as it is, and why immodesty has lead to immorality as an accepted societal institution. Pamer states that “When a society disregards modesty, it will have to pay a revolting price. Our generation is reaping devastating results because a principle of God has been laid down.” Using the testimonial confessions of serial killers Ted Bundy and Arthur Gary Bishop, Pamer explains the negative effects of immodesty: pornography, rapings, terrible diseases, and to the extremities of mass murders.

5. “A Call to Modesty“–a plea to live a life free in Christ, one that is modest and a reflection of Him. Pamer concludes her booklet with these words: “May we vigorously regain the ground that many have lost in the battle for modesty. Our children, our churches, and our nation need it desperately. We have a treasure in our grasp; let us never let it slip away.”

My Concluding Thoughts:

I definitely and highly recommend this book to parents, Christian youth workers, and teenagers. Whether you are part of the Apostlic/Oneness Pentecostal church or not, modesty is a biblical principle that, as Pamer states, has been thrown to the wayside and forgotten by most of the world. How you determine what is modest or not, or what you determine is modest, is not discussed in this booklet; however, Pamer’s discussion on modesty as a principle is very informative, intellectual, and GOOD! Her reliance on scripture as support is a major addition, versus some books that base Christian principles on human reasoning. Although at times, Modesty could be repetitive, its message is one that should be repeated. I will be keeping this book to reread and to share with others.

If you would like to buy Modesty: a fresh look at a biblical principle by Nan M Pamer, you can buy it used at Amazon.com. Click here!

If you would like to look at the other books I have on my book list for 2011, you can click here!

AND/OR

If you would like to comment on this book or book review, if you have any questions, please feel free to share in the comments section below!

The Lost Can Be Found

The Princess opened the sliding door, which concealed the spiraling tunnel. Giving into her curiosity and wonder at the untraveled passage, the naive and innocent Princess stepped through the threshold and into the tunnel. After traveling for some time, she noticed the inner parts of her shoes becoming wet. Then her ankles, then her shins, and then her knees. The tunnel was dark; it had led her astray from the door by which she entered, so that she could no longer find her way back. With no other solution, she continued forward in the direction of her initial journey.

The water continued to rise: mid-thigh, hip, chest, neck. As her panic level began to increase, she realized the passage opened up into a waterway. Catching her breath, she dove in–hoping for the best.

Immediately, the Princess noticed the coldness and heaviness of the water. Surely she must be in the deepest of the depths of a great body of water. With great effort of strength, she swam upward, upward, upward. Her arms and her legs burned, but not more so than her eyes, which she found she could not keep open for any great length of time. When her eyes were open, she could not see hardly anything, for the waters were dark and murky. Her air was running out, but she glimpsed a dim light ahead, so she pressed forward to the mark before her.

Conveniently, as she drew closer and closer to the light, a rope seemed to be lowered to her, and eagerly, the Princess reached for the rope and pulled with all her might. All she could acknowledge was the fear that she would not reach the top before her last breath was gone, and so she pulled even more and even harder.

At last, she broke through the water–only to find herself among an oil spilled sea. The darkness, the murkiness, the heaviness as she swam, it was oil! Looking about her, she saw only dark oil plastering the water. Her skin felt not wet, as it would from a recreational swim, but slimy. The fear and panic began to gradually increase within her being again.

A medium size boat, from which the rope came, floated just to her right, and she anxiously swam in its direction. She reached the ladder, and climbed up it, only to find the boat deserted with no one on it. The Princess went to the control center, and started up the boat–and when she did, the boat exploded and parts of it were strewn across the expanse of oily water!

The force of the explosion sent the now horror-stricken Princess back into the water, along with many other pieces, large and small, of the boat. Without knowledge of what else to do, the Princess grabbed hold of the largest piece of “boat” nearest her, climbed on top, and began paddling her way to the shore.

She did not know where she was. She did not know what to do. Lost and confused. Fearful and hopeless. Despairing and regretting that she opened that door paddled she on–on and on and on. Toward the shore, toward her prospective redemption.

But it was so far away, even after her continual paddling. She would never reach it. She would never be found. She would never know what she had gotten herself into. So the Princess laid down across the boat piece, closed her eyes, and prepared to die.

Meanwhile, back on shore, the explosion was heard and the boat in flames was seen. People came running from all places to the beach to see the great disaster. With a shout, one individual said he found someone! A team of five people came to his destination. Sure enough, they saw the Princess, lying across her boat piece with her eyes closed, but knew she was dead. As the boat piece floated nearer to them, they prepared to rescue its passenger, though perhaps it was too late.

The Princess heard the shout, and she heard the talking back and forth between multiple voices. Hallucinations, surely. She thought. But when she felt the jolt of their arms catching her piece of boat, her eyes swiftly opened and beheld her Redeemer, the one who had found her.

A tear slowly trickled down her cheek, as she looked upon him, and she gratefully smiled at the 5 helpers. Her Redeemer lifted her up, and took her to safety. She was not lost! The Princess was not lost!

She had faced the murky waters and fire. She had withstood great fear and panic and terror. She had been lost and confused, but NOW she was found and safe. She had been found. Praise the Lord! She had been found.

_______________________________

In this parable:

The Princess–as daughters of God, the King of Kings, we are Princesses!

The Tunnel–we all choose the paths we will travel, whether they are ones that have been walked before us by the prophets and apostles of old or ones that are foreign to us and are dark.

Murky Waters and Fire–in life, sometimes we go through trials that can leave us with fear, panic, doubt, and despair.

One Redeemer–Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, the One who finds us when we are lost, the One who lifts us up when we are down.

5 Helpers–God uses people to be instrumental in bringing others to Him.