A is for Apphia

Women of the Bible from A to Z series

A – Apphia, acknowledge in the 2^nd verse of Philemon.

"This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." Philemon 1-3

Scholars presume Apphia was the wife of the book’s namesake, Philemon probably because she is listed as Paul thanked them for their hospitality. They lived in the city of Colosse (or Colassa), between Hierapolis and Laodica near the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates River. [The modern town of Chonas or Chonum now occupies a site near Colosse’s ruins.] Philemon, a much beloved and respected student of the Apostle Paul is also mentioned in the Colossians 4:9.

Accepted the A-Z Challenge

Women of the Bible from A – Z series begins Sunday, April 1st

I have accepted a challenge to post a new blog 26 of the 30 days of April. It requires the use of the alphabet with topics from A-Z. This “badge” (link) will guide you to others who have accepted the dare. (The badge can also be found on my side bar; just scroll down a bit.)

I have chosen to write on women of the Bible. Some will be familiar names, most will not, and then there were a few letters I’ll have to improvise. I am not a Biblical scholar but a Bible reader. I do love history and mystery; so much of what you read will be research facts along with speculation.

I hope you won't grow tired of visiting the site so frequently this month. I'll try to keep the blogs short, fun, and interesting...no money-back guarantees on the fun and interesting part.

Teach Your Children

“…when you are at home....on the road...going to bed...getting up.” Deut. 6:7 nlt

Dog food, potatoes, and toilet paper lay on the bottom rack. Bread, eggs, and chips fill the child-seat section. Frozen corn, peas, mixed vegetables, and a bag of strawberries almost toppled from the heap.  My teenage son pushed the cart while my preteen guided the wheeled contraption to the check out.

The oldest unloaded our bounty onto the moving belt and the younger took his station at the end to bag it. The clerk scanned the merchandise as I sorted coupons and prepared my check.

It was a typical Friday at Harvest Home Academy.

Stay Teachable

“…Do not be stubborn.” Hebrews 3:6-4:13 (ncv)

“Mom, why do you read the same thing over and over again?” My oldest son questioned my monthly routine of reading and rereading the Psalms and Proverbs.

“Because I want to stay teachable. Sometimes a new nugget of God’s wisdom opens my eyes, and other times a verse, a phrase, even a single word aptly convicts my heart.” I knew my teenage son didn’t understand, but I prayed that one day he would.

My mentor, Irene, once told me to “stay teachable” and the words stuck. Growing up, my dad encouraged me to be curious and learn new things. So, as a wife, mother, homemaker, and woman in general, I stay teachable to all things good.

Home Manager: The War of Numbers

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength…

and this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches…” 

Philippians 4:13, 19 nlt

I pulled the 2”x4” green and white four page leaflet from the envelope Crown Financial Ministries mailed to us. My chest heaved. We can do this. With renewed certainty, I opened a fresh notebook, found a pencil with a good eraser, pulled out my calculator, and took the plunge to pursue a debt-free lifestyle.

The Home Manager: Part 1

“If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches?” 

Luke 16:11 NCV

Among my roles as homemaker, I am the manager of time, activities, and money. In the work world, I could be called office manager, bookkeeper, and my favorite, travel agent. The vacation itinerary falls on my shoulders. I am keeper of the household calendar and schedules. And, the checkbook fits neatly into my hands. But it wasn’t always this way.

Let’s talk about money
When we were married some thirty-five years ago, our income was small and our expenses little, but as our family enlarged and our income increased, so did our expenses. Arguments over money also rose.

There were disagreements over fun money; you know, the selfish pleasure spending stuff. The credit/debit/ATM cards brought on a flurry of new squabbles. We even fought over whose responsibility it was to actually keep track of our money.