Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

You filled my life with purpose,
With hope for what lay ahead.
My greatest wish was for you to go
Wherever your Savior led.
He gave me you as an arrow
To send where He would call.
Though so many times I faltered,
I longed to give you my all.

I'm so thankful for the privilege
That too short a time was mine.
I didn't know then as the years flew by,
Just how fast would pass the time.
But I was blessed to savor
The best life that God can give-
To be a wife and mother,
There was no better way to live.

And if you have some little ones
At home, but just on loan,
Cherish every moment left
For all too soon they're grown.

2019, Val Halloran
www.valhalloran.com

Painting by Sheri Dinardi

Ho, my comrades! see the signal waving in the sky.
Reinforcements now appearing; victory is nigh!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still.
Wave the answer back to Heaven, "By Thy grace, we will!"

Fierce and long the battle rages but our help is near.
Onward comes our Great Commander. Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still.
Wave the answer back to Heaven, "By Thy grace, we will!"

I am passing it along to you as an encouragement and an instruction. God has not forgotten us, even when the world situation (and our own) may see hopeless. Be strong and of good courage, dear friends: Jesus will at the appointed time.

PATRICIA HOLMES
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And in the face of all obstacles and trials, keep holding the fort in your homes, ladies.
~ Nancy

You were so much more than a “product,”
Even though you were very small.
Why does size determine terms?
That shouldn’t matter at all!

“Yes, you were so wanted,”
I hated that the question was routine.
You were cherished from the first thought,
You were a hope, a LIFE, a dream.

This world has become a hostile place for life,
They don’t understand why we love being a
mother and wife.
Little ones are quickly tossed aside
by the thousands every day.
“Don’t be sad ma’am, carry on, your product is
gone away.”

They think it’s so simple and freeing, to choose
a path of loss,
It’s called self-care in our culture, without even
counting the cost.
Scientists have discovered that when you’re gone.
Some of your DNA can be found in my brain,
That brings me comfort and helps ease my sadness
and pain.

We chose to name you Faithful, when we learned
you were in Heaven that night.
Reminding us that God is faithful,
And how everything He does is right.

Your tiny life made a difference, Little One.
We will always remember you.
I can’t wait to meet you in Heaven
And tell you that “Mommy loved you.

LAUREN BECK
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Lauren miscarried after five children.

I love to discover new words, don’t you? Here’s some new words you may have not used before, but I think they are beautiful words to add to our vocabulary.

Recently I read the book, “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken which also includes 18 unpublished letters by C. S. Lewis. It is the true story of Sheldon and Davy’s romance and life together. They lifted love to a new plane and called their love relationship “INLOVENESS.” To them it was “the greatest glory ever known.” Isn’t this a lovely word to aspire to in our own marriage relationships?

Awhile back I read another new word in one of George McDonald’s books. He talked about “HOMENESS,” picturing the warmth, love, and joy of home. I love this word too. It takes thought, time, love, and prayer to make our home a place of “homeness,” doesn’t it? It’s never wasted time. It’s a beautiful thing. Can we experientially add this word to our vocab?

Let’s keep going. What about “WOMBNESS”? Yes, there’s such a word. It’s not some imaginative word. It’s a reality. It’s very much part of who we are as women. In fact, you would not be a woman if you did not have a womb!

However, did you know that that wombness also applies to God? The Hebrew word “racham” is used in the Bible to describe the literal womb of woman and to also reveal God’s compassion and tender mercy. It is translated “mercy” 32 times. When we embrace our wombness, we reveal the compassion and mercy of God.

The meaning of “feminine” in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: “The first syllable is probably from womb . . . The last part of the word is probably from man, quasi, “femman,” womb-man. To be feminine is to be ‘a womb man.’”

And what about all the other beautiful “ness” words which should fill our home? Don’t gloss over these words, but think about which ones you need to incorporate more into your home life.

Amiableness, availableness,
chasteness, cheerfulness, cleanliness, courteousness,
faithfulness, femaleness, forgiveness, fruitfulness,
generousness, gentleness, godliness, goodness, graciousness, greatheartedness,
heavenliness, helpfulness, holiness, humbleness,
joyfulness,
kindness,
loveliness,
meekness, mercifulness, motherliness,
nestingness,
peacefulness, positiveness, prayerfulness, pureness,
respectfulness, restfulness, righteousness,
selflessness, steadfastness, submissiveness, sweetness,
teachableness, tenderheartedness, thankfulness, thoughtfulness, truthfulness,
uprightness, usefulness,
virtuousness,
wifeliness, willingness, and you’ll think of more. (And if you, do please let me know)!

Why not write out in BIG LETTERS the words that speak to you and pin them up in your kitchen and other appropriate places in the home. Change to different words each week. They will inspire you and your children!

We’ll talk more about some of these words in the next few days.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Picture: mike savad art | ... Chair Photograph - Porch - Garwood Nj - Granpas Chair Fine Art Print

When you are going through trouble and everything seems dark, bleak, and even impossible, remember that God brings His deliverance in the morning! Don't take your worries to bed with you. Give them to the Lord. While you sleep, God will work on your behalf. He will give you His help in the morning. Yes, this is true, because it’s God’s infallible word!

Psalm 30:5: Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”

Psalm 49:14 promises that you will have dominion “in the morning."

And you know that God’s mercies and compassion are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

Now we must also remember that God does everything in His perfect timing. It may not be tomorrow morning that you receive your deliverance but know with all your heart that God is working, and your morning of deliverance and joy will come! Amen and Amen!

Psalm 127:2: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

And you can also be practical and take some “Natural Calm” (The Anti-stress Drink) before you go to bed. Order it from the Internet.

Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell

We all know about the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. But the word virtuous means more than what we usually think. The Hebrew is “chayil” meaning “virtue, valor, military strength.”

This woman is not a wimp. She is someone to be reckoned with. She has the strength of a soldier in battle. She has physical strength but her inward strength is even greater. I love the picture of the bride given in Song of Songs 6:10: “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible (awesome) as an army with banners?”

She is not strong in independence but strong in the precious qualities that God has given to His female creation. And God pours out His praises upon her. Let’s read Proverbs 31:10 in the Amplified version: “A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is FAR MORE PRECIOUS THAN JEWELS and her value is FAR ABOVE RUBIES OR PEARLS.”

Her strength of character enables her to submit to her husband instead of jumping up and down and demanding her own way.

Her strength of character guards her mouth instead of spitting out harsh and hurtful words.

Her strength of character enables her to stand strong against temptations of lust. She is strong in morality and purity. She will be true to her husband as long as she lives. She lives “only unto him” as she vowed on her wedding day. She stands true to her marriage vows in the good times and the difficult times. for better, for worse, in sickness and in health . . .”

Her strength of character enables her to trust God even when life is overwhelming and full of trials. She keeps calm no matter what is happening around her.

Her strength of character causes her to purposely do good to her husband every day of her life (Proverbs 31:12).

Her strength of character saves her from getting sucked into the humanistic mindset of this world. She is not swayed by the crowd and what everyone does. Instead, she searches God’s Word to see what God says. She lives by the eternal principles of God’s Word rather than the mindset of current society. She is prepared to do it God’s way even if no one else follows!

Her strength of character keeps her from lowering herself to gossip and worthless words. When she speaks, she opens her mouth in kindness. Proverbs 31:26 says: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Her strength of character saves her from being taken up with herself and thinking only of her own needs. Her heart is big and open to the needs of others. Proverbs 31:20 says: “She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.” Read also 1 Peter 5:10 for a description of a woman who lives the way God intends.

Her strength of character enables her to work hard and make sure her family is fed and clothed. She “looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:14, 15,21, 27).

Her strength of character causes her to fear the Lord rather than man (Proverbs 31:30).

This woman is very precious. But dear mothers, don’t despair if you don’t feel that you have arrived. You cannot wave a wand and become a virtuous woman. You grow into it as you go through your trials and your battles which make you stronger and more “valiant in the fight” (Hebrews 11:34). You grow into it as you seek God, seek His precious Word, and His wisdom.

Be blessed and encouraged today,

Nancy Campbell

Painting by Daniel Gerhartz

Tonight thousands of witches from all over the country and the world are gathering together TONIGHT, 25 November, at 11.59 pm to put a binding spell upon President Trump (and all those who stand with him) to stop “his malignant works.” They want freedom for their “reproductive rights, and fascism, and protection of the earth” and so on. Mr. Hughes wrote. "It is ripping the bullhorn from his hands, smashing his phone so he can't tweet, tying him up, and throwing him in a dark basement where he can't hurt anyone."

We as Christians must unify and pray against this attack of the enemy. They are putting a binding spell upon Trump, but Jesus gave us the authority to bind, and He is greater than the devil.

Matthew 18:18-20: “Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again I say unto you, that IF TWO OF YOU SHALL AGREE on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where TWO OR THREE are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Most families reading this post have more than two or three. Gather your family together today or this evening and pray together in agreement that all their words and spells and bindings will by bound by a power which is much greater, the power of Jesus Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords and who defeated the devil.

When Balak hired Balaam to curse the children of Israel, he tried to curse them, but every time he opened his mouth, out came blessings. You can read all his prophetic blessings in Numbers, chapters 23 and 24. Numbers 23:19, 20 says: “Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he that blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”

I believe that God has sovereignly chosen our president to sand for righteousness and the life of the unborn and the protection of our nation. Because of his stand, the enemies of God hate him. I don’t think there is another man who could have withstood the continual hate and threats against him. Take this Scripture before the Lord as you pray.

More promises to claim as you pray against these wicked spells. Isaiah 54;1;7: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Psalm 149:6-9: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.”

Please don’t forget to pray and remind others to pray.

Make time to PRAY WITH YOUR FAMILY TODDY OR THIS EVENING. You may like to gather others into your home with you to pray.

Yours in prayer and intercession,

Nancy Campbell

To read more go to: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39090334

This lovely mother was doing the right thing. When God told Moses how to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, the first thing He told him to build was the ark of the covenant which was to reside in the Holy of Holies. He then began to show Moses what to do about the Holy Place where there were to be three pieces of furniture.

The first piece of furniture was the table! God began with the table, which was called “the Table of Shewbread.” God said it was to be placed on the north side in the Holy Place. The Scriptures tell us that Heaven is in the north, and God wanted the table to point toward Heaven where He already has a table.

Did you know that God had tables in His heavenly kingdom before we ever had them on earth? God is the originator of the table. And the table in your home is important to Him. He wants to come and dwell with you at your table.

Make your table a place of beauty, a table that draws the family together.

He also wants it to be in order. Did you know that God loves order? In Exodus 40:4, 22, 23 God said: “And thou shalt bring in the table, and SET IN ORDER the things that are to be set in order upon it . . . And he (Moses) put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward . . . And he set the bread IN ORDER UPON IT before the LORD (in the presence of the Lord).”

Proverbs 9:2 tells us that the wise woman “furnishes her table.” She sets her table and makes it beautiful. There is something about preparing an orderly table. When you set and orderly table, it impacts those who come to the table. When your children see an orderly table, subconsciously they want to be orderly too.

We must care for every home in our home but remember to start with your table and dining room, because that’s were God starts. Make sure that this part of your home is lovely.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Picture: Jillian’s table.

She washed it clean and it was all ready to wear again!

She shared how this can be a little bit like motherhood. It’s certainly not all perfect. It can even get pretty dirty. And we as mothers are not perfect either. We can get angry and shout! Oh help! That’s spoiled our lovely mothering day.

But praise the Lord, we have an advocate (1 John 1:1, 2). We can repent and ask forgiveness and our Savior is always ready to forgive and wash us clean.

When you lose your temper and “blow it,” don’t give up. Come to Jesus. Ask His forgiveness and for His precious blood to wash you clean. 1 John 1:9 says: “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Things may get dirty from time to time, but don’t stay dirty, dear mother. Keep washed and clean in the precious blood of Jesus.

Have a wonderful mothering day.

Love to you,

Nancy Campbell

There is no greater goal,
Or place of high esteem
Than to teach a child God's way
To become all they should be.

Yes, we each have gifts
To do all kinds of work,
But to nurture human souls
Should not be snubbed or shirked.

It seems as if today
"Just" to be a mom and wife
Is seen as low and boring,
As if missing out on life.

But stop and take a look
At what this view has wrought.
Do things keep getting better?
Are we prospering, or not?

The world is going crazy
As we value fame and wealth
More than faith and family,-
God's plan for life and health.

Let's seek the ancient paths
Where mothers are held high;
Where children aren't just burdens,
But the essence of blessed life.

There is no work that's higher;
God's word reveals it's true.
To love your spouse and children
Is His plan and will for you!

2019, Val Halloran
www.valhalliran.com

Do you love work? When I was a child, I used to think that God gave work as part of the curse! But of course, that’s a lie. God introduced work at the very beginning. As soon as God had created the Garden Home, He put the man in it to work and guard it. The Hebrew word “avad” for work means “to serve, till, labor, to make weary.” That sounds like hard work.

But work is a blessing. Physical work saves us going to gym. Work releases creativity. In my last post, I shared how God created us to be creative beings with the anointing “to make.” But work precedes creativity. As we work, we think of better ways of doing things. More efficient. More ingenious. And then of course, when we think of these things, we get involved in more work. But that will release more creativity. Isn’t that exciting?

Let’s embrace work with a joyful and exciting attitude? Let’s have the right confession. Do you ever say, “I love work.”? I love to say these words.

Get your children to love work. This is a very important habit to instill in them while they are young. It breaks my heart to see lazy children who don’t want to work. They haven’t been trained. We train our children to work. Not by nagging them. Not by yelling at them to stop being lazy. Not by punishing them. But by encouraging them. By thinking of ways to show them how to make it fun.

Work is part of human dignity. Work is an expression of the image of God. He is a Creator and therefore He works. After resting on the seventh day, He began working again. He created the Garden of Eden and then He planted a garden. Yes, God, the ruler of the universe, prepared the soil and put His hands right into the soil and planted (Genesis 2:8)! Some people think they are better than God and they would rather not get their hands dirty.

Jesus said: “My Father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17).

God looks upon all work as holy, whether it is sacred or secular. Working in your home—scrubbing toilets, changing diapers, vacuuming, preparing meals, and washing dishes are just as sacred as the pastor preaching on Sunday. We often think of the priests as holy men of God. But the majority of them were butchers, slaughtering beasts and cutting them up all day long. They were tough and I am sure had well developed muscles. Others were bakers and cleaners and watchers over the temple (yes, they were bouncers!). And they were all holy and anointed for these “sacred” tasks.

Oh yes, something I didn’t tell you. I left it until the last. Another meaning of the word “avad” means “to worship.” Work is worship to God. When we do it with a willing and joyful spirit, we are actually worshipping God because He created us in His image to work! As you are busy working in your home, you are worshipping all day long.

Are you getting excited about work? Gather your children around and remind them how God created work for our blessing. It is holy and sacred. And when they do their chores with a willing heart, they are worshipping God. And if they try to do them to the best of their ability, God will show them better and quicker ways of doing them. And they’ll have more time for play!

I love work, don’t you?

Love from Nancy Campbell

Photo: My granddaughters, Georgia, Breeze, and Haven working hard to rake up leaves in the woods for my compost pile.

Dear wives and mothers, you are created in the image of God to reflect His glory. As a female God has destined you to reveal His nurturing and compassionate anointing to the world.

Our God is the Creator and loves to create. Because He created you in His image, you also have within you a desire to create. When God came to the sixth day of creation, He said: “LET US MAKE man in our image.” The essence of “let us make” is not only in God, but He has put it in His human creation.

Erick Gray writes: “Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she will make a baby. If you give her a house, she will make a home. If you give her groceries, she will make a meal. If you give her a smile, she will give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.”

Yes, it is true, cooperating with God you make babies. Some women will say, “Is that all I’m good for? Making babies and keeping house?” Of course you are good for that. You were made physically and innately for motherhood. It is your glory. It is not only glorious, but powerful! Mothers are the greatest influence upon the next generation, and therefore the nation, and therefore future generations, and therefore eternity! For our children are eternal souls that will live forever.

But dear ladies, your whole life is creating. You were created “to make.” Because you are in the home you make it a beautiful home. You have the freedom to create it to be what you want it to be. Your imagination is limitless.

You create a beautiful table to gather your family and visitors around. You have complete freedom to develop the gifts and talents God has inherently put within you. Maybe you love to cook, so you’ll make wonderful meals, not only your family, but to invite others to join your table.

You love to bake cakes or homemade bread? You can even sell it. Everything you make you can turn into a home business if you want to. Although we have to guard that desire. There are seasons for everything. When we have little children around us, it is best to wait until they are older when you have more helping hands. Or you have older children to help with the younger ones and even help with the home business you are creating.

You may make crafts and sell them. You can write books and sell them. You can paint pictures and sell them. Do you sew or knit? Oh I am sure you make the most amazing things with these abilities. You can create a wonderful garden. You can do whatever gift God has given you. Your creativity is boundless.

But here’s another thing to remember. You don’t have to make money out of everything you do! Yes, it can be a blessing (especially as you have older children) to help bring income into the family by selling your creative works. But we should never do everything for money. We do it for the joy of being creative. The joy of fulfilling the gift God has given to us. Or the joy of bless others. That’s the greatest motive of all.

1 Peter 45;10 (HCSB) says: “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” Do you notice those words, “to serve others”? Yes, you may do it to make money, but the greatest purpose is to serve and bless others. Don’t let’s forget this word from God.

You don’t have to leave your home to be liberated! No. You are in your glory in your home as you bring forth babies and create a glorious homelife for your family. But you are also FREE to fulfill the gifts that God has given you in your home. The sky is the limit. You are free to create in whatever gift God has uniquely given to you. Please say Hallelujah!

John Garr writes: “There is no doubt that the term ‘image of God’ . . . refers to man’s inner charismatic endowment as a creative being. Man’s likeness to God expresses itself in man’s striving and ability to become a creator.”

Be blessed as you create in your home today,

Love from Nancy Campbell

Painting by Hans Heyson (I have this painting hanging up in our visitor’s bedroom).

Oh, Lord, please help me notice what’s important and what’s not,
To cherish precious moments and to mother as I ought,
Please keep me from distractions that would rob me of the joy
That you have planned to give me through my precious girls and boys.
Please help me teach them of Your ways, this is my highest aim,
I long to see my children live to glorify Your name.

O, help me be the model that would draw them to Your throne,
Let me make for them a haven that would turn their hearts to home,
And in these fast and fleeting years, please help me not to miss
The treasures that you give me in each cuddle and each kiss.
When I am old and looking back at every blessed year
I will rejoice that I was there to share each joy and tear.

By Val Hallaran
www.valhalloran.com