Video studies: Grandmother Eve-an alliance, part two

Every woman since Eve has been an ezer-- a Hebrew word God used when creating her that means strong helper, warrior, and rescuer. See last week's video for an eye-opening look.

This week, we're talking about the amazing alliance created between "adam" and "ezer" or Eve. Ideally fashioned to work together, love together, create together, imagine together . . . to be together. This amazing duet is sung today over and over again, as men and women pow-wow in board rooms, minister together, live and love together--friend to friend, wife to husband, mom to son, dad to daughter . . . you get the gist. You're a part of this grand alliance between "adams" and "ezers" whether you are single or married, a mom or not, working out of your home or a business. Or any combination thereof.

Watch this week's video to find out why:

Grandmother Eve-an alliance, part 2 from Suzanne Burden on Vimeo.

Genesis 1:27-28, NIV
"So God created man [or humankind] in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"

Read Genesis 1-3 for the full Creation story. Other suggested resources:

When Life and Beliefs Collide and Lost Women of the Bible by Carolyn Custis James.

What about you? Do you believe men and women are better together than apart? What are some challenges that keep us apart? What *beautiful* things have you noticed we can accomplish together? Please comment.

Next time: a look at how the curse of sin mars the alliance--and whether the curse is something to live up to or something to live above. Hint: we'll examine male/female roles at home, work, and in the church. Catch you later!

Her first Bible

This morning, I sat on a picnic table with the sun beating down on my neck as I read through the 2nd and 3rd chapters of John with a 20something who is in addiction recovery.

And we talked about crazy John the Baptist, and the first few disciples who bravely followed the seemingly-insignificant Jesus of Nazareth, and the way his mother got a little bossy, which instigated his first miracle of turning water into wine.

The person of Jesus was alive between us, and we were both excited about his ministry getting started in the beginning of John. And after we read and talked for awhile, I reached into my bag, and pulled out something wrapped in sparkly purple paper. "I've got something for you," I said. "And this slow grin just broke out over her face, and she said, "It's a Bible, isn't it?" with excitement in her voice. "I've never had my own before..." And looking inside she said, "And it has words I can understand, too."

And something within me shivered, picturing the many Bibles at home upon my shelf, so many of them untouched.

I told her to mark up her Bible, to not be afraid of it. I recommended she keep on going through John for the story of Jesus' ministry, and that she consider reading the Psalms, especially Psalm 139. I told her God delights in her.

I prayed for her and she said each time we meet her heart leaves lighter, and I told her that is because her spirit is involved. That she is made to know God.

And then she grabbed her brand-new Bible in her arms and turned to go back inside, promising to meet me there next week. And I don't know whose heart was more filled up to the brim with joy, dribbling out as I got up from the picnic table to walk to my car.

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the ^[a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12, The Amplified Bible

Notable Quotable: Mother Teresa

"We have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created to love and be loved."


"And let us consider and give attentive care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities . . ."
-Hebrews 10:24, Amplified Bible

Notable Quotable: Rich Mullins

"If I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they’re just wrong. They’re not bad, they’re just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."

New video studies: Bible women - Grandmother Eve, part 1

Need a fresh vision? Some perspective? A reminder of why you as a woman are worthwhile? Watch this week's study for an exciting look at who God created Eve to be--and how you share her essential qualities today. Be sure to join the conversation in comments after watching the video. (Men welcome, too!)

You, daughter, of Eve, are not an afterthought--but Creation's perfect finishing touch.

Bible women - Grandmother Eve-an ezer, part 1 from Suzanne Burden on Vimeo.

Genesis 2:18, NIV
"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a *ezer* suitable for him.'"

Read Genesis 1-3 for the full Creation story. Other suggested resources:
When Life and Beliefs Collide and Lost Women of the Bible by Carolyn Custis James.

If you are female, do you often feel  like an afterthought? Have you believed the lie that daughters of Eve are not as valuable to God as sons of Adam? Share your thoughts below. Let's get the conversation started!

Next week: Adam and Eve unite--a blessed alliance, whether single or married. See you then!

Fall 2010 pleasure reading

While normal people are reading their favorite magazine, and watching the Food Network, and doing all the autumn-type activities I love, I will be reading:

Pity me not, dear friends. I signed up for this--and can't wait to dig in! Systematic Theology I and Expository Preaching and Teaching classes, here I come.

New video studies: Bible women - Hagar the Invisible

Welcome to my new mini-Bible studies featuring women from the Bible and how their stories relate to ours.


Bible Women - Hagar the Invisible from Suzanne Burden on Vimeo.

Genesis 16:13, NIV
"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the one who sees me.'"

Read Genesis 16 and 21 to experience more of Hagar's story and God's love for anyone who feels unwanted.

Can you relate to feeling invisible, unloved, or unwanted? Do you believe God sees you and protects you? Why or why not? Please share.