“But remember, for all your adult life you’ll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary -- your heart, His dwelling place -- unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made all your outer life -- your circumstances, your relationships -- to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman He’s planned for you to be.” Anne Ortlund, from her book, Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman
I read this book and several others of Anne when I was just a “young pup”. They were and ARE just what I needed/need. Her life and and ministry complemented that of her husband, Ray, who went to be with Jesus in 2007. She is still involved with their ministry, Renewal Ministries. You can read more about Anne, their precious family, and a letter that Ray wrote a few years before he died to be read to his family upon his death at www.ortlund.org. It is moving! I’ve warned you.
Their son, Ray, is a pastor and continues to have a significant ministry and a challenging blog: Christ is Deeper Still. I highly recommend it and thank God for the life, insight, writings, and family of this gracious woman.
I was honored when Victor Books published a Bible study of mine some years ago and titled it The Beauty of a Disciplined Life. Somehow the similarity in title made me feel closer to Anne.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this gracious woman of faith. Please make me gracious, too. Amen.
I remember reading her book a long time ago. It is of course still all applicable today. What a nice tribute to her. Donna
ReplyDeleteI've run across that particular book several times recently. It IS still applicable. That one and Open Heart, Open Home by Karen Burton Mains.....I think I'm going to end up with a "gracious women" collection on my blog. You may have noticed I did Elisabeth Elliot a few days ago....
ReplyDeleteHi ,I think i read that book. I like the reminder that our lives are tailor made. When you learn how to link could you please share with me. I am learning the computer as i go. I notice i have a link tab where i publish my posts. I don't remember it being there before today. I have to gather up my courage for a few days before i click on any buttons. :-) Dee
ReplyDeleteSure, I will! I actually did it in an earlier post and it was easy, but I forgot how! I'm on vacation for awhile and don't have all day access (I don't know how I'll survive!). I know what you mean about gathering courage before clicking on any buttons!
ReplyDeleteDee, this is REBECCA. I wrote that first comment at my son's (Josh). I can't imagine how HIS name got on my previous comment! Here's how. Highlight your reference to another site in your post. Then up to the right hand side of the box you're writing in is a tab that has a "chain link" in it. Touch it, then add the url address of the link you're referring to. It is SO easy! Hope that helps.
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