It's my pleasure to share a guest post from Amy Bayliss today.
I met Amy last year through The Better Mom website, where we both are contributing writers. I've enjoyed getting to know her and she's honestly the first person I'd go to with a blogging or media question.
As far as an official bio--
Amy began blogging back in 2005. Since then she has co-founded the Homemaker’s Challenge, and developed her personal website: Cajun Joie de Vivre.
She also created a way for bloggers and their readers to connect through online conferences and workshops via A Woman Inspired, HOTM Conferences, and DIY Ministry.
She has been featured in Woman’s Day Magazine, Inside Out Programming, and was the feature story and cover girl for CWO Magazine in August of 2008.
Currently, she is a regular columnist or contributing writer to the following publications: Sisters in Bloom, RooMag by Candace Cameron Bure, The Better Mom, and A Martha Heart.
On a more personal note--
Amy is witty, down-to-earth, and I loved her recent series about simplifying life. She whole-heartedly loves the Lord, her husband Ryan, and their crew of four boys. I was reading her personal blog, long before I'd "met" her and was immediately won over by the way she values marriage and by her willingness to use her life to honor God.
On a more personal note--
Amy is witty, down-to-earth, and I loved her recent series about simplifying life. She whole-heartedly loves the Lord, her husband Ryan, and their crew of four boys. I was reading her personal blog, long before I'd "met" her and was immediately won over by the way she values marriage and by her willingness to use her life to honor God.
And she recently released the E-book Bible Study--
Pursuit of Proverbs 31
Pursuit of Proverbs 31 gives a biblical view of the scriptures that are found tucked away at the end of the book of wisdom. In it, she offers a new perspective and inspiration to pursue Proverbs 31, with the ultimate goal of pursuing Jesus.
Thoughts from Amy:
Proverbs 31 could actually be detrimental to a marriage if one doesn't understand its purpose. Each husband is so unique and this passage, if not presented in its correct context, can put us and our husbands into an unnecessary box.
All throughout the Bible there are many scriptures that reinforce some of the verses in Proverbs 31 but, the similar scriptures are not just for women.
They are intended for the entire Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. On a practical side, these scriptures give us a look into the heart of women. I can't help but notice a theme throughout: the craving of praise from the husband.
The penalty of sin in Genesis 3 was that the woman's desire
would be for her husband and he would rule over her. This desire is evident in Proverbs 31. Something else that is also obvious is this woman's relationship with her God. Her desire is to please Him.
God will give you the desires in your heart because He wants you to pursue the things that you have a natural passion for, so that it glorifies Him.
In addition, when you are delighting yourself in God, those desires in your heart will be planted in your heart by God Himself, but you must actively seek Him and obey.
God will speak to you through your husband, even if he is not serving the Lord. Ask your husband what would help him the most and focus on those things; not what some other woman is doing for her husband. It won't speak to his heart in the same way.
If you've ever wanted to tear the 31st chapter of Proverbs out of your Bible this book is for you.
The Proverbs 31 Woman is a wife, mom, business owner, and seamstress. She serves the needy, speaks life and wisdom, and seems to be quite the major overachiever, perfectionist type.
Except that...she's not.
Come along and journey with Amy and take a look at the real woman of Proverbs 31.
If you want the Kindle version, you can find it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31 for Kindle. You can also download the free Kindle app on your PC, iPad, iPhone, or many other devices.
For the downloadable, printable PDF version, you can find it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31.
Amy BaylissAmy is a small town Cajun girl living life in the big city. She and her husband Ryan have four children, all boys, ranging in age from toddler to teen! Amy is a full-time blogger and WP designer at My Southern Media. You can visit her at her personal blog, Cajun Joie de Vivre or you can follow her ramblings on Twitter and keep up with her mischief on Facebook.
