It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
Fabric of a Woman Allowing God to Mend and Restore Your Body, Soul, and Spirit
Whitaker House (August 4, 2009)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Pamela Hines is co-pastor with her husband Darrell, of Christian Faith Fellowship Church, a vibrant church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pamela is the cofounder of Dominion Fellowship, a multi-cultural outreach to of husband-and-wife ministry teams, and founder of The Women’s Image Course, a series designed for both group and individual Bible study. Her first book, A Wife’s Prayer, has helped countless women learn to pray for their husbands and for restoration of troubled marriages.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (August 4, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603741267
ISBN-13: 978-1603741262
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
The Fabric of a Woman
Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit
Pamela Hines
Whitaker House
I absolutely love Pastor Pamela Hines! She has blessed me and my marriage through her book A Wife’s Prayer, which was used as a guide for a wives’ Bible study that I’m involved in. She also served as a keynote speaker for my retreat called Treasure You, where women were touched and inspired by her message on prayer. It was life-changing!
—Pat Smith, wife of former NFL star Emmitt Smith
Pastor Pamela Hines is a true woman of God you can follow because she leads by example. She exudes godly character and living in every way. Pastor Pam has had a permanent impact on my life primarily because of her unconditional love toward me and everyone I have seen her encounter. The love that she has shown her husband, family, and others is extraordinary—a rare find. If only we all could believe in what she has to say. It is remarkable that everyone gets to experience her counsel, wisdom, experience, and advice in The Fabric of a Woman: Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit. Having the book is like having the counsel of a best friend, mother, and spiritual guide all in one at your fingertips. Read this book; use it in your daily living. Any woman who takes her counsel will get more than she expects. Get ready, world; the bona fide woman is back in style!
—Twyla Betha, wife of pastor and artist Mason Betha
Pastor Pam has been such a light in my life—she has taught me many things that I never experienced growing up. One thing that stands out above all else is her compassion and heart for God’s people. I was never a person who cared that much about anything or anyone. But I have learned, through watching her and through praying, that our goal on this earth is to be like God. Pastor Pam’s heart and personality are like none other. I strive every day to have a heart like hers—a heart that is close to God’s.
—Nina Hines, daughter-in-law of Pamela Hines
Pam and I have been friends for more than twenty years, and I can remember many of the good times that we have shared. We would meet for coffee most mornings after dropping our children off at KinderCare. That would be our quiet time before starting the day. Then there were the times we would drive into Chicago (my hometown), and we would sing along to tapes of our favorite songs. Every time one of us messed up, we would start the song over until we got it perfect, or, should I say, at least got all the words right. So, sometimes, we would play one song over and over again for over ninety miles. I also remember when Christian Faith Fellowship was founded; my family and I were among the first to join. Pam is a wonderful friend with whom I shared many birthdays, heart-to-heart talks, and countless good times. I can truly say that Pam is a wonderful example of a wife, mother, friend, and, most of all, woman of God.
—Vonnie Cummings, friend
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (kjv) are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Scripture quotations marked (msg) are taken from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson, © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (nlt) are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (niv) are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, niv®, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (amp) are taken from the Amplified® Bible, © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked (nasb) are from the New American Standard Bible®, nasb ®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
The Fabric of a Woman
Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit
Pamela Hines
ISBN: 978-1-60374-126-2
Printed in the United States of America
© 2009 by Pamela Hines
Whitaker House
1030 Hunt Valley Circle
New Kensington, PA 15068
www.whitakerhouse.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Pending)
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical—including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system—without permission in writing from the publisher. Please direct your inquiries to permissionseditor@whitakerhouse.com.
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Foreword
As I have walked with the Lord for over thirty years, He has brought powerfully anointed people into my life who have strengthened me and my walk with Christ.
When I met Pamela Hines, it was at a time when God was moving me out of my comfort zone into public exposure. My prayer, being a wife and mother on the battlefield, was to be connected to people with a true anointing from God. I was invited to appear on a Christian broadcast, which is where I met her; we were about to share our testimonies with the world. I needed the assurance that the women I came in contact with would be Christians having real relationships with God—true saints who would be there for me. Our meeting was God’s purpose.
Pamela has a genuine relationship with our God, and it is made manifest in her lovely countenance and conversation. Her presence so reassured me that I was in God’s will. She shared her love for the Lord and for her husband. It was real. It enabled me to connect with her in the spirit.
When I first came to the Lord, a powerful woman of God gave me a book that changed my life. When Pamela gave me her book, I knew I was about to be blessed again. Pamela’s book A Wife’s Prayer is a powerful daily devotional. I read it every morning, along with other prayer books. Pamela’s book changed the way I pray for my husband. Her prayers and knowledge of the Word take us deeper into the dimension of God’s truth. She expounds on how to pray effectively according to the Word of God. Her love and reverence for God and His Word is overwhelming. Truly, the Lord has called her into His presence.
As you read The Fabric of a Woman, I pray that every fiber of you, as a woman, will be changed. You will learn to take authority over negative thoughts and ungodly appetites, as well as how to pray effectively to get results. Too many saints get caught up in their own bondage. Pamela will help to bring you out. She will take you back to the basics of loving and obeying God’s commandments and loving your neighbor as yourself. She really brings it home.
Your sister in Christ,
Shirley T. Gooding
Mother of Cuba Gooding Jr., Academy Award-winning actor
Contents
Preface
Introduction
1. God Is an Investor
2. Invest in Yourself
3. The Fabric of You
4. A Triune Blend of Fabrics
Investing in Your Body
5. God Lives Here
6. Diet: A Balancing Act
7. Temple-Building
8. Rest and Relaxation
9. The Oil of Esther: Preparing for the King
10. Body: A Language without Words
Investing in Your Soul
11. It Is Well with My Soul
12. Here I Grow Again
13. Renewing Your Mind
14. Controlling Your Emotions
15. Sisterhood
Investing in Your Spirit
16. The Essence of You
17. Interwoven with the Word
18. Prayer Life
19. The Power of Positive Words
20. Fruit: The Fiber of Life
21. Unforgiveness Is Not a Word
22. Find Your Heart
Conclusion: The Virtuous Woman
About the Author
Preface
The Fabric of Me
For as long as I can remember, I have loved and honored God as my “Abba”—my Daddy. You see, I didn’t grow up around my biological father; I have no vivid recollection of him. After my parents separated, we moved away. My mother eventually remarried, but by the time my stepfather became a part of my life, I had already developed a relationship with God the Father, and He has been “Daddy” to me ever since. My stepfather was a wonderful provider who sufficiently supplied everything we stood in need of.
My father-in-law, who has gone home to be with the Lord, also had a great impact on my life. His way with words brought much laughter to my soul, and he was very precious to me. I miss him dearly.
While all of these examples are outstanding, the greatest measure of a father to me is God. As a young child, I was very quiet, reserved, and introverted. But that changed as I grew into the knowledge of who I am in Christ and came to understand that there is a river of life flowing from me, and that I have something valuable to give and to say.
When I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at eleven years of age, God became Father to me. Embracing the image of who He is to me and who I am in Him has been easy. I trust Him with complete confidence. Every time someone applauds my efforts or accomplishments, I am reminded that He created me in His image. (See Genesis 1:26–27.) He is the One I honor for giving me the person with the greatest, most positive impact on my life: my mother.
I was created by God, “knit…together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 niv), and He knew what He was doing when He chose Hazel Westmoreland to be my mother. When someone says that I’m like my mother, it gives me great pleasure. If I can be even half the woman my mother was, it will be an honor of the highest distinction. She was truly a special lady, beautiful on both the outside and inside. I imagine that any woman who has or had a good relationship with her mother believes the same thing.
“Doll Baby” is what she was called as a child. The thick, curly locks that adorned her head, the chocolate brown skin that covered her body, and the words of comfort that flowed frequently from her lips reflected the beauty of her countenance and the sweetness of her temperament. As a woman, she was poised and feminine, yet confident and strong. She wasn’t cantankerous or argumentative. Her words were always seasoned with grace, so they ministered that same grace to the hearer.
The truth is, I can hardly think about myself without thinking about my mother. My most prominent characteristics and tendencies are a tribute to her example. So, if I seem patient, kind, loving, and trusting, it is because the fabric of my temperament was woven by the Designer’s finest thread, just as my mother’s was. If ever there was a person fashioned in the image and likeness of God, it was my mother. She was the epitome of a giver—she gave of her resources, her substance, her worth, and her life. It didn’t matter who you were or what you did; if you needed someone to minister to your success, my mother was the woman for the job.
My heart for giving and helping people to excel flows from what I observed my mother doing. It was my mother whom I studied reverently, for she portrayed the image of God in every aspect of her life. I thank God for that attribute: the power and the willingness to give. I have honored God in my giving, and He has blessed me in every aspect of my life—spirit, soul, and body.
My mother received salvation late in her life, but the godly traits that she exhibited are evident in the lives of me and my two sisters, LaVander and Ruby. God knit my mother together with the necessary threads to produce a rich fabric that would flow to every one of her descendants. Because my mother was a giver, so am I. My sons are givers. Their children will be givers, and every generation that follows until Jesus returns will all be givers. My mother left a legacy that was instilled in us as we observed her. She didn’t sit down with us and say, “Let me teach this to you”; we learned the importance of giving by the precepts she demonstrated and the example of her steadfast nature.
Every woman is not so fortunate to have had someone, particularly a mother, who offers her such opportunity and privilege. That’s when you have to allow the Holy Spirit to begin to design you in the image of God the Father. If you’ve never had a godly example to follow—no mentor or confidant to nurture your worth or establish and affirm your footing as a child of God—then God has made Himself available to you in order to fashion you in His likeness. If you think it’s too late to learn of God and follow His example, it’s not. You’re not too old; you haven’t gone so far as to travel beyond God’s grace, for it is immeasurable. His grace is sufficient for you, but you have to trust Him. You have to believe that He is able, willing, and available to do exceeding, abundantly above all that you ask or could even imagine, according to His power that works in you! (See Ephesians 3:20.) Never forget that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
God bless you,
Pamela
Introduction
There is an underlying fabric to all of us as women—a common manner in which every aspect of who we are functions and operates. The fabric of you is who you are; it’s what makes you, you. Through your fabric—your unique makeup—you touch the world; you commune with God; you love, feel, and understand.
We have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). This means that we have been crafted by a loving Creator who endued each of us with a marvelous and unique set of attributes, skills, and talents that compose the fabric of our lives.
Clothing manufacturers use many types of fabric: silk, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and the list goes on. Silk is said to be one of the strongest natural fibers in the world, while polyester isn’t so famous for its durability. What kind of fabric are you made of? The fabric of a woman is an intricately woven tapestry masterfully crafted with rich hues of virtue, wit, intuition, strength, character, and a host of other fine threads. The fibers of her being define the nature of her spirit, soul, and body. We are much like the exquisitely beautiful and intrinsically valuable natural fabrics; we live, we move, we breathe, and we grow, unlike man-made synthetics.
We would all love to be made from a cut of fabric that is dirt-resistant and flame-retardant; one that never tears or unravels. But the truth of the matter is that life often pulls at our loose threads, threatening to make us fall apart at the seams. Life brings constant pressures that can overwhelm us if we aren’t daily cultivating the fabric of our lives. Like God does, we need to invest in who we are and in what we have in order to withstand the pressures of life.
If we fail to invest in ourselves, we will sustain unwanted injuries to our fabric. The good news is that when we walk closely with God, He becomes our Seamster, and He is quick and adept at mending the rips, tears, and loose threads of life.
God is an Investor. He created us to be fruitful—to multiply and replenish. He uses the assets of those who commit to obedient, faith-filled lives to cause the investment to grow or mature, just as a profitable financial investment yields an opportunity to earn income or profit. God’s investment in our lives provides wholeness for our entire beings—body, soul, and spirit—so that nothing is missing from or broken in our lives. His objective is to make each aspect of us complete: completely healed, completely whole, completely functional. His investment increases as we continuously attend to and appropriate His Word in our lives. His Word defines our worth because it is the standard for our value.
In your life, what’s failing? What isn’t rising or increasing? As never before, the time has come to recognize your worth and allow the “Great Investor” to develop and heal you. He wants you to see yourself as He does, no longer being hostage to or dependent upon a poor self-image of someone else’s opinion about who you are but rather adopting a revelation of who He has created you to be.
Chapter One
God Is an Investor
Investing is the action of redirecting resources from being consumed in order to create benefits in the future. The word create means to generate, produce, fashion, or construct. Each of these references suggests that if anyone takes the time to create something, he seeks to benefit from its existence, and the best way to maximize the existence of a creation is to invest in and protect it.
To capitalize on our ability to produce, God continually invests in us. According to 2 Peter 1:3, He has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” God has invested His attributes in us so that we may have the ability to prosper. When He deposits His nature, character, and ability into us, He expects the return to be people who have been transformed into His image and likeness.
As our lives bear fruit, God creates more and more opportunities for us to increase, resulting in the growth of His investment. His plan for us is that we continually produce abundant fruit in our lives. He gives us gifts and talents in order to enhance His ability to gain a greater return, and His ultimate desire is for you to increase in such a way that the fruit of your life draws others to Himself.
In Matthew 25:14–29, Jesus told a wonderful story about a farmer who was a respectable businessman. He said, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them” (verse 14). Before the businessman left the country, he gathered his chief financial officers and instructed them to invest his money. To one, he gave five talents; to another, he gave two talents; and to a third man, he gave one talent. Each man received no more than what corresponded to his ability or potential to produce. The man who received the five talents invested them and doubled his assets. Likewise, the man who received two talents invested them, yielding a return of two additional talents. But the man who received one talent hid it.
After a long time, the businessman returned and reconciled the increase with each servant. The first man joyfully reported to his master that the five talents had doubled to ten. His master applauded his employee’s faithfulness and gave him a promotion.
The second man told his master that he, too, had received a double return on his investment, and he received a promotion, as well. The businessman said to his employees, “Great job! I appreciate your diligence in getting the job done. Because you have been faithful over these few things, I will make you rulers over many things. Let’s celebrate!” (See verses 21, 23.)
Then, the man who had received one talent said, “Sir, I knew you were a harsh man; your investment was yielding a return where you hadn’t put it and gaining interest where you hadn’t cultivated. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it. But I have it. It’s all here. Here’s your money back.” (See verses 24–25.)
The businessman replied, “That doesn’t make sense. If you knew I received a return where I didn’t invest it, and that I gained interest where I didn’t cultivate, and you thought you would lose the talent, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? I could have gotten at least some interest on it.” He then took the talent from the lazy man and gave it to the first man to add to his ten talents. (See verses 26–28.)
This principle does not apply to money alone. Rather, it touches every area of our lives: our gifts, talents, abilities, resources, spirits, souls, and bodies.
God, our Divine Investor, is a lot like the businessman in this story. He has delegated many gifts, talents, and abilities to us, and He expects that we will remain diligent to increase what He has entrusted to us.
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
(Matthew 25:29 nlt)
In the investment world, if an investment fails to produce, a smart investor pulls out when she sees that the price of her shares is falling. God, on the other hand, is committed to His investment. He will never pull out of your life, but He will prune, or cut back, any unproductive areas to ensure that His “stock” does not crash. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1–3). He protects His investments because He is a wise and caring Investor.
In all His glory, ability, and power, God opened Himself to man. He made us with free will, giving us the privilege to choose and refuse, and this choice includes Him. In His foreknowledge, He knew that we might potentially forsake Him, yet He still chose to make an investment in us, and that investment was the sacrifice of His own Son. Every investment comes at a price, and this one was no different, except in that it was the highest price ever paid. We were bought with the price of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 6:20.)
God sent His only Son in exchange for our redemption. As an Investor, God chose to “lend” Jesus (the original good) in exchange for you and me (the yields on His investment). He made an investment of one Son, and that investment split many times over, bringing Him many sons. Hebrews 2:10 says, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
The Value of a Woman
The value of an object is usually determined by what it’s made of. For example, I have various jewelry pieces composed of cubic zirconia (CZ) and others of diamond. I treat my diamonds much differently than I do my CZ. My diamonds are kept in a special place, but I may put my CZ on the bathroom counter, in my coat pocket, or at the bottom of my purse. If I lose my CZ, I won’t shed a tear; if I lose my diamonds, however, my response will be different. To God, we are more valuable than many diamonds. If we fail to recognize the value God places on us, we will never appreciate our worth as women.
My husband and I built our home, and I was privileged to have the opportunity to customize many of the features. When it came to fabrics, I fell in love with certain textures, colors, and patterns from some of the most exclusive designers in the business. Most of my favorite fabrics were natural, many of them mentioned in the Bible, and I discovered that the finer fabrics where those spun by the designer himself. They had been handcrafted to the designer’s specifications. In the same way, God handcrafted each of us into a unique, vibrant fabric. We were fearfully and wonderfully made, and we bear His image, for He was not ashamed to call us His own. “I will be their God, and they shall be My people.…I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:16, 18).
Created a Female, Made a Woman
Do you realize there is an important and profound difference between being created and being made? You and I were created female, but God made us into women. He never makes mistakes; He had no doubts or regrets when He made you and me in His image and likeness. Let’s return to the Genesis account for a few highlights. In the first chapter of Genesis, we read that both male and female were created: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). In the second chapter, we learn the details of how God made both genders. The male was made, or formed, from the dust of the ground (see Genesis 2:7), and the female was made from a rib that was taken from man.
The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
(Genesis 2:21–23)
Again, there is a distinction between being created and being made. A creation is something unique that would not naturally occur on its own; rather, it depends on the initiative and action of a creator.
It was the breath of God that created man and woman in the beginning. But their bodies were made from what already existed in the earth. God’s purpose for creating Eve is found in Genesis 2:18: “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”
Until God formed Eve’s body and brought her to life, there was no suitable companion for Adam in the earth. Every animal of the field, fish in the sea, and bird in the air had a companion, but there was none for man. God, the Great Physician, is naturally an unparalleled anesthesiologist. He caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam, and then, as Adam slept, He accurately and precisely removed one of his ribs, using it to form woman.
Created for a Unique Purpose
While man was formed from the dust of the ground, woman was made from the rib of the man. We women are strong because we’re made from strong stuff. The ribs serve several important purposes in the body: they protect vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, and they aid in breathing—when you inhale, they move up to enable your lungs to expand, and when you exhale, they move down to push the air from your lungs.
Likewise, woman serves an important purpose on the earth. She was ordained by God to be a helper, a nurturer, and an influencer. Her role on the earth is distinctly different from the role of man. As women, we possess great power and ability. Satan understood the unique power and influence of women. For this reason, he chose to speak with Eve in the form of a serpent in the garden of Eden. (See Genesis 3:1–6.) He knew that, once tempted, she would carry her influence to tempt Adam, as well. Through the woman, Satan succeeded in getting Adam to defy God’s orders.
God wants us to use our influence as women to further His purposes on the earth. We must not heed the voice of the enemy, who still tries to manipulate the influence of women, for to do so would contradict the plan of God and consequently disqualify us from living in God’s blessing. Women who choose to obey the voice of God will always have God’s best operating in their lives. Use your influence as a woman to bring forth life—not just in a literal sense, but in every arena in which you find yourself, because that’s what you were made to do.
About the Author
The ministry of Pamela M. Hines began in 1982, after her husband Darrell L. Hines was raised to life after being tragically struck by lightning.
Together, they pastor one of the most dynamic churches within the city of Milwaukee, and are the overseeing founders of several other Christian Faith Fellowship Churches. She is the cofounder of Dominion Fellowship, an outreach ministry encompassing a diversity of races and religious backgrounds that caters to the specific needs of husband-and-wife ministry teams.
Pamela has an anointing upon her life to minister to women. She is the founder of “The Women’s Image Course,” a powerful series of lessons designed to meet the needs of women. Her grace and message attracts women from a variety of racial, economical, and social backgrounds. Her aim is to empower women to be all that God has called them to be, focusing on the spirit, soul, and body. Pamela’s earnest desire is to help the body of Christ walk in the knowledge and authority that God has given to them, and to strengthen its members through the ministry of God’s Word.
Her message is practical and those who hear her will become challenged to be all that God desires them to be. Her first book, A Wife’s Prayer, was also published by Whitaker House.
Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit
Pamela Hines
Whitaker House
I absolutely love Pastor Pamela Hines! She has blessed me and my marriage through her book A Wife’s Prayer, which was used as a guide for a wives’ Bible study that I’m involved in. She also served as a keynote speaker for my retreat called Treasure You, where women were touched and inspired by her message on prayer. It was life-changing!
—Pat Smith, wife of former NFL star Emmitt Smith
Pastor Pamela Hines is a true woman of God you can follow because she leads by example. She exudes godly character and living in every way. Pastor Pam has had a permanent impact on my life primarily because of her unconditional love toward me and everyone I have seen her encounter. The love that she has shown her husband, family, and others is extraordinary—a rare find. If only we all could believe in what she has to say. It is remarkable that everyone gets to experience her counsel, wisdom, experience, and advice in The Fabric of a Woman: Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit. Having the book is like having the counsel of a best friend, mother, and spiritual guide all in one at your fingertips. Read this book; use it in your daily living. Any woman who takes her counsel will get more than she expects. Get ready, world; the bona fide woman is back in style!
—Twyla Betha, wife of pastor and artist Mason Betha
Pastor Pam has been such a light in my life—she has taught me many things that I never experienced growing up. One thing that stands out above all else is her compassion and heart for God’s people. I was never a person who cared that much about anything or anyone. But I have learned, through watching her and through praying, that our goal on this earth is to be like God. Pastor Pam’s heart and personality are like none other. I strive every day to have a heart like hers—a heart that is close to God’s.
—Nina Hines, daughter-in-law of Pamela Hines
Pam and I have been friends for more than twenty years, and I can remember many of the good times that we have shared. We would meet for coffee most mornings after dropping our children off at KinderCare. That would be our quiet time before starting the day. Then there were the times we would drive into Chicago (my hometown), and we would sing along to tapes of our favorite songs. Every time one of us messed up, we would start the song over until we got it perfect, or, should I say, at least got all the words right. So, sometimes, we would play one song over and over again for over ninety miles. I also remember when Christian Faith Fellowship was founded; my family and I were among the first to join. Pam is a wonderful friend with whom I shared many birthdays, heart-to-heart talks, and countless good times. I can truly say that Pam is a wonderful example of a wife, mother, friend, and, most of all, woman of God.
—Vonnie Cummings, friend
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (kjv) are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Scripture quotations marked (msg) are taken from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson, © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (nlt) are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (niv) are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, niv®, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (amp) are taken from the Amplified® Bible, © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked (nasb) are from the New American Standard Bible®, nasb ®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
The Fabric of a Woman
Investing in You—Body, Soul, and Spirit
Pamela Hines
ISBN: 978-1-60374-126-2
Printed in the United States of America
© 2009 by Pamela Hines
Whitaker House
1030 Hunt Valley Circle
New Kensington, PA 15068
www.whitakerhouse.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Pending)
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical—including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system—without permission in writing from the publisher. Please direct your inquiries to permissionseditor@whitakerhouse.com.
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Foreword
As I have walked with the Lord for over thirty years, He has brought powerfully anointed people into my life who have strengthened me and my walk with Christ.
When I met Pamela Hines, it was at a time when God was moving me out of my comfort zone into public exposure. My prayer, being a wife and mother on the battlefield, was to be connected to people with a true anointing from God. I was invited to appear on a Christian broadcast, which is where I met her; we were about to share our testimonies with the world. I needed the assurance that the women I came in contact with would be Christians having real relationships with God—true saints who would be there for me. Our meeting was God’s purpose.
Pamela has a genuine relationship with our God, and it is made manifest in her lovely countenance and conversation. Her presence so reassured me that I was in God’s will. She shared her love for the Lord and for her husband. It was real. It enabled me to connect with her in the spirit.
When I first came to the Lord, a powerful woman of God gave me a book that changed my life. When Pamela gave me her book, I knew I was about to be blessed again. Pamela’s book A Wife’s Prayer is a powerful daily devotional. I read it every morning, along with other prayer books. Pamela’s book changed the way I pray for my husband. Her prayers and knowledge of the Word take us deeper into the dimension of God’s truth. She expounds on how to pray effectively according to the Word of God. Her love and reverence for God and His Word is overwhelming. Truly, the Lord has called her into His presence.
As you read The Fabric of a Woman, I pray that every fiber of you, as a woman, will be changed. You will learn to take authority over negative thoughts and ungodly appetites, as well as how to pray effectively to get results. Too many saints get caught up in their own bondage. Pamela will help to bring you out. She will take you back to the basics of loving and obeying God’s commandments and loving your neighbor as yourself. She really brings it home.
Your sister in Christ,
Shirley T. Gooding
Mother of Cuba Gooding Jr., Academy Award-winning actor
Contents
Preface
Introduction
1. God Is an Investor
2. Invest in Yourself
3. The Fabric of You
4. A Triune Blend of Fabrics
Investing in Your Body
5. God Lives Here
6. Diet: A Balancing Act
7. Temple-Building
8. Rest and Relaxation
9. The Oil of Esther: Preparing for the King
10. Body: A Language without Words
Investing in Your Soul
11. It Is Well with My Soul
12. Here I Grow Again
13. Renewing Your Mind
14. Controlling Your Emotions
15. Sisterhood
Investing in Your Spirit
16. The Essence of You
17. Interwoven with the Word
18. Prayer Life
19. The Power of Positive Words
20. Fruit: The Fiber of Life
21. Unforgiveness Is Not a Word
22. Find Your Heart
Conclusion: The Virtuous Woman
About the Author
Preface
The Fabric of Me
For as long as I can remember, I have loved and honored God as my “Abba”—my Daddy. You see, I didn’t grow up around my biological father; I have no vivid recollection of him. After my parents separated, we moved away. My mother eventually remarried, but by the time my stepfather became a part of my life, I had already developed a relationship with God the Father, and He has been “Daddy” to me ever since. My stepfather was a wonderful provider who sufficiently supplied everything we stood in need of.
My father-in-law, who has gone home to be with the Lord, also had a great impact on my life. His way with words brought much laughter to my soul, and he was very precious to me. I miss him dearly.
While all of these examples are outstanding, the greatest measure of a father to me is God. As a young child, I was very quiet, reserved, and introverted. But that changed as I grew into the knowledge of who I am in Christ and came to understand that there is a river of life flowing from me, and that I have something valuable to give and to say.
When I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at eleven years of age, God became Father to me. Embracing the image of who He is to me and who I am in Him has been easy. I trust Him with complete confidence. Every time someone applauds my efforts or accomplishments, I am reminded that He created me in His image. (See Genesis 1:26–27.) He is the One I honor for giving me the person with the greatest, most positive impact on my life: my mother.
I was created by God, “knit…together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 niv), and He knew what He was doing when He chose Hazel Westmoreland to be my mother. When someone says that I’m like my mother, it gives me great pleasure. If I can be even half the woman my mother was, it will be an honor of the highest distinction. She was truly a special lady, beautiful on both the outside and inside. I imagine that any woman who has or had a good relationship with her mother believes the same thing.
“Doll Baby” is what she was called as a child. The thick, curly locks that adorned her head, the chocolate brown skin that covered her body, and the words of comfort that flowed frequently from her lips reflected the beauty of her countenance and the sweetness of her temperament. As a woman, she was poised and feminine, yet confident and strong. She wasn’t cantankerous or argumentative. Her words were always seasoned with grace, so they ministered that same grace to the hearer.
The truth is, I can hardly think about myself without thinking about my mother. My most prominent characteristics and tendencies are a tribute to her example. So, if I seem patient, kind, loving, and trusting, it is because the fabric of my temperament was woven by the Designer’s finest thread, just as my mother’s was. If ever there was a person fashioned in the image and likeness of God, it was my mother. She was the epitome of a giver—she gave of her resources, her substance, her worth, and her life. It didn’t matter who you were or what you did; if you needed someone to minister to your success, my mother was the woman for the job.
My heart for giving and helping people to excel flows from what I observed my mother doing. It was my mother whom I studied reverently, for she portrayed the image of God in every aspect of her life. I thank God for that attribute: the power and the willingness to give. I have honored God in my giving, and He has blessed me in every aspect of my life—spirit, soul, and body.
My mother received salvation late in her life, but the godly traits that she exhibited are evident in the lives of me and my two sisters, LaVander and Ruby. God knit my mother together with the necessary threads to produce a rich fabric that would flow to every one of her descendants. Because my mother was a giver, so am I. My sons are givers. Their children will be givers, and every generation that follows until Jesus returns will all be givers. My mother left a legacy that was instilled in us as we observed her. She didn’t sit down with us and say, “Let me teach this to you”; we learned the importance of giving by the precepts she demonstrated and the example of her steadfast nature.
Every woman is not so fortunate to have had someone, particularly a mother, who offers her such opportunity and privilege. That’s when you have to allow the Holy Spirit to begin to design you in the image of God the Father. If you’ve never had a godly example to follow—no mentor or confidant to nurture your worth or establish and affirm your footing as a child of God—then God has made Himself available to you in order to fashion you in His likeness. If you think it’s too late to learn of God and follow His example, it’s not. You’re not too old; you haven’t gone so far as to travel beyond God’s grace, for it is immeasurable. His grace is sufficient for you, but you have to trust Him. You have to believe that He is able, willing, and available to do exceeding, abundantly above all that you ask or could even imagine, according to His power that works in you! (See Ephesians 3:20.) Never forget that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
God bless you,
Pamela
Introduction
There is an underlying fabric to all of us as women—a common manner in which every aspect of who we are functions and operates. The fabric of you is who you are; it’s what makes you, you. Through your fabric—your unique makeup—you touch the world; you commune with God; you love, feel, and understand.
We have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). This means that we have been crafted by a loving Creator who endued each of us with a marvelous and unique set of attributes, skills, and talents that compose the fabric of our lives.
Clothing manufacturers use many types of fabric: silk, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and the list goes on. Silk is said to be one of the strongest natural fibers in the world, while polyester isn’t so famous for its durability. What kind of fabric are you made of? The fabric of a woman is an intricately woven tapestry masterfully crafted with rich hues of virtue, wit, intuition, strength, character, and a host of other fine threads. The fibers of her being define the nature of her spirit, soul, and body. We are much like the exquisitely beautiful and intrinsically valuable natural fabrics; we live, we move, we breathe, and we grow, unlike man-made synthetics.
We would all love to be made from a cut of fabric that is dirt-resistant and flame-retardant; one that never tears or unravels. But the truth of the matter is that life often pulls at our loose threads, threatening to make us fall apart at the seams. Life brings constant pressures that can overwhelm us if we aren’t daily cultivating the fabric of our lives. Like God does, we need to invest in who we are and in what we have in order to withstand the pressures of life.
If we fail to invest in ourselves, we will sustain unwanted injuries to our fabric. The good news is that when we walk closely with God, He becomes our Seamster, and He is quick and adept at mending the rips, tears, and loose threads of life.
God is an Investor. He created us to be fruitful—to multiply and replenish. He uses the assets of those who commit to obedient, faith-filled lives to cause the investment to grow or mature, just as a profitable financial investment yields an opportunity to earn income or profit. God’s investment in our lives provides wholeness for our entire beings—body, soul, and spirit—so that nothing is missing from or broken in our lives. His objective is to make each aspect of us complete: completely healed, completely whole, completely functional. His investment increases as we continuously attend to and appropriate His Word in our lives. His Word defines our worth because it is the standard for our value.
In your life, what’s failing? What isn’t rising or increasing? As never before, the time has come to recognize your worth and allow the “Great Investor” to develop and heal you. He wants you to see yourself as He does, no longer being hostage to or dependent upon a poor self-image of someone else’s opinion about who you are but rather adopting a revelation of who He has created you to be.
Chapter One
God Is an Investor
Investing is the action of redirecting resources from being consumed in order to create benefits in the future. The word create means to generate, produce, fashion, or construct. Each of these references suggests that if anyone takes the time to create something, he seeks to benefit from its existence, and the best way to maximize the existence of a creation is to invest in and protect it.
To capitalize on our ability to produce, God continually invests in us. According to 2 Peter 1:3, He has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” God has invested His attributes in us so that we may have the ability to prosper. When He deposits His nature, character, and ability into us, He expects the return to be people who have been transformed into His image and likeness.
As our lives bear fruit, God creates more and more opportunities for us to increase, resulting in the growth of His investment. His plan for us is that we continually produce abundant fruit in our lives. He gives us gifts and talents in order to enhance His ability to gain a greater return, and His ultimate desire is for you to increase in such a way that the fruit of your life draws others to Himself.
In Matthew 25:14–29, Jesus told a wonderful story about a farmer who was a respectable businessman. He said, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them” (verse 14). Before the businessman left the country, he gathered his chief financial officers and instructed them to invest his money. To one, he gave five talents; to another, he gave two talents; and to a third man, he gave one talent. Each man received no more than what corresponded to his ability or potential to produce. The man who received the five talents invested them and doubled his assets. Likewise, the man who received two talents invested them, yielding a return of two additional talents. But the man who received one talent hid it.
After a long time, the businessman returned and reconciled the increase with each servant. The first man joyfully reported to his master that the five talents had doubled to ten. His master applauded his employee’s faithfulness and gave him a promotion.
The second man told his master that he, too, had received a double return on his investment, and he received a promotion, as well. The businessman said to his employees, “Great job! I appreciate your diligence in getting the job done. Because you have been faithful over these few things, I will make you rulers over many things. Let’s celebrate!” (See verses 21, 23.)
Then, the man who had received one talent said, “Sir, I knew you were a harsh man; your investment was yielding a return where you hadn’t put it and gaining interest where you hadn’t cultivated. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it. But I have it. It’s all here. Here’s your money back.” (See verses 24–25.)
The businessman replied, “That doesn’t make sense. If you knew I received a return where I didn’t invest it, and that I gained interest where I didn’t cultivate, and you thought you would lose the talent, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? I could have gotten at least some interest on it.” He then took the talent from the lazy man and gave it to the first man to add to his ten talents. (See verses 26–28.)
This principle does not apply to money alone. Rather, it touches every area of our lives: our gifts, talents, abilities, resources, spirits, souls, and bodies.
God, our Divine Investor, is a lot like the businessman in this story. He has delegated many gifts, talents, and abilities to us, and He expects that we will remain diligent to increase what He has entrusted to us.
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
(Matthew 25:29 nlt)
In the investment world, if an investment fails to produce, a smart investor pulls out when she sees that the price of her shares is falling. God, on the other hand, is committed to His investment. He will never pull out of your life, but He will prune, or cut back, any unproductive areas to ensure that His “stock” does not crash. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1–3). He protects His investments because He is a wise and caring Investor.
In all His glory, ability, and power, God opened Himself to man. He made us with free will, giving us the privilege to choose and refuse, and this choice includes Him. In His foreknowledge, He knew that we might potentially forsake Him, yet He still chose to make an investment in us, and that investment was the sacrifice of His own Son. Every investment comes at a price, and this one was no different, except in that it was the highest price ever paid. We were bought with the price of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 6:20.)
God sent His only Son in exchange for our redemption. As an Investor, God chose to “lend” Jesus (the original good) in exchange for you and me (the yields on His investment). He made an investment of one Son, and that investment split many times over, bringing Him many sons. Hebrews 2:10 says, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
The Value of a Woman
The value of an object is usually determined by what it’s made of. For example, I have various jewelry pieces composed of cubic zirconia (CZ) and others of diamond. I treat my diamonds much differently than I do my CZ. My diamonds are kept in a special place, but I may put my CZ on the bathroom counter, in my coat pocket, or at the bottom of my purse. If I lose my CZ, I won’t shed a tear; if I lose my diamonds, however, my response will be different. To God, we are more valuable than many diamonds. If we fail to recognize the value God places on us, we will never appreciate our worth as women.
My husband and I built our home, and I was privileged to have the opportunity to customize many of the features. When it came to fabrics, I fell in love with certain textures, colors, and patterns from some of the most exclusive designers in the business. Most of my favorite fabrics were natural, many of them mentioned in the Bible, and I discovered that the finer fabrics where those spun by the designer himself. They had been handcrafted to the designer’s specifications. In the same way, God handcrafted each of us into a unique, vibrant fabric. We were fearfully and wonderfully made, and we bear His image, for He was not ashamed to call us His own. “I will be their God, and they shall be My people.…I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:16, 18).
Created a Female, Made a Woman
Do you realize there is an important and profound difference between being created and being made? You and I were created female, but God made us into women. He never makes mistakes; He had no doubts or regrets when He made you and me in His image and likeness. Let’s return to the Genesis account for a few highlights. In the first chapter of Genesis, we read that both male and female were created: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). In the second chapter, we learn the details of how God made both genders. The male was made, or formed, from the dust of the ground (see Genesis 2:7), and the female was made from a rib that was taken from man.
The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
(Genesis 2:21–23)
Again, there is a distinction between being created and being made. A creation is something unique that would not naturally occur on its own; rather, it depends on the initiative and action of a creator.
It was the breath of God that created man and woman in the beginning. But their bodies were made from what already existed in the earth. God’s purpose for creating Eve is found in Genesis 2:18: “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”
Until God formed Eve’s body and brought her to life, there was no suitable companion for Adam in the earth. Every animal of the field, fish in the sea, and bird in the air had a companion, but there was none for man. God, the Great Physician, is naturally an unparalleled anesthesiologist. He caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam, and then, as Adam slept, He accurately and precisely removed one of his ribs, using it to form woman.
Created for a Unique Purpose
While man was formed from the dust of the ground, woman was made from the rib of the man. We women are strong because we’re made from strong stuff. The ribs serve several important purposes in the body: they protect vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, and they aid in breathing—when you inhale, they move up to enable your lungs to expand, and when you exhale, they move down to push the air from your lungs.
Likewise, woman serves an important purpose on the earth. She was ordained by God to be a helper, a nurturer, and an influencer. Her role on the earth is distinctly different from the role of man. As women, we possess great power and ability. Satan understood the unique power and influence of women. For this reason, he chose to speak with Eve in the form of a serpent in the garden of Eden. (See Genesis 3:1–6.) He knew that, once tempted, she would carry her influence to tempt Adam, as well. Through the woman, Satan succeeded in getting Adam to defy God’s orders.
God wants us to use our influence as women to further His purposes on the earth. We must not heed the voice of the enemy, who still tries to manipulate the influence of women, for to do so would contradict the plan of God and consequently disqualify us from living in God’s blessing. Women who choose to obey the voice of God will always have God’s best operating in their lives. Use your influence as a woman to bring forth life—not just in a literal sense, but in every arena in which you find yourself, because that’s what you were made to do.
About the Author
The ministry of Pamela M. Hines began in 1982, after her husband Darrell L. Hines was raised to life after being tragically struck by lightning.
Together, they pastor one of the most dynamic churches within the city of Milwaukee, and are the overseeing founders of several other Christian Faith Fellowship Churches. She is the cofounder of Dominion Fellowship, an outreach ministry encompassing a diversity of races and religious backgrounds that caters to the specific needs of husband-and-wife ministry teams.
Pamela has an anointing upon her life to minister to women. She is the founder of “The Women’s Image Course,” a powerful series of lessons designed to meet the needs of women. Her grace and message attracts women from a variety of racial, economical, and social backgrounds. Her aim is to empower women to be all that God has called them to be, focusing on the spirit, soul, and body. Pamela’s earnest desire is to help the body of Christ walk in the knowledge and authority that God has given to them, and to strengthen its members through the ministry of God’s Word.
Her message is practical and those who hear her will become challenged to be all that God desires them to be. Her first book, A Wife’s Prayer, was also published by Whitaker House.
Dynamic Uno here: What a wonderful reminder that as a woman, I need to take some time for myself to renew my body, soul, and spirit. Countless times I find that I have worked myself to the core and feel like I'm hitting a brick wall, all because I haven't taken time to renew myself. (My local friends can even attest to this because it's at these times that I tend to blockade myself in my apartment for awhile and they cannot reach me by phone of email for several days until I've had some quiet alone time. I do usually give them some warning so they don't think I've keeled over on them, but the very fact that I have to do this at all shows that I am not caring for myself spiritually as I should.
It's even written in the Bible in Romans 12:2(NIV)--Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. If we, as women, do not take the time to renew ourselves in body, soul, and spirit, we will not be able to know what God's will is for us, AND we will not be able to care for others either.
Pamela Hines goes through the biblical principles of why we should invest in ourselves and what creates our very fabric as women. She also gives helpful examples of ways in which we can invest in ourselves regardless of whether we are lacking in time and/or money. The Fabric of a Woman is also a short read (Yay! For us time-challenged people.)--I read it in a few hours, but I recommend that you actually take the time to digest each chapter and maybe use each section as a self-study so that you get more out of her words and the principles that are being given. I know I'll probably read through it again at a slower pace because there are some fabulous gems that I need to be reminded of on almost a daily basis.
Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!
3 comments:
I couldn't get through this one, but I think it's just because I'm tired and having trouble focusing. I linked up to your review. Hope that's okay. I think your review is wonderful.
No problem. Thanks for letting me know you linked up. :)
I've had problems connecting with books before too. I think this one just hit me at the right time because I needed to hear what it was saying. It's amazing how God works like that sometimes. :)
Thank you!!
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