Lace, Ladies and the Lord
Speeches and formal announcements often begin with Ladies and Gentlemen.
This greeting is more distinguished than Women and Men.
When a man is called a true gentleman, that is meant as a compliment.
When a woman is referred to as a lady, her gentle characteristics are recognized.
Not every woman is a lady, however, nor is every man a gentleman.
Ladies and gentlemen are people of character.
The truth is that every young female is a girl and every adult female is a woman, but it takes effort to be a lady.
Every young male is a boy and every adult male is a man, but it takes work to be a gentleman.
God wants His sons and daughters to be people of good, gentle character.
He can even take people with very rough, crude backgrounds and transform them into ladies and gentlemen.
Iris Blue's testimony is a wonderful example of what God can do.
She was a very rebellious young person, ran away from home, got involved in drugs and was sentenced to eight years in prison on armed robbery charges.
Her attitude in prison was so bad that she had to serve an even longer sentence.
After leaving prison, she continued on her path of rebellion until a young man told her about Jesus Christ and how He loved her.
She responded to His love and her testimony is that she "knelt down a tramp and stood up a lady.
" God's design for Iris was to transform her so that she could share His love with others, which she does.
Her life and the lives of all God's daughters who are gentle, caring and God fearing have some similarities to a beautiful work of art called lace.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are created.
Someone has to create the lace.
Handmade lace is always more valuable than lace made by machine.
As time, effort and thought are put into the creation of the piece of lace, it becomes a work of art.
The pattern of the lace reflects the design of the maker.
If there is a mistake made in the handmade process, the thread is torn out to the point of the mistake and started over at that point.
The important thing is the end result even if the process takes a long time.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth (Psalm 139:13-15 NIV).
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They have a beautiful pattern.
Lace has a beautiful and intricate pattern.
God has a plan for every woman's life.
He has a beautiful pattern in mind that is very individual.
He weaves the delicate threads of a women's life to make her the lady He wants her to be.
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
God was not surprised with Iris Blue's rebellious life.
He knew that His transformation of her life would reach many people for Him.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are delicate.
Lace is delicate and complimentary.
It decorates.
It covers but not completely.
It lets light show through.
It has been said that "the light that shines the farthest shines brightest at home.
" Ladies, who are God fearing and gentle in their own families, can be examples to a lost world.
Real ladies bring light into the lives of others - the light of Jesus.
The word lace could be used as an acrostic: Ladies Are Christian Examples.
Jesus' example was full of grace and truth.
He gave us the fruit of His spirit and all these things are qualities that a lady should have: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They add an element of luxury to their surroundings.
Lace is a gift item.
It is a luxury.
Lace is considered a luxury and not everyone has the ability to have it, but ladies are capable of making luxuries where they are not otherwise possible.
A German saying makes this point: "Honor the women.
They braid and weave heavenly roses in earthly living.
" Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are appreciated in a social setting.
Lace is only appreciated when it is displayed.
Lace stored in a drawer does not contribute to the beauty of the surroundings.
It must be displayed.
A woman's beauty is also displayed in her actions.
Lace and ladies are created with a beautiful, delicate pattern, providing luxury to their surroundings, having their greatest impact in society.
The death of two famous women - Princess Diana of England and Mother Teresa of India - occurred in the span of a very short period.
Both were ladies in their own right, each contributing to society by their gentle spirits and loving concern for others.
The way a woman lives her life determines whether she is just a girl, a woman or a real lady.
This greeting is more distinguished than Women and Men.
When a man is called a true gentleman, that is meant as a compliment.
When a woman is referred to as a lady, her gentle characteristics are recognized.
Not every woman is a lady, however, nor is every man a gentleman.
Ladies and gentlemen are people of character.
The truth is that every young female is a girl and every adult female is a woman, but it takes effort to be a lady.
Every young male is a boy and every adult male is a man, but it takes work to be a gentleman.
God wants His sons and daughters to be people of good, gentle character.
He can even take people with very rough, crude backgrounds and transform them into ladies and gentlemen.
Iris Blue's testimony is a wonderful example of what God can do.
She was a very rebellious young person, ran away from home, got involved in drugs and was sentenced to eight years in prison on armed robbery charges.
Her attitude in prison was so bad that she had to serve an even longer sentence.
After leaving prison, she continued on her path of rebellion until a young man told her about Jesus Christ and how He loved her.
She responded to His love and her testimony is that she "knelt down a tramp and stood up a lady.
" God's design for Iris was to transform her so that she could share His love with others, which she does.
Her life and the lives of all God's daughters who are gentle, caring and God fearing have some similarities to a beautiful work of art called lace.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are created.
Someone has to create the lace.
Handmade lace is always more valuable than lace made by machine.
As time, effort and thought are put into the creation of the piece of lace, it becomes a work of art.
The pattern of the lace reflects the design of the maker.
If there is a mistake made in the handmade process, the thread is torn out to the point of the mistake and started over at that point.
The important thing is the end result even if the process takes a long time.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth (Psalm 139:13-15 NIV).
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They have a beautiful pattern.
Lace has a beautiful and intricate pattern.
God has a plan for every woman's life.
He has a beautiful pattern in mind that is very individual.
He weaves the delicate threads of a women's life to make her the lady He wants her to be.
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
God was not surprised with Iris Blue's rebellious life.
He knew that His transformation of her life would reach many people for Him.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are delicate.
Lace is delicate and complimentary.
It decorates.
It covers but not completely.
It lets light show through.
It has been said that "the light that shines the farthest shines brightest at home.
" Ladies, who are God fearing and gentle in their own families, can be examples to a lost world.
Real ladies bring light into the lives of others - the light of Jesus.
The word lace could be used as an acrostic: Ladies Are Christian Examples.
Jesus' example was full of grace and truth.
He gave us the fruit of His spirit and all these things are qualities that a lady should have: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Ladies are a lot like lace.
They add an element of luxury to their surroundings.
Lace is a gift item.
It is a luxury.
Lace is considered a luxury and not everyone has the ability to have it, but ladies are capable of making luxuries where they are not otherwise possible.
A German saying makes this point: "Honor the women.
They braid and weave heavenly roses in earthly living.
" Ladies are a lot like lace.
They are appreciated in a social setting.
Lace is only appreciated when it is displayed.
Lace stored in a drawer does not contribute to the beauty of the surroundings.
It must be displayed.
A woman's beauty is also displayed in her actions.
Lace and ladies are created with a beautiful, delicate pattern, providing luxury to their surroundings, having their greatest impact in society.
The death of two famous women - Princess Diana of England and Mother Teresa of India - occurred in the span of a very short period.
Both were ladies in their own right, each contributing to society by their gentle spirits and loving concern for others.
The way a woman lives her life determines whether she is just a girl, a woman or a real lady.
