When the woman persists and demonstrates her faith by her persistence, Jesus has compassion on her and puts aside his own desires. If Jesus was testing her by his answer, she proved herself by her perseverance, even to the point of using her quick wit about giving children's bread to the dogs. Jesus just may have smiled at the exchange of wit. Jesus was dealing with a woman who could not be lightly denied.

For Jesus, meekness and humility are not to be confused with mousiness. They represent a higher form of character and strength.

I don't think anything has ever been said from the pulpit to make women aware of the apathy of our age. Who wants to inspire a woman anyway? Intellectual and spiritual accomplishments? The word for women is SUBMIT! Women are considered ignoble. The lessons we learn are meekness and humbleness. We're to do some humble service for men. Why can't some of us be a little bold? I'm a bit bold and I really don't see anything wrong with it. We should stand up!

Ever hear a sermon preached on the aggressive women in the Bible? How about Deborah and Jael, my favorites.

JUDGES 4:6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: `Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor.

JUDGES 4:7 I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin´s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.´"

JUDGES 4:8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go."

JUDGES 4:9 "Very well," Deborah said, "I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman." So Deborah also went with Barak to Kedesh,

JUDGES 4:21 But Jael, Heber's wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

Deborah tells Barak that his refusal to go to battle without her will result in a woman destroying Sisera. Her forecast is fulfilled after Sisera leaves his chariot on the battlefield and goes to the home of his so-called friend, Heber. Jael comes out to meet Sisera. The retreating warrior makes the fatal mistake of assuming, as did most in patriarchy, that a wife shares the opinion of her husband and that either will provide him safety. Jael finds herself in a dilemma.

As a woman she cannot turn away the defeated Sisera and provoke his anger. But if she follows her husband's advice she is siding with Sisera and probably will not be treated kindly by the Israelite men when they arrive in hot pursuit. Her best bet for herself, and her family, is to turn Sisera over to the Israelites. Sisera's body in her tent is her Ace in the hole. Her desire for survival drives her to use the authority of violence.

Intellectual and spiritual accomplishments? Who wants to inspire a woman anyway? Makes the image of men look bad.

Saving lives is more important than saving face. The reward for such effort may be a truce, a peaceful coexistence, maybe even reconciliation. Sometimes the reward is being attacked from both sides, as Jesus was crucified by the conquering Romans and conquered Jews.

A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.

A good woman has a dash of inspiration and a good measure of endurance. She knows that she will at times have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them. A good woman knows her past, understands her present and forces toward the future.

A good woman knows God. She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played with.

A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons meant to bring her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self-love...