Banishing “But”
Climbing out of a crevasse isn’t easy. It requires constant focus on Him, using the hand-holds found in His Word, and choosing to trust and believe that those hand-holds – His promises – are firm and true.
Play Your Drum Solo
When it comes to bringing gifts to Jesus, I’m pretty sure we’re all that drummer boy. I mean, think about it. Do we really think He needs anything from us? That we’re ever going to surprise Him with that perfect burst-of-brilliance gift?
Settling the Heart
Fear is bondage. When we fear, we’re bowing to the idea that what we f.e.a.r. has more power than the Creator of the universe. That is a lie out of the pit of hell. Just as we want our children to live without fear, our loving Father wants us to live in peace, resting in Him, knowing in the very deepest part of our heart and mind that “He’s got this.”
Decisions
Making a choice can be difficult. But we have the assurance that God is always with us, even when we’re wrestling with our most difficult decisions.
Find Your New Favorite Book
One of the great joys of this ministry is the opportunity to share the resources created by the women associated with by design. This fall, we have the honor of sharing some relevant and important books authored by these brilliant and godly women. We hope that you enjoy perusing the list and that you’ll choose one or two to pick up as your fall reading. Enjoy!
The High Privilege of Knowing Gail MacDonald
As a young wife new to ministry and to life in New England, I was as green as the stalks of corn ripening back home in my family’s Illinois fields. I felt ill-prepared for life in the parsonage. Titus 2:3-5 instructs older women to teach younger ones. Where was the one who would “Titus” me?
Sharing and Seeing by the Spirit
I feel very blessed to have many women in my life who have walked alongside me in my faith throughout the years. Women like my mom, my worship team “aunties,” Sunday school teachers, mentors in college, and mentors in my current ministry organization (informally or formally) have encouraged me and loved me in highs and lows. In this current season, I am especially thankful for Sam.
Barbara Arbo: The Woman of the Word (and Lots of Patience)
I did not know about dresses. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I wore a bra. And my memories of basic hygiene are vague. There stood before me a tall blond woman, her blue eyes lit with a joy I was still unfamiliar with. She was stunning! Her dress matched her earrings, both swirling in rich turquoise and fuchsia. And she wore lipstick. I wore an old T-shirt that smelled like yesterday’s ashtray…
Bloom Where You’re Planted
These women shared a common thread that greatly impacted my own personal spiritual growth, in each one I saw a faithful acceptance of where God had led them each to be. And in that acceptance, they had grown hearts that longed to lift others up to their heavenly father.
Keep Looking Up
In 1975, Miss Coughlin assigned the new girl to the seat right next to mine. Lenore was introduced to the 5th grade students, and before homeroom ended, the teacher asked me to show her the way to the girls’ bathroom. From that day, we were drawn together as best friends in every way – except one: