Connecting Women
by Vonette Bright
**Women Today Magazine is a magazine you can subscribe to: http://womentodaymagazine.com/
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Mindy wanted her non – Christian friends to come with her to church. But every time she invited them, they’d either say “no” or change the subject. She got the same reaction when she mentioned Jesus to them.
But God had given Mindy a creative mind. She gathered her Christian friends together to pray for clarity and ideas. What was the common denominator among these women? All of them loved nature hiking. That was it! So Mindy planned a camping trip. After the evening campfire and open discussion, one of her friends prayed to invite Christ into her life.
Dear friend, ask God what He can use in your life to reach others for Christ. There are lots of creative ways to do that. Come by our web site at WOMEN TODAY DOT ORG and see what God may have in mind for you!
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/vonette/
30 Responses to “Connecting Women”
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thank you joy for your prayers
sharon
Judy….I liked what you said about walking with a group, that just might be something that could be done here a lot of people walk here and to get a group together with a couple of ladies that are Christians might just be a great idea!
Toni……great to hear about your fruitful day! Hope you can continue with this, I will pray for you!
Barbara C My heart really goes out to you, I can’t imagine how hard this must be to deal with………will join all the others in the circle of prayer for you!!
And dear Sharon, I will keep praying for your son and daughter-in-law!!
Joy
barbra i will be praying for you too
sharon
toni
i am so glad for you. you had a real victory there. and i will contune to pray for you
sharon
Thank you Dianne :-} for joining your prayers with us for Barbara C. She is a courageous, Lord loving lady..So beautiful (no matter what that “mirror” in that disorder says to her!)…She very much needs our prayers encirclig her at this time and JESUS is going to protect her throught this thing until it is solved by HIM!!! When you read at Google about “what” she goes through? It makes you that much more determined to hold this precious lady up in prayer!! Believing for Barbara C’s miracle..along with the rest of you!!!
Thank you, Fran, for directing me. I looked it up at the Mayo website. Now I remember reading and hearing about it. I will also pray for Barbara C. I’m glad to hear of the progress made so far, and pray that this continues, too :-}.
Dianne :-} and Sharon..
If you type in “What is BDD” at Google? There are articles that explain this situation Barbara C dealing with.
We have all been joining prayers together for some time now for her and we’ll “tighten our prayer ranks” up..Am praying for her daily and believing in Jesus’ powerful name for Barbara to have Victory with her Lord’s help! Know others are with her, too! She has made great strides and the enemy upset and heating the fires up. But, dear Barbara, remember today the many Praise Reports you’ve had along the way, too! You have achieved amazing things with the Lord’s help..And “Victory” is at hand!! HE will guide and show you the next steps! Thank you Toni for adding your powerful prayers! We must believe that “NOTHING is too hard for God” Jeremiah 32:17 and pray help towards Barbara, and direction, as she bravely continues her battle and believes! Remember, Dear Barbara C, that your Great, Loving Heavenly Father heads this battle up!!! 2nd Chronicles 20:15..And today? Am praying encouragement and hope towards you, dear special servant! Amen and Amen!! (((Barbara C)))
If I am not being too nosey, what is BDD? I know of two illnesses abbreviated to BPD, but don’t know what a person with BDD has to deal with.
Thanks :-}.
Toni, thank you for the update on how your day went. It is encouraging to see how the Lord will use a willing servant in creative ways to draw others to Him. And that is what it’s all about.
You are setting a standard that we all need to strive for. God bless you, and have a wonderful day!
Barbara C. I am up early and and quiet time. I didn’t understand what that was. I wish all of you were here to connect. However, we would not let the Holy Spirit keep us on track. Barb..I am really going to be praying for. I can’t believe you sat in your car. The Lord, saw all this and I know this is TRUE FAITH AND WISDOM that walk hand in hand. I noticed how well you write (Judy you too)and so clear so we can understand. A gift. I struggle with so many things to and it does make you not to want to join in. That is why you writing, of your journey will be not only a witness but how you will be connecting EVERY WOMAN..as we all share not in the Joy..but also in our losses.
Judy, thank you again for the prayers. I just join in with you for prayer,for Barabara C. Father, Good Morning and as we come to your throne in deep prayer and love for Barbara. Lord, she was in her car praising and worshipping you, while some, may have been in church making a list for Thanksgiving Dinner. You always see the heart and it’s intent. That time in the car was the BEST THANKSGIVING, anyone could offer up to you. Lord, Barbara, reminds me of the lady in scripture who pulled your robe from behind, as she believed, Yes, indeed this was, the Messiah. I also pray for Judy, as she said it so clear. Father, as we get older some may have more family and friends than others. I am one who has lost most of my family and none live here that do remain. Lord, please let us all serve you and glorify you like Barbra, from wherever we are and like Judy say’s we are purified by the blood of Jesus. I ask in your name to build all of us in your divine strength, as I can CONNECT to the THOUGHTS of REJECTION and LONELINESS. May we all come together again this morning, as we are reach out to touch and abide in your heart, not a robe, as you are Sovereign and most of al Our Father. In Jesus name I pray..Toni
Hi all I long to reach out to people around. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=cafbd0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=cookie%20swap&rsc=ns2006_m1
this is a fab resourse host a cookie swap in the week leading up to christmas. a totaly natural American thing to do. have a good mix of Christians and non Christans then let God do the rest.
Also please can you think about linking to this site to provide mosquito nets 3,000 children die every day. Thank you http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/NetsForJosie
Barbara C, I had to look up BDD, since I was not familiar with it. My heart goes out to you. All of us at one time or another have felt that way, only you struggle with it daily. Is it worse when you go through your cycle? As a stroke survivor, depression is one side effect I have to be wary of. My brain does not release the serotonin now. I know about depression. Plus I am at home by myself in an area where I don’t know many people, except those I meet at church. I do know what helps me. There are certain foods which help. ALso, exercise is very beneficial. If you cannot work out at a local fitness center, you can walk. That will help.
You need to remind yourself the Lord loves you. He sees your heart and you are purified by the blood of Jesus. You are the child of a King. Your love for Him shines through you and is beautiful. Remember the song we used to sing in Sunday school . . . “Jesus loves me, yes, I know, for the bible tells me so” . . . .Yes, Jesus loves you!! Remember that, repeat it to yourself. Lord, I pray for Barbara. Wrap your arms of love around her. Encourage her Father. Send angels to guard her, to protect her from evil thoughts. Thank you, Jesus, for her great love for you. Guide her as she writes her book and may it be an encouragement to others. Thank you Lord. In Christ’s Name I pray Amen.
Toni! Awesome hearing about your day. Yes, you were covered in prayer. Satan was NOT wanting you to get there today. Even sent a low battery to keep you from being there. Thank you for sharing.
Well, I, just proofread my comments and Fran….I made so made many typing errors..I hope you ladies can understand. I am sorry but I could not wait to share the answered prayer…Toni! SORRY!
Oh My Sweet Ladies, I, am home finally and did go to the antique store and proudly displayed the Cross. The town I went to was in the northwest part of Chicago. I, learned a BIG…LESSON..today!! However, all of you have touched my life and my love for Jesus in ways I can’t explain as the Holy Spirit is upon all of you. YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME WERE ANSWERED…………….YEAH GOD!!
Now, to get to the part of the answered prayer, and the lesson I learned. The Lord is with us in times of foreign territory and someone saying be carefull left me unsure. I seem to have this heart that falls for everything but I don’t really care as it is compassion on sinners like me. I am so happy I went. I have a tea ministry that inviting people to come to the cross..Jesus is waiting. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be acceptable, as the lady just wanted me there to have me with my tea business (she din’t know it was a ministry) to serve and host hot cider and homemade cookies (another surprise and gift from a vendor). I unloaded my Victorian Silver pot and little by little, I walk in with a huge picture of a CROSS!! Well, they all looked and said nothing but …”Wow..Um..Thanks for coming and we appreciate you being here. “A CROSS?” Well, they did not say much however, I had so many people come in to shop for these ornate antique’s but everyone wanted my cross. I told them not for sale however, it’s available!! The invitations was to try and connect at least 4 churches in women’s ministry to unite for women in need of a Savior that was my mission. That, is why this devotional was so meant for me today. I, am happy I did not listen to the other lady with the much bigger store but it did not matter as the owners were just happy that someone like me, a flight attendant was there serving for free. Lesson Learned: Do not let the enemy stop you from one comment..trust the Lord and put one fot in front of the other and go to the unknown. (My husband also left my car lights on and the battery was dead!) Obstacles.to prevent us from sharing the good news.
We, have a huge church here called Willow Creek Community ….mega church and one of the first. We also have many smaller Baptist, Covenant etc. around. I, chose to leave a larger church years ago to further the Lords kingdom by helping the smaller church grow in women’s ministry and connecting. The passion in my heart is for the homeless women (not just in shelters and streets but homeless without Christ).
However, more than ever , we as Christians need to get our families, friends and anyone that will listen to connect our Mighty God to them, for we are now a world that is changing lives moment to moment. We had four pages of foreclosures, on homes here in my county. The people, were coming in from the cold for a cookie and hot drink and maybe a gift from the past. They were looking back as they picked up some antique’s, but most of all, the way things used to be and yes, it is now a memory. One man came in, and read some old magazines for the longest time. He just couldn’t put them down. I, took him some cider and he thanked me. Finally, he just dissappeared. So, I am praying for him as he looked lost and lonesome. Tradition breaks, and changes, but scripture, is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Ladies, Thank you and wherever you are at this moment, I ask in Jesus name that you take a step of hospitality to anyone! Even if it is for tea, coffee or glass of water. Share and reach out to connect to the many hearts that are being broken due to job losses, families breaking from all the stress, the wages of storms and fires. If you can’t call someone as we ask Jesus to give us the heart to pick up the phone to the three way call I wrote about this morning. The knee-mail!!! Ok..if you ever want a to my Tea…the Cross..Jesus is waiting and there I will be to serve for free!! Jesus, my one and only speaker is FREE as he paid for us up on Calvary!!
Lord..We all wish Chris A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! A thank you to Fran,MBH,June L,Sharon,Dianne,Barbara C.,Judy,June L, for the prayers. Also, dear Vonette for today’s devotional. Lord, you are just spoiling your girls so much!!….Good night Lord..In Jesus..Toni
toni
thank you for the prayers for my daughterinlaw. what i ment was she does not know the Lord and she says He can not help her. sorry i was not more clear about what i ment it has been a long and busy day here to dsy
sharon
Barbara C, you are not ugly! You are “daughter of the King”, as Fran would say, and He has made you beautiful inside and out!! God bless you for caring and sharing your problems in order to help others. The Lord will richly bless you for that. Praying you will have the strength and will to step inside the church the next time. I have had days like that, and always regret when I don’t go. There is so much to be gained, and we are so comforted, and strengthened when we fellowship with other Christians. This is why the Word of God tells us not to “forsake it.” Keep focused on Jesus, and don’t give up!! (((HUG)))
Judy, loved your idea on the ladies “walking group.” Thanks for sharing. May the Lord guide us all with wisdom in the weeks ahead with creative ways to “connect with womwn.” Praise Him!!!
barba c
i will be praying for you about this bbd. i don’t know all that much about it but i do know that in
Gods you are beautiful and in mine too
God bless you and keep up the good fight i know God will help you
sharon
Vonette, thank you for your devotional and the idea presented there. . . to meet people on their own turf. . . .their area of comfort. We do not have to bring friends and family to church in order for them to be saved. We need to find the common denominator. I love to go walking. I am new to the area and do not know very many people and often find myself alone, but I meet people when I am out walking with my puppy. I started a walking group from ladies at church three years ago, when each one needed encouragement. It started out with just one person besides myself, but it ended up being 5 or 6 people at the most before it stopped. Would love to do it again. . . . meanwhile I walk and pray.
Years ago when my husband and I did youth group where we used to live, we hosted and 3 on 3 volleyball tournament and had a youth pastor talk during a break. It is in the gym. The area where the teens were at home. Good memories from it.
Happy Birthday, Chris! May the Lord bless your day.
Toni, I prayed for you when I read your request.
Sharon, I didn’t follow what you wrote. Do you mean your daughter-in-law has been abused, too? Or she doesn’t know the Lord? Please explain, so I know how to pray. Right now I will just lift her to the Lord. He knows.
Bless you all this Lord’s Day!
My Hope is that through the writing of the book that i have been working on, I hope to be aable to reach out and HELP other hurting women out of their dark filled lives.
I’ve spent way to many years lost in the wilderness all alone, frieghtened and misguided. Gonna strive to be that “BEACON OF LIGHT” that I know God is so dilagently hard at work trying to remove all of the old stuff within me so that HIS beauty can shine on through.
Too many hurting, lost people out in this world (the church included) to let my tear jerking, heart breaking and most of all “MOUNTAIN BREAKING” tesimony be buried within me when i die.
Gotta keep on pressing on to see it come to completion so that it could possibly be used as a tool to reach out in spririt and in truth declaring how wonderful God is.
I so much wanted to connect with other beleivers this blessed of a Sunday morning in the house of the LORD. However, the stupid disorder that I still am battling with once again got the best of me and i did not make it in to church. I know I have to connect with other christian women and I so much am literally dyeing to do such for if they only knew how much LOVE I have for JESUS in MY HEART I could be such a blessing to so many of them. I cannot give up that HOPE though and that is the “MOUNTAIN BREAKING” testimoney that I will be dancing and singing about in the house of the LORD once I am set free from this terrible BDD that still has it’s grips on me.
By the way ladies, I did make it to church today I just did not make it into the church for the BEST that I could do was to sit outside in my car for over an hour while service was being held and cried till there where no more tears left to shed. Sat there listening to my own praise and worship to my LORD and a ministry of healing that helped me out as well. Sat in that car in the middle of a full parking lot thinkging I was tooooo ugly to go on in and be a part of them all. THis is what this terrible BDD disorder and SATAN as well does to me many times when i am pressing on forward to connect with other followers but I have to keep up the good fight of FAITH and know that GOD will win this battle for me. The book that I have been working on has helped me out a great deal for if it was not for such a calling I would not had been able to make amends with so many things that where “HIDDEN INSIDE OF ME”
I pray day in and day out for GOd to remove this terrible BDD disorder from me but I suppose it is kind of a thorn in my flesh for the time being for such is driving me closer and closer to GOD in the most unexpected ways. Not through the church, it’s the one on one relationship that is talked about in HIS word. My “personal relationship” with Christ is developing in ways that i could never begin to express and I know that once that is fully established to a point that is pleasing to him then it will be time for me to connect with so many of his other blessed daughters in Christ.
Barbara C
We just cleaned out our cookies, and I’m just trying to fix my access here.
i am having the same problem with my sons wife all i can do is keep praying
sharon
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES, MOST OF ALL I THANK GOD FOR BEING ON THE EARTH.
MBH I WOULD LOVE TO GET TOGETHER WITH YOU. I LIVE IN THE WHARNCLILFFE/WESTREN RD AREA IN THE 8 STOREY HIGHRISES. 345 WHARNCLIFFE RD N. AM THE ONLY THOMAS LIVING ALONE ON THE BOARD.
Chris, Happy 51st Birthday to you.
May this day and all your days be filled with the wonder of God’s special love for you. Happy Birthday.
For Toni…
The Lord just showed me this, dear friend, that you will be carrying Him with you today as you do that volunteer situation for the lady who is starting Antique venture. Some won’t, or can’t, go across Church Threshold..but, you will bring HIM who is the church with you today! And, will spread His Love there! And? HE will protect you, too..Just prayed that. It will be encouraging to “see” what happens today!! Sometimes? We are to audibly invite them for the Lord; sometimes we are to quietly pray and HE will do the rest..But, HE will be with you and reveal “what” and protect this day!
Good morning sisters this is wonderful devotional. Lord Jesus, help me to connect with others on your harvesting field. Thank you Father.
Happy birthday Chris!!!!!! I am from the forest city like you are sister, God willing I love to see you one day.
My “twin” Toni said it so eloquently and well! It is staying connected to His Holy Spirit that enables us to reach out and help others and “stay together” ourselves! Lord, be with Toni in that situation today and please place your protective Angels around her as she goes in your name to serve..and give her the words you want them to hear. She loves you and is obdient, Father.
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have in this earthen walk and reaching out to our unsaved friends, loved ones, and others..And? If we “listen” for His voice as we intercede for those we are trying to lead into His Wondrous Kingdom? His Holy Spirit will reveal ways to “invite”! Thank you, Toni, for the prayer you just lifted for, dear Chris’ friends ..The Lord will reach into those situations and put His Healing Balm there and and just as you said shed His Light and Truth! Amen. Welcome to your friend Sherry!! Another Light in the Kingdom!
Chris, we all wish you a very “Happy Birthday” this day, too, and glad He sent you into this world!!!
Have Blessed Lord’s Day, dear Sisters!
Chris, Thank you for such a wise answer. We connect by just petitioning in prayer. Three way calling…knee-mail and loving them.
Lord, I come before you this morning as my sister in Jesus has a couple of friends who were betrayed by unholy and evil acts of men proclaiming to be of you. I pray Lord that you would place upon these innocent and broken people that have taken them and devoured but not destroy the chance to hear your voice calling them to you. I pray Jesus that these acts of darkness be exposed and your light would shine upon them and they would see and seek truth..You.. Lord our only hope.
Lord, thank you that Chris is here this morning seeking you and being blessed for her walk with you. May you connect our hearts as servers of your word. In Jesus Holy name we pray….Toni
I know a couple of guy who have either been abused by parish priests or have had a sibling abused by a parish priest. they both have problems with GOD and the church because of it. I keep both of them in my prayers everyday and hope and pray one day they will accept GOD back into their lives.
Ladies, I, made a comment, on my helping someone out with a new antique business today and I just met her while in her new store. I love the old and new teastament more but I do love antiques! The reason I did not want to go as………another vendor said..be Carefull!! That is why I am hesitant. Please pray for protection, as I go into foreign territory!..Help Jesus..Toni
Good Morning Vonette, Thank you for another devotional. I really needed this today as I have an a divine appointment today that was to just pass out shorbread cookies and serve cider. I know it’s not much but, I, feel that helping a woman out who is starting a new antique business (just met her) without any fee would further the kingdom. I need prayer today as now I don’t want to go and connect.
We just finished a study from church put together by our Pastor, called, “The Mark Of Jesus.” It was not only a tool for looking up words of life but how to breathe these words from within. We were challenged with many questions and what does not did Jesus say? Go back to the word and the connections which are known as I call them, Divine Appointments.. just happens.
Since joining this devotional site, I, found a twin living in Atlanta, Fran. However, all of us are related as we have that mark of Jesus as we encourage and inspire each other. The love and sharing stays with me and prayer for all that are having a bad day, alone or not worthy. I never thought it was possible to bond with people I couldn’t see. Most of all share, the deepest sorrows and trials. We not only have ,Jesus, the mediator, praying for all of us, but, all of you. We, all have the mark is what I call like David..”A man after God’s own heart.”
Vonette, May our speech and boldness be a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord with our obedience and humbleness displaying the GLORY OF OUR KING OF KINGS….JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH. I have found burning hearts of Jesus right here as we share like a family..sister to sister!
Staying connected to the Lord, is the only way I even come close, to baring a mark of Jesus or make a connection. Without his Holy Spirit we are powerless…like this computer..no server found to connect. Years of flying, I have people that are so demanding and sometimes down right mean. You will find me in a a restroom crying. Not, only passengers, but fellow workers. I, come out changed as the Lord reminds me that it doesn’t mater who likes me, as, he is is my best friend.
Connecting..with others even in a 747 with over 300 people for 12 hours is and can be challenging. The biggest challenge is following through as a crusader for Christ. Having our our lamps filled with the Divine and to shed light upon the others that are lost in the dark. Mindy, did it through campfires!! The darkness of depression. oppression, sickness, or most of all separation and not having that personal relationship with Jesus. I know when we go through dark times we think where is God? I keep running into a brick wall.. which we end up calling it unanswered prayer. “Be still and know that I am God”..is his answer, but I find it sometimes easier to take it back as God’s clock isn’t running as fast as mine and besides I am still waiting. “Great is thy Faithfullness,” is who he is as my definition of unanswered prayer. Do we accept his way of simply saying, “Trust me this is a, NO! or not not NOW?”
We, may be hiking and sharing or just e-mailing and calling as some Christians are housebound. The joy and hope we have in our hearts is the strength from a father that will help us connect to anyone and everyone even the new kid in town. Ok, now that I shared all this, I have to go and find something to wear as I have to go and connect with people that are looking for the old and I will tell them of the new..the cross!!
In Jesus…Toni
P.S. Ladies, one of my dearest friends and sister in Jesus named, Sherry, is joining us. I told her how connecting with all of you has been a DIVINE GIFT!! Again I say, “REJOICE!!”