430 women gathered together in Sarajevo, BiH. This year we also had women from Austria & Hungary. As daughters of value who are full of faith and strength, we need to become women of impact; impacting families, churches, communities, work places etc. Once again we used the Word of God to teach from. This year was a very significant year for the conference, we took up and offering to sow into another nation, rather than always receiving, God is now taking us to a new level. We gave a donation to “Footprints in Africa” and with that donation a children’s feeding program was started.
220 women from nations of former Yugoslavia gathered in Vukovar, Croatia. The time they learned again through the Word of God that not only are they valued, but they can be women full of faith and strength. It was also a time of reconciliation between the different nations and ethnic groups. The conference ended with pastors’ wives from one nation asking forgiveness on behalf of their nation. It was a very powerful time; God did an amazing work
70 women from the nations of former Yugoslavia gathered together in Fuzine, Croatia. It was a precious time of showing them through the Word of God that they are of great value to Him and indeed if they have a relationship with Jesus, then they are “Daughters of the King.
Change is constant, disruptive and often can disturb our view of life. I have lived in our house in Michigan for 27 years and there have been a few changes to either the house or the yard around it. Some would say we live “out in the country” although our little town with a McDonald’s is only a few minutes drive away. But I like the serenity of the views out my windows of fields and trees. And until lately there has been an old barn behind our house that I have watched “weather” over the years and taken many pictures of it. It is not on our property and so we have just had to watch while it got older and each wind storm took boards away, one by one. Recently the owner finally pulled what remained down and now there is no picturesque barn in my back yard view. I felt a little down, missing that old friend. I don’t like the current view of a heap of rubble. Change, disruption and disappointment.
Have you felt that recently? About a relationship, a job, a church, national politics? Have you had your faith shattered by the moral failure of a religious leader? Is your family in turmoil?? What views in your world have been pleasing for a time, to later come crumbling down? Do you have your eyes on the ONE who never disappoints, who never will fail you? The Christ Jesus, Immanuel, babe in the manger is the Savior of the cross who will always fill our vision with His glory and His provision for us. Life here on earth often gives us a pile of rubble but we are told in Hebrews 12:2 to “look unto Jesus, the beginning and the finishing of our faith” From the manger to the cross His life gives us hope and peace and visions of what is yet to come! “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” We already started 2019, which will bring many changes. Have a blessed 2019 in Him!!
Recently I was diagnosed with an ailment that was causing me constant pain in my knee, a slight limp and worrisome thoughts that I might need some type of surgery or serious medications. Once defined as a common but painful situation I was relieved but still anxious. I shared my plight with a few friends and immediately they all voiced ideas and one said, “Oh, I had that and I got over it ; you will too”. I immediately felt lighter and a sense of hope.
One of the world’s most loved Christmas carols, “O, Holy Night” has the line. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”. I understand a little better the idea of “A thrill of hope”. Things will get better, the future is brighter, wounds will be made whole, illnesses healed. Yonder, in the manger lies the answer, a new and glorious morn! It was the night of our dear Saviors birth! No matter how long we have lain in our sin and error , HE has appeared, and our souls are worthy through HIM!! Trust in this Child of the virgin, this sacrifice of the cross! There is the thrill of hope for all our situations. They will either be resolved here or in eternity. You will “get over it’ like my unexpected diagnosis, the pain will be relieved in time. God’s time.
So, even though I will need to carefully fall on my knees, I want to proclaim with those angel voices, “O night divine, O, Holy Night, when Christ was born!!
