 Dear Friend,
As 2009 comes to a close, I want to thank you for your wonderful support of Shades of Grace this year.
I've seen the result of your generosity as lives were changed from the inside out - by the life of Christ and the Truth of His Word. I've felt the impact of your prayers as God opened doors for us to reach people in unprecedented ways. Please know how deeply grateful I am for your faithful support of this ministry.
As I celebrated Christmas with my family, it was impossible to ignore the dramatic contrast between the beauty and joy of the season and the unfathomable pain in so many people's lives. For these people, the holidays only magnify their suffering.
But the wonder of Christmas is that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us! John 1:14 declares the good news:
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
And it is the Word of God that comforts the hurting:
"This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life" (Psalm 119:50).
Day in and day out, your partnership is helping bring this comfort to people enduring indescribable affliction. That's what Shades of Grace was founded to do - bring God's comfort, the Living and written Word, to those who are hurting. And with your continued support that's what we're going to keep doing.
, just as I am bold in presenting the hope of God's Word with others, I am going to be bold in asking for your help today. We want to squeeze every ounce of ministry possible out of the funds God provides, and it all comes down to the donations we receive in December. With your year-end gift of $20, $15, $30 or more, we will reach thousands more lives with the comfort of God's Word in 2010...touching people in desperate need of hope and encouragement.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts, which send the light and comfort of God's Word to the corners of the earth: "In the beginning was the Word...In him was life, and that life was the light of men."
May God bless you richly in the coming year.
Thanking God for You,
 Natalie Nichols
President,
Shades of Grace Ministries
www.shadesofgrace.org P.S. These next few days will make the difference. What friends like you can provide by year's end will determine how much we can do together in the coming year to impact lives for Christ. And just as a reminder, if your check is dated and postmarked by December 31, it is eligible for a 2009 tax deduction. Online donations can be made up until midnight on December 31st.
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Giving God the First 
Several years ago I began giving God the first twenty-one days of
the year through prayer and fasting. Scripture exhorts us in Matthew
6:33 to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...and then everything else will be given to us.
Perhaps you have goals, desires, dreams and resolutions for the New
Year. Maybe you have already begun submitting your requests to God for
the things you'd like to see Him do in 2010. Maybe He is asking you to
believe Him for certain results in 2010. Beloved, prayerfully consider giving God the first of your year in prayer and fasting and watch Him give unto you all year long.
Up until a few years ago, I - like so many other Christians - overlooked the significance of fasting. I
believed in giving God the first of my day, the first of my week and
the first of my income, but I was missing a vital element: the first of my year...
To The Top
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Lord, Teach us to Fast 
Today, as I pray and prepare for January's upcoming fast, I am posting a portion of a previous blog pertaining to fasting:
In Matthew chapter six, as Jesus is teaching the disciples about the
kingdom of Heaven - its laws and conduct - He mentions the word "when"
three very significant times.
Not If, But When
1. "When you give..." (v. 2).
2. "When you pray..." (v. 5).
3. "When you fast..." (v. 16).
Notice that He did not say, "if you give," "if you pray," "if you fast". He did not say "if" but "when".
Jesus made it clear that fasting, like praying and giving, is to be a
normal part of Christian life. We all know and believe in the
importance of prayer and giving. But sadly our approach to fasting is
that it is a dispensable thing - merely an option for occasional
implementation, if at all...
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Discover Natalie Nichols
& Shades of Grace Ministries
In the midst of severe
illness caused by undiagnosed Lyme Disease, Natalie Nichols came to rely
on God's Word to comfort and sustain her. Now through Shades of Grace
Ministries, she shares how you and your loved ones can experience God's comfort
and grace through life's trials.
Our
Mission
The core mission of Shades
of Grace Ministries is to lead others to seek and apply the Word of God in
every circumstance of life.
Our Vision
Shades of Grace Ministries
desires to see a world where every Christian walks by faith and stands
upon God's promises as found in His Word.
Watch Natalie's Journey
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In This Issue
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Piney Woods Country Club
3001 US 59 S
Nacogdoches, TX 75964
Invite Your Friends!
Registration:
$5 online / $10 at the door
Register online or by phone at 936.569.8741
Pre-registration required
for dessert. Pre-register
online by Tuesday,
January 12, 2010, 6:30 p.m. _____________
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Shades of Grace now on YouTube!
Visit our channel
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Visit Passionate
Visit Natalie
on Facebook. ________________
Follow Natalie. ________________ |
"Just
this morning I prayed - I was out of faith, gas, or hope. Your message
was my answer from God! It's like I'm just beginning to see who God
really is. This morning I felt like I was standing alone. Now I know
I'm not! Thank you, Jesus."
- P.F.
"I saw your post (Isaiah 58:1, "Like a Trumpet"). It is my desire that God would
develop me into that kind of man. Thanks for your boldness..."
- Kevin
"The day
I heard your testimony was a life-changing day for me. I have never
been the same since!
- Michele |
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