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GraceTouch
Facilitating global impact
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We can watch helplessly while lives disintegrate around us, or we can find Christlike ways to reach out in the chaos. This issue offers a variety of ways that you and I can reach out and make a difference in the world.
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Living after Suicide
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By Stephanie Fish
"I think many Christians don't help survivors of suicide because they don't know what to say."
My mind tells my feet to hurry, but my feet drag. I am already late for a Women of Grace meeting and I have papers to pass out. It is all I can do to hold the tears back. My thoughts drift ... I was able to contain the turmoil inside of me for an hour while talking with newly bereaved parents.
I was doing okay. Well, that was until I was safe in my car. That is where wave of emotions swelled in my eyes and started streaming down my cheeks. I think I helped them. I desire to help them. And they are Christians! So, what in world is wrong with me?
I am now at the door where the meeting is being held. I wonder if people will be able to tell I have been crying. Of course they will! I slide quietly into the house and find an open chair. Thankfully, they are just getting started. What I have to offer isn't until near the end of the meeting anyway.
I fight back the tears as a story is shared from a young gal's trip to Haiti. I have been there; I know the poverty, the suffering. And a recent death and grief were mentioned of an older lady from our group. I know grief from death is all around. I am just simply able to deal with it better most of the time. I feel like going into a small room, closing the door and just screaming! Screaming from the depths of my soul--a gut-wrenching scream and groans that only the Holy Spirit can interpret--that would release it all. Then I would be better. But, I certainly can't do that. (continue)
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Women and Scripture Class - Winona Lake, IN
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 This weekend (September 19-20) the Women and Scripture class in the Women's Leadership Studies series will be offered in Winona Lake. If you would like to attend but have not yet registered, e-mail Cindy or call 260-246-0398. The class is Friday 6-9 pm and Saturday 9-5, and the cost is $80 (or, if you bring a guest who has never attended a WLS class before, you both get a discount and pay only $60 each). These classes count toward the Certificate in Women's Leadership Studies in partnership with Grace Seminary.
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| Women's Leadership Summit - Columbus, OH |
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Great news for those who are attending the Women's Leadership Summit  in Columbus, Ohio, October 17-19. The Summit has been approved for a CEU credit toward the Certificate in Women's Leadership Studies; you only need to pay the $10 processing fee! There are only a few days left to get the early bird discount on your registration. You won't want to miss this chance to get to know other women who have a passion to serve God. [Click here]
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| Introducing the Cambodia GO Team |
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Pray for these ladies who will ministering in Cambodia in November: Cindy Bushen (Warsaw, IN), Jamie Hartley (Brookville, OH), Pam Hostetter (Elizabethtown, PA), June Immel (Warsaw, IN), Brandy Mayes (Brookville, OH), Sallie Miller (Shippensburg, PA), Virginia Reagan (Windsor, SC), Cathy Simms (Wooster, OH), and team leaders Mandy Swain (Warsaw, IN) and Miriam Pacheco (Winona Lake, IN).
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| Ministers of Reconciliation |
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"Ministers of Reconciliation" is our theme this year, and there are several ways to examine this topic with other women or on your own:
- The Women's Spectrum magazine is full of articles on the topic. (order here)
- A Bible study, A Call to All, is available for download for $10. Once you have purchased the file, you are welcome to make as many copies as needed for the ladies in your group.
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| Released - Follow Our Blog |
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Are you following our blog? We want to use our blog, Released!, to share various perspectives from women on what God is teaching them. If you would like to contribute a short blog post, please submit it here, along with your name and phone contact information.
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| Help Us Celebrate |
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Have you been blessed by the ministry of Women of Grace/WMC? As we celebrate 75 years of ministry, would you consider giving a special gift of $75 to help us keep this ministry alive and vibrant? Give now
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| Musings for Moms |
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When a Child Hurts
by Jen Fretz
Well, my girl made it through her first week of first grade, but not without a bump in the road. On the third day of school, I waited patiently with my 3-year-old at the bus stop for bus 136 to bring Gwen home. I chatted with some of the other parents while Lewis played in the grass. Once the bus pulled up we migrated to the curb to greet our sweet ones, anxious to hear how their day went. Several kids came off the bus, found their parents and went on their way. I waited...and waited....no Gwen! Our bus driver, still getting to know the kids and their families, asked if I was waiting for Gwenyth. "Uh, yes" I said. "Somehow they put her on another bus. She'll be here in about 10 minutes after that driver makes his rounds."
Ok, no big deal, I thought. She's fine, and what's another ten minutes? But after about 20 minutes I started to get just a little concerned and called the school. ( read more)
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| PrayerWatch |
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We are called to pray for Israel's deliverance. Form small groups of two or three to offer up humble petitions of faith for the peace of Jerusalem. You can use the simple outline from Daniel 9 below, or the more detailed prayer from Ann Graham Lotz.
- Daniel 9:3-6: Daniel confesses Israel's rebellion and disobedience against their great and awesome God that had brought on their suffering. Confessing our own sin before God, let us pray effectively for Israel to turn to their merciful and faithful God, to heed the message of God's prophets.
- Daniel 9:7-13: Daniel acknowledges God's righteousness and truth established through His prophets. Taking heed to our own obedience, pray for a return to obedience of His Word, not only for Israel, but for the entire world.
- Daniel 9:13-19: Daniel begs the Lord to turn away His wrath from God's holy city, forgiving their sin, mercifully delivering Israel from their enemies on all sides. Pray for Israel's deliverance from the many vicious enemies who have vowed to destroy them.
- Daniel 9:17-19: Daniel intently begs for God to hear the prayer of His servant. Thank God for His attentive ear to their cries for help, for His promise to restore and save (Ezekiel 36: 2).
- Thank God that one day Jesus Christ will rule and reign over the nations in perfect righteousness and justice, and that Israel will be saved in a day (Zechariah 12:10, Isaiah 9:6-7).
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| Soul Custody |
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Review by Christy Carmean
We welcome Christy back as our book reviewer after a few months off to move their family to the Cameroon, where her husband Jason will be opening a Bible School that will train men to be pastors, (there are over 50 Grace Brethren churches, and 4 trained pastors), and Christy is learning French and helping their three children transition into the culture.
 Life is about choices. Every day we make choices that affect our lives - choices about what to eat, which job offer is the best, which relationships are really worth our time. Whether we realize it or not, every choice is a decision for the life or death of our soul. As Smith contends, "Caring for your soul is about waking up to live before you die." "Soul Custody" is an invitation to accept life-giving choices that promise to revive your soul...This is not a book of easy steps to a happy life. It is a book about the challenging choice to embrace God's dream for you. It's an invitation to start living - to take custody of who you truly are. ( more)
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| Mark your calendar |
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Opportunities coming up:
WLS - Women and Scripture, September 19-20, Winona Lake, IN Registration
Ohio Leadership Summit, October 17-19, Columbus, OH Details
Cambodia GO Team, November 11-24 More
WLS - Women and Scripture, April 24-25, Cedar Rapids, IA
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| What's going on? |
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with Women of Grace USA
Check our Facebook page to see some of what God's been doing among women through Women of Grace USA.
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| Help a friend |
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If you enjoy GraceTouch, why not share it with your friends? It's as easy as clicking Forward email at the bottom of this page, or forwarding it through your email program. And it's free! |
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