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GraceTouch
Facilitating global impact
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Greetings!
We are thankful for all God is doing, and for your faithful service for Him. May this be a season of rejoicing as you thank Him for His many blessings.
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What are You Wearing?
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By Sue Knight
 "Oh, is that what you're wearing today?" How many of us have heard these words from a well-intentioned close friend or loved one? We had put something on that we felt certain was just right for us only to discover that perhaps it wasn't "just right."
Imagine for a moment how it might feel to have the gentle voice of the Holy Sprit convey those words to you. Perhaps what you have clothed yourself in is something other than what was just right for you in light of Colossians 3:12-15:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
"What are you wearing?" was the theme of the recent Women's Leadership Summit in Blacklick, Ohio, as we were challenged by Margie Brubaker and her daughter, Charlanne Wolff. Although addressing leaders, the challenge is for all God's people.
Consider, first, what grace reveals when we wear it. How well we know ourselves, and being truthful in our self-awareness, contributes immensely to how we wear grace. Are we genuinely wearing the fragrance of grace (which is humility) or are we defensive and self-absorbed? These are deeply introspective questions that need to be honestly addressed if we are to clothe ourselves as described in Colossians 3 and be a gracious woman.
Knowing how to handle conflict is essential for a woman of grace. continue
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| Speaking of conflict management... |
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Do you know how to be a minister of reconciliation? Every believer is called to be one, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Our theme for Women of Grace USA this year focuses on what it takes to be a minister of reconciliation. In addition to the Women's Spectrum magazine articles focused on the topic, a Bible study on the topic is available. Entitled "A Call to All," the study can be purchased for $10 and there is no limit on the copies you can make once you've downloaded the study.
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| Good News! |
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In the last issue we announced that your gifts to partner with Women of Grace USA will be matched up to $2500. Another donor has come forward and offered another $500. Please help us take advantage of this opportunity and be able to receive the entire $3000. Gifts must be given by January 15, 2015. Thank you for helping expand ministries to women. Give now
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| Women's Leadership Studies Class Coming to California |
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Join us January 23-24 in Long Beach, California for the Spiritual Formation Class. We'll be examining the process by which Christ is formed in us.
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| PrayerWatch |
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Blessed Thanksgiving to all You Pilgrims!
An article from Nov. 2010 copy of Voice of the Martyrs caught my eye: "How I Met the Pilgrims" had been written by Tom White, director of this highly influential organization that brings Bibles, encouragement, and suggestions on how to pray for and support the persecuted church.
Tom shares how God's pilgrims have walked alongside him, providing love and care with prayer support. They visited the family when Tom was born two months prematurely. Sunday school teachers faithfully taught this "busy" young man. He spent time with the pastor's family when his own family was in turmoil, and the Wurmbrands visited him while he was in solitary confinement in Cuba.
Tom writes, "I have worshipped alongside God's pilgrims in a one-room church in the Louisiana swamp, in a house church in the mountains of Costa Rica, in larger churches across America. No pilgrim is "self-made" but has been helped by the saving glue of the Spirit of Christ in His people that held me together long before I began to worship with the persecuted pilgrims in Iranian apartments, Indonesian islands."
What pilgrims have provided the glue of the Spirit of Christ for you? Offer up prayers of thanksgiving for your fellow travelers, recounting how God has safely led thus far.
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| On Mission |
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A Women of Grace GO team is currently ministering in Cambodia. Click here to follow their journey.
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| Musings for Moms |
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Something to Be Thankful For
by Jen Fretz
As I sit on the back porch writing this article the trees are just glowing with Fall goodness! I absolutely love this time of year and all that it brings-the crisp air, the cozy nights, pumpkin everything, and a chance to look back over the year, as we start to wrap it up, and reflect on all that the Lord has done and provided!
Last month I wrote about a commonly found quote, "Bloom where you're planted." Another one has been on my mind lately, "There's always, always, always something to be thankful for." (Can you tell how I like to decorate?) I like this one because, well, it's just plain true! There is truly always something to be thankful for!
The Bible is chock-full of verses on thankfulness, but one that we all know sticks out to me. (read more)
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| Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace |
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Read an inspiring book lately? Want to write a review?
Christy Carmean, our regul
reviewer, has requested a break as she adjusts to life in Cameroon. Send your submissions to Cindy.
Review by Karen Harper
Because I write mystery fiction, my stepdaughter urged me to read Cold Case Christianity, in which a former homicide detective-once a "spiritual skeptic," now an evangelical Christian-examines the death of Jesus just as he would a cold case to see if the witnesses and claims could be valid.
It changed his life and makes for a fascinating, convincing and helpful read. His thesis is, "Yes, it is possible to become a Christian because of the evidence rather than in spite of the evidence."
Using forensic proof and relating past and present murder case examples to the Bible's explanation of the Lord's crucifixion, Wallace knocks down such accusations as (1) The disciples were wrong about Jesus's death. (2) The disciples lied about the resurrection (3) The disciples were delusional or (4) The disciples were fooled by an imposter. I especially was intrigued by the author's debunking of the conspiracy theory-that the disciples made a pact to all lie about Jesus's death. The author gives great information on how conspiracies just don't work over time. Remember that saying that "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead"? (more)
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| Mark your calendar |
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Opportunities coming up:
A number of Women's Leadership Studies classes are being planned in various regions in 2015. Check the dates below:
Cambodia GO Team, November 11-24 More
WLS - Soul Care in Leadership, January 16-17, Winona Lake, IN Registration
WLS - Spiritual Formation, January 23-24, Long Beach, CA Registration
WLS - Women and Scripture, March 20-21, Frederick, MD Registration
WLS - Women and Scripture, April 24-25, Cedar Rapids, IA Registration
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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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