Women of Promise

     I absolutely love a good planner. Especially a pretty one with plenty of room to write things down. There is something calming to my soul for me to be able to see the patterns come to life as I write down the daily meal plan or the weekly activities.       There are three main places in the Torah where God lays out Israel’s religious calendar: Exodus 21–23 Leviticus 23 (and Numbers 28–29) Deuteronomy      Each one gives us a slightly different perspective on the same sacred calendar. In the same way the Gospels tell the same story of Christ from different angles, these passages show us the same sacred rhythm with different emphasis. One emphasizes covenant. One emphasizes worship and sacrifice. One emphasizes remembrance and obedience. Each unique emphasis gives us a fuller picture of His divine perspective.        Leviticus gives us the priestly perspective. It focuses especially on worship, offering...

        Do you like to work jigsaw puzzles? Growing up, my grandmother and mom loved to work large jigsaw puzzles. I’m talking 500, 750, 1000  piece puzzles. The week between Christmas and New Year was traditionally the time where we had a table devoted to a large puzzle. Inevitably, we would all be pulled into it at some point in the week. Sometimes we finished it, sometimes not. It was left out on the table and we would spend hours pouring over it. Gradually, the beautiful picture emerged, as the pieces came together.       What is the first step in putting the puzzle together? After pouring out some of the pieces, you first have to turn over the pieces to see the pattern on the front, right?       Our spiritual journey in understanding the Bible is similar to working a puzzle. We are gradually gaining a better understanding of the beautiful picture that will become increasingly more clear to us as we place ea...

     C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying that Psalm 19 was "the greatest poem in the Psalter, and one of the most beautiful lyrics in the world."  I am not a judge of literature, but I tend to agree with him! Have you read this Psalm recently? It is only 14 verses, and does not take long at all to read.  While it is very beautiful to read,  it is more than pretty words.  This short song draws our hearts to the Creator and His law, ultimately turning our hearts and minds to repentance and worship.  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.               Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.                             There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.                        ...

    Amy Carmichael was a Christian missionary to India.  She is most known for her work with the women and girls, many of whom were left at the Hindu temples.  She rescued girls of all ages from a life of prostitution and started a home and school where she taught them the love of Jesus, while also providing love and care for their physical needs.  Facing opposition from the priests and families, and even other missionaries, Amy served in India for fifty-five years. The last twenty of those years she was mostly confined to her bedroom due to chronic pain and immobility she suffered as a result of a terrible fall. She wrote many poems and books. Her home for girls is still in operation. Her work is continued by the girls she rescued and raised along with others sent by God to help. I encourage you to read more about this inspiring Christian lady, if you are not familiar with her.    I love to read and learn about Amy's life, as well as her many poems an...