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a sisterhood of hearts burning for Christ
Under his GLORY a fire will be kindled like a burning flame ~ Isaiah 10:16c
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January 2018
Dear Sisters,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in his paths," Isaiah 2:3.
There's only one direction we want to take in 2018 and that's upward. Upward in our walk with the Lord. Upward in our walk with each other and upward in our effectiveness to be light and salt! This month's devotional to walk in unity reaches much farther than our community. Walking in love and unity is one of the greatest tools to build His body and to reach the lost; "Love one another...by this all men will know that you are mine." Jesus' deepest desire is for us "to be one as we (Jesus and the Father) are one," John
17:22
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Talking about moving upward, we've launched a new arm of the women's ministry,
Crossing ActiveWomen.
Come join us February 3rd for a night of indoor climbing. And yes! You can do it! Sometimes a physical challenge helps us understand how to overcome spiritual challenges. All levels can participate. Come and join us, even if you've never climbed. You'll be surprised at your upward possibilities!
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Looking ahead, save the date for our retreat,
October 26-28, 2018
. Be smart and start your own "dollar a day" jar campaign. You'll be surprised at what you will save if you put your change (or a dollar) aside each day.
Knowing that He provides above all that we ask...continue in His grip,
~ Ester Smith
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| soul to soul, sharing our hearts |
Different, Yet United as One
Entering this new year our prayer as women is that the Lord's greater unity become ours. Being ignited as one, the Lord will fan us into a greater flame, thus bringing the warmth of God's love to the greater church body and becoming God's needed light to the dark world outside our walls.
The Body of Christ is very unique. It involves women from various cultural backgrounds displaying the true picture of the heart of our Heavenly Father. Our union with Christ and unity among each other brings about a greater purpose to our individuality. As we grow together, finding our place of function and service, this wonderful bond only becomes thicker.
"So, we being many are one body in Christ, and every member one of another. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them." Romans 12:5-6a.
Taking a look among ourselves, we'll see the beautiful rainbow of gifts being displayed in and by each person and ministry. From the Father's perspective, they all are functioning as one whole. One without the other would give an unidentified and unrecognized sound, but in harmony, each gift, talent and ability becomes a stream that flows together as one, in the beautiful river of the Spirit, causing our Father's heart to respond with shouts of joy over us.
"Through the grace given, everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But to think soberly, as God has given everyone a measure of faith." Romans 12:3.
Loving each other and being accepting of each woman's gift, demonstrates to the world we are followers of the Lord Jesus, as the Head. No one gift or ministry stands, or is fully effective on its own. These gifts are like rays of Light from the most holy place. As each gift is used in the bond of love, together, we are exhorting, encouraging and building up one another. It is in this context that the enemy of pride or discord finds no accommodation.
Women are magnificent builders. They have the capacity to corporately join the Lord in the building of His habitation among us. Peter puts it this way: "Coming to Him (Christ) as a Living Stone, we, too, as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house." 1 Peter 2:5. "Jesus Christ Himself, being the Chief Cornerstone," Eph. 2:20b. As we give the Lord His rightful place among us, He, with us, will cause "The whole body to be fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint(gift) supplies, according to the effective work in the measure of every part." Eph. 4:16.
The Lord Jesus often visited the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In their home, each person filled a unique place and assumed their respective roles of responsibility. Together, they functioned cohesively, making the Lord's stays very welcoming and comfortable. "There, they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Jesus. Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment." John 12:2-3.
Each of them used their gifts as an offering to make the Lord's visit one of complete satisfaction. Previously, Martha had felt overwhelmed and rejected as she served Jesus, but Martha since learned from the Lord the importance of being comfortable and thankful in her area of ministry (Luke 10:38-42).
Jesus helped Martha find significance in her role, and the problem she had with Mary was resolved. This time she served, Lazarus sat among others with the Lord at the table, and Mary poured out her very costly ointment in loving ministry upon the Lord, wiping His feet with her hair. Each member of the family together made the Lord's stay a welcoming one.
Here at the Crossing, each woman's gift becomes part of what unites us as one, regardless of the the differences in the gift. It is then that the Lord is welcomed, chooses to linger, and eventually finds His resting place among us to abide.
~ Yvonne Eason
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the word of the testimony
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Growing up in a Christian home, I felt connected with
God. At a young age, I prayed
and
knew
God had a plan for my life.
When I went to college, I fell out of touch with Him. Soon, I was out on
Saturday nights
drinking and skipping church.
I
put my time and effort into classes, swim practices and social life. Early in college, I
began
battling
depression.
During those times, I would turn to God, but
when
life seemed to be
going well
again,
I
stopped making time for Him.
Depression
returned, and again I sought God
and clung
to Him.
I was aware of my sin, yet I continued
in this way
.
This vicious cycle repeated itself throughout college.
The final push to seek out the Lord wholeheartedly and repair my relationship with Him came after some deep disappointments; my swimming career had come to an end, and I carried the pain of an unhealthy relationship.
Two weeks
after
graduating college, I went on a mission
trip to Guatemala and
experienced the love of Jesus in the
people
I
met. When I came
home from my trip, I was without a full-time job.
Anxiety attacks plagued me. However,
without a job, I had
plenty of sweet time with the Lord.
I endured a painful pruning process, where I began to see how I lived.
A
healing process
followed
when
I came to terms with my brokenness, and I realized there was only one thing
that could heal me.
My anxiety prompted me to meditate on
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you," but
I
ignored the verse preceding this one.
In verse 6,
it explains we must humble ourselves first.
I realized I needed to die to self, in order to live as Christ. I started to cut off everything that was keeping me
farther from the Lord.
While I was
still experiencing the anxiety
attacks,
that left me dizzy, drained and disoriented, I realized
I needed to relinquish all control.
It was at the
2017
Victory
Women's Conference
that
I had a supernatural encounter with the Lord.
I walked up to the stage, to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
At first, nothing
happened. I started to worry that there was something wrong with me.
Suddenly,
I felt a
buzzing in my arm, that
traveled
through my entire body, and I began
speaking in tongues. I failed to control my body and fell to
the ground.
The
tongues
flowed out of my mouth,
and the buzzing continued.
After some time,
I
was able to sit up and tears poured out of my eyes, because
I was overcome by adoration for
my
Glorious Father.
I
would never be the same.
That encounter
made me put my full trust in Him. I prayed to relinquish
all control to the
Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Three days later, I received a
phone
call
that answered my prayers, from the last 9 months, for employment. Despite all the
days I spent
disobeying
God,
He never gave
up on me.
Sisters,
our Father can take every situation and use it for His good
towards us.
~ Carly Deeter
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"We want to harvest the word of the testimony and allow it to grow and multiply in our hearts and in our midst."
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The Crossing Women's Retreat
October 26 - 28, 2018
Sandy Cove Retreat Center
North East, MD
Special Speaker: Charity Cook, Global Awakening
Charity has a heart to see the reality of His character and Kingdom manifested on earth!
More information coming soon!
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"Dollar A Day" Jar
Start saving a dollar
a day towards your opportunity to get away!
Put daily change
and
dollar bills
into a jar.
Begin planning now
for your spot
at the retreat!
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Crossing ActiveWomen!
Join us for a fun workout and great fellowship!
All levels welcome.
Everyone can participate.
Who: Crossing women who like to be active!
When:
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Time: Climb from 5-7 pm, Pizza & Fellowship follows
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