Sarah Stegall
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Called to Be His Bride
Our understanding of the kingdom of God takes a dramatic turn when we realize our first calling is to love and enjoy Jesus Christ. More than by fear or a sense of duty, our obedience to Him must be fueled by our love for Him or it becomes reduced to rigid orthodoxy and dead works.We are not heirs to an experience of lifeless doctrines. It is to passionate love, vibrant faith and boundless joy that we are called as the bride of Christ. -
Was That a Compliment.
Just before the holiday season our family traveled out of state to attend an interdenominational charismatic conference. My 3-year-old grandson, Christian, accompanied us, and when he saw me the first morning dressed in a new winter outfit, he was wide-eyed with delight and especially impressed with my red shoes.
Looking down at them and then at me, Christian exclaimed the words that blessed this grandmother's heart, "Oh Grammy, you look soooo pretty! You look just like a clown!"
High praise indeed from a 3-year-old!
--Cynthia Duerfeldt
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Yoo Hoo, I Have A Question
Years ago, toward the end of the hippie movement, my husband and I used to arrive with our toddler, Gail, at her prekindergarten class about the same time each Sunday morning. Almost simultaneously, a bearded young man with very long, flowing hair would deposit his young daughter, Tammy.
My husband, Tom, and I were taken aback more than once by how much Tammy's dad resembled the artist's rendition of Jesus that hung on the Sunday school wall. We sometimes couldn't help remarking to each other about it.
After our couples' Sunday school class concluded one Sunday, I went to pick up Gail as usual. Hurrying to the door, her teacher apologized, "I'm sorry, but during playtime just now, your little Gail and Tammy got into a scrap."
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Ten Lies the Church Tells Women
In the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, He confronted men's religious traditions and challenged their long-held distorted beliefs regarding the status of women.
Men and women in the church have made some progress toward a more balanced view of gender roles. However, there is still a great deal of fear and confusion associated with the topic.
Freedom for women to serve God with their gifts is liberating to men rather than threatening. Women desire to utilize these gifts for His glory, and it is wasteful and disobedient not to permit them the opportunity to do so.
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From New Age To New Life
As a child it was no big deal for me to see visions or angels, experience the future in dreams or hear the voice of Jesus.
But after college I married, stopped going to church and stopped talking with Jesus. When my marriage failed, I sought out a psychologist who had "just the thing" for my sensitivity--a research program at a local university for "people like [me]."
The program, under a Defense Department grant, involved a core of psychics. By day I taught Spanish and senior honors English; by night I reported to the lab, working on everything from mental telepathy to "remote viewing," murder cases and mind control.
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Women Transforming the World
Prophets and those who are sensitive to the currents of the Spirit of God are calling this a new era in the church in which women of strength and anointing will arise and step into the roles God has ordained for them.
Women after God's heart, "spiritual mothers," will not be hindered by anything in this hour. Rather, they will stand poised, fearlessly awaiting God's direction and enabling to accomplish His work.
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Real Kids
Both my 3-year-old adopted Chinese daughter, Jessica MeiLan, and I love clothes. As a stay-at-home mom, I'm always looking for a bargain, especially since I buy for my daughter first.One Saturday I came home from a yard sale with three denim jumpers, two shorts sets, and a princess-waisted floral dress of pastel pinks, yellows, and blues--all for only $13!
I could hardly wait to wear my "new" dress to church the next day. Usually the church women notice new dresses, and I waited, expecting compliments. But none came my way.
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The Ingredients of the Anointing
Under the old covenant, the anointing oil had one exclusive purpose. In a symbolic act of consecration, it was poured out on prophets, priests and kings and on the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and all the individual utensils that were employed in the worship of God.
It was compounded according to strict instructions, and although its ingredients were earthly, everything about it was rich in sacred symbolism. Any vessel thus anointed was set apart for a holy purpose and calling unto the Lord.
Everything in Moderation
At the tender age of 6, I was greatly influenced by television ads. After seeing a Brill Cream commercial numerous times that claimed one could have beautiful hair with just "a little dab," I decided a whole tube would be even better!Delighted to find the miraculous salve in our bathroom, I anointed my head with all of it. After I had finished, I revealed the new me to my surprised parents.
After multiple shampooings, it became obvious that the cleansing process would take time. For weeks whenever I ventured out in public, I wore my Easter hat, a scarf or other head wear to conceal my finely greased hair.
A Woman’s Place in Christ
For centuries the church has come under the influence of cultural norms whereby women have been held to second-class status. There has been gross misunderstanding of the role of women in society and the church and a marked refusal on the part of many to acknowledge our accomplishments. God is holding His church to a higher standard than the world's. He is calling for us to embrace the giftings of women and to appreciate the place they occupy in the heart and mind of God.
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