A NOTE FROM CHRISTINE

Welcome to Daughters of Promise!

You know what? Many Christian women believe that they are God’s daughters, but have somehow lost the wide-eyed wonder of a child. The ability to create, play, or receive love and affection has been compromised or lost altogether. Through sheer grit and determination, many try to live up to impossible expectations. Sadly, the result is often anger and confusion. I know. I’ve been there.

I am called, through this ministry, to help women discover the heart of God. It begins as they understand that they must come to Him as a child. I believe that God’s affinity for children is important to grasp. The child is presented as a spiritual model throughout the gospels. Why is this? Perhaps it is because a child has an innate ability to understand Kingdom principles. Perhaps it is because a well-adjusted child lives empowered, as one who knows intuitively how to be creative, resilient and discerning. Or, perhaps it is because a child knows how to trust with complete abandon.

God's hand of favor is on this ministry. Through the work of the Spirit, women are being transformed. Scripture is presented as the living revelation of God, rather than as an abstract textbook. Second, biblical passages are personalized through my willingness to be transparent. Third, my own example becomes the nudge that often persuades women to begin trusting God as a little child. Once invited, God then enters their lives to begin the process of re-parenting.

Come, take a look around. Sign up for the devotionals. Listen to some music. In whatever ways we get to share this journey, I'm grateful. May God breathe over us today.

Expectantly in Jesus, Christine

IS DAUGHTERS OF PROMISE COMING NEAR YOU?

Christine may be coming near you in the remainder of 2008. Experience a Daughters of Promise Event and learn how to lived life loved as a cherished daughter in the kingdom. Attend a Personalized Prayer Mapping Training Event that will enlarge the parameters of your spiritual life.

Click Here to see her itinerary.

Next Fall, walk the hills of the Von Trapp Family Lodge and meet God on a path, under a tree, or in a stone chapel just a short ways up a hiking trail. This prayer event, for women's leaders, is designed to take you to the depths of your spiritual appetite.

Click Here for information on this most unique spiritual retreat. The 2008 brochure is available for download on our Von Trapp page.

CHRISTINE'S DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE

Are you missing a devotional? You can get it by visiting her devotional archive.

Paste the following link into your browser.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/
fs083/1101883982656/archive/1102148287714.html

Devotionals are saved for 100 days for your enjoyment.

RECENT DEVOTIONAL

A RUDDER AS SMALL AS AN OAR

Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. James 3:4

If asked to design a mechanism to steer a huge ship, one might think that it would take something equal in proportion. Not true. A rudder as small as an oar will do the job on an ocean liner.

James wants me to know that the tongue does the same thing. It may be little but it is able to wield the power to shape a life. Friends are won and lost by it, careers ruined or advanced, families encouraged or undermined, and goals reached or sabotaged by the consequences of the words one speaks. When a Christian is controlled by the Spirit of God, his words are divinely crafted, and the outcome of his speech will accomplish something congruent with the calling on his life.

At various times, a daunting situation may present itself in my life. It seems to threaten, spiraling to a point where it will soon be out of control. I wring my hands and wonder how to stop the momentum. Then, James reminds me that what is missing is the proper use of my tongue. I have abandoned speech for silence and in so doing, allowed something dangerous to germinate and grow. It's time to use my words as a rudder. The large 'ship' of unpleasant circumstances might just be re-directed if I speak strategically with God's truth. My word may be unpopular but how much better to stop a runaway train at the beginning of its journey. Sometimes what appears to be tolerance wrapped in mercy is nothing more than enablement wrapped in fear.

How much of what we suffer today is due to what we have chosen not to address? For any peacemaker, this is the challenge. Sermons abound about the tongue getting us into trouble. However, just as often, the absence of speech can do the same.

May God be our instructor - showing us when to withhold our tongue - when to engage it - and how to shape our lives with Spirit-crafted words.

I accept the challenge in front me, Lord, to influence a challenging situation for the kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.