Growing Closer To God As Women

As a woman who attends church, you likely know that fellowship with other women is important in your walk with the Lord. If there isn't a program at your church, there are a few ways that you can start a Christian women's fellowship so that classes can be offered as well as activities that bring everyone closer together.

The first thing that you should do is define the type of ministry that you want to start. It could be one where you come together to pray over other people, to go through a Bible study series, or even to learn how to do something new, such as a craft, while learning about the Lord.

Think about whether you can lead the group or whether you should ask someone who has been walking with God longer than you have or who is in a better position to lead the group. You want the women to be successful, and if they can't relate to the woman who is leading, then they likely won't get any kind of blessing from the ministry.

Try to make a calendar of events that spans the course of a few months. Arrange a few special activities that include other members of the church as well as a few activities where the women can spend time alone together. Ideas include dinners that you can prepare together or collections that involve gathering items to donate to an organization in the community.

Make a plan that you can present to the church. Although allowing women to sign up for the ministry is an option, you should keep the ministry open to all women who want to be involved and who want to grow. Listen to the advice of others, and seek the assistance of other ministry leaders so that you can be the woman who the Lord wants you to be and who the women of your church need.

Review: VENUS by Joy Williams

Thanks to OnetoOne Network (#O2O) I've been listening to this new #JoyWilliams album quite a bit recently.  I am enjoying it very much.

You may know Joy Williams as one half of the four-time Grammy-winning folk-rock duo The Civil Wars. That duo broke up in August of last year, and Joy Williams is set to release her solo album VENUS on June 30th. 

VENUS tells an honest, human story of one woman’s journey out of darkness.  I haven't quite caught all the lyrics, and the one time I checked out the Official Joy Williams website, they were not available.  Even so, I have found quite a few that really grabbed me - "...gather up my fears and throw them in the fire."  "standing in the ache until the levee in my heart breaks."

The breakthrough for Joy in writing the songs for this album came when Matt Morris (co-writer and co-producer on this album) said to her, “You are so afraid to say anything wrong that you are risking not saying anything at all. You’ve got to be brave. If you’re feeling mad as hell, then we’re going to write a mad-as-hell song. If you’re feeling broken beyond measure, we’re going to write a broken-beyond-measure song.”  And so she did.  Joy actually wrote over 75 songs for this album, though only 11 of them made the actual album.  (I wonder will we see some of these in the future?)

I have enjoyed Joy's journey, as she starts with miles to go before she sleeps and finally ends up home.  Along the way she faces pain, heartache, and the impossibility of perfection.  She learns that it's OK not to be perfect, gives herself permission to feel all the things, and embraces the fact that it means so many things to be a woman.  It's a very personal album that Joy hopes people will find their own stories in, too.

The whole emphasis of my new album VENUS is I’m discovering what it means to be a woman. It’s not necessarily the things I was taught. It’s the things I’m learning on my own. The good, the bad and the ugly is all in there. To be strong and to be weak, and to be scared and to be bold, and to be angry and to forgive, and to be broken and to break open, and break through, and to be hurt and to do the hard work to heal. That’s the type of woman I want to be.

It took a lot of courage to expose herself to all of us in such a way - and so beautifully.  I love the haunting quality of her voice in some of the songs and the different emotions that the music brings forth. Overall, a lovely journey that I will be repeating.

Though I found something to like in all the tracks, I especially liked the upbeat, almost tribal feel of this song, Woman (Oh Mama):


Venus is available June 30. Get your copy on Amazon or iTunes.  I think you're gonna love it.

I participated in the Joy Williams Venus album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

Talk for a Change

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mira Sorvino has teamed up with The Allstate Foundation to encourage people to “Pass it On, Act & Learn” (P.A.L.) about domestic violence.



Facts about Domestic Violence:

• Each day in the U.S., three women die as result of domestic violence.
• More than one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
• More than three out of four Americans know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

Even so, few feel comfortable discussing the subject, and the Allstate Foundation would like to change that.

Let’s talk for a change - Visit the Click to Empower website and share a story about overcoming domestic violence or helping a “gal pal” in need, read others' stories, and help spread the word. Each person who shares a personal experience can be entered to receive a limited edition Tell a Gal P.A.L. t-shirt, as worn by Mira Sorvino, as a thank you for inspiring others.

Your Monthly Visitor Could Save Your Life

I remember reading a book by Christoper Reeve where he talked about stem cell research and the potential to hopefully be able to reverse spinal cord injuries in the future. I came away from reading his book thinking that the future really is in stem cell research, but still having mixed feelings because of the controversial nature of stem cell research, especially when we start talking about embryonic stem cells.

I recently found out about C'Elle and their less controversial approach to stem cell harvesting. The idea is that there are stem cells in menstrual fluid, actually from the lining of the uterus, that have many properties and characteristics similar to both bone marrow and embryonic stem cells. Women can collect their own stem cells with the C'Elle kit and send them to their laboratory for processing, isolation and cryo-preservation. What that means is that a woman can have potentially life-saving cells available should she ever need them. They will definitely be a genetic match for the donor, and possibly for her close relatives, too.

Stem cells are different than other adult cells. They have the potential to turn into many different types of cells. They have the potential to be used in the future to treat all kinds of diseases and potentially life threatening conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury. While there's no guarantee these cures will be found, statistics from the National Institute of Health suggest there may be over 700 clinical trials related to adult stem cells underway right now. I think they've only begun to understand what these cells can do.

Menstrual blood. Who knew? You've put up with your period every month for how long? Did you ever dream that it could possibly save your life? Is this something you'd like to do or is the C'Elle kit something you'd give to your daughters so they can bank their stem cells? You could give them an iPod, or you could give them the gift of life. Again.

Let It All Out

I got an email the other day announcing Fabulously40's first official bitch day. It sounds interesting. They want to bring women of all ages and backgrounds together to just let it all out. There will be prizes, too. Click the graphic to visit the site and find out more and register to participate. You know you have something you've been dying to bitch about.

Nurture the Mother-to-Be in Your Life

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. It can also be very stressful and uncomfortable, with all the added weight, changing hormones and various physical and emotional changes. Massage is a good way to help de-stress the expectant mom, as well as alleviating many of the uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy.

Aesthetic VideoSource’s new Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques instructional DVD series can help anyone learn to properly perform a prenatal massage. In the Prenatal Massage Video, instructor Meade Steadman demonstrates step-by-step how to provide therapeutic massage techniques that focus on the special needs of the mother-to-be as she goes through the different trimesters. “The massage should be very nurturing, very supportive,— says Steadman, “Keep in mind that what you do affects the mother and the baby.

Here's an excerpt from part 1:

Pregnancy Massage Video

Massage Videos | Pregnancy Massage

You can order Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques I (2 Hrs. 17 Mins.) for $54.95, and Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques II (1 Hr. 7 Mins.) for 49.95, plus shipping. Or you can order both videos for $84.00, a savings of 20%. Order by calling 1-800-414-2434 or visiting www.VideoShelf.com.

Why wasn't this around when I was pregnant?

Inside Every Woman

In a recent post I mentioned that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I've enjoyed the whole wife and mother thing and dabbled in a little of this and a little of that, but I haven't found a career that I want to pursue. I'm not sure if reading this book will help me decide what I want to do or just help me achieve it once I decide, but Vickie L. Milazzo has written a book for women listing 10 Strengths every woman can use to get the career and life she wants now. I really do like Promise 5: "I believe as a woman I really can do anything." And I'm interested in learning what these 10 Strengths are that I don't know I have. I bet I really can do anything.

Get your free "Inside Every Woman" bookmark by emailing your request to Vickie@InsideEveryWoman.com. The first chapter of the book - "5 Promises: Make These Promises to Unleash the 10 Forces Within You." - is also available for free on the website.