Our world grows ever darker. Tomorrow students in high schools across the country are being pressured to participate in a day of silence in support of the LGBT movement. This evening, my mother brought up a shameful point: could we as believers or even conservatives successfully come to the board of a public high school and ask for an established day in support of traditional marriage? Of course not! Not even in the highly conservative region that is rural Pennsylvania!

Where are you Lord? Why have your allowed your creation to sink to this depth of dishonor? Where are your people?

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:5

What a promise John has for us in the opening of his epistle! The light has not been overcome by darkness! His name is still being faithfully proclaimed all over the world. In the church and in missions, yes, but ministry has flourished under the advancements of media.

I am always so encouraged by finding a new Christian ministry - woman's ministry in particular - for there is no greater feeling then discovering new sisters in Christ. I have been blessed by other blogs, devotional websites, magazines, and even the witness of famous sisters' Instagram posts. When we shine His light on each other, we are strengthened ourselves by simply the knowledge that we stand together. And that is why I would like to share some of these ministries with you this evening.

She Reads Truth

I stumbled upon She Reads Truth a little over a year ago through a friend's Facebook post, and I cannot begin to describe the blessing it has been to me! Both a website and an app, it is set up with a daily reading plan and a multitude of archives to explore and study. Presently, the SRT community is exploring the Life of Moses and how God worked His will through him. I am currently studying the Psalms of Gratitude plan, and would particularly recommend all of the Hymns plans and 1&2 Timothy. I am also looking forward to the start of Proverbs: The Way of Wisdom beginning Monday, May 2nd. Oh! And don't forget that a new phone lock screen is available to download every Sunday featuring a memory verse alongside their current reading plan. ;) Join the community of women at She Reads Truth and reap the blessings of this ministry.

"Sisters, by God’s grace, let’s spend our days in awe of the suffering Savior who poured Himself out for us. With careful words and reverent hands, may we proclaim the amazing and divine love of Jesus, our richest gain. And when our show is over, be it days or decades from now, may it have been always and ultimately about that wondrous Cross.





Set Apart Girl

I stumbled upon the Set Apart Girl website not three weeks ago! This magazine ministry - online and in print - is a branch off of Ellersie Ministries and is headed up by writer, speaker, and mother Leslie Ludy. While Set Apart Girl is not designed as a daily reading plan, there are many opportunities for devotional study and growth in the each article. The Collection of online articles are divided up into individual Themes such as Purity, Prayer, and Family. Additionally, the bi-monthly released Set Apart Girl Magazine is described as "rich with Scripture and life-changing spiritual depth...for women of any age." Set Apart Motherhood is a branch off of Set Apart Girl and houses encouragement in Christ-centered mothering specifically. In my study, I have only scratched the surface of the resources of this ministry, but it has all appearances as a healthy and encouraging resource.

"Proverbs 31 describes the most incredible picture of triumphant, womanly strength in the entire Bible. The Proverbs 31 woman lives a miraculous, superhuman, victorious, amazing, fulfilling, poured-out life. She is stunningly beautiful, dignified, and strong—stronger than every other woman around her. How does she accomplish something so astounding? The secret to her heroic femininity does not lie within herself. Instead, she relies on a power wholly not her own." 

- a quote from Leslie Ludy in her article "Heroic Femininity" studying the Proverbs 31 woman

The World and Everything in It

Now, this is not a women's ministry but an encouragement nonetheless. The World and Everything in It is a radio ministry through WORLD magazine. Half-hour broadcasts every weekday bring "honest reporting from a biblical worldview perspective." The program opens with a summary of the day's top news followed by two or three stories whether they be speeches, interviews, commentary, or the like.  Over a week, TW&E covers the latest Supreme Court cases and recent developments of the election campaign in addition to reviewing books and movies, reporting on the stock market, and applying it all to our lives as believers in this fallen world. This program has been a huge blessing to me, and I hope it blesses you as well.

A quick thought from a recent broadcast on gospel ministry:

" 'If you want someone to hear the truth you should tell them the truth. But if you want someone to love the truth, you should tell them a story.' "  - Andrew Peterson


Instagram

Even something as simple as an encouraging Instagram post can brighten your day. Let me share some lovely ladies' feeds with you briefly:

     The Robertson Ladies - @legitsadierob, @marykaterob, @bosshogswife (Korie), @missyduckwife, and the list goes on ;)
             Encouragement from these ladies is sweet. Amidst all their fame, they put the Lord first with family not far behind. I also love love love Mary Kate's blog at thelittleduckwife.com

     Gretchen Saffles - @lifelivedbeautifully
             Gretchen is a sweet mother, blogger, and writer who always has new encouraging posts rooted deep in the Word and in Biblical truths.

     Joanna Gaines - @magnolia and @joannagaines
             I'm continually blessed by the witness of Chip and Joanna on their HGTV show Fixer Upper. Watching Jo live her everyday life in honor of Christ, even if it is just through her pictures on Instagram, is beyond encouraging.

    Valerie Woerner - @valmariepaper
             Val owns an online paper shop that sells these lovely prayer journals. I have yet to purchase one myself, but I love reading her passion for prayer and thankfulness.


   
All these ministries and witnesses are a light for Christ and have been an encouragement in my life as I hope they will be for yours.

Confession, I have not read a book truly for pleasure for months and months. I know, what kind of English fanatic doesn't lie down and read herself to sleep? I'll have to lay my excuse on my schoolwork and be done. Just now - literally less than a minute ago - I picked up a good ol' religious fiction paperback and read the first sentence. That's all that I read. Suddenly this flood rushed over me like embracing an old friend and I scooted under the covers in anticipation of another world.