I love my life. I have incredible friends, a wonderful church, a great job, and ways I can serve. But unfortunately, like so many of us, I forget how big my blessing is. This morning I felt jealousy because I am “alone”— wanting to be...
In 1 Samuel 25, we see Abigail live out her calling to be an Ezer, or an essential counterpart, who comes alongside both David and her husband, Nabal, to bring strength and security. She partners with both men as she shields Nabal, her fool...
I am desperate for the Holy Spirit in my life. I daily feel the tension of the spirit and flesh waging war in my soul. I deeply desire to serve the Lord....
Ten years ago if you had invited me to a Bible study on sexuality, I probably would’ve thought that was weird. Growing up, the extent of information I was given from the Church about sex was that I didn’t need to have it. ...
The idea of “seasons” in a woman’s life was a concept that really resonated the first time I walked through the Ezer curriculum. The idea resonated because I knew personally how true it was....
In my Ezer group, one lady said that comparison is a thief of joy. I thought long and hard about how comparison is beneficial for me since I compare all the time....
Lending strength. When we think of this aspect of being an ezer, the unspoken assumption can be that, out of our surplus we, “the strong ones,” strengthen others, “the weak ones.”...
Kelly Swift has been attending Grace Church with her husband John for seven years. Mother of three, she has always had a special heart for those around her who are in need....
“We’re so glad you’re here! We’ve been praying for older women.” … Attending my first Grace women’s retreat, I looked around the table. Clearly, I was the oldest one there. She was speaking to me!...
Trapped. Disgusted. Hate. Discouraged. Frustrated. Frumpy. These are all words women have used in a recent survey to describe how they feel about their bodies. ...
How can one meaningfully come alongside those who don’t have access to healthy food and are undernourished? Would you be surprised to learn that in 2013 an answer could be gleaning?...
Owning another’s cause. This is the essence of partnering. The giving of oneself, sacrificially and through relationship, to promote and support the dreams, goals, and causes of someone else....
The ability to bring forth and nurture life is one of the great blessings of women. Yet, this encompasses much more than physical life giving....
To be an ezer naturally implies relationship. We invite, nurture, and partner with others. We do not ezer in isolation. Relationships require intentionality, particularly when we are engaging people outside our normal sphere of influence....
If your church no longer existed, would it be missed? Phrased another way,“Is your church essential in the community?” Is the body of believers that make up the local church so involved, so essential in the community that for them to leave would be a...
A woman struggles with spending too much money. She is an out-of-control shopaholic and it is wrecking her family’s financial health as she keeps going deeper and deeper in to consumer debt. Her husband has asked her to stop spending many times but...
Carrie was a hot-headed mom who yelled at her kids when they didn’t behave just as she wanted them to; then she became angry at herself for being angry with them....
“I’m throwing a neighborhood party next week. Who should I invite? Definitely the Smiths, the Williams, and the Goldmans; they are so much fun! Just my neighbors who I really like and know well. What about that new lady from up...
In the Bible, we see examples of women who did not live Spirit-directed lives because they were not following God. Their primary goal seemed to be to direct and manage everyone around them to get what they wanted....
When you don’t have time to say much or your words are limited, do you use your words to encourage or criticize? To build up or tear down? What is your legacy with your voice?...
I blew it…AGAIN! As we left the church parking lot, I was in a hurry to get to Lowe’s. This elderly couple in front of me had the audacity to drive five miles less than the posted speed limit. ...
In the midst of a recent crisis, God showed one of our readers how he can use all things for his glory and for good, even the most painful situations....
The definition of transition is a process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. Words used to describe a transition are passage, change and crossing. We transition from school to summer. For most, it’s a welcomed and...
She had so many things running through her head during the Ezer conference. She had spent years trapped in the guilt, shame and remorse she felt from sexual sin in her 20’s. Praise God that he had set her free indeed!...
He works so hard every day. She can’t imagine the pressure he feels from bearing the weight of his job along with leading his familly. Sometimes she is in awe of the godly man he is!...