Our Vision for 

  Whispers of Grace

     Immediately after hearing from an angel that she would bear and raise the Son of God, Mary took off for a visit to her older cousin Elizabeth who was known for her godliness. {Luke 1:39}

      Needing something bigger than the false gods of her youth to believe in, the young widow Ruth insistently followed the lead of Naomi back to Bethlehem. {Ruth 1:18}

     Compelled and forgiven by the radical love and acceptance of Jesus; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna , and many other women responded in love by rallying around Him to serve sacrificially. {Luke 8:2&3}

     Sisters who once lived in variance, Martha and Mary , found their identity and unity in Jesus, who values the minds and gifts of women. {Luke 10:38]

      As the early church emerged, the Apostles urged older women to take the lead in teaching the younger women the things of God. {Titus 2:3}

     In the spirit of Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, Naomi, and many others, our calling two millennia later is still the same: "Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

     As sisters, daughters, wives, and mothers we fill many roles; yet who will encourage us? Who lovingly tends our wounds or shows us the way? We need Spiritual Mothers! They are the older and spiritually mature women in our lives who have experienced victory in Christ and are not afraid to admit their own fears and sins. They are the Elizabeths who have seen God at work and can empower young women to glorify God. They are the young Mary's who can say, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Women who put their trust in God and follow Him, both young and old, have much to offer other women on the journey toward God honoring womanhood. Spiritual Mothers of all ages abound in our congregation.

     Whispers of Grace is a weekly devotional ministry which will give women an opportunity to nurture each other in study and break through generational barriers. Readers are encouraged to send comments and queries to the various writers. If you find the "devos" to be helpful then please pass it on to a friend!

     We are encouraging women to find their identity in Christ, not this world and its deceptions. We are giving a platform to wise and Bible saturated women, not women who are just good at writing. We are seeking after God as sisters in Christ - together without worldly rivalry. Dare to listen to the Voice of the One who saves, "as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts...." {II Peter 1:19} May our words simply be whispers in your ears of God's irresistible grace made available to us through Jesus.

To God Alone Be the Glory,

Barbara Gardner

Ladies,please email to me any devos that come from your personal time with God, random insights from the Spirit which connect with a biblical concept, or an original poem or creative inspiration that is public domain.

barbsgardner@aol.com