Interview With Cindy Swanson

Cindy Swanson interviewed me on Valentine's day about CWO and The Mom Complex for WQFL/WGSL Radio's “Weekend Rockford.” She sent me a link to the podcast today, so for those who have asked me about it, you can listen today.

The Power of Prayer

Looking back at my recent posts, I see that God has placed the topic of prayer heavily on my heart. It seemed that every morning I'd wake up with yet another thought that would revolve around prayer. If I wasn't thinking about prayer, then I was thinking about those who need prayer--Emma, Kelli, Laurel's husband, CWO readers, my friend Carol... and the list goes on.

While God laid a burden on my heart for prayer, He also directed me to Exodus where I began to understand that there is a battle being fought around us and unless we continue in prayer, we are letting the enemy get a foot hold. Every time that Moses put his arms down, the enemy prevailed. I decided it was time to press on.

Bible reading has always been an important part of CWO, but yesterday I decided that prayer needs to be an equally as important--if not more important--part of who we are online. So I opened the prayer room.

I'd like to invite you to join there whenever you feel led to join us in prayer:



Even if you are not a blogger, you can be involved--have a ministry from home. I've written more about ways that readers can help at this page:

Happy New Year!

For many, the new year represents an opportunity to start fresh. With an open door and a clean slate we step forward in hopes of fullfilling our dreams and leaving the past behind us. I did just that on New Year's Eve, 1976 when I asked the Father to cleanse me from all unrighteouness and to make me a new creature in Christ. I am that new person today because God bestowed grace upon me. And because of that grace I was washed of my sin and given the Spirit of adoption into the family of God.

Just like the many diet plans that have failed me, and the many resolutions I've broken, I've found myself failing and broken and returning to God. Without His unfailing grace I'd be lost because this life has shown me over and over again again that I can't do it without His help.

Few author's have written as much about grace as Liz Curtis Higgs who says, "I'm on a mission to help women see that God's unconditional love expressed through his mercy is not based on our performance, on our goodness, on our worthiness, but on HIS atoning sacrifice, on HIS goodness, on HIS worthiness. Grace is simply a gift. We can't add to it or subtract from it, and we dare not refuse it when we need it so desperately."

Liz is at CWO this month to talk about her newest book, Embrace Grace, her recent trip to Scotland, and some of those Bad Girls of the Bible, as she chats with Heather Ivester in the "Book Buzz." She's an amazing woman who's smile lights up a room, and who's words shine light on hope.

In looking back, you'll find human frailty, in looking forward you'll find hope. This year embrace His grace, and let your hope be found in faith.

Check out CWO this month to read Heather's interview with Liz and all of the regular columns including a new one for Baby Boomer women by Allison Bottke.

Largest Ring Surf

Dear Diary,

I just peeked into ring surf this morning to check our stats, and "Wow!" I found out that Christian Women Online has the largest blog ring on Ring Surf with a whopping 775 members and growing.

I remember the night I started the ring, I needed three bloggers in order to start, so I asked my sister and my niece, and I put myself on there. Three names sat on an otherwise blank page, mocking me telling me that this thing would never grow to more than maybe five people.

Then I remember when it reached about 75--I thought wowzers, that's huge (well maybe I didn't think the word "wowzers"--it was probably far more sophisticated than that). Anyway, never did I ever think that the blog ring would grow to what it is today and keep growing.

If you're looking for some awesome Christian blogs, our blogroll is the place to find them. I've been blessed by so many of the awesome writers, and Christian Women that I've met through it.

Wowzers! Visit the blogroll at CWO: http://www.christianwomenonline.net/Blogroll.html

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