Today's Christian Woman articles from May 2009

Today's Christian Woman archives from May 2009

We all know somebody.(between us)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... I have a friend whom I believe is being abused by her husband. They're newlyweds. Every time my husband and I meet this couple for dinner, we're shocked by the way he treats her and by the way she withdraws to become a woman we don't...

From our blogs.(chat room)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... One of the reasons we love our Walk With Me blogger Holly Robaina is that she's brave. In a recent post, she admitted that she's a party-faithful Republican who voted for McCain in our recent presidential election, but that she's now...

From our pages.(chat room)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... In "Capable, Called... and Exhausted," author Cheryl M. Scheir challenged all of us who have superhuman self-expectations to give ourselves a break. It's okay to aim lower, she said. And readers breathed a sigh of relief and rejoiced: ...

Devo.(Stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "A friend loves at all times, and a [sister] is born for adversity." --Proverbs 17:17 As women of faith we should draw near to each other as we draw near to God. Sincere friendships aren't based on...

Go fetch!(CALENDAR)(National Food Drive )(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] May is National Food Drive for Homeless Animals month. On your next trip picking up food for Fido and Fluffy, grab an extra bag and drop it off at your local shelter.

Share what you can spare.(CALENDAR)(blodd donation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... June 14, 2009, is World Blood Donor Day, devoted to thanking blood donors around the globe. When you give blood, local agents often show gratitude by giving free gifts such as pints of ice cream, sweatshirts, or jackets. To find a donation...

5 secrets of successful couples.(ROMANCE)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. There's value in just showing up. When things get tough, hang in there for your spouse. 2. Approach problems from a new angle. If you don't, you'll find that doing what you always do brings the same results....

You can do missions from home.(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The possibilities for supporting missions from home are endless--and more exciting than just writing a check. Arts and Crafts Support: Quilters, seamstresses, knitters, and anyone wielding a needle and thread...

All star dad: looking for something different to give for this year's Father's Day?(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Here are some options: * Why not give your spouse encouragement that will last 365 days a year? Sign him up for the "Play of the Day" e-mail from AllProDad.com. Family First has partnered with NEE coaches, players, and retirees to create...

You said it!(stuff you should know)(prayer)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... "Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A woman is powerful on her knees."--Corrie Ten Boom

Flower power.(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Having fresh flowers or greenery around the house reminds me of God's infinite creativity," says interior design expert Leah Richardson, author of Interior Wisdom: Designing Your Home and Heart for the Lord...

Fasting 101.(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... If you've contemplated fasting as a means to draw closer to God, consider these three methods. A dry fast. You don't eat or drink anything. When Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai, he stayed for 40 days, undergoing a dry fast. (Note:...

Money pain.(COMMON CENTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... According to April Hussar, managing editor of Betty Confidential.com, readers experience three side effects of recession-induced financial worries: "Anxiety, embarrassment, and pain." Apparently God understands, because throughout Scripture,...

Going green.(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adopting just one of these ideas this summer will make a lasting difference to our world. Rein in Energy Use. Make a habit of turning off lights not in use. The flip of a switch not only saves energy-and oil,...

Chorus of the Saints.(THE MUSIC BOX)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Chorus of the Saints by Revive While touring with Revive in Australia, members of the Grammyaward-winning band Third Day were impressed by the quartet's musicianship. They encouraged Revive to come to the U.S., where Third Day's lead...

Kari Jobe.(THE MUSIC BOX)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kari Jobe by Kari Jobe After starting her singing career in church at the tender age of three, it didn't take young Kari long to realize what she wanted to be when she grew up--a worship leader. Her exposure to...

Next Step.(THE MUSIC BOX)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Next Step by Melissa Greene All the songs on this Avalon member's newest solo project were either chosen or written during a heartbreaking time for Greene's family--the diagnosis and eventual death of her 32-year-old brother-in-law from...

Chocolate vs. kissing.(stuff you should know)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You've probably experienced intense happiness while savoring a Dove bar. But did you know it even beats smooching with your honey? Dr. David Lewis, a British neuropsychologist, monitored couples' heart rates and...

Confessions of a Supergirl.(EXCERPT)(Excerpt)
May 1, 2009... My friend Melissa gave me underwear that says "Supergirl" on the back. I wear them because I'll never turn down a good pair of panties. One morning my son Jack burst into my room as I was changing clothes. As I hurriedly hiked up my pants, he...

A Lifetime of Wisdom.(3 TO READ)(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2009... A Lifetime of Wisdom by Joni Eareckson Tada (Zondervan). In the 40 years since a diving accident left: her a paraplegic, Tada has gathered many "rubies" of wisdom. She shares them through inspiring stories of her difficult journey, such as a...

Shaped By Faith.(3 TO READ)(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2009... Shaped By Faith by Theresa L. Rowe (Guideposts). This certified fitness professional shares 10 principles that can change not only your physical being, but your spiritual health. As each chapter unfolds, Theresa shares her personal story of...

Katt's in the Cradle.(3 TO READ)(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2009... Katt's in the Cradle by Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell (Howard). The four desperate pastors' wives are back in this third and final novel in the Secrets from Lulu's Cafe series. This time they deal with Family squabbles, church conflict,...

Outliers.(THE ONE {everyone is talking about})(Book review)
May 1, 2009... Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Why do some people succeed far more than others? While conventional wisdom points to raw talent, intelligence, and ambition, author Malcolm Gladwell proposes an...

Team players.(real love, real sex)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My husband loves to play sports, but it eats up a lot of our family time. Do I have a right to demand that he quit? I used to watch my husband, Greg, play on a men's softball team, but eventually I stopped and...

When he has a headache.(real love, real sex)
May 1, 2009... My husband isn't interested in having sex any more. What's wrong? Depressed male libido has become a commonly reported issue. Several explanations are possible: 1) As a man enters his 40s, 50s, and beyond, his libido often declines...

Q: What's the difference between "seeing sin" in someone else's life and confronting it, and having a critical spirit?(great question)
May 1, 2009... A: The key distinction between recognizing behavior that's ungodly and passing judgment on others is the posture of our heart. Are we aware of other people's mistakes because they trust us and have confided in us, or have we appointed...

Disobedience.(what I'm learning about ...)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'm learning disobedience to God can make a person fat. A while back I baked brownies for the new family next door, but only after I felt God telling me, You're not a very good neighbor. So I planned to deliver...

TCW talks to ... Kathy Ireland: the former model shares openly about faith, modesty, and self-esteem, and how she's building all three in her kids.(Today's Christian Woman)(Interview)(Cover story)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For most people the name Kathy Ireland conjures one image: a blue-eyed, auburn-haired woman with killer legs modeling a swimsuit. Indeed, beginning in 1984, Kathy appeared in the pages of Sports Illustrated's...

I was a failure at prayer: and what I learned because of it.
May 1, 2009... Ever since I became a Christian, I've worried about praying. Should I pray to God the Father? To Jesus? To the Comforter God sent to advocate for us after Jesus left our world? Should I favor unmistakably sacred topics--gratitude, praise,...

Let's give him something to talk about: 7 ways to get beyond "yup" and "nope".
May 1, 2009... While we were dating and early in our marriage, Steve and I talked for hours, sometimes late into the night. As the years passed, however, he backed off. When we did talk, we ended up arguing, or it seemed he kept conversations superficial. I...

A world apart: a Middle Eastern Jew and an evangelical Christian. Were our differences too great to overcome?
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was the kind of relationship I'd expected to come to a crashing halt at any moment; our differences were too great, the similarities too few. Yet there I was, leaving my two young children, boarding an airplane...

The year I became a total hottie: what I saw looked great. Who I was needed work.
May 1, 2009... I grew up fat. Never to the point of having people stare at me on the streets, but fat enough to have well-meaning people say, "Such a pretty face, if only she would lose 20 pounds." By the time I'd reached my 40s, I'd spread almost...

When someone you love is abused: what you need to know and how you can make a difference.(2009 Cause of the Year: COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)
May 1, 2009... She could be the mom you always bump into picking up your kids from school. Or perhaps you see her every week at the gym or during Bible study. She might be sitting a few cubicles down from you at work. She may even be a family member. And...

A library for a needy neighborhood.(she's making a difference)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In her affluent Chicago suburb, Sandy Welch's children attend excellent schools. They have access to more books than they can read, and the majority of students in their district read at or above grade level. The...

Moms and our supposed-to-be's.(CONVERSATIONS)
May 1, 2009... Caryn: Recently my friend Ron asked, "What's your theory on why Christian moms, especially younger ones, don't feel free to do their thing, regardless of expectations of their elders, their pastor, the women at church? Why are they so...

It's so worth it.(MOMS SHARE)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Recently I decided to surprise my 11-year-old daughter, Brooke, by showing up for her lunch break. In the back of my mind, I worried she might not be excited for me to turn up unexpectedly. I know the drill for girls that age--they have the...

Cut costs, not fun.(mom's the word)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From camps to family vacations, pool memberships to summer childcare, this time of year puts additional pressure on moms to spend, spend, spend. Here are four tips for a great, yet inexpensive, summer. 1....

The mommy stretch.(mom's the word)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lifting 50 pounds of little throughout the day can leave your shoulder and back muscles tense and achy. Here's a quick stretch you can do anywhere. Sit as straight as you can--imagine someone pulling you r...

Fake IDs.(mom's the word)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Congratulations to our Mom's the Word columnist Caryn Rivadeneira. Her first book, Mama's Got a Fake I.D., just released from WaterBrook Press.

Talk back!(mom's the word)(parenting)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... * What life lessons are you trying to teach your kids? * What tip(s) do you have to make mom-ing easier? Tell us about it in 100 words or less. E-mail us at tcwedit@todayschristianwoman.com. Put MOM in the subject line.

The secret of satisfaction.(meeting God)
May 1, 2009... I've always been intrigued by the idea presented in The Arabian Nights, when Aladdin finds the lamp and a genie permits him a wish. It makes me wonder what I would choose if given such a choice. Since I've never been wildly wealthy, the first...

The ministry of Karaoke: yes, it's true. You can find Christian community in a silly night of song.(one more thing)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I had no intention of attending Karaoke Night--it kind of happened by accident. And I had no idea that the silly, song-laden spectacle would turn out to be one of the highlights of my trip. I was on the TCW...