“Once there was a garden…” and one day there would be “the internet.” As a result of both, there came forth a woman with a story to tell.
In April there arrived in my inbox an email from a woman in Australia named Cheryl McGrath. She too is a blogger, the courageous heart behind Bread for the Bride. Months earlier she found Wellspring of Life in internet-land which in turn introduced me to her writings.
Her email extended an invitation about which she asked me to pray, and today it is my pleasure to announce Cheryl’s launching of a new joint venture blogsite, Ishshah’s Story (www.ishshahsstory.com). Along with Cheryl, I and two other women – Melody of Meanwhile Melody Muses and Pat from Women for the Nations – are The Four Amigettes serving this collaborative effort to which Christ has led us.
Each of us four women bring to Ishshah’s Story deep love for the Lord, abiding trust in His Word, and a desire to be transformed into the bride of His heart. We all have found and are continuing to find as we journey on with Him in our own life story that He loves to hear our voice. Together, we are speaking. (And now that He’s got us talking, He can’t shut us up! 🙂 )
But, Ishshah’s Story is not just about us four women. It is about women all over this globe who love, serve and follow Jesus Christ. There are others whose courageous and triumphant voices need to be heard as well. For this reason, the Lord used Cheryl McGrath as fertile soil in which to plant and cultivate the vision of Ishshah’s Story. In her own words:
“Together we are going to explore, learn, communicate, contribute and discover what extraordinary creatures we women can be when we are actively encouraged to blossom into all we are in Christ.
Ishshah’s Story grew, the same way many ideas do, out of two ingredients: vision and frustration. For many years I’ve nurtured a vision to see Christian women functioning freely in Christ on totally equal terms with men. The frustration came with a growing realisation that there’s so much discussion around this issue (and that’s a good thing!), but still multitudes of ordinary women worldwide remain limited in roles and stifled in their spiritual giftings due to gender bias that finds its justification in what I believe is an incorrect interpretation of certain Biblical passages.
(Not a girls’ blog only) …we’d love nothing more than to have the support and input of our Christian brothers who care enough to come alongside as Christ’s female followers emerge from almost two thousand years of gender bias within organised Christianity.
There are many bloggers contributing to the discussion on gender equality in the church, and doing it well. You will find some of them in the Resources Section of Ishshah’s Story. I wanted to move beyond the discussion. I wanted to establish a practical avenue that would assist women, perhaps women who have never before been given a platform, to find their voices in a safe and affirmative environment. Ishshah’s Story is the culmination of that desire.
So Ishshah’s Story will be an online hub where we hope you (yes, that’s right you, shy little lady hiding behind the keyboard) will eagerly share your beautiful offerings for the edification of Christ’s Body. Nancy, Pat, Melody and I will facilitate, moderate, encourage and contribute out of the depth of our own journeys, but you, your gifts, talents and journeys, will be the main event.
We are inviting you to send us your original articles and creative input that will glorify Christ and testify of your journey as you have been learning what it is to overcome in Him. We’ll also be celebrating the female heroes of the Christian faith, past and present, and offering in depth teaching on vital scripture passages.
You’ll find all the guidelines on how to be part of Ishshah’s Story on the blogsite. Be sure to take your time and have a good look around, and consider following along with us.”
– Cheryl McGrath
“What she said,” is the most appropriate introduction I could give to Ishshah’s Story! The site is filled to the brim with much for both women and men to explore, discover and learn.
It is a privilege to be a part of the Ishshah’s Story leadership and editing team. I still marvel months later how the Lord brought the team together – largely because He was hearing His voice being given expression in our own spheres. It’s a small world after all…
Now that you have that Disney tune stuck in your head (you’re welcome! ) – come on over and check out Ishshah’s Story. Don’t hurry through. If you must leave for a bit (to make dinner, fold the laundry, put the kids to bed, go to work…) please come back and linger a while longer.
Your comments are welcome. And be sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines, your entry point to being a voice or finding your voice in Ishshah’s Story.
Along with Wellspring of Life, Cheryl’s Bread for the Bride, Melody’s beautiful photography and poetry to heal the heart, and Pat’s Women for the Nations website is teeming with Christ’s offering of Life.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!”
Let the one who is thirsty come;
and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Revelation 22:17
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