To Be: Gifted

Gifted: 1. endowed with great natural ability, intelligence, or talent 2. revealing special talent

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:6-8)

The good news about this week's to-be word is that you already are gifted. Yay! The point this week is to live out your gifting - intentionally, obediently, joyfully.

Because it's easy to know in concept that God created us all with unique gifts and passions and abilities. But it's another thing altogether to identify those gifts, to cultivate those gifts, and to seek outlets for using those gifts.

Read a FREE chapter from Leslie Vernick's book The Emotionally Destructive Relationship

Chapter One: What Is an Emotionally Destructive Relationship?

One day, unable to contain her pain any longer, Terri blurted to her husband, John, "I would rather die than continue to be married to you." Stunned, John could not fathom why Terri felt this way. He believed they had a good marriage. They were both Christians, loved God, and loved each other, or so he thought.

Yet what felt like a good marriage to John felt like death to Terri. For years she tried to be a good wife, meeting John's needs, loving him as she thought a Christian wife was supposed to love her husband. John loved Terri loving him, and she did it well. John was completely unaware, however, that Terri felt unloved by him.

Throughout their marriage, John was confident, Terri was less sure of herself. Believing that his way was the best way to do things, John embarked upon a mission of helping Terri do things the way he thought she should. At times, John was harsh and gave Terri the impression that her own methods, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and desires were not as wise or as helpful or as spiritual as his.

Sometimes Terri spoke out, but over the years, she found it easier just to keep quiet and go along. She often received affirmation from other Christian women for her quiet and gentle spirit. Eventually, John's overbearing manner undermined Terri's fragile self-esteem and her ability to stand up for her own thoughts and feelings. She began to believe that if she thought or felt differently than John, she was wrong. Over the years, little by little, the person God created Terri to be disappeared.

To Be: Prayerful

Prayerful: inclined or given to praying frequently; devout

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB)

Priest and writer Henri Nouwen once wrote, "To pray is to listen to the One who calls you ?my beloved daughter,' ?my beloved son,' ?my beloved child.' To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being."

What Christian doesn't want that type of experience? And yet, most Christians I know admit to not praying as much or as deeply or as trustingly as they desire. We get caught up in the day-to-day details of life and feel too busy to pause for this conversation. We watch our prayers seemingly go unanswered and grow frustrated ? and sometimes silent.

Amy Grant shares her thoughts on Mother’s Day, her growing kids, and her ailing mom

Today Amy Grant releases her first new, non-Christmas music in five years, a four-song EP in celebration of Mother's Day called She Colors My Day. Recently TCW chatted with the mother, philanthropist, author, and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter about the holiday and the people she'll celebrate this coming Sunday.

How do you and your family celebrate Mother's Day?
One Mother's Day I fixed a big lunch for my family. It took an hour and a half to prepare and they plowed through it in about five minutes. I thought, I'm never doing that again. And I haven't! A couple years ago, inspired by my husband, Vince, my kids asked what I wanted to do for Mother's Day. I said, "I want us all to go out to the country. I don't care if you're talking to me or running around, I just want to be in nature and away from everything electronic." And that's what we did.

As a mom, it's just nice to feel like you have the day off. I'm glad for a day to think about my mom and to think about how being a mom has enriched my life. It's a learning curve that never ends.

Why our tears honor this day just as much as our Hallmark sentiments

I don't often want to deck someone within 20 seconds of entering church. But that's exactly what happened about this time last year. I was visiting a friend's large, seeker-friendly church with her one Sunday morning in May. A gregarious man greeted us at the door and wished us both a hearty "Happy Mother's Day!"

As we smiled our wary thanks and walked into the church's lobby in search of coffee, I whispered to my fellow childless singleton friend, "Doesn't he know that not everyone who owns a uterus has actually used it?"

Okay, so maybe I didn't want to deck the guy. I appreciated his kindness. Really. But it also felt as though in our 20-second exchange that he'd found a bruised place on my heart and pressed his fist into it.

My uterus is 37 years old and to date has never held any babies. That's because I've never been married, never been pregnant, never been anywhere near becoming a mom. Most days this doesn't bother me too much. But sometimes it does - moments I remember with wistful humor that episode from TV show Mad About You when pre-mom Jamie told her husband Paul about a child who was so cute it made her uterus hurt.

Yes, some days I know that ache.

Download a FREE song from Sarah Reeves' debut album, Sweet Sweet Sound

Worship leader. Song writer. Gifted artist. Prayer warrior. Prayer needer. Advocate for her generation. Intercessor for her generation. Next big thing.

Sarah Reeves has been called all these things, and with good reason - the 19-year-old Alabama native is a complex composite of each of these traits and so much more. Born into a family of musicians, Sarah knew from an early age that music would be her career. Although Sarah was content to lead worship out of the limelight, anonymity was not to be her lot in life.

Writing sessions with some of Nashville's most sought-after songwriters - including Jason Ingram, Ed Cash, Mia Fields, Scott Davis, Ben Glover, Cindy Morgan, and Marc Byrd - resulted in more than 70 finished songs from which to assemble her debut CD, Sweet Sweet Sound. There's an abandonment in her songs that compels listeners to dive deep into worship with her.

"I have one goal and one true destiny," Sarah Reeves declares with an urgency that's palpable, "and that is to bring people to the heart of God, to help them understand His love, His mercy, and the freedom and power of worship. My goal is to lead the nations into His arms. That's my calling."

Free song download: "Come Save"

Buy the album: Sweet Sweet Sound

Visit her site: www.myspace.com/sarahreevesmusic

What loving our neighbors looks like in these tough financial times

My notion of the Good Samaritan's story was so mired in flannel-graph memories that I nearly missed it when I found myself in the middle of this scenario. I didn't realize at first that my business-owner friends were my bruised and bleeding neighbors. That I had the chance to be the Good Samaritan. And that ministry could happen with potstickers and cheese plates.

You see, I eat out a lot. Nearly every Thursday night you can find my friend Kathryn and me at the Thai restaurant that splits the difference between my apartment and her lingerie store, Knickers. We're resident/retail neighbors in the quaint downtown of our Chicago suburb. And we're also regulars at several of the restaurants in our ?hood.

It's not that we have so much extra money to eat out with, it's just that as working-girl singletons, we've found these end-of-the day gatherings at our local haunts to be a source of much-needed community. And we typically just order appetizers to keep both the cost - and, when we're good, the calorie count - low.

A couple days ago I counted 13 motorcycles on the road during my 10-minute drive home from work. This morning I saw a robin perched on a tree outside our office. And posters advertising warm mochas have been replaced by ones for icy Frappuccinos at my local Starbucks.

Sure signs of Spring, if you ask me.

Maybe it’s because our offices are in the Chicagoland area, where winter lasts roughly 27 months, but we’re all really excited about the arrival of Spring.

So we’re wondering, what signals the arrival of Spring to you?

Why we’re asking the wrong question about Rihanna and Chris Brown

We've gotten the story wrong.

"We" being the media and anyone who's discussed the unfortunate story of singer Chris Brown's alleged beating of his girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

Exhibit 27: Last week's People magazine just landed in my work in-box this morning. The cover sports a big head-shot of Rihanna with the headline "Rihanna's Nightmare."

Exhibit 28: Earlier this morning I watched a Today show segment talking about how Rihanna is reportedly back with Chris Brown, how Oprah publicly challenged this move, and how Rihanna is apparently at risk of losing some of her endorsement deals over this decision.

Join the conversation about our Cause of the Year: Combating Domestic Violence

We were floored by the huge response to "My Abusive ?Christian' Marriage," our first 2009 Cause of the Year article posted on our site several weeks ago. To date, 171 people have posted comments at the end of the article, mostly saying "this is my story too."

We're glad we're covering a topic that obviously needs more attention in Christian communities. But we're also heartbroken over the large number of you who have lived through such pain - or who still are enduring it.

To keep that conversation going and to make sure it yields helpful information for everyone, we have a question for those of you who have escaped from abusive situations: What went right in that process? What did your friends, family members, Christian community, or pastor do right in helping you find hope and freedom?

Share with us so that those still stuck in an abusive situation can learn how best to navigate this tricky terrain, and so that those of us who love these women can offer the best help possible.

Several weeks ago we asked you to send pictures of what winter looks like in your corner of the world. Last week we ran our U.S. winter photo album. This week we offer a global view of winter. Thanks to all our readers who sent us pictures!

(Click on the thumbnails below for a larger image.)

From Terry in The Netherlands:

From Zoran in Macedonia:

From Bonnie in the Philippines:

We asked what winter looks like in your corner of the country, and here's the beautiful winter wonderland you sent us! Stay tuned next week for our gallery of international photos.

(Click on the thumbnails below for a larger image.)

From Patricia in Michigan:

From Karen in Tennessee:

From Jennifer in Florida:

From Thelma in Kentucky:

Finding romance in what is—and what isn’t

I'm in my kitchen trying to ignore the dark chocolate Toblerone bar calling my name when I hear it. A jazz trio. I listen closely for a moment to try to figure out where it's coming from. My neighbor on that side of my apartment had been playing Sinatra earlier, so I suspect him - but no. This is live - and, I finally realize, coming from one of the restaurants across the alley.

I open the back door to the deck that wraps around our apartment building and listen briefly to the jazzy tune. As I refill my water glass, the reason for my kitchen trip, I suddenly blurt out, "God, how awesome would it be to have a man to pop out on my deck and enjoy this little moment with?"

What does this season look like in your corner of the world?

"So that's what winter looks like!" my friend Sandy wrote me in an e-mail a couple weeks ago. I'd stopped at an intersection on my way home from work that day, snapped a picture of the fresh Chicagoland snowfall with my Blackberry, and e-mailed it to this California friend. She went on to tell me that it was 63 degrees there. I admit my slightly frozen self started coveting.

But I also started wondering about what winter looks like in other parts of the country - and world. Not just the scenes from the Weather Channel and the evening news, but the personal glimpses of this frosty season. And who better to enlighten me than you?

Here's the deal, we want you to send us a snap of what winter looks like to you. Is it your ice-covered car? A lineup of your kids' boots near the back door? A bank temperature sign reading 72 degrees? A snowman your family created? A beautiful pastoral scene that practically sings of God's creativity and glory?

Above, I've posted the view out my office window to get us started. There's a fresh layer of snow out there. But my window-sill hula man (my "winnings" from our office white-elephant gift exchange this past Christmas) speaks of my hope for spring.

Send us your winter photo at tcwedit@todayschristianwoman.com. Please put Pictures of Winter in the subject line - and include your first name and state. As soon as we get enough shots to share, we'll post this seasonal photo gallery. We'll even give a special prize to our favorite shot.

Until then, whatever winter looks like in your corner of the world, we hope you're enjoying it!

Rethinking the look—and sound—of true friendship

I never knew snoring could sound so sweet. Or that what I was listening to was the sound of true friendship.

I was at my friend Kathryn's house recently, enjoying some impromptu Friday night workweek detox. I'd arrived on her doorstep wearing mismatched sweats, carrying my slippers in one hand and a mindless chick flick in the other.

She heated a gourmet frozen pizza and fished some veggies and dip out of her fridge. Soon we were settled onto her overstuffed couch munching on dinner and trading stories about dates, deadlines, and dreary weather.

When we were talked out, we popped in the movie. And a half-hour later, I heard a funny little sound at the other end of the couch. Snoring. Kathryn was out.

How downloading new worship songs can help create freedom from poverty

Some of the most well-known and well-loved worship leaders of our time - Paul Baloche, Darlene Zschech, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, and many more - have a new project you need to know about. They've recorded a new 14-track album of worship songs, and ALL proceeds of the project go to ministries that help people find freedom from poverty. Listen to the music and learn how you can get involved in this movement of creative compassion below:

Nabbr.com

Do you have a Jean-Luc or a Big Earl?

Most days Jean-Luc is perched on my dining-room chair, at the ready whenever I might need him. He’s reliable, entertaining, and helpful.

Jean-Luc is my laptop computer.

My mom has a weekly encounter with Big Earl. He waits for her just outside the back door.

Big Earl is the big plastic trash container she and my dad wheel out to the curb once a week. When not at the curb, Earl hangs out back with Vern the Urn.

And why you, as a woman, should too

"I'd just be voting for the lesser of two evils anyway," a friend of mine said one recent afternoon, explaining the reason she plans not to vote in the upcoming presidential election. "And since Obama is our senator, we know the state will go to him anyway. So why bother voting one way or the other? It wouldn't make any difference."

A year ago I might have nodded along with her. But not now. And hopefully never again.

I’ve learned I can bring him even my doubt and distrust.

It was one of those prayers that come with tears.

It was a while ago, and I was lying in bed before falling asleep - the space and time when I often assess the day with God. Looking back at my successes and failings, hopes and hurts. Asking for forgiveness, for help, for hope in our sometimes-jaded world.

The latest issue of Gospel Today magazine features five women pastors on the cover. LifeWay Christian Stores has pulled this issue from its shelves, citing conflict with Southern Baptist beliefs.

What do you think about this move? Do you agree or disagree with the bookstore chain’s decision?

Whose job is it?

In a recent issue of Today's Christian Woman, I wrote about the lessons I learned on loving "the least of these" when I volunteered with an English as a Second Language class. Spending my Wednesday nights in a church basement with a room full of immigrants from around the world was a funny, rewarding, and eye-opening experience.

I learned about the needy living right in my backyard, as well as the blessing and challenge of working with a government-funded ministry. The teachers could talk some about matters of faith - mainly in a cultural and historical context. But as a volunteer, I was free to speak about the hope I have in Christ.

Christians have long disagreed on the role of the government versus the role of the church when it comes to caring for the needy among us. And in this election season, as political conversations finally focus less on the historic candidates and more on the issues, this tricky topic is back in public discussions.

Getting beyond race, gender, and teen pregnancy as we discuss this fascinating election season

Last night at a local restaurant over a plate of fou-fou cheese and fruit, my friend Kathryn and I discussed a woman we'd never even heard of a week earlier. That's right, Sarah Palin.

Somehow over the past few months, the issue of politics has worked its way into my friend's and my usual chatter about work and men. And we ran some of our first political coverage in the current issue of TCW (see our sneak peek below).

Even though Kathryn and I aren't uber-political, how can we not discuss politics when the past week alone has been pretty incredible: Obama filled a stadium to mark history as our first African American presidential candidate. McCain picked a woman as his running mate. And that woman's unmarried teenage daughter turned out to be pregnant. No matter your interest level in politics (or lack thereof) or your party affiliation (or lack thereof), there's been plenty to discuss.

Olympics reflections both sappy and snappy—and a sneak peek at our interview with a gold medalist

I'm an Olympics junkie. So, as of last Friday night, I've officially become a couch potato. But it's for good causes: world peace, stunning displays of sportsmanship, and those wondrously sappy "Olympic moments."

I watched the opening ceremonies at my friend Melody's place. She and I munched on Chinese takeout, her cleverly appropriate dinner suggestion, while we oohed and aahed at the eerily smiley drum corps, the world's largest LED screen, the gorgeously embroidered costumes, those crazy green Christmas light people. And Lin Hao, the nine-year-old Chinese boy who survived the Sichuan earthquake and then rescued two of his classmates. He made us cry.

Sure, accomplishing 11 things at once is impressive—but sometimes doing 1 thing is even better.

The realization hit me as I was sitting alongside the sleepy bank of Lake Ellyn, enjoying the Fourth of July fireworks earlier this month. I—and the crowd nestled around me—was marveling at the sparkly display in the dark, humid air above. The event was a delightful little slice of Americana.

Except for all the cell phones.

When I glanced around, I realized my two friends were fixed not on the sky, but on the tiny little screens in front of them. One friend was snapping pictures of the fireworks for her out-of-state kids to enjoy. The other friend was texting her boyfriend in hopes of catching up with him later that night. Several nearby teens were engaged in similar electronic activities.

What a stinging comment taught me about my own need for grace

I don't know why the comment stuck. But three days later, it was still working me like a splinter—tiny, painful, and annoying.

It happened when I was at a local coffee shop with married ladies from my church. As a single woman, I always appreciate being invited to join them, but I also fortify myself on the car ride there. Sometimes in this gathering I feel like an outsider—because of either my own insecurities or their remarks. Tonight was the latter.

To inspire you in The TCW Walking Challenge

Walking through my neighborhood the other day, I recalled a quote by Henry David Thoreau I'd recently read: "An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." Granted, it was 2:30 in the afternoon (I'm not a morning person), but I certainly resonated with the blessing component.

I felt grandness in being part of a long tradition of walkers. And not just walkers, but keen observers who recognize the hidden blessings in simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Looking for a fun getaway for you and "your girls"?

The Girl's Get-A-Way Cruise is an all-inclusive, women-only trip that includes worship services, workshops, concerts, dining, lodging, and more. Grab your sister, mother, daughter, girlfriends, or church group and join TCW's Camerin Courtney and Ginger Kolbaba for this spirited women's retreat at sea.

February 5-9, 2009
Mobile, Alabama to Cozumel, Mexico

Click here for more information.

What I’ve gained from life’s disappointments

I was misled. In fact, many of us were as we grew up in our mainline churches and listened intently to the flannelgraph stories of Moses parting the Red Sea, the little boy with the loaves and fishes, and the wavy-haired Jesus who smiled throughout. The stories were all so nice and tidy and happy.

As we sat cross-legged sipping juice and nibbling graham crackers, well-meaning adults told us if we were good boys and girls and didn't disobey our parents, life would be happy. If we read our Bibles and prayed enough, life would be good. And we believed.

Then we grew up.

Making the most of multitasking

I'm afraid some of my neighbors know me as "That Crazy Walking and Talking Woman." You see, whenever I walk in the evening, I process my day's events. I think and talk to myself—sometimes audibly. I don't mean to talk aloud; I just get really wrapped up in my thoughts—and, thankfully, distracted from my uncomfortable sweating.

I especially love walking with another person, so there's someone who'll talk back. On an afternoon stroll with my friend Stephanie not long ago, we were so busy catching up on her family and my recent breakup that we sailed through our 20-minute workout.

Tales of a recovering pessimist

I'm not exactly sure when I realized I'd become a pessimist.

Maybe the thought occurred to me when I caught myself saying "Of course" after any unfortunate event—a paper cut, a parking ticket, a pen stain on my freshly dry-cleaned pants.

Or when a guy who showed romantic interest in me turned out to be married, and I told a friend, "It figures. I knew something had to be wrong."

I don't know which of these—or several other—comments tipped me off about my Eeyore tendencies. But I knew the pessimism had to stop.

My challenging first days of the TCW Walking Challenge

After reading posts from all you who've joined me on this journey, I'm encouraged and empowered to know you, too, are huffing and puffing in your living room or neighborhood. To encourage you in turn, here's a peek at my first week:

Sunday: I have a disagreement with my boyfriend, so I walk to work off frustration. Not the prettiest reason to work out, but I'm thankful for any motivation! After a long winter, I revel in the fresh air—even though I'm bundled up for the still-frigid Chicago temperatures. I walk to a nearby lake, affectionately dubbed "My Happy Place," where I sit on a park bench and call a friend on my cell phone. I know sitting and chatting aren't exactly aerobic activities, but I rationalize that I'm pacing myself. Thanks to my friend's encouraging words, the peaceful scenery, and my exercise-induced endorphins, I return home calmer and happier.

Take the first step today.

Something wasn't quite right. I was watching a workout DVD while sitting on my couch—and eating.

In my defense, I'd stopped home for lunch during my workday, and popped in the DVD as research. I'd just interviewed fitness guru Leslie Sansone for the "TCW Talks to . . . " article. I figured I should see her demonstrating her hallmark walking-centered workouts before I wrote her story.

But I felt silly just sitting there—resting my feet on my coffee table and munching my turkey sandwich—as Leslie and her five fitness buddies were working up a sweat on my TV screen. So I put down my half-eaten sandwich, stood up, and started walking along.

How you’ve inspired us with your compassion and generosity

We had high hopes for you. And you haven't disappointed us.

When we launched TCW's first-ever Cause of the Year in our January/February issue, we knew we were taking a risk. Articles that focus on difficult issues are always a tough sell. And we selected a huge, complicated issue to tackle this inaugural year: sex trafficking.

We were inspired to take this risk because we know women today want to make a difference in the world. Thanks to the Internet and an increasingly global society, everyone's more aware of the disease, genocide, famine, poverty, and other difficulties in every corner of the planet.

What packing up my grandpa’s possessions taught me about my things

I'd never even peeked into my grandpa's closet before last month, when my mom and I flung the doors wide and took out sweaters and dress shirts one by one. We packed a few of the items into a duffel bag to take to his hospital room—and the rest into big black garbage bags to give away.

We didn't even know where we were moving Grandpa; we simply knew he wasn't going to get well enough to stay here, in the assisted-living apartment he'd moved into three years ago after my grandma had passed away. A week and a half before Christmas, a stroke had paralyzed the left side of his body. So while he fought to regain strength as he lay in a nearby hospital bed, I fought to hold back tears as I folded his shirts and pants, gathered his belts and shoes.

After a week in Cambodia, I'm different—and want to stay that way.

This is a story of God's grace. Grace that played out in a Phnom Penh conference facility, in a small Cambodian church, in my parents' guest room, and, ultimately, in my heart.

The first act of God's grace on my short-term missions trip three weeks ago was our team's safe arrival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after 20 hours of flight. Four members of my church and I were there to work with one of our church's missionaries, who'd launched a publishing company in Phnom Penh in 2004. Our team was staging a four-day conference; one member would discuss sound business practices with the publisher, while the others would teach graphic design or editing. I was to teach writing.

How I’ve made peace with my weepiness

I admit I'm a weepy woman. I've been known to cry not just at friends' divorces, relatives' miscarriages, and my grandma's funeral, but also at airport reunions, Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-TV movies, breakup ballads, and long-distance telephone carrier commercials.

I used to feel sheepish about my weepiness. When I'd laugh so hard tears streamed down my face, friends would stare, confused, and ask, "Why are you crying?" The first time I cried in front of one college boyfriend, he looked at me as if I had three heads and oh-so-helpfully asked, "What am I supposed to do now?" A former roommate would quietly escape the room whenever my phone conversations included tears.

All these experiences left me feeling a bit like an overemotional freak. So I donned my daily coats of waterproof mascara, kept my secret stash of Kleenex at the ready, and tried my best to hide my tearfulness from the world.

How I’ve learned that being one is a precious privilege and an awesome responsibility

The question has stayed with me for nearly three years. It pops up in my consciousness every now and then like a buoy, making me a bit uncomfortable. But I'm learning that's not such a bad thing.

When I first heard the question, I was in California visiting my friends Sandie and Estera, two women I'd met the year before at an overseas conference for women in Christian publishing. Since my friends were both missions-minded and poised at crossroads in their lives, I knew we'd enjoy stimulating conversation about life, purpose, and direction. I couldn't wait.

Why admitting that is actually a great display of strength

Linda is retiring next month and moving out of state. I'm happy for her, but sad for me. Over the past 11 years, this wise Christian woman walked me through family frustrations, work woes, bad breakups, and bouts of depression. She supported me, challenged me, frustrated me, and prayed with me.

And at the end of each time together, I wrote her a check. Because Linda is my counselor.

I started seeing Linda more than a decade ago to help me sort through a serious dating relationship. The guy was ready to talk marriage; I wasn't so sure. My head told me, Don't pass up this great guy, but my heart felt no peace about moving forward. After months of exhausting everyone around me with agonizing questions—"How did you know you wanted to marry your spouse?" and "Which should you follow: your head or your heart?"—one kind friend finally suggested I might find it helpful to meet with a Christian counselor.

Why do I feel like an outsider at many women's ministry functions?

The evening was supposed to be encouraging. Instead it ended with tears - mine.

My mom and I were attending a women's ministry event - a weekend retreat dubbed an escape. To us busy career women, this sounded like just what we needed - time away from the daily grind. And connecting with one another on this getaway was the biggest draw of all.

So on a Friday afternoon we flew to this national conference anticipating encouragement, togetherness, and a sense of belonging to the larger community of Christian women.

But by Saturday night I simply felt invisible.

Hearty congratulations to singer/songwriter and former TCW cover girl Sara Groves on the July 13 birth of her daughter, Ruby Cate Groves. Ruby joins big brothers Kirby, six, and Toby, three. Check out TCW's 2006 interview with Sara, "The Gift of Doubt," as well as our sister site's coverage of this thought-provoking artist.

My humble Sunday morning home has turned out to be a surprise blessing

They talked about it being a sacrifice.

Those of us who decided to be part of our church's new satellite location would give up the comforts of our modern building, complete with banks of windows and a cool steeple, in a chi-chi Chicagoland suburb.

Instead we'd meet at a tired community center in the one-block downtown of a nondescript 'burb. We'd gather there for a year or two - until the nearby building we purchased underwent a transformation from a business into a church.

As Ruth Graham passes, we recall and celebrate her faithful legacy.

She was a remarkable Christian woman. The daughter of missionaries. A preacher’s wife (make that the preacher’s wife). The mother of prodigals. The author or coauthor of 14 books. A guest of national leaders. A recipient with her husband, Billy, of a Congressional Gold Medal. A woman of outspoken humility and unshakable faith.

Ruth Bell Graham died at her home in North Carolina yesterday, surrounded by her husband of 63 years and their five children. She was 87.

Recently I spent my Saturday night sitting in the bleachers of a parks and recreation building on the outskirts of Chicago, rooting for Hoosier Mama and Georgia O'Grief. It was a roller-derby match-up between the Windy City Rollers and Seattle's Grave Danger. In other words, a bunch of tough women sporting helmets and knee pads, flying elbows and fishnet stockings, creative names and impressive bruises.

Not my typical Saturday night.

Camerin Courtney, Editor
Besides writing and editing for TCW, Camerin also writes a regular column for ChristianSingles Today.com as well as occasional movie reviews for ChristianityToday Movies.com, both sister sites of TodaysChristianWoman.com. She's also authored two books, Table for One and The unGuide to Dating (Revell). When she isn't writing, Camerin loves hanging out in coffee shops, showering her niece and nephew with hugs, eating out with friends, volunteering with an English as a Second Language class, and traveling internationally (she's been to 15 countries and counting). Originally from Kansas City, she now resides in a vintage apartment in the Chicago suburbs, where her favorite amenities are the art-house theater and public library just two blocks away.