Honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country!

After three and a half years, and prayerful consideration I’ve come to the place where it’s time for me to step down from online ministry to better serve my family. Since it was also a good time for many of our writers to put down their pens, we decided to make this, July issue, our final.

I have been incredibly blessed with a team of faith-focussed writers who I pray will continue to minister to you as they walk on new paths.

I’ll leave our archived devotions online so that readers can continue to visit and dig through our articles for continual blessing and growth.

Along with our final farewell, I leave you this verse from Ecclesiastes:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well!
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

]]> http://christianwomenonline.net/2009/07/01/letter-from-the-editor-8/feed/ 31 http://christianwomenonline.net/2009/06/01/letter-from-the-editor-7/ http://christianwomenonline.net/2009/06/01/letter-from-the-editor-7/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:22:31 +0000 Darlene Schacht http://www.christianwomenonline.net/issue/?p=1701

Dad has graced my doorstep more times than I can count, clothed in denim overalls with a box of tools at his side. I still remember the old red box he carried way back when I was too tiny to lift it, but plenty big enough to pass him each tool. The words ‘Andy the Handyman’ were hand written across the top, in permanent marker. Whether Dad wrote it himself, or it was the work of a pen-happy child, I’m not sure, but the label fit him well.

When we needed our roof repaired, Dad climbed the ladder to fix the shingles; when we were moving, he was there to pack the truck; and when we were building a family room, he lent his hand to lay sheets of drywall. I’ve grown so accustomed to picking up the phone to ask for his help, that I can’t imagine living life without him.

Many things our life mirror the spiritual, and likewise the relationship with my dad mirrors that between my Heavenly Father and I. God is knocking on the door waiting for me to invite Him in—ready with His toolbox to fix my problems. He holds a light in one hand to show me the way, and a promise in the other to cleanse me from sin.

I count it a privilege to honor the God-given role of fatherhood, and a blessing to share that honor with you this month. In doing so, I’ve opened a new door at CWO which welcomes three fathers to our group of writers. John Cox, Mick Silva, and James Rubart will be giving us a male perspective on things in their monthly column, “Mail from Mars.” It’s not only a blessing–I also find it necessary to glean wisdom from men, as God has wired them in a completely different way than we women.

We also meet with Jennifer Rothschild, our cover girl this month. Jennifer connects with Sunny Shell in Sister 2 Sister to chat about her “gift” of blindness, and how it has strengthened her faith. Jennifer also talks about her book, and offers three incredible giveaways! Be sure to read her inspiring interview!

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:22, NIV

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well!
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

Traditionally, people have chosen May as the month to honor and celebrate mothers. My children like to show their love by purchasing perenials at the local nursery. My youngest struggles to carry the biggest trays he can find, while my daughter looks for the brightest shades of pink, hoping to Barbie up the yard a shade or two.

I like to honor my own mother by taking time out of my day to visit with her. I’ll often bring flowers for the garden too, since it’s a hobby we both have in common. And while I’m there I might dig a hole or two out back so she can easily sink them in.

Time spent with loved ones serves to remind us how precious they are. And from that, just how precious our Father is for this gift of love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
~I Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Check out all of the wonderful devotions we have this month including Sunny Shell’s interview with Chonda Pierce in Sister 2 Sister. There you can enter to win a copy of Chonda’s “This Ain’t Prettyville” DVD that she’s giving away to two of our readers.

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well!
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

April is always my favorite month of the year. I love to watch the newness of life springing up around me with the hope that green grass and budding flowers will soon appear in abundance.

This month we reflect on the newness of life as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He lives that we might also have life eternal with Him.

With all things new, we’re bringing the outdoors in as Melissa Michael’s offers some great decorating ideas to do that. We’re also talking with singer, songwriter, and recording artist Larissa Lam this month. Larissa is passionate about being a good steward of the time, talents, and gifts God has given her. Check out her interview in Sister2Sister with Sunny Shell.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:10-12 (NIV)

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well!
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

This month we have a very special guest with us. CWO has had other wonderful guests in the past, but none have affected me quite as much as Trish Ramos from Living Waters Publications/Way of the Master Ministries.

Sunny Shell and Trish Ramos have teamed up in Sister2Sister to preach the gospel at the University of North Texas. Trish is a role model to women everywhere, giving us the inspiration and the tools to boldly share our faith.

What really makes this issue unique is that Sunny and Trish have created a 2 part video presentation for us so that we can see Trish doing what she does best–”Preach the Gospel.” Trish says that even though she has done this for over a decade, it is still scary, every single time.

You won’t want to miss either video–they are both awesome! I really can’t say enough about how pleased I am with those two girls. They breath life into this March issue, as well as the lives they touch on campus.

We also have two awesome giveaways that you’ll want to check out! One is a purse that Trish Ramos is giving away which is packed full of witnessing tools, and the other is a 10 ticket giveaway for “A Woman Inspired” online conference. Get the details on those, and be sure to enter!

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
–Matthew 28:19-20

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

This month Lisa McKay is here with us, and Lisa McKay is not. Confusing? Yeah–a bit. Let me clarify: there are two of them. Our regular Lisa, The Preacher’s Wife, is off for a few months to complete some writing projects, but in the meantime we are blessed with a dear friend of hers, of the same name.

Lisa is here with Sunny Shell of “Sister 2 Sister” to discuss her debut novel, my hands came away red, and from what Sunny has said, it’s a must read.

We’re also chatting about love this month–the love of God, the love for others, the love of our children, and some love for the temple we live in. I love how Bonnie put it in the kitchen this month when she wrote:

Is it possible that in giving and receiving love we are experiencing a bit of the supernatural? We experience a small portion of what our soul truly longs for–true intimacy with God.

I pray that this month, in giving and receiving you also will experience that intimacy with God.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. –Colossians 3:12-14

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

After a blessed Christmas and into a joyful new year, we are back with a fresh new issue of CWO for 2009.

This month singer/song writer and author, Rebecca St. James, joins Lori Kasbeer in the Book Buzz to discuss her newest book, Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, the Body & the Spirit. This devotional offers inspiring words for meditation in 2009.

We’re also discussing the fresh year ahead, and the grace that each new day brings from the Father who freely gives to those who seek after His Son. Our hope is that first and foremost our words will draw each one of you into a deeper relationship with Him–our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
–1 Peter 1:3 

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

It’s been a year already? Seems like we just finished putting the angel to bed, and we’ve had to unpack her again. Minutes quickly turn to hours—hours to days, and just like that another year has gone by.

We’re celebrating our third Christmas online at CWO, by offering words of inspiration that we pray will turn our hearts toward the Reason for the Season—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

P31 woman, Renee Swope joins us for an interview with our newest addition to the CWO team, Sunny Shell. Sunny talks with Renee about family, faith, ministry, and her favorite holiday traditions. This ray of sunshine has already played a key role at CWO for several months by upholding our ministry in prayer. Thank you, Sunny! We look forward to reading the interviews you’ll be bringing to CWO.

We also welcome two other writers to the CWO team this month, who because of their online presence, are known to many of you—authors Marybeth Whalen and Sandy Coughlin join us.

Marybeth’s column will lead readers on a path to financial freedom, while Sandy’s “Ask Sandy” column offers practical solutions to common entertaining dilemmas. Both columns are a must read this Christmas.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. –Luke 11:10-14

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com

More than any other, November is the month that reminds us to pause and give thanks. To express our thankfulness with joy–giving praise to our God.

I love the tradition our family started a while back of going around the table one by one, expressing our thankfulness–each in our own unique way. Starting from the youngest to the oldest, my children pause to give thanks. And then it’s my turn…

I’m thankful for my four children, for a husband who’s heart is set on serving his Lord, and for a Lord who is worthy to be praised. It’s not what God does, what He gives, or how He meets my needs, which makes Him so wonderful, it’s the way He forgives and then forgets who I was.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Blessings,

Founder and Editor,
Christian Women Online Magazine
“Uniting Women of Faith”

Read my column—Live Well! 
My blog: Darlene Schacht.com