This week, a Lectio devotional I did focused on Rosa Parks. She was a woman who refused to give up her seat to a white person on the bus. One simple action started a revolution that will change the face of America. In her book “When Courage Calls”, Sarah Williams introduces us to another woman, who stood, against the odds, brought about profound changes in Britain and beyond. Josephine Butler’s life revolved around loving and serving God. She very much sought and waited upon Him, as we read Jesus in the Gospels, and followed His lead whatever the cost. Her influence was originated on her knees: “The resolution to speak little with men, but much with God” and, taking on “a little grief in all kinds of trials”. Indeed, her faith was refined through fire, resulting in praise, glory and honour (1 Peter 1:6-7). Her losses and suffering became vicarious experiences that prepared her for what was to come: an amazing and powerful mercy ministry. Josephine started slowly, in silence, listening, waiting and praying, because she knew she had to wait on for God’s timings. In fact, even failure lead her, not to find her own solutions, but to pause and pray again and continue to persevere. She also rallied others to pray. She understood that what was at hand was significant and way beyond herself: cultural transformation. Therefore, it necessitated something significant too: prayer, so that God could act. She was determined to have an impact on the world through her actions, birthed from the depths of her intimacy with God. Josephine choose to fight against those who were lukewarm and should have shown integrity and benevolence, in favour of the vulnerable, who opened their hearts to receive mercy, love and justice. Her grief, sorrow and pain enabled her to empathize with others who were also struggling but, also allowed her to receive comfort from those she was serving. Butler was deeply committed because she believed in “the genuine possibility of human transformation” and in the only One who can make it happen. This book is thought-provoking and action-provoking. Buckle up and prepare for an inspiring journey that will not leave you indifferent. @edithvilamajo

#Hygge

My Hygge No second thought I turn up the thermostat, Privileged. Cosied up in blankets Candle-glow permeates, Privileged. Warm, Safe, Peaceful Yet still, That ache... Watching a film with my love OLED TV twinkling, Privileged. Popcorn at our fingertips New sofa cradles us, Privileged. Warm Safe Peaceful Yet still, That ache... Arriving home, I know I can rest here, Privileged. Work day over, I choose to be still, Privileged. Warm Safe Peaceful Yet still, That ache... Wrapped up against winters bite Walking for joy alone, Privileged. Bidding friend goodbye Knowing what to expect when home, Privileged. Warm Safe Peaceful Yet still, That ache... Privileged beyond all dreaming, I've started equating wellbeing, With safe home, Human love, Community... Yet I am princess Anna And no privilege it seems, Can permeate This icy ache in me Only true Sacrificial love Could ever Set me free So I return my gaze to He, The one who stands between Between The ices final bite And all humanity This melter Of my frozen soul, By his love I'm again made whole For nothing But The great life giver, Can make The aching still. No nothing But the one who gave, Who gives, Who offers His all Nothing, But The great life giver, Can make The aching still. ‘You have made us for yourself oh Lord And our heart is restless until it rests in you.' St Augustine @poemsofthepasser #Hygge

“I met a wonderful lady recently who has had such a huge impact on who I am as a woman and how Jesus not only sees me but he has given me a voice that needs to be heard. It may surprise you to know that about 200 years separate us, but the beauty of Sarah C. William’s writing has made me feel that I know this woman, who was not only steadfast in her faith but had a heart for the broken, lost and unheard. In Sarah’s beautifully written book When Courage Calls we don’t hear about Josephine Butler, we hear from Josephine Butler, we hear her voice through her own words and through the lens of those she impacted. But so much more than that, we hear the heart of Christ who came from heaven to earth to transform all who put their faith and trust in Him. If you Google Josephine Butler, she is described as an English feminist and social reformer, but this shortchanges us from really knowing her. To know her you need to hear her own voice; a voice that declares the love her Lord and Saviour has for her; a voice that takes the love of God’s love into the heart of those most in need; a voice that sees through the pomp and ceremony of human pride and solely depends on the wisdom and guidance of the One True God who came to transform us all into his image. Josephiine teaches and demonstrates to us what a prayerful, trust-filled dependency on our Heavenly Father not only looks like, but we see the fruit of the reality of Christ’s Spirit living within us. Come and see for yourself through the pages of this courageous book what the voice of a woman of God sounds like, filled with passion for the things of God, filled with the reality of human suffering, trusting her whole self to Christ and his purposes, filled with the hope for all people that God is transforming the world from one that man rules to a world united through Christ our true King, working together for the good of all and the glory of God Our Creator, Our Redeemer.”@livinghisword777 Join our current Book Club reading When Courage Calls @hodderbooks

Holly @navigatorsuk has written on the them of #Hygge and Why cosy isn’t the cure! We’d love you to have a read and share it with friends #linkininbio

Many women are asking: Is my talk good enough? How much of the gospel do I include in an evangelistic talk? And how do I speak into moments like Easter where people are longing for hope? These questions reveal a real need for spaces that encourage, train, and equip women to write and speak with courage and a deep understanding of the culture they are speaking into. Coming up in PfE January - When Courage Calls Book Club 📚 Feb ➡️ March - Finding Your Voice at Easter 🐣 March - Writing Greenhouse ✍️

When Courage Calls Chapter 1 “I was completely blown away by her dad. There is so much I want to say about him—especially the way his passion for justice flowed so seamlessly from his close walk with Jesus. I loved hearing about how he would become so excited by passages in Isaiah that he would suddenly start reading them aloud to his family, and yet was also deeply moved—almost shaking—with compassion for victims of injustice. His Christ-likeness shone through not only in his public actions but in his attitude and approach to people from every background, and in his faithfulness to God in both the things seen and unseen by others: his gentleness and tenderness towards his children, alongside his involvement in the abolition of slavery. For me, he is a truly fleshed-out example of Micah 6:8. It’s left me really wanting to read his biography. I also found it deeply encouraging as a parent. It feels like a powerful reminder that the best thing we can do in bringing up our children is to love Jesus and pursue his heart and priorities with passion. As we do that, God grows in us the character, wisdom, love, and example that our children need. John so clearly had a profound effect on his children and shaped Josephine’s path. I was struck by Hatty’s observation that his impact didn’t come through preaching at them, but through the whole of his life and character. As she writes, “I believe that his political principles and public actions were alike the direct fruit of that which held rule within his soul,—I mean his large benevolence, his tender compassionateness, and his respect for the rights and liberties of the individual man. His life was a sustained effort for the good of others, flowing from those affections.” @annaheydon

3 reasons to read When Courage Calls @anna.rees.54943 #no3👇 Our book club starts a week today, find out more on our website. #women #history #womeninspiringwomen

Passion for Evangelism

Passion for Evangelism exists to empower, encourage, and equip women to share the good news of Jesus with God-given confidence and creativity.