The summer issue theme is SPREAD, OH, SPREAD, THOU MIGHTY WORD
It remains a continual mystery to me how God has included me in the Great Commission. What an honor, joy, and privilege it is to know He uses His children to spread His mighty Word. Consider the nature of the cargo we carry out into the world, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Our task is not something to be taken lightly, yet at the same time this passage reveals a comforting truth: The power lies with the Word, not in me and my ability (or lack thereof) to convert souls to Christ. The summer issue of The Branches will focus on Hymn 507: “Spread, Oh, Spread, Thou Mighty Word.” Meditate on the message of this hymn and what it means to you, write your thoughts down and send them to me. Some ideas to get you started are: What makes the Word so powerful? What does the basic message of salvation consist of, as stated in this hymn? What Bible account is this hymn based on? Where can we find the “ripening fields” spoken of in stanza 5? How has the Lord of Harvest given you joy and strength to work for Him? How do we see the work of this trinity described in this hymn? How has someone else ministered to you with the powerful Word of God? Whether you use one of these ideas, or come up with something entirely different, I look forward to hearing from you.
There are many other ways you can contribute to The Branches. We are in need of contributors to write for Sisters Shine and With Her Hands. If you know of a woman in your congregation to interview for one of these features, please contact me for an easy-to-use list of interview questions. Keep in mind these other features as well: Delicious Dishes and Kids Cook, Mission articles and updates, devotion or other book reviews, reports on special services and events at your church or throughout our synod, or anything you’d like to share. Don’t forget to send your photos in as well!
All articles are due May 15th and should be send to debra@debramayhew.com or mailed to 710 4th Avenue SW, Sleepy Eye, MN, 56085.We live in a world that’s always changing. What’s popular or “politically correct” for one generation maybe not be so for the next. Sometimes the world pushes an agenda that directly contradicts the instruction found in God’s Word. Such things are discouraging and often weigh heavily on the heart of a Christian.
It remains a continual mystery to me how God has included me in the Great Commission. What an honor, joy, and privilege it is to know He uses His children to spread His mighty Word. Consider the nature of the cargo we carry out into the world, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Our task is not something to be taken lightly, yet at the same time this passage reveals a comforting truth: The power lies with the Word, not in me and my ability (or lack thereof) to convert souls to Christ. The summer issue of The Branches will focus on Hymn 507: “Spread, Oh, Spread, Thou Mighty Word.” Meditate on the message of this hymn and what it means to you, write your thoughts down and send them to me. Some ideas to get you started are: What makes the Word so powerful? What does the basic message of salvation consist of, as stated in this hymn? What Bible account is this hymn based on? Where can we find the “ripening fields” spoken of in stanza 5? How has the Lord of Harvest given you joy and strength to work for Him? How do we see the work of this trinity described in this hymn? How has someone else ministered to you with the powerful Word of God? Whether you use one of these ideas, or come up with something entirely different, I look forward to hearing from you.
There are many other ways you can contribute to The Branches. We are in need of contributors to write for Sisters Shine and With Her Hands. If you know of a woman in your congregation to interview for one of these features, please contact me for an easy-to-use list of interview questions. Keep in mind these other features as well: Delicious Dishes and Kids Cook, Mission articles and updates, devotion or other book reviews, reports on special services and events at your church or throughout our synod, or anything you’d like to share. Don’t forget to send your photos in as well!
All articles are due May 15th and should be send to debra@debramayhew.com or mailed to 710 4th Avenue SW, Sleepy Eye, MN, 56085.We live in a world that’s always changing. What’s popular or “politically correct” for one generation maybe not be so for the next. Sometimes the world pushes an agenda that directly contradicts the instruction found in God’s Word. Such things are discouraging and often weigh heavily on the heart of a Christian.
Hesitant to write?
We have been blessed with many talented writers—all of whom began as readers! If you enjoy reading The Branches, consider sending in something to share with the rest of us. It does not have to be on the theme; that is simply a jumping point if ideas are needed. If you are not interested in writing something from scratch, consider submitting a favorite recipe for the cooking section. Other ideas may be a book review, craft idea, memory, humor, favorite verse, description of an event at your congregation, or photos you’ve taken.
We have been blessed with many talented writers—all of whom began as readers! If you enjoy reading The Branches, consider sending in something to share with the rest of us. It does not have to be on the theme; that is simply a jumping point if ideas are needed. If you are not interested in writing something from scratch, consider submitting a favorite recipe for the cooking section. Other ideas may be a book review, craft idea, memory, humor, favorite verse, description of an event at your congregation, or photos you’ve taken.
