Author: Julia Pferdehirt

Dear Sisters, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth or quit writing Madison Christian Women blog. I just got detoured and took awhile getting myself back on the main road. What’s happening among women and in women’s ministry in Madison? Amazing things. Two women I know and respect are writing books sharing their experiences with sexual abuse and its results in their lives. Lorita Boyle is gathering prayer warriors to surround and watch on the walls for InterVarsity’s Urbana conference in December.vicki Thorn from the National Post Abortion Reconciliation and Healing ministry in Milwaukee is traveling the country speaking…

Dear sisters, A few years ago our daughter worked as an intern for a summer in a biotech lab in Paris. My husband and I visited her – she was delighted to show us "her" city. I fell in love with Paris and, again, with my brilliant, funny, adventurous daughter.During one of our shopping-touristy-amazing food-art museum expeditions I rediscovered something I’d heard once and filed away under "interesting." In France, the scratch and dent departments of appliance stores are called "Retrouvaille" (pronounced retro-vie) – a word that technically means to "rediscover" or "find anew" – it can also refer to…

Sisters, the House of Prayer for the Nations on Madison’s east side is offering training and opportunities to be part of new prayer and intercession teams.The House of Prayer is in the process of moving into 24-7 prayer. As you’ll see from the invitation sent out, prayer focus varies with the day.This "harp and bowl" model of worship and prayer is unlike the prayer style common in many Christian settings where a group of folks gather and each one prays for what’s on their heart. This kind of prayer is valuable. The House of Prayer is intentional and focused. So,…

Sisters, I’m going to periodically send out requests for prayer.URBANA. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship runs an international missions conference for college students every4 years ( I think it’s four….may be wrong). Anyway. Thousands of young men and women attend this conference. many missionaries, campus workers, pastors, and general servants of the Most High God can point to an Urbana conference as a tipping point in their journey with Jesus and their calling in God’s kingdom work.The Urbana conference is scheduled for this December. Already, prayer and intercession teams are forming to cover this powerful, important outreach to students. God has used…

Hey! It’s a whole new world this morning. Sweat isn’t snaking down my back! The air conditioner is taking a well-earned break. Hallelujah it’s not 100 degrees outside anymore!Awhile ago I mentioned an online "reflections" or "devotions" site for women. I want to mention it again. at first I politely listened (well, acted like I was listening) and nodded when my very-liturgical, Lutheran friend told me about this website created for women by women at her former church in Minneapolis. A bunch of suburban, Lutheran, midwestern women didn’t seem like my idea of on-fire God-chasers. I didn’t think this online…

Dear Sisters,Sunday evenings from 5-7 Faith Community is having a regular intercession gathering.Yesterday, the time was sort of "teach, do, teach,do"First, two books were recommended: Intercession by Dutch Sheets and Intercession by Beth Alves.We looked at what intercession is and how it is different from supplication or petitioning prayer. Supplication or petition is when we bring our "heart’s list" to the Father. We’re telling him what’s on our hearts and the needs we know about. We’re asking Him to act in power in our lives and world. He is pleased when we do this. He Wants us to come to him…

Dear sisters, Are ya’ll out there? I keep wondering if anyone but Nicole is reading this! Anyway, the last time I wrote I was sitting in the moonlight with Elizabeth Rooney, adoring Jesus as if nothing else mattered. And, know what? Nothing else does!I just read a wonderful State Journal article about Cindy Herbst – brave, visionary, sister from the branch of our family at High Point Church AND listener to God’s voice.Haven’t you ever been driving along, errand-list in hand and heard that still, small voice speak to you? Have you ever driven down the beltline and seen something that…

Careless I haven’t cleaned the cellar, I forgot to sweep the stair There’s a button off my jacket my blue jeans have a tear. There’s an old, arthritic lady whom I should uphold in prayer. But I’m sitting in the moonlight, the moonlight, the moonlight, adoring You by moonlight As if I had no care. 4/16/79 Elizabeth Rooney My friend Ellen, a beautiful, brilliant, creative, wildly funny woman, introduced me to Elizabeth Rooney. Now, I introduce her to you.One of my goals in this blog is to introduce women to each other.Elizabeth Rooney was a poet from Blue Mounds Wisconsin.…

CarelessI haven’t cleaned the cellar,I forgot to sweep the stairThere’s a button off my jacketmy blue jeans have a tear.There’s an old, arthritic ladywhom I should uphold in prayer.But I’m sitting in the moonlight,the moonlight, the moonlight,adoring You by moonlightAs if I had no care.4/16/79Elizabeth RooneyElizabeth Rooney was a Wisconsin poet hailing from Blue Mounds. She was also a pray-er, servant, and lover of Jesus. This poem appeared in a collection called All Miracle Series…Morning song, Packages, Storing september, and Gift-Wrapped. My friend Ellen, a gifted, brilliant, wildly funny, beautiful woman, introduced me to Elizabeth Rooney. Now, I introduce her to…

Dear Sisters, This song, by Bruce Cockburn, a musician, song writer, and Christian, has been tugging on my heart.ARTIST: Bruce CockburnTITLE: Lovers in a Dangerous Time Don’t the hours grow shorter as the days go byYou never get to stop and open your eyesOne day you’re waiting for the sky to fallAnd next you’re dazzled by the beauty of it allWhen you’re lovers in a dangerous time Lovers in a dangerous time These fragile bodies of touch and tasteThis vibrant skin this hair like laceSpirits open to the thrust of graceNever a breath you can afford to waste {Refrain}When you’re lovers in a…