In This Issue:

1. Welcome from Kelly

2. How Do I Start?

3. A Summary of Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram

4. Participate! Submit a post to the Servant's Blog.

5. Arise, Cry Out! Don't miss this worldwide event.

6. Book Recommendation - Kelly's Review of Sacred Friendships: Celebrating the Legacy of women Heroes of the Faith

Welcome from Kelly

The Tabitha's Team website is based on the life of Tabitha, a disciple mentioned in Acts 9:36 who was "always doing good and helping the poor."

Why should we seek first to be disciples and encourage each other to break free from perfectionism?

So that we can live as servants of Jesus.

We have to follow the principles through to the end. There needs to be fruit.

See James 2:26 - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

How Do I Start?

A lot of us are in this place. We are awakened to the fact that life does not revolve around us, and we want to serve God as part of something bigger than ourselves. We just don't know how to form that into action.

The fact is that God always works this out in a different way. Sometimes it's formal and organized; sometimes it is a chain of one event leading to another and before you know it you are in the middle of His plan.

The common denominator is that we have to be willing to submit ourselves to God's call and do the work.

God needs us to pray for a dislocated heart.

Chip Ingram wrote about this concept several years ago in his book, Holy Ambition. This is a great book that unfortunately is very hard to find today. I summarized his advice below.

An Outline of Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram

1. Nehemiah had a dislocated heart - a heart that felt the need for something to change. He was burdened by this need.

2. He had a broken spirit - he humbled himself before God, recognizing that he was powerless, but that God was powerful and could lead the way for him.

3. He had a radical faith - He was overwhelmed by what God was asking, but he had faith that it could be done.

4. He has a strategic plan - he went to the king with not just passion, but a detailed plan (developed from his time of prayer).

5. He had a personal commitment - he had a dedicated promise to this project, and he recognized the value of each worker to their own part in the work.

6. He had a courageous soul - Nehemiah realized that it would be difficult, and he prepared for this. Men were working with one hand and holding weapons in the other hand!

I think we need to earnestly pray for opportunities to be placed in front of us - if we pray for this like we pray for all of the comforts we ask for, I know God will answer - and I'm excited and hopeful to see those answers come.

Participate - Submit a Post to the Servant's Blog

Tabitha's Team has a new feature - The Servant's Blog.

It is launching along with this newsletter, so it is a blank slate awaiting your submissions.

You now have the opportunity to submit a blog post in several different categories:

Addiction
Crisis Pregnancy
Disaster Relief
Domestic Violence Prevention, Education, & Healing
Illness & Disease
Poverty - What are the Needs & How Can We Help?
Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education, & Healing
World Missions

Contact me if there is a category that you would like to write about that is not listed.

Share what you, your church or your friends are doing to help in these areas. Tell us the stories we need to hear to better understand the need. Add a link back to your organization's website.

This is a place to connect, find a way to act, or call others to act.

Arise, Cry Out!

A great opportunity to involve women in prayer is coming in less than 2 weeks. Moms in Touch International is holding a worldwide prayer event on Saturday, November 14th. Check the listing for a host site near you.

Imagine how powerful this day will be, with women all over the world participating in a wave of prayer around the globe! Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this historic event.

Recommended Book

Sacred Friendships - Celebrating the Legacy of Women Heroes of the Faith By Robert W Kellemen & Susan M Ellis / B M H Books

This book is a "must read" for Christian women.

I laughed, I cried...I was humbled.

In a time when women's ministry is often synonymous with brunch and chocolate, we can all learn from the women in Sacred Friendships.

The wisdom, boldness, perseverance, love, and sacrifice displayed by these female heroes will make you want to put down that latte and get to work in the body of Christ.

This historical narrative presents the stories over 50 women and covers 2000 years of church history. The authors allow these women to shine their own light through their letters, diaries, and other writings. We also hear the words of those who were influenced by their faith.

These women teach us to balance life and doctrine, humble care and bold courage, content and character. They speak the truth in love. They teach, counsel, and encourage others through their words and through their actions.

The list of heroes includes mothers and sisters of the saints. It includes martyrs and deaconesses, wives of famous pastors, and women who quietly instructed and discipled followers in their rural homes. You will hear from women who boldly spoke out against and debated male leaders during the Great Western Schism, the Reformation, and the road to Emancipation. There are stories of those who endured slavery and those who fought against slavery. The book ends in a Nazi prison camp, where the faith of one woman encouraged and influenced those around her.

Diversity among the women in Sacred Friendships affirms that all women can serve in God's kingdom. These women were married, single, and widowed. They included women of high position and political influence, peasants, prisoners, and slaves. Some were mothers and some never had children. All of them lived authentic lives of faith.