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Letter
From the Editor
One Year
Anniversary!!!
June marked the one year anniversary of "Webzine for the
Christian Woman" - Christian Mirror Publications.
This ministry began as a dream shared by my sister, Nicole,
and I. We noticed the overwhelming presence of denominational e-zines
on the web. We were unable to find an e-zine that spoke the
truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We decided to construct an e-zine/ministry
that would
- provide women with scriptural guidance on how to be
successful in their various roles (i.e. wife,
single/widow, mother, worker).
- provide a forum where Christian women from all over the
world can come together to encourage and uplift one
another spiritually.
- provide a place where woman can ask questions
(anonymously and confidentially) regarding painful issues
in their lives, and receive Biblical answers.
- provide Biblical material to aid women in growing
spiritually and scriptural tools for sharing the gospel.
A few months after "Webzine for the Christian Woman -
Christian Mirror Publications" went online, my sister,
Nicole, withdrew from the project due to family obligations and
other interests.
I panicked when Nicole stepped down! "Webzine for the
Christian Woman" - Christian Mirror Publications" was
receiving a tremendous response. I knew that this ministry was
too big for one individual to handle. Especially for someone
like myself, a mother with two small children. I also realized
that the costs associated with an Internet site were too much
for our one-income family to sustain. I considered shutting down
the magazine. I prayed for guidance from the Lord. I decided to
wait and see which way the Lord would direct me.
In August, our first volunteer, Patricia Gibson, came
onboard. Patricia became a lifeline for the webzine. She stepped
in and temporarily took the place of my sister. Patricia, a
business owner, consulted with me on how to manage the e-zine.
She wrote articles, helped with advertising, and encouraged me
when I wanted to give up.
Soon, God sent other volunteers our way. Currently 27
volunteers work with the ministry. Webzine for the Christian
Woman would not have survived without the dedication of our
volunteers. They tirelessly offer their time and energy to help
with writing articles, answering letters, advertising, research,
editing, web support, etc.
When people bring up http://christianmirror.com
on their screen, at first glance it appears that they are merely
viewing an e-zine. "Webzine for the Christian Woman -
Christian Mirror Publications" is much more than an e-zine.
It is a ministry dedicated to the cause of Christ. It is managed
and maintained by the love and hard work of an editor and
dedicated group of Christian volunteers. Most of the work done
in this ministry happens behind the pages of the magazine. We
receive hundreds of e-mails per month and much of our time is
spent in addressing the needs of those that write to us.
I thank God for bringing us through this first year. I
recognize that we have a long way to go. There are many things
that we want to accomplish and many obstacles that we still
face. The magazine is presently being financed by my sweet,
Christian husband, Thomas. We sell only a few books per month in
our bookstore and do little in the way of paid advertising. Yet,
I believe that God will see us through another year.
Please keep this ministry in your prayers. Please continue to
tell your friends and family that there is an e-zine that speaks
the truth in love - "Webzine for the Christian Woman".
God bless you,
Dwan Reed,
LMSW
Editor
I'M
FAMOUS !!!
Dwan Reed receives a Nobel
Prize for discovering a cure for cancer and for authoring a
2,000-page novel on world poverty. She sings with Pavarotti in
Rome before a sold-out audience of 5 million. Dwan, the new
Martha Stewart, can now be seen on her cooking show, live, prime
time on NBC. Queen Elizabeth finds her long-lost cousin, Dwan
Reed, living in Texas.
I've always had dreams of
becoming famous, of having my royal lineage discovered, of being
paid millions of dollars for just being me. The possibility that
I might not become famous presented itself when I completed
college and had to find a "real job". It became more
apparent when I got married and could no longer open a can of
"Dinty Moore" stew and call it a meal. By the time we
had two kids and I was changing diapers and wiping up drool, I
realized that I will probably never be "famous".
I may never have fame and fortune
according to the world's standards. I don't stand out in a
crowd. I don't travel with a royal entourage or wear fine silk
and jewels. I will never make the lists of "People
Magazine's" most beautiful or "Fortune 500's"
wealthiest Americans. Most strangers that I meet presumably
conclude that I am average. Some might even call me simple. Yet,
what many don't realize is that I am part of a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a treasured people (I Peter
2:9). I am a Christian. I am holy and set apart (I Peter 1:15,
16). My citizenship is in heaven where my Savior awaits me with
throngs of angels, streets of gold, and saints who have gone on
before me (Phillipians 3:20). I am part of the greatest body on
earth - the one true church (Ephesians 4:4).
When I walk into a room, my entry
is never grand. Trumpets don't sound, heads don't turn, and
paparazzi with high -powered zoom-cameras don't follow me. Yet,
wherever I am, wherever I go, I am recognized and accompanied by
the Greatest. The Holy Spirit is always with me. He bears
witness that I am a child of God (Romans 8:16). He guides me
into all truth through God's word (John 16:13). He intercedes
for me according to the will of God (Romans 8:26, 27). Because
He lives in me, I am a V.I.P (very important person). I am a
daughter of God. This status carries with it very special
privileges, the most important of which is eternal life (Romans
6:23).
My purpose in life is not to
discover the lost ruins of the Yipitec dynasty or the
underground caverns of the mali reptiles. I will probably never
be featured in "National Geographic" atop of Mt.
Everest. I have a special mission in life that exceeds all
others. My mission in life is to glorify God. I give glory to
God when I allow my light to shine before men that they may see
my good works (Matthew. 5:16). I give glory to God when I share
the gospel (Matthew 28:19) and am obedient to His word (I Samuel
15:22). Because I am fulfilling my purpose in life, God gives me
joy, peace, and, contentment. I know that I can do all things
through Christ Jesus who gives me strength (Phillipians 4:13).
Are you famous? Are you a part of
the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, the treasured
people (I Peter 2:9)?
If you would like to know more
about how to become a Christian, contact me at christianmirror@pdq.net.
I would be delighted to study God's word with you.
Dwan
Reed, LMSW
Editor
Dwan Reed, ©2000, All Rights
Reserved
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Direct
Connection
My
husband, Thomas, our two small children, and I live on a street
plagued with telephone problems. Only one telephone
company services this area so we don't have an option of
switching to another service provider. Our phone has frequently
gone out for several days at a time, even a week. This, of
course, has made it somewhat difficult to work as an
editor of a magazine. Recently our neighbors and I
organized our petitions for repair so that our complaints to the
phone company would have more punch. I think our cries for help
have been successful; now our phone only goes out for a few
minutes every few days.
This
experience has caused me to reflect upon our direct connection
to God. We have an awesome, high speed connection, DSL (Direct
Service to the Lord) that never goes out unless we cut
the phone cord. This connection works 24 hours, 7 days a week,
and we don't even have to pick up the telephone or log onto our
computer to communicate. God knows that we are on the line
before we even open our mouths or utter a word in our minds.
This high speed connection is called prayer.
Have you ever thought what it would
be like if we tried to contact God and all we got was a busy
signal, dead silence, static, or call notes? What would we do
without a personal connection to God? How would we make the
right decisions, steer clear of danger, receive peace in the
midst of a storm? How would we ask God to watch over and heal
our loved ones? I am thankful for my direct line of prayer to
God. Proverbs 16:29 says, "The Lord is far from the wicked;
but he heareth the prayers of the righteous." I know that I
must stay close to the Lord in order to be heard. I can never
let myself get into a "drop zone" where my call cannot
be heard.
I thank God for the power of prayer. There have been times in my
life when I have been in so much emotional and physical pain
that those around me have not been able to comfort me. Although
my loved ones are always concerned about my well being, they can
never fully understand the depth of my pain (or the height of my
joy) - Proverbs 14:10. I have been able to call upon God during
times of crises and He has carried me through. He understands me
completely and He has the power to help me through anything. All
that I have to do is petition Him, believe in Him, and be
obedient to His word. Matthew 21:22 says, "And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall
receive". Phillipians 4:6 says, "Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God".
James
5 is a wonderful commentary on the power of prayer. James 5:16
says, "...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much". I am so happy that God has given me this
avenue to communicate with Him. It is such a fantastic
feeling to know that God welcomes me and even looks forward to
our time in prayer.
Dwan
Reed, LMSW
Editor
Dwan
Reed, ©2000, All Rights Reserved
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