Dear Blabby
blabby@ionanet.com

Dear Blabby;
I'm a single mother of three. I came to the Lord recently and am so thrilled to be a child of the King, but there is one disturbing thing I notice about some of my new Christian friends: they cannot refer to my kids without bringing up the fact that they are illegitimate. What can I do to stop this?
Saved in Salina

Dear Saved;
I have to wonder if you're doing a little "reading between the lines," Frankly, I find it hard to imagine many folks saying much about this. If they are, tell them that it bothers you and hurts your children. If they persist, find more spiritual friends. But if instead, it is your own sense of shame or guilt leading you to assume you new buddies are all that interested, it's time to take another look at that old rugged cross. There, all sin was taken care of, and when you came to the foot of that cross, your sins were wiped clear away! Stop worrying about how your little ones were conceived or are perceived... concentrate on the grace you have received!
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
I am an identical twin and it has brought me great joy all my life, but now that I am married and my sister is not, she practically lives at my house and it's causing problems. My husband and I are never alone and if we plan anything which doesn't include her, she gets upset. I've told her straight out that we need more space, but she comes right back.
Torn Twin

Dear Torn;
If you have already told her about the problem, it's time for action. Invite your carbon copy over once or twice a week but make it clear she's not welcome at other times by saying something like, "Come have dinner with us Monday... We've got other plans for the rest of the week." You might also send her a note, kindly telling her that you're concerned that her whole life seems to revolve around you. Tell her this isn't good for either of you and she should make new friends and get a life of her own before she wrecks yours. If all else fails, lock the door and don't answer it when she comes!
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
I am a widowed grandmother with working children. I live near my son and his family and want to care for my grandchildren while their parents are at work. Instead, they take the little ones to a costly day care center. How can I convince them I should be the caregiver?
Willing Grandma

Dear Willing;
One thing you have to accept and respect is that they are the parents. They could have many reasons for choosing day care... one of them could even be that you're pushing too hard! Why not drop the issue and spend as much time as you can just being Grandma? Could be your kids feel you would meddle in other areas of their lives if you cared for the kids all day. What! You meddle? Aren't you doing a bit of that now? Instead of arguing about day care, try telling your kids how proud you are of how they're raising theirs.
Blabby

Our Readers Write...

Someone forwarded me your address. Do you have support material or answer tough questions single woman or married women might have? If so, how best could they submit their questions and receive responses. Do you have recommended reading materials!

Thanks!

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(RE: Is Smoking a Sin?)
After reading the several articles, the answer is still not clear-cut...so is the stance of neutrality? Between you and God? The second article stated that smoking cannot be compared to drug addiction, ect, because drug addiction is mind-altering. It is a known fact (or I thought it was) that nicotine is a mind altering drug. Nicotine is an addictive drug.

I was literally delivered from cigarette smoking 5 yrs. ago. I went up and had my pastor and his wife pray for deliverance from it specifically, I've not had one cigarette since, and have not even had the desire for one. that was total deliverance! Praise the Lord!

I believe that God gives you the desires of your heart, and if it is your total desire to serve Him with nothing in between and this particular habit is standing in the way, that a person can be delivered.

I would never tell a person they are not saved because they smoke, my dh smokes, he struggles with it. The next question would be, does this habit hurt a person's testimony?

I'm done, and thanks for listening to me ramble about something that is very personal to me because of what God did for me!

God Bless

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Greetings in the name of the Lord,
There is a lady in our church that joined the Endtime Handmaidens. Are you a part of this particular ministry? If so could you send me the vows that were taken at that time. I would appreciate it. I have 5 children and I found your site very informative. Thank you.
In Christ,
Pastor Jerry Mootz

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Great! Keep up the good works. Truly a wonderful site. Love in Christ Joyce
Burd

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(RE: Christian Women's E-Mail Fellowship)
Iona,
Thank you ever so much for lifting God up and his Son and putting them First in our lives. I found this group so encouraging, so warm, giving great advice. I love you dearly. God is going to smile down on our little group.
Sharon

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Hi, I enjoyed your writing today. I especially relate to the time spent alone. Solitude. Isn't it wonderful?
Blessings, Brenda

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Iona:
Here's a prayer the Holy Spirit gave me today regarding our church leaders. I knew it would bless you.

PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Lord, I stand in the gap today for the pastors and leaders of your church that are teaching and preaching the truth. I ask that you cover them in your blood fresh today, that you sanctify them and set them apart for your holy use; Lord, that you surround them with a spiritual hedge of fire that will protect them from the attacks of the enemy; that you place in them a desire above all others to walk with God and be in God's plan -- not their plan; Lord, that you anoint their ears and give them a hearing ear that they may hear your voice clearly; that they desire to be possessed by the Spirit of the living God; that they be lead by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit that they may be known as sons and daughters of God; that their character be molded and shaped into the character of Jesus; that they are representatives of the Lord that bring glory to you in the face of adversity. Finally, in the name of Jesus, I pray concerning the compromising and lukewarm pastors and ministers -- that they be constrained to repent, and that they be restored to the ministry they have been called to. Help our church leaders by the power of the Holy Ghost -- encourage them, strengthen them and revive them today in Jesus' name.

Michelle Richee
Mark 16:20 Ministries
http://www.Mark1620.org

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Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is now and forever our eternal father. Our first service for the House of Ruth was a blessing. We discuss self-esteem, and attitudes.

We appreciate your encouraging articles and would like to extend to you and the Handmaidens site to be in fellowship with us this month (March) or the months to follow. We have a special treat in April Lynn Burrows will bring forth the word of God on April 29 & April 30. We pray that you can be in fellowship with us these two glorious days.
Yours in Christ,
Michelle ops.temp@bms.com
(Info on meetings is on Handmaidens Events page)

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Hello Dear,
Just a note to say how much I have enjoyed your sites and how glorifying they are to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have recommended your sites in the last newsletter and am proud to be connected to you in Christ. You are a blessing and inspiration to all...Because of Jesus~
Dorothy :)

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Iona,

The colors you chose were beautiful. They complimented each page of March's Handmaiden mag. I found the poetry refreshing. Inciting to fine works.

I found the arguments for and against smoking great. I use to smoke I stopped smoking in June of 1992. I stopped because the Bible says our body's are a temple.

Enjoyed a great deal on how you set up the pages. You did your staff proud! You brought grace, and joy to all who read your mag. But best of all you brought Glory to God himself, and Praise to His Son Jesus Christ.

Please continue the wonderful work you are doing in sharing God with others.
Sharon Barrett

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I praise God for this monthly newsletter and the wonderful anointing of the writers who shared their hearts with us. I enjoyed, gleaned, learned, and was challenging. Thank you, Iona...In Christ Alone~
Dorothy~

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(Re: Spring Cleaning)
Thanks again. wonderful issue.
Brenda

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Dear Handmaiden Staff,
Thank you for answering the call of God in building a wonderful site that answers the need of women. I have been blessed personally.
Thank you and God Bless you
Ibi Adelaja

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Hi there. I am just fascinated reading about you and all your accomplishments. I have been signed up for the fellowship messages, but wandered over to your other sites and just wanted to say hi. Thank you for all your wonderful messages and encouragements to others. The Lord speaks greatly through you and your love of Him is very evident. Thank you for all you do. I am also interested in writing. I dream of writing Christian fiction, but just haven't done anything about it. I would also like to use a "pen name". I do not want the credit for doing the Lord's work through writing or have any desire to be "known". Yes, I would take some royalties to help out with our family. Ha Ha How do you get a pen name anyway? I had never thought of it. Well, I better get some sleep. Hope to hear more from you soon. God bless, Andie P.S. You are creating a wonderful ministry for women. We need that so much in this life. The Lord knew that and sent us you. :-)
Sassytou2@aol.com

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Hello, My name is Nancye Sims and I am the author of the poem on your web site which reads "do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others". The original title of the poem is "A Creed To Live By" although many have it on their web site as "You Are Worthy" as well as by other titles, which is fine. As the main purpose of my writings is to uplift, inspire, and encourage others, what I care most about, is that my words are being read and hopefully making a difference in the lives of those who read them. Thank You for including it on your special site. As I am a Christian, I am always delighted to see my writings included on a Christian site. I have put together two sites which feature many more of my writings. The titles and addresses for my sites are as follows:
"Inspired By God" , address is: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Opera/2604/index.html
"For Those Who Dream", address is: http://home1.gte.net/Shawn26/index.htm
I hope you will check these out and that they will be a blessing to you.
Again, Thank You for including my work on your site.
Most Sincerely,
Nancye Sims

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