“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
-Psalm 33:5
People are longing for peace and justice. The women whose stories are in these pages followed the Lord Jesus Christ in his way of compassion and justice for the world. The Gospel message is better presented when Christians match their actions to their words in acts of mercy and love. These women pursued a God of peace and justice who respects all persons, especially the lowly, the weak, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the poor.
Lasting peace comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. True justice comes from God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1-2). Justified women and men who have the peace, comfort, and assurance of God’s forgiveness have the privilege and the responsibility to advance true justice as they spread the gospel of peace in word and deed. From Shiphrah and Puah to Dorothy Day, the women in these stories are a shining example for Christ’s followers who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the message of hope to a lost world.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with hour God.” (Micah 6:8)
Happy New Year 2024!
A Blessed New Year to All!
My New Year’s resolution is to continue to do stories on women achievers.
Last year we finished our series on Black Women in America. I had been wanting to do a series on black women for a long time. I was hoping to do the journey in one year, but there are so many wonderful African American women who have made great contributions to society that it actually lasted nearly 2 years!
I sought to show just from the sheer numbers of remarkable black women, that women are as capable as men in all important areas of life including Spiritual, Social and Intellectual matters.[1] I hoped that by the time people who were skeptical about women’s abilities got done reading the series on Black Women in America that they would have changed their minds. I also hoped that they could see that our identity in Christ is what matters. Your standing with God is based on your obedience to Him not on your maleness or femaleness or cultural background, including skin color.
This new year I would like to address the issue of social justice by telling the stories of some very awe-inspiring Native American women. In this new series, beginning in two weeks, I hope to demonstrate that many Native American women are faithful, creative, intelligent, successful, and steadfast followers of Christ. We have all heard the stories of the treatment of the indigenous peoples in the United States. What might surprise some is to find out that many of the “Indians” decided to adopt the white man’s ways including Christianity. Some wanted to get an education and make their lives better. Yes, there were many natives who wanted to keep their old ways, but there were also many who wanted to adapt and live in peace with their new white neighbors. Our first story of an indigenous woman – Susan La Flesche Picotte – is an example of someone who learned what she could in order to go back and work among her people as a doctor. Dr. Picotte was the first Native American woman to get a medical degree.
Each month this year we will feature stories of women and meditations or thoughts on current topics. It will be appropriate for example, to consider the treatment of Native American tribes in the United States.
Do you know that it wasn’t until the late 1800’s that indigenous people were declared to be human beings? It is important to look at the history of the treatment of the indigenous tribes. It is complicated, but just as in the case of the treatment of black people we need to address the treatment of the “red” people. Look for more discussion in the near future.
I pray that you will have a very blessed New Year. May we be a part of making life better this year for all people!
[1] Obviously, I left our “physical”, but this does not mean that bigger and stronger physically is superior or more important. It just means it is different. Men can do some jobs women can’t. But on the other hand, only women get to have the babies. Only women have the privilege of bringing new lives into the world. Physical differences are just too obvious. There’s no argument here. You’ve heard the saying, “It’s what’s inside that counts!” AND INSIDE, WE ARE ALL EQUAL!
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I also felt it was a wonderful opportunity to give a voice not only to myself but the many other Native artists in the world.
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
-Psalm 33:5
People are longing for peace and justice. The women whose stories are in these pages followed the Lord Jesus Christ in his way of compassion and justice for the world. The Gospel message is better presented when Christians match their actions to their words in acts of mercy and love. These women pursued a God of peace and justice who respects all persons, especially the lowly, the weak, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the poor.
Lasting peace comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. True justice comes from God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1-2). Justified women and men who have the peace, comfort, and assurance of God’s forgiveness have the privilege and the responsibility to advance true justice as they spread the gospel of peace in word and deed. From Shiphrah and Puah to Dorothy Day, the women in these stories are a shining example for Christ’s followers who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the message of hope to a lost world.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with hour God.” (Micah 6:8)
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The women gathered in “Women of Faith and Courage” by Mary Walker are not included merely to inspire for a moment. Their stories carry biblical, historical, and spiritual weight. Each life adds something essential to the wider testimony of faith, reminding readers that Christian history is fuller, more textured, and more instructive when women are remembered with honesty and depth.
That is why the title resonates beyond simple encouragement. It offers recovery rather than novelty, substance rather than sentiment. “Women of Faith and Courage” by Mary Walker is especially well suited for readers who sense that important voices have been minimized and who want to engage stories that restore perspective, memory, and meaning.
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During its two-thousand-year history, the Christian faith has been influenced and passed down by faithful women. The women whose stories are in these pages were martyrs and nuns, mystics and scholars, writers and reformers, preachers and missionaries, abolitionists, and evangelists. These women are examples to us of faith, perseverance, forgiveness, fortitude, and truth and righteousness.
In this book, we will recount the stories of many women from the Early Church to today who sought to follow their callings to serve in God’s kingdom. There are very important reasons for learning about the lives of the female saints beyond giving them the recognition that they deserve for their achievements. We can learn much from the stories of the lives of the women in this book. Women and men are heirs to the promise and have a joint responsibility to practice truth and righteousness and to take the gospel to the lost (Galatians 3:26-29). These dedicated women faced many barriers and confronted many obstacles in their paths as they sought to serve Christ. They did not seek God’s truth and righteousness for themselves but for God’s glory.
“For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (Psalms 33:4-5).
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