Women of Faith Speak

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Comment by Elizabeth Asahi Rising-Sun Sato on July 17, 2009 at 11:25pm

You know--I understand the Word articulates that God never gives us more than we can handle but I beg to differ. There are moments in my life where I wonder why? Why am I going through this enormous challenge and why have I struggles so much in life. I am faithful, I am positive, I am relatively free from sin ( I do indulge in chocolate and an occasional cuss word) but my heart is completely for God from the moment I wake up to the moment I close my eyes. I am far from perfect but I am not a bad person and I certainly do not engage in doing bad things to people but steadfast faith during times of insurmountable challenge can be daunting. I do not want to be told--"just be more faithful" "Dont doubt God." I tell you if I die and go to heaven too soon me and Jesus are going to have to sit down and have a serious cup of coffee because I have questions.

Comment by nancy warthan on July 9, 2009 at 1:14pm

being a women of faith i am asking for help/advise in california in 1993 i tried to get a idea on the ca ballot # 17116...want to try again..asking help/advise and some one any one in california to help me please email me at warth423@yahoo.com or phone me at 1 530 585 2671 ask for nancy

the bible says this "having done all..stand" for over 50 years man made laws have denied me justice in a court of law
# 17116 if passed into law would gives women a better life and the right to have what is rightfully there's in the first place

Comment by Elizabeth Asahi Rising-Sun Sato on July 15, 2008 at 5:40pm

Ok Women of Faith---- I know we can do better than this! Bring on the words of encouragement, the stories of perseverance and the parables of faith! Let’s fill this page up to encourage others

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Comment by Athena McKay on June 25, 2008 at 10:20pm

I just wanted to share this poem I received not to long along, in response our unanswered prayers. We serve a faithful God! There is noone like Him! We may not understand, his will or ways, but he always works it out for our good.
Athena


The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers
I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Comment by Elizabeth Asahi Rising-Sun Sato on June 12, 2008 at 12:26am

You posted a very good question and a wonderful way to engage dialogue.

As a believer, I pray about many things—but unfortunately world peace has not yet arrived and we have yet to find a cure for cancer which has taken the life of my sister and Father and almost my baby sister.

Praying and believing God hears our prayers is tough sometimes. The moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior my life was a literal living hell. I contracted Viral Meningitis and lost my "cushy" job. For six months I pondered whether God had made a mistake. It took months--no actually years-- before I realized God had a plan in my life and that is not always fun. I am such a hard head that he needed to isolate me in order to get my attention and for me to "hear him." The job he chose for me was quite unlike the one I would have chosen for myself as an Executive Director of a division of an international relief and development agency. He chose that job because he wanted to grow me up in faith—fast.

Later when I got married, my husband and I lost our first baby (a girl) and I was told I had cancer and would never ever have children. In fact, as I was wheeled in to surgery for the surgeons to take my remaining tube--I begged for a miracle. I was a mess. A miracle is exactly what I got and yet did not deserve--I mean--who am I to deserve such a thing? But God restored my tube and they peeled away the cancer. When my sons Gabriel, Samuel and Elijah were born one right after another they were a living testimony to all of the best infertility specialists in the Pacific Northwest of the restorative and healing power of God. The specialists gave me a 5% chance of having babies. Now go to my TWHP web page and what do you see? If you go look at their photo on my page you will see that God does answer prayer—indeed.

You would think after that I would be a die-hard believer. Well I am ashamed to say—it took a lot more for me to get mature in my walk. So when a huge storm came in and the wind blew off our entire roof off our first home--I cried like a baby with water everywhere—I said “why me God—why me?” I later found out had it not been for the storm, my roof and all of the damage would not have been reimbursed because we realized the contractor did shoddy work in not properly tacking down out roof.
The most difficult time to convey a sense of faith is when your children see one example after another of people they pray for dying or their father leaving or even when they endure racism or hurtful peer pressure--but in it, through it and by it--God is truly there. I can testify to that—truly.

You mention not being chosen and yet—please be confident that even if you were not selected this go-around--- you must realize you are truly chosen! You are bright-gifted-loving and tenacious. You are a woman of God, a woman of grace and compassion. You are not restrained by a single contest or a physical barrier or even a natural disaster. Embrace who you are and what God has purposed you to be and believe that with prayer and through meditation your great-ness will be revealed. Whether it is through the White House Project, in this forum and through all of the many lives you touch—you significance will be empowered as you empower others.

Women of faith-- I pray each and every day in fact--- I pray unceasingly. In fact I sometimes think that when my time comes and I get to heaven ---I will probably be the first person God will actually have to sit down and have a bone to pick. I can hear him saying "Gurl don’t you know no matter how many times you cried out to me, sang out your sorrows, begged your dreams or whispered your hurts--I was there. I was right there with you, kneeling right beside you so that you could see that each and every moment of your life I am with you and working through you, eager to bless you with answered prayer.”

I probably have more unanswered or delayed prayer than anyone I know but I gotta tell you I BELIEVE, I believe beyond the shadow of any doubt. I know, I am confident and I cannot go to bed without sharing with my incredible sisters in the struggle---delayed or unanswered prayer strengthens you in ways you will never imagine and in due time, God will reveal his intent. Be courageous, be patient and live in the moment of your powerfully incredible phenomenal lives.

With respect, admiration and in prayer,
Asahi

PS: no more triple lattes for me--good Lord did I type fast. I apologize for the typos and the length. It is all in love.