Prior to Women of Faith, I was familiar with Sheila Walsh as a 700 Club host and as a singer. But she is so much more. Not only does she sing like an angel - a fact which she demonstrated at the end of each of her sessions, but she is also an amazing speaker! Heartfelt, funny, and real is the way she came across to me. She had the ability to make me laugh and cry practically in the same breath. I enjoyed her a great deal.
Sheila talked about having an "attitude of the heart and a determination of the will to stay at the feet of Jesus." She encouraged us to be completely open with our God who already knows everything, so we can go in peace because "peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." And she cautioned us to not fall for the lies of the world, for "beauty comes from the Word of God."
Sheila talked about the promises of God and how they can minister to each of us. John 16:33 says "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It's clear that we will face difficulties, but it's also clear that He will win!
While I enjoyed her each time she took the stage, I was truly blessed by the telling of her story. I could not do it justice by sharing it here, but if you ever get a chance to hear it from her, it's well worth listening to. Two primary take-aways...I am "not fixed, but loved." And no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done, "the Shepherd knows where to find you."
Amazing speaker with a powerful message!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Women of Faith Impressions
I made a great new friend named Rodica at the Women of Faith conference. She wrote a piece on her experience. I thought it was a good overview of the conference, so here it is:
On August 26-27, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Women of Faith conference at the Verizon Center. Since this faith-based women's organization was created in 1996, events across the country have touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of women of all ages and stages in life, encouraging them to grow in faith and spiritual maturity through a relationship with Jesus Christ and an understanding of God’s love and grace.
This year's theme was "Imagine," grounded in the truth of Ephesians 3:20 (MSG): "God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Acclaimed speakers and artists such as Sheila Walsh, Luci Swindoll, Lisa Harper, Henry Cloud, Natalie Grant, and Nicole Johnson along with gospel singers Tina and Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) encouraged an audience of over 7,000 at the Verizon Center to take a step of faith towards a tomorrow full of God's promises and a life worth imagining where each of your gifts and talents are producing fruit.
Throughout the two days of worship and discussions, several important points were made. Happiness is driven by our set of life practices, attitudes, and beliefs; circumstance may perhaps cause an occasional hiccup to our happiness but ultimately does not determine it. Two common features can nevertheless be found in happy people: they are givers and they are connected (to other people).
Accordingly, this new tomorrow beyond our imagination starts by making a first step in faith. Sometimes this may mean putting an end to some things or relationships, to leave some things behind or to do something that you thought you could never do. But one should not make the mistake of believing that we won't have trouble in this new life. Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. As such, what counts is that God is with us in our trouble and that He loves us: the Shepherd knows where to find you. The reason why so many of us feel isolated, pressured to perform, or seduced by ephemeral pleasures is our "spiritual sickness", or the failure to understand our powerlessness to become happy and that we don't need to possess or control all as God will provide the "manna" for us. We may also find ourselves crippled by our inability to forgive. Those who don't forgive are those who end up carrying the bag. Thus, forgiveness appears as God's gift to us to live in peace in a world that is not fair.
A consistent message was sent through music, drama, and words of wisdom: God is the author of Joy. He is not oblivious to what happens in our hearts. He intends for us to be happy throughout the different stages of life without requiring us to be perfect. Thus, as women and men of faith, we need to live our lives fully, to seize the opportunities that God puts in front of us, and to live each day as a great adventure to know God better.
In celebration of life and of the people around us, I personally invite you to join me and thousands of other women at next year's Women of Faith event on August 17-18 at the Verizon Center. The theme is “Celebrate!”
On August 26-27, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Women of Faith conference at the Verizon Center. Since this faith-based women's organization was created in 1996, events across the country have touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of women of all ages and stages in life, encouraging them to grow in faith and spiritual maturity through a relationship with Jesus Christ and an understanding of God’s love and grace.
This year's theme was "Imagine," grounded in the truth of Ephesians 3:20 (MSG): "God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Acclaimed speakers and artists such as Sheila Walsh, Luci Swindoll, Lisa Harper, Henry Cloud, Natalie Grant, and Nicole Johnson along with gospel singers Tina and Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) encouraged an audience of over 7,000 at the Verizon Center to take a step of faith towards a tomorrow full of God's promises and a life worth imagining where each of your gifts and talents are producing fruit.
Throughout the two days of worship and discussions, several important points were made. Happiness is driven by our set of life practices, attitudes, and beliefs; circumstance may perhaps cause an occasional hiccup to our happiness but ultimately does not determine it. Two common features can nevertheless be found in happy people: they are givers and they are connected (to other people).
Accordingly, this new tomorrow beyond our imagination starts by making a first step in faith. Sometimes this may mean putting an end to some things or relationships, to leave some things behind or to do something that you thought you could never do. But one should not make the mistake of believing that we won't have trouble in this new life. Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. As such, what counts is that God is with us in our trouble and that He loves us: the Shepherd knows where to find you. The reason why so many of us feel isolated, pressured to perform, or seduced by ephemeral pleasures is our "spiritual sickness", or the failure to understand our powerlessness to become happy and that we don't need to possess or control all as God will provide the "manna" for us. We may also find ourselves crippled by our inability to forgive. Those who don't forgive are those who end up carrying the bag. Thus, forgiveness appears as God's gift to us to live in peace in a world that is not fair.
A consistent message was sent through music, drama, and words of wisdom: God is the author of Joy. He is not oblivious to what happens in our hearts. He intends for us to be happy throughout the different stages of life without requiring us to be perfect. Thus, as women and men of faith, we need to live our lives fully, to seize the opportunities that God puts in front of us, and to live each day as a great adventure to know God better.
In celebration of life and of the people around us, I personally invite you to join me and thousands of other women at next year's Women of Faith event on August 17-18 at the Verizon Center. The theme is “Celebrate!”
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Women of Faith Worship
I thought I'd just jot some thoughts about each element of the Women of Faith conference. Each day this week, I'll try to highlight something different. Because it seems logical, today I'm posting about the worship music, as that was the first thing on the schedule. (I'll get to the behind-the-scenes stuff - like parking - later.
Lest there be any doubt, I love to worship through music. I'm on the worship team at my local church and I love "praise" music. The worship team at WOF consisted of four extremely talented women, each with her own style, and each with the radiance of our heavenly King upon her face.
I personally would have enjoyed it more if I'd known more of the songs - because I like to sing along. Having said that, "The Lord inhabits the praises of His people," and He certainly was in the Verizon Center in D.C. this past weekend!
On a practical note, the team did a fantastic job of including all the women, a real feat considering the stage was in the center of the auditorium with no clear "front." They moved around, often having one person facing each way, allowing all parts of the room to feel included.
While I did enjoy the worship time, and I'd rate it highly, the rest of the conference was so good, I'd have to say this was my least favorite part of the weekend. And that says a LOT about the rest of the conference! So, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you more!
Lest there be any doubt, I love to worship through music. I'm on the worship team at my local church and I love "praise" music. The worship team at WOF consisted of four extremely talented women, each with her own style, and each with the radiance of our heavenly King upon her face.
I personally would have enjoyed it more if I'd known more of the songs - because I like to sing along. Having said that, "The Lord inhabits the praises of His people," and He certainly was in the Verizon Center in D.C. this past weekend!
On a practical note, the team did a fantastic job of including all the women, a real feat considering the stage was in the center of the auditorium with no clear "front." They moved around, often having one person facing each way, allowing all parts of the room to feel included.
While I did enjoy the worship time, and I'd rate it highly, the rest of the conference was so good, I'd have to say this was my least favorite part of the weekend. And that says a LOT about the rest of the conference! So, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you more!
Monday, August 29, 2011
WOF - WOW!
Well, folks, I went to Women of Faith over the weekend. (I'm sorry I didn't post earlier - my internet was down.) It was amazing! Having never been to a Women of Faith conference, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was ... wow! I had someone ask me yesterday what I liked best about it. I tried, really hard, to answer, but the truth is that I loved everything about the weekend. I enjoyed every speaker, all the music, the fellowship, the atmosphere, all of it. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend basking in the presence of God. Look for more posts, as I will try this week to highlight each part of the weekend.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Going to Women of Faith
Well, to those of you who look regularly, occasionally, or stumble upon this blog, I have exciting news! I am going to the Women of Faith conference next month. On August 26-27, I’ll be in Washington D.C. experiencing my first ever WOF conference. I’m very excited to go. Thomas Nelson, for whom I sometimes post book reviews, is sending me. I, in turn, will be posting about my experience. Watch for more posts about this incredible event!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Your body is a temple
So, since I need to care for my temple, I have begun P90X. For those of you who don't know, that stands for Power - 90 days - eXtreme. It's a workout regimen not for the faint of heart. I expect to sweat. I expect to be sore. I expect to be exhausted. I expect to push limits. And I expect to get into great shape. I'll keep you posted!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
Do you long for divine intervention? To move mountains? Or to see God work supernaturally in your life? In Sun Stand Still, Steven Furtick challenges you to “ask God for the impossible.” Using Joshua 10 as an example, Pastor Furtick demonstrates that “if you have the audacity to ask, God has the ability to perform.”
In Joshua 10, Joshua and his troops are in a battle and Joshua prays "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.…The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. (verses 12-13)
Using Biblical references and real-life examples, Pastor Furtick walks you, the reader, through how to pray your own “Sun Stand Still Prayer.” By having audacious faith, praying specifically and according to His will and character, and approaching the throne of grace boldly, you can revolutionize your faith by believing God for the impossible. Then, you will see the mountains move.
Despite initial wariness that it might be a bit too “prosperity theology” for me, I loved this book! It in no way implied that God would give you a million dollars just because you asked. Rather, it talked of seeking God’s will for a vision for your life and then praying for the impossible in accordance with that vision. I found it to be Biblically sound, challenging, and encouraging. Let’s move beyond the ordinary, the easy faith of the American Christian, and dare to live the extraordinary, abundant life that God wants for us.
Great book! I highly recommend it for any believer who wants a transformed prayer life!
I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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