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Feb
16
Luncheons for Leaders with Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Posted February 16th, 2010 @ 12:20 pm by | | PrintFiled Under This we like!
Nancy Leigh DeMoss will be speaking at three leadership luncheons in the Dallas, Texas and Indianapolis, Indiana areas during the first week of March. The best part is that you are invited! The luncheons are hosted by Revive our Hearts ministry and will offer you the opportunity to hear Nancy’s vision for the True Woman movement firsthand.
The True Woman Conference allows you to spend a weekend with Bible teachers and speakers like Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Joni Eareckson Tada, Kay Arthur, Jennifer Rothschild, Mary Kassian, James MacDonald and many more. Learn how you were made to reflect the beauty and heart of Christ to your world.
True Woman is coming to Indianapolis in September 2010 and to Dallas in October 2010. In preparation, we hope you will attend a leadership luncheon in your area. Luncheon dates, times and locations are listed below. There are two ways you can respond:
- Email info@truewoman.com for more details.
- Reply by February 22 to MVaught@ReviveOurHearts.com or by calling 1-866-842-8381, ext. 2049.
Now, for the particulars…
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Room: Fellowship Hall at College Park Church
2606 West 96th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(Located at the corner of 96th St. and Towne Rd.)
Thursday, March 4
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Room A210
Prestonwood Baptist Church
6801 West Park Blvd
Plano, TX 75093
Friday, March 5, 2010
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Seelig Banquet Hall
Naylor Student Center on the campus of
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
2001 W Seminary Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76115
The True Woman Leadership Luncheons are around the corner, so call or email today to let us know you are coming.
Jan
26
I don’t know about you, but the thought of knocking on my neighbor’s doors to invite them to Bible study makes my knees knock. Why would God ask me to do a crazy thing like that? Surely He knows it’s not my calling to go calling on my neighbors.
A Cafe Called Home
He had given me the idea to start a neighborhood Bible study called The Rosewood Café after our address on Rosewood Drive, yet it didn’t seem that the women in my neighborhood were going to miraculously come and enter my home, as God had commanded Noah’s animals. No, this seemed like something I was going to have to initiate on my own. Yikes.
“Who has time for door-to-door evangelism?” I reasoned. “They’ll think I’m a salesperson, census worker or scam artist.” So I printed lovely invitations, attached them to a small bag of coffee and hung them on mailboxes in my neighborhood. I hosted an Open House and began my Bible study shortly afterward. Every so often I plastered the neighborhood mailboxes with postcards or Christmas greetings. God blessed my weak-kneed efforts and introduced me to many of my neighbors this way. Women who had given me a passing nod while walking their dogs were soon sipping coffee at my kitchen table.
Friends and Neighbors
With a tiny taste of the friendships that could be formed, I was emboldened to meet more women whom God had so carefully placed around me. Acts 17:26-27 says God “determined the times set for [us] and the exact places where [we] should live. God did this so that [wo]men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” What if He had prepared in advance a good work for me to do (Ephesians 2:10) – something that would help a seeking neighbor to reach out for Him? This is an opportunity I don’t want to miss!
I visited over 40 homes in my neighborhood over the course of several days. Some weren’t home so I left a small handmade gift at their door. Others were clearly uninterested so I was brief. Others warmly invited me in. I met an elderly widow who told me noises at night kept her awake, and together we prayed for restful sleep. I met a pastor’s wife, a delightful surprise. I met women in bathrobes and sweatpants, young and old, friendly and guarded.
One woman shared what her realtor, who happens to live next door, told her when she moved here: “It’s a nice neighborhood, but we don’t neighbor.” He was right. Maybe it’s the lack of sidewalks or front porches that sit far back from the road, or perhaps it’s just the personality of this area – but we don’t neighbor, as a verb. I want to change that.
The woman I remember most was one I didn’t meet at all. She called me a few minutes after I left an invitation on her unanswered door. “I guess I’m your neighbor,” she said. “I live on Rosewood Drive? I don’t know very many people here. I’ve been sick,” she explained. “I need a double lung transplant. I’ve lost a lot of friends because of my illness.” She tearfully thanked me for coming to her door and inviting her to my home.
God on your Street
I believe the Lord will hold me accountable for driving past her pain, walking by her loneliness and ignoring her need. “Amy, Amy – my beloved Amy.” I hear Him say. “Why didn’t you help my daughter on your street? I placed you within 700 feet of her front door, at the exact time she needed a friend!”
Do you neighbor? Is your neighborhood friendly, or are you merely polite? Perhaps your neighborhood is decidedly unfriendly, or even dangerous. Has it been hard for you to make friends? Or have you found a soul sister on your street?
Do your neighbors know Jesus? How do you know? How will you find out?
How will you answer our Lord?
Dec
1
Leadership Forum Review 2009
Posted December 1st, 2009 @ 10:36 pm by | | PrintFiled Under Leadership
by April Pressley
I recently attended LifeWay’s 2009 Women’s Ministry Leadership Forum in Nashville, Tennessee. More than 600 women’s ministry leaders gathered to discover how to can gain “MOMENTum” in our culture. The three-day conference featured Mary Kassian, Priscilla Shirer, and David Landrith and felt like a soul revival from the good ole days. God made Himself known through the speakers, 60 breakout sessions and fellowship with other leaders. Though words barely capture it, I will do my best to give you a glimpse of what it was like to be there.
Before the Beginning
The crème de la crème of LifeWay’s authors came to share their hearts and souls. The pre-conference featured eight bonus sessions. I attended Margaret Fienberg’s breakout where she spoke about helping the next generation fall in love with Jesus and His church. She took us on a journey into the lives of 20- and 30-somethings by examining why they are leaving the church and how we can bring them back. She identified the number one problem: Young adults are lonely. The solution? Leaders need to be willing to minister to the unique needs of young adults as they seek to develop sincere, lasting relationships with them. The session was full, and so was my heart by the time we finished.
It All Started
The main conference kicked off with worship led by Travis Cottrell. He awakened our spirits and warmed us up for a panel of leaders, known as the “Real View.” Panel members answered questions from the audience. Later in the afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit with LifeWay’s authors personally.
Our day ended with a challenge from Chris Adams, Senior Lead Women’s Ministry Specialist at LifeWay. She taught us how to live in the moment in our culture. She summed it up by saying that leaders need to ask God what He wants them to do and then courageously do it. Her challenge encouraged us to keep growing, be transparent with our stories, care about people and not numbers, teach and live the Word of God and to love no matter what. The bottom line, she said, is to be willing to release ministry into God’s hands.
Come Again
Day two focused on networking and small group sessions. We heard from leaders from all over the country and participated as both teachers and learners. Inspiration and good ideas flowed easily. Here’s one example. A leader from Alaska shared her idea about hosting a “Wisdom Tea” for their girls ministry. Mothers were asked to choose three to four women whom they would like to pour into her daughters as they mature. The tea includes an official ceremony in which the girl is given a bracelet to commemorate the day on which she sees that she always has women she can turn to for encouragement, a listening ear and wisdom.
Priscilla Shrier, Mary Kassian, and Kelly Minter made the day complete. Priscilla applied Mark 1 to the theme of living and leading in culture. She explained that we must live lives transformed by Jesus and pointed out the qualities that made Him a successful leader:
• Supernatural ability
• Supernatural authority
• Supernatural vision
• Supernatural energy
• Supernatural priorities
• Supernatural focus
• Supernatural compassion
• Supernatural humility.
Mary Kassian taught us the difference between moments, momentum and movements. To seize the moment, we should actively teach womanhood, make disciples, make Scripture the foundation for everything and intentionally target the next generation. Mary eloquently challenged us to better understand what it means to be a woman of God and to understand that as we seize each moment we are able to create momentum and start movements that change the world. Kelly Minter wrapped the day up by taking us through a musical worship experience that taught us about the life of Ruth.
The Final Day
The third day offered more small group sessions and networking. We said, “Goodbye,” to new friends and shared hugs as we soaked up the last bits that God had for each of us. David Landrith, pastor of Longhollow Baptist Church, closed out our time by encouraging us as only a pastor can do.
LifeWay’s Leadership Forum is an experience like none other. Walking away at the end of the conference felt as though every cell had been tuned toward God, energized, excited and was ready to serve Him. I highly recommend going if you are ever given the opportunity. You will leave as a different woman. I sure did.
WM Note: Here’s our special tip for anyone who might be thinking about going the the Forum next year. The 2010 conference will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Forum and will be held in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. The best part is that Beth Moore, Curtis Jones, Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick will be the guest speakers!
Nov
22
It all started with Forrest Gump. I love his quote about life. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you’re going to get.” Then I remembered a Donut Man song that we listened to when my kids were small. “Life without Jesus is like a donut because there’s a hole in the middle of your heart.”
That’s when I realized that I really have lived two very different lives: one without Jesus and one without Him. So, I came up with a couple of analogies to describe them.
Life without Jesus is like a standardized test. Too many circles. Too little pencil.
Life with Jesus is like New Years Eve. The ball drops and the slate is clean.
I’ve so enjoyed pondering this and decided to ask some friends to weigh in with their thoughts. You’ll just love what they’ve sent my way.
From Kim L.
Life without Jesus is like a road trip without a destination.
It’s fun at first, but eventually you are ready to be somewhere.
Life with Jesus is like a tight-rope walk in the circus.
No matter how good you are you may still fall, but the net will be there and you’ll try it all over again.
From Tracy K.
Life without Jesus is like running a marathon blindfolded.
The route is unmarked and you have no idea where the finish line is.
Life with Jesus is like running the same marathon.
But you have a buddy who can see and is constantly giving you water, nutrition and directions…
and all the while telling you what a great job you are doing and how wonderful the party afterward will be!
From Carla M.
Life without Jesus is like a desert: Continually dry and barren.
Life with Jesus is like a rain forest: Consistent showers of blessing with abundant growth.
From Julie G.
Life without Jesus is like running on a treadmill going nowhere and bored silly.
Life with Jesus is like running the marathon in the Olympics and winning the gold.
From Chantel E.
Life without Jesus is like a slide at a playground.
Long, shaky climb to the top; quick, scary slide down to the bottom…just to do it all over again.
Life with Jesus “should” be like network-marketing.
Excitedly you share with 3 people, those 3 share with their 3 people…so on…to the ends of the earth!
From Susi L.
Life without Jesus is like running a marathon with no finish line.
Life with Jesus is like that drink of cold water at the end of the race.
From Maria E.
Life without Jesus is like a gray still night. Without a light in sight.
Life with Jesus is like a prism. It catches the light and colors the world.
From Linda L.
Life without Jesus is a dark whole, no light, no hope…nothing.
Life with Jesus is joy, peace, and acceptance, the true love of my life.
From Amy L.
Life without Jesus is like pulp fiction… mindlessly entertaining but poorly written.
Life with Jesus is like a literary classic by the Author and Editor of our faith.
Life without Jesus is like clouds without rain.
Life with Jesus is like a desert oasis.
Life without Jesus is like a “before” picture that hasn’t been retouched.
Life with Jesus is like an “after” picture of an airbrushed supermodel without spots or wrinkles.
Yes, all of those came from Amy! Writer friends are always a little over the top. Takes one to know one!
From Elisabeth N.
Life without Jesus is like walking a tight rope without a safety net…extremely dangerous.
Life with Jesus is like rock climbing with a secure line. No matter how high the mountain, we are always safe in his hands.
From Marcey D.
Life without Jesus is like being a lab rat in a maze.
Running, running, running. Receiving rewards from man, only to die in the end.
Life with Jesus is like walking through a beautiful European cathedral.
Catching your breath as you take in the amazing enormity of it all. Yet still unable to see all of the secret
places created by the original architect.
From Joyce E.
Life without Jesus is like a sieve.
No matter how much you put in, you wind up empty.
Life with Jesus is like buttercream icing on a rich chocolate cake.
Complete and all the more sweet.
I’ll be posting more as I receive them and hope you’ll post yours in the comments below!
Nov
16
Top Three Bible Study Tools
Posted November 16th, 2009 @ 3:22 am by | | PrintFiled Under Bible Studies
Barnes and Noble is one of my favorite places to hang out. I can spend several contended hours scanning shelves, reading and people watching.
I love libraries. Big ones. Really good ones with tall shelves and quiet corners.
Amazon is one of my favorite websites. I browse just for the fun of adding items to my wish list.
And my most favorite book is, without a doubt, the Bible. I love to read it, memorize it, think about it, talk about it, ask questions of it, study it, teach it and best of all, live it. Well, the living it part is the hardest, and though I’m not always where I’d like to be, God’s Word has never failed to live up to its claims.
As a result of this passion, I’ve collected a good many books that I use in studying the Bible, and I thought I’d share my favorites…
Thompson Chain Study BibleThis is the first Bible I ever used to really study. It’s still my favorite. I’ve had mine rebound, and it’s full of notes, highlights and lots of wear and tear. It’s also full of helpful study notes and, of course, the chain reference that enables you to follow a topic all through Scripture. I love it and always will.
Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks
Howard Hendricks is a thoughtful and entertaining teacher in the classroom and in print. Read this book and learn the Bible study methods he has taught to Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, Andy Stanley and many more. It’s simple, straightforward and will change your life.
The Wiersbe Bible CommentaryWiersbe’s “Be” series of Bible commentaries has been combined into a single volume, and I couldn’t be happier. This is the most down to earth and on target commentary I’ve used, and I recommend it often.
Study on!
Nov
9
Nicodemus was a Pharisee.
His whole life had been committed to keeping what the Jews called “God’s law.” Truth was that the Pharisees knew they couldn’t keep God’s law. They made up their own set of laws that were easier to follow. Their laws became deeply ingrained traditions, and though the burden was heavy, it was approachable.
Nicodemus was honest.
In his heart, Nicodemus knew he wasn’t measuring up. He wondered what it would really take to get to God. He’d done religion. It hadn’t been enough. He’d performed the rituals. They left him empty. He’d risen in the ranks of the spiritually astute. His position left him wondering.
When will it be enough?
He wanted to know. How do I get in? To the kingdom of God.
He wanted more than hoping he might make it.
But he didn’t know what enough looked like. Until he met Jesus.
Jesus wasn’t like the teachers of the law. He was different from the priests. He was different from all of Nicodemus’ Pharisee cronies. He was different from the rituals. And Nicodemus knew that Jesus was for real.
So he snuck out at night, found Jesus alone and began to question him. Jesus’ answers were perplexing to ears that had been tuned to shallow answers and external living. Jesus talked about a second birth and saving the world. All Nicodemus had come for was to find out the “Six Steps to Eternal Life.”
Nicodemus didn’t find his six steps. He found Jesus. And that’s for real.
“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (Ps. 27:3-4)
Nov
2
Looking for Jesus in all the Wrong Faces
Posted November 2nd, 2009 @ 11:16 am by | | PrintFiled Under Food for Thought
I saw Jesus in Nicaragua. I handed him the plate of leftovers I could barely stomach . He nodded shyly, smiled and gladly cleaned the plate.
I saw Him again just the other day. He looked a lot like a young woman standing by the side of the road with a cardboard sign in her hands.
He showed up again today. This time He looked more like a child, whose dark eyes betrayed a pain too deep for so few years to her account.
Jesus has been showing up a lot lately. With a military surplus backpack slung across the handlebars of his wheelchair while he waits to be noticed at the end of the next highway exit ramp. Or dressed in black with hair dyed to match, too many facial piercings and enough chains around his waist to make me wonder if they are there to mimic the ones wrapped around his soul. Sometimes he has a foreign accent and lives in the wrong part of town.
Whenever I see him , my reaction gives me a jolt because my eyes almost involuntarily turn the other way. And this verse races into my mind…
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isa. 53:3)
Why does He have to do that? Why can’t He be dressed in His Sunday best, hands raised and singing the latest praise and worship songs? Or why can’t He at least be politely seated at the next table in the restaurant after church? Why does He have to look that way? With those eyes? With all those needs? Why does He make me feel so out of place? Why can’t Jesus dress nicely, behave properly and live in my neighborhood?
When I ask God to show up in my life, I don’t usually like where I find Him. Sometimes I don’t like what He says either. Like this…
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
I’d rather skip that verse and read the next one…
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. (Isa. 58:7-9)
If you haven’t seen Jesus lately, you might be looking the the wrong faces. Like me. I’m learning. Slowly. How about you?
“…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isa. 58:10)
Oct
21
Yes, ministry is serious business.
Yes, it’s hard work.
Yes, we’re about life and death, eternity and purpose and the salvation of souls.
But do you ever ask yourself in the midst of ministry and life, “Are we having fun yet?” Can ministry be fun? We vote a resounding, “Yes!” and even believe that fun is effective.
These two videos say it better than words ever could. Watch on.
One of God’s good and perfect gifts is the ability to have fun. So, why not make giving and serving and living our lives for our Lord enjoyable. No, it won’t all be fun and games, but if loving Jesus puts a smile on someone’s face, I’m guessing that all of heaven will smile right along.
Oct
10
I just finished listening to David McCullough’s masterful book, 1776. His tale of America’s defining moments paints this as “a year of all-too-few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear … but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country.” And without a doubt, the central figure was Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington.
As I listened to this well woven account, I learned a good many lessons from General Washington. But two stand out above the rest.
From the beginning, everyone recognized George Washington as the colonists’ only hope in winning the fight for liberty. But by late December 1776, Washington faced certain catastrophe. His already pitiful army had been depleted by defeat, disease and desertion. Successes had been too seldom and too insignificant. He had depended too often on others to make his decisions. He had despaired too often of a near hopeless plight. He had acted too slowly and made poor strategic assumptions too frequently. Washington had failed, and even some of his most loyal supporters and compatriots had lost heart.
Washington was still in command, but he was alone. And it turns out that solitude became his most effective leadership tool. In the final hour, which was also the darkest, it was Washington’s character that sustained him and eventually led to the triumph of freedom and the birth of a nation. For all of his deficits, General Washington had plenty of assets, all of them intrinsic: tenacity, focus, courage and realism. And these were the things that won the day and for which we remember him still.
Washington’s spirit was greater than his skill.
It is this lesson that rings the loudest among the echoes of liberty. Skill does matter. We can hone it, pray over it, and seek it out. It’s right to do so. But true leadership comes from depth of character when proficiency might be lacking. The most refined leadership skills in the world cannot make up for a lack of character, shallow faith or hypersensitivity.
None one possesses every leadership skill that is necessary for our tasks. We all face uncertainty and even failure in ministry. Intrinsic qualities will make or break us
Washington’s reality was greater than his fear.
Failure was not an option for General Washington. He had been out-maneuvered, out-manned, outclassed and out-fought. The scene before him was as bleak as a Virginia blizzard, yet he had to win because freedom was at stake.
It was this clear-minded focus that won the day. When his decisions fell short, he remembered the cause. When his retreats were more successful than his advances, it was liberty that fueled his pursuit. When he surveyed the savage army of which he was Commander, he reminded them that independence was their aim.
This clear minded focus became the sustaining force and driving influence in ultimate victory. McCullough writes, “Seeing things as they were, not as he would wish they were, was known to be one of Washington’s salient strengths.” A good dose of reality, not wishes, not guesses, not appearances, kept Washington grounded and enabled him to continue when all appeared lost.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Sep
28
Bald and the Bible
Posted September 28th, 2009 @ 5:00 am by | | PrintFiled Under Bible Studies, Food for Thought
Just had to share this… My husband is retired military in his second career as a teacher. He is 6’ tall, bald, tattooed and teaches first grade! Recently “David,” who was filling in for the janitor, approached him and wanted to talk.
My husband, Jon, is very open about his faith and loves to share about the grace of Jesus Christ in his life. He claims that he is the poster child for “Forgiven… not Perfect!”
David told Jon that a while back he decided to start reading through the Bible. He began in Genesis and was now almost through with the Old Testament, but he wanted to talk about the Law. His question for Jon was about his bald head. David hemmed and hawed around the Law for a while and then blurted out that Jon was dishonoring God by shaving his head.
Jon smiled and briefly explained about the Old and New Testaments. He shared how the law is there to remind us that we are in desperate need of grace and a Savior.
David began to argue about the Law.
(Now, I need to insert here that if this had been me in the conversation. I would have begun a theological dialogue on the fine points of law vs. grace and taken this man on a tour through Romans, Galatians and Hebrews. That is most likely why the Holy Spirit led David to Jon and not to Robyne).
My husband listened and then encouraged David with these words, “Buddy, I am glad that God has used the Old Testament to show you how we can fall short of the Law; but I want to encourage you to keep reading that book…you’re just getting to the good part.”
Wow. How profound. No argument. No answers. No flip chart with colored markers. Just an encouragement to keep reading the Bible. Okay God… I get this one. We don’t always need to have the answers. We simply need to point people in the right direction!
I knew there was a good reason I married that man.
Have you read “the good part” lately?
keep looking »