She Speaks Conference in June

She Speaks is a conference held in NC in June of this year. It is a conference for speakers, writers and ministy leaders of ladies. I am excited to convey that there will also be a session for bloggers this year. I believe it would be beneficial for any lady that loves the Lord to attend to learn about how the Lord can use us in our speaking, writing and communicating of our life experiences, love of Christ and what a mighty work He has done in our life and can do in that of others.

Lysa who is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries has a fabulous blog that gives a very eloquent description of what you can learn and experience that the Conference.

Please click here to go to Lysa's blog http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2008/01/win-scholarship-to-she-speaks-2008.html to learn more about the conference and also the fabulous scholarship opporutunity that is available.

For information on how to register please go to http://www.shespeaksconference.com/

I have always been quite talkative. I was born in England and each time I would bring home my report card from the little private school I was attending at the time (Ardenhurst in Henley-In-Arden) there would be comments in the margin about how I was a chatterbox. I longed for the day when my report card no longer had those words in the margins.

As a Communications Major in Univerity I used my talkative and outgoing personality to study something that I loved. When I gradated (1991) I always prayed that the Lord would use me to speak to others about His love and grace. I am thankful for people He has placed in my path to allow that, but would love to learn more about the opportunity to speak to groups of ladies and pen encouraging experiences with scripture to challenge others in their walk with Christ.

This year I have asked God to use me, to take me to a point of growth that I have not yet experienced in my relationship with Him. When prompted by the Lord may we respond with a resounding yes, knowing that He has a perfect plan for us and we can rest assured that He is in control and we do not need to be at the helm. I would LOVE to be awarded the scholarship for She Speaks to be with ladies who share a similar calling and where we can encourage one another on this journey of spiritual growth and full surrender to what God has called us to do and to be all that we can for Him.

Ponder

""I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38 NIV

I had just tucked in my two year old son and turned off the lights in his bedroom and proceeded to see my four year old. We sat talking for a few minutes when I realized that our preschool devotional book had been left in Aaron's bedroom after I read him todays entry. I said, "Liam let us read another Bible story". His little hands reached for the White Gideon New Testament that was given to me in 1979 and was a newfound treasure to him. He said, "Mommy, please read me from this copy of God's word. Can you please find and read me the story of the birth of Jesus". I smiled and turned to the book of Luke and we read the passage of Luke Chapter 2: 1-20.

It was as if I had read the passage for the first time, however, we had read it many times since my childhood and just last month as it was December. I couldn't help but be so touched by Luke 2:19, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart".

This year I have asked God to use me, to take me to a point of growth that I have not yet experienced in my relationship with Him. When prompted by the Lord may we respond with a resounding yes, knowing that He has a perfect plan for us and we can rest assured that He is in control and we do not need to be at the helm.

Application:

1. As life is spinning around you today be sure and take the time to be still and quiet and treasure and ponder the marvelous work the Lord has done and continues to do in your life and those you love. As you read Luke 2:19 above Mary, Jospeh and newborn Jesus have just been visited by shepherds who came to see what the angels proclaimed and Mary was treasuring and pondering.

2. Is there something that you feel God calling you to do today? If so, ask God for strength for what you have been called to accomplish. It is when we obey that we can experience the true joy of our relationship with the Savior.

Mary was a young women who responded with obedience when Gabriel came to convey the good news that she would carry the Son of God (Luke 1).

Prayer:

Lord, today I want to thank you for showing me how Mary was obedient in the plan that was designed. Mary kept her eyes and heart focused on what God planned for her. Please work through me to fulfill your plan and purpose for my life.

Verses:

Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:46-55 - Read these verses and proclaim them. God can use you today to impact someone in an amazing way.

Bloggy Giveaway - Winner Announcement

Wow, what a great response to my bloggy giveaway. I selected the winner using http://www.random.org/ and it selected Jeni. Congratulations and thank you to all you took the time to enter the drawing! - this was added on Sunday, February 3.

Welcome to my blog!

I am taking part in the Winter Carnival Bloggy Giveaways.

Here are the rules to be eligible for the prize:

1. Leave a comment under this post with a link to your blog and/or your email address in the event your name is selected.

2. The winner will be notified by email on Sunday, February 3.

3.Now for the prize....some fabulous products from Bath and Body works. The winner will receive Cinnamon Bun Heaven and Pecan Passion...the 3 in 1 from Bath and Body Works. For a little indulgence without the calories...it is a body wash, bubble bath and shampoo all in one!

After leaving your comment here be sure and head over to my other blog at: http://www.happyfour.blogspot.com/ to enter my other drawing which is a $20 gift card to Starbucks or Jamba Juice...the winners choice.

Also, be sure and check out http://www.bloggygiveaways.com/ for the opportunity to enter on a slew of other blogs and misc. fabulous prizes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Outlook

"This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it".
Psalm 118:24 NKJV


I find it easy to have a happy heart and praise God when things are going smoothly. The days when my little men in the making have listening ears and things seem to go on schedule it is more easy to be joyful. I often find myself saying to my boys, "Please do this with a happy heart". As their mother I need to not only speak those words but also live them so they know that a happy heart is something that is attainable and real.


It is often in times of crisis that we see the depth of a man. Thus far, in my 38 years, I have to say that I have not had to endure a true crisis. My life has been blessed and God is so good, however, I have learned so much from witnessing godly men and women praise God through their times of joy AND when sorrow comes.

As humans we are blessed to have feelings, but also need to remember that we can not let circumstances determine our attitude.

Prayer:

Lord, I give today to You. I know you are with me throughout the journey of my earthly life and You know what I will face today. Please give me the strength to accept with peace whatever the day entails.

Application:

1. Is there someone you know that is hurting today that you can minister to? Give them a call and convey that you are praying for them.

2. Take the time to pen someone a note this week via email or snail mail and convey to them something about them or something you did together that blessed you.

3. Are you struggling with a heavy burden today? Spend some time in prayer and ask God to help you to give him it to Him.

4. Make a list of some of God's blessings in your life and focus on what He has done for you.

Purging

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow". Psalm 51:7

I love emails. So much so, that in the past I have saved them for extended periods of time which results in my email box reaching capacity. If I was to be compared to an animal I am likened to a squirrel who stores their food for the winter; I store everything that comes in the house, and, via email. Just the other day I sat down to send an email and all of the 2007 emails had disappeared from my inbox. It was something I had planned to do eventually, however, the computer did it for me.

Albeit, there was a sense of loss for what information might be needed, there was an instant feeling of utter relief that I was now rid of something I had to been holding to and was hesitant to let go.

In an instant over a 1,000 emails vanished, so it was when God forgave me of all my sins. A girl birthed with a sinful nature was again born white as snow and forgiven. God washed all my sins away; they vanished and are gone for all eternity!

Application:

1. Is there sin in your past that are you having difficulty accepting forgiveness for? Pray and ask Jesus to give you peace and assurance so that you can let it go.

2. Is there someone that has wronged you that you have not forgiven? Pray that you will see them through God's eyes and request the strength to move past the hurt.

3. Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed? Spend some time in prayer today asking God to reveal any area of your life that needs to be confessed.

4. Spend some time praising God for His forgiveness and grace.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for washing me as white as snow and making me new again.

Bible Verses to consider:

Psalm: 103:12
Matthew 26:28

Psalm 42

Psalm 42:1"As the hart pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God."

As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longs after you.
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship You.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

I want you more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

You're my friend and You're my brother,
Even though you are a King.
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

Clouds

This a.m. I arrived a few minutes early to pick up Liam from school. As I stood outside his classroom I looked up at the sky and in a moment of peace I praised God for the beauty of the sky. My mind reflected back to childhood when I spent time absorbing the magnificence of the sky whilst looking for similarity of the clouds to tangible things I could identify.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these". Mark 10:14

On the drive home it occurred to me how children take such wonder and amazement at all they see and how adults rush from one task to the next viewing their responsibilities as a check list.

Lord, this year I want to come to you as a child to learn and to grow. May I not rush from task to task, but savor these days with the children, husband and day to day responsibilities.