Start in me

October 18, 2011 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Just me, Ministry Life

I returned from Atlanta on Saturday night tired but spiritually refreshed, and with a few new friends.

I spoke at a Let’s Get Real conference in Duluth, GA this past weekend. I was met at the airport by one of the youngest almost 60-year-olds I have ever met. She’s a pastor’s wife, but also teaches a spin class. I love that combo!

Jeanne has a desire to see God work in her community and in her church, and it shows. She has a “whatever it takes, God” heartbeat, but is willing for that work to begin in her first.

“If God wants me on my knees, I’ll go to my knees,” she said softly. “And if He wants me on my face, I’ll go to my face on the ground.”

I just have to wonder what God can do with a heart like that.

What could He do in our ministries? Our families? Our churches? Our communities?

Let’s Get Real was one of their first events in this church’s new women’s ministry, and every detail was beautiful, including the focus of the team. One by one they shared how they had prayed, how they had asked God for big things. (more…)

On my way to Atlanta

October 14, 2011 | Just me, Ministry Life

I’m on my way to minister to an amazing church in the Atlanta area. I’m praying that God will connect the hearts of women in friendship and encouragement.

Will you pray with me?

I’ll arrive home super late Saturday night and jump into a celebration of a grandbaby that will arrive in late November, and then I’ll guest on a show called Rebuilding Families with host, Maxine Marsolini (www.rebuildingfamilies.net).

See you on Monday!

The Mom I Have Now

October 6, 2011 | Family: Nurturing Family, Just me

This month’s issue of Proverbs 31 Magazine features me and my family. I loved it! Especially the pictures on the inside of my beautiful grandbabies. The article featured my book, The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future. It shares what God can do in spite of brokenness, and how to give our children something greater.

But every time this story is shared, I want to share the “rest of the story”. You see, the rest of the story is that my mom is one of my best friends today. (more…)

How to throw a really great party

September 28, 2011 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Just me, Ministry Life

I just attended a really great party. One of the best in a while. I spoke at the Destiny Conference in the Bay area of San Francisco.

It was different than most of the conferences I have ministered at and I loved it. It was a little chaotic. A little messy. But a lot anointed.

God showed up in the midst of a crowd of women from a local shelter, women who had been incarcarated or addicted, and women seeking something more.

In Matthew 22, a man goes to great lengths to create a wedding banquet. When he sends out the invites no one can come. They have flimsy excuses.

So, the wedding banquet could go on with empty seats and throwaway food, or the host could fill the seats.

Which he did.

He sent his servants into the highways and byways — a.k.a. the streets and the hidden places — and he asked people to come. The good people, the broken people, the bad people. And soon the seats were filled and the prime rib was carved. But that is only part of the story. . .

(more…)

critical thinking. . . or critical spirit

September 19, 2011 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Just me

Why did the pastor say that? Doesn’t he know that’s offensive?

I think the Bible says we should do it this way.

That’s not the way I see it. What about you?

These and many other questions came from an acquaintance over time. She was questioning the way things were done, wondering if there was a better way. It wasn’t about my church, but church as a whole.

I thought it was important to listen. We talked. I shared my viewpoint. We looked into scripture.

But over time the questions changed. (more…)

Hands full in a good way

September 5, 2011 | Just me

You may notice that I’m not blogging as consistently these past few days as I normally do, but there’s a good reason. Her name is Elle.

On the way to church w/Gramma

I’m hanging out with 13-month old Elle just for some special one-on-one Gramma time for a week. As someone who ministers to moms, it’s a great reminder of how amazing and how hard this job is.

Right now there is a pile of spaghetti and peas around the floor (pitched from the high chair), toys and books have taken over the living room, and a pile of dirty diapers are mounting in the trash can. Because a week is a super long time away from her favorite people in the world, Elle’s favorite place is on Gramma’s hip. So, we do everything in tandem.

I will blog, but sometimes life is more important, and that’s a blog post all on its own. Elle’s smiles, her kisses, and even those moments when she’s not happy and everyone knows it, is a memory that I don’t want to miss.