Women of Faith

The last Tuesday morning we had bible study, they drew for free women of faith tickets. Angela (my dear friend) and I looked at each other with this "Pleeez" in our eyes. Unfortunately, we didn't win! However, a few days later, I caught wind that the winner wasn't able to go. I rounded up those tickets so fast. Boy am I ever thankful I did...

1. You aren't good enough! You never will be. But it's ok. You are not the good news. HE IS. This was the thing that stuck out to me the most. As women, we try to be the best wife, mom, daughter, friend, skinniest, prettiest, make sure we are doing every job just as it ought to be done, on and on. We forget that the "standard" was born in a manger! Jesus Christ, who is absolute perfection, wasn't always on a throne! He was born in a dirty old stable. Enough of us trying to be in all our glory. We are NOT the good news. It is HIM. Let him be the one.

2. Peace is not the absence of trouble. It's the presence of Christ.

3. Wounds of a friend are better than kisses of the enemy.

4. Luci Swindoll got up on the platform and said: When you're 5 you want to be 10. When you are 10 you want to be 20. When you are 20 you want to be 30. When you are 30 you want to be 20. When it's summer, you're hot and ready for fall. When it's fall you are ready for snow. When it's winter you want the freshness of spring. On and On. Before we can be happy we want more or something else.

I loved this. Who isn't guilty of this? I think we can beat the dead horse over so many decisions. We can think, think, think. We over-analyze everything.

She was saying how we can speak across the world to people through amazing technology, but with that same technology we can be in the same room as someone and not even have a conversation.

Her entire point was: Enjoy life. Enjoy today.

While we have to be very intentional about things, stop stewing and simply enjoy. She mentioned, "People always want to know if we should enjoy the world or improve it." Her answer was, "When we enjoy it, we do improve it."

All that to say, in order to enjoy life, we MUST have Jesus Christ. There is no real enjoyment outside of Him. He makes everything work together for the good of those who put their trust in Him. And that is exactly why we have the freedom to enjoy every breath we take!

5. Sheila Walsh told an amazing story about a very dry season in her life with a lot of pain. During this time, she had an encounter with an angel. Never had she had one before, and she hasn't had one since. But at this time, in the corner of a mental hospital room, this angel came to her, handed her a stuffed little lamb, and said as he walked out, "Sheila, the shepherd knows where to find you."

A good shepherd never loses his sheep. It doesn't matter where we are or what we are going through. He knows exactly where we are, and He will find us there. His love isn't if we're right or wrong, happy or sad. His love is who He is.

6. We are promised an abundant life. It might be dry for a season. Today might seem like anything but a full life. But, there is a promised land. And His promises stand true. You can bet your bottom dollar on it.

7. Lastly, find your monkeys! We need connection! There was an incredibly smart man who spoke to us. He had his doctorate and many other letters behind his name, having studied the human brain, body, etc. in finding happiness. There was a study done with monkeys. The jest of the study was that two monkeys were better than one. The chemicals in the monkey's brain, etc. were better off when the second monkey was put in the cage.

The same goes for us. Find monkeys! Find true friends who love you for who you are. Find friends who give. Find friends who speak truth. The wounds of a friend are better than kisses of the enemy.

Research showed (and crazy how the science lined up perfectly with the Bible, huh...just joking. God's pretty cool like that. He already had it all worked out.).....
-Don't go to no connection. It's isolation. It may seem safe, because you aren't letting anyone in, but here you will find fear and hopelessness.
-Second corner some run to is a bad connection. It leaves you feeling bad, guilty, etc. but we have hope.
-Third corner is a seductive, good connection. This may be food, promotions in our job, success. It feels good, but it's not good for you. It produces destructive fruit and diminishing returns.
-Go to the fourth corner. This is a real connection. First, you must have a relationship with Christ. Next, relationship with other brothers and sisters. This is home base (temporarily). This is where you will find contentment, love, fulfillment, joy. When you feel the need to run back to isolation from being burned, go straight to the fourth corner - Jesus. There you will find your real monkeys.

One of the highlights of my weekend was hearing Angie Smith speak. She has an incredible story. I have read her blog for way too long. I'm pretty much convinced we're on a first name basis. Unfortunately, lots of other women at the conference felt the same way!

Selah and Mary Mary also provided incredible music, and the worship team was so amazing.

Combine words of truth (all the above), my favorite blogger, good music, and wonderful friend bonding time, and you have a delightful weekend. Oh, and the tickets were free. That makes everything better.

I encourage y'all to go next year. It's an incredible weekend. You can't help but come home completely rejuvenated and thankful for all the blessings. In every single speaker's life and story, the recurring theme I saw was: God has His hand on everyone and everything. He always works things out, in His perfect timing. There is a season for everything. But at the end of all the seasons is a life overflowing with His beautiful abundance.