She Speaks - Shut up!

It has been about a week and a half since Jodie and I returned from She Speaks and I am still finding it difficult to put into words all that God taught me there. For me, there were times of laughter, times of tears, and times of growth. It was a combination of pure joy and pure discipline - both provided by a loving Father who wants only the best for me.

I went to She Speaks with all intentions of it being about learning how to grow and do the ministry of Faithfully Following (and Faithfully Fit) but I came away with so much more. Now for those of you who supported us, thank you, and please know that God taught me a lot about how to minister to others. But He did it in a way I did not expect. He reminded me over and over again that in order to effectively minister to those around me...that I must believe in me...that I must trust Him to do a work in me that I can then share with you. He reminded me that I have a story to tell and that He loves me...because I am me!

See, I don't have a tragic life story to tell you. I am a "good church girl" - if you will - and Satan wants me to think that my story is not important. But, I stand redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and I am made whole through Him. And God taught me at She Speaks that if I am not me, then I rob the world from seeing the unique piece of God's glory that is found in me. For God tells me in His word (and He tells you too!) that:

I am His Beloved.

Jeremiah 31:3

I am a Child of God

1 John 3:1

I am Heaven's Poetry

Ephesians 2:10

I am Forgiven

 1 Peter 2:24

I am whole in Christ

Colossians 2:10

I am Never Alone

Deuteronomy 31:8

I am an Exquisite Fragrance

2 Corinthians 2:15

I am Free

Galatians 5:1

(shared with permission from Proverbs 31 Ministries)

So, God speaks to me saying...

Shut-up. 

Shut-up the voice of Satan in your mind and heart for he has already been defeated.

 Shut -up what the world will say that you are...and follow the Truth..found only through Me.

Shut-up those who say you don't have a testimony because you do - without a tragedy but with the same amount of victory!! 

Shut- up negative thoughts about yourself - do not beat yourself up about what you are not...bring what you are!!!

So,  now She Speaks.....Shut-up! And bring it!

~Donna

Interwoven By Prayer!

Interwoven.
It's a word that came to me a few days ago as I prayed for women that I have met once and likely will only meet again by chance. But we are interwoven.
Interwoven by a great God who created us all.
Interwoven by a like desire to share Christ with others through our written and spoken words.
And now, interwoven by my prayers.

While I continued to organize all the information that I recently received at Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks conference I prayed over the ladies I was able to share time and stories. Stories of ministries, families, hopes and desires. I had a heart felt desire to stay connected in some way and then I remembered my prayers for them are our connection. And greater than our connection to one another, they are the link that then tie us to God. In Romans chapter 1 and verse 9 Paul states, "For God as my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers". Paul was not always able to be near those he lifted in his prayers, but he was always able to pray. While traveling, while imprisoned, while out spreading the truth of Jesus He was able to pray. He often mentioned this and often asked for the prayers of others.
Interwoven!
We are interwoven by a common Creator.
We are interwoven by a uniform heart's desire.
We are interwoven by whispered prayers.

Today I will be placing all the cards of those I met at She speaks in a woven gift. It's a handcrafted bag created by an adult orphan raised in Myanmar who works in a loom house. The bright blue work of art was given to me by a sister named Stephanie who I now lift in prayer. I lift her up because she works in an environment where people ridicule her for praying with people. Interwoven!
Today I pray for a sweet Faithfully Fit sister who lives 6 hours away, up a mountain that I only get to travel to once a year at best. She created the jewelry pictured above and prays over each piece as she handcrafts them with wire and beads. Interwoven!
Last night as I turned through pages of a prayer journal, penned a prayer for my college bound son, I saw the names of two sweet friends with a young growing family. Today I saw a post. It's their anniversary! Interwoven!
Would you like to be woven in? Woven into my prayerful heart. I like to whisper One-Word Prayers. It may not seem like much but I trust that when God hears your name and your chosen One-Word He knows the one He Knit together and He knows the need represented by that One-Word Prayer.
Send me your One-Word.
Let's be interwoven!
Lifting high the name of the One who weaves us together~ Jodie

She Speaks Overwhelms!

Powerful.
Overwhelming.
Beautiful.
Breathtaking.
Spirit-moving.
Challenging.
Confirming.
Answer to prayer.

All of these statements have one thing in common.
They each describe my time at She Speaks 2014.

Powerful.
The more I seek you, The more I find you.
Kari Jobe's song, The More I Seek You,  has come to life in a powerful way for me. Truly over the last six years I have sought the Lord harder than I ever have and truly He continually shows Himself. My time at She Speaks 2014 was incredible for many reasons. Great speakers, wonderful women, delicious food, amazing music. But the most exceptional thing for me was the number of times God spoke to my heart and confirmed His words for me. I would sit and listen intently to Lysa TerKeurst and He would whisper. And each whisper would confirm His leading. Continually He was shining light on the Word and always clearly answering my questions.
Sitting at the feet of the Lord is never without result.
And the result is always drawing nearer to the King.
And my heart is always left overwhelmed by His great love.
Overwhelming.
A sea of women created a traffic jam when I first arrived and I initially felt overwhelmed, even breathless. Why am I here? Suddenly the sweetest face emerged from the crowd, a smile and a friendly greeting, all helped to calm me. Lydia was sent for this very purpose. I will not forget her. The entire weekend passed without bumping into her again until the very last moment. Just as we were getting ready to enter the prayer room for one last prayer there was Lydia. God has perfect timing.
Beautiful.
Proverbs 31 took care of all the details and made each lady feel loved. We were all prayed for by name in advance. Flowers and candles welcomed us and transformed the hotel space into a home. Everywhere...beautiful!

Beautiful women, all with loving hearts, all with a desire to share God's love with others.
There was Nancy from New Jersey who desires courage.
Dorri, spelled with two R's, who asks for patience.
Shanti, a beautiful mother of five. Lisa, who sparkles with the kindest smile.
Becky who has been stalked for years and refuses to stop living in fear.
Kelly who just stared a blog and has posted two times.
And many more.
All beautiful.
I now carry a "one-word prayer" for each one.
Breathtaking.
Each message spoken was powerful and each moved my heart toward prayer for more boldness. I have come back with a great desire to spend time in the darkroom while God brightens His light in me so that I may emerge a lighthouse for Him! (Thank you Christine Caine)
I plan to study more about the hidden face of God and his chosen people. I desire to GO and MAKE. To go into all the nations and make the name of Christ known...make Jesus famous! (Thank you Lysa TerKeurst)
I'm ready to continue pouring all of myself into whatever mission field the Lord plots before me and I find myself overflowing with joy and love that I pray will flow out and over to all that I meet!

Yes, it was Spirit-moving. Challenging. Confirming.
And one of the best gifts of all is that I get to come home and continue serving alongside my AMAZING ministry partner and friend!

 Donna, ready to make the BEST YES!

And with His Words and His ability and for His glory, I will stand firm and be faithful to follow where He leads.

 

 

She Speaks 2014 was a blessing to my heart, mind and soul. To all the Faithfully Fit girls who prayed and supported us...Thank you from the depths of my heart!

Overflowing with love for you all~ Jodie

 



"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11