Monday, December 5, 2011

It's TIME to register!!

Hip Hip HOORAY!!!!  We have worked through our technical issues and are excited to let you know you can now register online!  THANKS for your patience, and we look forward to seeing you in January!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Patience please....

Ugh.... I so DON'T love technical difficulties. 

We APOLOGIZE for some technical issues we are having with our website sign up.  If you have been on and are trying to register, please e-mail us and we will get you registered. 

compelconference@gmail.com

We're hoping to be up and running by later on Monday!  THANK YOU for being patient.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Compel 2012 - He Knows My Name

Hello ladies...

Compel 2012 is starting to shape up and look pretty exciting.  We are already praying for each of you and will open registration in the Fall. 

Save the date... January 20 & 21, 2012 marks our 10th Anniversary!!! 

We are excited to have our first speaker, and great friend Carla Marroquen join us again this year.  You can find out more about the ministry that Carla is actively involved in at the link below. 

http://www.ijamtraffic.com/trafficJAM/home.html


In addition, we are excited to have international speaker Stephanie Fast with us as well. Stephanie has an incredible testimony and redemption story!  Check her out at

http://www.stephaniefast.org/


Can you imagine these two paired together???  WOW is it going to be a blessing!  We'd encourage you to begin praying into Isaiah 43 today...  You'll find our theme verse nestled in verse 1. 

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

Sunday, February 27, 2011

She Speaks Conference

So... Lysa did an awesome job at this years conference!  I mentioned at the conference that I first saw Lysa at her "She Speaks" conference for speakers, writers, and women's ministry leaders.  Well....  registration for that conference is just now open.  I have had some of you mention that you would like to attend and I thought that it would be good to put a blog post out there to see if we could get a group from the Siouxland Area to attend together.  The year I attended, I went alone and stayed with someone I didn't know.  That was fun, and I formed a lifelong friendship, but I also think it would be great to go with a group of ladies. 
Perhaps God has been moving in you.  Perhaps he spoke to you during your "Be Still" time at the conference.  Whatever it is, feel free to get in touch with me or post a reply.  It will be fun to see what God has in store for this! 

If you want to check out the conference, the website is http://shespeaksconference.com/

Looking forward to hearing your reply's! 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Diamond Trees...

The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock.
They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

Zechariah 9:16


I was just in awe at the beauty of the trees this week. From gloomy, drizzly, dangerous ice storm, transforms beautiful sparkling trees. As I drove to and fro, I couldn't help but notice them. I decided to call them diamond trees. With the sun glistening, it looked like the harvest of diamonds was ripe and you could just reach up and pluck one from the trees.

Each day I pray for God to show me glimpses of himself. As I watched the beauty of this nature, I couldn't help but feel like that glowing from the trees was the pure presence of God. I don't believe we can ever truly "get" how beautiful he is. That his Glory will be so magnificant that we can't imagine it. Shekinah Glory! That's what I thought of and saw in scattered bits and pieces all over the trees.






A camera can't really capture the beauty of it, but I tried:-)

Last night we were able to have a follow up meeting to discuss this years conference and begin praying over next years!  God has been so good to us through these conferences and as we shared stories of lives changed, it was hard not to get emotional at his goodness.  He truly loves it when we are obedient to him!  It feels like each act of obedience is like plucking just one small diamond of his tree!  He blesses us so much! 

Yesterday as I was praying for the meeting last night, he revealed next years theme to me!  I am so blown away at how he orchestrates everything!  WOW!!!!  (But more to come on that later!) 
 Today, as you do your day to day routine, take time to look for God's glory. Where is he revealing himself to you if you just slow down and watch for him! I'd love to hear stories!!!! 















It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:11

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Still holding on...

Does anyone else find it amazing how quickly we move on with life.  It seems like just yesterday when we were all together listening to Lysa.  And then life takes control again.... UGH! 

The Compel Team has already started looking forward to next year, and we are excited!  BUT....  I want to make sure that we take time to savor the time we had being still before the Lord. 

I'm going to ask a favor.  I'm wanting to send to Holly (Lysa's very trustworthy assistant) some comments from our group.  I've seen several things on facebook and had some great posts here.  What I'd love is if each of you would be willing to post a comment on how the conference impacted your life.  Especially a couple of weeks out. 



Many times, it's easy to say great things about an awesome speaker like Lysa (She was really awesome!) but then not follow where God has led us.  If we continue to keep our eyes fixed on how he moved in us and where he is taking us, it's easier to maintain our focus. 

SO... look at this is a little opportunity to re-focus.  (Did I mention sales is not my forte! hee-hee!) 

Seriously though....  Something dawned on me last week while reading on Lysa's blog about her computer issues.  She is out doing the Lord's work so often... and now her Made to Crave Book is going gang busters....  (it's number 7 on the best seller list now!)  Anytime someone is that all out for God, you have to know that the evil one will mess with whatever he can.  SO...  I'd love it if you would pray a shield of protection over Lysa and her family.  AND... I'd love to have a list of real sincere feedback items to give to Holly for Lysa. 

(Have I begged enough yet?) 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

We want more.... a craving!

Sweet heaven.  My 4 year old little girl and I just got dancing to a teriffic song called Shekina Glory by Corey Russell.  It's a favorite at our house, and the chorus goes something like this...

You move and we want more, more of your presence.  Can't get enough, can't get enough. 

After a weekend of being bathed in His holiness, it seemed so fitting.  She was the princess and I was her prince and together we were dancing and spinning and shouting out the song.  (Good thing it's winter and the windows are shut:-)  Seriously, her little voice crying out to God was Soooo.... moving. 

I imagine God in heaven looking down at us and just giving a little chuckle.  As I watched her and joined in (when I wasn't regrouping from the diziness from spinning her - lol) I could almost feel the Lord joining us and being all silly and crazy. 

Lysa left many of us this weekend with a craving for more of "Him"  As the week progresses, it's my prayer for each of you that you find more of Him in your everyday.  One thing that she said that really stuck out to me was..

Start right where you are!  God will use you and bless you, and let you praise him.  Right where you are today.  He knows your yesterday, your today, and your tomorrow.  All he wants is for you to know him.  Let down the walls and the doubt and the fears, and just let him come near.  When he touches us, we aer never the same.  We'll never know him completely, but if we let him, he'll reveal himself more and more. 

Be Still....  wait quietly, and let him move.  and then Know... know him, and that HE is God.  Let him show you what that means right where you are today, and possilby nudge you to where you are headed tomorrow! 

I'd love to continue to hear how He is working in your life and moving in you when you are still.... 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Remembering and soaking....

We have had SEVERAL of you ask for the songs on the play list from our Saturday morning "Soaking" prayer.  Several of these are favorites for me, but Shawn Lohry actually put them together.

I believe most of this is available on I-tunes... 

As you download and listen to these songs, Be Still, and let the Lord speak to you through them.  The words that are on them will touch your heart. 

I'm thinking of how much music helps me feel close to God.  He so wants us to press into him.  As your week of "life" catches up with, it's my prayer that you'll be able to rest in some stillness and reflect on how he is speaking to you! 



1. Wake Me Up: From album Ancient Paths by Corey Russell

2. I Knew What I Was Getting Into: From album Joy (Live) by Misty Edwards

3. I Will Waste My Life: From album Relentless by Misty Edwards

4. A Little Longer (Live): From album Where You Go, I Go by Brian and Jenn Johnson

5. I Surrender: From album Hungry by Vineyard UK

6. How He Loves: From album We Cry Out by Kim Walker (Live from Jesus Culture)

7. My Soul Longs for You: From album Relentless by Misty Edwards

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Better than Christmas??

Better than Christmas!


Compel 2011 is complete. The boxes packed away. I told someone today that it feels like the end of Christmas. All the anticipation, all the preparation and meal planning....

And then... it's over.

The good thing is, with Compel, there are so many sweet new Jesus Sisters sending notes and messages that I feel like it will live on forever! I don't have words tonight to express how I feel. Between a horrible cold finally catching up with me, and a night of basically no sleep on Friday, and the emotional high wearing off, I'm kaput.  (In a very good way!) 

Just know for tonight that "It is well with my soul."  I'm sitting and absorbing His fullness, and wanting to just Be Still and soak it all in.  Oh, how I love Jesus!

More thoughts will definately follow!  Can't wait to share some of my processing with each of you! 

Friday, January 21, 2011

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

OOOHHHH.... WE ARE SO EXCITED!  CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL OF YOU TONIGHT!  BLESSINGS AS YOU TRAVEL! 

Here's the last two chapters for those of you who have been following along! 

Ch. 17 - Praying the Dangerous Prayers


Once again Lysa TerKeurst gives us a glimpse into her life as she opens chapter 17 of "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" with a story straight from her life script. After sharing the details, she writes, "I suddenly came to understand a slight flaw in my prayer life. As I thought about the way I prayed, I realized how often my prayers seemed to center around ways I wanted God to bless me. Now none of these are bad prayers, if there even is such a thing as a bad prayer. They are honest prayers, heartfelt prayers, common prayers, the prayers of many women who are rising to the daunting task of caring for their families.

But they are slightly flawed prayers becasue they set my expectations of God to be what I want without taking into consideration the possibility of God's bigger plan. I make God into One who stunts my growth with convenience and comfort rather than One who grows me into a woman of character, perseverance and maturity."

Take a minute and think about your prayers. Are they prayers asking for blessing, comfort and safety? Like Lysa said, there is nothing wrong with that, but do you take it to the next step? Are you satisfied with comfort and convenience when He's longing to give you growth and greatness?

If you answered "yes" to that last question, ask God to give you the strength and desire to pray the dangerous prayers. Knowing doing so may inconvenience you and stretch you, but ultimately it will help you become more and be the woman He created you to be!
A couple of things to remember -

"We want the promises, but we don't want to get any dirt under our fingernails in the process."

"Power enters our prayers not by sounding powerful, but by listening for even the slightest whisper from the One who is all-powerful."

Ch. 18 - Forever

We've come to the end of "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa TerKeurst and even though this is the third time I've worked through this book, I believe I could read it again! This truly has been one of the most challenging and convicting books I have ever read, and that is a good thing!!

This last chapter is so good! The story about the wedding really touches my heart and is a great picture of what is to come. It saddens me to know I've read this twice before and yet the power of this picture fades away, why do I need to be reminded? Why do I get so caught up in the little things that really don't matter? Why do I know what I need to do, yet fail?

Don't worry I'm not beating myself up, I know I'm human and so are you. Realizing we fail short (daily) and admitting we don't have it all together is part of the on-going becoming more process. As an athlete and coach I loved the quote, "Success is a journey, not a destination." And now as a Christian I truly believe we can say the same about faith - we will never arrive, this side of heaven. There is always something more to learn, there's that thorn in our side, but the great thing is with Christ living in us and changing us we can become more!!

Lysa's words as she closes the book really sum things up; she says, "Becoming more than a good Bible study girl means that we desire God's revelations in our life more than we desire our own carefully constructed plans. So easy to say, so hard to actually live out."

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ask, Seek, Knock...

Ch. 15 - "A Glorious Sense of Possibility"


Chapter 15 is titled, "A Glorious Sense of Possibility," and as I read her words I am reminded of the limitless possibility of our God!

Lysa writes, "The Bible tells us, 'God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God' (Psalm 53:2).

Seek as defined by the dictionary literally means, 'to go in search of, to try to find or discover, to attempt, to ask for.' It is a word rich with activity and a questlike attitude. To seek God means to actively look for Him and anticipate His activity in everything.

That's why rereading of Psalm 53:2 breaks my heart. I wish the verse said, 'God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see the many who understand, the many who seek God.' But the word is 'any,' not 'many.' Which gives me a clue that those who understand and seek God are a rare few."

Read the verse again. What does God say to your heart? Is He calling you to be one who seeks Him? My friend, I believe He is. He is looking down and longing for me, and for you, to understand Him and seek Him.

Ladies will you commit with me to seeking God more today than you did yesterday? No matter where you are; He is there!! (Psalm 139:10) Look for Him and He will make Himself known!

What blessings does God provide when you seek HIM?? I pray today you are encouraged by the glorious sense of possibility our God provides!!




Ch. 16 - Finding God in Unlikely Places

Where do you see God? Do you find yourself putting Him in a box? Do you look for HIM or expect Him to show up? Lysa TerKeurst addresses these questions and more in chapter 16 of "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.

She shares, "You see, in my journey to live completely with God every day, I have learned the treasure of expectation. I ask God to help me live in expectation of seeing Him; therefore, I do."

After sharing about an experience of really seeing God, she wrote, "My encounter with Tracey was yet another reminder that the more we follow Jesus, the more we fall in love with Him, want to obey Him, experience life with Him, and become a beacon of light to others through Him."

Take some time and think about the questions she asks, "Do you feel a tug at your heart to live completely with God, but are still uncertain about pursuing it? Why not ask God to reveal Himself to you in the coming days and confirm exactly what He has for you? The adventure that follows just might blow you away.

Will it be inconvenient? Maybe.

Will it cost you ways that stretch you? Sometimes.

Does it force you to live life with a less self-centered outlook? Yes.

Does living to follow Jesus at every turn bring joy that you can’t get any other way? Absolutely.

It is the very thing your soul was created to do. It is the most daily way to discover your purpose in life."

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Pick me... pick me....

Ch. 13 - What do I do when I don't feel God?


Lysa begins this chapter talking about the idea of being chosen; remember this playing out on the kickball field back on the playground?? Lysa vividly remembered that scene and more which led her to say this, "When I first heard the word 'chosen' in relation to God's feelings toward me, I couldn't process it. In human terms, it seemed quit presumptuous to think God would pause to pay attention to me."

I have to say I can relate to how she felt. We can easily look back at times in our lives when we were not chosen and those memories can make it difficult to understand how the creator of the world would choose us. But again and again the Bible tells we are chosen - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 And in John 15:19, Jesus says, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world."

My friend, He is talking to you and me. The King of Kings has chosen you, you are HIS!! It is true, but like Lysa says sometimes in the reality of life we don't feel God. Ever been there? Questions without answers, pain that leaves you broken, loss you don't understand, financial strife...the list could go on - life is hard, but the thing is no matter how much things around us change (jobs, relationships, finances), God never does!! But our feelings do...

And for whatever reason, when we don't feel close to God, we must remember He is not the one who moved! No that would be me or you. And it's then we must get back to the idea of choices; except this time the ball is in our court - we must choose to recognize God is close! We must choose to draw near to HIM. We must choose to believe HIM. We must choose to trust HIM. We must choose to remain in HIM.

So what do you do when you don't feel God? What does choosing HIM look like for you??

Ch. 14 - "Learning to Simply Like Me"

In the midst of her section of becoming more in our thoughts we focus in on our feelings about ourself. She opens with the question, "Do you like yourself?" Take a minute and think about that...

Lysa admits that question takes her on a walk down memory lane and I have to admit the same is true. As I look back at the days gone by, I see myself answering, "no" to that question quite often. Often times I lived my life constantly playing the comparison game and since someone always looked better, was smarter, more successful, more popular, you get the idea, I never measured up. I wanted to be someone else, so no, I didn't like myself.

Then in my early 20's I surrendered my life to Christ and I've been on a journey ever since. One that has me learning more about Him and has provided me with the opportunity to really know HIM. As I walk this road, I'm also constantly learning more about myself, beginning to know who I am and realizing whose I am. Slowly my answer to Lysa's question is beginning to change.

I believe that's part of the journey of becoming more. We must move beyond our past, our insecurities and our wrong feelings about ourself. I love how she sums up the chapter -

"The more we see our life's purpose unfold...

...the more we'll be secure in the person God has created us to be.

The more we become secure in the person God created us to be...

...the more we'll be able to make peace with liking who we are.

The more we make peace with liking who we are...

...the more we'll be able to untangle self-distracting thoughts.

The less entangled we are...

...the more effective we'll be for Christ."

Monday, January 17, 2011

Getting my groove and hurt feelings!

Ch. 11 - How Jesus Helps Me Get My Groove Back


Have you ever found yourself complaining and grumbling about your situation only to realize in the grand scheme of things it really wasn't that bad? Yeah, me too! Lysa discusses this very thing in chapter 11. 

As we read about Jesus helping us get our groove back, she talks about "God making a way for us to live our lives based on truth rather than on feelings." She goes on to say, "Instead of letting my thoughts get swept up in the troubles and inconveniences of the here and now, I can choose to focus on temporary those troubles and inconveniences are in light of eternity. In addition to reminding us of our position, praise and thanksgiving remind us of our promise. God is faithful, and I want to live like I really believe it."

Think about that final statement - it can be easy to say and maybe even believe that God is faithful, but can you honestly say you always live like you believe it? I want to live that way, but honestly there are times I don't. So what do we do to become more and live that way more consistently?

We do like Lysa explains, "A person whose life is characterized by constant praise and thanksgiving despite their circumstances will shift from just verbalizing their praise and thanksgiving to living it out loud through their courageous stance for Christ."

I pray someday I will join Peter and John and constantly echo their words from Acts 4:20, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." I hope you will join me in praying that prayer for yourself. Not to simply live this way when life is good and things go your way, but always, daily in the moments that test your patience, the situations that ruffle your feathers and the circumstances that leave you hurt. And remember it's not just our words that speak, our actions do as well.

Ladies, what have you seen GOD do? What have you heard HIM say? How can you share that today? Praise HIM. Thank HIM.

Ch. 12 - When God Hurts My Feelings


Once again Lysa blesses us with a wonderful chapter in "Becoming More." This chapter wraps up the section about our struggles and look at the times when God hurts our feelings. One step we must take in these moments is to be honest with God; remember ladies He is always honest with us and really He knows anyway. Like Lysa says, "The bolder I am with pouring out my heart to God, the bolder He is with His responses to me." He will help us make sense of what is going on and if it's a situation we don't understand, going to Him will remind us who is in control.

Sometimes our feelings are hurt in everyday life happenings, but others is through major events - one like Lysa described as she shared about the loss of her baby sister. She shares the questions she asked, "Why did this happen? Why didn't You stop this, God? Why were my prayers not answered? Why?"

"Asking why is perfectly normal. Asking why isn't unspiritual. However if asking this question pushes us farther from God rather than drawing us closer to Him, it is the wrong question. So if asking the why question doesn't offer hope, what will? The what question. In other words: Now that this has happened, what am I suppose to do with it? Good can come from any loss if we make the choise not to resist the birthing process required to bring this good to life."

I'll be honest I've asked the why question myself plenty of times. But like Lysa said that's OK, if it draws us to God. As I draw closer to Him and find that same question on my mind, I feel Him reminding me of Who He is. The One who holds the world in the palm of His hand, the One who knows the beginning and the end, the One who is so big and so worthy.

Friend if the question "Why?" is on your heart today, share with Him, ask Him, seek Him and trust He will supply the answer you need. Which just might be no answer at all. And then dare to ask the next important question, "What now?" Regardless of what has happened and the reason behind it, He has something for you to do and become because of it.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Sunday, January 16, 2011

When my Ugly comes out...

Ch. 10 - When my ugly comes out

Welcome back to our study of "Becoming More," we start the section titled "In My Struggles." And yet again it's an area I can relate to and if I were to guess I'm thinking you could do the same. This week chapter focuses on the struggles that happen in the reality of life - the moments things don't go as planned, someone gets on your nerves and the meal gets burnt. Moments when our ugly comes out, we say things we shouldn't and do things we regret. In the end moments we are not proud of.


After describing some of these moments Lysa shares what to do with them, "I wanted help. Real help. Jesus help. I picked up my Bible and got honest with God. Help me in this moment. Please, Lord, intervene in my natural-flesh response right now. Block me from acting how I feel like acting and show me how to diffuse my frustration and anger."

Lysa goes on to share a wonderful passage, "." Psalm 103:1-5Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's

She continues with her response to this Psalm, "this passage outlined everything I needed to do in my ugly moment: praise the Lord and remember how He forgives me, heals me, redeems me loves me, has compassion on me, satisfies my desires in good ways, and renews my strength."

Has God ever spoken to you in the heat of the moment? How has He changed your heart when the uglies were coming out? Do you find it difficult to praise Him in your struggles? Why or why not?


Cross my heart and Close my mouth

pinkypromise.jpg
In chapter 9, Lysa begins the chapter by sharing a story from her younger days - one including pinky promises and the phrase, “Cross my heart.” Can you remember the days???

She goes on to say, “The woman who is more than a good Bible study girl is so secure in her relationship with Jesus that the graceful way she interacts with others makes following Him look appealing. People can trust her Jesus because she has proven herself to be trustworthy. Her witness for Christ is powerful and effective because her words are saturated with His authentic love. Now that is a woman other women want to be around.”

Take a minute and think - is there a woman like this in your life? What difference does she make? Are you a woman like this? Let’s commit to being women who share His love with words and actions!!

Lysa continues, “For others to meet the reality of Jesus in our lives, we must be women of carefully chosen words. There is just no way around this and no justification for not doing it. What comes out of our mouths is a telltale sign of who we are, who we serve, and what we truly believe. It requires that we refuse to gossip, choose not to judge, and become secure in our unique calling.”

Will you join me and really make the effort to consider what comes out of your mouth? Listen to yourself…do you talk too much or not enough? Do you guard your tongue or allow it to get you in trouble? Are you lifting the name of Jesus or tainting your witness with words?

As you do this remember three questions Lysa shared, “Are my words kind? Are they true? Are they necessary?” If you can answer “yes” speak from the heart and share His love with others!

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." Proverbs 21:23

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What do I WEAR?????

So... I had a message about this today, and it made me think that more of you may be asking...

SO....

Be Comfortable.... Whatever comfortable means for you.  I'm wearing jeans and a sweater (of some sort!)

Know that we are praying for you and getting SO excited...  I'm just finishing up reading Lysa's new book "Made to Crave," and am really enjoying it.

Also... remember that tomorrow is the last day for the reduced rate sign ups! 

Pineapples and Flowers...

CH. 6
Unlikely Lessons from a Pineapple

Hello again and thank you for joining us on the journey of becoming more! We are on chapter 6 of Lysa TerKeurst’s book and look forward to the discussion that lies ahead.

After sharing a story about fresh pineapple versus the canned version, Lysa goes on to compare this idea to the Bible. At times we settle for the canned version of God’s word when there is so much more that it has to offer! Here are a few of her thoughts…

“After all, don’t we get into God’s Word so it can get into us? So that it can interrupt us, change us, satisfy us? How sad to simply settle for learning facts about the Bible when it was meant for so much more.

Becoming more than a good Bible study girl means pursuing God’s truth so passionately that it actually becomes part of our nature. The apostle James writes, ‘Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’ (James 1:21-22)

The only time tested, foolproof instruction for how to get our basic soul needs met is found in the Bible. But it’s a two-part process. We must not only read and study the Bible but also develop the habit of living out its message in our everyday lives. If people say that Jesus and His biblical truths don’t work, I am quick to ask how consistently they’ve applied what they read. People fail; truth never does.”

Then Lysa goes on to do a study of the life of David, really digging into His story and learning from his life. She challenges us to apply lessons from his life to our own. He went back to the fields after being anointed; God will prepare us in the events of our everyday life as well!!

What man or woman from the Bible has touched you? How has their story impacted your life? What lesson from Noah, Jonah, Abraham, Sarah, Paul, Ruth, fill in the blank has made a difference on your walk of faith??


CH. 7
She likes me, she likes me not...


Pause for a moment and drift back to your younger years…remember the game - pulling petals off of a flower and uttering those very words. Now come back to present times, chances are you’re no longer on the playground saying the words out loud, but there’s a possibility those same words still echo in your mind.

As Lysa says, “There is a fundamental need inside most girls to be liked.” She goes on to explain this need stays with us even when the junior high days come to an end because “NO amount of worldly achievement whisks away insecurities and that fundamental desire to be accepted. I know. I’ve tried.”

She continues, “If I want to make peace with inadequacy, I must face head-on those things that trigger such feelings, stop looking at others for validation, and learn to truly depend on God. Let’s call it like it is and say it out loud: I sometimes feel insecure and inadequate. No person or achievement can fix this. Only God can help me, reassure me, and fill up my empty places.”

This is true for Lysa TerKeurst, the president of Proverbs 31 and nationally known author and speaker, and friend the same is true for you and me as well. Though our minds may still play the game from time to time, let’s ask God to strengthen us and move our faith to a place where it doesn’t matter if she likes me or if she likes me not. And when those words from long ago replay in my head ask Him to remind us to use our insecurity as an advantage. Or in Lysa’s words, let it “prompt you to rely on God more fully.”

I’ll leave you with this, “Can you imagine what might happen if we let God show us how to use our insecurities and feelings of inadequacy as His prompts to love others more? I mean, really think about the simplicity of simply loving others and yet the absolute impact that is could make. And it is possible.”

Please feel free to share your thoughts via the comment section of the blog!! We look forward to hearing from you and growing because of your insights.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

How to Register

Been getting a couple of questions on this, so thought I'd put a quick post out there...

go to http://www.compelconference.org/

Hit the register tab on the left hand side and click the green check at the top. 
Register Online

OR... click this link... 
http://www.snupnow.com/csp/s/SignUpFor.StartPage.cls?PostingId=45


To sign up, you will need an e-mail address and will check out through Amazon.  (So you'll create 2 logins - one for our sign in page, and 1 for Amazon if you don't already have one!) 

Their is still time to sign up at the reduced $35 rate.  Tickets go to $45 on the 14th! 

If you have any problems, call the number listed (I'd love to visit wtih you!) 

Ch 4 & 5 - going deeper!

Before we begin Chapters 4& 5 today, I want to thank our dear friends at the Rise and Shine Women's Retreat.  Our leadership team was able to travel to Cedar Falls this Fall to see Lysa speak.  This group shares a similar passion for ministering to women, and they did a great job at puttingg together their conference.  The Blog entries that you are seeing were written by Jill from their team.  She did a great job of writing, and was kind enough to give us permissiont o use her online blog summaries!  (And it's a real treat - I'm not near as entertaining!)  Check them out at http://www.riseandshineretreat.blogspot.com/


Beyond Sunday Morning - Ch. 4


"When I decided to follow Christ, a shift took place in my life that rattled my soul in the best kind of way. I made a commitment to 'clean up my act' and 'study the Bible.' I had a checklist in my head that contained all the right and wrong things a Christian woman should do. And, boy, did I ever pursue trying to be a good Christian woman!" Lysa TerKeurst from "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl"

Thank you once again for joining us, as we look at Chapter 4, "Beyond Sunday Morning." Think about those words - beyond...Sunday...morning - they hit home for me! Beyond means lasting longer, going past, so ask yourself this question, "Do you desire your experience at church (worshipping your creator and being filled with His Spirit) to go beyond Sunday morning? I do, but experience tells me that won't happen naturally!

No, in reality life happens and I'm tempted to blow it before we make it home (and we only live a couple miles from church!!) And the truth is little kids or not, what we receive Sunday morning will not sustain us for the week. Though God uses our Sunday morning experience, He doesn't want it to - remember He wants a personal relationship with us and that requires spending time with Him!!

Like Lysa says, "we'll never grow to our full potential unless we jump in and get serious about studying Scripture. There are three things we need to do when we read and study the Bible for ourselves: pray, discover the context, and read the passage phrase by phrase."

She goes on to share about Paul, a man transformed into a passionate follower of Christ. One who "understood how to get beyond church just being a routine and into living every day totally sold out to God."

Have you been transformed? How do you take church beyond Sunday morning? If you have children, how do you help your kids move past the "church routine?" Please do share, we can grow together as we hear from one another! Remember you don't need a blog, simply click on comments and post anonymously - we look forward to hearing from you!

Rise and Shine friends and keep praying, "God, I ask now, and I'll keep asking, that You give me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so I can know you better. I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. In Jesus name, Amen"


Devotion Time Blues - Ch. 5


“Why is it so important to spend time with Jesus every day?” This is a question Lysa TerKeurst asks in chapter 5 of “Becoming More.” And today I challenge you to ask yourself this question…don’t just read it and quickly move on to the next paragraph, no I encourage you to really think about the answer. I believe if we do that we will be more likely to make the effort to spend time with Him.

Have you answered the question? Chances are your thoughts are a bit different than Lysa’s or mine or anyone else and that’s a good thing, remember Christ wants a personal relationship with YOU!! Now that you’ve formulated your response read on to hear Lysa’s…

“Because He will give us the exact instruction and comfort we need to handle all He sees coming our way--how to act and, even more challenging, how to react in every situation. When I take the time to meet with Jesus each morning, I am prepared to face life with much more peace than if I just rush into my day without Him.”

If I were to guess, I’d say your response was in a way similar to Lysa’s - we know starting our day with Him makes a difference! That is true, but yet why is it something that can be pushed to the side or at times becomes one more thing on our to do list?

Again another question that has endless answers - lack of time, too many interruptions, I can’t get up any earlier, I’m not knowledgeable enough, the excuses go on and on… I have to agree with Lysa, “we underestimate the power made available to us when we spend time with God.” And I love her encouraging words, “Remember, devotions don’t have to be perfect to be powerful and effective. Jesus wants a willing soul to come to HIM!”

Are you struggling with your devotions? Seek Him and He will answer. Have you struggled in the past? Would you share how He has helped you overcome? Remember you don’t need a blog to comment, just do so anonymously! And if your thoughts are longer leave a link to your blog, we’d love to hear what you have to say.

I’ll start…the close of this chapter was very powerful for me as Lysa focused on Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Her words took me back to when I first heard her share this story nearly two years ago. Days later, her prayer, “teach me your way O Lord” became mine. And as I walked through a miscarriage He did just that. You can read more of my story here.

Friends we want you to know we are praying for each and everyone of you as we prepare for COMPEL 2011! Together let's move past the devotion time blues so we can RISE and SHINE!! Blessings to you today!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Chapters 2 & 3

Chapter 2 - Flitting To and Fro


Welcome back to our discussion of "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa TerKeurst. If you are just joining us, we're glad you are here.

Lysa shares stories from her journey of discovering what she had to offer God and how in the process of wanting to serve Him she also was looking for fulfillment. She said, "I had said yes to Jesus being my Savior, but didn't have a clue how He could be the answer to my emptiness." Ever been there??

She goes on to explain how we each have a heart shaped cup, which at times we try to fill in the wrong way. "No person, possession, profession or position ever fill the cup of a wounded, empty heart. It's an emptiness only God can fill."

Take some time today and think about some questions Lysa asked, "Do you have an empty, heart-shaped cup? If so, what (or who) have you asked to fill it in the past? What might you be asking to fill it right now? I've matured in this area and yet can still find myself slipping back at times. Why is it so tempting to look to things of this world for fulfillment?"  Will you share a truth that keeps you grounded even when it's tempting to flit to and fro??

When I feel like I don't measure up (Ch. 3)
The one thing I have come to love about Lysa is how she can make things real in my everyday life.  As she shares about her attempt to earn the "superMom" award, which only led to failure in the end she brings up many good points and asks some powerful questions, she wrote,

"Satan delights in our feelings of inadequacy. He wants to help us stay there. He wants us to go to Bible study, learn the deep truths of God, leave all encouraged, and then come home and have a complete meltdown over ninety-seven brownies that didn't make the bake sale cut. He wants us to entertain a very dangerous thought: "Why doesn't Jesus work for me?"

She continues, "You see, if Satan can get us asking these kinds of questions, then we can easily justify distancing ourselves from God, once more reducing our relationship with Him to items on a checklist...But "Why doesn't Jesus work for me?" is never the right question. Instead, when circumstances shift and we feel like we fall short, we should ask, "How can I see Jesus even in this?"

The only way I can ask myself this question is when I pull back from whatever situation I'm facing and separate my circumstances from my identity."  Have you been there? Have you allowed your failures to define who you are? Have wrong thoughts and questions pushed you further away from God? I have. And if your honest my guess is you have to.

The wonderful thing is you don't have to stay there - that's the idea behind becoming more, God is constantly calling us, equipping us and maturing us. He doesn't intend for us to stay where we are at! As we journey towards more, we may fail again, but our situations will never change who we are - His daughter, one He loves!

So my friend, "we can take courage in John 15:9-11, where Jesus says, 'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

God speaks, and we want to Become More....

First of all - I have to tell all of my sweet Jesus sisters about the coolest thing that happened to me today.  For the last couple of weeks we have experienced some minor technical difficulties with sign ups.  (If you are one of these, please call me!)  At any rate, it appears to be an Amazon problem.  (That means getting it fixed appears to be a bit of a nightmare!)  Randomly, the system choses to not let some of you check out.  Yesterday, I was at my wits end with this, and then got news about some minor venue problems.  My frustration level was at a bit of a high:-) 

Tonight, I pulled into my garage and hanging on the hook that my kids normally put their snow pants on was the cutest little decoration that said "Be Still and know that I am God."  (Which is our theme this year:-)  Wow - So, you guessed it, I jumped out to see who had left me such a treat...  and... no name.  Hmmm.... who could have known and blessed me in such a way???  Friends, it was God.  I know he used one of my sweet friends to calm me and my anxious thoughts.  To whomever was so clearly listening to him and obedient.... THANKS, THANKS, THANKS!!!  I promptly placed it in a spot at home where I will see it often!  (And I'm still smiling!) 

So... the other part of this post....  We want you to join us on a journey to become more...



We would love for you to join us on a journey to become more! Each day from now until the conference, we will be posting on Lysa TerKeurst's latest book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl."  We pray this will give us an opportunity to encourage one another, to get to know Lysa a bit better and ultimately become more as women of faith and sisters in Christ.
 
The book opens with a chapter titled, "Trying To Be Good Enough."


Lysa shares, "The false perception was rooted in this one flawed thought: You, Lysa, are not acceptable the way you are. Have you ever let that flawed self-perception negatively affect you? It sent me into an identity crisis as my mind swirled with possible solutions: Since you aren't acceptable, you must find some things upon to hitch your identity."

Have you been there? If so, how have you moved past that? If you're in the process of moving past this, how can we pray for you? Please share - simply leave a comment (you don't need a blog to do so) and let the conversation begin!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Back after the Holidays...

HELLO AGAIN EVERYONE!!!  I took a break from blogging to spend time with my family over the Holidays.  I don't know about you, but sometimes thinhgs that are good can turn into things that take away from things that are good.  My kids were home from school over the break and I tried my best to spend as much quality time with them as I could.  I could have blogged, but instead took them bowling, read with them, snuggled with them, and was just still with them. 

BUT NOW.... I'm ready to go!!!  Compel is coming in....  19 days....  Hold on ladies, cuz it is going to be great!  If you haven't registered, please do it soon!  And... if you have any problems, please call me to talk through them.  We are helping a new programming site, and have had a few random, bizaar things that we can't really explain.  SO... don't sit in frustration, give me a call! 

Also, if you are a senior pastors wife, your ticket is on us!  We know you give so much to the kingdom that we want you to be able to just come and soak it in!  Please, just call me to register!  712-449-5027

I'm thinking that starting tomorrow, I'm going to start a short study of Lysa's book - Becoming more than a Good Bible Study Girl.  Stop by....  It will get you even more excited for a great weekend away!