Well...I didn't get the scholarship to the She Speaks Conference, but there is another contest going on now that I'm entering. Prayerfully I'll get this one. But if not, then I'll just have to plan for next year.
We shall see..
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
She Speaks Conference Scholarship
I have always wanted to attend the She Speaks 2010 conference in North Carolina, but never had the resources to go. So you can imagine how excited I was to learn about the conference's scholarship contest. A friend of mine told me that she didn't get the scholarship she was going for, so I thought my chances were over as well. Then I stumbled upon Glynnis Whitwer's blog and found out that her contest ends TOMORROW! Fortunately because I have so many ideas on paper, it wasn't hard to craft my article for application.
The conference is presented by Proverbs 31 Ministries, and is known as an "event," not just a conference. It's where women who have dreams of writing, speaking or ministering for God come together to learn how to turn those dreams into reality. Sounds like the place for me to be.
Pray with me that I get this scholarship, because I believe this event is just what I need to get me back on track.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome!
The conference is presented by Proverbs 31 Ministries, and is known as an "event," not just a conference. It's where women who have dreams of writing, speaking or ministering for God come together to learn how to turn those dreams into reality. Sounds like the place for me to be.
Pray with me that I get this scholarship, because I believe this event is just what I need to get me back on track.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome!
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Gift of ADHD
I remember reading an article on seeing the diagnosis of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in a child as a gift rather than an inconvenience. At first I thought that was strange and probably difficult to do; that is until my own son was diagnosed with the disorder.
My son, who is an only child, has always had a hard time sitting still, keeping his hands to himself, following directions, and many of the other symptoms of ADHD. Since starting kindergarten this year, his behavior issues were highlighted by a series of red and yellow (mostly red) marks on his daily behavior reports. I finally took one of the reports to the pediatrician and asked his opinion. One of the things I liked about my son's doctor and the entire practice was that they were not so quick to write off diagnoses and prescribe medications for every little problem. So imagine how my heart sank when the doctor said "it was clearly ADHD."
I never wanted to put my son on medication; neither did my husband. So we have been trying alternative methods such as talking, rewarding specific behaviors, even herbal remedies. He's gotten a few more green lights on his behavior report, but the red lights still pop every now and then. In my frustration, I must remind myself (and my son) that there is no one like him. He is indeed special because God made him to be so.
Instead of seeing ADHD as much as a deficit as its name implies, I'm learning to see it as a gift for us and our son. He is incredibly smart, musically talented and just a overall happy child. But he is also extremely sensitive, able to get super angry, cry over small things and laugh as if he heard the absolute funniest joke ever told!
It is heartbreaking to see my son get frustrated with his behavior flaws, crying that he doesn't know why he can't listen. So I must remember to remind him of his uniqueness. And when I find myself near tears (or already in tears) after a difficult time with my son, I remind myself to praise God. It is because of this "deficit" that I am learning of God's abundant love for his children; flaws and all.
Until next time, be blessed!
My son, who is an only child, has always had a hard time sitting still, keeping his hands to himself, following directions, and many of the other symptoms of ADHD. Since starting kindergarten this year, his behavior issues were highlighted by a series of red and yellow (mostly red) marks on his daily behavior reports. I finally took one of the reports to the pediatrician and asked his opinion. One of the things I liked about my son's doctor and the entire practice was that they were not so quick to write off diagnoses and prescribe medications for every little problem. So imagine how my heart sank when the doctor said "it was clearly ADHD."
I never wanted to put my son on medication; neither did my husband. So we have been trying alternative methods such as talking, rewarding specific behaviors, even herbal remedies. He's gotten a few more green lights on his behavior report, but the red lights still pop every now and then. In my frustration, I must remind myself (and my son) that there is no one like him. He is indeed special because God made him to be so.
Instead of seeing ADHD as much as a deficit as its name implies, I'm learning to see it as a gift for us and our son. He is incredibly smart, musically talented and just a overall happy child. But he is also extremely sensitive, able to get super angry, cry over small things and laugh as if he heard the absolute funniest joke ever told!
It is heartbreaking to see my son get frustrated with his behavior flaws, crying that he doesn't know why he can't listen. So I must remember to remind him of his uniqueness. And when I find myself near tears (or already in tears) after a difficult time with my son, I remind myself to praise God. It is because of this "deficit" that I am learning of God's abundant love for his children; flaws and all.
Until next time, be blessed!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tell Me Something Good
The Stock Market is falling. Gas prices continue to rise; and that’s if you can find a gas station that hasn’t run out of fuel. Food prices seem to be going up everyday. People are unable to pay their mortgages and are in danger of losing their homes, often with no idea of what to do next. The unemployment rate is steadily rising. And the cycle of despair continues with folks out of work, running out of money and running out of hope.
Every person living in the United States of America is feeling the effects of what I just said. And it doesn’t matter if you are Republican or Democrat, whether you are African American, Caucasian or Hispanic, whether you live in ghetto or the suburbs, your life is feeling the pinch. Unfortunately some are feeling more of a tight squeeze than a pinch.
If you turn on the TV, every station is talking about the economy, the oil, the housing market, the war, and the presidential candidates. It’s time for the church to talk more about Jesus.
The difference right now between the saved and the unsaved is that we, the saved, are dealing with these situations by leaning on Jesus. The unsaved do not know this Jesus, therefore they don't know how to trust Him. So who are they leaning on? They are quickly learning that their jobs and their bank accounts do not provide total security. Our role as the saints of God is to offer hope in what seems like hope-less times.
But is the church operating as God intended? Are we gathering on sanctified island to dance and shout for what God has done for us, forgetting that we have been commissioned to do for others? We must be careful not to limit our praise and testimony to a particular “service” held inside a building with beautiful stained glass windows and comfortable pews. The Pharisees were caught up in the religiosity of being among their own people and disconnecting themselves from what they called the dregs of society. Jesus said "the well have no need of a physician." In other words, it is the sick who need the physician the most. And if we have access to this physician and the ability to share him with others, why are we trying to keep him to ourselves? We cannot forget that we were once without hope until the gospel message was preached to us. Therefore we should strive to share what we have learned and how we have grown.
People are dying – spiritually, emotionally and in some cases physically. They don’t want to hear any more bad news. They are living it every day. Their souls are crying for someone to “tell me something good.” Are we listening? Are we speaking?
Every person living in the United States of America is feeling the effects of what I just said. And it doesn’t matter if you are Republican or Democrat, whether you are African American, Caucasian or Hispanic, whether you live in ghetto or the suburbs, your life is feeling the pinch. Unfortunately some are feeling more of a tight squeeze than a pinch.
If you turn on the TV, every station is talking about the economy, the oil, the housing market, the war, and the presidential candidates. It’s time for the church to talk more about Jesus.
The difference right now between the saved and the unsaved is that we, the saved, are dealing with these situations by leaning on Jesus. The unsaved do not know this Jesus, therefore they don't know how to trust Him. So who are they leaning on? They are quickly learning that their jobs and their bank accounts do not provide total security. Our role as the saints of God is to offer hope in what seems like hope-less times.
But is the church operating as God intended? Are we gathering on sanctified island to dance and shout for what God has done for us, forgetting that we have been commissioned to do for others? We must be careful not to limit our praise and testimony to a particular “service” held inside a building with beautiful stained glass windows and comfortable pews. The Pharisees were caught up in the religiosity of being among their own people and disconnecting themselves from what they called the dregs of society. Jesus said "the well have no need of a physician." In other words, it is the sick who need the physician the most. And if we have access to this physician and the ability to share him with others, why are we trying to keep him to ourselves? We cannot forget that we were once without hope until the gospel message was preached to us. Therefore we should strive to share what we have learned and how we have grown.
People are dying – spiritually, emotionally and in some cases physically. They don’t want to hear any more bad news. They are living it every day. Their souls are crying for someone to “tell me something good.” Are we listening? Are we speaking?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Don't Pray & Worry
Driving to lunch, I noticed a lady walking to her car at her office building just down from the restaurant. I had never seen her before and there was nothing wrong with her, but for some reason my eyes landed on her. Then when I got to my lunch meeting, she was in my party. In fact, she and I were the first two people to arrive. So we had a few moments to introduce ourselves and have small chit-chat. Few minutes later the other folks arrived. The lunch was good, the conversation was great and she shared an awesome testimony that I now know was meant for me to hear this very day. She had worked for a bank for 25 years, expecting to retire from there, when her job was eliminated. Just like that, it's over, we don't need you anymore. She said she went home and wondered what is she going to do now. She decided to first enjoy being at home. Then as other friends discovered she was no longer with that company they began calling her saying they were praying for her. Business associates began calling her giving names of folks she should contact for jobs. Every job interview she went on was set up by someone else; nothing she orchestrated. Finally the manager of another bank called her and invited her to come and talk to him. He offered her a job that was not yet posted, just simply in his mind to create. And, this lady told me, the benefits package could not have been written better herself. The lesson learned was to pray and leave it in God's hands. If you are going to worry, then why pray? If you're going to pray, then don't worry! The two actions cannot go together.
She also had a great testimony of finally getting her dream car - a convertible - and how she used only drive it Fridays to feel "more relaxed." But then realized that tomorrow is not promised to no man and that everyday is an opportunity to feel "relaxed."
I praise God for this testimony because it is helping me during this transition time in my life. We cannot expect all of our prayers to be answered because our ways are not His ways. We still think differently from God sometimes (if not most of the time). Our prayer should be for the Lord to handle it and teach me to walk in it. It's a hard lesson for me, I must be honest, because there are some things that I want for me and my family and I'm not seeing it come to pass. But her testimony showed me that God is still in control, in every circumstance, regardless of what it looks like. Don't pray and worry; otherwise you are wasting your time.
She also had a great testimony of finally getting her dream car - a convertible - and how she used only drive it Fridays to feel "more relaxed." But then realized that tomorrow is not promised to no man and that everyday is an opportunity to feel "relaxed."
I praise God for this testimony because it is helping me during this transition time in my life. We cannot expect all of our prayers to be answered because our ways are not His ways. We still think differently from God sometimes (if not most of the time). Our prayer should be for the Lord to handle it and teach me to walk in it. It's a hard lesson for me, I must be honest, because there are some things that I want for me and my family and I'm not seeing it come to pass. But her testimony showed me that God is still in control, in every circumstance, regardless of what it looks like. Don't pray and worry; otherwise you are wasting your time.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
An Invitation to Healing
Many of us are in need of healing in some area; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The wounds are often so old that they become a part of our daily lives, almost normal to us. But I believe that the Lord is constantly offering an invitation to us to be healed, if we just answer His call.
In Luke 13: 11-16, is the story of the woman who was crippled and bowed for 18 years. The Bible says that she could not "lift herself up." Meaning she couldn't foster her own healing, she had no freedom but a limited range of motion and of sight. She had been in this state for so long it was now a way of life to only see at a certain level and to be able to operate with limited ability. Her condition was closed in and uncomfortable, especially in the early days. But after 18 years, it was a position she was used to.
The Bible says that Jesus saw her and called her to him. That's the invitation. He sees your condition/position and knows not only how you got there, but how to get you out. He is calling you to himself so that you can get the healing you so desparately need.
The crippled woman had to respond to Jesus for him to lay his hands on her. She was literally invited into His presence. He then laid his hands on her and she was immediately made straight - healed! She then glorified God. The next scripture talks about how some of the religious folks had a problem with this healing because it was done on the Sabbath. Jesus called them hypocrites and told them that if they call loose their oxen to get water on the Sabbath, why can't this woman be loosed from the bonds of Satan on the Sabbath? Some folks may not understand or agree with the way your healing came about. It may fall outside of their defined parameters of how God is "supposed" to operate. But do not let them stop you from getting your healing and glorify God. Don't confuse the ritual with righteousness. Accept the invitation to get in the Lord's presence. He may be calling you to read the Bible more, to shut off the TV and just hear from him, pray more or just journal the thoughts that he gives you. That's exactly how this blog came to life. Answer the call and be healed this day!
In Luke 13: 11-16, is the story of the woman who was crippled and bowed for 18 years. The Bible says that she could not "lift herself up." Meaning she couldn't foster her own healing, she had no freedom but a limited range of motion and of sight. She had been in this state for so long it was now a way of life to only see at a certain level and to be able to operate with limited ability. Her condition was closed in and uncomfortable, especially in the early days. But after 18 years, it was a position she was used to.
The Bible says that Jesus saw her and called her to him. That's the invitation. He sees your condition/position and knows not only how you got there, but how to get you out. He is calling you to himself so that you can get the healing you so desparately need.
The crippled woman had to respond to Jesus for him to lay his hands on her. She was literally invited into His presence. He then laid his hands on her and she was immediately made straight - healed! She then glorified God. The next scripture talks about how some of the religious folks had a problem with this healing because it was done on the Sabbath. Jesus called them hypocrites and told them that if they call loose their oxen to get water on the Sabbath, why can't this woman be loosed from the bonds of Satan on the Sabbath? Some folks may not understand or agree with the way your healing came about. It may fall outside of their defined parameters of how God is "supposed" to operate. But do not let them stop you from getting your healing and glorify God. Don't confuse the ritual with righteousness. Accept the invitation to get in the Lord's presence. He may be calling you to read the Bible more, to shut off the TV and just hear from him, pray more or just journal the thoughts that he gives you. That's exactly how this blog came to life. Answer the call and be healed this day!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
In His Presence
What an awesome weekend I had in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. My husband was the guest psalmist at a church convention for the first two nights, and we decided to stay for the last service. It was such a blessing! The guest speaker was Dr. Kervin Smith, a prophet from Minnesota. A real nice, God-fearing man who delivered powerful words and insights from the Bible every time he spoke. But the most awesome service was on Sunday night, the last of the convention. The presence of God was definitely there as he delivered the message and later began praying and delivering people. I have never been to a service like that, but I do know what I saw and felt was real. Usually when I've seen or heard prophets, they have given what seems to be a general prophesy that could apply to any person or any situation. It happened to me, and I must admit I had a bit of skepticism ever since. But Dr. Smith was right on, every single time. And not just on general stuff, but specific ailments in certain locations, or situations that was specific to only 1 to a few folks. He even prophesied to me about something very specific. (I've decided not to share it until it comes to pass.) But he spelled it out and it was something that I had not even shared with my husband yet.
God is real and I appreciate being in that service. Even though I was in pain and recovering from surgery, that trip was just the thing for my body and my mind. To those reading this blog, there's nothing like being in the presence of God.
God is real and I appreciate being in that service. Even though I was in pain and recovering from surgery, that trip was just the thing for my body and my mind. To those reading this blog, there's nothing like being in the presence of God.
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