I surrendered MY “Life” PLANS to full time ministry in 1989 when my husband and I, along with a great bunch of friends, opened Tampa’s first Crisis Pregnancy Center. A Woman’s Place is a faith based ministry that offers women choices for an unplanned pregnancy, other than abortion. The tiny ministry was pressed into a small space in the back half of my independently owned insurance agency.

I never intended to allow it to take up the front of my office or the front of my life. We started with a volunteer team and donated furniture. We still have a volunteer team and some donated furniture, in addition to 20 employees and a multi-million dollar budget.

None of it was my PLAN.

MY PLAN was to be one of Florida’s youngest and wealthiest female insurance agents and to drive sports cars.

MY PLAN was to get that “crisis” ministry up and running and hand it over to someone else-asap.

MY PLAN when that first young girl fell through our doors facing the most heartbreaking moment of her young life, was to find SOMEONE else to help her.

MY PLAN bit the dust with the first teardrops that wet the shoulder of my blouse. I have been surrendering MY PLAN every since. That was 21 years ago.

I have done lots of things wrong during my years of leadership and of serving God through ministry but I know have done at least 2 things right, they maybe the only two things, but at least there are two:

1)  Keep God first!

2)  Never stop learning and seeking a higher level of excellence at what He has called me to do.

I just cannot offer God anything less.

I have shared over the past few post, a few ways I have done the learning and seeking thing. I seek out—follow—and soak up, all the overflow that God makes available to me. I try to never miss an opportunity to glean and learn from someone who has experienced a little more, challenges me to look a little deeper,  or draws me a little higher.

A few weeks ago I had one of those wonderful experiences at the “She Speaks” Conference sponsored by Proverbs 31 Ministries. If you have followed my blog you have heard me share MANY times about my love for Lysa Terkeurst and the P31 ministry team. If you have a desire to write, or speak of LIVE for Christ…hook up with them. You will never regret it.

Last years guest keynote at “She Speaks” by Jennifer Rothschild blew me away and I counted it as one of the top 5 speeches I have ever EXPERIENCED in my life. I wrote about it here.

This year, God brought our seeking hearts more of the same!!!

The Saturday night message was delivered by Angela Thomas. Angela is a fellow Lifeway Author so I have had the great honor of hanging out with her a few times in a few different settings over the past couple of years. I have seen her on the stage and have shared lunch with her in the proverbial “Green Room”. She is the REAL DEAL and is the same lady both places. After her keynote at “She Speaks” she left an entire room of 600 women and a few good men (a small group for her), spellbound, unable to move and I truly believe, permanently changed. I embraced the message so deeply that I have repeated all 6 points several times (my version of course) without notes.

Here they are, from my notes, along with my application. I would advise you to order the tape and fill up your own cup!!

My Takeaway from Angela Thomas “She Speaks”  July 31, 2010

1)  Know your calling, it will keep you focused (Eph 4:1)

I learned a little acrostic for the word FOCUS a few years back that has always stuck with me “Fixed On God’s Unlimited Supply”. I have known what God “Called” me to do since my knees left the alter on 6/9/84. What His “plan” looks like is another story. Finding and Staying true to YOUR PERSONAL CALLING and not someone else’s can be the difference between stress and peace, success and failure.

2)  There is an art to leaving some things UNDONE so that greater things can BE done. (2 Tim 1:3)

This statement, although certainly not a new concept, brought me down. I allow my schedule to get so crazy trying to get it all done, the things I hate and the things I love as well as things that just need to be done. The more God does with my ministry and the more territory He provides, the bigger my “To Do” list gets. The way that Angela shared this point really sunk in for me. I have followed her advice for the past 3 weeks and have begun a new system of prioritizing and planning that has set me FREE-ER. Not completely free but I have turned a corner. That is good.

3)  Lead in Brokenness NOT insecurity (Ps 40:1)

Angela preciously calls herself a “First Born overachieving-excessive-repulsive”. Oh my, I want that phrase. It is me. I have never been captured better. Capturing this truth will make or break your family AND ministry. I learned a long time ago how critical it is to deal with my own stuff before I can lead or minister or even LOVE others. A mentor of mine told me just a few short years into my leadership position “You can not give out what you do not have” and “What you do not heal, you pass on”. I am constantly broken before the Lord and make every effort to allow Him to use my brokenness. Insecurity is sin. I just want it out of my life. Brokenness on the other hand, bring it on!

4)   Sometimes, it is not your turn yet—Be a woman who is READY. (John 15)

I loved how Angela told us, “if God has called you to write—write. If God has called you to speak—write a speech”. Don’t stand around waiting for the “big break”. Practice it, tape it, make it better and better the wait, trust, abide. Be ready when God calls you. Abide, Trust, He is able to carry out His plan for you. Be ready to be next. Stay in prayer. Stay close to God. If you really believe God is sovereign then you know His timing is perfect.

5)  The Lord is the decider—Do not compare, Do not strive, Do not sulk and complain. (Matt 6:33)

Sometimes us girls spend more time looking at what some else is doing, or has, than we do pressing into what God has given US. The grass always seems greener in someone else’s life or ministry than our own. God will not bless that kind of stinkin’ thinkin’. Lysa made a beautiful statement during one of her speeches, it was something like “God will not give you more territory until you are thankful for the territory you have”. Wow.

6)  Go get it and BRING IT BACK!!! (Col 2:6)

This is why I stay under as much “overflow” as possible. Why I keep God’s Word a priority of my life. Why my time alone with Him is non-negotiable. Why I read, study and keep trying to get better and learn more, even at my age, even after 24 years of ministry. I know that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. I know that what I am filled with, is what will come out of my heart and mouth. What my “spiritual cup” holds is what I have to give. It is my hearts desire to overflow with the fruit of God’s Spirit—Love, Joy, Patience, Understanding, Peace, Goodness, Gentleness, Kindness, Self Control. As bad as I am at some of those things NOW, I can only imagine what I would be without God.

I love you Angela Thomas. You ROCK!! Happy Birthday Week!!

Tell Angela Happy Birthday on her Facebook Page

I just got this email from a new friend of mine. She and her amazing woman’s ministry team were host for our VERY FIRST  “Imagine Me…Set Free”. This feisty group of God’s girls bravely took a chance on me and a North Carolina “Freedom Weekend”. To say that it was an adventure would be an understatement. Never-less, God Blessed. Jill and I have been hooked at the hip since. There is just something about being a part of a move of God together that joins one heart to another.

The fact that our hearts are joined is evident by the following.

My last blog post was my promise to unwrap a whole bunch of newly deposited knowledge right here on “Living Free”. While I was writing that post Jill was enjoying a family vacation in paradise.

As a  Leading Lady Looking for the Lasting Lesson in everything, would do……here is what she sent me after her return. You will see why God has placed this wise women in such a precious position of leading and loving on HIS beautiful daughters.

Lessons Learned on Vacation

We were fortunate enough to spend a week on Paradise Island, Bahamas for our summer vacation. We rented a three bedroom condo (got it for a great price), went on a couple of great excursions and spent a few days at the Atlantis Resort (day passes with access to the aquariums, water park, pools and beach). Our teenagers each brought a friend, so there were six of us. It was truly a spectacular vacation.  I am convinced that there is no more beautiful place on earth than the Caribbean. And I think my kids would agree.  My sixteen year old son, who has repeatedly said that he doesn’t like the beach, said “it’s not the beach…it’s the Caribbean…there’s a difference”.  Amen to that.

While we were there, I really learned some lessons that apply not only to my life but to my ministry work.  Here they are in no particular order:

Bigger isn’t necessarily better…unless it can be made to feel smaller and more intimate.  Atlantis is a huge property.  I mean massive.  It’s like a Ginsu Knife commercial “…but wait, there’s more…”.  It went on forever, it was very crowded and you had to wait in line for most things. Certainly you can achieve economies of scale, but when it’s that big, it’s overwhelming. So how does this apply to:

◦      Ministry – people want to be acknowledged, they want to be heard. Reply promptly to inquiries, even if you don’t have the answer. And follow up when you get it. Anticipate people’s needs and fill them before they realize they needed something.  Don’t make people come to you, greet them, have information readily available, be accessible-not sitting behind a table, but out front with a smile. Make sure the website is up-to-date and easy to navigate.  There is nothing that will turn me off faster than a difficult website – one click, that’s it, especially if I’m spending money. Don’t make it hard for the user.

◦      Life – well, pretty much all of the above. Take the time to SEE, ACKOWLEDGE and LISTEN to people.  Be present.  I won’t get this moment again, how can I reflect Christ in this instance, to this person?  Not to be trite, but “what would Jesus do”? I should never be too full of myself to ignore another person.

People want a “road map”. Did I mention that Atlantis was big?  But it wasn’t well marked.  The signage, when you could see it, was small.  Maybe they were going for unobtrusive, but it frustrated the heck out of us.  And in Nassau, good luck finding a bus schedule.  They’ve got a great local bus system, but no printed schedule. Certainly you’re on “island time”, which is vastly different than regular time (way more relaxed), but I would’ve loved to have a schedule that told me “the number 10 bus runs between downtown Nassau and Cable Beach”, that kind of thing. Navigating was a trial! Application:

◦      Ministry – provide all the information and all the tools!  Events and class schedules with dates/times/meeting place/cost. Easily accessible. And provide a good map! Give detailed directions, provide agendas for meetings. This comes down to respecting people’s time. Time is our most valuable commodity.  Don’t waste other people’s time by making it difficult for them to find information. Anticipate their needs, and provide for them!

◦      Life – we all need the road map, and the Bible is it.  But it’s like looking at a World Atlas.  Where do I start, how do I read this, what does this mean for my daily life? This is the most valuable tool we have, but it’s useless unless we know what to do with it.

People want authenticity. Now don’t get me wrong, Atlantis was beautiful. No expense was spared creating this fantasy world. And it was a fantasy of the first magnitude. The property was laid out for maximum visual and sensory impact. The aquariums were amazing, you almost felt like you were under the water. In fact a couple of the water slides took you through the shark tank. Pretty cool. Until we got on a boat and went to one of the out-islands, where we saw the true beauty of the Caribbean. The turquoise water, the pink sand, and no crowd. Pristine. Breath taking. The majesty of God laid out before you. God made, not man made. People want substance, not surface. And, by the way, we got in the water and fed the stingrays and the sharks which beat the heck out of the aquarium.

◦      Ministry and life – authenticity and transparency. These are paramount. We live in a fallen world, we are all broken. Stop wearing the masks. Ask for help when you need it. If the project’s more than you thought, say so, we’re all in this together, we have a common goal. But don’t shirk your responsibility, remember you’re working for God.  Jesus was the only man who could handle things on his own, the rest of us – we need help.  Why do you think he had 12 disciples?

People want a personal experience and they want to remember it. The big resort and the giant cruise ship are cool, but they aren’t personal. You’re a number, you’re cattle. Get ‘em in, get ‘em out. Standing knee deep in the water, having a 5′ shark pulled out of the water right next to me, that’s personal. That’s an experience I won’t forget (and I have the pictures to prove it). I brought back some sand from that beach so I can have it in a jar on my desk. Every time I look at it, it takes me back to paradise.

◦      Ministry – the large church, the big conference has to have a personal touch, or there is no connection. The volunteers and staff have to be front and center, meeting, greeting, assisting. And easy to identify. Disney is the ultimate at providing a stellar guest experience. It is that anticipation of needs. From pulling into the parking lot to trash disposal on your way out the door, it’s all been coordinated.  People want to leave with a souvenir, if you will, of their experience. They want the tangible reminder. But they need to leave with something useful, something that helps with the life application of what they’ve experienced. It’s not enough to experience God, you have to have the ongoing relationship!

Jill Marquis is Director of Women’s Ministries at Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC

I went for my Annual Eye exam last week. One of the procedures they perform is for you to press your head up against a little machine and have a what they tell you will be a “puff” of air shoot into your eye. I didn’t ask WHAT this does but I would say they use the term “puff” loosely. The hit to the eye, although it doesn’t hurt, is more like a BLAST than a sweet little “puff”! Each time it makes you jump backwards and away from the machine even though you know it is coming.

I recently sat in the filled auditorium at Van Dyke Church in Tampa soaking up the amazing teaching of some of the greatest Christian teachers and speakers of today at the simulcast of the Global Leadership Summit sponsored by Willow Creek. As I tried to take it all in I remembered that little “puff” from my eye exam.

The Willow Creek summit has been referred to as “the go-to event for leaders who are serious about being better at what they do – whether it’s shepherding a flock, growing a business, or becoming a more passionate follower of Christ”.

That is me. I am one of those leaders AND one of those followers.

I always want to learn to do things better and I am the first to know, I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!!

As you saw in THIS POST, I am a firm believer  in constantly FILLING UP on all the wisdom, inspiration and Bible teaching that is available to me. I look for it. I find it. I follow it. I also want to see that kind of teaching and coaching poured into those I love and serve with. Some of our ministry Staff sat in one long row and soaked it all up as best we could. At one point, as I was leaning forward in my seat with my elbows on my knees trying to catch every single word that BLASTED out from one of the speakers, I looked down the row and saw the head of my middle son leaned in along with mine. It was precious. The apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I have to admit, the whole “simulcast” thing has never really thrilled me. I figure I can watch TV or a video podcast on my computer in my own home and in my PJ’s.

The fact is however, that simulcasting is an amazing tool of technology that allows us to actually BE PART of something awesome as it happens, not just an observer. At this particular event tens of thousands of pastors, ministry leaders, corporate leaders and just plain ole learners, in multiple countries gathered at over a hundred sites across North America.

It was a BLAST!!

I have pages of notes and ideas to figure out how to apply to my life over the next few months. I do not want to MISS what God was pouring into me.

As I sat there it occurred to me how many places HE has placed me in just the past few weeks that have given me the OPPORTUNITY to be filled with some amazing, in fact life changing, information.

Last weekend I attended Proverbs 31 Ministries “She Speaks” and left feeling the same way. Like I had gone expecting a “PUFF” and received a “BLAST”.

The only way that I know to take all of this information and try to process it into a few realistic and achievable goals in my own life, is to write out some of the truths and attempt to set a goal or two from each session.

Since I use “Living Free” as an online life journal of sorts to be shared with the few who might care or might be served in some small way, I am going to be transferring my notes to this blog, then create a “DO THIS WITH THAT” list.

I would love to exchange ideas with you.

Tell me what God is teaching you. And I will NOT forget my “Life Planning” process that blasted into my heart from the Michale Hyatt Blog I shared earlier this week. There has to be SOME PLAN for all this great knowledge. Right??!!

PLEASE DON’T FORGET ABOUT MY AUGUST GIFT CERTIFICATE to be used for the item of your choice at “The Lavendar Road”. My drawing will take place using ALL of my August COMMENTS!! Two comments equal TWO ENTRIES, Three equal THREE!! You get it!!

Obviously I don’t do well without it.

Not  only have I not scaled any buildings lately–short or tall– but my laundry is piled up to about 6 loads. It is probably the highest mountain I will climb anytime soon.

We have had a not-so-great-adventure going on at the Layton house over the past few weeks. We lost our AC in the midst of some of the hottest days in Florida history. It is very difficult to get ANYTHING done while laying prostrate on the floor with ones face pressed against a fan, much less attempting blogging feats of witty writing glory.

When I got to the point of resembling the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz, AFTER she was splashed with water, my husband broke down and took us to live in a HOTEL for 4 days. Our home temperature got as high as 102 degrees!!

The loss of AC is nothing as major as many precious friends of mine have been dealing with lately. No where near. Awareness of that has caused me to pray every day asking God to keep my heart right and my perspective balanced. Sometimes I disciplined myself into what I knew was a God pleasing attitude and sometimes I did not. I tried. I really did.

Anyway, I have had a more than my usual difficult time setting myself aside to blog.

I do have some great ideas on little pieces of paper, saved in my documents file and sitting next to my Prayer Chair with the sour towels.

I did manage to TWEET and Facebook my whining a few times but that only took a few words and no thought process, only a high pitched complaining cry!

The truth is, even on most ordinary days I can not seem to find time to fit it all in and just have the highest regard for those who can.

I have not given up however. I am on a hot quest (sorry, heat is on my mind) for discovering the best method of organization and life planning.

One of my favorite blog spots is Michael Hyatt’s blog. I have just downloaded his post on “Creating a Life Plan” and “The Importance of the Quarterly Review” and have already devoured them both. I have put a day on my calendar for later this month to try my hand at his method of “Living Life on Purpose”.

I can’t wait to see what God drops into my heart and will gladly share my “On PURPOSE” discoveries here on “Living Free”.  As long as I have AC and some sweet tea, I am a writng fool.

Lastly I have not forgotten my JULY Summer Book Giveaway . I am a few days late but the books are in a box for ROBBIE JO!!!!! (Email me your address sister!!)

My sincere thanks to all who emailed, facebooked and blogged about my upcoming Woman’s Conference “Imagine Me…Redeemed, Restored, Renewed…Set Free” on October 1 and 2 in Eastman, Georgia.

My AUGUST Giveaway is a COOL GIFT CERTIFICATE for a goodie of your choice from my beautiful Daughter-in-Laws Kim’s Everything Etsy shop.

Take a look and see what you like then all you have to do is tell someone about IMAGINE ME and leave a comment here on the blog telling me where to look!!

Also…I would love to know YOUR Life Planning tips!!

REVIVAL has been on my mind. I know I said “Refresh Yourself” but to me, they are the same thing. Refresh just sounded better tonight since I live in Florida and my home AC has been broken for 2 days and my house is 98 degrees, the word REFRESH just feels good!!

I have been reading the most amazing book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I am a bit behind in reading this. It has been causing a stir for quite a while around my ministry team and fellow God chasers, but my book stack is HIGH so I have just gotten to it. I had the opportunity to hear Francis speak at the Southern Baptist Convention last month. Little did I know that I was about to be inspired into a personal revival. I was blown away by his humility and his pursuit of a real love relationship with Christ. His message left me wanting to fall to the floor in repentance. His fullness left me feeling empty in comparison. His emptiness left me feeling full of myself as opposed to full of God. His brokenness left me wanting refreshment. His wholeness left me wanting repair.

I love that.

I NEED that from mentors, teachers, preachers who are just a bit ahead of me on the journey. They are easy to spot. They are the ones with the “Cup Running Over”. My prayer is that by pressing into God for more, by standing under the cup bearers He places on my path, I will capture a drop or two IN MY CUP and someone, just a bit behind me, will get splashed on.

I came right home right after SBC and dug into the stack to find that book. It is NOT for sissies. Francis cuts to the chase. He asks the hard questions. He makes me want to pursue holiness. To experience TODAY’S personal revival and refreshment. I want revival constantly in my life daily. I believe that PERSONAL REVIVAL makes others hungry for God. Personal REVIVAL IS evangelism. Personal Revival means NEW LIFE. Personal Revival means a HUNGRY HEART.

I love that.

I ask God continually to REVEAL MY SIN. I ask God to prompt me by His Spirit when sin begins to slip into my life as a pastime or a casual guest. I ask God to keep me sensitive to sin—-NOT personal failure—NOT rejection—–NOT disapproval. I am far too tender for those “people” prompted propensities.

I want what matters to God to matter to me. Not my lack of ability but His Majesty. Not my easily hurt feelings but His divine love. Not my fear but His magnificent strength. Not my lack but His unfathomable resources.

Anyway…one of the reasons I have been thinking about this is just noticing ALL of the MANY opportunities that surround us as women and provide an opportunity to be REFRESHED!!! To be Revived!!! To be placed on our face lapping up overflow.

I want to encourage you that if you do not have some dates SAVED on your calendar to put yourself in a position of revival and refreshment, DO IT NOW!!!

Look for a place where the Word of God will be stirred in you. A set apart time to hear from God is a fresh way.

Here are a few REFRESH AND REVIVE Opportunities COMING UP over the next few months I found in a quick search….

Living Proof Live with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell

www.lifeway.com/event/?id=39&CID=RDR-LivingProof

Going Beyond with Priscilla Shirer

www.lifeway.com/event/179/

Deeper Still

www.lifeway.com/event/150/

Lysa Terkeurst events

www.lysaterkeurst.com/speaking-schedule/

Jennifer Rothschild “Fresh Ground faith”

www.freshgroundedfaith.com

Extraordinary Women Events

www.ewomen.net/conference/2010-10-22/bancorpsouth-arena

Women of Faith

www.womenoffaith.com/events

Pam Farrel Girlfriend Getaways

www.farrelcommunications.com/kroc

A smaller new event sponsored by some sweet friends of mine is” gIRL” and can be found at

www.girlfriendsirl.com

and last but NOT LEAST….

ME……with Georgia on my mind

“Imagine Me..Redeemed, Restored, RENEWED…Set Free”

Now tell me more!!!!!

What upcoming Woman’s Events do you want to share?? Leave a comment below!

My husband and I are Elders in our church. We have served in this role for over 10 years. One of the most precious things that we are allowed to do is to pray at the alter with our church family on Sundays at the close of service.

God has done many miraculous things during those prayer times. Just last week, we were visiting a church in our city that was making a gift to our local pregnancy resource center. At the close of the service a couple came up to us with their two young daughters. The family of 4 was glowing and the woman was clearly pregnant. All 4 cried as they reminded us and thanked us for praying for them at our church a few years ago. Their marriage had been falling apart as the result of an abortion chosen during financial crisis and life breakdown. Mike and I prayed for them with all of the passion of our hearts and both clearly remembered that time of prayer and those little girls. We clearly remembered asking God to do for this couple what He had done for our marriage so many years before.

It was a thrill to see and hear what God had done.

God answers prayer.

This Sunday, we had a beautiful young woman come up for prayer. She tenderly and humbly asked for prayer that God would put a guard over her mouth so that the things she said would be a Godly influence in her home, with her husband and her children.

She confessed that she sometimes spouted off mean words to him alone and in front of their children.

Oh my.

My own husband was standing next to me, holding my hand. I couldn’t very well tell her of all the ways I had “mastered” this challenge. Visions of Sapphira swirled in my head (Acts 5).

I simply cleared my throat and told her that I would be honored to pray with her if she would pray back with me for the same thing. We ALL need this prayer on occasion. I simply could not pray as if it was not something I am continually needing and seeking for myself as well—especially with my honey listening—and GOD!

I wrapped my arms around her and cried as I prayed. I was so touched by her humility. I was so convicted by her heart.

The verse God gave me as I prayed was…

Luke 6:45 The good (woman) brings good things out of the good stored up in (her) heart, and the evil (woman) brings evil things out of the evil stored up in (her) heart. For out of the overflow of (her) heart (her) mouth speaks.

My appeal to God sunk into those words along with hers as we asked Him to equip us by His Holy Spirit, to fill our hearts with His Words, His promises, His truth, His love, His blessing, His goodness, His self control.

We prayed for the fullness of heart to minister to our families.

We asked for hearts that would overflow with kind and encouraging words to our husbands.

We ask for hearts that would overflow with a sweetness that would fill our homes.

My husband joined our prayer asking the same thing for husbands.

I am praying the same thing today…on Monday.

If you are a wife and mother, can you relate to our prayers? Do you ever struggle with saying mean things or cutting things? Do you ever struggle with some bad stuff in your heart spitting out of your mouth?

Hey..Don’t Forget I am GIVING AWAY 10 FREE BOOKS in a few more days. Go to this Post for Details!!

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matt 4:17

There is Power in a single Day. Life changing Power. Power to turn the world around. Power to turn YOUR life around.

One Day—Sarah, Abraham’s Wife, was an old woman with an empty womb. The next, she was pregnant with a child of promise. She had waited 24 YEARS!!
In one day, her life changed.

One Day—David was on the RUN from Saul’s ARMIES, being tormented, falsely accused, rejected. The next day, his enemy was dead and he was KING! David had waited 15 YEARS!

One Day—Esther was just a young girl wondering what her future might look like, the next day, she was a QUEEN. One day, she was a QUEEN, the next day, she was rescuing a NATION!!! God ALWAYS has something bigger!!
Today may be your day!!

One DAY– Jeremiah was just a Jewish kid, the next day, he was a PROPHET to the World and would be quoted in the BIBLE. An eternal VOICE!!

One DAY—The Israelites were lost and bored with dinner—the next day, they were face to face with the Messiah.

One Day—The disciples were hiding away in a secret room filled with fear and uncertainty. The next day they were FILLED with the Power of the Holy Spirit—Ready to Shout from the rooftops for all to hear about their RISEN Saviour!!!

Think about it. What can happen in ONE DAY!! How life can change in a single moment, a single hour, a single day.

I was reading this morning about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. Reading about how Satan, just after a time of intimate connection between Jesus and the Father, tried to trip Him up!! Oh yeah…been there, done that. Not, of course, anything like what Jesus endured. I am not that important to the enemy. However, I am important. My life is about saving lives….physical, emotional and spiritual.

The call that God has placed on my life matters. The call that God has placed on YOUR life matters. The enemy is after our assignment. He is always at work attempting to divert our attention, steal our joy, weaken our defenses.

I just love how after that encounter with Satan, scripture says the words…

From that day on (NIV)….
From then on (NLT)….

That encounter with Satan did nothing to the assignment of Jesus but PUMP HIM UP!! So much that the Bible says…

From that Day on…!! WhooHooo!!

Those same words are used 2 other places in Matthew. Each time a new turn, a new day, a new level came into the live of Jesus.

Read Matt 16:21 and Matt 26:16 to see them.

Have you had any “from that day on’s” in your life??
Have you ever had a moment, an hour, a day that set you on a new course?

Please, tell me about it!

There was a movie last Christmas called “Have You Heard About the Morgan’s?” It was one of those movies that, in my humble opinion, the best parts were in the previews.

I was reminded today of the part of the movie when Sarah Jessica Parker is coaching Hugh Grant through his encounter with a bear. (I practically know it by heart as IT was one of those previews) At first she is calm and gives HG softly directed instructions to stand still and the bear would “go away”, but when the critter lifts up to his full 10 foot height, throws head back in an earth shaking roar and attacks full on, she begins to scream…”RUN, RUN, RUN”.

That scene came to my mind today and I saw myself. I recognized a similar “flight instinct” in response to some challenges I am facing–some BEARS in my life. There are some things that I honestly don’t get. I feel like I have read the manual. I have followed the rules. I have done everything I think God has told me to do but I have heard a clear ROAR and my first instinct has been to run.

We do that.

We can read God’s Word and fully embrace and believe His promise of who He is and what He desires for us to do. We can have the sweetest encounter with Him and solidly grip His specific instructions or directions for our lives. It all seems nice as long as we are not growled at or at worst, attacked.

As long as it SEEMS like God is at work.

As long as it LOOKS like He is for us.

As long as things are going according to plan, to the manual, we are pretty brave.

However, when an attack comes, we are very tempted to be …….OUT OF HERE!!!!

We are in good company. The disciples did it. In John 13:37 Peter adamantly professes his “lay down my life” loyalty to Jesus.

Then, in John 18, the bear growled.

There was blood and anger and fighting. There were weapons and torches and sizzling lanterns. An ear was eaten.

I can imagine Peter’s thoughts…Sometimes, they are my thoughts…

What’s this about?

This in NOT the plan.

This is NOT how this is supposed to go.

This is NOT how it is supposed to feel.

This is NOT what I understood the directions to say.

I think I need to RUN. I think I should RUN. I think I WILL RUN.

Later we discover, what seemed so wrong, what looked so bad, what was not very neat or comfortable or fun, was EXACTLY God’s plan.

I understand Peter. I almost always want to RUN when thing get messy. I want to run when things don’t go the way I think they should when God TELLS me to do something, leads me down a certain path, directs me into a new assignment and things seem to fall apart.

But, thanks to Peter, I think I’ll hang on for breakfast (John 21:12).

After all, it’s just a bear.

How about you? Do you feel like running today? What keeps you brave?

My “Bear Spray for the Day”–Phillipians 1:6

I am sure of this…He who started a good work in me, will carry it on to completion in Christ Jesus.

Hey, don’t forget my 10 BOOK GIVEAWAY…see my last post…Enter Now!!

According to my calendar  we have passed the halfway mark for the year. Unbelievable.

I do not like to watch years zoom by but I have to say I am glad this hot Tampa Summer is on the downhill run. I like cool weather, how about you?

I have more reasons than one for looking forward to FALL!

One of them is THIS!

We have enjoyed 3 retreat style weekends this year and each one was a life changing event. More than we could hope or ask for, just like God promised.

We started off with “The Cove” in Asheville, North Carolina in early March. The rain fell outside but the SON could not have been brighter inside! Our first “Freedom Weekend” exceeded our wildest dreams.

Next came beautiful San Antonio, Texas right smack in April Bluebell Bloom! We were surrounded by blossoms and beautiful women whose hearts are on fire for God.

Our third and last event for the season was deep in the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado for a RECORD snowfall the first weekend of May…

Each and every event has been very special. As God has poured out His Spirit and His presence through the rain, snow and shine on over 600 women.

Since Summer started I have been kind of closed up in my office writing–writing and more writing. I was FILLED to overflow from those times so that part has been good but I am SO ready for some girl time!!

We are counting the days until our next event this FALL, October 1 and 2 in Georgia. I am a born and bread Georgia Peach so I ALWAYS love to set my feet on some red clay ground.

This will be our first “Conference Style” FREEDOM WEEKEND and our team is praying for God to FILL THE HOUSE!!

We are praying in women who want to experience Freedom from the Past, Purpose in the Present and Passion for the Future.

Is that you???

We will enjoy the life changing Word of God, Worship with Kate Carlson and a full worship band and lots of rich Workshops. Of course there is always the eating, laughing and added fun of a ROAD TRIP!

Will you help us? Will you come? I think it’s time to plan a Girlfriend Getaway ROAD TRIP don’t you?

It is a GREAT TIME to put Georgia on Your Mind!!

We have 2 Great incentives going on for Early Registration:

All July registrants are entered in drawings for Kate Carlson CD’s, TShirts, Jewelry, Tote bags and MORE!!

Now until the END OF JULY, if you will post a comment on your BLOG OR FACEBOOK promoting the FEEDOM WEEKEND, especially if you have been with us before, and tell me about it here in my Comments, We will enter your name for this sweet batch of books to get you from Summer to Fall!!!

The 10 Book Package Includes books by Nancy Lee DeMoss, Debbie Williams, Robin Jones Gunn and MORE!

Thank you for your help “Living Free” friends and STAY COOL!