Something to Talk About; She Speaks Conference Scholarship

Congrats to the winner of the St. Pat’s Day giveaway. She is: Polly; time stamp 6:42 p.m. on March 13th. Send your home address to me: [email protected]

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Oh…..I am soooooooo excited for one of you reading this just now!!!!

I love speaking.

And I LOVE giving things away.

Today, I get to combine those twin loves and offer one of you a scholarship to attend the absolute BEST conference for women who feel called to speak and who want to not only better their skills but make some important connections in ministry.

Okay, so I may be a tad bit biased since I am the director of the national speaking team at this fabulous ministry called Proverbs 31, but let me give you some background.

Ever since I was a blond-haired little tomboy with a pretty party dress on, I heard one consistent comment about me from adults—from my parents; my uncle; my grandma; my teachers and the neighborhood moms: “Man….can that girl talk” and “Does she ever stop yakkin’?”

Now at times my word-slinging has gotten me into trouble. It was usually the “needs improvement” box checked on my progress reports. You know, the whole “pays attention in class” category. Apparently my teachers wanted less chatter and more quiet from me.

But it has also helped me in life. Won me speech scholarships in high school, landed me the part in the play and even snagged me the foxy guy. (Yes…we said ‘foxy’ in the 80’s!)

Yep, my hubby says it was one of the first aspects he noticed of my personality. He loved the way I could work a room and talk to complete strangers making them feel welcome.

Then, about 3 days into our honeymoon he had this thought: “Is she ever gonna shut up?”

In fact, Todd’s decided, if I go before him, what he is putting on my tombstone.

A period.

“She’s finally done talkin'”!!!!

But buried deep within all this chit-chat was a dream. Ever since giving my life to Jesus in late high school I envisioned myself speaking.

Helping, inspiring and showing others something that would be of worth.

After over a decade of doing just that, I found the She Speaks conference.

It changed my life!

Not only did I have access to much of the information about speaking and writing that I had been seeking and discovering on my own for over 10 years all in one place on one weekend, but God showed up big at this conference.

He dealt with some issues in my heart that desperately needed His attention.

Well, how about you?

Do you have a dream to be a speaker?

Have you already launched out and begun the journey?

Or are you still waiting in the wings, unsure and hesitant?

I am offering an opportunity to win a Cecil Murphy Scholarship to She Speaks. Our president Lysa TerKeurst gave away two last week.

This week we at Proverbs 31 are giving away four more!!!

So, if you are a speaker or wanna-be speaker, enter here but also hop around and look here (at our Director of Writer’s site) and here (at our Executive Director’s site) and here (at our Women’s Ministry track director’s site) where women with various ministry dreams will have more shots at another one of these generous ministry scholarship gifts.

And tell your friends who want to either speak, write or lead about these opportunities too! And of course we’d absolutely love it if you Tweeted, Facebooked or blogged about the conference too! Seriously would love it!

Now, if you haven’t heard of Cecil Murphy’s amazing newsletter for writers, you’ll want to click here to subscribe for free! I had face-to-face time with this wise writing legend and man of faith last year at She Speaks to discuss my writing career and learn from his insight.

What an absolute delight!

I’ll get to the specifics about the contest at the end of this post.

First, let me tell you a little more about She Speaks and why you, as a speaker, should consider attending this year.

For Speakers:

Whether you are ready to take the main stage and start speaking at conferences and retreats or whether you want to learn how to more effectively teach a ladies’ Bible Study — this track is for you. After attending this conference you will be equipped to:

  • Know how to develop a great message from start to finish.
  • Understand what keeps an audience engaged and how to make your message memorable.
  • Deliver your message in such a way that not only inspires your audience but motivates them to make life changes.
  • Increase your number of booked speaking engagements by using proven marketing strategies.

The winner of this contest will be awarded a scholarship for the cost of one person’s registration for the 2011 She Speaks conference being held in Concord, NC (Charlotte airport) on July 22-24th.

~The value of this scholarship is $595!!!!! which includes your conference materials, conference registration, 2 nights at the conference hotel and meals associated with the conference. Please note it does not include any travel expenses. Also, you will be assigned a room mate or you have the option to pay the extra charge for a private room.

This scholarship is non-transferable and can not be traded for cash.

  • All comments must be posted no later than midnight (EST) on Thursday, March 17th (Saint Patrick’s Day!) to be considered.
  • The winner will be announced here on Monday, March 21st.

Now, those of you who know me from this blog know that for most of my giveaways I say, “If time is tight, just leave a comment saying ‘I’m in!'”

This is not one of those days!

I want to know this about you:

~ Your speaking dream–when it began; where it is now.

~What it is you feel God calling you to speak on: marriage? mothering? pushing past your awful past? issues for teens? surviving cancer? surviving an unwanted divorce? hospitality? true beauty? organization? What has He laid on your heart and why?

~Finally—and now this will be a stretch for some of you—why should I choose you to win this scholarship? Why do you want to attend? What do you want to learn? How do you hope it will assist you in your quest to serve God through speaking?

Okay ladies….leave your comments. I can’t wait to read all of your stories.

And I can’t wait to meet the winner in person at She Speaks!!! I’ll save a spot for you at one of the meals so we can chat it up together.

Although if you like to talk as much as I do, we may not come up for air and miss our next session!

Now remember, there are more scholarship giveaways so if you are a women’s ministry leader visit my friend Renee.

A writer? Visit my friend Glynnis.

And an event planner? Visit my friend LeAnn.

Speaking Truth to You Blessings,

184 Comments

  1. Oh no! I just realized that my first attempt did not go through fully, and my second was behind time.

    Obviously, I won’t be speaking on anything involving computers, organization, or time-management.

    I will able to share my talks on stress-reducing breathing techniques.

    Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

  2. Have you ever had one of those moments when you seem to step out of time and space, inhale deeply and realize that you are exactly where you belong? One of those times when there is no question in your mind of who you are, or why you are here? A moment so clear and pure that ever other life experience pales in comparison to that time of pure, unadulterated purpose?

    Speaking is that for me.

    I grew up in the home of a church planter. My church role as the eldest of three was simple: clean the toilets, sweep the sanctuary, pass out fliers, welcome guests, teach sunday school, play the keyboard, help people with baptismal robes, and preach when dad couldn’t get off work in time for service. That was sixth grade.

    Strangely, I’m not one of the talkers that you reference in your post, and that so many other commenters relate to. I can’t usually jump into the group conversations and I struggle to feel like I connect in small parties and gatherings; this is quite a challenge, since I’m also married to a church planter!

    While I love meeting new people and am quick to make everyone feel as though they belong, I don’t do chit-chat very well; I just seem to dive deep.

    I remember the first time that I ever spoke in public. One would think that I my pulse would be racing and I would panic, foaming at the mouth.

    Instead, I felt an inner calm, a sense of peace and incredible purpose; I knew this was why I was created, this was why I exist, this was where I belong.

    To this day, other than my personal prayer, there is no other time when I feel completely at rest, than sharing God’s word in a public format.

    At this point in my life, I speak on a regular basis to women’s groups, ranging from ten to several hundred on topics from marriage and parenting (I raise three special needs and highly behaviorally challenged boys), to spiritual healing, life purpose and overcoming obstacles (my personal ones include struggling with physical pain from car accidents and multiple sclerosis, freedom from a life of inappropriate guilt after years of legalistic religion, and taking on the tremendous challenges and God-lessons learned from adopting three older-aged, trauma exposed children). To top it off, my favorite topic to share is the power of honest, transparent, vulnerable, intimate, confidant, life-changing and scripture drenched prayer.

    Currently, my circle of influence has led me to intersect with the worlds of many women who are unbelievers, atheists, and agnostics. As such, my primary focus is the reality of God’s existence and power, his healing grace for all, our purpose for existence, and the power of prayer in our lives.

    Why should you choose me? You shouldn’t; and I know you won’t. You’ll let God choose, and you’ll follow. And for that, I am grateful.

    However, should you and He have a conversation, I’d like you to share with Him that my heart needs His guidance and comfort right now (and He knows why). This conference will not only impact my ministry, but it will help my heart.

    And my budget needs some hope, too. :) Tickets from Alaska to NC right now are $800. I don’t think I can swing a ticket and registration.

    I hope to see you July. I hope we get to talk; not chat, but I want to hear the deep things God speaks to your heart. I hope I can get a little sunshine to warm this chilly Alaskan skin. I hope God opens doors for me to share His story.

    I hope I can share where I belong.

  3. “But encourage one another daily as long as it is called today…
    Encourage and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” He3:13, 1Th5:11

    That is it!…..That’s the dream; to encourage others while it is still called today -to speak TRUTH, to empower others with God’s truth. – To share my walk, my life, my story as a guide to the next generation, to embrace my own generation as friends and fellow sojourners on this “narrow way”. And to encourage the generation ahead of me that as long as we have breath, someone needs our word, our touch; someone needs what God has given us to give away…… AND to implore each of us to look to God’s Word, “ask where the good way is and walk in it!” Jer 6:16
    Tomorrow I will be flying to Denver and I am taking my camera. I will see Nola Ochs and I want a good picture of her! A giant framed poster of her in cap and gown, hangs on a high wall in the Denver Airport…..Nola Ochs, 92: OLDEST COLLEGE GRAD.
    I first saw this picture 2 years ago as I rode the escalator up to my gate. I stared, smiling, thinking. 92!? Maybe I’m not all washed up! Maybe I’m not too old to be heard! Maybe I have lived enough life to actually have something to say!
    I have a lot of years to catch up to Nola! :-)
    As a relatively new empty-nester, friends tell me that NOW is the time to do what I always dreamed. But I didn’t always dream, or at least I don’t remember. I have been teaching Youth, and women for 20+ years and raising children for 25! Now that YOU mention it, it actually excites me when others hear a passage I’ve taught and ‘get it!’ ……when someone comments after a talk, lesson, discussion, speaking engagement, or even a friend lunch, quoting back to me words I’ve shared that touched them, helped them, changed them….THAT is living a dream! God gave it, I spoke it, they got it!!!
    I want to encourage others to give God all of their life, their story, and watch Him work it for their good and His glory! Our stories are powerful! We overcome our Enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, our story! (Rev 12:11)
    I believe God has called me to share my story, the truth of my failures and triumphs and His forgiveness, and restoration. And also to teach others to use their stories to empower others and to trust God with it all!
    Pick me! Pick me, I’m 53! (and time is of the essence :-)
    Seriously, I hope to attend SheSpeaks to learn to speak more effectively and to make the most of the message and time God has given.
    Loving Him and asking Him to equip and help me love others in His name, I THANK YOU, Karen, for offering this scholarship and considering me as a recipient.

  4. Well, I ran out of time while typing the above entry! lol Trying to beat the clock! No time to carefully write my words towards the end, and no time to proof-read anything! :) It is what it is. Thank you for this opportunity to all of us!! BTW, I was always known as a talker in school, too. It was the ONLY negative remark I would ever receive on my report cards!

    From one “talker” to another–blessings!

  5. I think learning to trust God is a lot like falling in love. I wasn’t raised in a home where “I love you” was said easily, so those words were BIG and scary to me. The first time I truly fell in love, I knew I was there, but I never said a word. One day my boyfriend turned to me and blushingly stammered out, “I love you, April.” And…I laughed. I was too terrified to say it back, even though he had said it first. After I explained to him that I did, well, you know, but I just couldn’t say it, he was satisfied for the moment. But I wasn’t. I was angry at myself. I felt so screwed up that I couldn’t even say “I love you”. I tried every trick I could think of. I practiced saying it alone to my dog. I said each word separately with lots of space in between. “I. LOVE…” (watch a sitcom) “YOU”. I tried to say it in other languages, “Te amo!” But nothing worked to settle the panic in my heart each time the words neared my lips. One day while we were watching a movie together he said something endearingly sweet. Before my brain could stop me, “I love you,” tumbled out. Oh my gosh! What had I done? I quickly covered my face with my hands, my heart beating like mad. I felt so vulnerable, so exposed, I couldn’t dare make eye contact. He tried to pull my hands away, but I fought him. Finally, he said, “April, look at me. It’s just me.” And slowly, I opened my eyes. And it was him. Just him. And it was ok. The world hadn’t ended. And he had a big goofy grin on his face. After that initial event, I couldn’t be stopped. I was a fountain of “I love you’s” that never went dry.

    I’ve realized that since I became a Christian 6 years ago, I have been in the same predicament. Falling in love with God but often too shy or fearful to be vulnerable and speak it out. I was the girl that was terrified to pray out-loud in small group. The girl who’s voice shook when reading scripture aloud in Sunday school. The girl who never willingly volunteered to share her testimony for fear the knocking of her shaky knees would drown out her voice. God? I, well, you know! But I just couldn’t say it.

    Thankfully, God’s patient persistence has brought me to a place where my love has finally overwhelmed my fear. And I have had several opportunities more recently to step out and do a little public speaking. And while there was often a nervous vibrato in my voice, and sometimes I had to look down at my paper and just read word for word as I sweat through my shirt, I did it. And when I looked up afterwards, it was ok. And the world didn’t end. In fact, God had been working! I don’t want to be quiet anymore.

    I do believe that through natural and supernatural events, God has called me to speak, but I am not sure how exactly it will come to pass. He has given me the verse from Isaiah 50:4 – The Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary and with that, He has given me a heart to speak on some of the rough stuff – pain, fear, grief, hopelessness and waiting on God (especially singlehood). I also love delving in to the characteristics of God, especially his kindness, sweetness and protection.

    I hope to attend this conference because now I have the direction and the (semi)boldness, but would love the chance to learn more of the technical side of formulating talks that really speak to people’s hearts. I agree with Paul that a powerful message doesn’t need to come with eloquence or wisdom of man but in demonstration of the power of the Spirit. But some study and preparation didn’t hurt anybody!

    Thanks for reading and letting me share!

  6. When I was a child and young teen, I dreamed big dreams for my life of various kinds: writing books, being an acclaimed artist, running races, singing and ministering to people any and everywhere. But the dreams that moved me most were the ones that would impact people for Christ in a way that would transform them forever.

    Throughout high school I seized amazing opportunities to minister around the U.S. with my youth group to underprivileged children/teens and their families. Sometimes we returned to the same areas and saw firsthand the transformation that Jesus had made in their lives since we last visited. It was glorious, and I lived for each new mission trip, while ministering on the homefront in between. I longed to do more when I “grew up” on a bigger scale. I never really envisioned speaking, but I was open to wherever God would lead.

    Unfortunately, I found that life has a few lions lurking around seeking to steal, kill, and destroy such aforementioned dreams. As much as I love my dad and have since reconciled with him, he was an unknowing participant with a lion agent. His verbal abuse turned to attempts to shut me down by my high school years. Countless times I heard it when I’d share my dreams with him. “You’ll never do any of those things.” “Talk is cheap. Nobody ever does what they say they hope to do, and you won’t either.” “You’ll never amount to these things.” “You might as well stop hoping, stop dreaming.”

    I would argue back till we were both screaming and myself a teary mess. My mom would stand up for me, attempting hush my dad. I fought hard to convince him, till finally he convinced me; or rather, the real enemy of Christ had convinced me. Somewhere between dreaming and wondering if his claims were true, I locked my dreams away. Believing they were stupid, childish, and embarrassing.

    There was more working against me, aiding this agreement. In addition to the verbal abuse, I had been sexually abused by 3 different persons between the ages of 7 and 10. Like most children, I believed it was my fault, and had only told my mom about the 1st incident. I kept the others secret because by then I thought something was terribly wrong with ME for this to keep happening. When the abuses stopped for several years, I thought I was “having victory” over this area and that maybe I was no longer “prone” to this or “bad” anymore.

    Around the years of great angst between me and my father, entered a man who was meant to be the epitome of God’s love and care. A “father figure” who painted himself noble and trustworthy. Little did my longing heart know I was to be one of many prey who suffered assault and rape as well as spiritual abuse under his “care.” All the past feelings of being “bad” and something being terribly wrong with me returned with a vengeance.

    Though I told no one of the assaults, I felt I had disappointed myself, God, my family, and my church. It was easy to lock my dreams away then. How on earth could God possibly use someone like me? Hopeless, and an utter disgrace?

    I vowed to never tell anyone of the abuses I suffered. For the next decade, I poured myself into duty and performance. In that time I married a young man answering a call to pastor, and we were blessed with four children. On the outside we looked like the perfect family, but I was an emotional wreck! Pent up anger that I didn’t understand frequently spewed all over my poor husband. And my perfectionist coping style had put my whole family in a vice.

    To make a long story short, our God who saw and understood everything that had happened to me in truth and clarity, lovingly and gently came for me…. To heal me. To set this captive free. To bring beauty from these ashes, as only He can do! All this through 3 years of what I like to call a “head on collision w/my past.”

    During this time He unearthed those buried dreams. He first spoke to me about writing. Through a series of events, people, and scripture, He made it clear He was calling me to write and to speak. He was patient with me, as I was scared to death at first!!

    Several years ago I attended She Speaks twice through the Writer’s track. Since then, my husband and I answered a call to leave the pastorate and begin Rally Point Ministries. A ministry of writing and speaking to bring healing and restoration to the hearts of men and women everywhere.

    Speaking is much newer to me. And I want to learn all I can to be most effective for Christ now and in the future! Since SheSpeaks was such a great asset to my writing, I am sure it would be to my speaking as well!

  7. My story begins with one question. Shaun, what would you do without your fears? Everytime I get the opportunity to speak at a conference, bible study, teach a sunday school class, I’m always afraid right before I begin and in the car going home. I’m so glad the annointing of God always makes the difference. When I study Gods Word and finally figure out what I am to speak about its such an exciting feeling. When I look at women tuning into the message that I prepared and they understand it and sometimes cry, or nod in agreement or perhaps give me an amen. I know that God is using me to make a difference. I know that I am just “a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody that can change anybody” (something my dad always says). I still so amazed that God would use me. I’m a mother of three and my husband just became Executive Pastor at our church and I have the opportunity to lead our Women. My season has finally changed! Doors that have been shut are opening and Karen we have worked faithfully and held on to what God promises. I want to use the gift God has given me to stir up the gifts in other women. I also want to meet them where they are and help them get to God’s best for their lives.
    I want to come to the conference to share my story and get feed back. I have always wanted my husband to do that after I speak (he never has, he’s a wise man). I want to come and learn how to be more effective with my messages. I am ready to take the next step in full-time ministry and I do not want to take my fears with me. She Speaks is an answer to my prayers.

    Shaun Estrada
    Dallas, Tx

  8. Karen,
    I have heard you speak many times at the Hearts At Home Conference; I have been to your table, checking out the books and secretly hoping I would get to talk with you–this vibrant Godly women who speaks so graciously and is very witty and funny. I go to other women’s conferences, listen to the speaker, critique what they have said, their delivery, decide if I like them or not, what I would have changed or what they did great. Every time I think about speaking or hear a great vibrant speaker, something in my soul stirs. I hear God saying—you need to do this, I want you to do this. These phrases repeat over and over. I get a big smile on my face think that I can do this, I might be ok at it, but then the smile is gone and the fear sets in. Fear about: not sure what I would speak on, who I would speak to, what could I possibly offer, who would listen to me, sounding stupid. Even sitting down and writing this letter makes me nervous and leaves me feeling raw and exposed. But even as I stumble through writing my words, I hear a soft voice within me saying to move ahead and to not cave into the fear. It brings me to tears. I don’t believe that it was coincidence that Lysa TerKeurst’s blog, LeAnn’s “She Cooks” blog, and yours all started mentioning the scholarship around the same day. I felt God pricking me multiple times over as I read these blogs mentioning the scholarship. I felt that I needed to obey God’s leading and to write from my heart and put myself out there, even if I don’t receive a scholarship. I am secretly hoping that writing down my thoughts and feelings and how I feel God is leading me will give me strength and a kick in the pants to get me started.

    Ever since I was a kid in 4-H, I would like giving the mandatory talks and demonstrations in front of the local group. As I got older, I decided to branch out further and enter some cooking talks and demonstrations for the county level. I ended up winning the contest on a number of occasions and was allowed to compete at the state fair level representing my 4-H club. Two separate times, I won grand champion and reserve grand champion in my age group. I started to feel comfortable talking in front of others and bringing information to people who might be interested.

    To be honest with you, I don’t know what I would talk about. I have had circumstances in my life that I have been through that I know others could relate and draw strength from. My husband and I got pregnant outside of marriage, had one baby, and then had another baby one year and six days after the first, all before my 21st birthday! When I thought I was done having children at the “old” age of 27, I had a third unexpected pregnancy. I was very angry at God about this pregnancy. Looking back I realize that God had some issues that I needed to work through! Because of this, I have a soft place in my heart for teenage and young moms and for other women. I was a women’s ministry leader for 5 years in my late 20’s (I am now 32) for women many years older than me. I love using my talents of cooking to help others in need. I am a certified school registered nurse in a middle school setting who felt that God lead me to my position to help the kids I serve on a daily basis. I am a mom to three wonderful kids and a wife to my husband. I am not a perfect person and some days I fail miserably on all levels. But I do know that God loves me, wants what is best for me, and he is guiding me in the plan he has for me. I believe that speaking in public is part of that plan.

    I think that you should choose me to win the scholarship because although I know God is leading me to speak; I don’t know where to start. I need guidance! My personality thrives on knowledge and I love learning. When I knew I was going to be a nurse, I read and learned all I could while in nursing school soaking up all the words in the books like a sponge. I would observe procedures, use hands-on learning, and asked as many questions. When I went back to school to be a certified school nurse, I joined a professional organization and spoke with as many school nurses as I could in order to learn from their knowledge. When it comes to speaking, I don’t know anybody who speaks professionally who I could turn to for a mentor or to even ask questions. I have tried to seek out conference sessions on speaking, but the session was not as it was billed. I have looked at the She Speaks conference for two years now and have not acted upon it. I would like to attend the conference so that I can get a basic knowledge on how to prepare talks, how to get started, how to be someone who captivates that audiences’ attention, and how to take what God has whispered in my soul and bring it forth to others. Most importantly, I want to attend to take the first steps:
    • in obedience to God
    • in admitting that I need to speak in front of others
    • in conquering my fears regarding speaking

    As I re-read what I have written, I am tempted to take out parts that make me feel particularly vulnerable or seem unintelligent. In my heart, I hear to keep it all in. I am hoping that through all my chatter and fears, you can see my heart. I would really love this opportunity to attend the conference.

    Sincerely,
    Beth Todd

  9. My name is Cheryl. I began speaking about five years ago. I felt drawn by the Holy Spirit to do more. I had served in every capacity in my church, but felt there was other work for me. I spoke to others about it in a small group Bible study and my good friend just straight up told me that I needed to do THIS! I have been speaking at every opportunity since. I have found what I feel like I have been called to do. My ministry is pushing past small local events to traveling to other states to do weekend events for other churches. I have been to She Speaks before and feel like I need to come back to learn more to take the next step. I feel like my calling is to encourage women who have been Christians for some time, church goers all their lives. We sometimes get caught up in just doing all the things we are supposed to and lose sight of the big things God can do through us and for us. I call me ministry “Real Encouragement for Real Women.” I don’t know that I am any more deserving of this scholarship than all the other women who have left comments before me. I just know that I have followed God in every step of this journey. She Speaks has been and can continue to be the tool that takes me where God wants me to be. I know I have a lot to learn and that She Speaks has a lot to offer and it may be just the right time for me to participate in the loving encouragement that Proverbs 31 ministries offers again!

  10. Have you ever had one of those moments when you seem to step out of time and space, inhale deeply and realize that you are exactly where you belong? One of those times when there is no question in your mind of who you are, or why you are here? A moment so clear and pure that ever other life experience pales in comparison to that time of pure, unadulterated purpose?

    Speaking is that for me.

    I grew up in the home of a church planter. My church role as the eldest of three was simple: clean the toilets, sweep the sanctuary, pass out fliers, welcome guests, teach sunday school, play the keyboard, help people with baptismal robes, and preach when dad couldn’t get off work in time for service. That was sixth grade.

    Strangely, I’m not one of the talkers that you reference in your post, and that so many other commenters relate to. I can’t usually jump into the group conversations and I struggle to feel like I connect in small parties and gatherings; this is quite a challenge, since I’m also married to a church planter!

    While I love meeting new people and am quick to make everyone feel as though they belong, I don’t do chit-chat very well; I just seem to dive deep.

    I remember the first time that I ever spoke in public. One would think that I my pulse would be racing and I would panic, foaming at the mouth.

    Instead, I felt an inner calm, a sense of peace and incredible belonging; I knew this was why I was created. To this day, there is no other time when I feel completely at rest, than sharing God’s word in a public format.

    At this point in my life, I speak on a regular basis to women’s groups, ranging from ten to several hundred on topics from

  11. My Version of the Pressure Cooker

    Have you ever used a pressure cooker? I once saw my mother in law put a roast in one and before I knew it, that thing was cooked, falling apart, and absolutely delicious.

    I work best under pressure. It seems as though I turn out the best stuff when I have just a few days or even hours to get it done! Sometimes it is my own fault for waiting (because I like it) but other times it’s because something has been plopped into my lap (top)… like tonight!

    Over the past few months our church has been reading a book called, “Sun Stand Still.” In it, Steven Furtick challenges people to discover what their “page 23 vision” is for their life. Where is God calling you? What is that thing that He is asking you to step out on faith to do? Joshua prayed an audacious prayer and asked God to make the sun stand still, and God answered with a yes! Ultimately it was all for His glory.

    My pastor, who happens to be my husband, has challenged us to pray audacious prayers. Big prayers. Gigantic prayers! He has challenged us to step out on faith with God and go where only He can lead us.

    So I bet you’re wondering what my page 23 vision is. What is the big thing that God will have me to do? I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with going to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks Conference. This conference is a biggie! It’s for writers, speakers and women’s ministry leaders. So, all of you ladies who like to blab speak and have a message from God to share, go check it out!

    I have a message to share. God is stirrin it up and I’ve got to tell others. Miracles are happening; people like me are steppin out in faith and finding God there!

    In the past few weeks, God has given me pieces of several messages, Scripture included, and I need to learn how to put them together. I need to learn how to speak so that people will listen and be moved to make changes in their lives. I even bought a digital voice recorder so I can get the words out as I am inspired and won’t have to take the time to write it.

    So far, I have spoken to the women at church and also in Sunday night small groups. Since I lead worship at our church, I’m able to speak into people’s lives that way also. It would be extremely beneficial, to myself and those I serve, to have training from Proverbs 31 Ministries!

    In my pursuit of proper training, I discovered the Cecil Murphy Scholarship for She Speaks! I found all of the information and links on Karen Ehman’s blog. So, I entered the contest to win the scholarship… at 11:50 PM… and the contest ends at 12:00! I told you I work best under pressure. This one just fell into my lap an hour and a half before the deadline. Praise the Lord!

    Karen, I think you should pick me for this scholarship. I have a new platform to speak from (literally) because our church is growing and relocating. I have an excitement about God that is contagious and desire to go to the next level. God has given me a message to share and I need to learn how to share it!

    I have a passion to see lives transformed by the miraculous power of God. I want others to be inspired by faith stories from the Bible and from people living today. I want to encourage people to have faith! After all, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

    Kingdom Blessings,

    Janet

  12. Hello Karen…
    Ever since I was a pony-tailed little girl, I remember lining up all nine of my Cabbage Patch Kids, calling each one of them by their slightly odd names (Clover Trudy was my favorite!), and playing school. Now, years later, standing in front of a room full of first-graders has been my stage. And a wonderful stage it has been. I love teaching 6-7 year old’s all about phonics, double digit addition, how tadpoles morph into frogs and making sure their little noses are snotty-free. So, to be honest, speaking in front of adults is definitely out of my comfort-zone…but being obedient to the Lord is more important. I am ready to be uncomfortable. :)

    I am a young Stage IV breast cancer survivor. By all medical standards I should not be here today. However, God had other plans. Those plans included a healed marriage, a break-through from a life filled with fear, co-leading a support group for other survivors, and teaching me the importance of my life verse, Isaiah 43:1-3…He will walk with us through the waters, and the fire.

    But, it wasn’t just about cancer…sure, it was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through physically…double mastectomies, chemo, radiation, removal and replacement of part of my sternum due to bone metastasis…and finally the process of reconstructing breasts out of nothing (which I am one week post-op from having done…woo hoo!). But the greatest hurdle that I’ve learned through it all is that beyond a shadow of a doubt, God is there in every circumstance, situation, fear, insecurity and doubt. He just used cancer as a teaching tool for me. I walked a path that wound down destruction, reconstruction and finally, restoration.

    So, why should you choose me? I want women to know not to give up hope in hard times and to fully rely on God (FROG). I’ve stared down the ugly face of divorce, fear, rejection, and have been stripped of any dignity I thought I had (baldness and having no boobs will do that to you!). I want them to know that our bodies are just a shell of who we are. They may be broken, mangled and scarred, but the real ‘us’ is who we allow the Lord to mold and shape on the inside. And that’s the light that we need to show to others! My physical body has been through the wringer, but ironically, my spirit has been strengthened and rebuilt on a stronger foundation…just like the song I teach my first-graders: ??The wise man (or woman in our case) built his house upon the rock and the house on the rock stood firm!?? un.wav.er.ing. faith!

    Thank you so much for even reading my story…blessings to you!

  13. Hi Karen,
    Last week a friend and woman of faith spoke volumes about “The She Speaks” Conference. As soon as I went on the sight and read about it, I felt something inside me leap for joy, (I believe it’s the Holy Spirit). I knew immediately I had to do my very best to be there. My life’s passion and mission is to share my faith with those I meet. Christ changed me from the inside out. He changed me from a shy, introverted person to a retreat director/speaker of my own ministry which is growing in leaps and bounds. I begin each day focused on Romans 8:28: ” All things work together for good to them who love Him and are called according to His purpose”.
    My parents are immigrants from Italy and came to this country in search of a better life when they were in their thirties. Entering kindergarden, I could not speak or understand a word of English. I wasn’t able to communicate with my peers or teachers and it was very traumatizing to say the least. This was a huge obstacle I was able to overcome and it would set up a repeating pattern for me throughout my life. Twenty years ago, I met a Christian woman who explained the transforming affects of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the result it has on ones life. That began my greatest adventure. Had someone told me that I would have a career as a public speaker I would have told them they were crazy. Yet here I am speaking to thousand of people of all ages and backgrounds about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    Twenty years ago, I discovered the plan God had for my life. I began as a volunteer in my church as a religious educator. Soon thereafter I realized that I was destined to do more with the gift’s God has given me. Opportunities of greater responsibilities and challenges came my way. Before I knew it, I was able to begin my own ministry reaching out to people of all ages and denominations.
    My vision now is to expand my work even further. I believe your conference is part of this next step God wants me to take. It will allow me to meet other women of faith and continue to gain strength and knowledge.
    I am very thankful for being given an opportunity to apply for this scholarship. As a wife and mother of three daughters I don’t usually allow myself the luxury of a weekend away and this scholarship would be an answer to a prayer.
    ” Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb 12:1
    I look forward to meeting you and all the wonderful women attending the conference!!

    In Christ,
    Grace Daquila

  14. My dream to be a voice for God began in 2008, about a year after I was certified as a Christian Life Coach, and I noticed how many women seeking coaching to discover their life purpose were really on a search for significance. I felt God pressing down on me to enlarge my coaching practice to include a speaking and writing ministry, to multiply the transformation I had witnessed with my coaching clients in order to influence a much larger audience for the Kingdom.

    I attended She Speaks in 2009, doing the Pre-Conference Advanced Ministry Marketing Seminar, the Speakers Track, and participated in a Beginner Speaker Evaluation Group. In 2010, I registered for the Writers Track, prepared a one-sheet on a book idea to pitch in a group publisher meeting, and had the blessing of talking over my book idea in a consultation meeting with Cecil Murphey – epic! Last fall, I worked with Coach Amy Carroll on Message Development through Next Step Speaker Services and wrote my first message “No Expiration Date on Dreams”. Each of these steps has been a learning experience and has brought me closer to living out the dream to be a voice for God.

    I feel that God is calling me to challenge women in mid-life to claim God’s Best for themselves in the most significant areas of their lives, and to resist the lies of the enemy that tell them life has passed them by, that it’s too late to pursue their dreams or the plans God “had” for them. There is no expiration date or “use by” date for dreams God has put on their heart or for the work He is calling them to do. My message is for women over 50 who feel stuck in their life by the choices and concessions they made years ago, wondering now if it’s too late to have the life they dreamed of. It is for those that the empty nest has left feeling empty inside, lonely in their marriage, and disconnected in other significant relationships. It is for those who worry about their adult children, wanting them to fulfill their potential and to be happy, while at the same time wanting it for themselves, feeling like this was supposed to be their turn, their season of life to follow their own passions and dreams, discovering purpose beyond parenting, leaving a legacy.

    Why do I want to win a scholarship to attend this year’s She Speaks? Easy to answer that one … I am madly wild about the new Pre-Conference Seminar “Become a Better Story Teller Track for Speakers & Writers” and some of the new sessions offered on Story Telling – it is the missing link for me. I know that gaining the skills and confidence to tie a good story to biblical truths, will transform the quality of the messages I craft, for teaching women to claim God’s Best for themselves and their relationships, even amidst the mid-life questions and hormonal power surges that keep us up at night.

  15. It actually feels funny to write about a ‘dream’ – especially a ‘speaking dream.’ I’m currently knee-deep in diapers, doll babies, and little-dude dump trucks. I’m happy here. I’m called to it. I’m blessed by it. But I’m feeling a pull – a bend – toward teaching and speaking, as well. It’s always been there. It strengthened in college – waned a bit in early-motherhood – seemed impossible, even silly to consider after having my second child – and honestly, it seems a little wild now. But here lately – I’ve been given a few opportunities at my church to speak, to teach, to lead… and it has ignited a sort of holy passion in me to spread the Gospel. The Good News. Jesus.

    I’m 27. I live in the middle of nowhere. I catch crumbs and play hide-and-go-seek for a living. Even though I’m in the midst of motherhood – My husband and I feel a call to ministry. Contrary to what we always envisioned for our lives – We feel the Spirit may be leading us towards international missions. Scary? Yes. Exciting? Certainly. In the mean time, my knees hit the floor constantly in prayer, my Bible lays open on the table all day, and praise music bounces off our walls all week. Not because I’m super righteous or anything. I’m not. But because if I didn’t – I’d lose my mind!:) I’m in no rush. While I do feel an urgency to share, teach, and tell – I don’t feel like I need to fret, or force it to happen. I have perfect peace that it will come about when it should. Until it does – whether that’s this July or a zillion July’s from now – I’ll be in The Word. Getting fed. So that sooner or later – I can do some feeding!

    What do I feel like God is calling me to speak on? Him. His word. Scripture. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it. He reveals Himself to me there. Jesus meets us in scripture. He breaths heavenly life into our terrestrial bodies when we study it. When we allow His words and His light to penetrate our lives…things like marriage, depression, parenthood, our pasts… are given the power to change in wonderful and sweet ways. (2 Cor 4:6)You know that holy passion I mentioned earlier? He wants that for everybody. And if He wants me to play some part in that – I’m up for it! :)

    Why should you choose me? With all the awesomeness that has applied for this scholarship – I really don’t know. What I do know though – is that the Spirit will lead you to the right one! If by some crazy notion that’s me – it might be because I have a lot to learn. I don’t have a clue – but I know that I’m called. To do this speaking thing well – I need some work. I need some guidance, some encouragement, confirmations – you know, some She Speaks love! Or, He might have you pick me because He’s given me such a zeal and a desire for His Word and for His presence, that He knows I can’t help but share it. Really though – if He leads you to choose this entry – it would probably be because the Lord seems to have a way of picking the weakest link. The least likely. The most in need of Him. The mustard seed. I happen to fit that part very well. You see, I’m a doubter. A skeptic. A Thomas. I’ve walked through the darkness of doubt and back again. But do you know what’s beautiful about that? He pursued me, Karen! He opened my eyes. He showed me His glory. He flooded my pitch-black darkness with some Son-light. And oh, He can use that!

    I’m sincerely excited for whoever gets chosen! I’ve already prayed that the Spirit will lead you to the right pick! I know He will. :)

    And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:31-33

  16. Thank you Karen, for YOUR sharing. I couldn’t help but smile. As I was growing up, I was always told I had a “gift for gab.” I could be swinging from bar to bar on the money bars and spot a kid playing by them self on the playground and strike up a conversation. I made fast friends through being able to talk with anyone I came in contact with-whether they were 8 or 80, it didn’t matter. I loved to tell stories, and I loved to talk.

    Although there was many times that my “gift” seemed more like a curse when I would be reprimanded for talking while taking a test, or while the teacher was talking as I grew it was one thing I knew I was good at. I could talk. It was definitely “a passion” of mine. ::smile::

    Fast forward 20+ years, and I still love to talk. However, my passion and desire is speaking the truth of God’s word to young women’s lives. I have a passion and desire to share my life and my faith to somehow offer a sense of hope to other young women who have gone trough and struggled with so many things that I did growing up. From the experiences of physical and sexual abuse, rape, struggles with eating disorders, feelings of brokenness, abandonment, and lack of self worth to the constant pressures of our culture and society (I competed in the pageant world), etc., I want to share out of those experience that there can be hope, healing, and forgiveness through Christ.

    As I mentioned above, I was involved in the pageant world and also have worked with a skincare and cosmetic company. I have seen how much pressure society and the media can put on young women, and this is even more so engrained in them after going through trauma such as abuse, whether physical or sexual, rape, eating disorders, etc.

    I want to share not only my experiences, in the hope of being able to relate with what so many young women (and even women of all ages) go through and struggle with, but to share with them that THERE IS HOPE, HEALING, FREEDOM and FORGIVENESS that can only can be found in and through Christ!

    Ok, so now the shameless plug for myself as to why I feel I should be chosen to win this scholarship. Although there are many of us who could be “qualified” to win this scholarship (and I am sure there are going to be so many amazing an inspiring stories), I hope that you will choose me. Since I have found out about the possibility of this conference, my heart has been heavy with somehow finding a way to get there. I have been waiting, praying, hoping, wishing, wanting some way, somehow for an opportunity, such as this conference, to appear. I am NOT a trained speaker, and nor am I the child of any famous personality that I would automatically have some sort of platform that people would look at me and be drawn to me because of my name. HOWEVER, I do have a story to tell. And sadly, my story is all too similar to so many other young women out there who are too afraid to tell it, that they remain chained by the baggage and do not have any sense of hope, joy, forgiveness, healing or freedom from what has happened to them. I want to SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS “THERE IS HOPE! FREEDOM! AND REDEMPTION!” If God can take me out of the circumstance I was in, and make me a NEW CREATION, beautiful and wonderful in His image, He can and HE HAS for them [young women] also.

    By being able to have the opportunity to attend this conference it would be giving me the skills and tools to share this message that God has placed on my heart.

    Ps…. I would LOVE to meet so many of you amazing women at the conference over coffee/lunch!! UBER EXCITED at the possibility!!! :)

    Thank you Karen for the opportunity.

  17. Karen,
    I love it! Regardless who wins this delightful and generous scholarship…you have blessed me by so freely admitting your love of “talking.” (If going out for coffee with friends, strangers, or whoever could be a career—I would be the best in my profession!)
    Last year my speaking dream was a seed, which I planted when I started to hear God’s whisper that He wanted me to share His hope and love through my brokenness. This last year, God has generously supplied water and sunshine. I am now a seedling, in much need of fertilization to continue to grow into maturity and provide fruit to those who are hungry for His hope.
    The main speaking topics that I feel God is calling me to speak on:
    Hope Lives Now! (Cancer is a journey no one should walk alone! For more information please see blog: http://hopelivesnowsd.blogspot.com/)
    Finding Hope in the Brokenness of Life (Overcoming rejection and the pain life can bring)
    Building Your Faith Muscle
    Marriage (How God worked in our marriage to save it just days before the divorce papers went to court.)
    Parenting (Raising strong willed children, surviving the teens)
    The reason I want to be chosen for this scholarship: For the last year or so, every time I hear a speaker, I hear a whisper “Get prepared…that’s going to be you soon!” To be honest, this desire to speak frightens me just a bit. (Not the actual speaking part, but the thought of being a vessel for Him.) Last year I got good at facing my fears as I walked into a chemotherapy room for 5 months, knowing that after my treatment I was going to be extremely sick and in excruciating pain. Following chemotherapy, I walked into a radiation room daily for 6 weeks exposing my chest and laying on a hard cold table for 45 minutes knowing that 7 hours later I would be sick, nauseated and experiencing the worse fatigue. But nothing frightens me as much as not listening to God’s prompting. He has given me a message to share. I lack the skills to know how to present this message. I believe that by attending She Speaks I will gain knowledge and experience needed to advance the ministry of Hope Lives Now!
    We live in a hurting world and through my brokenness; I believe that God has given me the gift and passion to deliver a message of hope and love!
    Thanks again for this opportunity!

  18. When was the desire for public speaking born? Monday morning. When I sat, in my robe, at my computer (yes, fingers and toes crossed), and discovered that I had not been chosen for the She Speaks(speaking track) scholarship.

    In my blog entry, titled “Reaching for Aaron,” I shared about how the Lord has recently asked me to speak to groups of Christian women. I explained how I accept these invitations, but with a Moses plea. “Please send someone else.” My desire was to be obedient to the Lord. But I wasn’t desirous of speaking.

    Well, from the ashes of loss came a fresh, new revelation. I DO WANT TO SPEAK. FOR GOD’S GLORY. TO MINISTER TO HEARTS. TO SHARE HIS LOVE, HOPE, PROMISE, AND WORDS.

    So long, Aaron.

    I’ve learned, too, that God sometimes uses unlikely people. I’m a home school mama from the Midwest. My life is very full with the bustle of five sons. But three years ago, God led me to a local writers’ conference. I went with trepidation. But that conference changed my life. I’d been the writer of Christmas letters, once a year, for family and friends. God used that conference experience to open new doors for me, including a position at the 2008 Guideposts Writers Workshop. I’ve now had the blessing of being published in Guideposts, Mom Sense Magazine, Marriage Partnership, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and more. Praise God! He’s blessed the gentle clack of my keyboard, words written way after the sun goes down. Grace and mercy!

    And who would’ve guessed? Surely not me.

    I’ve also found that speaking invitations go hand-in-hand with writing. And I want to encourage others. In marriage. In mothering. In family living. In day-to-day, true-life walks with the Lord. I want to minister to hurting and hungry hearts. And I want to do this with words .Written and spoken.

    My heart is wide open, ready, willing, thrilled at the thought of being used by the Lord. “I’ll go where you lead, Lord!” In His grace, I’ll continue to write. If it’s in His plan, I’ll continue to speak, too.

    If God leads me to She Speaks, I’ll be grateful for the opportunity. I want to learn to present well, to create interesting and heartfelt messages that will make a difference in lives, to share with style and grace and skills in a way that brings God glory and draws hearts to Jesus. And, I want to meet God where He’s working and answer His call to the fullest degree.

    Why should you choose me? Because sometimes God calls unlikely people. Because sometimes he claims a still, quiet mama and breathes words into her heart. Then he provides the teaching, training, trust, and everything else she needs to answer His call.

    I don’t know if attending the She Speaks Conference is part of His call for me or not. But I’ll bet that you know.

    And I fully trust His plan.

  19. I didn’t fall out of bed a speaker. In fact, I had a speech impediment that required special classes for a while in grade school. With a shaky background such as mine, how could I possibly have a dream that has something to do with speaking? But I did have a dream to be a speaker and that dream began in college with speech.
    Although I was behind others who already had finished college and begun their careers, I finally entered the Ohio State University-Agricultural Technical Institute (OSU-ATI) in my early thirties. There, in an empty classroom, I practiced with the university camera recording my speech. I imagined I was before an audience that paid money to hear me talk about Wild American Ginseng. I dreamed of giving lectures to small Bible study groups, garden clubs and herb society’s to supplement my income. And that dream did begin to become a reality for a brief span as far back as the late 1980’s.
    Jumping forward to last year at the She Speaks Conference 2010, I heard one of the most dynamic, life changing speeches. The reverberating word, “next”, would echo in my heart and thoughts. Later that day, I participated in a critique writing class that was not encouraging. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride, full of hope and excitement at one segment of the conference and then down in the dumps of disappointment following a critique. The next morning I poured my heart out to the compassion of our Lord and while on my knees, I opened the Bible that had been placed in my hotel room by the Gideon Bible Society. Looking down on the pages I read the passage of scriptures used in the speech the day before. I was called to be a speaker right there… in my hotel room… while on my knees…while I was out of state in North Carolina…in spite of feeling crushed… in spite of feeling like I was a complete failure. This was the defining moment God called me to speak. I was on top of the world!
    But…What did God want me to speak about? Would it be the spiritual victories that God won and the miraculous deliverance from a 26 year addiction? Or maybe about the audible voice I heard twice; Romans 8:28, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” as my unresponsive daughter was carried away by the life flight? Would I speak about the strangely lit cloud hovering in the night sky while my husband and I went home for things we needed to stay indefinitely at the hospital? How many Christians know the Israelites weren’t the exception to witness the Glory of God in a cloud? That He revealed an image of His face in the biggest, most awesome and beautiful cloud of His profile facing east as we drove back to the hospital the next morning. Would He want me to tell about the man that said, “Ma’am, I need God in my life”! Talk about being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing! This was a direct result of his 3 year old nephew picking up a special Bible of mine while our daughter was in ICU. Would I share the wonders of hearing my daughter recite John 3:16 after being asleep in a coma for more than 2 months? Would God have me tell of the 10 year journey He brought my dears ones and I through? How He called me to be a Children’s Bible Quizzing leader to teach His Holy Word in the midst of my daughter’s miraculous recovery? Would people believe He would use a “woman at the well” to serve as the Local Children’s Bible Quizzing Director for 8 years? Would God use my testimony to tell of the emotional baggage I carried because I lived a defeated Christian life for so many years? Would He want me to share the depth of His Mercy through the soothing music of poetry? Would God use the restoration and transformation wrought in me to help others aspire to become virtuous women, develop a closer walk with Christ and seek God’s personal call for them? Would I share with others how Almighty God has provided for me and called me to 3 new areas of service to Him since becoming a widow in October 2009? I think others would want to hear my story about when God sent the Angel Gabriel to me in a dream to comfort this widow with His embracing Love.
    I would like Karen to choose me as the Speaker Scholarship winner because God did not call me as a qualified speaker. He called me to be a speaker and will qualify me by helping to develop speaking and writing skills while attending the She Speaks Conference 2011.
    I expect to learn how to become a dynamic story teller, how to write speeches that will captivate audiences and challenge them to live their lives in such a way that is life changing. I will learn presentation methods that use auditory, visual and tangible techniques. I want to learn the process of gathering information, organizing the body of speech and connect throughout the presentation with the audience. I want to begin, continue and end with the Holy Spirit’s fire that will ignite the audience and spur them on to fulfill the Great Commission in their home, neighborhood or circle of friends. Such a speech would need the finest of fine tuning that I look forward to learning from the seasoned servants of Christ at the She Speaks Conference 2011. As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ I will obey Him by Speaking the Call.

  20. Wow, looking at some of these comments I’m a little intimidated writing mine! Reading your post about the scholarship opportunity when you described yourself I simply smiled. You could have been writing my story. My father is still amazed at my abillity to never be quiet and my husband is forever grateful that I’m blessed with friends who don’t mind my constant chatter! As a child I drove my parents crazy with my talking. To them it was constant noise, a flaw to be dealt with and fixed. To my Heavenly Father it was a piece of perfections he created to further His kingdom. I didn’t learn this until recently. My ability to walk into any conversation with anybody saved me from a lonely childhood. Constant moving and changing schools meant always making new friends. As an adult I now use this skill to put others at ease. About 7 years ago God planted the seed in my heart to seek out women in our church and bond them together. At that time we were in a very small “family” church. Unfortunatly there was not a Women’s Ministy there and I let oposition hold me back. I was so discouraged that I simply let the enemy have a foothold in my life with what I like to call white sin. Sin that doesn’t look to bad but in your heart you know its wrong. Its sin thats so easy to ignore because its not “really” hurting anyone but the truth is it is. Six months ago we changed churchs and it was like a light was turned on in my soul vanquishing the darkness that had crept in and God reminded me my job was to win women to him. I started planning get togethers for the women at church when I was approched by my pastor about putting together our Women’s Ministry. At this time I’m not only planning our events but I’m leading devotionals and speaking at them as well. Its scares me to death but I love it! My heart is to create a safe haven for women within our church. So many of our women sit in pews on Sundays looking put together perfectly yet are broken inside. They hide their brokenness in fear of shame and judgement. I’m humbled that God has allowed me to stand before them and show them the perfection that can only come from healing of our Great Physician. I’ve learned that if I don’t share with others what God has deliverd my through then I’m stealing His Glory and wasting His gift. My excessive talking isn’t a flaw. Its God peice of perfection created in me to put others at ease. To share openly His glory, grace, love and redemption to others.
    One of the questions to answer was “why me?” why should you pick me. Well I can’t answer that for you. I set here knowing that if you choose me then its was because the Holy Spirit whispered in your ear that I was the one for you to choose. I just learned about this conference two days ago and I’m planning my trip for next year. I simply can’t afford to go this year on my own. I know that if its Gods will then the ticket is mine. If you choose another then I know she is the one who needs this at this time to further His kingdom. Not to say I don’t want to be award the scholarship!! I very much want to attend and learn all that God has to teach me in how to use His gift for me to reach others. I’m just starting my journey and I feel like a little kid in the backseat asking over and over “Are we there yet? How much further?”! I’m enjoying every mile I travel and every morsel of knowledge I can consume sharing Gods glory on the way. Thanks for the opportunity and considering me.

  21. Hi Karen,
    My name is Jen Mulford. I just found out about She Speaks a few weeks ago through a friend who recommended that I go. I am so excited for the opportunity to attend!
    About 8 years ago I was attending my first women’s retreat with my church. As I sat in the sanctuary of the retreat center and watched a fantastic speaker, God nudged my heart and it was as if I heard Him say, “You are going to do that, get ready.” What was most strange was that at that time that was not a normal occurrence for me.
    I went home that following week and immediately began to doubt that the push I had received was God. I knew nothing, why would He tell me that. So that first morning home in my quiet time I told Him that I thought maybe it was just me and if He could confirm that it was Him that would be really helpful.
    Within one hour I got a call from our church asking if I could read the scripture for the following Sunday. I felt like God answered and I had no choice but believe Him and get ready.
    I spent the next almost 6 years “getting ready” and I had no idea what for. In that time we moved from Clearwater, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee, something I said I would never do. I really have learned to never say never.
    Our move to Nashville has proved to be nothing less than life changing. Two years ago someone at my new church decided to start a new Saturday night service called Ablaze. We go to a fairly traditional church and this service would be a very contemporary service meant to reach out to the unchurched, and he wanted me to be the speaker for the service.
    I took the platform for the first time in September of 2009, knees knocking and having no idea if I had an ounce of speaker in me. Here I am two years later and Ablaze is still going. We are regularly at our home church but recently we have had the opportunity to travel to other local churches and non-traditional locations.
    The past couple years have been invaluable to me as a speaker, no doubt. But nothing compares to the value it’s added to my relationship with Jesus. I have learned to dance with Him when things are going well and I’ve learned to cling to Him for dear life when it’s looks like all is lost.
    I have had to overcome so many obstacles. But it’s been through those very obstacles that God has slowly narrowed my vision to show me how He wants to work through me.
    I recently read The Hole in our Gospel and Richard Stearns talks about God breaking our hearts for the things that break His heart. My heart is broken for the next generations. I have spent many of hours in prayer with God about this because my broken heart and the ministry opportunities God has brought to me have not seemed to align.
    It took me a while to see it, but recently I have realized that God wants me to go to the root of the problem.
    The things that break my heart about the next generations are not the root problem, or the “disease,” it’s the symptom. If I want to make the changes I feel God has placed on my heart I have to reach parents.
    So this is where I am. I am ready to narrow my focus. I feel God calling me to more. I don’t necessarily mean bigger and better, I just mean He wants me to focus in on helping parents be godly parents. He wants me to help other parents, like myself, swim against the culture current.
    You are right when you say it’s hard for me to tell you why you should chose me for this scholarship, I’m sure there are a lot of very deserving women. But I’m at an interesting point here. I have had some time to “try out” speaking. I have been speaking locally for a couple years now and more recently have been building a speaking/study series on parenting by using the Book of Nehemiah as a guide. I need the guidance I believe I will get from She Speaks to help me move my ministry in the right direction into this new territory.
    I have studied the book of Nehemiah on several occasions and every time I am astounded by his story. God has something to teach us parents living today in the twenty-first century, through Nehemiah.
    While normally we, as Christians, want to discuss how we can break down walls so that we can help others see Christ, I think, in this day and age where evil waltzes right through our front doors we would be smart to build a fortified wall around our family. Not some impenetrable wall to keep the entire world out or to bunker our families from every sort of storm. That would be impossible. But to build a city on a hill for our family, one that cannot and should not be hidden, a place that is a light for your family and for others. A place that your neighbors, children’s friends, children, spouse, extended family, all feel welcome and feel the love of God inside its walls. A place I like to call our House of Worship.
    So, I have heard God’s call again and I have begun to “get ready” once again, even though I have no idea how He will work this one out. This time, just like last time, this is far beyond me.
    That is why I was so excited about the She Speaks conference. This is exactly what I need to help me with the next steps. A few weeks ago I didn’t know it existed and now all I can think about is how I’ll get the funds to pay for me to be there. I thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and I hope to see you at the conference!
    Jen Mulford
    [email protected]

  22. Thank you for the opportunity to win a scholarship to the She Speaks Conference. I have worked in childrens ministry for several years. Two years ago, I felt that God was calling me into a teaching ministry reaching out to young adults and new Christians. I feel that the teenage years and the young adult years are so critical in a person’s walk with God. It is during this time that decisions are being made about colleges, careers, and marriage. It is also during this time that most people are experiencing their first taste of freedom as they start driving and going out. I was not a Christian during this time in my life. I was raised in church as a child, but my parents stopped attendng church and as a result so did I. I feel a deep desire to teach and work with teenagers and young adults as they experience their freedom, to help them lean on and trust in the Lord as they make important decisions in this phase of their life. I also feel a deep desire to teach new Christians, and those who have questions about living the Christian life, but are afraid to ask. When these desires to teach began to surface and deepen, it took me several weeks to gather the courage to talk to my pastor. I had been working with the kids ministry and working in outreach areas as well, but this was a new path for me, and I wasn’t sure how to tell him, how to open the discussion. But, I did talk to him, and he invited me to teach in one of our weekly Wednesday night Bible studies. I was assigned two chapters from the book of Acts. I studied, I prayed, I studied, I prayed, and I fasted. It went well. I was nervous, but it went well. I felt, afterwards, confident that this was indeed God’s calling on my life. I began writing, journaling, and studying to prepare for my next speaking assignment. I didn’t know when it would be, but, I had a heartful of lessons I wanted to church. Our church went through a lot of changes and as a result, I was not asked to speak. Youth pastors were leaving, and other people were coming in, all called into ministry, and all younger than me, and I was told that the younger people needed to be used as much as possible because they needed experience. I had experience from all my years of teaching childrens church and girls clubs. I kept my faith. I believed that God would open the door and I had no desire to promote myself, so I continued faithfully in children’s ministry, and in my studying, journaling, and writing. But, over time, in the fall of 2010, I reached a low point in my faithfulness. A friend convinced me to go back to my pastor, because, as she pointed out the church had been through many changes with people in and out and I needed to let him know I still felt a calling to teach. I gathered my confidence and was ready to go in and talk to him again when I learned of some additional circumstances which, one again left no room for me. I, at that point, decided that it had been me all along… Not God. Doubt and discouragement won that day. I convinced mysef that God wanted me to remain in childrens ministry and any other desire I had was my own… Not His. So, in that moment of weakness, I deleted all my lessons and writings off my computer, and emptied the recycle bin too. I deleted all my notes and journals off my USB flash drive that I carry between my work and home computers. I took all my handwritten notes and journals, article ideas, book ideas out of my nightstand and threw them away. I tossed it all away. I continued working in childrens ministry. I was happy, I love the kids. But, the ideas kept coming back. At first, I resisted. But, after a while, I had to start writing them down again. And, over Christmas, I believe that God gave me a phrase which I believe will be a book one day. I started my blog again. Actually two blogs. I am still working in all my volunteer duties at my church because I believe that is where God wants me right now. But, I do believe He is the one who has put the desire in my heart to write and speak and I will be speaking at our church’s youth service in April. I feel that attending the She Speaks conference would give me the opportunity to learn how to polish the heart full of lessons I have inside me. We have many areas in our neighborhood, areas where we run our church van and bring the children in, that I would like to speak to parents and reach out and encourage them. I want to see them come in and learn about Jesus and be saved. I want to see them really experience a better life. I believe that teaching is critical for new Christians, because they face so much opposition from their old friends and lifestyles. I feel that attending this
    conference would provide me with teaching and tools enabling me to be more confident in sharing what God has placed in my heart.

  23. Karen,
    She Speaks is an awesome opportunity for anyone who feels the Holy Spirit leading them to speak. I have been speaking to women of all ages since my early teens. I didn’t realize that God was calling me to speak HIS words until my early 30’s and the birth of my first child.
    I come from a heritage of strong, out-spoken God honoring women. From them I learned who God is, that He has a plan for my life, and we are to feed one another in the body. My calling is to teach women, all women of God’s grace, mercy, and astounding love. My heart swells at the thought of girl time with pals submersed in revelations of the word. To laugh, cry, and laugh some more as we experience the healing words of Jesus Christ.
    I was given an opportunity many years ago to attend the She Speaks conference with some women in leadership in my local church. It was awesome experience and I have yearned and prayed for God to allow the opportunity to return once again. I did the Speaker’s track as a begnniner to be told that I was far from a beginner (hahaha) and should return to learn more about “marketing” my gift to reach more women and open more opportunities to share God. The door has not opened financially for me to once again come to this awesome conference!
    I think you should pick me b/c I know that God has great things in store for me. I do need to learn how to get myself “out there” and become more available. Since my last visit, I have been invited to a few more speaking events for women & have often counseled women in my church. I know that my heart’s desire to serve God in my calling full time.
    Thank you so much for such an exciting opportunity. I pray that God will use this scholarship to the wonderful lady who really needs to be where He is calling her whether that be me or another blessed soul. God Bless.

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