Women of Faith–What spoke to me?

Looking through my notes – I thought I’d share a few of the highlights that were written on scraps of paper at this weekend’s 2011 Portland Women of Faith Over the Top conference.

It was dark – for the whole first day, scribbles without names – you may assume that either Patsy Clairmont, Andy Andrews, Lisa Whelchel or Marilyn Meberg spoke these words -

Fear is the misuse of a creative imagination. How can I turn that part of me off?  Logic.

God doesn’t ask us to understand, he asks us to obey, sometimes, when we obey, He allows us to understand.

I was reading today, in Daniel 10:12 – The Lord is talking to Daniel, in a time – a 3 week period – that he was waiting for an answer – “Then he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before they God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.”  Daniel had a problem, and he had to choose to set his heart to understand. The verse is pretty cool as it goes on in the rest of the chapter to explain why the answer was slow incoming.  I am ever amazed at how may scriptures start with Fear Not. Do Not Be Afraid. Have Courage. And this one – paired with the knowledge that Daniel had been seeking understanding for weeks – I dunno. It’s comforting.

`I have pondered the “Refuse / Replace / Repeat” urging from Patsy.  Of how to get those thoughts out of your mind. As I sit here and type, Pandora is blaring from the TV in the front room. I realized, I had not been listening to the Praise Music, so it wasn’t in my heart, and I haven’t been memorizing scripture, so it wasn’t on my tongue.  Setting those things straight this week. I want Healthy Wholesome Thoughts. I may have to set emotional boundaries with some of my friends. 

Speaking of emotions, I think Patsy said – “ We make ourselves desperate by these wide expanses of up and down emotions.  Find Balance!”

“Have you become a person other people want to be around?”

“When you spot the enemy – Do Good!”

On Restoring Relationship - “Starting points usually start with Humility.”

On Practicing Emotional Balance- “Pick a time that was difficult – do not whine or exaggerate giving yourself unnecessary stress reliving the wrong that has happened to us.”

“Please make me sensitive to how I act – It reflects you.”

“Mistake or Choice – I’m sorry never works for a choice – you did it on purpose and got caught – the words and heart need to say – ‘Will you forgive me’.” Andy Andrews

“Don’t place expectations on a friend to fill your need” Lisa Whelchel

“Identify safe friends – perfect doesn’t bring connection, imperfection does. Immanuel – God With Us – With Me, Accpetance and Understanding” Lisa Whelchel

Lisa – with laughing with a good friend, “It’s the kind of laughter, nothing is really that funny, I’ll laugh or I’ll cry”

“Transparent or vulnerable? Transparent lays it out there, vulnerable brings it close enough to touch or hurt you. The desire for connection outweighs the fear of rejection.” Lisa Whelchel

“Don’t force an answer where an answer doesn’t exist – Perspective – Calm, Calm, Ideas – Lead to God” Broken quote from Andy Andrews.

“Your Will is stranger than your emotions.” Andy Andrews. Careful Purposeful Parenting!

“He didn’t say no to a dream, he said yes to a dream he has for me that I don’t know about yet.” Sandi Patty

Exodus 14:14

The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace.

“Watch what happens when you over react. It is almost always a matter of perspective.” Patsy Clairmont

There ya go – so if you hear me talk in person – you’ve heard me bring these up a few times. A few of them are going into my memory banks. There are a few more quotes from Andy that we are working with through the boys’ lives.  I had a really great weekend.