She Speaks Conference

For many years, I have contemplated whether or not the Lord would have me speak and/or write for women. This potential area of ministry goes waaay back to my senior year of high school. I did not think of myself as a good speaker or writer back then - it was a stretch for me to come up with interesting content and delivery methods for my English classes. In addition, I had incredibly creative and funny classmates who entertained quite effectively! Two events truly changed my life towards the end of high school: 1) My senior English teacher praised my first term paper and suggested I submit it for publication (what???), and 2) I was appointed by the school faculty to present a short speech at my high school graduation. Evidently all I needed was a little encouragement!

During college I had many opportunities for public speaking, and each time I felt the power of the Holy Spirit directing my thoughts. I have this picture in my mind from those days to now: I am typing a presentation while the Holy Spirit sits on my shoulder whispering the words into my ear. These college experiences were inspirational and powerful for my personal growth. In my twenties, I faced a dry spell as I tried to figure how to live life in the real world. Opportunities to minister via the written or spoken word were not handed to me on a silver platter like they had been in high school and college.

As I entered my thirties, the doors for inspirational speaking and writing opened again. I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking at women's events on a causal basis. Most recently, I have begun writing this blog which, in and of itself, is a definite "God-thing." At the same time, I have no desire to push the idea of speaking and writing for women beyond the bounds of what God intends for me. My desire is to be obedient in the moment and wait for Him to open and close doors of ministry opportunity.

2 Timothy 1:6-8 stands out to me as I consider the phases of growth the Lord has brought me through:

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.... With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News" (New Living Translation).

My purpose for writing this particular blog entry is for a submission in a blog contest - for those of you who are new to the bloggy world, I know this may sound a bit strange. Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, writes a daily blog that I read. She also hosts an annual conference called She Speaks. I have known of this conference since its inception, but it has never fit into my budget to attend. Lysa announced a contest this week to promote She Speaks and to offer a scholarship for the event.

The She Speaks Conference is intended for Christian speakers, writers (even bloggers), and women's ministries leaders. In Lysa's invitation to attend she writes, "If you are like me, we share a passion to step out with messages God has placed on our hearts. Do you ever feel this way? Do you long to connect with women and bring them closer to the Heart of God?" My response to these questions is a resounding, "Yes!"

I am a women's ministries leader, a speaker, and a writer. I know the experience of not being able to stop the flow of God's Word coming from the Holy Spirit (i.e., sitting on my shoulder, whispering in my ear). I know the passion of leading women to the feet of Jesus. More than ever in my life, I feel an intense burn to fan the flames of the spiritual gifts God has given me. The world NEEDS Jesus; women NEED Jesus to find His Truth within our deceptive culture.

She Speaks offers sessions for attendees to learn the basics in preparing a message, as well as advanced marketing plans and publishing tips. Trends in women's ministry and clothing one's self in prayer are also covered. The event includes peer critique and evaluation. All in all, She Speaks sounds like a wonderful conference to test God's call and to learn valuable information about speaking, writing, and women's ministries. Whether or not I win a scholarship for 2009, I hope to attend this conference some day. It would be a tremendous blessing to attend She Speaks 2009 on a scholarship! Thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my testimony.

For my regular reader's, it is Friday of Spring Break week and Steve's birthday, so we have some partying to prepare for in the Tracht household. Thank you for your encouragement during these last two weeks of craziness relating to retreat planning and Tyler's surgery. The Lord has brought healing to Tyler's body and my spirit. Thank You, Jesus!