It was such a blessing to lead our Sunday school class today in a discussion of Genesis 7 and 8. True, the story of the flood is a tale of judgement, but it also reflects the generousity and mercy of God as He gives a second chance to mankind.
In chapter 8, Noah waits for God's direction even though the ground was dry. How often I climb out of my "boat" of circumstances long before God has given me the go-ahead. Noah was a man of character who waited on God for every move he made. Some of the women in my class shared the challenge with me to sit quietly, listening, and waiting for God's next direction.
The first recorded action that Noah took after leaving the ark was to build an alter and offer a sacrifice. What an act of worship and consecration! Instead of bounding on down the pathway when hard circumstances ease up, I'm challenged to pause for worship and thanksgiving. He is truly worthy of praise.
In this week of New Years Resolutions, I want to leave you with some questions for evaluation, reflection and action. Sitting down in a classroom with a group of women that I love, listening in the silence for God's voice to me about these questions, and putting my thoughts to paper this morning was a blessing. I hope that you'll take some time to do this exercise yourself and that the blessing will follow you into 2008.
1. What are some of the things that you are thankful for from 2007?
(Worship)
2. What are some places of disobedience or unrepentence from 2007?
(Consecration)
3. How have you grown spiritually and been obedient in 2007? (Evaluation)
4. In what ways do you need a Fresh Start in 2008? (Reflection)
5. What actions will you take in 2008 to grow spiritually and strengthen
obedience? (Action)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Do-Overs and Fresh Starts
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Under the Trees
One of my favorite spots to think is laying in my hammock. It's in a spot in our backyard under a canopy of trees. I love to lay there and look up through the leaves at the sky as the blue peaks through and sunlight streams in rays created by our humid southern air. Cool spring and fall days are the best, though.
I've mentioned elsewhere on the blog that I'm a ponderer. I very rarely have a quick reply. In fact, usually it's days later before I even realize that I've missed some inuendo or insult in the conversation. Weeks after that I might come up with the catchy thing that I should have said.
I asked God one day to help me with this. It's pretty inconvenient to have to work so long and hard to come up with the appropriate thing to say. He let me know that He has made me this way so that I will have to depend more on Him. That's a good thing. I tend toward self-sufficiency, so I need to see these weaknesses as an opportunity to seek Him more.
It's too cold to lay out in my hammock under the trees right now. I'm thinking that I need to spend some time laying under my Christmas tree. I can even turn on my switch-activated fire to keep things cozy, but I need a little pondering time during this crazy season. I need to ponder a star, an overflowing inn with a stable in the back, a field of dozing shepherds, a host of angels and most importantly a baby. He was and IS Immanuel, God with us. That amazing and imcomprehensible fact should give me pondering material for a good long time. Care to join me under the trees?
Contact
If you are considering me as a speaker for your next event, please contact the Proverbs 31 Ministries office at 877.P31.HOME or by following this link.
You can email me directly with any questions at amy@proverbs31.org. I'd love to hear from you!
In His great Love,
Amy
Speaking Topics
I've listed some of my topics below with their descriptions. I am always open and excited, though, about developing new messages with your group in my heart and mind. I especially love to develop new messages from a specific scripture. God's Word is powerful, and I look forward to seeking Him together!
King of Hearts: Jesus, Lover of a Woman's Soul
Follow Mary of Bethany and her close friendship with Jesus as Mary learns at Jesus' feet, in a time of suffering, and through worship. Come away encouraged by the way Jesus extravagantly loves Mary and how the gift of that love reaches out to women today.
Sunshine on a Cloudy Day: How Bright is Your Light?
This study from I Thessalonians challenges women to look at places in their lives where Jesus desires to shine brightly and gives practical help on how to "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Joyfully Feminine
What does it mean to be a woman made in God's own image, and just what exactly makes God delight in how He made us? Amy takes a look at the joy of being a woman from God's own Word. She focuses on three feminine characteristics in a talk designed to encourage and strengthen women as they see themselves through the loving eyes of their Creator.
My Way or Yahweh?
Wonder Woman, Super Girl and Charlie's Angels made their missions look so easy, but have you ever had regrets about how you handled an assignment from God? Some women in scripture have, too. Take a look at Sarah and Mary of Nazareth for some glimpses at how to victoriously handle God's special assignments for you. You might end up a super hero after all!
Rest for the Very Weary: A Spa for the Soul
Being a mom can be the sleepiest season of your life. How do you energize your body, soul and spirit with young children in the house? As a woman who has been there, Amy shares tips for finding rest and in-SPA-ration during this joyful but challenging time of life.
Chick Flicks: Lessons from the School of Sisterhood
Amy's life has been transformed by the power of Christ and by the women that He has put in her path. She gives testimony to how the principles of discipleship and mentoring have been modeled for her by godly women of all ages and in various settings. This message ministers both to women that God is calling to mentor and to those who long for a godly older woman to lead the way.
Where I'll Be
2011
January 28-30
First Presbyterian Church
Midland, TX
Contact: Connie Morrow carm1990@sbcglobal.net
February 14
Bethany Church
Greenland, NH
Contact: Lesley Appleton lesleyappleto@comcast.com
2010
February 26-27
Virginia Beach Community Chapel retreat
Virginia Beach, VA
Contact: Kristen Rosser tkrosser@juno.com
March 6
Apex Baptist Church
Apex, NC
Contact: Melody Merritt melody@apexbaptist.org
March 27
10th St. Church of Christ
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Contact: Dot Smith dot_smith@charter.net
April 16-17
Virginia Presbytery ARP Womens' Ministry
Goshen, VA
Contact: Reta Harris fullris@aol.com
May 14-15
Duneland Community Church
Chesterton, IN
Contact: Gretchen Arthur gretchenarthur@gmail.com
May 25
Women's Priority Associates
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Contact: Vickie Atkins vpatkins@embarqmail.com
July 30-Aug 1
She Speaks
Concord, NC
October 2
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Peoria, IL
Contact: Joanna Stuck momsinthelight@gmail.com
November 8
Salem Baptist Church MOPS
Apex, NC
Contact: Leanne Olive leanneolive@gmail.com
December 4
St. James UMC Church
Greenville, NC
Contact: Marianne Leventry Marianne@stjconnect.org
2009
February 28
Cornerstone Fellowship
Greenfield, IA
Contact: Valerie White jesse_valeriewhite@mchsi.com
March 13-14
Keeping the Festival
Salter Path, NC
Closed Event
March 21
University Church of Christ
Greenville, NC
Contact: Christy Hubbard ucocladiesrejoice@hotmail.com
March 28
Salem Baptist Church
Apex, NC
Contact: Amanda Beard mandy.nae@hotmail.com
April 30
Middle Creek High School
Band leadership
May 9
Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church
Mt. Olive, NC
Contact: Terri McKay dwayneterri@bellsouth.net
May 23
Crown Pointe Baptist Church
Kannapolis, NC
Contact: Suzy Lambert sportsmom14@ctc.net
July 31-August 2
She Speaks
Charlott, NC
September 18-20
Crossings Community Church
Lake Mary, FL
Contact: Debbie McKillip ddmckillip@yahoo.com
October 16-18
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Fresno, CA
Contact: Pattie Krohn pattiekrohn@trinitypres.com
November 14
Beulah Church of Christ
Nashville, NC
Contact: Amy West dwest06@hotmail.com
November 21
Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Contact: Penny Downey pgdowney@aol.com
2008
February 1-2
Belle Aire Baptist Church
Murfreesboro, TN
Contact: Christy Appalsammy twinfama@comcast.net
February 26
Capitol City Christian
Raleigh, NC
Contact: Renee Wimberley renee@c4church.com
March 7-8
Trinity Center
Salter Path, NC
Closed Event
May 2-3
Dallas Bay Baptist Church
Hixton, TN
Contact: Angela Parsley angela@refreshmysoul.com
May 10
Creedmoor Road Baptist Church
Raleigh, NC
Contact: Carol Harrelson
May 17
Sunrise Methodist Church
Holly Springs, NC
Contact: Kim Sain kimsain@embarqmail.com
June 20-22
She Speaks Conference
Charlotte, NC
Contact: http://www.shespeaksconference.com/
July 26
GEMS Girls' Club Conference
Ridgecrest Conference Center
Asheville, NC
Contact: Alecia Van Hulzen alecia@gemsgc.org
September 19-21
Park Place Wesleyan Church
North Pinellas Park, FL
October 18
Central United Methodist Church
Concord, NC
Contact: Dana Richardson richardson1@ctc.net
December 2
Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church
Greer, SC
Contact: Deb Conwell tacdec@aol.com
About Me
I'm such an ordinary woman. The goofiest things make me laugh. My brother's dry sense of humor, British comedy, my boys' corny jokes and my husband's play on words all crack me up. I'm scared of bouncing a check, closed in places and pictures that show my double chin. Just about anything makes me cry. I cry when I'm happy, sad, moved (even by Hallmark commercials) or in awe of something God has done. I don't think on my feet well. I get a joke a day late and think of the perfect come-back two weeks later.
There's only one thing that may set me apart from any woman that you pick off the street. I have an extraordinary desire to know God and to apply His word in my everyday life. Isn't it funny that my one extraordinary trait has nothing to do with me?! On my journey down the path, I often falter and fumble around, but I'm in love with a God who is faithful to pick me up, dust me off and set me moving forward in the right direction.
I'm married to Barry, the man that I still love madly after over 20 years. We're both pretty strong-willed, but he makes me laugh every day! My two boys, Anson and Nolan, are my delight. Trust me when I say that boredom is a non-issue in our male-dominated household. That’s why I had to adopt a little girl—my miniature dachshund, Hilde. I'm simply astounded that I could be a mother of two big boys and that I've become one of those people who's simply silly about her dog.
My deep passion is women’s ministry. I have been shaped through mentoring by godly women, so I am focused on giving back in the same way. I served as a women’s director for 3 years and currently teach a women's Sunday school class. I love studying God's Word and completed six years of Bible Study Fellowship. After being a professional teacher for 15 years, I want to spend the rest of my days learning and teaching scripture.
My vision is to communicate God’s word to women in such a way that their hearts are captured by His love and greatness. I am honored to share this passion as a Sunday school teacher and as a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. It is one of the great blessings of my life to contribute devotions to Encouragement for Today- which are emailed to over 350,000 readers across the world each morning. I have written for our local newspaper and am a contributing author to The Reason We Speak edited by Marybeth Whalen.
I am committed to be authentic (truly the "good, bad and the very ugly!) as I share stories from my own life in the messages that I share. I'm also passionate about centering messages around God's Word and digging for practical applications that help transform lives. After all, an ordinary woman has no power at all to change lives... We'll each look to God and His Word to do that!
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