That's the theme of this year's LIVE THE DREAM Conference and I can't think of a more timely topic. Lately, it seems like so many people are lacking just that:
Hope.
It's such a small word, but it holds huge connotations.
Without hope, it's hard to see past your current circumstances.
Without hope, the present economy seems like a never-ending nightmare.
Without hope, a child can't dream and a mother can't rest.
And without hope, the darkness of this world will threaten to overshadow all the good that we are trying to do in the name of Christ.
But despair does not have the final word.
We DO have hope -- even when all else fails.
God is faithful even when our world is crumbling around us.
You were born for this moment -- this place in time.
God doesn't make mistakes.
What are you doing to bring hope into the life of someone who has lost it?
If you, or someone you know, are in need of hope, please register today for Live the Dream. Or, if you are registered, consider sponsoring someone who cannot afford the registration fees... it only takes a moment, but it could impact a lifetime.
Showing posts with label Live the Dream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Live the Dream. Show all posts
14 October 2009
21 July 2009
Are You Living Your Dream?
This fall marks the 3rd annual Healing Place Church Women's Conference: Live the Dream
I cannot adequately express to you how important this conference will be.
You see, I almost didn't go to the first one... I thought, "Well, I guess I should go to support my church & Pastor DeLynn," but my heart was not really in it at the time. I simply saw it as one more thing on my extremely long "to-do" list.
That changed almost immediately.
The opening sequence had me in tears within the first 5 minutes. That was followed by amazing worship and incredibly talented speakers.
The entire weekend went beyond all expectations.
There was hilarious entertainment, great food, and luxurious pampering and gifts. Most of all, there were strong women speakers, who had been through some very bad things in their lives, encouraging other women to step up to the plate.
For 3 days, we laughed, we cried, we cheered, and most of all... we were forever changed.
That first conference occurred not long after I had been given my own dream about this book that I am now finishing. I had not really done much with it by that point, but the ladies who spoke that weekend set my heart on fire.
They talked about how we are each given a task in this life -- a journey, or race, if you will -- and it is up to us to finish that race. It's so easy to get side-tracked and start looking behind you to see what (and who) you've left behind. But this is when we are most likely to trip and fall. (It's impossible to successfully run forward while looking back)
Equally dangerous is looking toward others running their races in their own lanes. What happens, when we start longing for different dreams and gifts, is we start to drift into the lanes of other's, into things we were never meant to pursue.
And that can lead to feelings of inadequacy or frustration.
It doesn't matter what your neighbor is doing or if you think you are "behind."
The important thing is to keep your eyes on the prize and finish strong, completing the work God has put before you.
Let go of what's gone and stop living in the past; Look to your future and make that dream a reality.
I can't tell you how much those words and that weekend changed my life.
I stopped taking for granted this short time I have here.
I vowed to step up and be obedient to the call I knew I had been given.
I quit worrying about what others might think and just tried to please the only One Who really matters.
I began to walk in my own lane, and then I began to run in freedom.
This year's conference will be nothing less than inspiring for all who attend with an open heart.
If you are in need of encouragement and refreshing, you do not want to miss it.
I have never regretted my decision to go; indeed, I thank God I decided to go!
You will, too.
Guest speakers this year are: Christine Caine, Bobbie Houston, Charlotte Gambill, and Natalie Grant.
Trust me when I say, you've never seen or heard anything like this before!
I cannot adequately express to you how important this conference will be.
You see, I almost didn't go to the first one... I thought, "Well, I guess I should go to support my church & Pastor DeLynn," but my heart was not really in it at the time. I simply saw it as one more thing on my extremely long "to-do" list.
That changed almost immediately.
The opening sequence had me in tears within the first 5 minutes. That was followed by amazing worship and incredibly talented speakers.
The entire weekend went beyond all expectations.
There was hilarious entertainment, great food, and luxurious pampering and gifts. Most of all, there were strong women speakers, who had been through some very bad things in their lives, encouraging other women to step up to the plate.
For 3 days, we laughed, we cried, we cheered, and most of all... we were forever changed.
That first conference occurred not long after I had been given my own dream about this book that I am now finishing. I had not really done much with it by that point, but the ladies who spoke that weekend set my heart on fire.
They talked about how we are each given a task in this life -- a journey, or race, if you will -- and it is up to us to finish that race. It's so easy to get side-tracked and start looking behind you to see what (and who) you've left behind. But this is when we are most likely to trip and fall. (It's impossible to successfully run forward while looking back)
Equally dangerous is looking toward others running their races in their own lanes. What happens, when we start longing for different dreams and gifts, is we start to drift into the lanes of other's, into things we were never meant to pursue.
And that can lead to feelings of inadequacy or frustration.
It doesn't matter what your neighbor is doing or if you think you are "behind."
The important thing is to keep your eyes on the prize and finish strong, completing the work God has put before you.
Let go of what's gone and stop living in the past; Look to your future and make that dream a reality.
I can't tell you how much those words and that weekend changed my life.
I stopped taking for granted this short time I have here.
I vowed to step up and be obedient to the call I knew I had been given.
I quit worrying about what others might think and just tried to please the only One Who really matters.
I began to walk in my own lane, and then I began to run in freedom.
This year's conference will be nothing less than inspiring for all who attend with an open heart.
If you are in need of encouragement and refreshing, you do not want to miss it.
I have never regretted my decision to go; indeed, I thank God I decided to go!
You will, too.
Guest speakers this year are: Christine Caine, Bobbie Houston, Charlotte Gambill, and Natalie Grant.
Trust me when I say, you've never seen or heard anything like this before!
26 October 2008
Time To Step Up or Shut Up
This past weekend -- LIVE THE DREAM '08 -- was such a needed thing for so many women.
Honestly, God has done SO much in me & in my life in the past year, that I was wondering what more I could possibly gain from the experience. I knew it would be fun & full of great messages, but my cup is already running over...
Still, last year's conference was so life-changing for me that I knew I was NOT about to miss it, so I went.
And God showed up.
The world is a mess.
The economy is in the toilet.
Politics are smothering the life out of everything.
And if we weren't "Daughters of the King," and "Warriors" for Christ, we might be worried about all of this.
But like David -- standing before Goliath -- we are listening to another voice, following a different path, than the rest of the world.
Like any mortal, I have my moments of insecurity and doubt... frustration and anxiety.
I start to stress and calculate and micro-manage every element in my control (which is never truly in my ability to control at all).
And then I remember:
He foreknew my struggles before I even recognized them.
really matters?
Honestly, God has done SO much in me & in my life in the past year, that I was wondering what more I could possibly gain from the experience. I knew it would be fun & full of great messages, but my cup is already running over...
Still, last year's conference was so life-changing for me that I knew I was NOT about to miss it, so I went.
And God showed up.
He showed up for me & for about 1500 other women who came with just a need for HOPE.
The world is a mess.
The economy is in the toilet.
Politics are smothering the life out of everything.
And if we weren't "Daughters of the King," and "Warriors" for Christ, we might be worried about all of this.
But like David -- standing before Goliath -- we are listening to another voice, following a different path, than the rest of the world.
Our confidence is not in man.
Or, at least, it shouldn't be.Like any mortal, I have my moments of insecurity and doubt... frustration and anxiety.
I start to stress and calculate and micro-manage every element in my control (which is never truly in my ability to control at all).
And then I remember:
Oh yeah, God is in control!
He already KNOWS about all of this.He foreknew my struggles before I even recognized them.
He has a plan for me
& He gives me HOPE for my future.
Why should I listen to those who would have me wringing my hands in angst for matters that are beyond my control anyway?& He gives me HOPE for my future.
Why should I whine & complain & bemoan
the lot that is cast upon me -- especially when I know
that others are dealing with far more & much worse?
the lot that is cast upon me -- especially when I know
that others are dealing with far more & much worse?
Why do some of us spend time waging war upon
ideologies
and political agendas
instead being about
"our Father's business"?
ideologies
and political agendas
instead being about
"our Father's business"?
Why don't we just SHUT UP?
Why don't we all STEP UP and do something that really matters?
25 October 2008
LIVE THE DREAM 2008
That's where I've been (and why you haven't heard from me) for the past 3 days.
And, can I just say,
this year was phenomenal!!
I was wondering how on earth they were going to top last year's conference, but God showed up & it was AMAZING!!!
I volunteered at each session & worked the After Party, so I am really tired, but I know my fatigue doesn't come close to what our awesome Pastor DeLynn & the HPC staff are feeling. They have been working on this women's conference, seriously, since last year's ended!!
Just a quick recap:
This year's speakers were: April Simons, Christine Caine, Dino Rizzo, & DeLynn Rizzo.
There were hilarious skits and "interviews," very cool give-a-ways, and Cirque Du Soleil was there for the after party!
But most of all, lives were changed, women were empowered, and dreams were born.
I'm so excited about next year's conference, I have already pre-registered and bought tickets for myself & Nadia.
I'm not lying or exaggerating when I say:
I wish EVERY girl & woman that I care about could come to next year's conference. It is SO WORTH any sacrifice.
You will not regret it.
I will post some pictures & more info tomorrow, but in the meantime...
click on the "Live The Dream" logo above (and then the "watch video recap" link)
& watch the short video recap of this amazing weekend!
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