My three girlfriends and I chatted, laughed, cried, sang and napped our way home on a longer-than-expected 11.5 hour journey home from North Carolina two Sundays ago. Arriving back at my home just after midnight, I was greeted enthusiastically by my husband, cherubs and doggy. They had waited up to hug me, and they welcomed me with signs and decorations. I am blessed.


Like I imagine most women did, I hit the ground running upon my return from She Speaks 2011. While it seems like a luxury to stop and take the time to re-read my notes and all that God ministered to me during the conference, it also seems necessary and wise to stop my world for a few moments and retrace His workings in my heart.

Sharing these nuggets here on Joy In The Truth, I pray they speak His truth and love to your heart as well.

From Michael O’Brien (the worship leader — former lead singer of New Song):
Never let your gifting from God overtake your calling from God.  “I Do” is in the doing.  God’s first calling in our lives, if we are married, is “I Do”. 

From Susan Meissner’s session:
In real life, like the writings of a good fiction book character, when someone’s passion is at stake, a conflict occurs.  The pursuit of the passion or letting it go is where we trust God and hold on to Him.  What’s important is a life of integrity and integrity in relationships.  I wrote down some of my passions:  God’s truth, my relationship with Him, my relationships with family and friends, loyalty, fidelity, truth.

From Mary DeMuth’s session:
Do not despise the way God made me.  Look for the work of the Holy Spirit.  Be who He made me to be.  Great writing is simple writing. Discard bad advice. Don’t push against wise criticism – if we are always pushing against wise criticism, something is wrong in our heart.  Be faithful in the little things.  Do the work.

From Jenny B. Jones’ session:
Joy is used over 250 times in the Bible.  Humor is good.  Establish your tone.  Tap into humility.  Establish that it is good to laugh.

From Nicole Seitz’s session:
(I want to read her fiction book “The Spirit of Sweetgrass”!)
“I am not chasing a dream — I am on a journey with God.” – NS
“Even when things don’t make sense as I obey God, He may have a plan for someone else as I am faithful to Him.”  NS

From Lysa TerKeurst’s session:
“Sometimes we have to let God chisel our hearts.  Sometimes He asks us to participate as He chisels someone we love.” – LT
“Be courageous enough to surrender and let God write your child’s testimony.”  – LT

From Whitney Capps’ session:
“Everything that encounters my world comes with the permission of God.  He is in the refining and redeeming business.”  – WC

From Glynnis Whitwer’s session:
“Your story is not the story.  The story is God’s testimony.”  – GW

From Holly Good’s session:
Holly is an amazing assistant.  Her example inspires me.  I heart Holly.

From Karen Ehman’s and Whitney Capps’ skit:
Receive with thanks and humility any gift God gives me.  Rejoice with and encourage others in their giftings.

From Micca’ Campbell’s session:
Competition has no place in ministry.  (Amen!!)  You can’t minister to or with someone with whom are you in competition.
“When I am jealous, I count someone else’s blessings rather than my own.” – MC
“Stop wanting what others have if I am not willing to do the hard work to get there.” – MC. 

I still want to go through all the scriptures taught and all those I journaled at the conference.  So much truth to soak in.  I am thankful.

He Speaks.  She listens.  I have lots to hear.