"Yet a time is coming
and has now come when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the
kind of worshipers the Father seeks." - John 4:23

My Heavenly Daddy is healing
me from the inside out.

Transparency is Real.
Many times painful.

Daddy let me be secure in You only!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

A GRAND NEW DAY!


Great event. Something I would not do again though. But, was well worth this one time. Despite the low attendance, probably due to the economy and high ticket price, (the arena holds 20,000. I would say 5,000-7,000 attended), the Holy Spirit was in this place.

Had ideal seats right on the floor. Was about 50 feet away from each speaker and performer. So that was a blessing!

Missed out on the Friday night’s performances of Sandi Patty and Steven Curtis Chapman. So, did not hear them. Still today’s music entertainment was provided by the “Women of Faith Worship Team” and special guest Nicole C. Mullen. Who was a BIG hit!

On to the speakers.....


Sheila Walsh (who is absolutely adorable) opened up the event. Sharing her testimony of overcoming depression and the hell that she went through and her deliverance by a loving God. Very powerful. She also sang a couple of songs.

Allison Allen is a multi-talented dramatist, new to the WOF team, who brought a powerful drama that she herself wrote, but not her actual testimony, regarding how anorexia destroyed her life and how a faithful Christian counselor helped her to find her way to God and how much He loves her and healed her from her pain of rape that caused her to choose this path.

Marilyn Meberg, what a delightful funny lady. She is known among the others as the “therapy lady.” (She has two master’s degree in counseling) Great insight. If you had a particularly thorny problem, you would want to talk it over with Marilyn. She brought the message of salvation to the audience.

Luci Swindoll (sister of Chuck Swindoll), closed the show. This 77 year old bundle of humor delighted the audience to no-end with her personal stories. Had us rolling in the aisle. She has such a passion for Christ. She over-flows with “joy of living.”

I am saving my favorite for last, which is Lisa Whelchel. I was so glad to see her on the bill. I was a faithful “Facts of Life” viewer back in the 1970's. She was Blair. God blew me away with Lisa’s testimony this morning, as I could have been saying the exact words she said today. Which I never knew about her. She stated “she has been on her journey for two years now.” She shared how performance oriented person she was from day one when her parents praised her for an event as a child and from that day on she tried to do everything perfect and better than it could be. She wanted the attention of her daddy and got it. She suffered a lot with humiliation and shame. Especially when she was on the television show. As America watched her grow up and also watched her weight gain. The producers and directors would threaten her and humiliate her by saying if she would not lose the weight she would be fired. She would have to weigh in every day in front of these men. Then she went on to say most of her life she was not able to connect her feelings to her pain or even to cry. The crying part got me! She said, she felt out of place, but then accepted it as just being her! What really blew me away in her testimony is when she spoke of her husband having an accident a few years back by falling off the roof breaking both legs and an arm, and all she was concerned with was getting pictures of him laying there, taking pictures of the ladder he fell off in order to make a memory scrap book. She could not even feel for him, or even think about praying for him. Her young daughter at the time was at her daddy’s side trying to console him and looked up at Lisa and said something to the effect, “Mummie, daddy needs you.” She is learning each day to connect and even cry.

Truly this was a Grand Day.

20 comments:

  1. She was gorgeous on the show.. just a bit of cute baby fat for awhile.. shame on that show for doing that to her..

    Taking pictures of her husband while he is in pain?? wow.. I don't get that.. did she explain why she was so detached?

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  2. Wow...what an amazing day! I love hearing other women tell their stories! Wish I could have been there :)

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  3. How inspiring to have been in room with so many others wanting to connect. Awesome. Tammy

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  4. Glad you got to go. Sounds awesomely inspiring!

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  5. Why wouldn't you do it again?

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  6. Oh how I love days like this! I just was introduced to Shelia Walsh this year by reviewing her book "Let Go" I had never heard of her before then! Man, have I been missing out!

    So glad you were able to go and trust the Lord had you there for a purpose!

    Have a blessed weekend

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  7. I've been away.
    JBR sounds like you had a grand day! so much talent and inspiration. Glad for you.

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  8. I believe faith led me to this blog!

    I find it sad we live in a world where people often accept an image over true heart.

    If you ask me, this is the devil!

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  9. Sharing His LoveNovember 22, 2009

    I've been to many women of faith conferences in the past Each one brings something special. Each one has different talent. The message is the same. Hurting women everywhere. You can't deny that. If you do, then you're not true. Not true to yourself. Nor true to your God. He's the one that can restore you. Restore your past hurts never to find you again. Glad you had the opportunity to experience such a wonderful event.

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful time. You seemed to have been blessed.

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  11. that seems well worth having attended...

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  12. What a line up. A bunch of lovely ladies. To bad you weren't able to hear the following nights guests. I'm sure you were blessed regardless. God Bless.

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  13. I regocnized her face. WE had the show over here in Germany too! I am glad that you had a great and blessed day out. Hugs form Germany

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  14. They are indeed examples of "Amor ao proximo"! Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Sounds like an incredible day you had. I enjoyed reading this post and about the women who spoke at this event. What a blessing that must have been. Thanks for sharing this with us JBR! Have a great day.

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  16. You were indeed truly blessed to have gone. Sharing our testimonies can really encourage someone else without our knowledge, can't it? Makes me think of Rev. 12:11. Even when the testimony is, well... a tough subject to talk about. We find out we aren't alone and the connection with others who understand is crucial.

    Thanks for being real! Really!

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  17. Oh my gosh! What you wrote about Lisa resonated with me so much. I can't remember the last time I cried. I am a sensitive and caring person and I often see people so easily crying when they are touched by something. I may be touched but don't cry and I wonder what's wrong with me. I can so identify!

    Thank you "just be real" for sharing this. What you wrote may have been just what I needed to read this morning and I thank you.

    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  18. How marvelous of God to provide a place and spiritually blessed atmosphere for women to share their real problems and triumphs. In some conferences I've felt like the only sinner in the crowd. I'm glad you were blessed!

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  19. I could tell you enjoyed this show immensely. I'm glad you were able to go hon. (Hugs)Indigo

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  20. So awesome, very glad you got to attend this sweetie.

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