Thanks Brenda! What a great reminder of all the things that we can focus on other than our own "needs"! At such a time, it's good to turn our attention to the things God wants us to focus on...Him and others! Probably a good time for us to ask "what do you want me to see and learn" from all this and let the "why" for another time!
We were out on the boat yesterday, hosting two young couples that didn't know each other... and as the day progressed, one couple asked the other, "have you found a community to worship with?" I could only thank God for the direction and heart of the conversation! Only HE knew how much that question meant...but I'm praying that it leads to more conversation! A day on the water, enjoy fun behind a boat, meeting new people -- is ALL part of God's plan as well! #heleadswefollow
Terry -- Thanks for your thoughts! YES! We are hoping for lots of gathering for churches/leaders/volunteers to share stories. We have a few breakout sessions designed to ignite those conversations. However, we are hoping that ALL the sessions (no matter what the topic) ignite conversations with the attendees. We are praying for new relationships to be birthed, new partnerships to form, new ideas to bubble up, and LOTS of mutual support for ministries happening in very different areas. I hope you'll come and help spark those conversations. With 2000 attendees planned, we are not going to be able to BUILD those small groups, but we are creating time and space for them to pop up!
Conversation, energy, and the Spirit of God will be driving this event! We're anxious to see God at work! I hope you are planning to come and join in! In the meantime, please continue to pray -- for the attendees, the presenters/facilitators, and the continued planning. We all want to honor GOD at this event! ~Paula
Dan -- Thanks for your heart and passion for those that might have areas of accessibility issues. We have been working closely with Mark Stephenson and his team! Our goal is that this event will be barrier free and that we can encourage the churches to have the same goal. We will have specific breakout sessions on ideas/perspectives/reasons for creating environments for ALL of God's people. We will also have sessions on inclusive behaviors and messaging that would invite and embrace those that are different than us as well... not just physical, emotional, and accessibility conditions. We are hoping to change the lens by which we see things from how can we help them to possibly how can they help us... be better! Thanks for the reminder, the passion, and the heart! God is certainly smiling!
And... I will take a look at the language of our breakout sessions to make sure we are communicating clearly what each session will cover! Perhaps when the website goes live, the "summary" of each session will give a better idea of the content you'll find in the session.
Thanks again Dan! Look forward to seeing you at Inspire 2017! ~Paula
Craig -- I just LOVE your passion and succinct messaging! I couldn't agree more! It's the sharing of our faith, our personal stories, our willingness to be vulnerable, our heart for others, and the connecting we do that turns us into a church! It's how we reflect Christ! Those are all the things HE TAUGHT us! Yes, it is certainly IN the mix, and some of the sessions will focus on this more than others, but I couldn't agree more! We, as a team, will go back, with your comments in mind, and revisit the sessions to make sure this will be an emphasis! I hope you will join us and encourage such behavior as well!
God wants nothing more than for us to represent HIM well in His church! Praying we can do this as we plan, as we execute, and as we prepare to gather together. Our prayer is that we can all humble ourselves to each other and BE CHRIST to others as well. Thank you for your heart and message to chew on! ~Paula
Angela -- Love... that you are looking for this! We too, have thought this to be a vital part of Inspire 2017! Although we are not using a specific book to drive the sessions, we have a number of sessions planned for reminding us of our connection with God! We have a session on discernment of the Holy Spirit's call, one on healthy habits of connecting with God, and another planned to help folks find renewal with God when you are tired and worn. In addition, we will have a prayer room, a specific prayer walk, and lots of sticky spaces to have partners in ministry pour into each other WITH God!
Thanks for your interest in conversations at Inspire 2017! Please continue to pray -- for the planning, for the presenters/facilitators, and for the attendees as they prepare to come! ~Paula
Posted in: Praying during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thanks Brenda! What a great reminder of all the things that we can focus on other than our own "needs"! At such a time, it's good to turn our attention to the things God wants us to focus on...Him and others! Probably a good time for us to ask "what do you want me to see and learn" from all this and let the "why" for another time!
keep up the good work Brenda!
p
Posted in: A Contemporary Christian Coming of Age Novel With CRC Context
What level of reader is this book geared toward...the Eli's of the world? Or the parents of Eli? Or the church that missed Eli's frustration?
Posted in: A Contemporary Christian Coming of Age Novel With CRC Context
Thanks John! Would love to recommend it to some of my 20's in church. I'll go order one to pre-view!
~P
Posted in: Is There a Road Ahead of Me?
Love this Denise! I promise to share it well! And as much as they blessed you, I'm sure you were a blessing to them as well! Paula
Posted in: Where Have You ‘Tasted and Seen’ God’s Goodness This Summer?
We were out on the boat yesterday, hosting two young couples that didn't know each other... and as the day progressed, one couple asked the other, "have you found a community to worship with?" I could only thank God for the direction and heart of the conversation! Only HE knew how much that question meant...but I'm praying that it leads to more conversation! A day on the water, enjoy fun behind a boat, meeting new people -- is ALL part of God's plan as well! #heleadswefollow
Posted in: Deliverance
Praying here too!
Paula Wigboldy
Posted in: Inspire 2017 Updates: Your Feedback Needed
Terry -- Thanks for your thoughts! YES! We are hoping for lots of gathering for churches/leaders/volunteers to share stories. We have a few breakout sessions designed to ignite those conversations. However, we are hoping that ALL the sessions (no matter what the topic) ignite conversations with the attendees. We are praying for new relationships to be birthed, new partnerships to form, new ideas to bubble up, and LOTS of mutual support for ministries happening in very different areas. I hope you'll come and help spark those conversations. With 2000 attendees planned, we are not going to be able to BUILD those small groups, but we are creating time and space for them to pop up!
Conversation, energy, and the Spirit of God will be driving this event! We're anxious to see God at work! I hope you are planning to come and join in! In the meantime, please continue to pray -- for the attendees, the presenters/facilitators, and the continued planning. We all want to honor GOD at this event! ~Paula
Posted in: Inspire 2017 Updates: Your Feedback Needed
Dan -- Thanks for your heart and passion for those that might have areas of accessibility issues. We have been working closely with Mark Stephenson and his team! Our goal is that this event will be barrier free and that we can encourage the churches to have the same goal. We will have specific breakout sessions on ideas/perspectives/reasons for creating environments for ALL of God's people. We will also have sessions on inclusive behaviors and messaging that would invite and embrace those that are different than us as well... not just physical, emotional, and accessibility conditions. We are hoping to change the lens by which we see things from how can we help them to possibly how can they help us... be better! Thanks for the reminder, the passion, and the heart! God is certainly smiling!
And... I will take a look at the language of our breakout sessions to make sure we are communicating clearly what each session will cover! Perhaps when the website goes live, the "summary" of each session will give a better idea of the content you'll find in the session.
Thanks again Dan! Look forward to seeing you at Inspire 2017! ~Paula
Posted in: Inspire 2017 Updates: Your Feedback Needed
Craig -- I just LOVE your passion and succinct messaging! I couldn't agree more! It's the sharing of our faith, our personal stories, our willingness to be vulnerable, our heart for others, and the connecting we do that turns us into a church! It's how we reflect Christ! Those are all the things HE TAUGHT us! Yes, it is certainly IN the mix, and some of the sessions will focus on this more than others, but I couldn't agree more! We, as a team, will go back, with your comments in mind, and revisit the sessions to make sure this will be an emphasis! I hope you will join us and encourage such behavior as well!
God wants nothing more than for us to represent HIM well in His church! Praying we can do this as we plan, as we execute, and as we prepare to gather together. Our prayer is that we can all humble ourselves to each other and BE CHRIST to others as well. Thank you for your heart and message to chew on! ~Paula
Posted in: Inspire 2017 Updates: Your Feedback Needed
Angela -- Love... that you are looking for this! We too, have thought this to be a vital part of Inspire 2017! Although we are not using a specific book to drive the sessions, we have a number of sessions planned for reminding us of our connection with God! We have a session on discernment of the Holy Spirit's call, one on healthy habits of connecting with God, and another planned to help folks find renewal with God when you are tired and worn. In addition, we will have a prayer room, a specific prayer walk, and lots of sticky spaces to have partners in ministry pour into each other WITH God!
Thanks for your interest in conversations at Inspire 2017! Please continue to pray -- for the planning, for the presenters/facilitators, and for the attendees as they prepare to come! ~Paula