Grace Notes

Bright Lights Conferences/Miscellaneous

“Where two or three are gathered… (via Skype) …”

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This morning we had a wonderful sharing / prayer time, via skype group call, with our team of five Americans who are going to Singapore and Malaysia next month (Sarah and myself, Bekah, Nickie and Dani), and two good friends in Singapore (Jolynn and Carolyn) who are helping to plan the conferences on that end.

It was a blessing to “meet” with Dani in Ohio along with our friends in Singapore, and it was a big encouragement to share thoughts, needs, struggles, desires, and goals. We are anticipating great things for this upcoming trip. We would really appreciate your prayers as well, remembering that “Prayer is not preparation for the work, it is the work” – Oswald Chambers

We’ll be gone for about seven weeks, starting in Alaska, then going to Singapore and Malaysia and Australia … coming home just a little before Christmas.

If you live in Alaska, Singapore, Malaysia, or Australia and would be interested in attending, you can register here.

“O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still” (Psalm 83:1).

Bright Lights Conferences/Singapore and Malaysia

Memories from Malaysia, 2008

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We are excited to be going to Singapore and Malaysia again this fall! This video brings back special memories from one of our conferences there back in 2008.

All over the world young ladies are seeking to be bright lights for the Lord! Please join us in prayer that the Lord would be at work in the hearts of many young ladies in SE Asia and do wonderful things for His glory. We will also be running some conferences in Australia.

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.”
Psalm 117

Miscellaneous

Carl Kerby in Cedar Rapids

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This past weekend Carl Kerby was in town speaking at a few different churches.

I’ve been challenged and encouraged by Mr. Kerby’s ministry numerous times in the past several years. If you’ve attended a Bright Lights Radiant Purity Conference in the last year or so, you’ve seen the video clip that we show about Noah’s Ark. That video was produced by Carl along with theveracityproject.com and it is only one of a series. There are several other very interesting, fast-paced, highly educational 4-5 minute videos, all sold together on a DVD called Debunked. These sell very quickly at Bright Lights conferences because people like the Noah’s Ark Debunked clip so much.

Lunch time at the youth/family conference on Saturday. The young people were enthusiastic and enjoyed Carl’s messages. Even the youngest in the group remained attentive and engaged all day long. If Carl is ever in your area make sure you go and bring a car load of friends. See his schedule here.

Beside Carl’s seven sessions last weekend, he gave about fifteen more “sessions” in between as we bombarded him with questions [smile]. On Sunday afternoon Nate and Ashley Day (who organized the youth conference and initiated the whole weekend) joined us for lunch along with other friends.

A prayer of mine has been that the Lord would give me more opportunities to spend time with wise people so I can glean from their wisdom (Proverbs 13:20). Being with Mr. Kerby this weekend was definitely an answer to that prayer. [smile]

For more about Carl’s ministry, see Reasons for Hope.

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:13-15).

Witnessing Stories

Farmers’ Market Adventures

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Last Saturday we went to a farmers market to share the gospel. We prayed that the Lord would lead us to the right people. One girl we talked with had nearly died in a car accident several years back. Brad (a friend we were witnessing with) asked her, “If you would have died, would you have gone to Heaven or Hell?” This really opened up the conversation with her and her boyfriend. She responded with serious interest to the gospel message.

Another guy named Andrew explained that he just got saved last year. He was with some unsaved friends that he had been trying to witness to, and he really appreciated the help in sharing the gospel with them! He said, “Just last night we had a long talk/debate about these things!” Andrew explained that he has been trying to share his faith, but he doesn’t know very many other people who do. He said, “It’s so encouraging meeting you.”

It is a beautiful thing to pray and then watch the Lord answer with those short interactions that are of eternal significance — explaining the greatest news in the world … one conversation at a time.

Deut 31:6 says: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” This was written to Israel as they were preparing to go into the promised land. We serve the same God Who also sends us to conquer but in a different way.

Bright Lights Conferences/Strong in the Lord Conf.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Strong in the Lord Conference

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Karen and Elizabeth greeting people as they arrived.

The conference went smoothly and I heard many good reports from the small group times. Praise the Lord. We always enjoy running the conference at home where so many local friends are able to come.

Pictured here is Sarah leading a minute of silent prayer, encouraging the girls to commit to reading the Bible every day–even if it is just for a few minutes. We are always encouraged by the many girls who make this commitment.

“Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes” (Psalm 119:129-135).

Bright Lights Conferences/Radiant Purity Conferences

Radiant Purity Conference, Carrollton, Texas

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Sarah teaching a main session

Since we had many musicians among the leaders who were helping us with this conference, we pulled together a little ensemble to accompany the singing before the main sessions.

Our sharing time lasted quite a while as many had refreshing reports from their small group times.

We were blessed to have a large group of staff for this conference (local girls who joined us) … as is evidenced by the height of our empty-pizza-box pile.

I still can’t get over how cute this little guy is. We caught him in the place we were staying.

Waiting for the first flat tire on the way home to get fixed.

Waiting for the second flat tire on the way home to get fixed.

It was a great trip! God took care of us and we felt very blessed in so many ways.

Reports and pictures from the IOWA conferences coming next.

Bright Lights Conferences/Strong in the Lord Conf.

Strong in the Lord Conference – Carrollton, Texas

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Below is a slideshow of pictures from the Carrollton, Texas “Strong in the Lord conference.” We took one photo an hour (from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM) to show how Wednesday progressed. We were excited to see the Lord working in many people’s lives.

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Bright Lights Conferences/Radiant Purity Conferences

Topeka, KS, Radiant Purity Conference

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One of the highlights of our Bright Lights conference trips is the encouraging fellowship time before each conference when we (our group of leaders) share with each other what God is teaching us from the Word.

Once the conference begins, things become very busy!

The skits always keep us on our toes. Often someone is missing something backstage (well, that would usually be me [smile]) and we all frantically hunt for it… but it usually comes together just in time. [smile]

Many girls say one of their favorite parts of the conference was the chalk talk.

This skit on Saturday afternoon was about trusting God instead of listening to our fears.

Saturday night it usually takes several hours to pack up. Thankfully, we work as a team. (i.e. I take pictures while they work. Just kidding. [smile]) …And, though we’re tired, we are usually working with encouraged hearts – appreciating the many blessings God gave during the week and the ways we saw Him work.

Bins ready to be loaded into the trailer!

One sad part of each conference is saying goodbye to so many special friends…like little Bethany (whose family was hosting the conference). She had become Lilly’s little shadow. [smile]

We are now in Carrollton, Texas, and the Radiant Purity Conference here starts in about four hours. Thank you to any who are praying for us. I will be posting pictures from the “Strong in the Lord” conference here tomorrow.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lam 3:22-23)

Strong in the Lord Conf.

Topeka, Kansas Strong in the Lord Conference

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Tonight we concluded the “Strong in the Lord” Conference in Topeka, Kansas. All went very well – praise the Lord! I thought you would enjoy seeing some of the pictures Stephen took of the skits and testimonies. The Radiant Purity Conference starts Friday. Thank you so much for your prayers.

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