Nov 2023 - Giving Thanks
It’s been a challenging year, yet with so many things to give thanks for. Here a few of the things I am thankful for:
That Steve has been so blessed to be with Jesus for a full year.
That I have had sweet, rich, fun times with all my children and their children.
That I am so blessed to continue to serve with Cru and my Women’s Resources Team
That the Prayer for Prodigals Facebook page has passed 5000 followers—rejoicing as Lori Lloyd leads in touching lives of prodigals and those who love them.
That the When You Love a Prodigal podcast continues to grow—and bless many
That my health is good and I continue to have energy.
That I am so enriched by my many friends.
I could go on and on—I have so many blessings. Giving thanks is a good practice every day, and especially at Thanksgiving time.
The Significance Project Global Equipping Summit
The Significance Project held a Global Equipping Summit, September 14-17, in Manila, Philippines, bringing together 215 participants (158 women and 57 men) from 38 countries, including 12 nations with the largest unreached populations. The conference was broadly represented by six continents and regions: 17 Asian nations, 8 African nations, 2 North American nations, 3 Latin American nations, 5 European nations, and 3 Middle Eastern nations.
The purpose of the 4-day Equipping Summit was to equip and inspire Christian leaders to fulfill their God-given uniqueness while helping to fulfill the Great Commission in their nations. Apart from several plenary sessions, conferees met in country or regional groups to discuss how to use The Significance Project coaching resources to accelerate spreading the gospel among their countrymen. Four separate workshops – military leaders, executives, business and church leaders -- were formed to give previews of how to share the materials with others. Participants were inspired by sharing how God had already worked in their own lives using this material.
Edo and Negi came from Mongolia. Negi had become so overwhelmed with caring for their five children, that she had lost sight of who she was apart from her motherhood. But after being introduced to The Significant Woman 18 months ago, she realized that some of her true identity was hiding in plain sight. She had a heart to help other Mongolian mothers find their own purpose.
She has since started 17 home groups with 86 couples participating in bi-monthly gatherings. She rediscovered her heart for ministry. Her joy in doing this became so obvious and contagious that her husband, Edo, came to the Equipping Summit wanting to refill his own joy cup. While participating in the military workshop, he came alive to his own leading style and he came away thinking he could lead another 100 Mongolian men through Man of Impact. –from Jim Morud
Million Praying Moms
They may not have reached one million yet, but Brooke McGothlin and her team are encouraging and equipping thousands of moms as they pray for their children.
Brooke says, “I talk to SO many moms who say, ‘Brooke, I want to pray for my kids, I just don’t know how to start!’ That’s exactly why I wrote my short digital ebook, How to Pray God’s Word for Your Children. It’s your how-to guide, giving you a very short, simple, step-by-step process for how I first started praying God’s Word. Download it right away, and you’ll be praying God’s Word by this afternoon.” And it’s free.
Million Praying Moms has many resources, books and booklets, prayer calendars and guides, and a great podcast. Check it out at https://www.millionprayingmoms.com/
I slept in 7 beds over 19 days
It started out with my biannual trip to spend a few days with my three sisters. This time we gathered at Mary’s family’s hunting ranch in Christoval, TX. So relaxing, good food, long conversations, a jigsaw puzzle. And two special treats: the ring-of-fire eclipse passed right over us, and thousands of Monarchs rested in the trees on their way to Mexico.
But since I was meeting my sisters in the Austin area, I went early to meet up with three friends who are working on a book, Live Your Best Years After Fifty. I have a small part in the book—it has a Q and A approach and will be fun and practical.
And since I was in Texas, after time with my sisters, I headed to Dallas for time with special friends: four hours with Ney Bailey, a dinner with nieces Carissa, Erin and Rebecca, and three days with John and Patty Mailler. Patty is the one, when we were in high school, who took me to a Young Life camp where I met Jesus.
Then I headed to Charleston SC for a Cru ministry event—such a privilege to be there.
And ended my journey in Paisley FL for a brief retreat with my Saucer Sisters. Our cups are still overflowing (especially with grands) so we are still drinking from the saucer. A sweet time of catching up and praying.
Three Books to Challenge Your Thinking
A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L’Engle by Sarah Arthur
I’ve read a lot of Madeleine L’Engle’s books—loving her story-telling, her creativity, her both-and thinking. Sarah Arthur, a gifted writer herself, delves into the paradoxes, conflicts, and challenges in Madeleine’s many and varied books, touching mind, heart and spirit.
Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple by Scot McKnight
Scot McKnight is a theologian and author I respect and appreciate. This book affirms some of my understanding of the Book of Revelation, but also challenged me to consider some different possibilities of what John was saying as he wrote Revelation.
Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament by Sandra Glahn
I have read several of Sandra Glahn’s books with great enthusiasm. This book has a more academic approach as she examines Scripture, history, and culture to understand how the cult of Artemis impacted the early church and the surrounding views of women.