Last month, I participated in a conference sponsored by CCN TV called Closer to Him. It was simulcast from Buffalo, New York. What a great ministry to partner with! I was blessed by the quality and heart of the event. One of the highlights was being with some of my favorite speaker-heroes. I got to eat dinner with one of them before the conference.

I spent the evening with Elisa Morgan. What a dynamo! Funny, smart, and crowned with gloriously striped, funky hair, she is a towering spiritual giant who stands about 5'2." She has a bright mind and a tender heart. She is warm and gifted, confident and lovely. I am so happy I got to sit with her at dinner and listen to HER share her heart.

She has been used by God to lead MOPS for years, and she will never know this side of eternity the millions of moms she has led into the kingdom and the millions she has touched and encouraged. Husbands, dads, and kids are impacted by the way she equips moms.

I love the unseen legacy we all leave!

When I speak at conferences, my greatest goal is to speak to the women - not to the other speakers. That's such a temptation. I stand against the enemy who tells me to impress the professionals rather than inspire and equip the women in the pew. I'm just being honest here. It's intimidating to be teamed up with women such as Elisa, - and did I mention Kay Arthur? The queen mother herself!! There's no one like Kay! She has such skill, depth, knowledge, ability to communicate, energy, and beauty - and she is in her seventies! She has impacted countless millions through Precept Ministries, teaching us how to know and study the Bible on our own. Man! Isn't she amazing?

Thankfully, God showed me when I began speaking with Women of Faith that this "speaking to the speakers" is a true pothole I can fall into if I am not vigilant.

I stay mindful of that temptation. And being blind helps! I can't see Elisa and Kay on the front row! Undistracted, I focus on the women in the rows of chairs. Each row holds a collection of needs. Each chair in each row contains a woman with a life, with feelings, struggles, and wounds needing to be addressed.

At any conference, my true goal is to speak and minister to the woman on the pew, and the One I want to honor is God and His Son, Jesus.

If you are in a ministry role that causes you to be in front, remember that there is only One who you need to impress... and it is in His Shadow that you stand.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. I Peter 4:11

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark (and Light), and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

This fun event idea is based on Proverbs 17:22.

Description: Our night started with dinner and funny family stories presented by one of our ladies. Our special singer for the night sang "They Called Him Laughter" by Michael Card, which is a song about Isaac. We also presented a skit that had us all tickled.

Some of the ladies participated in an old baby shower game and the rest of us sat back and enjoyed it. The participants had to bend over and reach through their legs and pin a clothespin on the back of their dress. The one who was able to reach the highest and pin their clothespin won a gag gift.

Finally, our special speaker for the night spoke on the joy and benefit of laughter in our homes.

We had ladies of all ages and had so much fun laughing together.

Submitted by: oak19502001@yahoo.com

Hormones holding you hostage? Circumstances stressing you out? Discover how to become the consistent, contented woman you've always wanted to be in There Is A Season, a practical, female friendly study for women in every season of life by Laurie Cole.

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Once again, we are looking for your brainstorming ideas to develop a theme.

And the theme is...

"Matters of the Heart" based on Proverbs 4:23

So... What type of event would you plan? ... What types of activities or workshops would you include? ... What songs or skits would you use? ... What types of crafts would you offer?

Send your ideas to robyne@womensministry.net and we will post answers in an upcoming issue!

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

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I don't know about the rest of you, but my summer has been crazy-busy! I cannot believe we are already flying through July...

As leaders we can get totally wrapped up in juggling work, ministry and family that we become captive to our schedules and commitments. My husband laughingly calls me a stress junkie because I like to work under pressure. But I have come to learn that stress is not good for you!

I recently ran across an amazing online article from Texas Woman's University that shares 52 Proven Stress Reducers. Here are my favorites:

In Him.... Robyne Beaubien, Editor
Email: robyne@womensministry.net

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This week's winner is...sbwutfan@yah...
 

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Here's what some of our recent Ad Sponsors are saying:

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Here's how it works... send us your great ideas and if we use them in a newsletter you will be automatically entered to win the book bundle for the quarter. The more great ideas you submit, the more chances to win. At the end of the quarter we will announce the winner and the books she has won!

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