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A Speaking Sampler &
Booking Buffet
 From
teas to retreats, any event crafted to make folks feel encouraged, inspired and
valued is my kind of gathering. Basically King Solomon and I have come to the
same conclusion—there is a time and season for everything. I especially enjoy
encouraging women that no matter where we find ourselves in the process, we can
leave a sweet fragrance in the lives of those we touch. No wonder Christian
growth is one of my most requested themes. Whatever the occasion, I come
prepared with a shaker full of hope and humor.
The
unofficial name and motto I’ve given my ministry is Acorn Ministries--
Encouraging the God-given Potential in Each Person. General themes/topics
include: Adversity/Overcoming, Inspiration, Motivation, Hope/Humor, Restoration,
Marriage, Family, Parenting a prodigal child, Relationships, Ministry, Church
Leadership, and Writing.
Here is
a nibble of some of my most-requested topics. However, I LOVE cooking up and
dishing out any new theme you might feel would minister to the specific needs of
your group.
  IT ALL COMES
OUT IN THE WASH
No
matter what women have been told, they can’t do it all. At least not all at
once.
Based
on my book of the same name, this workshop uses clever laundry-related topics
such as:
They Don’t
Make A Model Big Enough,
The Fabric of
our Lives, and
Sorting
Through the Stinky Stuff
To
explore common stress points with which every too-busy woman will easily
identify--issues like unhealthy comparisons, our natural tendency to nurture
everyone but ourselves, and learning to balance responsibilities in order to
pursue our own God-given gifts and passions. The goal is to encourage an
extreme think-over for the purpose of not only living life more intentionally,
but leaving a freshly laundered legacy.
When It All Comes Out in the Wash, this session will purposefully and poignantly
explore the divine difference between women having it all and becoming all God
intends them to be. Especially great for a Spring Retreat theme!
RENEWAL
Learning
To Lighten Up! - practical suggestions for relieving stress. The focus is on
eliminating the unnecessary and renewing our hearts and minds with scriptural
meditation and worship. Light & humorous.
Learning To
Hold On! - holding onto faith through the inevitable changes in life. The focus
is on learning to see change in a positive light and providing tools for coping
with the unexpected.
Learning To
Let Go! - learning how, when and what to let go. The focus is on restoration
through relinquishing control and finding renewal through trust, forgiveness,
compassion and inner healing.
Learning To Stand Firm! -
faith produces faithfulness,
the key to being renewed day by day. The focus will be on seeing God’s
unchanging faithfulness to us and our loving responsibility to Him.
GROWING
TOGETHER
Seasons
- Recognizing that we all go through seasons in our lives, some more productive
than others, but all necessary to the end result
Weeding
- Identifying and eliminating what “chokes” our productivity and creativity
Finding
Your Roots - Acknowledging our Heavenly Father as the source of all we do and
say
Growing
Where You are Planted - Learning to accept our circumstances and not allow them
to hinder us from using our gifts
Learning
To Blossom - Seeking a spiritual formula for developing and using our gifts
Leaving
A Sweet Fragrance - Touching the world around us through word and deed
PURSE-ONALLY
YOURS
Purse-suing A
Simpler Lifestyle - Ever notice how quickly your purse gets cluttered? That’s
because we just keep tossing stuff in without taking stuff out. The same is
often true of life. This session will explore some practical ways of sorting
through the clutter, eliminating stress and simplifying both our natural and
spiritual lifestyles.
Purse-suing
A Put-together Lifestyle - Feel like you need a little help knowing how all the
parts of your life fit together? Here’s good news--you are not alone. This
session will explore how God takes the pieces of our lives and weaves them
together to make a thing of beauty.
Purse-suing
A Lifestyle That Will Leave A Lasting Legacy – Notice how there’s a different
purse for every style and season? That’s part of the fun. This session will
talk about the contributions we can all make to the lives of others.
THE PURPOSE
DRIVEN QUILT - Becoming All God Wants Us To Be
The
Crazy Quilt: Getting the pieces in order - Looking for the pattern, the
“recurring theme” in your life - Jeremiah 29:11
The
Collective Quilt: Working the pieces together – Discovering that we all have
something to contribute and we all learn from others – Romans 8:28
The
Heirloom Quilt: Seeing the significance, legacy in each piece - Learning that
from the pieces of our lives something takes shape that is beautiful, unique and
eternal – a lasting legacy - Philippians 1:4-6
HOW TO KEEP
YOUR INLAWS FROM BECOMING OUTLAWS
The Good, the
Bad and the Ugly – A tale of three in-laws
This Town
Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us—Or Is it? – Learning to set healthy
boundaries in our extended relationships
You Sneaky
Sidewinder! – Understanding the underlying causes of conflict
Peace-keepin’
– Steps we can take to find common ground
How the West
Was Won – The story of a Biblical outlaw/in-law who saved the day!
DIVINE
DESIGN
Uses Interior Design/Decorating Concepts to Illustrate Spiritual Principles
 THE HATS WE
WEAR
Don’t Be
Heavy-Hatted –Practical Points for De-stressing
The Garland of
Grace – Finding Balance, Wearing Wisdom’s Garland
The Crown of
Righteousness – Picking it Up, Laying it Down
New Mercies –
Starting New, Finishing Well
PRINCIPLES
OF A PICNIC
Unpack -
Identifying mental, emotional, spiritual baggage
Spread It out
- Dealing with stress
Prepare For
Unexpected Guests - Dealing with change
Rain - Getting
under God’s umbrella
Go Home –
Taking less than you brought, but more than you expected
CASTLE
CONCEPTS & PALACE PRINCIPLES
Set On A Hill
– Climbing to a higher place
Built On A
Rock - Building a firm foundation
Place of
Provision - Identifying the real source of strength
Place of
Refuge and Safety - Finding refuge for ourselves, our families
Residence of
the King - Meeting the “royal” standard
No Bad View
From A Castle - Developing an eternal perspective
RUTH: THE
NEVER-ENDING STORY
A true happily-ever-after story about love, sorrow, faith, loyalty, obedience,
families, honor, and fulfillment that spans time and eternity
Seminars Related to
Writing/Teaching:
DON’T BE
‘LEFT BEHIND’ IN THE INSPIRATIONAL MARKET
As recently as ten years ago, inspirational or religious books stayed pretty
much in their own market. Then came enough Chicken Soup to drown an army, a
great little town called Mitford, and the cliff hanger series chronicling the
lives of those who’d been Left Behind. Now a lot of people want to be touched
by an angel. As writers consider the possibility of submitting to this market,
two questions immediately come to mind: “What is the difference between
religion and inspiration?” and “Can anyone write for these markets?” We will
attempt to provide clarification and information on the whats, wheres and hows.
TEACHING THE
WRITE WAY
This class is for anyone interested in learning some writing basics that will
enhance teaching and speaking. Anyone can read a lesson, but creative
teachers/pastors paint a story. Jesus was the Master story teller. We’ll
discuss writing principles that make every lesson/sermon a “best seller.”
DUSTING OFF
OLD IDEAS, DISCOVERING NEW
Where do great writing ideas come from? A scripture found in Matthew 13:52 may
hold the key: “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about
the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his
storeroom new treasures as well as old.” The indication is that there are
treasures in all of our storehouses. We just need to dig them out and dust them
off.
ORGANIZING
YOUR THOUGHTS AND MATERIALS
Trading Spaces
- This session focuses on the basics of creating your personalized work space.
Finding Places
- Everyone should have a system that eliminates confusion and clutter from your
mind and workspace.
Tools Of The
Trade - Like anything else, having the right tools within reach makes the job
easier.
Where Do I
Start? – Two simple rules for getting a jump start on organization
Time Is Of The
Essence – Nine productive principles of time management
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