My shirt says it all about today’s Fall Conference that I attended today, with the title “Get in Focus”.
The past few weeks have been crunch time for the Shuff family as we prepare to move into our home at the end of THIS month. THIS month! (More on that tomorrow.) Prior to work, my mornings are filled with finalizing the details of our remodel, and keeping our current home clean for showing. Praise the Lord there is a contract on the home, now I don’t have to leave it “ready for show” every time I walk out the door.
Yesterday, while I was waiting on my Friday morning bible study to begin, we were talking about the happenings of the Fall Conference. In my busy mind I was discerning about how I was going to fill my day. I was thinking that the conference was in the afternoon. So I was preparing to texting my daughter to see if she wanted to come over before she went to work, and we would go get pedicures together. My thoughts were on what area of the home I was going to box up on Saturday morning. Thoughts, thoughts, plans, going through my head. I asked our bible study leader (Kay Morris) what time the conference began. She replied 8:30 am-2:00 pm. What? Ut-oh. There goes those plans.
My focus was all over the place, and now my Saturday plans were getting rearranged in my psyche.
No worries. It always works out.
God knew that I needed to “Focus” and be still in Him.
Today’s conference was refreshing, emotional, and much needed.
I want to give you a brief account on the three seminars I attended and the keynote speaker’s presentation: (Please click on all scripture to read God’s word for yourself.)
Seminar 1: “Focus on God’s Peace”, led by Bethany Falter. Wow! No one told me to bring tissues to this session. Bethany’s testimony was heartfelt and detailed. Her son’s unassuming doctor visit turned into being sent to another doctor, and then to the hospital for surgery that late evening to remove a tumor from his brain and to relieve a massive amount of fluid in his brain. This tumor was larger than a golf boy in this four-year-old’s head. Philippians 4:4-9 was the scripture that Bethany clung to. Her family has found how to find joy in all circumstances, pray about everything, and allow their thoughts to be on whatever brings glory to God. Through it all, their family is finding God’s peace while they focus on Him. Jack has a long road ahead of him, but is progress well, and the tumor was benign! #prayingforjack.
Seminar 2: “Focus on Your Inner Beauty”, led by Tonya Lawson. My precious friend poured out her heart in a very transparent presentation. Tonya shared and discussed about the “lovely” topic that most women struggle with…focusing on outward appearance instead of, or more than, inward beauty. Tonya’s scripture focuses were: Philippians 4:6-8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 21:2, Psalm 139:1, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 4:20-23, Proverbs 31:30, Luke 22:31-32. Synopsis: God looks at the heart. God made you in His image. God knows you, your thoughts, and your weakness, and will strengthen you. Make sure you don’t focus so much on your outward charm because one day you’ll be older and wonder who you truly are. Be filled with the fruit of The Spirit, not fueled by the lies that Satan fills in your head.
Seminar 3: “Focus on Holiness”, led by published author Bobbie Roper. It was great to see Mrs. Bobbie since she retired and moved away from Plant City. She is soft spoken yet communicates with conviction and purpose. Bobbie encouraged us to live a holy life because God told us too, and God doesn’t say anything that won’t happen. Live it because once you are a Christian, you have The Holy Spirit within you. Bobbie’s focus scriptures coincided with and acronym for holy: Humble, Obedient, Loving, and Yielded. Humble: Psalms 8:3-4 and Philippians 2:5-8. Obedient: 1 Samuel 15:22, Ephesians 6:5, Psalms 111:1, and John 14:15. Loving: 1 John 4:7-11, Romans 5:8, and Matthew 22:37. Yielded: Psalms 17:8, Psalms 36:7, Matthew 23:37, and Philippians 4:8.
Finally, the keynote speaker was a friend who clearly has a testimony that kept her focus on the prize…Christ. You see, soon-to-be-published author Kristen Hitchcock shared her experience for the very first time publically. Her, and her family’s, faith was tested, and God, the Prince of Peace, ruled in their hearts through it all. Kristen’s youngest child, four-year-old Hayden, was in a head injury accident. By the time Kristen and her husband reached the hospital which Hayden was flown to, their precious boy had gone to see Jesus. It was Brett and Kristen who displayed great peace, hope in the eternal, and strength to share with family and friends. God sustained them then and continues today as He shines through them, and they give God all the glory through the pain. Kristen intertwined her passion for running to the race we all run in life by stating and believing that life is a marathon, and we must finish strong. (Click her to read “This is not good-bye”.)
My plans were altered for today. God forced me to be still in Him today, and I am grateful!
THANK YOU, JESUS!
(Click here to visit Front Porch Apparel and purchase your own shirt like the one in the photo.)
Do you want to be involved in the upcoming ladies’ events with me? Click here for more information. You definitely don’t want to miss the January event!!
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up THE SON every moment of each day. –Stephanie
