Dream In Soul

by Julene Fleurmond, Editor of DreaminSoul.com

The auditorium was a sea of excited and expectant expressions waiting to see what effect a single day could have on their lives. Soon the room was filled with waves of laughter and streams of tears – sometimes all at once – as Women of Faith’s ONE DAY event in Dallas made an impact.

Hundreds of women shared a bond and a deep sense of God’s love and dreams for their lives as speakers Christine Caine, Andy Andrews and Angie Smith, poured out their stories and faith-filled wisdom into open hearts.

This was the first year for ONE DAY, created in response to women who couldn’t attend the two-day Women of Faith events. ONE DAY had a more intimate atmosphere that allowed the speakers to go deeper and the attendees to get more up close and personal and feel like they are part of a sisterhood that shares their faith and feelings about life.

I’ve been inspired by the ministry of Women of Faith for several years now, but never had chance to attend their live events, (other than last year’s event for teen girls, The Revolve Tour: “Dream On” which was a fun and moving experience).

I was excited to go to ONE DAY, and what made it more personal for me was that it was held at Southern Methodist University where I went to college, in the very same auditorium I graduated in. Three years ago I sat in those seats and walked across that stage in apprehension, wondering what calling God had placed on my life. On Saturday the encouragement from the ONE DAY speakers had an impact on me in ways I couldn’t imagine.

The theme of the event was “In ONE DAY God can change everything,” with Psalm 118:6 as the leading verse:

“I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me.”

Each speaker had a unique style and broke the ice with humor before delving into more serious and somber parts of their stories, to inspire us to see God’s divine plan in our own lives. I loved their transparency of sharing the not-so-pretty parts of their backgrounds that can help others going through similar situations. Here are a few highlights of what they shared:

“If you’re still here there is more left to life…” – Andy Andrews

Worship leader Jennifer Thigpen opened the day with prayer and song to set the atmosphere and focus of the day. Then Andy Andrews, bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift, took to the stage and the auditorium aisles as a bouncing ball of energy, joking that his adult ADD was kicking in that morning. Laughter rolled through the audience as he wove in and out, sharing his difficult past and wisdom about living purposefully and impacting those around us through intentional choices. His two sessions spread throughout the day were engaging and I along with many of the attendees nodded and scribbled away at our notepads to capture his insights.

”Life is a vapor but the choices we make matter…I want to live a life of purpose – I want my vapor to count…” – Christine Caine

Christine Caine came to stage so personally, like a close friend (if only we each had a friend with an awesome Aussie accent that we could listen to all day). She dove into deep topics like forgiveness as she recounted her story of overcoming a past of abandonment and abuse. Now she is saving the lives of other women exploited in human trafficking through the A21 Campaign. She challenged every woman to take the unpaved path to make a difference in the world, saying, “I think God wants to take us places we never dreamed of by paths we never knew existed.”

“If what you are doing glorifies you, not God, you have misunderstood your calling…” – Angie Smith

Angie Smith’s warm demeanor and transparency was inviting as she recounted her struggles with crippling fear since she was a child and a story of loss. Through heartbreaking trials she realized that God could take the pain in her life to create something beautiful that could bring glory to Him and give hope to others. Tears fell around the room as she asked those who had experienced a similar loss to stand, and instantly hearts were connected and comforted as they realized they were not alone. Afterwards we were left with the truth that where we experience our “greatest life wounding” and hurts, we can also find our calling if we bring our offerings of obedience to the King.

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For this Soul Connection Message Pick, here’s “5 Things Every Adult Should Know” from Axis, the 18-20+ community at Willow Creek Community Church. If you live near South Barrington, IL, check out their Gatherings every Wednesday night.

Message Notes:
- What do some of the plots of children’s movies in America tell us about the messages we give to kids about adulthood?
- “How do we begin to move out of our passivity and out of our consumption to begin to experience life in a real way?”
- “Life’s not about you, it’s about something way bigger than you, you just get to be apart of it…”

“If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!” – Nick Vujicic

Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic faced an overwhelming battle as a youth to come to terms with the way he was made and to realize that God had a purpose for him. Through his ministry Life Without Limbs Nick has become a worldwide speaker, author and preacher of the Gospel. Now in his late twenties, Nick continues to reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds to let them know that they too can overcome the barriers and hardships in life through the grace of God. Nick is truly an amazing man of faith and a reflection of a life of victory, even without limbs.

In the message below Nick talks to a group of youth about the power of Christ that transformed his life:

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Almost three months after the earthquake in Haiti the men, women and children are still in great danger and need of help. The many who survived the devastation are still without homes and in harsh conditions with pouring rains and the upcoming hurricane season.

A Home in Haiti is an organization that is raising funds to buy waterproof tents to distribute on the ground in Haiti. This project was started and is being directed by Shaun King (http://ShaunInTheCity.com) pastor of The Courageous Church in Atlanta. He has been working passionately to help those in Haiti in the months since the earthquake, sending volunteers and supplies.

Through the project they have established immediate partnerships with 3 orphanages and one very large camp (80,000+ people) to receive the first shipment of tents. A Home in Haiti ensures on the website that when they send tents to these orphanages and to the Petionville camp, they have have trusted, experienced partners that pick up our shipments directly and distribute them fairly & honestly.

Visit http://ahomeinhaiti.org to learn more about how you can help provide shelter and hope for the people in Haiti by donating funds or sending tents today. You can watch the video below to learn more about this great project.

Every second and fourth Sunday of each month, a group of young people gather in Inglewood, CA, to worship, and hear the word of God in a bold and electrifying way…

A minister walks onto the platform wearing casual apparel and looking as laid-back and hip as the teens and young adults he’s addressing. He begins a raw, dynamic message relating to the young people where they are, and leading them in discussion and prayer. He’s not an ordinary preacher, and this is no ordinary ministry – the minister onstage is Kirk Franklin, bringing the Word to the Takeover Youth Service. The Takeover is on fire for Christ, and the young people who take part show how God can, and will, takeover the city for His Kingdom.

"God has promised our church possession of the heart of the City of Los Angeles. God is going to use this ministry to change the hearts of youth from sin to salvation. (Deut. 7:1-21) Before God can give you everything He has for you He has to know who you serve before you can TAKEOVER the city. God has to Takeover your heart and every part of your life. Then and only then can He give you everything He has for you. Be obedient. (2 Corinthians 11:11-13)" – From The Takeover Myspace page

The Takeover was sparked at the Faithful Central Bible Church under the leadership of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer. Kirk Franklin himself describes the ministry as, “Very honest. Very street," in an interview on the Gospel Music Channel website.

Visit the Takeover on Twitter, and their official website at www.takeoveryouth.com to support the movement. You can also become a fan on Facebook or subscribe on Youtube.

You can watch past services on their podcast page and future services live at http://www.justin.tv/takeover_godcan; the next one is on July 12, 2009 at 10am PT.

Below, watch Kirk Franklin preach the 100th sermon, "Rock Your Ring."

Description: "In this 4 Part sermon, Minister Franklin is breaking down the commitment that God is looking for from us as His followers. God wants us to be faithful, by choice not by command. We should ‘Rock our Rings’ not just in church or in His presence by everyday all day no matter what!"

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