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Images courtesy of Beautifully Rooted conference.
In early November, I had the privilege of speaking at the Beautifully Rooted conference at Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois. I had a wonderful time fellowshipping with the ladies of Springfield and the surrounding area.
Sadly, this lovely photographic mural in the St. Louis airport was pretty much the extent of my sightseeing in the area. It was a quick trip, flying up Friday and flying home Saturday, but I wanted to be home for the birth of a new grandbaby who was due in a few days!
I got settled in at my hotel Friday afternoon…
Always a fan of funny hotel numbering systems!
A lovely gift bag from my hostesses!
We got things kicked off Friday night with Foundations of Discernment, which dealt with building a solid foundation of prayer, study of the Word, and faithfulness to the local church as the basis of discernment.
Photos above, courtesy of Priscila G. Photography
On Saturday, Discernment 101: Learn to Discern was first on the agenda. This session covers some practical aspects of how to determine whether or not someone is a false teacher, who some of today’s most prolific false teachers are, and popular forms of false doctrine in the church.
Rounding out the day, Saturday, was Hooked on a Feeling. So often, we, as Christian women are led around by the nose by our feelings. We talked about why this is unbiblical, and some practical ways of avoiding temptations to sin.
Photos courtesy of Priscila G. Photography
There were also some wonderful breakout sessions taught by ladies of the church, and by my friend Susan Heck. She is a delight, and I always love catching up with her.
You can listen to the audio from all of the main sessions and breakout sessions here.
And, of course, we had a wonderful time of worship led by these sweet and talented ladies of SVC…
Breaking bread and spending time together around the table is such an integral part of events like this. It’s one of the ways God designed women to build each other up in Christ. The food was delicious and the fellowship was even sweeter!
Delightful decor and door prizes!
Lots of great exhibit tables!
Merch!
I love meeting the ladies!
Especially the young ladies!
I was so glad to meet Bro. Gary Gilley who not only pastors at SVC, but also has a wonderful discernment ministry, Think on These Things. (Bro. Gary has done extensive work on John Mark Comer {whom many of you have asked me about}, which I’ve linked up at the Popular False Teachers & Unbiblical Trends tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page. I’ve also added Bro. Gary as a discernment resource here.)
Before I left, one of the pastors’ wives, Priscila Gilley, blessed me with an unbelievable and invaluable gift – new publicity photos (which I desperately needed, since mine were about five years old). Priscila is an incredibly talented photographer (you pretty much have to be to make me look this good!), and I would highly recommend her if you live in the Springfield area. Check out her website and the lovely photos she took at the conference.
And yes, despite a flight delay that forced me to spend the night in the DFW airport on the way back, I got home with plenty of time to spare to welcome Baby A into the world!
It was such a fantastic day with the ladies of Southern View Chapel. Thanks so much to Pastors Gary Gilley and Brian Gilley for trusting me to teach these incredible women. Thanks to Dawn, Susan, and all the other ladies for making me feel right at home and working so hard to host a fantastic conference. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.
If your church or organization is ever in need of a speaker for a women’s event, I’d love to come share with your ladies as well. Click here for more information, or to find an upcoming event near you!
Photo Credits
All photos by Michelle Lesley and other conference attendees except those credited to Priscila G. Photography and Beautifully Rooted Conference.
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