Tag: Christian Speakers

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Blog Orientation for New Readers and Old Friends

Michelle Lesley

I try to run this article every so often to orient new followers (and old friends who haven’t yet explored all the nooks and crannies of the blog) to the various features and information available here. I hope you’ll find these resources helpful.

Welcome Tab If you haven’t had a chance to read the Welcome & FAQs- Start Here tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page, it’s a good way to get acclimated to the blog quickly. You’ll learn some fast facts about me, my comment and e-mail policies, and more.

Comments, E-mails, Social Media Messages If you’ve sent me an e-mail, submitted a comment on one of my articles, or sent me a private message on social media and I haven’t responded to the message or published the comment, this is why: E-mail, Messages, and Blog Comments Policy (Plus additional helpful information)

The search bar is your friend. If you want to know my take on something or whether I’ve written on a particular person or topic, the search bar is the best place to start and much faster than e-mailing or messaging me. The search bar is located at the very bottom of every blog page. There’s also a tab labeled Search Bar in the blue menu bar at the top of the blog.

The tabs at the top are your friends, too. The tabs in the blue menu bar at the top of the blog are designed to provide quick information to many of the questions I’m most frequently asked.

“What do you think of Teacher X?” Probably the largest volume of questions I get is readers wanting to know my take on particular teachers and ministries. I would love to be able to respond immediately to each one, but it takes a tremendous amount of time to research these folks. Because I know you need answers right away, and because every Christian should know how to research teachers for herself (you should never just blindly take anyone’s word {including mine} that someone is a false teacher), if you can’t find the information you’re looking for on a certain teacher at the Popular False Teachers & Unbiblical Trends tab at the top of this page or by using the search bar, I’ve written this article to help you research teachers for yourself: Is She a False Teacher? 7 Steps to Figuring it Out on Your Own.

“Discernment is for doody-heads!” I understand it’s not easy to be told that a pastor/teacher/author you’ve grown to love is a false teacher. I’ve been in that position myself. But Christians are people of the Book. That means we measure everything by Scripture, not by our personal preferences, feelings, or opinions. I’ve written numerous articles on teachers and ministries which can be found under the Popular False Teachers & Unbiblical Trends tab (and, just a few of the many awesome teachers out there are under the Recommended Bible Teachers tab). I don’t warn against false teachers because I’m a hater. I do it because it’s Scriptural and because I love the Christian women who are being victimized – often without even knowing it – by false teachers. I tend to hear the same objections to my discernment articles over and over and over again. Answering the Opposition- Responses to the Most Frequently Raised Discernment Objections answers, from Scripture, the objections people raise to my discernment articles. (I don’t answer e-mails or publish comments that are answered by this article.)

Church Ladies Complementarianism can be difficult to navigate in a feminist world and an increasingly feminist church. You might find my Rock Your Role article series helpful, since it deals with the Scriptures governing women’s roles in the church. I keep Rock Your Role FAQs updated, so long time readers might be interested in giving that one a re-read.

Searching for a new church? It can be really hard to find a doctrinally sound church these days, and I’d like to do everything I can to help. Check out the Searching for a new church? tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page. You’ll find tons of resources on what to look for in a good church, several church search engines, and churches recommended by readers.

Podcast Need something to listen to? Amy Spreeman and I have a weekly podcast called A Word Fitly Spoken. Click the Podcast tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page to check it out.

Conferences/Events Want to see if I’ll be speaking at an event near you? Check out the Calendar of Events at my Speaking Engagements tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page for more information.

Speaking Engagements/Podcasts I’d love to come speak at your Christian women’s conference, to the ladies of your church, or on your Christian podcast. Check out my Speaking Engagements tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page for more information.

Let’s Get Social Join me on social media! All of my direct links are at the Contact and Social Media tab in the blue menu bar at the top of this page. I’m currently on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. I’m most active on X, least active on YouTube. (I maintain accounts at MeWe and Gab in the event I’m kicked off Facebook and Twitter, but I don’t interact or post on those platforms any more.) At the moment, I have no plans to get on any other platforms. New ones are popping up every day, and it takes an enormous amount of time to maintain the ones I’m already on.

Financial Support I don’t receive any income or compensation from blogging. But if you or your family have been blessed by my work and you’d like to be a blessing to me and my family in return on an ongoing, occasional, or one time basis, please click here.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Women Thinking Wisely Conference 2024

Michelle Lesley

I still have several 2024 dates available for conferences, retreats, and events, especially this summer! There’s plenty of time to plan, and I’d love to come share with the ladies of your church or organization. Click here for more information, or to find an upcoming event near you!

This year’s theme centered around bees and honey,
for example, the verses listed above, Psalm 119:103, 19:10, etc.

I had such a sweet time of fellowship and sharing with the ladies of Greenwich, Ohio, and the surrounding area at The Ripley Church’s Women Thinking Wisely conference. I was honored to be asked back after last year’s conference, and it was great to see so many of the ladies back again.

Friday, I flew in to Cincinnati and was met by the lovely Emily, who whisked me off to The Ripley Church for dinner with the planning committee. Bonnie, the conference coordinator must have remembered that I enjoyed these Greenwich area specialties so much last year, and served them again this year. What a memory and what a treat!

The planning committee also blessed me with this adorable hostess gift that went right along with the bee/honey theme. Can you “bee”t that?🐝🍯

After enjoying a night of Jennie and Bob’s warm hospitality in their cozy and welcoming home, Saturday morning, we were off to the church for the conference.

The ladies were welcomed into a charmingly decorated environment and greeted with coffee and refreshments. In keeping with the theme, each of the ladies was given a small jar of local honey from Bonnie’s hive to take home. We will all remember the sweetness of this conference with every taste for some time to come!

Next, it was time to move into the sanctuary for the main event! Bonnie got things kicked off with opening remarks and hymn singing, and Pastor Eric led us in prayer.

Our first teaching session was Hospitality: Welcoming Others as Christ Welcomes Us. Hospitality doesn’t mean having twelve people over for a fancy dinner on fine china. It’s a posture of heart that welcomes others in because Christ first welcomed us.

We got a nice break and snack time after our first session. Just look at these colorful and healthy veggie cups!

Next up was session 2: Suffering. We explored Jesus as our hero in suffering, the hope in our suffering, and ways to biblically handle our suffering.

Lunch time! A sweet time of fellowship was had by all as we dined on salad, a choice of hearty soups, and Texas sheet cake.

Full and satisfied, we headed back into the sanctuary for our final session: Sweet Hour of Prayer. We talked about how to pray biblically, unbiblical ideas about prayer to avoid, practical tips for prayer, and then … we prayed.

Before Deb and Ken took me to the airport to catch my flight home, there was just enough time for one of my favorite parts of events: meeting, chatting with, and taking pictures with the ladies.

It was such a fantastic weekend with the ladies of The Ripley Church. Thanks so much to Bonnie, Bob and Jennie, Emily, Jana, Eric, Deb and Ken, Seth, and all the other brothers and sisters of TRC 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

Several of these photos were taken and contributed by conference attendees. You may assume that if they are good quality, or if I’m in them, that I didn’t take them. All other photos by Michelle Lesley.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Word First Conference

Michelle Lesley

I still have several 2024 dates available for conferences, retreats, and events, especially this summer! There’s plenty of time to plan, and I’d love to come share with the ladies of your church or organization. Click here for more information, or to find an upcoming event near you!

I recently had a wonderful time fellowshipping and sharing with the lovely ladies of West Bend, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area at First Baptist Church’s Word First women’s conference. It was exciting to finally meet, in person, my sweet friend, Marci Ferrell (You are following her over at Thankful Homemaker and on Facebook and Instagram, right?) who served as conference coordinator and made my first trip to Wisconsin so memorable.

Friday evening, I landed in Milwaukee, where I did not get to see Arnold’s or Shotz Brewery, or meet Richie, the Fonz, or Laverne and Shirley – the only sad part of my trip. Do better, Milwaukee.😉

But at least I did get to visit some snow during my stay:

Marci and her delightful husband Doug took me for a scrumptious dinner at a cozy Italian bistro, whose special that night was salmon ravioli. I love salmon, I love ravioli, and the marrying of the two did not disappoint. 100% would recommend.

After dinner, they got me settled in at The Washington House Inn, where I had a fabulous time getting my history/antiques/nostalgia nerd on.

A much better picture than I could have taken. And friends my age will appreciate this: how long has it been since you checked into your room at a hotel, opened the desk drawer, and found a folder with postcards and stationery embossed with the hotel’s name and address? A charming blast from the past for me!

  • Each room was named for someone of local historical significance…
  • Guest registry book from 1895.
  • View from the front door of the inn. Cedarburg is charming!

Thank you, Marci, for the lovely hostess gift bag waiting for me in my room!

Saturday dawned bright and early with a crisp, sunny day to welcome the ladies to the conference.

The inviting registration area was in the capable and efficient hands of these wonderful sisters.

Awesome swag bags received by every attendee!

Lovely flowers and decor in abundance…

A hearty, healthy breakfast is a great way to start any conference!

Big thank you’s to the kitchen crew who made sure we were well fed at breakfast and lunch!

This conference was not recorded. The audio linked to the teaching sessions mentioned below is audio from previous conferences where I’ve taught similar sessions.

Marci got the ball rolling with announcements and a warm welcome.

These sweet voices started us off in song at the beginning of every session.

In session 1, we covered The Necessity of the Bible. We explored the reasons the Bible is so imperative for us as Christian women along with some tips for incorporating more Scripture into our daily lives.

Lots of good food and fellowship were enjoyed during the break time that followed!

In our second session, The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture, we took a look at how and why we are to submit to the authority of God’s Word, and why the written Word is sufficient for our every need as Christians.

Session two was capped off by a delicious lunch. The ladies enjoyed getting to know each other and discussing what they had learned.

Our final session of the day was How to Study (and Teach!) the Bible. This is such a crucial skill for Christian women today. We’ve got to be good students of the Word so we can disciple our own children and the women and children of our churches.

All too soon, it was time to go. Meeting the ladies – and chatting and taking pictures! – after conferences is one of my favorite things!

This is Timi, our number one fan of A Word Fitly Spoken! (Check out the t-shirt she had custom made. That’s dedication, baby!) Timi was so kind to review several of our most recent episodes with me and share her thoughts and what she had learned. What an encouragement!

Timi also generously blessed me with these made-in-Wisconsin snacks- fudge, taffy, and real Wisconsin cheese curds!

Another dear sister who attended graciously gave me some apple butter from her orchard.

After a joyful day with God’s people, Marci and Doug took me to another terrific eatery (with more cheese curds, fried this time – yum!)…

…and then off to my hotel for a few hours of sleep before my early morning flight home.

It was such a fantastic weekend with the ladies of First Baptist. Thanks so much to Marci, Doug, and all the other brothers and sisters of FBC for making me feel right at home. Thanks also to all the men and women who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference and extended such warm hospitality to me. 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

Several of these photos were taken and contributed by conference attendees. You may assume that if they are good quality, or if I’m in them, that I didn’t take them. All other photos by Michelle Lesley.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Belmor Baptist Women’s Conference

Michelle Lesley

I still have several 2024 dates available for conferences, retreats, and events, especially this summer! There’s plenty of time to plan, and I’d love to come share with the ladies of your church or organization. Click here for more information, or to find an upcoming event near you!

It was such a joy to fellowship with the lovely ladies of Tanner, Alabama, and the surrounding area at Belmor Baptist Church’s women’s conference last weekend. Pastor Keith and his wife Kim, conference coordinator, Haley, her husband, Blocker, and all of the ladies warmly extended their hospitality and made us feel so welcome.

When an event is close enough to home, my husband, Scott, usually drives me. He always takes such good care of me, and this trip was no exception. On the way up to Tanner, we got a flat tire in the pouring rain on an interstate packed with traffic due to a car accident. My beloved fixed that tire in no time, and we were back on our way. I am blessed to be married to Mr. Roadside Assistance!

After that eventful trip, it was a treat to meet Keith, Kim, Haley, and Blocker at the Main St. Cafe for dinner where we shared a wonderful meal and even more wonderful fellowship.

A good night’s sleep later, and it was go time for the conference.

The ladies were greeted by Haley’s friendly smile…

… and a delicious breakfast!

(No audio or video was recorded for this conference. The links provided below are videos of these same teaching sessions I’ve taught at previous conferences.)

We opened up with some lovely hymn singing, led by Haley, and then went straight into our first session, God’s Design for Biblical Womanhood. Womanhood is special and unique. Womanhood – not a cheap knockoff of manhood – is something God values and wants women to display in the world, the church, and the family.

The ladies enjoyed discussing the material in small groups…

Our second session on biblical womanhood was Walking in Biblical Womanhood. Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to change the diapers. God’s plan for most of us is to change the diapers, get the groceries, make the meals. We fight back against feminism by standing – right where God has placed us – and living each day faithfully.

Lunch time! We were treated to a delicious box lunch of Chicken Salad Chick croissant sandwiches and engaged in spirited discussion of the day’s topics along with heartwarming fellowship.

When we reassembled, we switched gears from biblical womanhood to discernment for session 3: Discernment 101: Learn to Discern. We talked about what discernment is – identifying false teachers and false doctrine – and how to use it to the glory of God.

Finally, we rounded out the day with more discussion groups, and a rousing Q&A session. These ladies asked some challenging questions!

It was such a wonderful weekend with the ladies of Belmor Baptist. Thanks so much to our charming hosts and all the other brothers and sisters of BBC for making us feel right at home. Thanks also to all the men and women who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference and extended such warm hospitality to us. 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

Women’s conference graphics courtesy of Belmor Baptist Church.

Photo of Main St. Cafe courtesy of Main St. Cafe.

Photos of Michelle speaking, courtesy of Kim Crouch.

All other photos by Michelle Lesley.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Starry Night Women’s Christmas Banquet

Michelle Lesley

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!
Now is the time to book an event for 2024!

It was such a joy, recently, to share with the wonderful women of Blackshear, Georgia, at Emmanuel Baptist Church’s women’s Christmas banquet, Starry Night. And, what a heartwarming delight to fellowship with dear friends (Pastor) Mike and Andrea Stone again.

My husband and I arrived in Blackshear Thursday night after a blessedly uneventful drive in. On Friday, we met Andrea and event coordinator, Yvonne, along with a few other church members, for lunch at a “homey” little bistro called J. Leonard’s on Main.

Friday night’s banquet was a delicious meal at Blackshear’s charming Train Depot. Each table was stunningly decorated by various EBC ladies.

Yvonne warmly welcomed us and guided us———————-Olivia provided our lovely special music.
through the evening as emcee.

The topic of my keynote devotional was The Women of Christmas. We looked at the stories of Elizabeth, Anna, and Mary in Luke 1-2, examining these sisters’ godly character and how they serve as examples to us as Christian women today. (No audio or video is available, but we used my notes for the evening to record a similar episode of A Word Fitly Spoken, also titled The Women of Christmas.)

The planning committee graciously gave me a wonderful gift bag from Ganas Pecan Co. in nearby Waycross, Georgia. Oh my! So delicious. And I almost can’t wait to take down my Christmas towels and display this cute cloth in my kitchen.

The ladies all seemed to have an enjoyable evening of food, fun, and fellowship.

The lovely evening was all too brief, and we said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. I was so glad Mike was able to stop by for a visit after a day of deer hunting. He is such a dear brother.

Scott Lesley, Michelle Lesley, Mike Stone

Before leaving the next morning, I was able to squeeze in breakfast with Andrea and our friend Hayley. Sisterly fellowship time is so special.

Hayley, Michelle, Andrea

On our way back home we were able to stop in northern Florida to visit some old family friends and the lake.

  • It’s hard to see, but there’s a heron back there!
  • Date palm

It was such a wonderful weekend with the ladies of Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear. Thanks so much to Mike, Andrea, Yvonne, and all the other brothers and sisters of EBC who made us feel right at home and worked so hard to host a fantastic banquet. 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

Many thanks to all of the attendees who took or shared many of the event photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me.