My life was a mess. It was filled… with emptiness (take that for an oxymoron!)

I would be lying to you if I said that, in a magic moment, when I confessed my sins and asked Jesus to take over… e.v.e.r.t.h.i.n.g changed for the better. If anything, when you live a certain lifestyle for 25 years, changing the course takes time, loss and pain. It’s certainly not easy.

In the past two decades, there have been moments when the course was so clear before me, and my assignment and certainty of where God was taking me kept me focused for the challenges ahead. But then again there were many a time when the old nature threatened to rise up and take over… or the enemy worked hard to make me doubt that I could ever be enough to please God.

If you have been a Christian for a while, you know what I mean. Sometimes our past haunts us… others doubt us… fear cripples us… and we forget whom we are (and what we have) in Christ.

I believe that is why God put it in my heart to choose 1 Peter 2:9 as the theme verse of the SHE SOARS Women’s Conference this year.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 

Because many Jesus girls have days, weeks or years, when they feel more like a royal mess than Royal Priesthood.

On October 14th – this Saturday – seven women who have been tested and proven by fire have been planning a day that could potentially change the course of your life.

Yes, I believe that. Why?

Because I can certainly look back in these twenty-plus years and recognize certain events – whether sermons, books or conferences – which helped build and shape my faith.

One sermon that was used by God to confirm His calling for my life. One conference’s altar call which became a landmark for complete surrender – a turning point on my walk as a child of God.

Yes! There certainly were events or situations that helped strengthen my awareness and assurance of whom I am in Christ:

A CHOSEN Daughter of the Owner of the Universe.

NO MATTER WHAT!

I am His Possession.

And everything He possesses… all His promises… are Mine!

Hey! Jesus’ Girl… if you feel like a royal mess more than His Royal Priesthood, come join us this Saturday! We are ready to share His Word with you, and help you rise up to embrace, grasp, claim, and live on the truth that you are CHOSEN!

Chosen to receive His supernatural peace.

Chosen to have your deepest wounds healed.

Chosen to proclaim the “excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness… and into His marvelous LIGHT.”

Yes – seven hours can change the course of your spiritual life! From 9 am to 4 pm this Saturday – you don’t want to miss it!

My prayer is that you will look back one day, even twenty years from October 14, and remember – That was one of those pivotal moments that changed my life as a believer.

Click below to visit the Conference Page, where you will find information about speakers, workshops, worship, the whole nine years.

NEW for 2017: One Workshop in Spanish.

Registrations are still open

(and are cheaper on the website than at the door):

SHE SOARS 2017 INFO

Listen to my interview tomorrow at New Life 91.37 FM  – You can listen from anywhere in the world.

Click HERE TO LISTEN

The post Can Seven Hours Change the Course of Your Life? appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

One morning in January, as I sat in my prayer closet, searching God’s heart for the theme of our ministry’s conference this year, I heard one single word:

CHOSEN

As if often happens when the Holy Spirit speaks, I knew exactly what He meant, and where to find it.

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. (NASB)

And thus, the theme and verse for She Soars 2017 were established.

Since that day in January, God has confirmed His message for this conference and established the details in amazing ways:

The church that is partnering with us…the speakers… the testimonies… the ministries that have agreed to become part of the conference (CUFI and She Is Safe.)

God has been orchestrating this conference as a beautiful symphony, and I can’t wait to see what He will do on October 14^th.

But can I let you in on a secret about ministry?

When God calls you to do something that has the potential to set some of His people free…. When the task before you is bigger than what you can handle… When you need to stay focused and prepare your heart and life to minister to others…

The roaring lion that prowls around seeking to devour goes for his kill. (1 Peter 5:8)

That’s how, since God gave me this message, and lined up the details for this conference… There have been many a day when I have felt less like Royalty… and more like a Royal Mess. And I bet that the other speakers can relate to the fight.

But you know what that does to my heart?

It.Sets.Me.On.HOLY.FIRE !!!!

These past months have been challenging in many ways… but I know where the challenges are coming from:

They come from the enemy of our souls, who wants to destroy those whose territory bring glory to Jesus,

And they come from our God, who allows trouble to weaken our flesh, so we can relate to the pain and weakness that assail those we will minister to… and so He can be the only source of our strength, and the only One who can receive the glory for what will happen.

So, here’s the truth about being CHOSEN as His Royal Priesthood:

All Jesus’ girls go through valleys when they FEEL more like a royal mess than Royal Priesthood.

Every Jesus’ girl has moments when she feels unworthy to be called a Holy Nation.

But The Cross.

The Cross of Calvary is the seal. The seal that ensures me that it does not matter how I feel – I KNOW who I am in Christ.

For, as verse 10 on 1 Peter 2 says (in my own words): Yes, once I could not be considered His heiress, but the cross brought me into the fold… Once I did not receive His Mercy, but the cross made me a recipient of His endless mercy and grace. Halleluiah!

It’s only because of the Cross that I can shout to the world and rise up, fighting like David when he slayed the lion:

I am a CHOSEN Daughter of the Owner of the Universe.

I am His Possession.

And everything He possesses… all His promises… are Mine!

Oh – no question about it. There are days I don’t FEEL like so.

But I KNOW SO.

Hey! Jesus’ Girl… if you feel like a royal mess more than His Royal Priesthood, come join us on October 14^th, and learn how you can rise up to embrace, grasp, claim, and live on the truth that you are CHOSEN!

Chosen to receive His supernatural peace.

Chosen to have your deepest wounds healed.

Chosen to proclaim the “excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness… and into His marvelous LIGHT.”

Click below to visit the Conference Page, where you will find information about speakers, workshops, worship, scholarships, vendor and advertising opportunities. NEW for 2017: One Workshop in Spanish.

Registrations are now open:

SHE SOARS 2017 INFO

The post Royal Priesthood… Or a Royal Mess? {SHE SOARS Conference} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Fears…

Insecurities…

Anxiety…

Depression…

Bitterness…

Anger…

Addictions…

So many heartbreaking issues that plague millions, if not billions around the world.

They wake up each day with a hole in the center of their souls. They fill doctor’s offices, psychotherapy couches, liquor stores and drug alleys.

They cry out from their broken marriages, lonely existence and purposeless lives.

They walk the streets and malls, looking for the next bling to purchase, in an attempt to fill up the void.

They jump from one relationship to the other, or cannot remain faithful to their spouses.

They are wanderers.

Our first impulse is to think these wanderers to be lost.

But that’s not always true. Many of them sit in the pew right beside us. At church. In Sunday school.

Their smiles are skin-deep.

Their religion does not transform.

No. They aren’t lost.

But they wander. Aimlessly.

The poem speaks truth: “Not all who wander are lost.” But a wandering soul has not purpose. A wandering soul lives as if it doesn’t belong.

A wondering soul does not live as a daughter of the King.

Her past, other people’s decisions and opinions still rule her life.

She is a slave and doesn’t even know it.

She forgets she was Chosen. Set apart as royalty.

That’s who we are.

Royalty.

We didn’t knock on the King’s doors and begged to be chosen. No. He saw us, brokenness and all, and CHOSE to adopt us.

Take a moment to think about it.

When God adopted you, He wrote your name on His Testament. Everything that is His… is yours for the taking.

The best room in the castle.

But you must choose to get out of the dungeon and meet Him in the throne room.
Click To Tweet

Take possession of your rightful position as His child.

On October 14, an amazing group of some of my dear friends and wonderful teachers of the Word, are getting together for the second SHE SOARS Women’s Conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jonesboro, GA.

If you were one of the many women who joined us for SHE SOARS 2016, you know it – You don’t want to miss it!

It’ll be a day of worship and teaching of God’s Word. Each workshop and section is being designed to help you grasp the full meaning of your position as a chosen daughter of the King.

I promise you one thing: should you come and let the messages take root in your heart, you will leave the conference CHANGED.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a day that could change your life forever.

• Once more, we are offering workshops for teenagers and young adults, so you can make this a mother/daughter date.
• New this year: we are offering a Spanish workshop! We are very excited to be able to offer an amazing teaching section to our Hispanic sisters, in their native language! Spread the word!

Two of my favorite organizations are coming to support the conference, as well as teach special workshops:

Christian United For Israel (CUFI) – the largest Christian pro-Israel grassroots organization in the United States, dedicated to transforming millions of pro-Israel Christians into an educated, empowered, and effective force for THE chosen people of God – Israel. www.Cufi.org

She Is Safe – An international organization engaged in the fight against sex trafficking and the debasing view of women in impoverished countries around the world: www.sheissafe.org.

There will be more information to come on our blog soon – and registrations will open August 1 on our website.

SHE SOARS 2017 - CHOSEN! {1 Peter 2:9} Save the Date Video. Check this out.
Click To Tweet

If you don’t want to miss any updates, sign up to receive our weekly newsletters on the form after this Save the Date Video with the conference speakers:

Sign up to receive updates:

The post CHOSEN! Save the Date VIDEO – SHE SOARS 2017 appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“I have walked the brothel hallways with our partners in West Bengal and seen little children living under the beds of their young mothers, who are sex slaves. Without intervention, children of sex slaves are put to work in the brothel at an even younger age than their mothers.”

I sat across from Michele Rickett, founder and president of She is Safe – an international organization with a mission to “prevent, rescue and restore women and girls from abuse and slavery in high-risk places around the world.”

I could barely finish my lunch. A mix of indignation, perplexity and excitement filled my heart, as Michele shared the heartbreaking stories of lives that are being saved, rescued and changed around the world through her organization.

In the beginning of this year, as I started to pray about the staff for my ministry’s upcoming annual women’s conference in October, I felt compelled to invite a local organization involved in the fight against human trafficking to share a testimony about their work during the conference.

A couple of months later, I met Michele at a mission’s conference. As she shared her organization’s work around the world, I immediately knew that She Is Safe was the answer to my prayers.

What started with a spark of interest turned into a passion to bring awareness about a problem that is sweeping the globe: the murder and slavery of girls in impoverished countries, simply because of their gender.

According to a 2010 article of the Economist magazine, “Gendercide” has killed over 100 million girls around the world. Newer research indicates that the number may now be closer to 200 million.

Michele elaborates on the heart-wrenching facts: “The debasing view of girls leads many families to rid themselves of these children, seeing girls as a worthless drain on family resources. The root cause of the murder of girls (gendercide), whether through feticide or infanticide, is the hideously distorted view of a girl’s value. And, of course, there is a powerful vacuum, on many levels, when girls are missing from communities. One of the most sinister is the trade in human beings, or human trafficking, which supplies a massive demand for girls.”

Indeed, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 80 percent of human trafficking victims are girls and women, and 98 percent of sex slaves are female.

Sex slavery and child prostitution are on top of the list of other horrendous issues that plague these countries. Child marriage, physical abuse, female genital mutilation, rape, honor killings, malnutrition, oppression. The list is too large and too distressing.

My flesh screams, threatening to close the book, click out of the article, and forget what I just read. The fact that there are girls, as young as mine and even younger, living such cruel existences is too much to bear. It’s hard not to maintain a “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude.

But I know better. We should all know better.

For while we lie down under comfortable, fully furnished air-conditioned homes, pondering if we should spend hundreds of dollars to give our teenage girl the latest smartphone, there are thousands of babies being aborted every year — simply because they are girls. And even those who survive are viewed as a hindrance to their families and society.

As I finish this column, a heartwarming picture flashes on my computer screen. It shows three beautiful young girls, eyes filled with hope, and smiles that show they are not forgotten. They sit on the front porch of one of the many safe houses that She Is Safe sponsors in India, Indonesia, Mali, Nepal, among other impoverished countries.

Their broad smiles speak volumes from the corner of the webpage: “Someone loves me. I’ve been redeemed and I have a future.”

Join the fight to save a girl’s life and future. Learn how you can help at SheIsSafe.org

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – May 27, 2017.

Millions of girls are killed or sold every day as slaves. Want to help save their lives? Read this.
Click To Tweet

Click below to go to SheIsSafe.org.

The post She Is Safe – Rescuing Young Girls Around the World (Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.