The countdown is on, friends, and I have to tell you that I absolutely cannot wait for the arrival of True Woman '16! I'm so bubbling over with anticipation, in fact, that I felt compelled to share the excitement with all of you, our faithful True Woman blog readers. (And, just so you know, I was not asked by anyone at Revive Our Hearts to write this post—it's completely spontaneous. That's just how excited I am!)
This will be my fourth time attending a True Woman Conference. Each time, each experience, has been different and shaded with both personal and cultural nuances of the particular season we were in. Eight years ago in the opening session of True Woman '08, we listened to John Piper unwrap the purpose of true womanhood, all the way back to Genesis and, in fact, before the foundation of the world! The seeds that were planted during that conference were transformational for so many women.
Each year, we are blessed to hear from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, and in 2010, I sensed so distinctly the burden that she felt as she shared the story of Deborah. She encouraged us as to how we could impact our generation with the same truths that Deborah held dear. And who could forget the inspiring Joni Eareckson Tada as she shared messages of forgiveness and freedom at True Woman '12 and '14? From the powerful exposition ofMary Kassian to the passionate teaching of Janet Parshall, and all of the speakers and sessions in-between, we, as women who long to serve the Lord for His glory, have been so blessed by the teaching of the True Woman Movement to this point.
Three Reasons I'm Excited
And this year? It's time to Cry Out! So let's get to it! Here are three things I'm anticipating as I prepare for True Woman '16. I hope they inspire you as you get ready to attend or tune in as you are able:
1. God. Girls. Getaway.
Seriously—need I say more? A weekend in the Word in a beautiful, walkable city with my mom and dear friends as we leave laundry, diapers, and carpooling duty in the rearview mirror. Yup, I'm in!
All joking aside, it is an absolute privilege to set aside this time to come together to assess as believing women who we are, where we've been, and where we're going. It's a gift to take the time to allow the things of this world to grow dim as we bask together "in the light of His glorious grace." I am eagerly anticipating and praying for how the Lord will use the time to impact each of us as He sees fit.
2. Solid Biblical Teaching
- From men for women
- From women for women
- From older women for younger women
What a lineup! And you can be sure that in the course of this teaching, we will have time to listen, as we benefit from the Lord's working in the lives of those who take seriously the handling of His Word.
We will have time to be Berean, as we "[receive] the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things [are] so" (Acts 17:11). The mission of Revive Our Hearts and the True Woman Movement is to call women to live in freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. At True Woman '16, you can expect to hear from our speakers some ways to do that better!
You might hear things that you've heard before or things that are completely new. You might be completely on board with what a speaker says or you might have some questions. But whatever the case, you will be encouraged to go to the Scriptures, to read them for yourself, to hide them in your heart, and to teach them to others. God's true women, after all, are to be women of the Word!
We will have time to reflect. This is one of my favorite parts of conferences hosted by Revive Our Hearts. At each turn, we are urged not to move too quickly to the next subject, the next speaker, the next dinner or activity, as we are so accustomed in our go-go-go age. The desire of the ministry is that we leave as changed women, and every effort is made to facilitate that change.
3. An Opportunity to Cry Out!
I hope you've heard about Cry Out! A Nationwide Prayer Event for Women, scheduled for Friday evening, September 23. Here's why I'm looking forward to it: In the circles where I run . . . well, that's just it. We run. From one service to another, from one event to the next.
Rarely do we have an opportunity to come together for an extended period of time to pray with urgency and fervency for our nations, our churches, our families, and our culture. We don't know how the Lord will see fit to move in our land in the coming days, but we do know on that night, whether it be thousands or hundreds of thousands of women whose hearts are inclined to pray together, that God will hear our prayers. He will hear, and He will answer according to His will (Ps. 34:17).
Perhaps you're looking forward to this. Or perhaps the idea of it makes you a little uncomfortable. The whole concept of praying for revival has made me a bit nervous at times, as I've shared before. But I'm encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone (I'll be stepping out with you) to join your heart to cry out to God. This is not about an experience, a production, or putting on a show. It's just about joining together in earnest prayer. What a privilege!
Join in! Come Together!
So will I see you at True Woman '16? Will you join us via Livestream or participate in a Cry Out! group in your area? I sure hope so! We are so looking forward to singing with you, the saints. We look forward to praying with you, dear sisters in Christ. We look forward to your comments, your tweets, and your Instagram photos. (Be sure to use the #CryOut16 hashtag.)
Most of all, we look forward to crying out with you! May our songs, our words, and our cries bring glory to the lovely One who died, that one day we may sing together around His throne.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek" (Ps. 27:7–8).
Praying in eager expectation of seeking Him together . . . See you at the throne!
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