Mona Speaks to Women

At seven years old, I attended Vacation Bible School at Trinity Baptist Church in Indio, California. During the Bible story time one morning, Mrs. Bacon shared the greatest love story ever told. She spoke about sin, our separation from God because of sin, Jesus being both God and man, Jesus’ sinless nature and death on the cross to pay for our sin, His resurrection, and our forgiveness through faith, believing in Him. That sunny June day in Southern California, I bowed and admitted my need for Jesus, and gave my heart to Him.

I grew up in a Christian home with parents who were active in church and Child Evangelism Fellowship. At 14, a freshman in high school, I attended a large Wednesday night youth group at Grace Baptist Church in Riverside, California. On one of those Wednesday nights, while singing, He is Everything to Me, I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me and convincing me to grow in a faith that was more “my own;” to go deeper in relationship with Jesus, rather than letting religion shape my faith and grace walk.

Fast forward to age 33. Following my own “Jonah” story of excuses and rebellion, I began to write for publication and attend at least two Christian writers’ conferences each year. That atmosphere and community with my Christian writing colleagues from various backgrounds contributed greatly to my spiritual formation.

Now, in my third act (is my best guess), I am convinced that much grace and strength and growth can stem from intentional investments in relationships. In doing life with all ages, we encourage one another to take our next step from wherever we are to grow closer to where God purposes us to be.

I believe in the Apostles’ Creed and our fellowship’s statement of faith.

These ten truths stand out in this season of my life.

• God’s Sovereignty is trustworthy.
• God’s love endures forever.
• Freedom in Christ means I’m ultimately living for an audience of One, my Father God.
• Quality of life isn’t about my circumstance but about the condition of my spiritual heart.
• Gratitude is the oil that keeps my heart pliable.
• My unforgiving spirit wounds me first. Most.
• Prayer changes me.
• Story is part of God’s love language.
• God’s Word feeds my soul and lights my way.
• Living what you believe is a key aspect of faith.

Like the Israelites portrayed in Psalm 107, we wander from God’s ways and suffer the consequences. But when we cry out to God, He breaks chains. He delivers us. He leads us.

Your story is a chapter in God’s grand narrative of redemption. A story of His unfailing love.

Women will walk away with:

• A realization of which camp they are currently in—wandering, crying out, receiving God’s help, or ready to tell their redemption story.
• A fresh recognition of God’s enduring and unfailing love for them.
• A restorative passion for sharing their story as part of God’s grand story of glorious redemption.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

Psalm 107:2-3 NIV

Plans change. Dreams die. Our faith sometimes staggers under the weight of a broken heart. What do we do with frustrating setbacks, nagging regrets, and unfulfilled dreams?

Using the metaphor of quilting and the concept behind a patchwork quilt top, Mona offers an amusing and poignant look at God’s pattern and provision piecing what we see as ugly remnants into a beautiful display of His matchless love and grace.

Women will walk away with:

• A tangible reminder of God’s sovereign ability to see the pieces as one finished work.
• Increased confidence in God’s ability to redeem and transform.
• Sweet freedom from the burden of shame and regret.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 NIV

A bridge provides a way to cross from one place to another. Bridges come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. We are sometimes the bridge; sometimes the supports for a bridge. But we are all here to be a bridge. Mona uses the story of Naomi to demonstrate what a human bridge looks like.

Women will walk away with:

• The courage to reach out and take next steps.
• Traits to look for in a bridge.
• A fresh perspective on their life experience.
• A renewed sense of purpose in connecting with other women.
• Practical ways to be a bridge.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10, NIV

The questions Jesus directed to His disciples in Mark chapter four remain significant for His followers today. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The human default is to focus on the circumstance we see; to question God’s care and presence. Mona uses the context for the story in Mark 4:35-41 to establish Jesus perspective on the storm, His presence in the storm, and His purpose.

Women will walk away with:

• A renewed confidence in God’s presence in their storms.
• Perspective on God’s purpose in a storm.
• Increased courage to respond to life’s storm with faith, not fear.

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

For the Love of You

What is Christmas about in heaven? Jesus came for the love of you. He came for relationship. With you. Mona looks at what an intentional relationship with the Prince of Peace from Isaiah 9:6.

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

Women will walk away with:

• A heightened sense of God’s lavish love for them.
• A renewed commitment to celebrate Christ in and out of the Christmas season.
• A deepened desire to experience God’s best.

This example is designed to show retreat and conference planners an option for fitting various messages together under a particular theme.

LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE

Session One: Welcoming Purposeful Transformation
(Redeeming the Remnants message)

Session Two: Growing in Purposeful Faith
(Choosing Faith message)

Session Three: Embracing Purposeful Storytelling
(Your Story. God’s Story. message)

Session Four: Savoring Purposeful Sisterhood
(Flourish as a Bridge Builder message)

Messages can also be written to accommodate your event theme.