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June 8, 2017
She Is Tenacious
  • Posted By : She Rises/
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  • Under : She Leads , She Lives

By: Noemi Chavez

I like the word tenacious, it’s like a blend of perseverance and stubborn, and it is a gift to an unseen future.  Treading new oceans and bulldozing through the obstacles in personally uncharted territories requires a long commitment in the same direction.  I have walked with Jesus long enough (26 years) to conclude that if I am relentless in my pursuit of His will, the possibilities are exciting, challenging, unpredictable and never ever disappointing.

Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The scripture in Romans begins by saying that we glory in tribulations.  Who says that? I have never gone through a difficult time where I felt it was a glorious season. I guess those words can only be honestly declared when we have hung on to God long enough to experience answers, strength, and power that comes when we stay the course amidst the tribulations.  It is a tribulation if whatever the problem or difficulty we are facing tries to discourage our obedience and our commitment to following Jesus.  Here is where tenacity comes into the picture.  See, She is Tenacious when with inching crawls and fearful steps, she presses past opportunities to quit and by doing so, she perseveres.  It can be painful alright, because everything in our natural mind wants to defer to dealing with life in ways that are familiar to us, even if we know that our old patterns don’t produce the outcomes we truly desire.  Tenacity is the grit in our faith that carries the conviction that something supernatural will come to pass, something new is approaching our lane, God will answer, if we only press on in obedience in the same direction. When we do this we develop perseverance, and with this our character is formed.  Character building can only be the result of personally staying the course. Character isn’t shared, it cannot be given as a gift, it can only be developed. When we have come this far, we have personally experienced the true faithfulness of God, nobody can tell you any different because hope has found its residence at the root of your faith and hope in Jesus never disappoints. So having been through a number of tribulations in my life as woman, as a wife, as a pastor, as a daughter, I can attest to the glory part of those challenging seasons.  I glory in the tribulations I have persevered through, because every difficulty in my life has a point of triumph for my God.  I personally have come to know that He is still good, faithful and patient.  He is also all powerful, grace filled and I would not have known it unless I’d stuck to His plan.

 


Join us for She Rises Conference 2017! Get your tickets here.

June 6, 2017
She Is Patient
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  • Under : She Leads , She Lives

By: Meghan Robinson

She is patient, I am not!

I have a gift. Ask my husband. Anywhere I go, I have a gift of choosing the LONGEST line! If I am at the grocery store and I choose what appears to be the shortest line with only one person in front of me, it will inevitably become the longest line because I am in it! Something happens with the cashier or the person in front of me and I am forced to stand smiling, waiting, tapping my foot and watching while all of the lines around me move at a desired pace but mine is standing still! This happens in the school pick up lane, airport security, the mall, just about anywhere I go! I am convinced that God is trying to teach me something and apparently I am a very slow learner!

I am the kind of girl that likes to move fast. I walk fast, talk fast, drive fast and to be quite honest, I am always in a hurry to accomplish the next BIG thing! That, in and of itself, is not a bad trait. In fact I think it’s the way God created me! The problem comes when my timing doesn’t line up with God’s timing. This can produce disappointment, discouragement and frustration. I might find myself comparing “the line” I am in to the “fast paced line” of everyone else. Comparison is the root of all inferiority and when I am constantly watching others, I tend to miss what God is doing right in front of me!

I’ve heard it said that “God is never late, but he is never early! He is always right on time!” But, I must confess that often times I find myself staring at my proverbial watch wondering if God will ever show up and if I will ever accomplish all I dream of.

Maybe you can relate.

When I was single, I could not wait to be married.
When I was married, I could not wait to be pregnant.
When I was pregnant, I couldn’t wait to have the baby.
When I had that baby, I couldn’t wait for that baby to be independent.
When I was working, I couldn’t wait to be a stay at home mom.
When I became a stay at home mom, I couldn’t wait to get back to work! 🙂

etc….

I found myself in one season constantly looking and striving for the next rather than enjoying the moment that I was in! This is not for a lack of advice. Every wise woman in my life could say “I told you so.” Everyone encouraged me to embrace and enjoy the season I was in but to me it always felt like a line at the grocery store! I just wanted to “check out” sooner and get to the next place on my list!

This year, in a very impatient moment, I heard God reminding me:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Delay is not denial. Whatever you have been dreaming for, praying for, believing for, God hears you! He has good plans for you. 1 Peter reminds us that God is not slow as some count slowness, but PATIENT! I hate that word but God loves it! It’s one of the most challenging fruits of the spirit. If it took physical form it would be slimy, sour and hard to swallow. No one loves patience.

However, God’s thoughts and plans are far greater than anything you or I could imagine. While you are ready for the next season, God might still be doing something in this one (in you and through you!)

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised!” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)

If I could encourage you in one thing it would be to stop looking for what’s next and embrace what is now! Ask God to illuminate what character traits he is trying to work on in you during this season, you will need them for the next! Take your eyes off everyone else’s lane and see the people that are in your own. Practice an attitude of gratitude for all that God has done, it will fill your heart with hope for all that is to come! Then, before you know, you will hear the word NEXT and it will be time to move forward into a new season and practice patience all over again!

 

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ABOUT MEGHAN ROBINSON

Meghan and her husband Carey pastor The Movement Church in Orange County California! Meghan is a wife, mom to two beautiful girls, church planter, pastor, speaker, friend, and big dreamer! Her greatest passion is helping women identify the God dream inside of them and awaken to their greater purpose! She also loves seeing women in ministry connected, equipped and inspired and is a part of our She Leads team!

IG: Divapastor | Twitter: MeghanLRobinson


Join us for She Rises Conference 2017! Get your tickets here.

May 31, 2017
She Is Without Rival
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  • Under : She Leads , She Lives

By: Lisa Bevere

Our Father God stands alone without rival, so we shouldn’t be surprised that in His eyes we are daughters without rival, which eliminates every reason that we should ever compete with one another.

You are the only example of you!

You are the beginning and the end of you. There is not a designer sample scheduled for mass production. In His lineage there are no copies, or same, and no equal. There is no rival for the way you express His love to others or for how He expresses His love to you. No one can do you like you!

God uniquely created your DNA and knit your frame in secret so He could surprise the world. He authored how your heart expresses itself; He was the architect of your smile and the melody of your voice; He made all of your features with the fondest thoughts of only you in mind. He celebrated along with your parents your first smile and watched with affection your first steps.

Because of this tender, intentional care, there are multiple facets of your life that express and reflect His love uniquely. He wove all these exceptional aspects and specific talents into the package of you, His daughter. He knew each attribute would be expressed best through your feminine form.

He knew you would represent and relate to Him best as a daughter. This is the very reason He chose female for your gender. There is a very tender bond between fathers and daughters.

He didn’t have another daughter in mind when He fashioned you…you are His delight.

This means you wouldn’t do it better if you were taller, shorter, blacker, or whiter. This also means you would not be a better carrier of the love He has entrusted to you if you were a male. God does not love sons more and daughters less. Nor does He love each gender equally. He loves male and female uniquely. Perhaps as you grew up you heard whispers, or even shouts, that your father or mother wished you’d been born a son. Maybe there was a time you wished you’d been born a male too. But know this…God never did.

Our Father rejoiced when you drew your first breath, and as the years unfolded, the angels of heaven rejoiced with Him when you were reborn as His Spirit-quickened daughter.

Marvelously loved one, there is absolutely nothing accidental about you.

So what does all this mean? It means there is more than enough immeasurable, inexhaustible love for us all. You don’t have to fight for your place at the table or win His love. No one can take you out or replace you…you have no rival.

This article was adapted from Lisa’s new book, Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison (Revell, 2016).

About Lisa Bevere

Lisa Bevere is a minister and best-selling author. Her books and studies portray her passion for empowering the local church and encouraging women. Lisa and her husband John co-founded Messenger International. Her family calls Colorado home where they enjoy laughter and food.


May 31, 2017
Coffee with Holly Wagner & Lisa Bevere
  • Posted By : Holly Wagner/
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  • Under : She Lives

So Lisa and I have been friends for like 1,000 years ….and we recently had time to catch up through the bumpy streets of Downtown LA – so join us in our random, “private”, and we think…funny conversation.

I am beyond grateful for friends like Lisa! Friends that have been on the journey for a long time; and most of all I absolutely love that Lisa will be with us at She Rises!!

Join me, Lisa Bevere, Sara Jakes-Roberts, and Judah & Chelsea Smith along with musical guests Mosaic MSC and Oasis Church LA at the Dolby Theatre on June 23 & 24th for an atmosphere that will refresh and energize your soul Be sure to get your tickets today!

Can’t wait to see your face!!

xoxo

Holly


May 25, 2017
She Is Freedom
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  • Under : She Leads , She Lives

By: Sarah Jakes Roberts

There she was standing there watching as life passed her by. It wasn’t that she didn’t desire to move forward, but simply that she didn’t believe she could anymore. It didn’t happen all at once. No. It began slowly, but little by little she began to deteriorate from the person she once hoped she could be. It started with school not going as planned and then friendships falling apart . Everything she thought added value to her eventually left. Her worth was destroyed and her pride left her grasping for whatever would stay. The problem was that the only people who were willing to stay were the ones who were stagnant themselves. It didn’t take long before she started cozying up to the reality something was better than nothing and her life could be worse. Just when she decided to settle and adjust a voice whispered from the innermost part of her soul.

 

She spent months trying to drown it out. To be truthful there were times when she was even successful at ignoring it, but fully dissipate it never did. The voice followed her as she walked throughout the store. It chased her to her car and found it’s way to her desk. No matter where she went the voice came with her. It spoke above her fears and was louder than her insecurities.

 

The voice did not care how well she was holding her life together. The only thing that mattered to the voice was the message she needed to receive.

 

The voice whispered softly at first. It simply said, “live.”  She closed her eyes as the volume increased and dared to challenge her façade.  The voice said, “Don’t be afraid to admit you want more.” The voice demanded her to confess that she deserved more than the shell of a life she was settling for. She spent years trying to silence the voice of her hopes and dreams. She spent decades trying to pretend the voice had no power, but all of that changed the moment that voice went from living in her head to coming out of her mouth.

 

The words came out sharp, direct, and strong like bullets shooting through the box she had learned to live in.  She never realized that the only thing standing in the way of her and the joy, peace, and love she always wanted was admitting that she still wanted it. Suddenly she was free. She was no longer controlled by the memories.

 

Each time a thought tried to war against her liberty she declared that she would be free. She was alive. She was inhaling the promises of God and exhaling the fears of her past. The sun kissed her skin and her soul leaped within. She could feel.

 

The breeze raced through her hair, sent shivers down her spine, and added wind to her wings. She was rising. She was rising far above who she used to be and into a dimension she thought she’d never be able to access. Everyone who thought she’d never do it sat back in amazement as they watched her rise. She didn’t stop to pay them any attention or to check to see if they were comfortable with her ascension. She was on a mission and there was no time to waste. If you wanted any chance at finding her you’d have to discover your own path of unlimited faith. Her feet were made to walk on water and only those who could withstand the waves could be in her space.

 

That she was Ruth, that she was the woman with the issue of blood, that she was Mary, Martha, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, and any other woman who decided the sky was the limit and the possibilities are endless. That she was me…That she is you… That she is unstoppable with God and nothing can stand in her way.

 


April 13, 2017
So friends… meet Sarah!!
  • Posted By : Holly Wagner/
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  • Under : She Lives

Have you met my amazing friend Sarah?!!!

She’s pretty amazing! She’s Real. She’s Funny. She loves coffee. And she’ll be with us at conference!!

Sarah and I recently spent some time together…and well…we thought it would be fun for you to join us on our coffee run!

So friends… meet Sarah!!


February 15, 2017
5 Tips to Staying in Love
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  • Under : She Lives


February 3, 2017
Ways The Church Can Respond
  • Posted By : Holly Wagner/
  • 25 comments /
  • Under : She Leads , She Lives

This last summer while on vacation in Europe, many people upon hearing our American accents, would stop Philip and me and ask what was going on in our country. They asked how we ended up with a choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. I certainly didn’t have all the reasons, and I just apologized and laughingly said, “You should pray for us.”

Now, months later, I am not really laughing. Neither Hillary nor Donald was my ideal choice for President, and yet here we are.

For the past thirty-three years, my husband and I have been pastoring Oasis Church in Los Angeles, which according to a study done by CNBC, is the most ethnically diverse city in our country. There are more than 200 languages spoken here. I love and value the diversity of my city, which is reflected in our church, our leadership team, our staff and is reflected amongst my friends. I grew up in Venezuela, where I had to learn Spanish if I was going to be successful in school; Indonesia where I went to a school with forty-four nationalities represented, and London, which is another melting pot of cultures. All that to say, I have grown up seeing the beauty and diversity of our world and one of the things that makes our country strong is the incredible diversity of people, cultures, languages and ways of thinking.

In light of some of the tensions in our country, I just want to share a few thoughts. I am not a politician, and I am aware that I might offend some by what I say and by what I might not say. This just might be a no win situation for me, but I am going to give it a go.

I love my country. I am just a little sad at the division that seems to be growing rapidly. The media can make it challenging to understand the full truth in politics because each outlet seems to have a different agenda. In trying to discover facts about any issue I have found that I need to get news from a variety of sources, including those outside the US. When I watch CNN, I see and hear things from a different perspective than when I am watching FOX News. I have realized in life, if you only sit in a room with people who think like you, your perspective might stay small and it could be hard to ultimately make the right decision. I heard some television reporter say that one of the reasons Hillary lost the election was because she, and her team were shouting in an echo chamber. They didn’t listen to other voices with different viewpoints. Regardless of whether that is true, I don’t want to be like that. I welcome conversations, sometimes-difficult ones, with those who might think differently than I do. There is room for them at my table.

The most recent controversy has been over the US dealing with refugees. As most of you know, President Trump issued an executive order which includes a 90 day travel ban on all citizens from seven countries: Iran, Iraq Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya; and suspended the entry of all refugees for 120 days. His reasoning was so that the vetting processes could be reevaluated, and so that criminal activity into immigrants could be researched. This is not a “Muslim ban” on Muslims in the other forty or so Muslim nations, just these seven. As President, one of his jobs is to make our country safe, and while it is not fully clear that this idea will do that, this is one of the ways he thinks it should be done. The tragedy is that for the last few years Syria has been in a civil war and millions of people, including children, have been harmed and displaced. The Syrian refugee crisis has been the largest humanitarian crises of recent history.

So as the Church what are we to do?

Pray, love, listen.

Pray. Pray for our President and leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-2). It doesn’t say bash the President. It says pray for him. I just want to know, how many of you are praying for him? Maybe even through gritted teeth? I would like to be so bold as to say that if you spend more time complaining on social media, or to your friends than you do praying for him and our country’s leaders, you are missing the mark. Pray that he listens to good counsel. Pray that his heart and words are moved with wisdom and compassion. Just pray. He needs it.

Pray for the refugee. (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:9-10, Matthew 25:35-40, Luke 3:11, Hebrews 13:2) Most of them just want to go home, and sadly don’t have one to go to. They are victims themselves from tragedy in their own nation. I can’t even imagine the pain that most of them must be in. And after you pray, put some action to those prayers. Again, I would like to be bold and say that if you are posting compelling images on social media but aren’t actually doing anything for the refugee, you are missing the mark. Faith without works is dead. Love is not a feeling, love is a verb. It always involves action. So pray, and then how about giving? At Oasis we have received offerings to help those on the ground working with the refugee, and are currently researching how we can be of assistance to those who have recently immigrated to our area. I am sure you can find someplace to contribute. And how about loving your neighbor, your actual neighbor. Instead of picking a political fight, let’s be encouraging and kind to people right where we are. I am sure there is a refugee, or foreigner or first generation immigrant in your neighborhood. It is often easier to have compassion on those far away than those who are close. So, before you post that next Tweet, see if there is someone right next to you that you can help, someone you can actually demonstrate love to.

There have been some pretty massive marches around the world recently, and I like to think that if I had been old enough I would have marched right alongside Martin Luther King Jr., but if all we do is march and don’t pray or even consider listening to another person’s perspective on something, we will never reach a solution. In the midst of tension, sometimes the hardest thing to do is have empathy for the other person – to try and understand their intentions, their pain or their situation. We can be so quick to give our opinion on every issue, but sometimes the best thing to do is listen and then help provide a solution. It is easier to walk in the march-for- life (and I am all about protecting the unborn; they are truly defenseless) than it is to take care of a woman with an unwanted pregnancy and walk alongside her to help make a different choice. We cannot mistake social media posts, marches or angry blogs for actual action.

We are the church. We are to love. We are to lift our voices for those unable to. (Proverbs 31:8-9) Jesus did not come to earth and go after the abusive government of Rome to try to change politics; he went for the hearts of men and women. He loved people of all cultures and backgrounds – the powerful and the marginalized, and as a leader he brought others on the journey with him.

I know this may not have answered your questions or solved any major issues. But in this season when tensions are high, I am trying to help pastor my congregation through all of the toxicity. I won’t do it perfectly, and there are things I might say or not say that can be misinterpreted. Regardless of the political climate, our mission as His Church does not change. We are to love rather than hate, to respond rather than react, to be the ones bringing peace and hope in a world so desperate to see it.

How about letting the truth of this verse speak to your soul?

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anyting, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There are a few organizations that are working with refugees. Here are a few to check out:
Preemptive Love
A21
World Vision

 

 

 

 

ABOUT HOLLY WAGNER

Holly and her husband, Philip, co-pastor the Oasis Church located in Los Angeles. She and Philip have taught many relationship seminars around the world and are committed to healthy marriages, especially their own! They love spending time with their two young adult children, Jordan and Paris, and enjoy seeing them fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. Holly is also a student at Liberty University.

Holly is passionate about seeing women become who God has designed them to become, and to see every generation of woman extend a helping hand to the generation that is younger. Through the women’s ministry of Oasis, GodChicks, Holly seeks to blow the lid off the boxes that women have sometimes put themselves in and encourages women to be the amazing, world-changing champions they were made to be.

She has written several books, using her humorous yet challenging style to encourage readers. Her books include: GodChicks, Daily Steps for GodChicks, WarriorChicks, Survival Guide for Young Women, and Love Works.


February 2, 2017
Failure & Faithfulness
  • Posted By : She Rises/
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  • Under : She Worships

By: Sarah Lochelt

As a (recovering) perfectionist, there’s really only one thing that scares me more than failing. (Besides the obvious things like death and small spaces and moths…things everyone is afraid of too, right? No?)

What scares me more than failing, is failing twice. Remember that old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” That’s what I’m talking about. Except it feels more like “Failure of any kind, shame on me.”

It’s hard enough to take a risk or step out into something that might mean failure once. This could be debuting a new song at church, or sharing something vulnerable with an audience, or starting a difficult conversation. Those things require the ordinary courage that we all are asked to exude.

Then, there is a whole other new and scary kind of courage that life requires. It’s the kind of courage demanded by situations where you’ve already failed and you have to persist in that same service, family, context, or pursuit.

Maybe this looks like being in a continued relationship with someone who you have already disappointed, or has disappointed you. It’s getting up the next day and receiving that mercy or forgiveness or grace. You don’t get to just wash your hands of it because you’re embarrassed you messed up, like I often wish I could.

Maybe the familiar brand of failure is with your family, or a family you desire. Maybe a dream that’s been lost, or just hasn’t yet been found. Maybe you find yourself at a crossroads and desperate for any hint of which way to go. There are so many ways that we find ourselves scared or disappointed in anticipation of what (could be) to come.

I’m getting pretty good at noticing when this fear of failure is at root in a situation. It’s becoming easier and easier to remember the telltale signs of that anxiety, particularly for me because it’s become so familiar.

Even when it’s named, though, we still have to face it. We still have to confront the reality that life does not come with guarantees. We can’t sit around hoping God will tell us exactly what to do and promise us a 100% success rate.

In fact, what He has told us instead is, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

For me, this means setting aside my natural inclination towards only stepping out when it seems like success is probable. Instead, when my heart beats fast and my anxiety wants to take over, and I will choose to take small steps forward, remembering that God is not a God of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33) and that is more than enough for me.

It means that things will be difficult, and yet our job is to be faithful. God gave us a simple task, to trust Him. It isn’t an easy one for our prideful, self-sufficient souls to pursue. But, it is the most excellent way.

Trusting God with our faith and our efforts, and leaving the results up to Him means that we have to trust Him, not just with the possibility of our failures, but with the inevitability of them. It means we can’t hide from failure, even failure over and over again. We must face the reality that failure is not the enemy, and that we have a God who is good and powerful and faithful, even when failure overcomes us. We have a champion who has already overcome the world.


February 2, 2017
She Creates | Kathlene Linehan
  • Posted By : She Rises/
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  • Under : She Creates

“Daily Bravery”
Mixed Media

By: Kathlene Linehan
@kathlenekl

 

It’s important to recognize the daily bravery in everyone’s lives. Being brave isn’t climbing mountains or jumping out of planes, but rather continuing to have strength and courage to pursue the unknown.


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