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By April Sliwak Executive Director  Do you believe prayer changes things?
Do you? When you’re at a crossroads, do you believe God can show you which path to take? When you want to know your future, do you believe God will show you? Anyway, let me start by saying that I believe in the power of prayer. But before I go there, what is prayer? Simply put, it’s having a conversation with God. Do you like to talk with your friends and family? If I’m not mistaken, most of us do. Having conversations with our friends helps us to know her better, be more honest and vulnerable with her, be able to trust her and go through life together. Prayer with God is the same. The more we pray and read the scriptures, the more relational we become with our Creator. We grow into an intimate relationship with God and we can trust him because we’re learning more about him and his promises. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him” 1 John 5:14-15 Prayer according to God’s will and with a confessed heart, Psalm 66:18, is a confident and trusting prayer because we’re asking God to line up our hopes, wants and plans with his, Jeremiah 29:11, and we’re secure enough to trust them. What we’re saying is, “I trust my life with Your will. You know what’s best for my life. You know the whole picture and the plan for my living.” That’s submissive, bold and confident. God hears our prayers. The scriptures give us all the answers for life. And prayer gives all the answers for living. As I was preparing to write this blog, I reminisced through the file in my computer labeled, “Ministry Prayer Requests” beginning from 2011. There are 2528 prayer requests and praise reports in that file. They are from women who have hope and trust and believe that their prayers will be heard and answered. Their prayers are for; good health, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, college choice, a new job, wanting to get married, suffering in a marriage, relocation, legal attacks, bullying, abuse, emotional suffering, fear, loss and much much more. These women believe in the power of community prayer and intercession. They believe God hears our prayers and he change things. My community of friends and family have been praying 20 years for me. I had kidney disease and my prayer was for healing according to God’s will and that I wouldn’t have any side effects to the chronic disease. My prayers were answered on December 20, 2018 when I received a kidney transplant and I didn’t have ANY side effects and I am healed in the way God chose for it to happen, and in his timing. God heard my prayers and they changed the course of my life. God taught me to trust him. My healing was not only physical but more importantly, spiritual. By abiding in him, now Jesus and I are “tight” … we’re close… we’re FRIENDS. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20, (Jesus) On May 16, 2019 we’re gathering for corporate prayer. Why don’t you join us, let God hear your prayer and let others support you in prayer? Trust that God hears your prayers and will answer them according to his will. Your prayers matter and they change things for you and your loved ones. Come and hang out with us and with Jesus. Click here, Herlifespeaks.org for the details. Bring a friend(s). All are welcome. We’re looking forward to praying alongside you. Do you have prayer request that you’d like our intercessors to pray for you right now? Click here for our on line prayer group. They’re waiting to pray for you. How has God answered your prayer? What did you gain from it? Are you still waiting for the answer? What are you gaining from that?
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 By Meghan King
I am new to Her Life Speaks ministry and the women’s conference held on March 16 at the Marriott in Saddle Brook was a day of healing for me. This was my first time attending a women’s conference. So much love, time, and effort was put into that day. The morning started off with fellowship over a light breakfast with coffee followed by worship. There is something about sharing a meal, even with strangers, that brings about peace and a sense of belonging. The only woman I knew at my table, leads the HLS younger women’s monthly small group called The Table and I had only met her once prior. I can get quiet around people I don’t know and yet I had such a sense of belonging with those women. It was great to talk and get to know one another. The topics of the day were thought provoking and set my heart on a path towards restoration. We are meant to choose God’s freedom and love even when life feels broken. My current season that I am going through has been one of trials. Keeping my eyes set on God’s great love for me can guide me through anything. One of the speakers of the day was Sylane Mack. The message she spoke about was choosing forgiveness in light of God’s love for us. She went through anguish and so much ugly growing up; but clinging to God’s love allowed her to persevere. She chose to forgive and in doing so helped her to heal. Sylane discussed two pieces of scripture that resonated with my heart: “ In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5 “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 My program from the day is marked up from underlining other scripture and notes to remember such as “Choose to give Him my burdens and take refuge in Him”, “Receive life and His wisdom”, “Receive His freedom and love to do His work,” and “ Believe in His power to forgive, forgive yourself, and overcome your battles”. This side of heaven is stained with sin and heartache. Jesus took that pain and died for us to have a loving relationship with our Father in Heaven. God knows our hurts and sorrows and longs for us to lean on Him. The table discussions led to opening up of fellowship between women who had not met before and fellowship is something God calls us to. I have noticed in my own life that I feel enriched in my faith when I seek a relationship with God and a stronger bond in community. I find my freedom in recognizing the beauty and blessings in life that God has given me during this growing season.  By June Collignon
Feeling hopeless is measured differently by each of us. The flesh and the spirit each play a significant role. But it should be the spirit that we find the most comfort the most strength the most encouragement. I started looking for a job after being a stay at home mom for about 20 years, raising both my son’s as they were now off to college. I prayed, I applied, I waited. How was the Lord going to use me, who was he going to put in my path, what impact would I make? I was so excited to serve Him and was ready as He spent years preparing me. “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, a plan to prosper you and not to harm you a plan for a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 I got a position working in an elementary school in our town I knew the principal and most of the staff as they were former teachers of my sons. I felt right at home. I dove right in with kids, all I wanted to do was bless them, show them love, encourage them but most of all I was determined to spread the love of the Lord to them; to the lonely awkward girl who ate lunch alone, the child who was always sent to the principal's’ office, the kids who were bullied. Each day brought me joy knowing what my mission was. Love them June, treat them with kindness as the Lord has shown you, and be different from the others. “We love because He first loved.” 1 John 4:19 A year and a half later the most devastating phone call came. I was not to report to work that day but instead I was requested to report to the central office because a child accused me of hurting another child. Wait, I was working to do the Lord’s work, what was happening? I spent the next 4 months in utter agony, loneliness, despair and I was heartbroken. I was under investigation, accused of hurting a child? How could this be? This is when I was in the pit, when I felt the enemy had a hold on this situation As I was investigated, interrogated and humiliated and while having the full support of my family and even the staff at school, all I remember is that this kind of support still wasn’t enough. This became apparent after spending countless days curled up under the blankets, hiding in depression that I realized all I truly needed was my Father, my Lord. He was my hope, my only hope. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is the tree of life.” Prov 13:12 The state’s investigator looked right at me and said, “It is a good thing the incident was caught on camera and there is no evidence to support this child’s claim, you didn’t do anything wrong and you’re free to go.” I felt vindicated at that moment. The investigator was wearing the same adorning cross around her neck that I too was wearing that day. A confirmation that God was there with me and I knew my hope was in Him. Although I was relieved, I resigned the following day. It was truly a very hard time if not the hardest time in my adult life. All my years of preparing for such a moment as this were upon me, and I am thankful in all things because the Lord will never harm me. Maybe He was saving me from something far worse to come. Where is your hope sweet sister when you are in the pit, when you believe that the enemy has a hold on you and/or your situation? “Trust the Lord with ALL our heart and lean not on our own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Find the peace in Him that He offers. He wants the best and the most for you. His mercy, and His grace are just waiting for you to receive, as you faithfully seek Him. You are His heir and He loves you dearly.  By Terryl Anderson
One day last week I was driving to the grocery store in the evening after work. Suddenly, God said, “Terryl, how was your day?” I immediately started sobbing uncontrollably. I had to pull over to the side of the road where I cried and cried (rarely do I cry on the outside for I have learned to keep it bottled inside.) What came flooding back were memories of my family eating dinner in our small dining room when I was 4 through 14 years old. Every night my dad would long complain about his job but, also, he would tell my younger sister, my mom, and me about his round of golf - every single one of his 68-70 golf shots. He would rant and rave for he considered himself the unluckiest man in the world as only his golf ball would always end up in a divot, someone’s footprint in the sand, up against a small twig, etc. (Yet, if you know about golf you know 68, 69, or 70 are very good scores that most men would give anything to shoot even once.) The rest of us were not allowed to talk – not about our day, our week, our friends, our wants, our needs, or our dreams. Except at the end of each meal we would plan who went where the next day (there are no emotions in tomorrow). You see, there was a 5th person at our table every night, her name was SUE – SHUT UP and EAT!! I remember one dinner where my sister (4 years younger) simply sat down and blurted out something that happened at school. I was stunned. “WOW,” I thought, “That’s the way to do it!” However, when I tried the next night I was immediately shut down – SUE! I was shut down so often I lost my own voice. I died inside for I lost ME. By age 15 I kept too busy to eat with the family. I cannot describe the tremendous flood of love and care and deep, deep healing I felt when God Himself asked me, “Terryl, how was your day?” "If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up." - Psalm 27:10 Abba/Jesus, you are amazingly wonderful!! You know us SO intimately and yet you love when we share every detail of our lives with you. One of your great desires is for us to live healed and whole lives as your children. Thank you! Praise the Lord! God wants to hear about your day.  Written by Alexis E.
Before attending affirmation class, I always believed in God. I went to Sunday School when I was younger, attended church, prayed to God, and went to youth group. I also attended Beauty Projects through my Aunt April’s “Her Life Speaks” Ministry, and went to Christian Camp every summer. I knew that God was present in my life, but I didn’t actually know how to have God WITH me during my life. Everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives. Whenever something good or bad would happen to me, I would just wonder what God’s purpose was it for. I desired a strong relationship with God and wanted Him to speak to me directly, so I would include that in my prayers. I used to hear stories where people had heard God talk to them personally, or felt a dramatic change in their life once they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. I wanted a story to share with people. I was once asked if I wanted to write my testimony and share it on this website. Of course I wanted to, so one night I sat down and wrote up some events that had occurred in my life. I stared at it, and realized there really wasn’t anything major I could share with others. I hadn’t gone through a struggle I thought I needed to in order to have a story. Then one day my parents told me our church pastor was starting affirmation class. I was really excited because I thought that this was finally my opportunity to grow in my faith. And honestly, it was. During those months I felt my relationship with God change as I learned the answers to my unanswered questions and learned how to defend what I believe. I am here today affirming my faith because I truly believe that Jesus Christ died for me and my sins, and I accept Him as my Savior. “For we live by faith and not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7 First, I now talk to God like He is my friend. I tell God everything on my mind because I know He is listening to me, and wants to be involved in my life. I learned not to block God out when I am struggling, but to invite Him in, to let Him feel it with me. “I have called you friend” Jesus John 15:15 Second, I now know how to backup what I am saying in a conversation about God. In school, it is hard to find Christian friends. I am faced with the challenge of being excluded by peers because of what I believe. I used to be scared to speak up about it because I wasn’t sure if I was saying the right things. I realize now that it isn’t about getting embarrassed if you don’t know something because no one has all of the answers. It is about saving someone’s soul for eternity, which is most important. I can now use this to defend my faith and share it with others if the topic of Christ is brought up. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 Lastly, I know there is only one way to get to heaven. You don’t go to heaven by simply doing good works. You can still be a good person, but there is more to it. You have to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and believe that he died for your sins. Overall, after attending these affirmation classes, I realize that this is my testimony. My story is MY story. I grew up in a Christian household, and found a way to grow in my faith, and truly believe what I have been taught. I feel like I have the real relationship with God I always longed-for. Affirmation class was an answer to those prayers. So, thank you God for always watching over me. Thank you, Jesus for dying for me so I can be saved, and go to Heaven. How about you? What’s your story? Did you always believe in God? Are you still trying to find some answers? Or did you have a dramatic experience that started your faith? _____________ Alexis is a frequent attendee of Her Life Speaks Beauty Projects for teen girls. Interested in joining and meeting other Christian girls? Sign up here for the next one on February 9, 2019! https://www.herlifespeaks.org/events.html |
StoriesHer Life Speaks is all about Her testimony, Her life, and who God is in Her story. Here we write our stories in hopes of helping other women find their relationship with Jesus Christ. Archives
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