People learn through stories. (and here's a picture of me in the middle of an embarrassing one!) That's why Jesus spoke in so many parables! People could grab hold of His word pictures and remember them, and chew on them. They give life to what is otherwise mere principles. When we speak, we should be liberally peppering our talks with lots Continue Reading
How Much Do I Share When I Speak-if It Concerns Others?
My story is about learning how to say "God, you are enough." When I share my story, I do so to challenge women to open up their hands, and say, "God, you may have given me many blessings, but ultimately my life is based entirely, and solely, in You. You are my Source. You are enough." And I do that by sharing my story of loss--my son who Continue Reading
How I Came to Peace with Giving the Same Talk Over and Over Again
It starts with the loathing. I'll be in the car, driving to a speaking engagement, and the negative thoughts will start. Why are you doing this? You don't have anything important to say. It's all been said before! You don't have anything new! You have no right to speak to these women. Then I'll arrive at the venue, talk to the chipper women Continue Reading
7 Ways to Bore Your Audience
photo © 2005 Jason Scragz | more info (via: Wylio) It's every speaker's worst nightmare. You're speaking, and you look across the audience, and everybody's looking dazed. Some are obviously texting. A few are nodding off. And a bunch are writing things down--but you're pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with what you're talking about. It's Continue Reading
How to Make People Realize They Need to Make a Change
Why do you speak? Think about that question deeply for a moment. Why do you get up in front of a bunch of women and speak? Perhaps some answers might be: I have a story I want to tell. I want to tell them about Jesus. I want to share what God has done. I want to bless others. These are all good answers. But I don't think they are Continue Reading
Sell the Problem Before the Solution
Remember the "Jesus is the Answer" bumper stickers? They weren't overly successful at spreading the gospel. People tended to laugh in derision instead. And I really don't blame them. Because you see you can't have an answer until you have a question. And that's so important to remember when we're speaking: don't give people the answer to Continue Reading