2016 bible study expo . . .

Y'all, I don't get excited about a lot of things . . . scratch that. You know I get excited about LOTS of things -- and I want to share one of those things right now!

I've shared before about the Women's Bible Study Expo.  These are free webinars (online) that showcase up and coming Bible-study authors and teachers. And the next one is coming up TOMORROW!  

Yes, Thursday, March 17th, at 2:00 p.m. (central time).  There is a fabulous line-up of authors, including Sherri Burgess (whose book, Bronner: A Journey to Understand I reviewed in January)!

These webinars, organized and led by one of my favorite women's ministry gurus, Marni Swedberg, are a terrific way to learn about an author, hear her heart, and get an understanding about what her study/book is about. This is a fabulous resource, whether you're picking out Bible studies for yourself or for a group study.

Check it out for yourself at www.biblestudyexpo.com/ and be sure to register to win (top right corner) while you're there!

:)

planning themes . . . hmmmmm!

Okay, so I love women's ministry.  I've been involved with women's ministry for as long as I've been a Bible-believing, born-again member of a church.  I have such a heart for women and the challenges they (we) face as children of God living on this here earth . . . it's almost too much for me to be able to vocalize!

 La.  That being said, I've done lots of searching and researching for resources to use in women's ministry wherever I am.  One that I found several years ago is Marnie Swedberg, who is like a mentor's mentor!  She comes up with lots of great ideas and puts them within reach of those who need them.  I've subscribed to her Marnie Minute, and Event Planners Friend and most recently, Eating With Gratitude.  She's a fabulous resource and I'm so grateful for her (and I've told her that, too)!

Right now, she's got this cool contest going on, "Resources Via Marnie".  She's got thirty-two theme planning sets; each set includes things like the overall theme (okay, duh), game ideas, publicity ideas, food, decorating, entertainment -- it's really quite ingenious, and incredibly useful!  The contest involves folks picking their favorite theme set, and blogging about it, which is what this blog entry is about!  :)

So I went through the different sets.  There are a LOT!  And surprisingly, of all the wonderful themes, I was able to pick one that I thought was the most fun.  Surprisingly again, it was not what I would have thought I'd have picked!  Let me 'splain . . .

I love tea parties and quilting and crafting -- so anything with those themes you'd think would be top picks for me right?  There's also music-based themes, and exercise (okay, that one's a "stretch" for me!), and holidays, and eating and so much fun stuff!!  But the one that *really* captured my eye was this one:

"Taking Every Thought Captive"  Help Your Women Learn How To Lasso Those Wild, Wild Thoughts with a Wild West Event!

A Rodeo Theme!!!!!

It looks like *so* much fun!!!  And what a GREAT way to *rope* women into a terrific study/event, with such a *catchy* theme!  Rodeo just sounds like an exciting time -- and having everyone come dressed to fill the part makes it relaxed and easy to feel comfortable.  Super idea! 

Anyway, that's the one that gets my vote.  Take a swing by there and check it out.  And check Marnie out while you're at it!  You'll be blessed, that's for sure!

Get along, little doggies!

:)