Speaking Topics

Overview of Topics:

Each session can be customized to meet your theme and needs. New topics continue to be developed as Linda gets requests to return to the same venues. By God’s grace, He has used the topics below to encourage women to come to faith as well as, learn how faith applies to the deepest needs of their heart, mind and soul. 

Retreat Package Themes

1. God, Grace, Girlfriends, Growth & Giggles

2. Lighten Up: Illuminate Your World 

3. Faith, Fellowship, Forgiven, Fearless & Friends

4. New in Christ = New Creations

5. Waves of Grace

Speaking Topics

(Any topic below may be used in any of the above themes.)

I.  Mistaken Identity (Bumpy ride to finding the True God)

            A. Humorous look at church from an outsider 

            B. Testimony – Rip Roaring Rapids

            C. Hotel Heaven Reservation analogy (Rom 10:9)

            D. From “Get out of Hell Free” card to:

1. True Salvation (Matt 4:17), (2 Cor 13:5)

                        2. Lordship of Christ

II. Love God Love Others (Bible summed up in 4 words)

            A. Humorous look at what happens when Love is not our first response

            B.  Have to Know God to Love God

                        1. God’s love letter to us – His Word (John 13:34-35)

                    2. Love & obedience working together (John 14:15)

            C. It’s a Heart issue (Matt 15:8-9) (Heb 4:12)

            D. Physical & Spiritual Open Heart Surgery analogy

            E. Loving Others

                        1. Grace & Forgiveness (2 Cor 8:6-8)

                                    a. God’s Costly Grace (Rom 6:1-2)

                                    b. Grace Prescription (M&Ms) to Love Others

            F. Grace during difficult challenges (Luke 6:32-35) & everyday life

III. Growing Girlfriends (Mentoring)

            A. Humorous analogy of Cake making to Disciple making

            B. What “Waiting” means (Isaiah 40:31)

            C. Visual Cord illustration of mentoring

            D. Titus 2:3-5 God’s call to women

            E. Perfection not required (1 Cor 1:27-31)

            F. What Titus 2 looks like in real life (Ps 119)

IV. To Fear or Not to Fear? That is the Question!

            A. Earthly Fears – children, financial, health, relatives

                        Lead to anxiety, worry, stress, discouragement

            B. Heavenly Fear – Fear of the Lord (Pr 9:10. Ps 103:11, 147:11, Acts 9:31)

                        Leads to Wisdom, Love, Hope and Peace

            C. Biblical and personal examples of transferring fears

            D. Filling our mind & heart with A to Z attributes of God

            E. The “Goodness” of fear - Psalm 34

            F. A memorable time of laying our fears at the foot of the cross

V. Healing from Life’s Hurts

            A. From storms to sunshine

            B. What the enemy means for harm, God works for Good! (Gen 50:20)

            C. Jesus is Serious about Forgiving Others (Matt 6:14-15, Matt 18:21, 32-35)

            D. Corrie ten Boom encounter with Nazi guard

            E. What Forgiveness is NOT

            F. Transparent Testimony from wounds to healing

            G. Call for us all to let go of the hurts (red rope illustration)

VI. Key to Wellness (Servant’s Heart)

            A. Goal: Being the best possible woman

            B. Are you seeking a title or building a testimony?

            C. Biblical “Adulting” (John 13: 4-17)

            D. Is it really not all about me?  (A bib or a towel?)  

VII. Putting Jesus in Everyday Life 

         A. Fun reflections on Time

          B. From guilt to the humbleness Jesus loves (Luke 18:10-14)

          C. God’s instruction for the home (Deut 6: 5-9)

          D. The Great Exchange (From tiredness to rest in Jesus)

          E. Practical Scriptures for the household (From coffee maker to toilet)

                        (14 post-it index cards per person)

          F. Five Fun ways to add more of Jesus to your Home

VIII. Finishing Well (for Seniors)

         A. Humor in Senior moments

         B. Senior moments can be your best for God’s glory!

         C. What do you want to be doing just before you meet Jesus?

IX. Christmas Tea 

         A. Mary & Elizabeth modeled women’s ministry

         B. Finding Jesus among the wrapping paper

X. Women’s Toolbox 

         A. Our Inhaler = God’s Word!

         B. Five Finger Grip of God’s Word

         C. Digging for Treasure (Psalm 119)

         D. Mary/Martha drama

        E. Praying God’s Word

XI. Eternal Perspective

A. Getting a grip on the length of eternity.

     (Rope illustration) (James 4:14, 2 Peter 3:8)

B. Heaven’s gold, silver & precious stones (1 Cor 3:10-15)

C. Treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20)

D. God flipping our hurts (Gumball visual)

            (Matt 5:11-12, Matt 19:28-29)

E. Our good secrets rewarded (Matt 6:1-6,16-18)

F. All sufficient grace in all things (2 Cor 9:8)

G. Jesus is coming back and it is going to be amazing!