Sunday, March 04, 2007
Wendi's Bio
Through the years, God has shown me that regardless of our circumstances that He longs to use each one of us in His kingdom. This is the message that I have shared over the years through our ministry with teens. Upon speaking with woman along the way, however, I realized more and more that we, like those teens, are often just middle-school versions of ourselves with some of the same doubts and fears still hovering close by.
There was a time when I personally found myself struggling to see how God could possibly use me...and yet, in spite of it all...He can...and does daily. As far as I have fallen...and as low as I have found myself...God reminded me of these words, "For we have this treasure in jars of clay..to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." God could have made us flawless and perfect. He could have made us sinless...but then who would believe in a higher power but for the fact that He chose to use me...to use you... to make their mark in the world. I think when people see us...they sometimes scratch their heads and wonder. All I know is that God chose to use me...regardless of how feeble to accomplish His purposes in this world. Who better to speak of grace than the one who had it heaped upon them? Who better to speak of love than the one who was loved unconditionally? Who better to show the Father to those who are lost...than the one who was found...cleaned up...and placed on the road to salvation? So...who am I to speak for the Father? I am His daughter...longing to share with others on this journey a hope for a future.
To contact Wendi about a speaking engagement email:
wendi4god@bellsouth.net
Monday, February 26, 2007
TESTIMONIALS
"Wow! Wendi was amazing! She has this incredible energy for the Lord and it completely filled the room. She had us laughing one moment and then in a blink of an eye, we found ourselves with tears flowing. I love the way she seemed to share a message with woman of all ages. What a gift!"
-Amy Mento-Sharble
Saginaw Church of Christ
Saginaw, Texas
"Wendi came to our church at just the time we needed her most. As parents, we had struggled with "being in the world and not of the world," while raising our children. Many of our Christian teens had fallen away from the church and purity was of the utmost concern. Wendi candidly shared how she and husband were intentionally parenting their children and challenged us to seek God's face every step of the way. Her passion is evident and her enthusiasm for sharing this message is contagious. As a woman, I immediately connected with her precious heart feeling as if I too could actually become an "Intentional Parent."
- Angela Caswell
Glennwood Springs, Colorado
"I've heard Wendi Hall speak a dozen times and every message has helped me draw closer to God. Wendi has a unique gift of relating to young women. Her messages are powerful and as a result, lives are changed! Wendi is not ashamed of the gospel and is using her God-given talent to further the cause of Christ."
- Lori Minor, Principal
Mobile Christian School
"What can I say about Wendi Hall? If asked to describe her I would say, “First of all, she’s cute just like her mom!” Next I’d say, “I remember the first time I heard her speak. She led a group of teen girls in a Wednesday night skit to our Ladies’ class. I was impressed at her preparation and coordination in preparing these young ladies to minister to the adult women. Then she took over and applied the teens’ skit and made it so relevant to our lives.” Then I’d tell you about the time she spoke to our Ladies’ Retreat and used the Word to help us realize that we are “vessels” for God’s use. Finally, I’d say “You have got to have her tell you the story of her Grandmother Dot’s pink lipstick story. She will have you ‘rolling in the aisles’!”
-Margaret Istre
Port City Church of Christ
Mobile, Alabama
God has blessed Wendi with an amazing gift to communicate His heart to women. Her enthusiasm and love for the Lord are contagious! Whether it's a coffee date as a friend, or a speaking engagement in front of aroom full of women, I never leave her presence unmotivated! Wendi has away of expressing my heart, with the words I didn't know to use. She is a breath of fresh air and a women after God's own heart.
-Tara Bensinger
Oak Mountain Christian Church
"Wend Hall is one of the most gifted teachers and speakers that I have ever met. Her messages are relevant, convicting, and inspiring. I am blessed to count her not only as a mentor, but as a close friend. I take every opportunity to share her with others, as I do regularly with a Mom's encouragement group that gathers in my home to hear her advice on raising Godly children. She lives what she teaches, and one need only to look at her wonderful marriage and precious children to see that she is "the real deal."
-Jamie Tarence
Crossbridge Church of Christ
“It has been my privilege to hear Wendi speak. The Lord has gifted her withthe ability to reach out to everyone in the room so that they feel Hisnearness through her. Young women will be especially impacted by Wendi'smessage. She's "cool" enough for them and grounded in the Word with a heartso full for God, that Moms can't help but be pleased too. Don't miss anopportunity to hear what she has to share with you!”
-Dorothy Harris
Administrative Coordinator
Port City Church of Christ
-Amy Mento-Sharble
Saginaw Church of Christ
Saginaw, Texas
"Wendi came to our church at just the time we needed her most. As parents, we had struggled with "being in the world and not of the world," while raising our children. Many of our Christian teens had fallen away from the church and purity was of the utmost concern. Wendi candidly shared how she and husband were intentionally parenting their children and challenged us to seek God's face every step of the way. Her passion is evident and her enthusiasm for sharing this message is contagious. As a woman, I immediately connected with her precious heart feeling as if I too could actually become an "Intentional Parent."
- Angela Caswell
Glennwood Springs, Colorado
"I've heard Wendi Hall speak a dozen times and every message has helped me draw closer to God. Wendi has a unique gift of relating to young women. Her messages are powerful and as a result, lives are changed! Wendi is not ashamed of the gospel and is using her God-given talent to further the cause of Christ."
- Lori Minor, Principal
Mobile Christian School
"What can I say about Wendi Hall? If asked to describe her I would say, “First of all, she’s cute just like her mom!” Next I’d say, “I remember the first time I heard her speak. She led a group of teen girls in a Wednesday night skit to our Ladies’ class. I was impressed at her preparation and coordination in preparing these young ladies to minister to the adult women. Then she took over and applied the teens’ skit and made it so relevant to our lives.” Then I’d tell you about the time she spoke to our Ladies’ Retreat and used the Word to help us realize that we are “vessels” for God’s use. Finally, I’d say “You have got to have her tell you the story of her Grandmother Dot’s pink lipstick story. She will have you ‘rolling in the aisles’!”
-Margaret Istre
Port City Church of Christ
Mobile, Alabama
God has blessed Wendi with an amazing gift to communicate His heart to women. Her enthusiasm and love for the Lord are contagious! Whether it's a coffee date as a friend, or a speaking engagement in front of aroom full of women, I never leave her presence unmotivated! Wendi has away of expressing my heart, with the words I didn't know to use. She is a breath of fresh air and a women after God's own heart.
-Tara Bensinger
Oak Mountain Christian Church
"Wend Hall is one of the most gifted teachers and speakers that I have ever met. Her messages are relevant, convicting, and inspiring. I am blessed to count her not only as a mentor, but as a close friend. I take every opportunity to share her with others, as I do regularly with a Mom's encouragement group that gathers in my home to hear her advice on raising Godly children. She lives what she teaches, and one need only to look at her wonderful marriage and precious children to see that she is "the real deal."
-Jamie Tarence
Crossbridge Church of Christ
“It has been my privilege to hear Wendi speak. The Lord has gifted her withthe ability to reach out to everyone in the room so that they feel Hisnearness through her. Young women will be especially impacted by Wendi'smessage. She's "cool" enough for them and grounded in the Word with a heartso full for God, that Moms can't help but be pleased too. Don't miss anopportunity to hear what she has to share with you!”
-Dorothy Harris
Administrative Coordinator
Port City Church of Christ
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Unchained
"Unchain My Beauty"...this was the title of my girl's breakout class this year at Youth in Action ...or was it really MY title at all? As I stood in Wal-Mart on the Thursday before this youth rally, I received a phone call from the director of the rally asking for a brief synopsis of my class on "Unchain my Beauty." "Byron, " I questioned, "Are you sure that THAT'S the title? I was sure I emailed "Unchain my Relationships" to the coordinator of the classes...not "Unchain my Beauty." Much to my surprise, it was indeed the title that they had printed on the list of breakout classes. There I stood...in the middle of an aisle at Wal-Mart flooded with panic. I'm trying to listen to the quiet voice of God and to really trust that He knows best...but to change my class at the last minute seemed unthinkable.
Sometimes, I have to laugh out loud...because I'm sure way up there...looking down on me is God who is shaking His head and saying, "I know you only think this is about you...but the picture I see is larger than you could even possibly fathom." You see, I am completely anal when it comes to speaking engagements. I prepare months and months ahead and memorize ever word...every pause...every inflection. My need for control is huge. Over this past two years, God doesn't seem to be very concerned about this comfort zone that I have neatly set around me as a safety net. As a matter of fact, lately, He seems to be really asking me to walk on a sort of tight rope out in the middle of the abyss with complete trust that He will be the one speaking...not me. Maybe that's what this title of "Unchained" is all about. If you're like me and you like the comfort of knowing what lies ahead, maybe just maybe, that's precisely why God is choosing to keep nudging us forward into the unknown. Have you ever played that game where you’re blindfolded and someone leads you through a sort of obstacle course? I confess, that as much as I know I'm supposed to just close my eyes and trust the guidance of the guider...I tend to rely on that tiny crack in the blindfold at the bottom where it doesn't quite lay flat on your face to give me just enough vision to guide myself. Maybe that's what I've done with God. Maybe God has been trying to show me that the truth is, I have kept myself chained to...well, me...and my need for control. I have been so guilty of relying on myself that somewhere I forgot that God really does want to fully unchain me so that others will see a new dance...a dance of freedom. Imagine what that must look like to others. It doesn't make sense...but I'm reminded of the verse that says, "For we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God...and not from us." God could have made us with these minds that always know just what to do at any given moment. He could have given us the ability to know just the right things to say in order to reach a crowd. Maybe God just wanted us to realize that he could have made us this way, but then, who would ever believe in a higher power if not for the fact that God chose to use such a feeble person as me...as you...to be His mouthpiece?
As I looked into the faces of the girls in those breakout classes, I realized something. As much as I had a plan about what I thought these girls needed to hear about relationships...the Creator, the Master Crafter...knew His creation so well that He knew that tears would flow from even the prom queen and the head cheerleader when He reminded them that He calls them His daughter. He knew that the possibility of "dancing on daddy's feet," would cause the girl who barely lifts her head to look you square in the eye to sit up straight and take notice. He knew that these words from the song "The Real Me" would speak to the heart of every woman and girl there who longs to be called, "beautiful."
I am realizing more and more how much God longs for us to just let go and let Him lead us...without peeking. I can see the plans that He has for me to be more than I ever hoped or imagined in His kingdom. My prayer is for God to present to me more opportunities to trust him and to see first-hand the power of the Almighty. I long to be used by God to make an impact in this world...maybe God's just waiting for me to let Him decide how.
Sometimes, I have to laugh out loud...because I'm sure way up there...looking down on me is God who is shaking His head and saying, "I know you only think this is about you...but the picture I see is larger than you could even possibly fathom." You see, I am completely anal when it comes to speaking engagements. I prepare months and months ahead and memorize ever word...every pause...every inflection. My need for control is huge. Over this past two years, God doesn't seem to be very concerned about this comfort zone that I have neatly set around me as a safety net. As a matter of fact, lately, He seems to be really asking me to walk on a sort of tight rope out in the middle of the abyss with complete trust that He will be the one speaking...not me. Maybe that's what this title of "Unchained" is all about. If you're like me and you like the comfort of knowing what lies ahead, maybe just maybe, that's precisely why God is choosing to keep nudging us forward into the unknown. Have you ever played that game where you’re blindfolded and someone leads you through a sort of obstacle course? I confess, that as much as I know I'm supposed to just close my eyes and trust the guidance of the guider...I tend to rely on that tiny crack in the blindfold at the bottom where it doesn't quite lay flat on your face to give me just enough vision to guide myself. Maybe that's what I've done with God. Maybe God has been trying to show me that the truth is, I have kept myself chained to...well, me...and my need for control. I have been so guilty of relying on myself that somewhere I forgot that God really does want to fully unchain me so that others will see a new dance...a dance of freedom. Imagine what that must look like to others. It doesn't make sense...but I'm reminded of the verse that says, "For we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God...and not from us." God could have made us with these minds that always know just what to do at any given moment. He could have given us the ability to know just the right things to say in order to reach a crowd. Maybe God just wanted us to realize that he could have made us this way, but then, who would ever believe in a higher power if not for the fact that God chose to use such a feeble person as me...as you...to be His mouthpiece?
As I looked into the faces of the girls in those breakout classes, I realized something. As much as I had a plan about what I thought these girls needed to hear about relationships...the Creator, the Master Crafter...knew His creation so well that He knew that tears would flow from even the prom queen and the head cheerleader when He reminded them that He calls them His daughter. He knew that the possibility of "dancing on daddy's feet," would cause the girl who barely lifts her head to look you square in the eye to sit up straight and take notice. He knew that these words from the song "The Real Me" would speak to the heart of every woman and girl there who longs to be called, "beautiful."
I am realizing more and more how much God longs for us to just let go and let Him lead us...without peeking. I can see the plans that He has for me to be more than I ever hoped or imagined in His kingdom. My prayer is for God to present to me more opportunities to trust him and to see first-hand the power of the Almighty. I long to be used by God to make an impact in this world...maybe God's just waiting for me to let Him decide how.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
