An Evening of Holy Laughter

Tonight, Mom and I went to Spartanburg First Baptist to a ladies night. The speaker was Thelma Wells. If you don't know her, she used to be part of the Women of Faith ministry - they toured doing the Extraordinary Women conferences. I went to a conference YEARS ago, like when I was in the youth, and heard her speak there. She was so funny! And tonight, I heard her again. I just love a good show with clean and pure humor surrounded by the presence of Christ. God has given her a wonderful testimony to share to lift up women.

Thelma wears a bee brooch on her lapel everyday. She taught this science teacher something new tonight: A bee is not scientifically supposed to be able to fly. Its body is too heavy, and its wing span is too short. Technically, it shouldn't be able to. But! She pointed out it's not about science; it's about what God wants that bee to do. He's the maker.

So Thelma took the letters of "bee" and had 4 points to share B + E + E = S.

1. B - Be aware of who you are. Christ made each of us with a purpose and a plan, and we are so loved by God. {Psalm 139: 13-14} and {Jeremiah 29:11}
2. E - Eliminate the effects of negativity. She gave her testimony and how she was first raised by her great-grandmother. She took her to church everyday, literally 7 days a week. All Thelma knew were hymns and praises. After her great-grandmother died, she had to live with her grandmother, who didn't like her and was mean to her. After the grandfather left for work each day, the grandmother would shut her up in a closet all day with no food or light. Thelma said that all she knew to do was to sing songs and hymns that she had learned in church. Then she wouldn't be afraid. So, Thelma challenged us to realize that every family has "stuff" and everyone has problems. To keep our attitudes positive, we should sing praises to God, recognize and know His voice when He speaks, get over ourselves and our problems, stop worrying - God says, "Do you not know who I am?"; and there is no excuse for anyone to not read and understand the Bible (there are many translations, it's on TV, DVD, and can even get it on your IPod, she says).
3. E - Eternal value. Thelma said that everything we do and say should have eternal value. Do everything for the glory of God. We need to get ourselves out of the way.
4. S - Success - - A life of joy with Christ.