Leslie Speaks

Sound Bites from Woman of Faith Conference 2009

2009-08-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

So much of my ministry...well let's be real..."God's Ministry" is simply soaking up great words from my pastor, friends, or other speakers. This past weekend I was flooded with words of wisdom and truth. In an attempt to not take away from these profound statements, I vow not to overshadow these thoughts. For those of you, who know me best, this is a tall order. For I am proudly a woman of MANY words. But today I share with you "Sound Bites from the Women of Faith Conference 2009".

"Tough questions come with tough answers." -Stephen Arterburn

"We all ask, from time to time, 'Where are you God?' And with that question and that experience we put it away in a box unanswered. But the living word says, 'Cry out to Him'. In the book of Mark, it says, 'let your request be known to God.' ...Where are you God? Always has the same answer. I'm right here." -Merilyn Meberg

"Do you have a heart burning desire? Looking for the purpose of your life? Listen to God. Desire the things of God. Then comply with God. Comply is the method in which you will be lead to surrender everything. Then you will have the heart's desire." -Stephen Arterburn

"Don't keep kickin' those doors down. Let God open them for you." -Patsy Clairmont

(This is my favorite...because I literally "rolled over" her in the hallway of Phillips Arena. Think about it 15,000+ women all swiftly walking throughout a massive complex and for a brief moment God allowed me to "roll into" Patsy Clairmont. WOW! Now I'm sure that Ms. Clairmont would of appreciated a less painful meeting. However, she sweetly spoke these words right to me! You think she really had literal meaning when she said "stop kicking those doors down"?)

"My Deliverer, you've set me free." -Mandisa

"My father was a hard working farmer. He was born into poverty....He became successful even after the downfall of America during the Great Depression. After my dad confessed his love for Christ, I asked him, 'Dad if you would of never given your life to Christ would you have met your goals?' He replied, 'Yes. I would of met any goal I set my mind to. But I would not have met my life's purpose." -Merilyn Meberg

"Don't miss your moment!" -Stephen Arterburn, Founder of Women of Faith

Yes ladies...Woman of faith was founded by a man! Who would of thought? May you all have a "Grand New Day!"

What's your excuse?

2009-08-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

The problem is not that God has spoken...but we haven't listened! We are without excuse because God has not only revealed himself to us in His living word but also through His creation.

"The heavens tell the glory of God and the skies announce what His hands have made. Day after day they tell their story; night after night they tell it again. They have no words they have no voice to be heard, but they their message goes through all the world. Their words go everywhere on earth." Psalm 19:1-4

Every star an announcement. Each leaf a reminder. Nature is a song of many parts but one theme and one verse. And that is "God Is!" Have you listened today? Have you taken the time to stop and hear the beautiful sounds of creation? If not...what's your excuse?

2009-08-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Lessons from Emmaus Road
My journey continues as God continues to open the doors at churches for me to share. My ministry has shown growth this year as I have already spoken at 32 venues and encouraged over 4,000 people in 2009. As my ministry grows the amount of time and travel has increased as well. So as you may imagine my endurance is often stretched to its limit. I’m often asked, “What keeps you going?” The answer can only be found in the letters I receive along the way.
“Hello Ms. Ostrander. I am a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. I feel moved to express my appreciation for your testimony this morning; you are a true inspiration even to those of us who have not had the same types of hardships that you have endured. I am a young woman with no physical disabilities, a family who loves me, a college education, and faith in the Lord. And yet I have found myself feeling so lost in my life and in myself, dominated by the negatives, and I want to thank you for your message--it was very much what I needed to hear. As my friends and colleagues find jobs, love, and success, I remain rather confused, lonely and left out. I graduated from college in May and have quickly discovered that while I really want to do God's work and fulfill His will for my life, I have no idea where He wants me to be or what He wants me to be doing, and have had a hard time believing that I could have any special purpose for Him. I have prayed and received no answer, yet; maybe He's not ready to reveal His plan or maybe I'm not listening very well. While I have tried to "hand it all over to Him" I will admit that it has kind of been half-hearted; I like to be in control and thought I could handle everything with God at my side. You reminded me that while God will be beside me, He will also go ahead of me if I trust Him to lead me. I don't know if God will choose to use me, or how, but after hearing you, I find myself less afraid of losing control, of letting Him guide my life where He wants it to go, and a little more hopeful that maybe I'm not completely lost and I may still have potential for Him and for myself. Thank you for taking the time to speak at our church today, I'm sure your message touched everyone in the room. I pray that God will continue to bless your ministry so that others can hear your inspirational story. Thank you for sharing your faith and renewing mine.”
My response to this sweet letter:
“I can't express to you how much I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. It's because of letters like yours that keep me going. When I am doubtful-and believe me I have those days-God sends me what I like to call "A post card from God". Your thoughts remind me that God is using my story to touch people in a real way.
I want to encourage you to keep praying, keep praising, and hold tight in this time in your life. You may think that God is not hearing your prayers but He is. Sometimes a "no response" from God is just a period where Christ is preparing you for things to come. I would also encourage you to keep a prayer journal. Write down the areas in your life that you are asking God to fix, to improve, or to change. Also include the blessings He has already poured out in your life. Try to do this at least weekly.
I kept a prayer journal when I was first out of college, living by myself, and very lonely. My family lived in another city and my career consumed all my time. Now, more than fourteen years later, I stand in awe of the many prayers that were answered. Had I not written them down I may not have recognized that indeed God heard my every cry and in His perfect timing He answered them one by one! And I must add that He provided for me well over what I had asked.
Keep this scripture close to your heart: "And Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ This scripture can be found in Luke when Jesus was traveling on the Emmaus Road after His resurrection. There are many lessons to be learned in this story but one that resounds with me is that we must rely on faith and not by sight when we pray. The disciples on the Emmaus road had the gift in seeing Christ...but even when their eyes saw Him they still could not believe. We have to eliminate from our thoughts the doubts that overtake us at times. We must believe by faith.
He hears you. He will answer and when Christ moves in your life you will stand in amazement the precious plans he has for YOU! I just can't wait to see what He does! Keep me posted.”
I was blessed this week to receive another letter of encouragement. It reads:
“Wow! Wow! Wow! You are a gift from God. Thank you for sharing the message with both services. So many people said that you touched their lives today. They commented that you were the vessel that brought them closer to God. You were so much more than just a story or testimony. We are so glad that God brought you and Aaron together. Because of Aaron’s email God brought you to into our lives and we are so much richer for it.”
I stand-or should I say sit-in complete amazement of God’s mighty works in my life. How He can take a broken person like me and use me. How Christ can take something so tragic and make it beautiful. Without Jesus I would be nothing more than a story. I believe that this journey is not so much about what I give to people but more about what I have received from others. The letters, the tears, and the joys that my audiences have shared with me are not meant for me to “simply soak up” or keep them to myself. Instead, I believe that Jesus wants me to use them as “springboards” to continue on. Like the disciples on Emmaus Road when they first saw Jesus after His resurrection they could not believe what they were seeing. It was too good to be true!
It was Christ full intent for them to share with ALL what they had experienced on Emmaus Road. That too is our responsibility! There are people all around us who are lost and dying without Jesus Christ. They may hide it well. They may appear successful. They may seem to be on top of the world. But without Christ they don’t know abundant life. It is our privilege and responsibility to share with others the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ! And that’s why I keep going.

2009-05-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Post Cards from God

When it comes to having faith in a God you can't see, from time to time even the strongest Christians need a reminder that Jesus is still active in the world and in people's lives. That Jesus still is in the providing business. Sometimes that reminder is a gentle nudge or whisper, other times it's a tornado-strength gale that sweep us over. Either way I had a woman at Cross Point Church of the Nazarene describe these events as a post card from Christ. Well God has been sending me some post cards that I must share with you.

The month of May will require me to travel to five venues, traveling 1240 miles and spending more than 20 hours in the car. However, I approached this busy month with excitement and gusto! In April I received my first post card while speaking at my first retreat. In the Loblolly event room at Callaway Gardens with 43 wonderful women from Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church God made His delivery. These women had traveled from Birmingham, Alabama for a weekend of relaxation, fellowship, and spiritual growth. In our second session together the Holy Spirit streamed into the room. As a group, the ladies knelt down, right by their chairs and poured their hearts out to Christ. Prayers were lifted and burdens were erased. It was one of those times when lives are transformed because of a relationship with Christ; an occasion that is clearly marked by God stepping in and touching your life. God's grace is plentiful every day. But on this particular day God’s grace almost defies comprehension by others. It has become a touchstone and an anchor in my ministry. This was my first postcard from God.

Although I have been on my ministry journey for a little over two years, I must admit that my faith waivers from time to time. Not my faith in Christ, but faith in myself. Even after having such a wonderful experience speaking at the Callaway Retreat my limited ability and endurance created doubt. I was physically exhausted after the retreat, daily life set back in, and I was forced to climb down from that Mountain Top experience.
Two weeks after the retreat May arrived. I prayed and prepared. Saturday, May 2nd I greeted a room full of lovely southern ladies that had decorated tables with fine china, spring flowers, and were all wearing beautiful hats. Shannon, the women ministry organizer of Cross Point Church of the Nazarene, had asked me to share that day. As I talked with ladies at my table I couldn’t help but think about the countless hours putting this event together. The volunteers, the men that served the food, and the sacrifice they all had made for a brief moment of enjoyment. I realized in that moment that I was not relevant. Yes, I had a testimony to share, but it is God’s story not mine. I could share my planned speech with all the passion within me but without Him my words would be empty.

I finished my lunch with the Cross Point ladies said my good-byes and started thinking about my next engagement. In a small Patriot Jeep my husband packed all our gear along with our children and two dogs, a Jack Russell and a five-month old Golden Retriever. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my ministry was nothing more than just a good story. Was I really making a difference in the lives of others? Was Christ working through me? Had I sanctified my heart enough to hear God’s voice? (Joshua 3:5- And Joshua said unto his people; Sanctify yourselves for the Lord will do wonders among you.)

Then at Head of Tennessee Baptist Church in Dillard, Georgia I received my second postcard. Once again I shared my testimony. But this audience was somewhat different than any church before. There was a large group of young adults dressed in uniform. Attractive green blazers with a signature crest of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, an independent boarding school. Students from all over the world were present-Korea, China, Asia. During a special musical presentation the altar began to fill. Young adults, kneeling, praying, crying, pouring their hearts out, it was an extraordinary display. The obedience to God’s call by these students was overwhelming for me. I cried as I recognized the power of Christ! I wept because I had doubted His ability to use me. I recognized it clearly the confirmation that I was indeed in the center of God’s plan.

I will share three more times this month. I will enter into these appointments knowing that all God expects from me is my yes. My unwavering obedience, my desire to know Him and His Word. He doesn't need me to waste time questioning my own ability - He desires for me to trust Him. And this is all He ask of you.

Have you received any postcards from God lately? Has Christ sent them to you but they were never read? Someone once told me, Man’s limit is God’s opportunity. I will enter into the engagements ahead with this poem in my heart:

But we never can prove the delights of His love, until all on the altar we lay. For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey, for there is no other way. To be happy in Jesus is to trust and obey.
www.lesliespeaks.com

Leslie Speaks at Wynnbrook

2007-08-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

This was a photo taken at the April 30, 2007 Release of my book. It was such an amazing night.

Leslie Speaks at Local Churches

2007-08-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

God has certainly blessed me! Since the book release in April 2007 I have sold over 500 copies. I was hesitate to publish 1000 books but took a leap of faith and knew that God would put the speaking engagements in my path. And that He did! Thanks to the following churches and groups that have supported my ministry.

Wynnbrook Baptist, Columbus, GA
Epworth United Methodist, Phenix City
Hamaliton United Methodist, Hamalton, GA
Retired Officers Wife's Club, Ft. Benning, GA

If you know of a group or have a church that would like to hear a story of love, modivation, and accomplishment, please contact me. I will send you a copy of my book In His Hands and schedule your next event. Here's a list of speach topics you can choose from:

Proverbs 31-It's a Journey not a final destination!
Keeping Color in Your Heart
Defining Your Life's Mission Statement (Great for the Corporate Events!)

Thanks for your support and prayers,
Leslie O