A Wonderful Weekend of Growth

We stand in awe as God continues to challenge and shape us both in our ministry calling. This weekend was Guys Only/Girls Only night where our guys and girls have sweet fellowship separately. The guys ate chili, worshipped and listened to a panel of sweet Chi alumni men talk about how to be a true man of God. They ended their night playing dodgeball in the First Assembly gym. The girls had a soup and bread fellowship, amazing worship and four speakers who each gave three points on how to break bad habits (since we ALL have them)!

Mary, Sami, Steph & I making soup before the night began! These selfless ladies did so much!

I actually had the honor of being asked to speak, my topic was "How to Keep Bad Habits Away". The wonderful thing about Girls Only night is that it's just us girls, opening the door for us to be incredibly vulnerable with each other and our struggles. Many of you know my testimony and I was able to share a bit on that by reading a few of my old journal entries from when I was in my bad habit, keeping it away and finally able to keep it at bay.

I spent a lot of time in prayer on it because I had NEVER given a teaching/sermon in front of a large group before. I absolutely loved preparing for it because not going to lie I was INCREDIBLY nervous for it, which led me to fully rely on God throughout the week before. Mark can tell you that I had a break down the Wednesday before because I didn't think I could do it. He said, "Danielle, just speak from your heart. Let God give you the words." And that my friends is what I did.

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My three main points to keeping bad habits away were:

1. Retreat to the Secret Place - spending quiet time with Jesus
2. Accountability - getting help from someone who has God's best for your life
3. An Eternal Mindset - realizing that this life is so much more about God rather than ourselves

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The other speakers were Pastor Alissa Leedahl, Counselor Crystal Dunham & Pastor Whitney Leedahl. Needless to say I was the youngest and most unqualified, but God can do anything and I was up for the challenge! My heart had been aching to stir things up with the women in Chi Alpha for a while now. Mainly to get them excited to fight off the enemy and his pathetic lies. And to encourage them to live for God in an incredibly powerful way.

You see I tend to view this life as a battle. (Jesus vs. Satan) (Light vs. Darkness), basically like a Lord of the Rings battle. God revealed to me that the enemy uses our "bad habits" to distract us from our calling and lead us to sin. They are like arrows which are intended to take us out of the battle against satan.

Yes Mark got me this sword for my birthday this summer - too perfect!!

We have to retreat to the secret place to get restored, healed and fully armed to take the enemy on! We need accountability partners, warrior sisters to carry us and to keep the attacks at bay. To have someone who has not only our best interests in mind, but also God's best interests for us. And finally an eternal mindset, because our bad habits do NOTHING to glorify God or further advance His Kingdom.

After I spoke I felt exhilarated and humbled. It honestly was not me who spoke, but Jesus. There were close to 200 girls in attendance that night. Teaching in front of large groups was a feat I thought impossible not only a year ago. I am honored to be used by God in such a powerful way. I truly believe my faith grew during that process and I'm excited to see what else God has in store for me.

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The next day Mark and I got the opportunity to teach a breakout session together. We taught two 40 minute sessions on "The Secret Place". We wanted to teach the students how to have solid consistent quiet times with the Lord and to grow in a deeper intimacy with Him.

A secret place is where you spend time with God alone. Whether it's reading your bible, listening to worship, journaling, talking to Him, walking with Him or simply sitting in silence and listening to Him.

Mark and I after teaching our first breakout sessions together!

We were beyond blessed by the amazing opportunities of growth we had as a ministry couple. God continues to confirm our calling into ministry and we are so excited as we face the new challenges. We cannot thank you enough for all of your support and prayers. Students are breaking free of their bad habits and forming a lasting and powerful relationship with Jesus!

Speaking of growth, please be in prayer as Mark has been given the opportunity to speak at First Assembly's 6pm Shift service tonight!


If you are struggling with spending time with God just shoot us an email at mark.erickson.2@gmail.com as we'd love to send you our notes from our session! :)