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Women of Joy 2026: Radiant

Psalm 34:5 (AMP) They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.

The last weekend of April I go to go to Women of Joy in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This is now an annual thing for me and another Amanda that I met nearly eighteen years ago. We bonded over our oldest being the same age, and me being the person she trusted to watch her children when she and her husband worked. Many years ago, I was a director of a childcare center that had up to fifty-eight kids at one point. Friends can go long times without talking, but that does not mean that they are not cared for. I have a few that I call friend like that. We get together and it is like we have never been apart. This year she brought one of her work friends. What would you do if that happened? Would you be secure in who you are in Christ to be okay with being on the outside sometimes? I was able to reassure my friend that I am secure in Christ. I had a wonderful time. We stayed up late talking and even went on some shopping excursions. The best was hearing some of my favorite speakers like Lysa Terkeurst, Lisa Harper and Hosanna Wong.

Lysa Terkerust spoke on Simmering Resentments. She pointed out that we need to pay attention to these little feelings of bitterness because left unattended they can grow. A whole nation was affected because of the bitterness of ten brothers. Joseph was sold into slavery over jealousy that turned into hatred (Genesis 37). Even though the place they ended up saved them as a nation. In Exodus 1:6-11 we see that they were a gentle people, it was their potential that Pharoah feared and enslaved them. We go all the way back to the unchecked hatred that Joseph’s brothers felt. Duke University came out with a study that the number one killer in America unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is linked to heart disease and cancer in the body. Unforgiveness and bitterness is the enemy crouching at the door of our hearts. Check out what happened to Cain in Genesis 4.  “Why are you angry?” the Lord asked him. “Why is your face so dark with rage? It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you, longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it! (Gensis 4:6-7 TLB)” Surrender your heart to the will of God. Do not invite the enemy in and allow him to recruit you through bitterness and resentment. Our choice to forgive is linked to our will to live. Jesus becomes our healing when we choose to release it.

Susie Larson (my first time hearing her) spoke on Made for More. We cannot be more secure than we are in Christ. To know this love is to be filled with the fullness of God. We are a people that works to feed our appetites, but your soul is also hungry. God wants us to know Him and encounter Him. We do not want to feel pain or struggles, but why are we trying so hard not to. We have to feel to heal. The lies believe reveal the storms that will know you down. We have a high capacity for self-sabotage because of our fears. She told the story of three women in the Bible, you can read them in Luke 7:11-17, 2 Kings 4:8-16 and Luke 8:43-46. Make space of hope, this is where joy is found. Your pain is real, but your conclusion is wrong. The way you tell your story is what is keeping you down. Reframe your story. Pull down those strong holds and allow Jesus in.

Hosanna Wong talked about the Battles that We are Fighting. Some of us are fighters, but we end up fighting the wrong thing. The enemy of our soul wants us fighting lesser battles. She used the example of Eliab and David as found in 1 Samuel 17:28,  “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard what he said to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down here? With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption (overconfidence) and the evil of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” There are four lies the enemy likes to tell us. 1) the lie that you have no value. For me this struck regarding our church, so many walked away so easily and they enemy tried to tell me that Connect was not good enough, that we have no real value. What we think about ourselves determines how we live. I think about the ones that we have made a lasting impact in and the growth I see in those that have stayed. 2) the lie that you are not doing enough. We hurt ourselves trying to prove ourselves. We are to remain faithful where He placed us. 3) someone else can define you. We give the power to others when we worry about others think of us. No one has the power to define us other than the Person who created us. 4) the lie that your past disqualified you. The list of what you did wrong may be true. The full truth is that Jesus redeemed our past. Once we put our faith in Christ we became a new creation. We may have made some mistakes in the past, but that is no longer who we are. It was a good thing that David did not stop to fight his brother at that moment, because a Goliath was standing before him. You will know what battles to fight when you spend time with God. Fight to spend time there.

Lisa Harper spoke on Radiance. If you spend time with Jesus you will stand out. Moses spent time with God and it showed all over his face (Exodus 34:29-33). Moses was fasting food and water for forty days and came back radiant from being in the presence of God. We are called to shine for Christ. We are His ambassadors. Daniel 12:2-3 (AMP) Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever. It is not based on our personality; it is based on the goodness of God. We are to exude radiance. We are called to shine.

I love me some Bible, so this was just a confirmation on what the Word says we are to live like. We are to forgive and keep watch over our hearts. The enemy wants to distract us, and he is good at it. Keep your eyes on Christ. Fight to spend time with God. We are His ambassadors, so let your face look like it. We were made for eternity and God desires us. We are secure physically, mentally and emotionally because of who Christ is within. I am looking forward to my time next year.

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Hope: Women of Joy

Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

This past weekend I had the joy of driving nearly six hours, to and from, the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I was in the car by myself to meet up with a friend. We keep up with each other via Facebook, text and an occasional phone call. We met when I opened up a childcare center, eighteen years ago. Her oldest daughter and my oldest son are the same age, and she coached tiny tikes’ soccer for them that year. It has been over ten years since they moved out of the area, but we kept in touch. So, when she called me last year to ask if I wanted to attend this event with her, a year in advance, I said yes. She made all of the lodging arrangements and all I had to do was show up, she even purchased my ticket for the event. Coming from the planner in the family, it was a big deal of trust to allow someone else to do it for you.

I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes.

Bob Goff

I knew three of the four speakers on the line up for the weekend, Lysa Terkeurst, Lisa Harper and Jackie Hill Perry. The last time I attended the event I heard from Lisa Bevere. With Lisa Harper I have been able to attend other of her meetings. This was the first time to hear Lysa Terkeurst in person. I am a big reader when it comes to the Christian Living genre and those three Lisa’s are my favorites. Annie F. Downs was the unknown to me, however, I did enjoy hers a lot. The theme for the weekend was “Hope.” All four of the speakers had a unique message on the theme.

Lysa Terkeurst was the first night. If you know who she is, then you would know that she had gone through some heart break with the ending of her marriage the past few years. Her book “Uninvited” is what really helped me through the time of feeling like I was thrown away when I lost my job at a Christian non-profit over six years ago. Her base scripture was Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When she found out her husband was being unfaithful, she hoped that God would keep her family together, she did not want to lose what she had. She had to be joyful in hope. She explained that God has told us to steward what He has given us, not to control it. Control led to anxiety, inviting in fear, depression and resentment. To steward meant she was going to trust God with the outcome, which led to greater faith, surrender and peace. She reminded us that we are to take heart, to take courage and to count it all joy. Then be patient in affliction. Look for ways and opportunities to bless others, keeping the focus off of yourself. Finally, and most importantly, pray continually. It is safe to present our requests to God. Pray for Him to show you someone to forgive. Pray for Him to show you someone to bless. Pray for Him to show you His goodness today. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).” Lysa announced that she has remarried to an amazing man that has taken her family as her own. He cheers her on and she knows she is loved.

Lisa Harper was our opening speaker for Saturday morning. She makes the who room light up and will have you laughing so hard with her hilarious adventures. 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (AMP).” We have a living hope. We can rejoice because of this living hope. She read the story of Peter returning to fishing after Jesus was crucified, found in John 21. Jesus went to Peter before Peter said he was sorry. One of the biggest problems we have in the church is that we are quick to judge and slow to forgive. The key to living hope is to never forget that we need mercy.

The third speaker, Annie F. Downs, was new to me. I did purchase her book, “Looking for Lovely,” and am looking forward to reading it soon. She is a big fan of looking for fun and inviting others in. She often looks for opportunities to bring in non-believers. “The joy of unbelievers in your life is the joy of seeing God pursue them.” I am one of those who will look for opportunities to hang out with non-churchy people. How can I be the light if I only hide within other lights? When you live in the fullness of who Jesus is, you will change the rooms you enter. Her key verse was Romans 5:3-5 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (NLT).” We chase hope, by chasing joy, so chase fun. Fun always requires vulnerability. When you are vulnerable then you know that you are known and loved. Fun invites connection. Fun will help you remember what you may have forgotten. We need joy in us, for others. In Christ we are not without hope. “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it (1 Peter 3:15).” Be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have. We cannot only be friends with each other.

The closer for the event was Jackie Hill Perry, on Sunday morning. Jackie spoke of hope from the story of Hannah, as found in 1 Samuel. She talked about the importance of prayers of petition. Her first point was that they must be a problem. Before we send up a prayer to heaven it is because we have identified a problem on earth. Hannah’s problem was her infertility. She felt both internal shame, and external shame. When everything is bad, God is still good. Do not be tempted to redefine things by your circumstances, stick to the scriptures. Her second point was to identify the pattern. Hannah’s issue was not short lived; she struggled for years. Every year when she was supposed to worship, she was reminded and was provoked. Although she was experiencing the love poured out by her husband and his favor, she allowed the irritation of his other wife to depress her. She was not able to eat, means she was not able to commit to worship, she held back her worship. All she had space for was the grief. God is committed to eliminate all avenues of boasting in our lives. Jesus did not go immediately to Lazarus, so that God would the glory. What if God is committed to your sanctification more than your comfort. Her third point was the Petition. Hannah gets up and does not go to her vices to numb her anxiety, she goes to the temple to pray. Instead of bringing her emotions, she brought her whole self. She starts off her prayer not by addressing the problem, not by addressing the pattern, but the Person of God. She calls Him the Lord of Hosts. A name to boost her confidence. The Lord of Hosts can give joy where there should be grief. Everything we have is a gift, and she was going to commit to give her child back to Him. Sometimes we are asking God to give us things that we have not intention on giving back to Him. God will not give you an idol. Nothing we have is ours to keep. When she prayed, she prayed out all of her cares. When she released it, her countenance changed. Prayer of petition is more than getting what you want, it is putting yourself in position for peace to come. Are you desperate enough for Him? Hannah was made to be His created before she was made to be a mother. She worshipped freely in the release, before she had her son. The Lord is faithful.

I hope you enjoyed my notes from this weekend. They do not do it justice from being in the atmosphere of 10,000 women worshiping together. If I can encourage you to do anything is to say ‘yes’ to things that bring you out of your comfort, that will challenge you. In doing so, look for opportunities to bless others. Look for someone to love, to forgive and to show His grace.