I’m sitting here in the Dallas Airport waiting for a connecting flight to go back to Palm Desert. I’m reflecting on an incredible two days in Selma, Alabama. And it is amazing all that can happen in two days. Many months ago I received an email from Catherine Gilmer of First Presbyterian Church of Selma asking if I would consider coming to Selma to speak. They had begun the book of quiet times, Revive My Heart. Catherine (spelled just like I spell it!) had the dream of a women’s conference open to the community of Selma. I replied that I would LOVE to come to Selma - I had never been to Alabama and I was excited about her vision to reach women. And so, there I was on Saturday in Alabama. I was so excited to see the sign at the airport reading “Birmingham.” It’s amazing that you can be in one city and then another far, far away from where you live in just a matter of hours. What a drive we had to Selma. I’ll describe that in a moment. But just look at this picture - these are some of the most amazing, on fire for the Lord women at Selma. That’s Catherine to my left. I felt at home with these dear sisters in the Lord immediately. And what a great time of ministry we had together. Many women in the community attended from different churches. We talked together about revival. And we prayed for revival. It was a powerful time - the Lord moved among us and gave us in a new way “a heart for revival.”
Yes, this is a pic of me in front of a Piggly Wiggly. I could not resist taking this picture because I’ve heard of this store and have never seen one. We got totally lost on the way to Selma and just as we realized we were lost, there was the Piggly Wiggly. I said, “We’ve got to stop here. They’ll help us know what way to go.” And I snapped a picture. It is just so amazing to be in a part of the country where I’ve never been. I loved it. What a joy to make new friends all along the way.
Remember I said it was really cold. Well, it was more than that - there was SNOW! Four inches of snow fell the day before we arrived - the women told me this is almost unheard of in their area. I loved it because I don’t see too much snow. And get this–our rental car had a button that was called “snow” - can you believe that. I can tell you that where I live in the desert there are no cars that have buttons with “snow” written on them. I’m surprised we ever even made it to Selma because I was taking so many pictures of the snow.
I arrived a bit early for our last session and took a little drive around the area of Selma. This is a picture of Sturdivant Hall, a mansion existing during the time of the Civil War. It was amazing to drive around and see so many buildings that existed during that time and be in a town with so much history attached to it. I loved my time in Selma, especially, of course, my time at First Presbyterian Church of Selma with those wonderful women. Monday morning was an extraordinary time where we all prayed for revival. The prayers were quite unexpected in that so many, from one end of the room to the other, called out to God with prayers for Him to pour out His Spirit on us. I cannot wait to see all that God is going to do as a result of our time together. It was a blessing to have some time talking with Dr. Ron Stone (the pastor) and his wife - what hearts they have for the Lord. I’ve made friends for life and I am trusting that the Lord will take me back to Alabama again sometime soon. And now, it’s onward and upward. My plane is about to board and it’s off to Palm Desert where I’m working on a new book, reading through galleys on another book, and writing messages for my new book of quiet times entitled Run Before The Wind–Truths From Acts To Enjoy Life In The Spirit. May the Lord enable us to “run before the wind” of the Holy Spirit and may He get all the glory.
Well, I am excited to say I am on the road again and just arrived in Birmingham. It is beautiful here. We flew from Palm Springs to Dallas and then on to Birmingham. I do love the Dallas airport but I can tell you stories of how we barely have made connecting flights at times. You know you’re in trouble when you’re running up to the gate and they know your names :). We spent the night here in Birmingham and are about ready to leave for the First Presbyterian Church Of Selma where I will be speaking three times at a conference entitled “A Heart For Revival”. 
I couldn’t resist sharing this picture of clouds I took from the plane. Whenever I notice an amazing picture from the plane I try to capture it. I thought this blanket of clouds as we were flying in to Birmingham was amazing. Just incredible. Well, I will share more later. Just wanted to post at the beginning of this new journey. I can’t wait to meet these women and connect with some friends from Dallas who are also going to be there. What a joy! We have a two hour drive and then we’ll be there. So gotta go - more later once we get to Selma.