Another Bright Lights Mally Newsletter
There's a thread on this but I believe it's been achieved
and I've decided that I would rather blog these instead.
link to the thread.
In short - I used to co-teach Bright Lights. A program for girls written by Sarah Mally. I've had to listen to records with both Grace and Sarah Mally speaking. And I'm perpetually on their email list.
I've gone back to church recently and discovered that Bright Lights has died out. The person I cotaught with who championed it let it die when interest waned and her own daughter graduated from high school. I am severely glad.
I'm going to put this behind the spoiler because it typically comes over with the graphics when I copy from my email. But don't miss "The Wood Story" from Papa Mally. And Oh dear, they did 'outreach' at an NEA conference. I bet that was interesting. There is also an upcoming events section - they're going to be in Pheoenix at the end of the week.
Dear Friends,
Greetings from the Mally family and Bright Lights staff.
The Wood Story (By Harold Mally)
When I was 11 or 12 years old I wanted something. I discovered that my grandfather had some wood stored under his porch, and I wanted it. By wood, I mean lumber. He had a big stack of some nice lumber under his porch that he was saving for future use, and I really wanted to have some of it. I wasn’t thinking of stealing it of course. I just wanted it, and I was hoping my parents would ask him if I could have some.
My intent for this lumber was that I wanted to build a fort, or maybe it would be better called a hideout. Well, I was at a stage in life when I was interested in such things and big enough to think I could build it. I really had my heart set on this idea—but—I didn’t have any materials. We had some tools at our house. I knew how to use a saw and a hammer. But I didn’t have any lumber.
There was a problem though regarding my interest in my grandpa’s wood. I don’t remember the precise obstacles, but my parents weren’t very cooperative. Either they didn’t want to ask for it, or they didn’t want to go through the effort of bringing it home, or they didn’t think I needed it, or something like that. Anyway, I was unhappy. Actually, I was more than that. I was irritated, upset, crabby, pouting, sad and grumpy.
So one day we drove to my grandpa’s house, and I stayed in the car because I was unhappy about the whole matter. And then something happened that changed everything instantly. I went from being unhappy to happy; from being grumpy to being joyful. It all changed in a flash. The miracle that brought about the change was quite surprising to me. It was a thought. I don’t remember if I prayed or not, but the Lord brought to mind a new thought. It was this: “If the Lord gives me the lumber, it’s mine, and if He doesn’t give it to me, it’s not. And if He doesn’t give it to me, He must not want me to have it for some reason.” This simple thought made me content. I was satisfied to be content with whatever the Lord arranged.
This may seem like a very insignificant story, but the fact is that it affected me enough that I remember it after all these years. I never did get the lumber, but I was content with that. It never bothered me again. There is another end to the story though. Years later I learned that the lumber was Oak. At 11 or 12 years old, with a hand saw and hammer and such hard wood, I wouldn’t have gotten too far with my project. :-)
“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” – John 3:27
Young Ladies Summer Ministry Reports
First “Speak Truth in Your Heart” Conference
This conference, held in the Dallas area, was a special time of rejoicing in the Lord for what He was doing. It seemed like the concept of replacing lies with truth really “clicked” for many girls.The need is great for young ladies to be replacing faulty thinking with God’s Word.
Bright Lights Conferences
The conferences in St Louis were another highlight of the summer. Not only did the Lord provide fantastic hosts in the Whisler family, but He brought together a very godly team of leaders. Several attendees shared with us of the struggle it was to get there, and the enemy opposition they felt, but it was encouraging to see the Lord have the victory that week. Praise God! Thank you to all who were praying.
Camp Ministry
Sarah spoke for a week at Story Book Lodge Christian Camp on being strong for the Lord in our youth, and Grace spoke to high school girls at Kansas Bible Camp on witnessing. They both really enjoyed the more personal and intimate settings of these camps. One girl told Grace that she appreciated that the teaching on witnessing was something she could be putting into practice at her school or in her hometown. She said, “Now I realize what I should be doing all the time!”
Summer Evangelism Reports
NEA Outreach
We were thankful for the opportunity to help Answers in Genesis at the gospel booth at the NEA convention which was held in Washington DC this year. Praise God for good discussions with many skeptics. On our way home, we stopped at the Ark Encounter to volunteer for a few days as it was opening. We had the surprise opportunity to witness to a group of atheists who were protesting the Ark encounter. But we will have to save that report for the next newsletter. :-)
Witnessing Workshop
We held a Witnessing Workshop in Cedar Rapids on August 5-6 as extra training for those who would be coming to help at the gospel booth at the Iowa State fair the following week. On Saturday we took everyone to Iowa City to practice witnessing, hoping we’d find enough people to witness to, and—praise God—a “Soul Fest” was happening downtown, and the area was packed with people. We all came back for pizza and were thrilled to hear many stories of divine appointments.
Iowa State Fair
The Creation Evangelism Training camp (August 15-19) combined with witnessing at the Iowa State Fair was an amazing time that truly exceeded our expectations. Many who came to the camp commented on how helpful it was to receive training and have the opportunity to put it into practice that very same day. At the gospel booth at the fair (run by Answers in Genesis) about 75,000 gospel tracts were given away and there were hundreds of substantial one-on-one gospel conversations. Witnessing together at the fair provided hours of encouraging times learning from each other, coaching, and sharpening. Each day we were overwhelmed as we shared stories of how we had seen the Lord’s miraculous working and guidance, and rejoiced in what He had done. We are grateful to Tony Ramsek (from Answers in Genesis) for all the excellent evangelism training and coaching he provided, both at the Witnessing Workshop and the camp. We heard much response from attendees by how they were helped by it. You can view his messages here: https://vimeo.com/tramsek
Upcoming Conferences
Speak Truth in Your Heart Conference near Phoenix, Arizona
We are excited to announce a Speak Truth in Your Heart Conference in the Phoenix, Arizona area, October 28-29th. Based on material from Sarah’s new book (not finished yet), this conference challenges girls to identify the lies which are the root issues behind struggles they face. From the beginning, Satan’s strategy has been to use deception. This is why we must be well grounded in the Word of God. Many girls try to change their wrong actions, but never learn to discern the wrong thinking behind the actions. Often struggles in our spiritual lives are intensified because we don’t know the Lord and His Word well enough! As girls replace lies with the truth, they will see how God’s Word will transform each area of their lives as the truth sets them free. The conference addresses topics such as a girl’s emotions, purity, her view of God, and a proper view of herself in light of the truth of Scripture. When a young lady learns to “speak truth TO herself,” she is building her life upon an unshakable foundation that will resist even the most powerful attacks of the enemy.
Leaders Encouragement Retreats
We are very excited to announce that we have scheduled Bright Lights Leaders' Encouragement Retreats in seven locations around the country this fall and winter! These retreats are for past Bright Lights leaders, current leaders, and for young ladies or moms who are considering starting a group in the future. We pray these will be a time for leaders to get better acquainted, and to be refreshed and inspired.
It will be a time of fellowship with others who have a heart for reaching young ladies and a chance to glean and share wisdom with others who have experience in discipleship ministry.
Retreat will include:
Bible study through the book of Philippians
Group discussions—sharing ideas and discussing challenges
Encouraging videos to watch together
Prayer times and lots of fellowship with likeminded sisters!
Locations and Dates:
Franklin, North Carolina (October 28-29) hosted by Hannah Booth
Hortonville, Wisconsin (September 30-October 1) hosted by Hannah Rocke
Livingston, Montana (October 7-8) hosted by Cheyenne Wolf
Mason City, Iowa (October 29) hosted by Jennifer Huang
St. Louis Park, Minnesota (November 4-5) hosted by Amanda Engelmeyer
Sumas, Washington (January 5-7, 2017) hosted by Anna Kirk
Corona, California (January 20-21) hosted by Amanda Dautrich
More locations may be scheduled soon.
Registration is free. If you are leading a Bright Lights group or are considering starting one, you may want to attend the retreat closest to you.
Online Resource of the Month
50% off Bright Lights Leaders Manual Download (reg. $10) and Leaders Training Audio Download (reg. $20)
The Bright Lights Leaders Training material was developed to equip young ladies or mothers who would like to begin a discipleship group for younger girls in their area. Leading a Bright Lights group will give training and experience in the most comprehensive fundamental of ministry: how to “disciple.” This conference gives practical training in discipleship, teaches key principles of ministry, shares insights about how to reach the hearts of younger girls, and includes lots of helpful ideas.
The great commission is not “go and make converts,” but “go and make disciples!” (Matt. 28:19-20) Unfortunately, many Christians are unsure about how to fulfill this calling. Many have never been discipled themselves, and have never been taught how to disciple others. The pattern we see in Scripture is for older women to teach younger women (Titus 2:3-4). We believe this can and should start by older girls teaching younger girls. When a young lady begins a Bright Lights group or another discipleship ministry, she is usually the one who grows the most as she leads the younger girls by her words and example.
Ages 10-14 are often a turning point for young ladies. Decisions made at that time greatly influence their entire lives. Girls need guidance from the Word of God and vision for ministry. When a godly older girl takes a loving interest in them and encourages them in the Lord, it makes a strong impact on their hearts and lives! This training will help equip and encourage older girls to do this.
The 50% off promo code can be used for the Leaders Manual Download and Audio Download. This offer will be honored on our online store through October 31, 2016. At checkout, use promo code: download2016.
Prayer Requests
Pray for Bright Leaders to be encouraged and more groups to start as a result of the Leaders Encouragement Retreats.
Pray for the book Sarah is writing on the topic of “Speaking Truth in Your Heart.”
Upcoming Schedule
October 28-29, 2016 – Speak Truth in Your Heart conference (Phoenix, AZ)
February 3-4, 2017 – Speak Truth in Your Heart conference (Camp Berea, Morelia, Mexico)
March 31-April 1, 2017 – APACHE homeschool convention (Peoria, IL)
April 7-8 – Answers for Women Conference (Florence, KY hosted by Answers in Genesis)
June 2-3, 2017 – CHAP homeschool Convention (Lancaster, PA)
God bless you and your families!
The Mally Family and Bright Lights Staff, Nickie Biegler, Bekah Hicks, David Rodgers, Haley Skrnich, Emily Selander, Shelby Rathke, and Hannah Sandersfeld
Tomorrow's Forefathers, Inc.
945 7th Ave
Marion, Iowa 52302
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