To ask about my availability for a speaking event, please contact my coordinator Barb Spencer at speaker@proverbs31.org.
Divine Secrets Women's Retreat
Date: January 23-24, 2009
Location: Georgetown, Delaware
Breathe Deep Retreat
Date: February 6-7, 2009
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Cornerstone Christian Women's Retreat
Date: March 20-22, 2009
Location: The Chateau Resort and Conference Center in Tannersville, Pennsylvania
UMC Regional Conference
Date: March 27-28, 2009
Location: Roanoke, VA
Women's Day of Worship Conference
Date: June 20, 2009
Location: Swansboro, NC
She Speaks Conference
Date: July 31 - August 2, 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Divine Secrets Luncheon
Christmas Tea - 2 evenings
Date: February 11, 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Women's Forum
Date: March 29, 2008
Location: Roanoke Rapids, NC
Spiritual Makeover Retreat
Date: April 18-20, 2008
Location: Camp Caraway Retreat Center, NC
She Speaks 2008
Date: June 20-23, 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Women's Day of Worship Conference
Date: June 28, 2008
Location: Swansboro Civic Center
What a Gal Wants Women's Retreat
Date: September 19-21, 2008
Location: Salinas, CA
Back Creek Women's Retreat
Date: October 17-19, 2008
Location: Camp Caraway, NC
Ladies' Night Out Christmas Event
Date: November 15, 2008
Location: Montgomery, TX
Christmas Banquet
Date: December 6, 2008
Location: Edwards, CO
Past Events 2007
Steppin Out with Jesus Event
Date: May 4, 2007
Location: Des Moines, IA
Divine Secrets of the Yahweh Sisterhood
Date: May 10, 2007
Location: Durham, NC
P31 She Speaks Conference
Date: June 20-24, 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
ICRS "Christian Booksellers" Convention
Date: July 8-12, 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Compassion, Intl. trip
Date: August 10-14, 2007
Location: Ecuador, South America
"Go Girl: Living Out Loud" retreat/cruise
Date: September 20-23, 2007
Location: Nassau, Bahamas
MOPS of Harbour Methodist
Date: November 21, 2007
Location: Wilmington, NC
Christmas Banquet
Date: December 18, 2007
Location: Baltimore, MD
I'd love to meet and serve your group!
Labels: Christian women's speaker
I always say I’m really just a word-geek at heart, who has fallen in love with the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
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I just finished a book to be published by David C. Cook publishers in Fall 2010 called:
Keep your eye out for it!
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August 07 was an exciting time as my book God's Purpose for Every
Woman was released by Harvest House Publishers. Looking for a women's devotional? Like P31's online devotions? This is for you. This devotional book was nominated for a retailer's choice award in Spring of 2008. Are you signed up for the free daily devotional "Encouragement for Today"? If not, you can click here to learn more or subscribe. I usually have a devotion or two published there each month.
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In the fall of 07, I was featured in the August issue of the P31 Woman magazine. My article was inspired by the Dog Whisperer - surely you've seen his show on the National Geographic channel. It totally fascinates me how he straightens out neurotic dogs so quickly.
Do you get the P31 Woman monthly magazine? If not, I think you might enjoy it. Great articles for women from a Christian perspective written by members of the P31 team, various Christian authors, and gals just like yourself. The best part is there are absolutely no ads inside! A year subscription is a $15 tax-deductible donation to the ministry.
To learn more about the magazine, just click here.
I've had some requests to read the Soul Whisperer article from those who missed it, so here it is in the original (copy-righted) form:
Soul Whisperer
by Rachel Olsen
I’m a huge fan of Cesar Millan. He is the star of the National Geographic channel’s hit show The Dog Whisperer. You’ve simply got to see this show. Cesar goes into dog owners’ homes and transforms the most out-of-control dogs into man’s adorable best friend. Be it a stubborn Poodle, a rebellious Pit Bull, or a hyperactive Chihuahua, Cesar deftly brings them into calm, happy submission.
I confess to watching multiple episodes in one sitting. I often look for a notepad to write down something Cesar said. Did I mention that I don’t currently own a dog?
It’s not Cesar’s mega-watt smile that holds my attention. It’s his totally-in-control-yet-tranquil presence that amazes me and tames these beasts. Cesar calls it “calm, assertive energy” and it oozes from every cell in his being. He walks into the room and the weight of his presence takes charge of the dogs, often without a single word. (The humans pretty much fall in line too!) With a single look into his eyes, these dogs know he is the pack leader. When he does communicate verbally with them, it’s typically with a whispering sound. Shhh.
A dog’s excited behavior like tail-chasing or excessive barking may appear to us as normal dog-antics, but Cesar says it’s actually the sign of an unbalanced dog in need of boundaries and purpose. Cesar says dogs are happiest serving in submission to a loving master, and he demonstrates that every episode. Cesar coaxes peace from doggie chaos.
Jesus has a similar effect on me. At times I’m impulsive – I blame it on my hormones. At times I’m hot-headed – I blame that on my hormones too. Yes, I can be as high-strung and neurotic as Cesar’s canine cases. I can also be a perfectionist and when I fail I can grow depressed. Feeling unbalanced, I’ll seek familiarity and comfort – too often in the Ben & Jerry’s in my freezer! It’s then I need God’s help finding my way back into calm, happy submission.
Throughout the gospels I see Christ’s “calm, assertive energy” taming the impulsive, sometimes hot-headed disciple Peter. Peter and I are a lot alike. We both desire to trust and follow Christ. Yet by the time the rooster crows next, we can be totally focused on our circumstances with emotions flying. Then we feel depressed over our lack of spiritual consistency and run for our comfort zone. While my comfort zone might be ice cream, Peter’s was fishing.
After Jesus’ arrest, Peter verbally denied knowing Christ three different times, fearing for his own well-being. When he realized what he’d done, Peter sobbed. He must have felt like his world was out of balance, so Peter left the city and went back to what was familiar – fishing.
Days later the risen Jesus sought Peter along the shore of the sea and asked him, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Three times Jesus asked Peter this same question and three times Peter answered affirmatively, insisting, “Lord you know everything; you know that I love you!”
When I’m upset by life or disappointed in my shortcomings, Peter’s story helps me hear Jesus whispering to my own heart: Don’t get depressed and throw in the towel, Rachel, because you fear you’ve failed or let Me down. I know that you love Me. Get back in there and love others with this love.
Just like that, my self-pity party or self-punishment session is over. I’m no longer chasing my tail or biting everyone who comes near. Like a shoe-chewing puppy brought into calm submission by the presence of the Dog Whisperer, my stubborn selfishness and impatient perfectionism is tamed as I gaze into the face of Christ in the gospels. Jesus calms my senseless striving, alleviates my faithless fears and redirects my selfish actions. He is my Soul Whisperer.
Don’t worry; my husband is fully aware of my fascination with Cesar Millan. Rick laughingly claims watching the Dog Whisperer puts me in a “calm, submissive state,” which he’s been trying to accomplish for years! His joking has a ring of truth, because although I find it difficult to control my weight, anger, and tongue, the impulse to control my husband comes all too easy! I’m thankful God sent the Soul Whisperer – He can help me overcome each of these issues and more. I just have to listen for Jesus’ still, small voice speaking to my heart.
It’s not really the man Cesar Millan I find so appealing; it’s the biblical qualities of peace, patience, kindness, joy and self-control he displays. Watching the Dog Whisperer in action reminds me of the amazing qualities of my own gentle master, Jesus, and His unfailing ability to calm my anxious soul with just a whisper.
Shhh, Rachel, do you love Me?
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I did an interview about writing with author Tricia Goyer. If you're interested, you can pop over and read it on Tricia's blog for writers.
Years ago I came across a verse in the Old Testament. The words leapt compellingly off the page into my heart. It was as if God whispered, "Remember this." I had no idea why until three years later when I sat down with Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries. That verse was Jeremiah 15:19:
"Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman.'"
It's my privilege to serve Him by sharing His words of encouragement and truth with women around the country. My heart's passion is drawing women closer to Christ and one another. I would love to meet you and your group so if I can ever serve as your speaker, please don't hesitate to contact me or P31 Ministries.Below are some of my favorite topics - I can also develop a topic that suits your needs.
* To book simply contact my assistant Barb Spencer at speaker@proverbs31.org.
Rachel's SPEAKING TOPICS:
Divine Secrets of the Yahweh Sisterhood
Jesus said there are secrets in the Kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11). These secrets can transform your life into something simply divine! In this always popular message you’ll discover how God forges beauty and strength in our lives, realize how much we need one another, and find keys to living the abundant life. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry as we uncover six divine secrets together.
Certain longings seem embedded in a woman’s heart: to have close friends, to be thought of as captivating, to lessen her stress, to deepen her faith, and to do something grand (not to mention to lose 10 lbs!). In this multi-session message, Rachel illuminates our longings using scriptures, statistics, and stories, as she holds our souls up to the light of God’s love and truth. Do you feel unsatisfied? Are you longing for more? Rachel reveals how a gal can find that which her soul truly craves.
On the Catwalk
The young and beautiful grace runways for designers like Gucci, but the 3rd chapter of Colossians reveals God’s got a catwalk for you and I to walk as well. Rachel will take you into God's dressing room for a custom fitting. We'll shed the ill-fitting clothes of perfectionism, envy and competition and put on tailor-made garments of grace, contentment and love. This is your ultimate makeover! Forget becoming America’s Next Top Model ... strap on some cute shoes and follow Rachel as we rise above the world's stage and take our places on God's eternal catwalk.
Breathe Deep
Feeling maxed out? Searching for that sweet spot of stress-free living? In this message you will: Learn to recognize sources of stress and how it affects you. Learn to turn your troubles over to God, and find rest for your soul. Walk away with practical tips for soothing your psyche as you discover how to manage and even embrace the daily stressors you face. The Creator of the air you breathe invites you to press into Him and learn how to breathe deep!
HOLIDAY TOPICS:
What Smart Women Can Learn From Wise Men
Follow the star to the Savior's side and discover the lessons of the Magi. In this inspiring message, we'll learn how to follow hard after God, bring Jesus our gifts, and avoid the "snares of Herod" that confront us today. Our eyes will be opened to the reality that there’s no greater gift God could give us than Himself, and there’s no greater gift we can offer Him in return.
A Cup of Christmas Tea
A tea party is like a spa for the soul. So let’s set aside the tangled tree lights and wrapping ribbon and press into God as we share some tea. In this message Rachel shares her testimony. Excellent for an evangelistic outreach; we’ll sip tea, talk tea, prepare our heart for Christmas and focus on how God steeps us in His grace, and fills our cups overflowing with His love.
To book Rachel for your event contact:
1-877-731-4663
"Everyone loved Rachel at our retreat. Young singles to elderly women could apply to their own lives the Scriptural truths she wove through her life experiences. We hope to have her back again!" ~ Barbara Pinkham, North Carolina
"Rachel was wonderful! She connected very well with our audience. We had a wide range of women attend and they all loved her. Our theme was Stepping Out with Jesus. Her Secrets of the Yahweh Sisterhood illustrated ways that we needed to step out and trust Jesus, regardless of our circumstances. She made sure that she was available after she was finished speaking, and seemed to be talking to women on a steady basis. I've heard lots of positive comments from the women who attended. They wanted to know, "How did you find her? We loved her!" ~ Jaci Gordon, Iowa
"We found Rachel to be very relatable and transparent as she shared her message with the women. I found her extremely easy to work with and very adaptable when plans or schedules changed. She also was very warm and friendly to the women that attended and was very gracious and available to talk with the women. She received very positive comments from our evaluation/comments cards and I would invite her back to speak without hesitation. When I dropped her off at the airport I truly felt as if I had made a new friend instead of just an acquaintance." ~ Carolynn Kaetterhenry, Washington State"Rachel is a natural born encourager and dynamic communicator!"~ Lysa TerKeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries
Labels: Christian women's speaker
Some of my favorite things in no particular order are: books that expand my mind and faith, Starbucks coffee frappachinos, Dove dark chocolate, worship music that ushers me to God's throne room, music that makes me walk faster on my treadmill, girlfriends' nights out, wide open spaces, getting a pedicure, history when its told well, vacationing with my family, the smell of puppy's breath, a day with nothing pressing to do but hang by the pool with lemonade and a book, curling up at night to watch a movie with my family, fresh fruit, scented soy candles, napping, mopping my kitchen floor, and finding the perfect accessory, on sale of course.
I'm Southern at heart. Born and bred in the valleys of Virgina, I now live with my husband and two children on the North Carolina coast. I love living at the beach. The fresh salt air, the roar of the waves, and the sun sparkling off the water does my soul good. It seems easier to connect with God's heart and reorder my priorities when gazing into the blue-green sea.I have a master's degree in communication, from Regent University, and teach part-time at our local university, where my husband is my boss! He's the chair of the communication studies department. I'm thankful Rick and I share many of the same passions and professions. It helps us understand each other's lives outside the walls of our home. And I simply could not do what I do when I travel and speak without his support, guidance and willingness to help with the kids (and laundry). We've been married about 15 years and have 2 sweet children under the age of 12.
In addition to teaching, I work with Proverbs 31 Ministries as a writer, editor and speaker. And I write Chrisitan books for women. Basically, I'm just a word-geek at heart who has fallen in love with the Word Made Flesh.
Sweet Blessings ~ Rachel
