Heart to Heart with Bobbye & Tonilee

A New Project...a music video!

Well, Daily Disciples had a huge monumental break through today. We finished our first music video. Wait…a music video? Aren’t you girls Bible teachers and speakers? Yes, we are…we have not gone into music, but we love to worship! Bobbye has been on this video kick thing for a few years now. She wants to do a reality video of “real, on fire Christians” who walk with the Lord daily.  So, I wasn’t too surprised when this (interesting) idea came to her. We were attending the National Religious Broadcasters convention in March, talking and brainstorming with many amazing people about video, radio, television. In between meetings, Bobbye turned to me and said, “TL, let’s make a music video for our Daily Disciples Women’s Conferences and use Mary James song, ‘Do you know my name?’” Mary is a great friend who has led worship at all of our Women’s Events, so we had a feeling that she would be okay with it. Before we knew it, we had written the script for the entire video. It just kind of happened.

What do we do with this idea? Bobbye was searching the web and found a video guy (Jim Ellis) who lived 30 minutes away. We called him, met him and we were very blessed to find out that he knew the Lord! We told him our ideas and within a day, he developed the actual script. Every step of the way, we saw the Lord move in hearts of those involved, in the weather, in the timing and in the staging of this video. We shot the footage outdoors on purpose…different and unique. We thought about cutting in sections from our last women’s conference but decided to show a side that displayed a simple message, not the promotion of an event, but of the heart of what we do to show that every woman who attends the event has been brought by the Lord. We knew that the hand of God was knitting hearts together and making a way to have this video produced…quickly!   (That is a miracle in itself when you think about all the other things we have to wait on).

Jesus really does call out to each of us. Jesus really does know our name. Jesus desires for each of us to be intimate and personal with Him. I love the part in the video when the girl (Laura) walked by the confused girl (Sandy) and reached out to her. The Lord definitely shows Himself the strongest through those of us who reach out to another as we become Jesus with skin on.

Our events are filled with real women (Christian and non Christians) dealing with real life issues.  All of us are messed up but that’s who Jesus came for… the sinner and the sick not the righteous or the well.  Bobbye and I desire to help women everywhere understand the love of God, as He has given us a message that brings hope, healing and wholeness. And I am so thankful that the Lord opened up the doors to have this video made. You will love Mary James! This song was written by her and reflects her testimony. This link will take you to the video. (on YouTube) or dailydisciples.org.  We would love to hear your comments.             Tonilee

Hello to our friends in the Ventura area...

I have been meaning to post this message for several days now. Two weeks ago, we spent an amazing evening with some of the nicest women we have ever met. The event was called "An Evening of Intimacy with God" and it more than lived up to its name. The team at Ventura Missionary Church, some wonderful women, hosted an evening of fellowship and worship. Special thanks to Mary James, our most anointed worship leader as well as singer, songwriter and performer. She and her band led us all to God's throne room, as we praised and worshipped Him. After a time of sharing God's Word on worship, prayer and being in His Word daily, we had a special time of prayer. We so loved the opportunity to pray for these special women. We pray that God moves on this community in a powerful way. It was truly a blessed evening for Tonilee, myself and our Daily Disciples team. We look forward to the next event as we plan a one day conference early next year.

To all of you who have written us, Thank You so much! We love you too. Stay in touch and we will see you soon.  Bobbye

Our Trip to Nashville and the NRB

Hi...

We have had a busy couple of months. Lots happening with Daily Disciples as the year has taken off. We just returned from Nashville, TN, one of my favorite places in the US. I lived there for 10 years and had not been back in a while. We attended the National Religious Broadcasters convention (NRB) at the Opryland Hotel. This was our second time going to this convention and we were much more prepared this time around. Last year was a bit overwhelming...I will spare you my personal insights but suffice it to say that certain aspects of Christian business can raise a few eyebrows. This year we had several meetings, talked to the station managers that host our radio programs, and spent a full day with the Women in Christian Media. We were blessed to hear amazing women of God (Kay Arthur, Janet Parshall, June Hunt, Joni Erickson Tada, Thelma Wells) share their hearts for the Lord and how they are praying for revival across our nation. We realized that there is a hunger for the truth of God's Word but there are few who are actually fighting for the freedom to keep our Christian voices. We are living in perilous times...do we realize how serious things are getting? The mainstream media is slowly choking and drowning our voice of truth. Janet's message was powerful and alarming. Praise God she is speaking truth on her radio program and in the nation's capitol.

Overall, we left NRB inspired to keep teaching, speaking, preaching and voicing the Word of God and its application to our daily lives. We are thankful for the support and encouragement from those of you who support our radio programs, website, videos, daily devotionals, Bible studies and women's events. These are all ministry outlets that get the gospel of Jesus Christ out to the world. We hear from people all over the world who are hurting and struggling. Even if they know Jesus, they still are struggling to walk with Him daily, especially in the trials of life.

We are gong to Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, CA on March 28th. We would love to see you there. We will keep you posted with all that is going on...we love you and pray for you. Stay in touch!

Bobbye 

The Women's Event...what a day!

God is so good! I can’t even begin to describe the overwhelming joy I have about yesterday’s women’s event. The day seemed seamless. Our team was filled with joy to serve and the ladies came with such open hearts to set aside the day to seek the Lord. Mary James was wonderful. I heard that every CD she brought, she sold. The presence of the Lord was so strong.

I was up first to give the opening message. I had prayed about what to say for a while but clear words or sentences never came to mind. I just kept hearing the Lord say, “The Good Shepherd.”  The Lord then went out of His way to confirm it as my husband bought me a book on Psalm 23 and a long time friend had given me a journal with the verse, “I am the Good Shepherd. The shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” from John 10:11. Neither one knew that the Lord was already speaking to me about the Good Shepherd.  Praise God that the fruit was evident as women from everywhere came to Christ. I must have seen 50 hands raised. I loved the stories that I heard as the day continued. Big prayers for you all!

I was so thankful for Bobbye’s message from John 4. We all related to the woman by the well and fell more in love with Jesus. Her words sunk deeply into my heart as I appreciated her honesty about the struggles she has faced as a successful business woman and as a Christian woman today.

Sally Miller’s story, (our emcee and founder of “WIN-Women In the Neighborhood”) as well as the Rescue Mission’s stories were such an encouragement. Jesus does change lives and Jesus still commissions us to His call today. Real stories from real women dealing with real struggles but overcoming because of the Lord.

And of course, the ending! The theatre was packed out and I think all but 10 came forward. Praise God that the aisles count too as they were also filled. We all gave ourselves to the call of the Lord’s will over our own will.

Thank you, Jesus. You be glorified because we do not care about anything else but YOU.      --TL

Challenges in the New Year

Hello friends and happy 2008!

It is hard to believe that the new year is here and moving steadily along. For me personally, it seems busy and hectic. In addition to a new bible study and upcoming women's conference with Daily Disciples, my personal life has had its share of challenges. I spent most of December dealing with physical health issues. It was strange in the sense that I never knew where or how I "caught" them. From a bad stomach ache to strep throat to a case of hives...and no one else around me had them or contracted them from me. Then, the rains here in San Diego have been heavier than normal since the start of December. My husband and I moved last year and are still working on our driveway and landscape, which to a great extent has been in danger of flooding for the past month with the rains. There is something symbolic about feeling a little sluggish or slow and then walking or driving through thick mud just to get out of your driveway. I could go on with more illustrations but the point is not so much in the details but in the reality of life. Life goes on and it does have its issues and challenges. In my walk with the Lord, sometimes I think I am really beginning to understand Him better, only to fall on my face knowing that I do not, grateful that I can say I know Him at all. There are days when I hear Him say in that soft, still voice, "Will you still praise Me today...even in the storm?" To worship the Lord means we choose to worship Him, regardless of how life is treating us. I have been challenged in this truth and have learned to recognize its testings. Yes, Lord, I praise You. Yes, Lord, I worship You. That is the response He wants from me. That is the response He wants from us all.

Tonilee and I have been through a lot these past couple of years, both personally and in the ministry, but we know that in the end nothing matters but God. He is All that matters. He is God and there is none other. We pray for all of you this coming year and we covet your prayers as well. We go forward desiring to not only speak the truth of God's Word but also being willing to speak the truth of life's reality. Who are we trying to fool as Christians? Is this Christian life easy and burden free? No...but Jesus says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Getting lined up with Him is the challenge in this world today. We pray that 2008 is a new beginning---a fresh start for the right changes.

If you live in San Diego, please join on January 26th, Saturday, at Point Loma Nazarene University for a day of New Beginnings. Bring a friend and spend the day really focusing on what God has for you, today and forever. Let's be honest...let's get real...let's make a difference for the kingdom this year.

God bless you all! Bobbye

Merry Christmas!

I hope you are all ready for Christmas. For me personally, it seems like it comes so fast, like didn't we just have Thanksgiving? December is always an interesting month for me, and not always for the good. My father passed away on December 16, 1990. He literally dropped dead...got out of his truck and dropped dead. I was living in Nashville, TN at the time and the news was devastating and shocking. He was 55 years old. Death during the holidays is difficult and the sadness is hard to ignore. My husband's brother died on December 20, 2005. He was 44 years old. This year, we planned a party for December 1st and on the night before, I ended up in the ER very sick. Pretty interesting time in December. Sounds like a bummer, but somehow in the midst of it all, I sense the Lord's love and protection. This life is passing---seasons, holidays, dates and times...but the Lord wants us to focus on the eternal, not just on the temporal. Sadness is part of life but one day, every tear will be dried in heaven, for those who know Jesus. He is the real Reason for the season...He is all that matters. Am I ready for Christmas? I am ready for Christ-mas. I am ready for a new year and I pray that you all have a very wonderful holiday time. Be thankful in all things, for God is so good.

God bless! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bobbye

San Diego Fires

This past weekend, we opened up the lines on the radio to hear the stories of how God intervened during the fires. The stories were similar, each one giving thanks to God for the way He moved. For some, the wind shifted direction just in time and for others, people became "Jesus with skin on" as they provided and met the needs of the callers. God clearly moves through people helping people as well as God moving through the winds.

Although the show was filled with praises to the Lord, I literally started crying. Why?  Because the people we didn't hear from was the person who lost everything in the fires. What thoughts were they having? What were they dealing with? Did they even have the ability to listen to Christian radio? If it were me, I would have questioned why God would allow this to come into my life. It would be very difficult to not be angry and it would be more difficult to be thankful.  I wanted to hear from them. I know that the news gives us clips of the fire victims but I wanted to hear from the ones who knew the Lord. How was He comforting them? How was He able to move in the midst of such internal as well as external disaster?

Thankfully, God started answering my prayers as Sherry Woodley from Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church called me yesterday. Bobbye and I are teaching a Discipleship Program at her church. She is the women's ministry director and that church is located in the center of the fires there. 57 members of that church had their houses burned to the ground. Sherry began telling me of very tangible ways that the Lord has been intervening in the lives of the victims in Rancho Bernardo and Poway. Sherry and her team have been given a warehouse and very creative ways to minister directly to the fire victims. It is the kind and gracious acts of people touching people that portrays the love of Christ.

Sherry said that a group of women from Solana Beach Pres were attempting to deliver backpacks to the thrift store in Poway. They ended up at the Presbyterian church in RB instead asking for directions. It was Sunday morning and Sherry was just about to head home. So she told them to leave the backpacks in her office and she would take them to Poway in the morning. On Monday morning, Sherry got an urgent call saying that there was a mix up at the high school.  The students who lost everything in the fires were suppose to receive new backpacks their first day back. Well, Sherry just happened to have over 50 brand new, high school-style backpacks sitting in her office. God met those kids needs in a way that only the Lord could have intervened. Praise be to God! He works things together for the good.   

My mom teaches the Community Bible Study class at this church also. She also told me miraculous stories from the fire victims of the women who attend her class. One lady left her wedding ring in her home as she evacuated out of town. After the fire feasted on her house, there was nothing left. A group of Christians went to her property, prayed and searched. They not only found her wedding ring but her tennis braclet also. God is faithful, even in the midst of such turmoil.

We know that not all things are good. These fires are not good, however, God promises to work things together for the good of those who love Him. Please continue to pray for these people. Also please consider to become "Jesus with skin on" to tangibly touch a family that lost everything. One of the things Sherry Woodley is doing is asking people to donate a Willowcreek Nativity Set to the fire victims. She has the connections but needs people to come alongside her to give. If you are willing, please call her at 858-583-4861. She gave me permission to put her number on the blog and said that if anyone is willing to tangibly help, please call her.

We are going to have a prayer meeting (opened to all) on Thursday, November 8 at 7pm at the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church. We are going to come together as a community and unite in prayer. There will be testimonies and we will be explaining how you can get involved. Please try to join us as we pray and seek the Lord that night. God is desiring to reveal Himself in the midst of this for we know that He promises in Isaiah 43:2-3, "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." And He is still in the business of saving us today and every day! Hope to see you there.        ---Tonilee

A Special Radio Broadcast from Bobbye & Tonilee

Our Saturday morning radio program on KPRZ 1210 AM in San Diego was dedicated to those in the community who have been through loss and pain this past week. Click on the link below to hear the program and the testimonies of those who called in to share the stories.

Bobbye & Tonilee's Radio Program in San Diego, Saturday October 27th

One caller said it best...we should all be more grateful for what we have been given each day. To God we give praise and thanksgiving.

Firestorm update 10.26.07...from Bobbye & Tonilee

Hello to our friends...

We thank you all for your calls, emails and messages regarding what has happened here in San Diego this past week. The experience has brought many of us closer and has seemed to bring the best out of San Diego in terms of volunteers and people wanting to help others. We keep all of those in prayer who are now beginning a process of starting to rebuild...they truly need our prayers. Though our families are safe, we know that each day is a precious gift from the Lord, one not to take for granted.

We also want to comment on the blog from "Ann" who felt Bobbye's decision to stay was a bad witness.  First of all, the firemen came to their door and allowed them to stay. Their home is "highly defensible" (according to the firemen) and they have their own fire hydrant. Much goes on behind the scenes in these situations and decisions are made, not out of defiance or rebellion, but out of accessing what is the best choice to make. We should not rush to make judgments against people's personal decisions, especially when a crisis such as this has brought so much pain to so many. The blog was never intended to bring a negative response or comment, just to keep our friends updated. We apologize if Bobbye's comments offended or stumbled anyone.

Stay safe and keep looking to Jesus!

Firestorm updates 10.24.07

Hello everyone...Tonilee and I thank all of you for your calls and emails. We are safe and out of harm's way. There is still smoke on the mountain in front of my house but no fires. To say the least, we have a mess to clean up. The ash residue is black, thick and toxic to breathe and though the air quality is improving, the smell is pretty strong of smoke. Tonilee and her kids are going home today. Her husband went home last night to check on things and see how the air quality was in the house. Things are improving in her neighborhood as well.

If you have been joining us for the Rancho Bernardo bible study, it is officially off. This Thursday/Friday was to be the last study but due to the devastation in Rancho Bernardo, the church is in the midst of a major crisis. Over half of the church attendees have been impacted by the fires. Armed national guardsmen are patrolling the areas around the church. Please lift up this community in prayer. They have been hit extremely hard by these fires.

We will keep you posted through this blog if things change but for now, everything is much safer for our families and homes. We must all take these moments to remind ourselves of Who really is in control, it is not us...God is on the throne. Let us praise Him in good times and bad. Let us pray for His mercy and grace and for those who need to rebuild, may He bless them.

Love you all,

Bobbye