Until this year I had never attended a Women of Faith conference. That changed when my friend Kelley Mathews invited me to go as her guest with some press passes.

What Kelley wrote on her blog before the event reflected my feelings exactly:

"I'm going in with rather low expectations. Here's what I think I'll get: a great show, fun music, lots of laughs, a few pats on the back and maybe some encouragement in my spiritual walk. Here's what I hope I'll get: all of the above, plus a challenge to get out of my North Dallas-top-10-wealthiest-county-in-America bubble, a call to action for Jesus with tangible resources to help me get started, biblical teaching to back up these challenges and encouragements, and a sense of discomfort with my safe, snug life."

We got what we expected. It was a great show with fun music. At one point Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, and Mandisa were all belting out worship music in three-part unbelievable harmony. Talk about your singing powerhouses raising the roof. The event brought the equivalent of three concerts. Amy Grant's set alone consisted of eight to ten songs including oldies like "My Father's Eyes" and "El Shaddai." Good. Stuff.

And yes, we laughed a lot. Especially when the cameras zeroed in on one of the two husbands in the crowd. This guy was singing along with Mandisa's version of "I am W-O-M-A-N!" Oops.

We also got some pats on the back and some spiritual challenges: Press on. Keep going. You are loved. God has a plan. Lose the baggage. Your work is important to God. (Oh, and sponsor a World Vision child.)

Add some stellar drama and polished testimonies--story telling at its best. (And of course great fashion and make-up modeled by those on stage. How does Sandi Patty walk in those high heels?)

Still, it surprised me that the most Bible-focused teaching came from Mandisa. Give that girl a pulpit! I didn't expect the former American Idol singer to bring the Word in word as well as in song, but let me tell you--she brought it!

And I loved spending time with Kelley. The older I get, the more I see the need to carve out time for and with friends.

This morning at church, I got what Kelley and I hoped we'd get. And this afternoon I finished reading Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James. It brought a call to action right out of Scripture that stretches readers beyond their comfy-life zones. Carolyn's writings should come with a warning: No-milk, All-meat zone!

So I've had a full, great weekend. Tomorrow it's back to teaching a new semester of students. Bring it!