i won’t give up

Posted: March 29th, 2012 | Filed under: life | Tags: , , , , , , | 44 Comments »

I tried something new. I made a mini-movie. It’s completely different from my other videos, so I’m calling it a mini-movie.

I was scheduled to speak at a local Christian University this morning. I was so excited about this because it was in the town where I live. That was a huge dose of grace to me.

I prepared for months. From timing my hair appointments to timing my message. I’m organized when I speak because it scares me and preparation helps me not freak out.

About three weeks ago, I was told that someone wrote the University telling them that it has not been long enough since my sin to speak (6 years, 11 months, 2 weeks). And I was uninvited.

Don’t be offended for me. I’m not.
Enough about that.

I had this message all prepared and I still wanted to share it, so I slipped into my creativity and hung out to make this video.

I renamed the message as a nod to irony and scaled it down from 20 minutes to a little over five.

Let me know how I did…


44 Comments »

44 Comments on “i won’t give up”

  1. 1 Stacy Joyce Kennedy said at 7:50 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I am screaming and shouting AMEN with you! What a POWERFUL video! Thank you, as always…
    My recent post hear my {heart}

  2. 2 Melanie said at 7:52 am on March 29th, 2012:

    You did good! This will reach the audience that needs it! God will be heard.

  3. 3 Heather Kirtley said at 7:59 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I'm sitting here in tears. I think you did amazing getting this message of fear across….but you always do. I didn't realize that I needed to hear this so badly…until I did. <3 you mucho!

  4. 4 Tawni Miller said at 8:09 am on March 29th, 2012:

    "The darkness of failure can never hold you forever." It's as if you were speaking directly to me Serena. The "monster's" in my life do weigh me down, but you nailed it, "even my worst cannot stop Jesus' love." That has to be my focus, my relationship with Him and not seeking the approval of others. I get caught up in that. The looks, the comments, the doubt that I feel from others all come from an enemy that wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Thank you Serena for sharing your journey and walking through my journey with me. Shaking the dust off our feet together ~ God bless you:)

  5. 5 serenawoods said at 8:19 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I'm glad, Stacy. Thank you. :)

  6. 6 serenawoods said at 8:19 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I think you're right, Melanie. Thanks. :)

  7. 7 serenawoods said at 8:20 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Awesome, Heather. :)

  8. 8 serenawoods said at 8:21 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I love it, Tawni. Thanks. :)

  9. 9 AprilDel said at 8:52 am on March 29th, 2012:

    unfreakingbelieveable. i just think you are so beautiful. inside and out. love love love.

    can i share this on my new little blog that noone reads ;)

    I struggle so much with anxiety. thanks so much, I wrote down a lot of what you said in the video. so so so good!! <3

  10. 10 serenawoods said at 9:07 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Thanks, April. :) Yes, please do share it.

  11. 11 lisa said at 9:29 am on March 29th, 2012:

    i love it!!!! great job!!! i am also sharing ~

  12. 12 @gmthul said at 9:50 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Just popping to say I love you. Even though you don't know me.
    My recent post Loud yellow

  13. 13 Jennifer Wagenmaker said at 10:10 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Amazing! A message that so many need to hear. Bless you mighty warrior.

  14. 14 janelle said at 10:19 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Powerful – as always. Will keep this in my back pocket to play whenever i'm feeling less of who he intends for me to be. childhood and sin leave many scars.

  15. 15 Jason Wert said at 10:48 am on March 29th, 2012:

    THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.

    This is the kind of video that could open big doors for you to minster in a lot of places. Something tells me what Satan intended to do for evil God is about to redeem for good in a HUGE way.
    My recent post How a Christian’s favorite band can be an “atheist” band

  16. 16 Lindsey Hartz said at 10:55 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I adore your heart and your passion. Beautiful.

    I was actually talking about you the other day….so thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to share my own brokenness fully here so long ago when I was so afraid. Thank you for your amazing, heart-stirring words that make me hungry for grace and God. Thank you, for YOU.

  17. 17 Judith Freeman said at 11:25 am on March 29th, 2012:

    Thankyou! Very well done! A true blessing….

  18. 18 Heather said at 11:28 am on March 29th, 2012:

    I hope to meet you someday.

  19. 19 serenawoods said at 2:20 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thanks for sharing it, Lisa. :)

  20. 20 serenawoods said at 2:20 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    I know who you are! Your hair is coming in beautifully. :)

  21. 21 serenawoods said at 2:23 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thanks, Jennifer. :)

  22. 22 serenawoods said at 2:24 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    "childhood and sin leave many scars." Yes… :)

  23. 23 serenawoods said at 2:24 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thanks, Jason. You made me smile. :)

  24. 24 serenawoods said at 2:25 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    I feel the same about you, Pretty. :)

  25. 25 serenawoods said at 2:25 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thank you, Judith. I'm glad you liked it. I love doing stuff like that. :)

  26. 26 serenawoods said at 2:25 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Let's do it! :)

  27. 27 dawn said at 4:49 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    hey sis! What you said is worth writing down. It was a great speech and video. Glad you put that part about not being offended for you in the blog, (stopped me before it was to late) It looks like your work regarding your sin isn't over yet. Many more people still need to know about Gods forgiveness and grace through your story. Looks like you'll stay a while longer. Someday, you will speak at that University. God used your book and story to do a mighty work in my life. I wouldn't have made it through without it.

  28. 28 Ashley said at 7:00 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Fantabulous!! Who knows how many more people this might reach than speaking would have. It is all as it should be. Love what you did with this video!!! Your little actresses did great, too!

  29. 29 serenawoods said at 7:59 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thank you, Dawn. That made me smile. :)

  30. 30 serenawoods said at 7:59 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Thanks, Love. :)

  31. 31 @EdwardsMarc said at 9:09 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    I LOVE IT! We get this as a result of the letter? Awesome!
    My recent post Hope Scott Young, b. 08.11.11

  32. 32 serenawoods said at 11:30 pm on March 29th, 2012:

    Ha! Yeah, I guess so.
    Write more letters, People. ;)

  33. 33 4gilbert1 said at 6:29 am on March 30th, 2012:

    Tears. Love, love, love.

  34. 34 brownpaperandstrings said at 8:25 am on March 30th, 2012:

    I love it!!
    My recent post Grace drawing Near

  35. 35 Sharon O said at 9:01 am on March 30th, 2012:

    Awesome video there is so much truth in the words, is it ok to share it? Like on my facebook page?

  36. 36 Jamie Habermaas said at 9:45 am on March 30th, 2012:

    Where to begin??? First of all, you did an amazing job on the video. Your words have helped me through some of my toughest moments. I still have your email saved and refer to it often. I wish we were closer to meet for coffee so I could hear your words more often. YOU are such an encouragement to others!
    "No one can go through the darkness for you… Jesus is not afraid of the dark. He's already been there. Even your worst can not stop His love." Thank you for those words.
    Love that song, btw. I listen to it on repeat every day. Makes me love my husband even more.
    Also, love the quick shot of Hearts of Fire. I got one of my favorite tattoos there. ;)
    Thank you for sharing, Serena. The University definitely missed out on a blessing.
    My recent post Let the Games Begin!

  37. 37 Donna said at 11:22 pm on March 30th, 2012:

    Thank you. This was so timely in my life because I just realized a struggle with fear and wrote about it on my blog….I'm working through the darkness and find freedom as I heal. Blessings.
    My recent post Me. Today. Fearfully expecting good things

  38. 38 serenawoods said at 11:33 pm on March 30th, 2012:

    Thanks, Sharon. :) Yes, please do share it.

  39. 39 serenawoods said at 11:34 pm on March 30th, 2012:

    Jamie, thank you. :) It's very encouraging to know that my words hit the right spots. :)

  40. 40 serenawoods said at 11:38 pm on March 30th, 2012:

    Being aware of your struggle with fear is huge because so many don't know they're afraid. You're on the right track. :)

  41. 41 Heather said at 3:05 pm on March 31st, 2012:

    I love this video. Thanks for sharing!

  42. 42 Robyn said at 11:31 am on April 3rd, 2012:

    Serena,

    Thank you for sharing this with us. Your message is powerful and true.

    Robyn
    My recent post Out of the DARKNESS.

  43. 43 exegete77 said at 3:47 pm on April 5th, 2012:

    I’m late to the party, but I have to say, Serena: What powerful words of redemption in the video! Wow. And Wow again.

    Thank you!!! Everyone in church needs to hear and reflect on these words.
    My recent post Searching for the church — Part 2

  44. 44 Wendy C. Wood said at 7:31 pm on April 14th, 2012:

    It's like I was hanging on to every word like you were Yoda ;) loved it. sorry it took me so long to comment.