Thank you friends for all your prayers and words of encouragement. I can’t even begin to explain how incredible it feels to be the chaplain for the Miss Oklahoma Pageant!

Many of you have expressed an interest in reading the Miss Oklahoma Daily Devotionals. I prepared a seven day devotional for the these lovely ladies here in Oklahoma !  So I thought a great way for you to get to follow along and share in their spiritual journey was to post The Daily Devotionals here on corbywinters.com! 

It is the 40th Anniversary of the Miss Oklahoma Pageant so needless to say, the word Legacy is a key word!  Each contestant received a devotional and a cross after the Chapel service on Sunday at ORU! It was an awesome time!!  I pray that you will continue to keep me as well as the contestants in your prayers.  

 I pray these devotionals will speak to you and be a blessing to you too or to someone else you know!

 

Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teens Daily Devotionals 2012

LEGACY

Lyrics by Nicole Nordeman

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me 
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest 
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery 
Of all the who’s who and so-n-so’s that used to be the best 
At such’n’such … it wouldn’t matter much

I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights 
We all need an ‘Atta boy’ or ‘Atta girl’ 
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides 
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy 
How will they remember me? 
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough 
To make a mark on things? 
I want to leave an offering 
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically 
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile 
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy 
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile 
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred 
Just want to hear instead, “Well Done” good and faithful one…

 

 

Dear Miss Oklahoma Contestants and Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teens,

I want you to know how thrilled and honored I am to be chosen as your new chaplain. It is certainly a dream come true for me.  I am so very grateful to Connie Ichord-Hubbard, Jill Easley, Kay Alexander and the entire Miss Oklahoma Pageant organization for allowing me this opportunity to serve as your spiritual guide, mentor, advisor and whatever else you may need. It is certainly my desire to help you discover your dreams, your passions and your purpose!

 I have been praying for all of you for many months, believing that God will guide, direct and use you.  Not only here this week at the Miss Oklahoma Pageant, but as you serve and bless the communities you represent and all of the lives you will touch throughout your entire lifetime.  You will, indeed, leave a legacy just like all the other contestants that preceded you!

This is the 40th Anniversary of the Miss Oklahoma Pageant and we will be talking a lot about our legacy and how we will be remembered.  There is no doubt Connie Ichord-Hubbard leaves a wonderful legacy for all of us to aspire to. Her life has touched countless women and has made an indelible mark on the Miss Oklahoma Pageant Organization for 34 years.  She is a gift to all of us and I am humbled and honored to be filling such big, powerful, beautiful shoes.

 I pray you know that you are an important, valuable and significant part of God’s plan. I hope to empower, encourage and equip you to be all God has called you to be! 

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly as you trust God to fulfill His purpose in you!

 

 Corby Carlin Winters, M.A.                                                                                        

 

Sunday, June, 3, 2012     

 ~Today I Invite You To Embrace Your Life ~

I believe that “Embracing Your Life” is a key principle to living a full, healthy, whole, and fulfilled life.  To be truly empowered women of God you must Embrace your Life! Your gifts, your talents and your uniqueness are gifts from God.

This week at Miss Oklahoma is not the time to hold anything back.  Instead, give yourself and everything you have to it. I am certain that is what God wants you to do.  He wants you to live life to its fullest and you can’t do that holding back. The Miss Oklahoma week is no different.  Give it all you got, girls!

God wants to work in you and through you to impact the world, especially through the gifts that you possess and the life you lead.  As a counselor for many years, I worked with countless women who were bound up by insecurity, fear and doubt.  Pageant Queens are not immune to these issues of the heart either; sometimes they are just disguised behind a beautiful gown.  But these fears limit you in being able to fully accept yourself and fulfill your calling. We can’t spend a lot of energy worrying about what others think about us.  We must only care what God thinks!

God wants all of us to shake off the things that are keeping us down and holding us back.   He wants you to walk in confidence and freedom and fulfill your purpose and calling. Some of you may think you don’t have a call on your life, but I am certain you do! You may feel God has forgotten you, but He has not.  He has great and mighty plans for you.  A plan only you can fulfill. 

 We must be real with God, others and ourselves.  It is in our authenticity and transparency that we experience personal and spiritual freedom!  This, dear friends, is true freedom.  To know who you are in Christ, and to confidently walk in His shelter, provision and outpouring is simply awesome.  To experience this kind of freedom takes courage, confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. These are the key components that strengthen our character. This is when we learn to say, “Lord I am going to trust you no matter what.”  It is having confidence in Christ and who we are in Him.

Once we place our confidence in Jesus Christ and Him alone, we can then be bold and confident in our calling, confident in our purpose and confident in our gifts. This is not pride or selfish ambition, but it is a celebration and confidence that our talents, our gifts, our passions and our pursuits can be used to lead others boldly to the throne of Jesus Christ!  You will be unbelievable Godly Gals and FabYOUlous women of God!! True queens on the Inside and on the Out!

What will your Legacy be…?                                                      

 

 Today I choose to be…?

 

Monday, June 4, 2012

~ This Is A Perfect Week To Develop Lifelong Friendships ~

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpen iron, so does one man sharpen another

You are in the perfect place to find some lifelong friendships.  My desire is that you will develop friends that will stand beside you and face your future or “giants” with you. These committed friends say things like,” How can I help?” and “What can I do?” or simply, “I’m here for you.”  These words speak hope and encouragement.  I strive to be that kind of friend and I hope you do, too. 

In my husband’s book, Everyone Needs A Sam, Winters writes that many will go to the mountain top of success with you. There are many who want to tag along when you are important, but few will walk life’s dark valley with you.  He talks about those faithful friends that will join you in your lowest and darkest hour and as you are searching for a light switch, they bring the flashlight.

 I pray you and I are those kinds of friends, packed with a flashlight and willing and ready to turn it on at a moment’s notice.  Winters calls them “SAMS,” I call them “The Sacred Few” and my maid of honor calls them “Heart Friends.” It doesn’t really matter what you call these loyal friends, but what matters most is the characteristics they possess and that you have these friends in your life to call on.

I have been on the mountain top of success and I have been in the deep valley of despair.  I have won my share of crowns and lost more than I can remember.  I have also found myself buried under life’s stressors just like most of us. I have made some great choices and some not so great. We have had much and we have had little, but what we have learned most is that the journey has been made much easier by the friends we keep and the Gospel we put our faith in.

The Sacred Few are the friends that you can call on in a moment of crisis.  They will stop everything, right in the middle of whatever they are doing, even turn around in the middle of the road and come to your aid. These are the women who do not ask, “why do you need me?” but simply ask “where do you need me?” because they are true friends. These are the ones you can trust with your innermost secrets.  They know your greatest fears and craziest aspirations. They are women who will walk through life’s journey with you.

 You want these friends in your inner circle.  They are loyal, trustworthy, brave, kind-hearted, full of wisdom and support.  These women are critical in your life no matter how old you are.  They are the ones that inspire you to greatness and encourage you to be more than you are. You must make the time to spend the time with these women.  They are critical to your health and happiness.  These women will listen to the details of your life story.  They will have your back and be by your side through thick and thin. So I urge you to find and identify your SAMS, your Sacred Few and keep them close because they will be a blessing to you the rest of your life.  I promise!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we strive to be flashlight carrying friends that will be there any time, any place, anywhere imparting wisdom, knowledge, love and encouragement!

What will my Legacy be…?

 

Today I choose to be…?

 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

~ Let Your Life Shine ~

I love this verse – Matthew 5:16:

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

“Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house,

In the same way you let your light shine before men,

That they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven!”

Pageant Queens usually stand out in the crowd, not just because they are beautiful, but mostly because they have that “It” factor we all talk so much about.  They also have charisma and most of all they SHINE! 

“Her light bulb is on” is what my mom would say if someone had an amazing personality or was just really on fire for Jesus.  I believe she was right; some people simply Glow!  You are either a light or you are not. 

Today, I want to remind you that you are a light for many people around you, especially your “Stars.” I am certain that when they look at you, you have an aura around you.

I urge you to let your life shine!  Let your light shine like a beacon for the entire world to see that we have a hope and a future. I once read that “the ever present world is watching” and I believe they are.  The world is looking to see how we handle life’s struggles and challenges, the highs as well as the lows in our lives. Yes, that includes the Wins and the Losses.

You are a role model whether you want to be or not, and an example for others to follow. We are all role models to someone.

 It is simply up to you and me what kind of role model we will be!

You have such an opportunity to be a blessing to the many people you encounter by simply letting your beautiful life shine.  My prayer for you today is that you will be a wonderful, beautiful role model and the world will see you SHINE because you have been pure in your passions, your pursuits and your purpose.

So be blessed and encouraged today as you remember you are like a city set on a hill and you are quite beautiful inside and out!

So You Glow Girl!

What will my Legacy be…?

 

Today I choose to be…?

 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

~ It Is A Great Time To Be Powerful Women of Prayer ~

James 5:16 The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective

If you don’t pray very much this is a great time to start.  The Miss Oklahoma pageant week is long and arduous.  Praying will certainly sustain you as well as allow God the opportunity to guide you.

One of the greatest ways to impact your own life and the lives of those around you is by becoming a mighty prayer warrior.  Throughout time, God has used prayer to change lives.  He continues to change people today through the prayers they pray.  He uses us to help pray for others and to be a conduit for Christ, believing and interceding on behalf of others.

Prayer may not come easy to you at first.  You might even be embarrassed to pray for yourself and others, but I am telling you from firsthand experience there is no telling what God will do when you start praying.  Miracles, healing, forgiveness, restoration and so much more are right around the corner when you come to the throne of God. 

I am confident that I would not be the woman I am today had it not been for the prayers of my mother and father.  My mother was an amazing prayer warrior!  She had many, many gifts, but in my opinion one of her greatest gifts was her prayer life.  She left me quite a legacy, as well as files, notebooks and journals on prayer.

Lose weight wholesale viagra pills find out content now (to lower estrogen). Many people and their animals find symptomatic relief from daily use of this herb, especially when its use is commenced at the earliest best price tadalafil onset of hay fever or allergic rhinitis. They include both in-car training and classroom training to provide both theoretical valsonindia.com cialis no prescription and practical experience to learners. It causes you to lose respect, manhood and stamina in viagra sales in australia http://valsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Quarterly-Financial-Result-Sep-2019.pdf the eyes of your partner. You see she taught me that a great and powerful prayer life doesn’t just happen overnight, but takes discipline, courage and bravery!

Those are not words always associated with prayer.  But I do believe those are the characteristics that help create a Mighty Intercessor for Christ and what I like to call a Power Prayer Girl.

So I encourage you to pray and begin to seek God’s help in every area of your life.  You will be amazed at what God can do in your life and the lives of others when you just simply PRAY!

One of my greatest desires is that you will become a Power Prayer Girl and Mighty Intercessor for Christ. 

The way I see it, today is as good as any other day to start praying! So what are you waiting for?  Go for it!

What will my Legacy be…?

 

Today I choose to be…?

 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

~ Thankful Thursdays ~ 

  1 Chronicles 16:34  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever

Several years ago, I started a weekly post called Thankful Thursdays on my website. I started this simple series because like many, I get distracted by the difficulties of life and I wanted to remember all the good and abundant blessings in my life.  I have to be honest, girls.  I started it out of pure necessity on that particular Thursday.  As I was pulling out of the driveway, Sons were in tow and my life seemed a bit wacky and in shambles. It would have been easy for me to look at all that was going wrong in my life but Winters and I chose to put our gaze toward all that was good and right.  We looked at each other and began to list all that we were thankful and grateful for, even our crazy life. 

That is how it all began. For a moment, I had to have a reality check and remind myself to readjust focus.  On this Thankful Thursday and really every day of the week I pray you will try to have an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Today I can’t help but think about all the wonderful blessing each of you have.  You are beautiful young women with lovely gowns, wonderful talents and you come from lovely families. You have hair dressers and interview coaches too.  Your parents have paid for countless voice lessons and dance classes.  They have probably helped you travel cross-country to receive the best help possible to make this week successful for you. You have directors, coaches and the list goes on and on. The support you receive from your parents and countless people is incredible.

You have much to be grateful for and I feel confident you already know that.  But on this Thankful Thursday, I want to encourage you to focus your attention on all the support, love and financial blessings you have received to participate in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant.  Most of all, I hope you will have an opportunity to express your appreciation to those who have helped you along the way.  There is nothing more beautiful than a grateful queen.

The Bible says to whom much is given much is required.  I believe that God blesses us so we in turn can be a blessing.  When we focus our attention on having an attitude of gratitude, it keeps our heart soft and pliable.  It steers us away from having a critical, negative spirit and hardened heart and gives us a heart of humility.  In the end it makes us better women of God.

When 12.5 million Americans are unemployed and many families live just below the poverty level, I pray that you give thanks for the blessing to participate in the Miss Oklahoma pageant and greater yet the opportunity to impact your community for a lifetime!

Thankful Thursdays will change your day and even your life, I promise.  Today your hair may not be just right, your talent might not have been perfect, but all in all you and I have much to give thanks for.

What will your Legacy be?

 

Today I choose to be…?

 

Friday, June 8, 2012

~ Rest, Restore and Be Renewed ~

Matthew 11:27-29 Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest

Today you have a night off, so RELAX!

Well, I pray you will try to relax; that is if you can turn off your thoughts.

The interview and every other phase of competition are behind you.

It is a day I suggest you try to rest, restore and be renewed.

If you are a singer then rest your voice. If you are a dancer well you know what to do too.  Take a good long hot bath, stretch and rest your mind so you can face tomorrow with clarity and confidence.  Now I know that is easier said than done, but this is a perfect time to try to clear your head and relax.

If there is some part of the week you look back on with regret, this would also be the perfect time to “Let it go!”

Really “Let it Go” and move on sister.  I once heard it said “that regret is just something in the past crippling you in the future.”

Whatever happened yesterday is over.  It is in the past.  If you did not like how the interview went or you are questioning your gown choice, now is not the time to be thinking about that. Here is the bottom line, move on… And if someone hurt your feelings now is not the time to dwell on that hurt either.  You need to forgive them too and move on.

Let go of regret and anything that wakes you up in the middle of the night and pulls you into some long internal dialogue with yourself.  Forget those crazy things you said or did not say or what you did or did not do or what they did to you or did not do to you and so on and so on and so on. Let it go and move on!

As you go into Saturday night, be bold and be brave, dear friend.  Declare to others and to yourself the dreams and gifts God has given you to share with the world.

Don’t be timid. Walk on that stage and into the world with courage and share your gifts, your talents and purpose with great confidence in the name of the Giver of the Gifts, Jesus Christ!!!

What will your Legacy be?                 

 

 Today I choose to be…?

 

Saturday, June 9, 2012’

~ You Are The Gift ~

 

Last year I shared this story in Chapel so some of you may remember it, but I felt it was a perfect way to end this year’s devotional…

I pray by now you all know you are beautiful young women.  You each possess many gifts and talents.

But sometimes we can get so caught up in our gifts, our talents, our looks, our degrees, our titles, and our credentials that we forget we are simply special to God because He created us.  We do not have to earn God’s love.   He just loves you because He loves you for who you are.

I was once talking to my dear friend Reverend Jerry Toops, sharing with him some of the areas in which I felt I was gifted.  I was, however, a bit frustrated that I had not found a place to use those gifts and talents.

Reverend Toops just looked at me and said one of the most life changing statements I had ever heard. This truly revolutionized my view of our significance in the whole scheme of things.

Here is what he said:

“You are gifted; Corby, but more importantly you are the gift!”

Wow! Think about it, You are the Gift!!  God made you and has a plan for your life.  You are a gift to Him simply because He created you. It was such an “ah ha” moment I would not have been surprised if confetti and balloons had fallen from the ceiling.

What a powerful statement!  It reminds us that we are a creation straight from the hands of the creator of the Universe.  You are a gift to the world from the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

He loves you for you, not for what you have done or who’ll you become, but for simply being YOU!!

You are special and loved by God simply by being alive.

My dear friend, I hope today and every day that follows you will never forget that you are the Gift!

 

What will my legacy be?

 

Today I choose to be…?

 

 

Recommended Reading

Books That Can Bless You And Change Your Life!

The Life Application Holy Bible ~ God

Success Principles ~ Jack Canfield

Success Principles for Teens ~ Jack Canfield 

When A Women Discovers Her Dream ~ Cindi McMenamin

A Women’s Walk With God: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit ~ Elizabeth George

Battlefield of the Mind ~ Joyce Myers

Oh, The Places You’ll Go ~Dr. Seuss

Everyone Needs A Sam ~ John A. Winters

A Gift From The Sea ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day ~ Mark Batterson

Just Enough Light For The Step I Am On ~ Stormie Omartian

In Pursuit Of Peace ~ Joyce Meyer

On Grief And Grieving ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler

Success Is The Quality Of The Journey ~ Jennifer James, Ph.d.

What Guys, See That Girls Don’t … Or Do They? ~ Sharon Daugherty

The 20 Essential Qualities of An Authentic Christian ~ Warren W. Wiersbe

The Velveteen Rabbit  ~ Margery Williams

Knowledge is Power! No doubt one of the best ways to grow as a person is through reading.  It is my hope that you will strive to become lifelong learners and have a teachable spirit!  I hope you will set goals for yourself and set out to fulfill God’s call on your life.  Remember that every choice and decision you make will impact your life forever and to get to where you want to go you need a plan!