I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Maria Furlough.
I want to help you get rid of that pesky fear that seems to follow you around wherever you go, I also want to help you find God centered confidence.
I get it. Part of you is probably thinking “no way, its not possible.” Trust me, I understand. This from the girl who used to walk through dark parking lots imagining killers underneath every car just waiting to get me and the girl who, for the better part of her life, slipped in and out of pools with intense precision as to let no one actually see her in a bathing suit. These are the parts of you I am here to help with. Because if God can save this girl, He can save anyone.
And listen, I’m not here to share my story so we can all stay stuck together. That would be a waste of our time. I am here to draw us deep into the Word of God to find that all
the answers we need are right there.
My friends tease me because I can’t “do” small talk. I look incredibly awkward every time I attempt to have a surface level conversation. I’ve come to accept this about myself – going straight to the heart is all I know how to do.
I want you to know I am here for you. On the pages of this site and in the heart of every ministry I do we will laugh, and we will cry (we might even dance a little and not awkwardly but like for real dancing), but we will be honest with God and each other about what we really struggle with. Then God has us right where He needs us to make true heart changes in us! Together we will discover that His Word comes alive with guidance and practical help.
There are several ways that we can do ministry together online. I have found that if we keep our eyes and hearts open to what God has for us, there is always something new to learn. God’s Word is miraculous in that way. I am excited to have worked with Family Life Today and also to write for She Reads Truth – simply click on the links and you can follow along in the conversations we’re having!
Honestly though? In person is my favorite! It is one of my greatest joys to go to churches and women’s ministries to speak. If I join you at your event I can promise you three things: 1. My talk will be centered on Scripture 2. I will be honest with you. I am the same on the stage as I am off of the stage. 3. You will leave with practical tools.
I believe if I cannot be with you in person, second best will be to have a book in your hand. With every word I wrote I prayed fervently for you. If you struggle with fear, worry or anxiety I wrote Breaking the Fear Cycle for you. Do you have a daughter? Have you always hurt over your own insecurities? I wrote one for you too! Its Confident Moms, Confident Daughters: Helping Your Daughter Live Free From Insecurity and LOVE How She Looks.
Ministry Me
I am extremely obsessed with my church.
I have somehow been given the joy of being a part of planting a church and its the best thing I’ve ever done in my life (other than bearing children, which I both have to say and also very much mean).
Our church is called UCity The Church and it’s a church plant in Charlotte North Carolina. Our vision is to be a multi-ethnic church where we meet God in new ways, love people right where they are, and follow Jesus boldy. We mean every word of that statement and if you know someone in the Charlotte area and they don’t have a church home, send them our way. They will be seen and loved and, after all, thats exactly what Jesus taught us to do.
As part of my role as Associate Pastor of UCity I am currently in seminary for my MDiv at Gordon Conwell. Ya know, I actually love my classes (like alot). I thought I knew all the Biblical things and my rebellious ways to rebuke needing to go back to school, but then I started taking seminary classes and I was quickly enlightened to how helpful and beautiful seminary is.
Personal Me
I love dark chocolate, bold coffee, and red wine. It is not uncommon for a dance party to break out in the Furlough family living room and I may or may not make it a habit to run a pretty fun and free household. Which, a couple of years ago I might have wondered if that choice was a good one, but we are solid into our teenage years now and I can say with confidence that its going very well!
I live right outside of Charlotte, North Carolina with my amazing family. My husband Dave and I met on the intramural flag football field at James Madison University in Virginia. We are overly competitive with one another, endlessly encouraging, and if it weren’t for his editing skills I wouldn’t have any books published.
I have five kiddos. Faith (16) is my oldest and my only daughter, she is everything I have ever prayed for. My next four are all boys and we are all sports, all ball throwing, all jumping on the couches all. Of. The. Time. David (15), Aaron (12), and Sammy (9) bring more joy into my life than I ever imagined was possible. Then I have our sweet sweet baby boy Gideon Matthew who lives in the arms of Jesus. You can read all about how Gideon’s life changed us forever here. And if you are in the mood for a good cry grab a box of tissues and watch Gideon’s video (Created and edited by my brother Nick).
PHEW! That’s it, that’s all I’ve got. I’d love it if we can be friends now, hand in handing seeking God’s peace and fighting for confidence.