Dive In (Session 3)

"Dive In - To Faithfully Stay on Course"  The example used was Solomon.  The main texts that were used were: 1Chronicles 22:5-10;  1Chronicles 28:5-12; Eph. 2:10; and 1Kings 11:1-2,4

I didn't take too many notes on this one.  I listened.  I simply got that God restores, heals and relaunches us. (to dive back in)  I need to continue to seek Him and place myself in the moment to listen to Him.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33


Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  1 Chronicles 16:11


Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.  1 Chronicles 16:10

For it is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed. Joanna Weaver

Matthew 6:30-33(The Message)
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.  Don't worry about missing out.  You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Lift up your eyes.  Your heavenly Father waits to bless you in inconceivable ways to make your life what you never dreamed it could be.  Anne Ortlund

Diving In (Session 2)

"Dive In-To Triumph Through the Storms"  Paul was used as the example

This session was probably the most comforting for me.  The knowing that I'm not alone.  God is with me every step of the way in the middle of my storm.  He placed me there, He knows what needs to happen and He is there caring for me and all the details.  He wants me to listen, to believe and to surrender to Him.  He will take me out of the storm and good will come from it.  God places me in hard storms and there are times I don't think I can handle it.  The peace in the storm is in God and His ways.  

Paul surrendered to the will of God and trusted Him in all his storms.  Paul showed us that anything worth while requires sacrifice to get it or to make things happen.  We have to suffer, give up and fear, etc. at times but in the end the outcome is amazing and out weighs all the things that were gone through to get out of the storm.  God wants us to listen to Him in the middle of our storms.  That is the time he can use to speak to us.  He will give practical spiritual encouragement, guidance and super natural strength.  He will speak to each of us in His own way, in His own time.  The peace in the storm is in God and His ways.

The speaker said in reference to Paul "The storm turned a prisoner into a commander".  That stuck out to me.  Its a reminder of how God uses my storms to transforms me or bring me to a different position in my life.  He uses the storm for His glory and His purpose and to help mold me to be more Christ-Like. (of course this not really what I'm thinking in the middle of the storm but maybe with His help I can re-route my thoughts back to what He is trying to do for me)

The speaker also said "Everyday holds the possibility of eternal impact in our lives and others".  To me that is saying to use our storms as opportunities.  Opportunities to gain more qualities like Christ and to share it with others and help others see that too.  That totally takes a different look at the storm that we are in the middle of , it changes it to look forward to the good that will come out of it.  God's plan is greater than mine or yours.  Trust God, He knows.  I know its easier said than done but I think as I journey closer to be Christ-like it will be possible to view the storm thru God's eyes and His word. ( I pray the same will be for you too)

That is where I want to get to in the middle of my storms.  Lord help me to always remember that You are there and that all I go thru is to help me and not harm me.  Its to bring you glory.  Its an opportunity to grow and change.  Its an opportunity to help others.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal ROCK.  Isaiah 26:3-4

Diving In (Session 1)

The speaker over the weekend talked about "Diving In".  Diving in to gain a closer relationship with God.  One of the sessions was called "Diving In -To Conquer Fear and Move Forward"  She used Esther as the example.  I look back at my notes and realize that I can look at my life through Esther and use it in the middle of my storm right now.  There are times I feel like my past comes up and that I'm defined by it.  I know that I'm not because God has changed my heart.  God has placed me in a blended family and I have come to realize that I can not control it.  In this process over the last two years of struggles I have gained a deeper relationship with Him than I had two or four years ago.  My relationship continues to grow everyday as I try to fall into His word on a daily basis, as I surround myself with people that are walking on the path with the Lord.  He has broken me down to be humble and teachable.  There are times I feel like I'm playing the role of Esther in my family.  Its amazing that with all she went through, she accomplished so much.....all because she softened her heart to Jesus and listened and followed his ways and not her own. He continues to show me that I'm not in control, He is and that I need to trust him.  Its a daily dying to self to keep trusting in Him.  I want to be used for the good of the Lord, I want Him to show me how I can help and serve in my blended family and my marriage.  I want to move forward with God next to me every step of the way.

Not In The Drivers Seat

Prior to the woman's retreat I posted that I felt like I was on auto pilot.  Since the retreat I feel like I'm sort of still on auto pilot or rather not in the drivers seat.  I'm not sure how to explain it other than I don't feel like I'm controlling things...which I'm really not.  God is.  God is in the drivers seat.  I think what I'm saying is that I have let him have the drivers seat.

I enjoyed the speaker at the retreat.  I have thought about her message but I haven't really sat down to ponder on all of it.  I have been a little stressed out and its like since the retreat I have started to stand back from it all. (the stress)  At first I started to get concerned that I was pulling away and hiding so to speak and avoiding or running from the things that have been causing me stress.  I didn't want to do that but I didn't want to keep it and let it run my life.  When I stress it affects so much of my life.  It affects the way I feel physically, emotionally, mentally which in turn is very exhausting and then that trickles down into my family.  I get impatient, and quite and put on a front when I'm around friends.  I'm not motivated to do much of anything.  I guess I get sort of depressed.  I haven't slept very well lately until last night.  Last night was a good night sleep. 

I've been talking to God and praying so I have kept Him in my loop as I have pushed back from the stress.  As I've done that lately I have been feeling more at peace.  Last night I wrote out a few prayers and verses on some index cards.  My plan is to memorize them but until then I read a few before going to sleep last night.  (Remember I said I had a good night sleep than I had lately)

Here are the verses I read:

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.  Isaiah 26:3-4

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

See the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  Matthew 6:33

Here is the prayer I prayed:

Heavenly Father, help me reduce the stress in my life that robs my vitality and saps my strength.  Show me how to work with more wisdom instead of working in ways that foolishly waste my strength.  Fill me with your peace and rest so that I may be renewed by your presence and power.  Thank you for giving me the peace that passes all understanding.  Amen

By letting go of the drivers seat I have let go of my worries, concerns and stresses to God.  So I'm not avoiding life I'm just letting Him figure it out for me.

The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace.  Psalm 29:11

What really happened

The retreat this weekend was filled with laughter, smiles, hugs, walking around in beautiful surroundings, coffee, yummy food, relaxed in the hot tub, cool crisp air, listening and learning, singing, tears shed, fears shared, praying, togetherness, watched some extreme sports, crying, worship, communion, sleepless nights, sharing, eating, camp fire worship, conversations, community......women coming together.  As refreshing as it was, it also was exhausting but totally worth it and unforgettable. God was there with each of us over the weekend and he is with each of us now as we walk away separately back into our lives.  Thank you Lord for such an amazing weekend.

A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to quiet and a time to speak.  Ecclesiastes 3:7

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.  Mother Teresa

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-9

Woman's Retreat, Lost Canyon Williams AZ

The theme was called "Diving in" but this decoration sort of scared me a little....does it seem like something is missing to you?

My bunk is the bottom one.   The rooms were nice and big.

This building was called "Apache" and I was in the room on the bottom in the middle.

Inside the dinning room area.

The food was amazing!

My daughter Karlee & I.  She was there with the youth group helping serve.  It was great having her there.  Every time I saw her with her friends she was happy to see me.

The Worship team was great!  I loved the music.  I also enjoyed the time around the camp fire.

The speaker Kay Burnett( on the right) and her best friend (on the left)  I enjoyed listening to Kay, she had a great message.

This picture shows you how chilly the day started out to be.

I suspect that is where the hot tub is.....

I think I can post this since they are in disguise....the skits were so funny, they really did a great job with them.  Very creative!

My friend Jamie and I

Great friends!  Jamie, Jane (in the middle) and me.  Jane and I enjoyed a game of pool....she won.

The buildings around us were so neat and the landscape was so beautiful.  It was a beautiful camp.

I think this is one of my favorite pictures, it looks like a painting.

It was a refreshing and rejuvenating weekend. 

Auto Pilot

I think someone recently hit my "auto pilot" button.  I'm tired and don't want to do much but next thing I know I'm doing the dishes and straightening up around the house.  I know I'm not a willing participate today.  Then I finish something and sit down for a bit and then I'm up again doing something else.  Mindless stuff you know....
I think this will continue until tomorrow around 5:00 or so because then I will be on my way to the Woman's Retreat.  Once I get there I'm going to take a deep breath and get ready to relax, fellowship, learn, play, eat, sleep for a couple of days without my kids or husband and dogs.  
I'm really looking forward to the weekend!