Rise & Shine ~ He did it again!

It's hard to believe it has been a whole week since Rise & Shine Women's Retreat '11!  After a full year of planning and praying, the day came and went.  But, OH, what a day it was!!  

I wish I had the right words to express the praise that is in my heart.  I wish I could tell you just how thankful I am, how faithfully God answered our prayers, how powerfully He worked that day!  I was, once again, blown away by all that took place there.  But, this time it was different for me.  And I can't put words to it yet.

The Rise & Shine Leadership Team with Susie Larson

(Leanne, Tammy, Susie, Judy, Rachel/me. Not pictured: Polly)

I thought I would have time to sit down this week and "hash over" my feelings.  I thought things would slow down a bit once Rise & Shine had passed.  Yeah, not so much!  I must have been in denial. :)  Life is busy (in a good way) and my days are full.  So, today, I sat down with my notes.  I honestly couldn't write fast enough while Susie Larson spoke last Saturday.  I have scribbles everywhere.  So many Holy Spirit filled words of wisdom to take in...and to pray will sink in deep!  The way God spoke through her was absolutely AMAZING!  How do I sum it up?!  I don't know if I can.  Thankful for her!

So, today, I write this blog post to tell you that I don't know what to write!  Sorry to disappoint.  On second thought, pehaps I do have something to write. 

I serve an absolutely AWEsome God!! 

10 praise points (in random order):

1. Susie Larson: absolutely the right speaker for this event!!  One scripturally ground, Holy Spirit filled speaker!  Such a delight to work with her.  She is the real deal!

2. Answered prayers!  Glory, glory, Hallelujah!!  Too many to list!!
3. Twenty to thirty women made a decision to follow Jesus Christ...at a Christian women's conference, ya'll!! 

4. God gave us a word as we prayed for R&S, emancipation.  I believe that word fit the day very well.  Lives truly were changed and women were set free.  One of my favorite things from the day was praying with women up front.  A powerful time.  Praise the Lord!

5. Hannah Burkle from Rapha House did a great job educating us on sex trafficking and how we can help.  
6. A personal one: I was sick an entire week before R&S.  The night before I coughed and coughed, even kept my husband awake coughing at bedtime.  On the day of R&S, barely any coughing...and I didn't cough at all when I prayed and introduced our speaker.  That's an Ah-mazing answer to prayer! 
7. Fabulous volunteers, including a wonderful worship band that blessed our socks off!  And a production team that got the volume just right!
8. Can anyone say, Scratch Cupcakes?!  Wowsers!
9. Sally Baker wrote (just for Rise & Shine) "Conversations With God", a devotional/prayer journal that we gifted to each woman who attended.  What a terrific way to help women beyond just that one day!  It is so cool to me how God brings so many talented people together to make all of this happen.  I love the Rise & Shine leadership gals!
10. Getting to spend the day with so many (almost 400) of God's girls.  Wow, what a blessing!!

More later.  Now, I will sign off with one last sentence.

All glory and honor to Jesus Christ!!

Rise & Shine: Emancipation

It's hard to believe that after a year of planning, Rise & Shine Women's Retreat '11 will be here in only 8 days!  I am getting excited!

We've been praying for the retreat all year, but recently a small group of us started gathering to pray together.  And this week we started praying for every woman who will attend by name.  It's an amazing privilege to pray for these precious gals...and, in the past, it has been awesome to see how God faithfully answered!  We're anticipating great things again for the third Rise & Shine Women's Retreat.

BUT something hightened my anticipation last week.  When we were praying, one of our prayer warriors, Betsy, started crying as she prayed, then she shared a one word vision for Rise & Shine '11:  EMANCIPATION!

e·man·ci·pate  (/iˈmansəˌpāt/)  Verb: 1.Set free

Synonyms: liberate - free - release - deliver - set free

This excites me!  I love it when God gives us glimpses into what He is doing, so we can sit back and watch Him at work. 

I am anticipating women being released from self-doubt and insecurity at Rise & Shine Women's Retreat...delivered from condemnation...set free from the strongholds of the enemy...liberated by God's abundant love...to "Rise" up and "Shine" as ordinary, yet extraordinarily loved women in a dark world, all to the glory of God! 

Yes, we're praying BIG for Rise & Shine '11 and we're believing BIG too...because we serve a GREAT BIG wonderful God who faithfully answers!   

Later, Betsy shared this verse with me:  Isaiah 61:1b-3a "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

You still have a chance to join us, get your registration mailed in...the cut-off is tomorrow (October 22nd).  Click here to learn more.  We would love to see YOU there!

Another Lesson from my 4 year old...Forgiveness

Oh, the things I learn from my children!

A few days ago I raised my voice at my 4 year old.  Yes, I know, I shouldn't do this.  And, yes, I know how important my words are...and that it's not Christ like to yell...and that I wasn't setting a good example for my children.  Yes, I know.  I am ashamed of it.  But, the truth is, I did what I know I shouldn't.

I'm sure you didn't assume I was perfect.  Of course, this all out proves that I am not.  As much as I love my boys and as much as I want to be the perfect mom, I still blow it more often than I'd like to.  Thankful for God's grace...and for continued growth. 

After I raised my voice, I felt terrible.  I asked the Lord to forgive me.  Then, I went with a repentant heart to ask my little Andrew for his forgiveness.  I said, "Andrew, I'm sorry for raising my voice at you.  That was't right.  Will you please forgive me?"  He said, "Yes, I forgive you, Mommy.  It's okay."  I said, "No, it's not okay, I shouldn't have raised my voice at you."  He looked surprised as he replied, "It's okay, Mommy.  I forgive you."  I told him thank you and out of my own shame said I was sorry again.  He said, "I forgive you, Mommy.  It's okay.  I already forgave you before you even asked."     

Did you catch that?  He already forgave me before I even asked! 

Wow!  Tears flooded my eyes...unmerited, undeserved forgiveness before I asked...just because he loves me!  What a relief!  What joy flooded my heart!   

I need to take a lesson from my 4 year old!!  Do you also?

Instead of taking offense, holding a grudge, and critically looking at another's faults; how much better to overlook and forgive...without being asked...not because it's merited or deserved...just because of LOVE!

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Colossians 3:13

Potential

This summer we had an impromptu MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) picnic at a local park.  Five of us moms and our children gathered together for a little fellowhsip time.  I took this picture during our time together.

A couple of weeks ago I was looking at this picture and thought about each of these kids - each so cute, so uniquely created by God (knit together in their mother's womb), each such a blessing, so loved and so special - especially to their mamas and especially to GOD.  They have so much potential!  One may grow up to be a doctor, another a teacher, or a missionary or the president of the United States (Lord, help them!)...and most likely many of them will grow up to be moms and dads.  They could grow to be very influential people!

Then, the thought came to me, they're not the only ones with potential.  God has a plan for each of our lives...and part of that plan for us moms is to be the best mom possible.  MOPS Internationals slogan is "Better Moms Make a Better World" and it's so true.  But, whether you are a mom or not, God has a plan for your life and you can make a difference in this world by touching the lives of those around you!  You have so much potential in Christ!  You can grow to be an influential person!

I only wish we could see ourselves, the way our Heavenly Father sees us.  Our face doesn't blend in with all the others in "the picture".  He loves each of us personally.  He knows just why He created us the way He did.  He cares about every detail of our lives.  He KNOWS we have so much potential IF we will surrender our lives to Him and follow His lead.  He has big plans for His children, plans that might surprise us...but we must look to Him or we will never fulfill them.  We don't have to worry, He will give us all we need to accomplish these world changing feats if we follow Him closely day by day and moment by moment!

Now, let's live up to our potential!!  Seek Him and His will and nothing will be impossible for you!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

 Philippians 4:13

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those

who love Him"

I Corinthians 2:9

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 

P.S. There is a registration GIVEWAY over on the Rise & Shine Women's Retreat blog.  You could win a FREE registration for you and a friend!!  Rise & Shine is a great place to learn more about growing to your full potential.  The theme for this year is: "Making An Ordinary Life Extraordinary"!  :)  CLICK HERE to find out how to enter to win!

Equipped

I am the wife of one busy farmer. I am the mom of two energetic little boys. I am also a women's ministry leader, helping to organize a yearly women's conference. I am currently leading a women's Bible study. And recently I took on the role of coordinator for our local MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group.

Last week as I thought about all of my roles, I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. Especially as I looked at my to do list for the rest of August, September and October. As I have been facilitating a book about “Balance” for our Bible study, I wondered how on earth I was going to balance it all. I felt ill-equipped and unsure of myself.

But then, I remembered the call to each of these roles. I know with out a shadow of doubt in my mind that God called me to each of these ministries.

He gave me my wonderful husband and precious children. To be a wife and mom is a high calling indeed! He knew I was the right wife and mom for them...and no other can fill that role like I can. I take this role seriously because I know God does too. No other ministry tops this one in importance!

Recently I shared here about how the Lord clearly called me to be on the leadership team for Rise & Shine Women's Retreat. What an honor to be on this team for a third year!

A while back I felt Him prompting my heart to start a new women's Bible study. I have seen confirmation after confirmation that it was the right choice and am incredibly thankful.

Then, about a month ago, I again felt the lord pricking my heart to step up to the role of coordinator for our local MOPS group. A role I said “no” to at first. I thought I was too busy and had too much on my plate, but as I read “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby, I felt the Lord stirring my heart that I had said “no” too quickly and that He wanted me to join Him in His activity there. Funny, I was praying that leadership for MOPS would rise up to fill the call. He answered my prayer...just not the way I expected! I stepped into the role and gave up teaching Sunday school for a while.

STILL, I wondered if all of this was too much! Why did God call me (little ol' me) to fill all of these roles? Did I hear Him right?  Could I handle it all?

Then, I read this, “When Jesus asks us to get involved (calls us), He already knows how He will accomplish His work through us. What we need is faith and vision – the ability to see that God wants us to be His instruments, and the He will supply what we need.” Randy Kilgore

Then, this, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:3-6

Then, I read this, “Jesus stressed a daily reliance on the Father, who provides for His children day by day...As the Israelites wandered in the desert, they had no way to get food. Miraculously, God provided manna that appeared on the ground each morning. God's provision was sufficient for one day at a time...God wants us to trust Him...it keeps our relationship with the Lord in its proper perspective as He reminds us daily of our dependence upon Him.” Henry Blackaby

THEN, (only one more!!) I remembered hearing Renee Swope speak these words at Rise & Shine Women's Retreat '09, “God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.”

I am CALLED and, therefore, I am equipped! The truth is: I can't do it, not on my own! But, through Christ's strength and the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, I (along with others) can accomplish His will. As I submit myself to Him, He will give me what I need from day to day, reminding me of my utter dependence and constant reliance on Him. If I will trust Him and commit all that I do to Him, I will see a righteous reward...spiritual fruit. Thank you for that promise, Lord!

The same is true for you, my friend! Each of us are called to fill certain roles in this life. Although we DO have to be careful about overcommiting ourselves, we also have to be open to what He has for us. What is God calling you to? Are you willing to join Him in His activity? If you don't know where He is leading you, ask Him. Then, be prepared to follow. Do you feel ill-equipped? Get in His Word and spend time in prayer. Remember He will equip the called...and go forward in faith!

One more Henry Blackaby quote, “God is looking for absolute surrender. We must have a willing heart to do whatever He asks, and then trust Him to enable us to do it...He loves us enough to involve us in His work, and He refuses to leave us where we are when He knows we could be experiencing much more of Him...” SOOOO TRUE!! Looking forward to experiencing more of Him, how about you?!

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

II Thessalonians 1:11

AMEN!

Fresh

As my young sons nap, I sit her at my table, now up from my knees beside my bed.  Revealed sin confessed. Tears flow from a newly refreshed heart. 

Forgiven.  Set free.  Renewed in Christ. 

A fresh anointing of His Spirit came like a wave crashing over me, unlike it had in a long time, and I had wondered why.  The barrier now gone.  Tears. 

Then, His words to my heart, "I love you, my daughter.  I love you with an everlasting love...don't forget.  Never let go of that love."  More tears.  Then, overflowing joy!  I still can't stop laughing.  Hands held high to Him. 

Freedom.  Peace.  Unspeakable joy. Change! 

A mile marker in my spiritual walk, no doubt.  His refining work in me.  Still basking in His greatness!  My heart filled with overwhelming thankfulness that He chose me.  That He loves me...always.  That He met me here today.  For the pause.  The moments that time stood still just for me and Him.  Together. 

More of His words to me, "You are mine.  Yes, you are mine and I am yours."  Oh, thank you, Lord!  All else in this house can wait.  In this moment I bask in Your greatness.  In Who You are - MINE.  In who I am -  YOURS, your beloved daughter!

Joy.  More laughter of joy.  Tears and smiles and praise.

Fresh revelation and a new beginning.  Now, time to turn.

I Love You More

Have you ever read the little book “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney? Such a cute book. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to show his daddy just how much he loves him…as high as he can reach, as high as he can hop, as far as he can see. But, no matter how far his love reaches, his daddy tell him that he loves him further…reaching further, hopping higher and seeing beyond what he does. It soon becomes clear that our love is hard to measure. It’s a great book to share with the special children in your life

Sometimes I’m like Little Nutbrown Hare, I want to show my Father just how much I love Him…I reach as far as I can, do more, strive harder. But, no matter how far my love reaches, my Father tells me that He loves me more! He sees further and loves more perfectly than me.

This morning I wrote in my journal, “Oh Lord, I want more of You.” As soon as I wrote it something stirred within me. I walked away for a moment to care for one of my little ones. When I returned, I reread what I wrote…and realized what was wrong with this very “holy sounding” statement. I wrote, “Wait a minute, I already HAVE all of You!” It’s ME who has to submit all of myself to Him!

Jesus gave His life for me, what more could He give?

He chose me, I didn’t choose Him. (John 15:16)

I love Him because He first loved me. (I John 4:19)

I can never out-give, out-do or out-love Him!

It’s not about how high I can reach or how much I do. He loves me because I am His…and I love Him because He is mine! He’s given me all of Himself, all of His love. And I want to return His affection.

His love doesn’t give me the right to do whatever I want.  This also doesn’t mean I should sit back and do nothing to further His kingdom. It simply means that:

He love me…

all the time…

no matter what…

always and forever.

And everything that He has is mine!

It’s not about what I do, but who I am…HIS!

Today I needed this reminder. Thought someone else might too.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by brining us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:3-8

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