My New Life Encounter Weekend ~ May 9 – 11, 2008

It was a make you laugh, cry, reflect, and listen to God and what he is trying to teach you, laugh and cry a lot more.

We started on Friday night, May 9th…”Loved by God”. Saturday, May 10th…”Changed by God”, “Forgiven by God”, “Cleansed by God”, “Forgiving Others”, “Healed by God”, “Set Free by God.” And on Sunday, May 11th…”Filled by God”.


What did I get out of this AWESOME weekend with Godly Women and God?



This is what I wrote when we were asked to reflect on this weekend…


Coming into this weekend, I had no expectations…my heart and soul was completely open to what God had in store for me. One of the things I knew was that God loved me, but I didn’t truly understand or comprehend how much.

The first night I realized that I, too, was like the Prodigal son, and it touched my heart to hear what God’s love meant and why he loved me.

Saturday when we were listening about “Forgiven by God”, I finally realized what Jesus did for me! When I forgave and released those that I was holding onto, the Freedom and the Joy was overwhelming. I can say with a Joyful and Grateful heart, that I am FREE at LAST!!!!

I’ve learned more about myself this weekend than I had in my lifetime. God is Gracious and Merciful, and I’M a PRINCESS in His eyes!

This is from my 1 year Bible ~ Author Unknown

When I read it and began to meditate on what it said, it really made me stop and think long and hard. Since we are now into the holiday season, we are all going “home”…but take a moment and reflex on your “home coming”.

Take care,
God Bless,

Julie D

REFLECTIONS

Home

Certain memories of home seem to stick with us forever. The sound the back door made when someone came flying in from the yard; the smell of Sunday dinner almost ready to eat; the security of being tucked into bed at night; or how the light glowed through the windows in such as way to welcome us home at dusk.

In the same way, the home we create often give others a glimpse of our lives – where we’ve been, who’s important to us, and what we value. People can look at the keepsakes on our shelves, the pictures on the wall, or the way we interact with our family and know something about who we are and how we live.

God has always wanted to lead us home to him. Like the father of the prodigal, he longs for his children to turn back toward home. He knows where we’ve struggled with our pride, where we’ve faltered because of life’s distractions, and where we’ve been renewed by his grace.
And one day we realize that we have journeyed back from where we had strayed; we’ve celebrated all that God has done for us; we’ve worshiped him for who he is-and all these things have served to lead us home to the One who’s watched and waited for our return.

How incredible that from the beginning of God’s plan-before he created us-his purpose was that we would live in fellowship with him. He wants us deeply rooted in his love and living as citizens of heaven even as we walk this earth. He wants us to trust him more so that, as Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, Christ will be more and more at home in our hearts (Eph. 3:17). He wants us more sensitive to his will for our lives. Not only the big picture of his will, but his will for us in the little moments-how to respond to a rebellious child, how to show love to a difficult neighbor, or how to best use our time today-this one day God has given us.

Does his light shine through your life so you give others a little glimpse of home?

TAKE A MOMENT:

Ask God to show you what areas of your life still need to be surrendered to his will. Thank him for the many times you’ve returned home to find him waiting for you. Pray for friends and family who you know need to journey home.

What are we Thankful for?

What are we thankful for is something we ask at this time of the year? I know that I have been Blessed for a very long time, with family, friends (both online and off) and life. I thank God every day for the Blessings He has graciously bestowed on me. All I have to do is look at my husband and children...God has Blessed me with them and our families that unite us together.



My thoughts wander during this holiday season for the things that I am Thankful for. The opportunity to grow and fellowship with my church family, that has become my extended family. For the opportunity, even though for a short time, to meet and be Blessed by my Sister-in-Christ Ms. Lola who passed earlier this year. For my health. For my families health. My father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer about 3 months ago. He is Healed by Our Father in Heaven, who was with the surgeons, his staff, and my father when he elected to have the surgery to remove the prostate. His first ever major surgery. He has been healing well and slowly getting back to the things he did prior to surgery. God is Great!!! For the birth of Baby Lydia, my Sister-in-Christ Beth's second child that was born at 24 weeks...16 weeks early. God has not only provided Grace, Mercy and Strength to their family, but He has protected Lydia through all of the good and bad days. Even though she currently weighs 1 lb 14 oz, and has fought to survive, God promises that she will be a great Hope for others and she will be a testament to all those preemie babies (micro-preemies in her case), that HOPE & FAITH in God Our Father, can bring you through ANYTHING!



I could sit and continue over and over for what I am Thankful for, but the most important thing that I am thankful for, more than anything, any word can describe is that Jesus Christ died for ME, so that I would have eternal life!



May God richly bless you and your family this holiday season and always!



Julie D