Posted in Thankfulness

I attended a retreat in Midland, Texas this past weekend.  It was a WMU (Women's Missionary Union) event.  They are a branch of the Southern Baptist Convention.  The events they sponsor are often very inspiring and quite convicting.  I was not disappointed.  They are still having events through September around the state so if you are near one you might consider it. 

There were things that were light and many things that were very deep.  I attended some of both.  It is funny how God works a theme in my life so many times.  You remember the post I had a few days ago called "In the Quiet???".  Well that was just preparation for all that God had to tell me this weekend.  It is so hard to even know where to begin in sharing how this has changed me.  I have been asleep ladies!  Thank you so much for your comments.  It was and is so encouraging to see that God is stirring our hearts in one accord on such things.  I believe God is doing something among us.  God is stirring me from my state of hibernation as I feel He is doing with many of you.  He is about to take me where I have never been and I must admit it is a bit scary.  After writing that post I went and listened to a broadcast with Nancy Leigh DeMoss that AJ shared with me.  It was a weeklong interview with Henry Blackaby.  Wow, what wisdom!!!  He shared so much of what I have been wrestling with.  Then I got to the retreat on Friday and cried the whole weekend over the conviction that fell on me. 

I heard a missionary speak on Saturday that changed me forever!!!  Her name is Carrie McDonnall.  She is the lone survivor of an Iraqi terrorist attack in 2004.  Here is an article on her and her website at Carry On Ministries.org.  Her testimony was the most profoundly moving thing I have experienced in a very long time.  God had been preparing me for this weekend and this weekend is preparing me for what lies ahead.  I love it when God's plan comes together - and it ALWAYS does!!!  ...and to top it off - Dan's sermon fell in line, too. 

I have a mission and a purpose that I have been neglecting.  NO MORE!!!  I am getting rid of the distractions and moving ahead.  I have been putting off finishing the LBY study and picked up week 10 this morning to finish it this week.  I have had four ladies in the past month ask about starting up a Bible study this fall and I am praying fervently over that.  God has told me to get offline more and live my life and I am turning in obedience to Him in that.  I am also preparing to move into a mission field of my own this fall and am prepared to live a life that witnesses and glorifies Christ to a very non-Christian group of people but I have to stay close to my Father in this.  His strength is required to be effective.  A deep relationship with Him is crucial.  I am replenishing my salt and light through time spent in study and prayer in preparation for all that is coming.  I will not be the same!!!  God has broken through my hard headedness and hard heart and changed me.  My gratefulness and thanksgiving are so very small in measuring all that my heart holds right now.  I have a job to do and it starts with being still and turning from sin in my life.  If it doesn't fit within the priorities set before me I need to cut it out.  Building the relationship with Christ, ministering to my family and being about the passion God has put in my heart are the things I will be about.  There is much to do so I need to go sit in His presence first each day and get ready to take marching orders.  I read a little bitty book a long time ago called Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee.  That pattern is very important to us as believers.  We must sit with Him and get to know Him first.  We must walk daily in His word and prayer then and only then are we ready to take a stand for Him.  There is much sitting and walking I need to do.  I am getting started today!!!