Gabby M. shared on the devotional she uses called, "LOL with God: Devotional Messages of Hope and Humor for Women." She read an expert and the laughter began. You could sense the ease that came over the room as we entered on a couple of hours of adventure and discovery together.
Teri B. shared, "God has different dreams than we might have for ourselves - when life does not go the way you think - you have to find your new normal so you can move on with God." Gabby M. commented that what has formed her - struggle. "He has my life in His hands and I have nothing to do with that. He made such beauty out of such junk." (No one would have ever thought there was any 'junk' in that young ladies heart. She shown with the love she feels for Jesus as she shared. I had never meet her, but Wow! she was so engaging. I guess the junk was the struggle of walking along through her mother's struggle with cancer.)
Beth S. had insights on helping your children grow. "Living out our faith and encouraging our kids to do the same- coming alongside them in whatever they are involved in....Jeff is a great (her husband) story teller and he can connect real life issues to Biblical truths. This is awesome. Having God's word available to kids in their language in a way that speaks to them is important (- key). Sharing our story with the kids. Being open about our faith - successes and struggles."
Jeanie K. "Parents prayers for their kids should be constant. Mother said, 'I've got you covered.' I knew she did. "Everything you do is an example to them, whether you they they see you or not."
Beth - "God is bigger than all of it - even all of our struggles put together. You have to know your "winter" (times when you are struggling) - then you have to press in to God."
Jeanie M. "Young women like me really need mentors. Please pray about it - step out and find a young woman, girl and reach out to them."
Then came Nick Larson...
Nick share with us a bit about his journey into a place of deep intimacy with the Lord. It started in his basement...Quite a moving story! I am hoping he will put a bit of it to pen sometime for us. It was in this time where he felt the Lord was sad because he was not spending time with Him... It was then that God became really real to Nick. The more that he wanted to "hang out with God" the more his direction was formed.
Two Hinderances to Imtimacy:
1. Guilt and projectionism - Unhealthy guilt and condemnation which keeps us immobilized. Projection if the process where we unwittingly project upon the Lord, our attitudes and feelings about ourselves. We feel bad about ourselves and assume God feels the same way about us. God has unconditional love - accepts us sins and all. Has tender compassion toward us. Romans 8:1 - Forgiven, God loves you and accepts you!
Brennan Manning: "But we cannot assume that He feels about us the way we feel about ourselves - unless we love ourselves compassionately, intensely and freely. In human form Jesus revealed to us what God is like. He exposed our projections for the idolatry that they are and gave us the way to become free of them. It takes a profound conversion to accept that God is relentlessly tender and compassionate toward us just as we are - not in spite of our sings and faults (that would not be total acceptance), but with them. Though God does not condone or sanction evil, He does not withhold His love because there is evil in us."
2. Business - second hinderance. Luke 10:38 about Mary & Martha became a very interactive part of Nick's talks. The ladies asked numerous questions and opened up the talk even more. Both loved Jesus & enjoyed His company. Yet Jesus said, "Martha, Martha..." (a bit of correction to come be with Him.) Preparations had been made for Jesus' coming, but she did not know how to slow down and enjoy the time with Jesus. We can be busy or we can meet with Jesus. Martin Luther said, "When he did not have time to spend an hour with Jesus, he would then spend two hours." It was to important when he was busy. *Time in prayer will change you." The Lord is calling each one of us into more intimate relationship with Him...because He loves you passionately. His love for you will never fail and He wants you to experience that. Psalm 27 is David sensing the Lord calling him to seek him and pursue him more deeply. Something to meditate on this week.
