Monday, February 18, 2008

What a Weekend

Where do I start? My time away last weekend was so powerful. From the moment we hit the interstate, God was moving. He used every conversation, every giggle, and every tear to knit our hearts together. Once we arrived at our destination and the 5th member joined us, sweet mercy, God sat down and we were like sponges soaking up the living water. It was 18 hours of intense Bible study, prayer and fellowship. I’m still processing everything.

I was with the other members of “Freedom’s Call” and we were studying and planning for one of the conferences. We discussed everything from music, to drama to breakout sessions. Can I just tell you that these women are the real deal! We all have the same burning desire for women to walk in freedom, daily freedom. It’s amazing to me that 5 women, in 5 different stages of life, can come together in such unity. It is nothing but a testimony to what God can do when we get out of the way and allow Him to pull all those loose pieces together.

Over the last couple of weeks, our Bible teacher and ministry director asked us to ask the Lord one question. She didn’t want us to just throw out a quick answer, she wanted us to really seek the Lord in this and then bring the answer to the question with us.

The question was “What one thing is God asking for, from you right now.” As I began to pray and meditate on this one, I kept hearing the same thing. Every devotion I read referenced this concept. Every time I turned on the radio or listened to a Christian speaker, you guessed it ----same concept. Since I know that God speaks in themes to me, I had my answer, and He gave it to me with enough time to let it really sink in. I wrote down my “one thing” added a few thoughts on it and continued to be amazed at how God was using so many different avenues to speak to me on this issue. Some were Christian avenues, some were not.

Saturday morning our teacher asked us to share our “one thing” and it was so incredible. Each one of us shared and honestly, our jaws hit the floor. While all of our “one things” were worded differently, they were the same concept. I am not kidding. We just looked at one another and shook our heads. It was so like God to do this.

I just love these ladies so much. As one of them said to me Sunday evening, it’s so nice to know that I have four women who are really lifting me up and not just giving lip service to the word prayer! And I feel the same way. I know without a shadow of doubt that these girls have got my back.

I sure wish I had remembered to take my camera out of my luggage!!! Honestly, we were so focused on the I AM, that we just didn’t really think about anything else, and I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. To quote Beth Moore “There ain’t no high like the Most High!” Thanks be to God for an incredible weekend.

Here is a photo we had done back in October.

10 comments:

Carol said...

How incredible! I can't wait to see what God is going to do !

HisPrincess said...

Wow. That sounds amazing. I would love to feel that connected and I realise the only thing standing in my way is me.
Thank you for such an encouraging and inspiring post.
Sharon.

Amy Wyatt said...

I'm glad you had such a great, productive weekend! Can't wait to hear more about what God has planned for you all and your ministry.

BethAnne said...

I am so glad you guys had such a blessed time together. What fun! I pray that the Lord uses you guys in a mighty way!!!! And all of you giving the same answer? Doesnt God have a sense of humor....I bet He was laughing when all of you realized what He had been putting the same thing in each one of your hearts over the weekend.......Too cool!

DeAnna said...

I just LOVE those kinds of moments when everyone is affirmed with the same concept. That's when you know that God is all over it. I'm glad that you had a great time.

Cheri said...

You can just hear the excitement in your voice.
Whatever is going on is going to be good!

Fran said...

Woo hoo....praise Him....hallelujah....He is sooooo good!!!!

I'm just thrilled that God showed up in such a clear way and showed His big ole self!! Nothing but Him all weekend huh?!

I'm so happy for you Steph. I truly am. What a treasure this past weekend was for all of you.

I hold you dearly in my heart and Freedoms Call is a big part of my prayers for you personally.

Much love friend. I celebrate and rejoice with you!!
Hugs~

jenmom said...

So glad Our Most High visited with you and the other girls this weekend. His Presence is so sweet isn't it? You never fail to encourage me through your writing. One phrase in this one: it's amazing what God does when we get out of the way and let Him pull the loose pieces together. I have some loose pieces in my life right now and I am trusting Him to pull them together! Love you girl!!!

God's girl said...

Girl, sounds like such great fun. I am excited to hear about what God is going to do with this wonderful ministry. And you know what, if God records our conversations on scrolls of rememberance I bet you he has beautifully colored pictures as well. You will see the beautiful portrait He was painting of you all this past weekend. I know that doesn't help us in the now in blog world but you get what I mean! You are such a blessing and encouragement to me girl!
Much love,
Angela

Leah Adams said...

Stephanie,

Praise Him!! I love those "oh, oh" moments. Sometimes that is just all you can say. I am praying for that kind of a day this weekend at Times of Refreshing. We have 240 ladies registered and we are so pumped about the morning. If you think of it Saturday, please say a prayer for the event and for me as I speak.

You are a blessing to me!!

Leah