Celebrate Life!

Well, I've been thinking about this recent conference I was able to attend back in October of this year, I was incredibly blessed to be able to listen to the hearts of several women of faith while in Sacramento, Ca.  
While each one of them had a completely different life story to tell, they all centered around their undying love for Jesus.  They shared of hardships and trials and even some of the tears and pain that occurred in their lives and how they had been brought through these trials to be able to see the triumphs and victories over these times to believe and see what lies ahead in their brilliant futures.  Each one of their stories ran over several years of their life where they had their ups and downs.  Sometimes just when things started to look up…their world came to a crashing halt! Then, when it seemed as if all they wanted to do was give up, they rose to learn from their past and push on toward their future.
Philippians 3:13-14 -- Now, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I mean, have you ever felt like that?  Most of us have.  But, in truth, as it says in the scripture, in this life we will face trials….but take heart HE has overcome the world! 


Christine Caine was probably one of my favorites that weekend.  I love how she spoke on ‘a plague of frogs.’ I seen that scripture in a whole new aspect that day.
Christine shared that we are important – each and every one of us --  and God knows and cares from each and every one of His children.  It doesn't matter where we live or where we were born, we are more than just a number in the system, we all have a name and are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Whether we grew up and lived with our birth parents or if you've been adopted or if you live in a child care center somewhere...you are more than just a number in this big world....you have a name and you matter...and you are loved!
It says in Jeremiah 29:11, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…”  God’s got a plan, a purpose and a destiny for you!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 
Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

How are you going to live without your fear?  You don’t have to be defined by your issues?  Christ knows your name and who you are.  I can't wait to dive into Christine's newest book, "Undaunted," and learning more through her writing as well. 

Isaiah 49:1 -- Listen to me, all you in distant lands!  Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.

Psalm 139: 1-24 --  www.biblegateway.com

O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

² You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

³ You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

⁴ You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

⁵ You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

You’re wanted!!!  You were made for more! The truth will make you free!

Galatians 5:1 --So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Angie Smith spoke about fear, and who doesn't have some kind of fear in their life, right?  Angie shared about fears through the voice of Hagar, and how when Hagar was sent off with Ishmael they face trials, their faith was tested but even  where human provision may have run out, the ‘well’ is always there and God was always with them helping with there needs. Hagar
   Genesis 21:8-21


Angie spoke about Psalm 139 today and the impact on this chapter in her life.

Angie told her story about here daughter and each of their births.  She opened with her twin daughters and how she had them figured to be the best babies in the world.  She had no trouble taking these angels to the store and out and about.  Although, her next child came to be the complete opposite.  "She's a negotiator" Angie said.  As she told the story about telling her daughter that if she would quit sucking her thumb for 2 weeks, she would take her to Toys R Us and buy her anything she wanted for not sucking her thumb for 2 weeks!  All in all and to quote "a very funny story" her daughter agreed to the proposition.  Well, 5 minutes later Angie found her daughter in her room sucking her thumb. When she asked her about their deal just earlier, her daughter turned to her saying, "eh...I'll just get it for Christmas."  Kids!

Now Angie told us of her cute little stories of her girls but she left one story for the end.  Her next little baby girl.  A little girl who halfway through her pregnancy, the doctors had advised Angie to 'end her pregnancy.'  They told Angie and Scott that their baby girl wasn't developing like she should be, she didn't have a pancreas, she didn't have 4 chambers in her heart and there were two other organs missing.  Knowing how strong Angie and Scott felt about the human life growing inside of her they trusted God and they continued to full term against the wishes of the doctors.  By their next appointment, the doctors were amazed about how much progress the baby had made.  Her organs had been developing and she had 4 chambers in her heart.  Angie made it to deliver her baby girl.  Although she was weak and small, they were aloud to hold their precious and beautiful baby girl for a couple hours on the day of her birth.  And even through they only had a few hours with her, she said that they would have a lifetime of memories  for as long as she'd lived that day, and they would never have traded that day of anything.  They loved and cherished every moment they had spent with their precious and beautiful daughter.

God sees you different than you see yourself. 

                                                There is hope beyond where you are right now.

Sheila Walsh is always amazing to hear and a blessing her hear her thoughts and teachings.  She spoke from Romans Chapter 12, identifying that there is ‘nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.’  
   
   It’s not about who you are,     
   it’s about whose you are!      

         I am a daughter 
                of the 
                                                           King of Kings!



Shannon Ethridge graced us with her presence as she shared that God is more than sufficient to meet ALL of OUR needs! 



Shannon's life story was incredible to be able to listen to her heart as she  told her story.

I just want to break down some of my favorite quotes spoken by Shannon this day, they pretty much say it all about surrending your life over to God and letting go.  Knowing that we are going to make mistakes and even though we may fail at times, God is there to embrace us and pick us back up and dust us off.  

• Let God woo you and pursue you
  
• Embrace your bridegroom“

• Loving Jesus without limits!”

Even, the one of the few men (Ken Davis) that we there shared a few good points, 

1 – To believe with all of your heart that God is the author of ALL YOUR JOY!  
2 – To believe with all your heart that perfection is not a requirement! AND 
3 – To believe with all your heart that He will NEVER let you down!