>A fresh breath of air (Elizabeth)

>Upon my return from Springfield from the Beth Moore Living Proof Live conference, I think I will be transparent tonight and post an entry that I wrote in my prayer journal. God’s been doing a new work and I want to share it.

I feel a fresh breath of air from the very throne room of God. This weekend at the Beth Moore conference wasn’t cataclysmic, not earth-shaking, just confirmation and edification. I believe with all my heart that I begun the healing process [to recent events/realizations] a few weeks ago – a good time – so I was able to fully receive from the Lord this weekend.

I literally have no sufficient words for the compassion and patience I feel towards people. One of my prayers long ago at an Outpost meeting for a Chrysalis weekend (sponsored by the Methodists, I think) was to have a heart and passion for the lost. Since then I came to believe that my emotions and empathy needed to be “toned down”. I felt silly crying over newscasts and accidents I passed by on the highway. Recently I have felt more sensitive emotionally and I believe it’s a gift and not attributed solely to my being a woman.

I feel a great patience for everyday situations – this comes in very helpful when interacting (I prefer not to use the word ‘dealing’) with 104 students daily. I am beginning to feel the fruit of patience on the road and with things that would be general relational annoyances. There is an understanding of the psychology behind people’s actions that I believe is driving this patience and compassion. [I feel compelled to pray for those with whom I ‘should’ be angry and compassion and empathy for those at whom I ‘should’ scoff.] The Lord has begun a new work in me that is only a miniscule portion of the “good work he is faithful to complete” (paraphrased from Philippians 1:6, NIV).

I would like to share some passages of Scripture that have been particularly meaningful recently:

Job 23:10
But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me I will come forth as gold.

James 1:22-23
Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens for the Word but doe snot do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Isaiah 46:9 (from the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore)
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

1 Peter 4:19
So, then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us; to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations.

And this is the most moving passage to me lately:

1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the joy of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

To summarize the main points of the message of the weekend (which revolved around the life of John the Baptist) – I know it may be difficult to discern what each point may mean as I haven’t included notes or context, but I hope you can derive some personal meaning.

1 – Research the Word
2 – Risk fresh hope
3 – Redefine repentance
4 – Renounce territorialism
5 – Recognize an offense
6 – Reevaluate the promise
7 – Regain the goal

Before I post a few pictures, here are the main ideas that really stood out to me personally.

-We are not more like Satan than when we are jealous.
-What makes your joy complete?
-We have been called to moral courage.
-Grudges affect future generations.
-We can claim anything under the New Covenant (New Testament).
-Complete the task set before us – do your job in Christ! Don’t wish your whole life that you were another person.

Amelia, myself (the giant, haha), Carey (Amelia’s mom) and our friend Lindsey