Caswell Challenge Recap

I don’t even know where to begin! Have you ever wanted to say and share so much that you can’t even figure out where to start so you end up speechless? That is where I am today. Well maybe not totally speechless…that would take some serious intervention from God…a miracle of the proportions of parting the sea! ha

We went to the Caswell Ladies Retreat over the weekend. Make your plans TODAY to attend next year. It is always the last weekend in Feb and we will take you whether you attend our church or not…because I feel that passionate about its importance. Phyllis Elvington was our guest speaker. She is speaking for our church on 3/27. You do NOT want to miss it…she is wonderful! You can go from laughing to crying and back to laughing in 3 seconds flat! She challenged us, encouraged us, fussed at us, and loved on us all weekend long. She is so inspiring!

I think my favorite part was an illustration she did showing from Genesis to Revelation of who Christ is. It was 10 scripture references of Christ as The Lamb. It was very moving and very powerful. I had plenty of “ah-ha!” moments but that one brought me to tears and just resonated in my spirit.

If you went to Caswell…share your favorite moment!

I think the first full day back in your life is the hardest part of coming home from a spiritual retreat. Apparently no one tells your circle of people that you have tasted heaven and would like to keep the sweetness on your lips. Instead they try you, test you, tempt you, and trip you up…and most times they don’t even realize they are doing it. That is what satan does…he uses folks who don’t ever know they are his puppet. So how do we survive the first days back to reality? On our faces! Jesus is the ultimate answer to that question. Praying for strength and then finding confirmation in His Word is the best survival tactic in ANY situation. Did you get in His Word before you left the house this morning?

Then there is an Accountability Partner…find one NOW. Ask her to hold your feet to the fire and make sure you are walking the walk that you are talking. You don’t have to have a single thing in common except for loving Jesus with all your being! But be cautious…find a good one! Don’t pick a friend because they have always been your friend. Pick someone who is earnestly seeking Jesus as hard as you or maybe harder. Pick someone consistently lifting you up. If you partner drags you down or encourages you to falter in your walk with Christ…she is the wrong partner! Sometimes you have to make hard relationship choices to get the right fit for you…but looking at the grand picture…eternity trumps this life any day so choose wisely!

Then there is fellowship with other believers. Get to church Wed night. In fact, every time the door opens…try everything needed to get there. With or without your husband…get there. Children clean or muddy…get there. Not because you want to be seen and see others…but because you want to worship God while surrounded by like-minded believers. I believe you can’t stay full of the Holy Spirit without interaction at a worship center. This morning Beth Moore said “We were created for relationship!” We need to worship with other believers. That is what makes Caswell and other retreats so spiritual…the people there are seeking the same Jesus together! I know there are times you must miss church…no one can be there every single time the doors open…but they should be far and few between! And there must be a reason worthy to stand at the throne of God and say “thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins…but I couldn’t worship you on Wed night with the other believers because ______”. The only things I can think of are sickness and travelling!! So if healthy and in town…see you Wed night!

Lunch is over I know the two of you are glad I am signing off…
Be a blessing to someone this week…

In Him,
Kristy =)