Day 1: Walking in Newness

Good Morning World Changers,

My first day away at the retreat, God is doing great things. The people selected are so different by yet the same-the combination is beautiful. The raw realness of human frailty and its transparency is awesome.

After a long night of sharing and bonding, we woke up early cooked breakfast and chatted and played "Girls just wanna have fun by Cindy Lauper". Totally caught the mode!

As I have stated before in every moment we have an opportunity to learn and grow. (I am choosing to  take advantage of life!)

What I have learned thus far (God's teachings emphasized):

• Two of the women have created goal lists. (Long and short term) I am empowered to seek God and create my own with the things God! They even have accountability partners to hold them to the covenant made with themselves. (I love it)
• I am learning that relationships are wonderful things and there is such a need for connection- the human nature depends on it and craves that love. Spending time with women has blessed me and this is only the beginning. I am expecting great things from God*
• To be a great listener is a wonderful gift from God, this experience has been teaching me the beauty in death to your story to discover the beauty in another. My goal is to discover others this weekend.

Just checking in with you all and wishing you the most productive, life changing experience in our journey. Live big and be amazed*

My prayer for you: God thanks for everything, all you are and all you made me to be! Thank you for the careful love, concern, and detail you took to create us, help us see that beauty. Lord, forgive us for not realizing your love and its everlasting depths. Forgive us for living short, ignorant, and in defiance of your plan for us* Jesus as you purge us, let us fall in love all over again. Let the love overflow into the lives of others and let everything communicate who you are.  We are committed to change and growth in you. Make us new* in Jesus name, Amen*

Take advantage of every moment in life, you are never too far from God's hands- He is everywhere*

Live BIG*

Love Libby*

You are Free! Drop the Luggage and Run!!!!!

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
 ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.                                 
                                                                  Hebrews 12:1-2


This scripture is such a wealthy blessing to those that want to be free! The concept of dropping the load is often discussed and hardly done. Ok, so I put up the last blog and it was a quickie but I was not settled with it so let's go back to John 5- read it, verses 1-13. 


There is some major wealth here, the question, "do you want to me made well?" In Hebrews, we see that the bible tells us to drop EVERY weight, every distraction, every detour from destiny- but the harsh reality is, sometimes death never felt so good (because it is comfortable). It's hard to accept the truth sometimes but the truth is, we must like it? If we don't, then why do we constantly put ourselves in the position to suffer? For example the indulgence in food that keeps the weight on, or the relationship that just can't seem to work out (no matter how much you both try), or the dream that remains dead because you choose not to believe.  For each of these the answer is simple, drop the weight and focus on Jesus. Hebrews says that we have examples of faith all around us- nothing we are doing is new and we by far are not the only ones that suffer. Emotions try to make us believe that our situation is heavier than everyone else's weight- not true!


Read all of the examples in the word of God and how each blessing seems impossible,  each suffered,  was challenged by their faith but each chose God and his directive- that is what is different. We struggle in the place of doubt and believe that it is a fete that we can NEVER conquer, and that is true but we are trying to do a God sized job with man sized power...........so it will never work! For some, it is hard to learn that we are in need of God, that we cannot do it alone. The lesson can be painful and seem never ending but through it we gain a relationship with God of real intimacy and by us recognizing our weaknesses, we are able to see the true power of God. 


Currently I am in a place in life where I long for God's destiny to be manifested through my life, I want it so bad I can taste it. I hear stories and watch movies about people just like me that did the unexplainable through the power of God working through them and I cry in hunger, awaiting the opportunity. Their story empowers you, you realize that you are not crazy and that others have had the same experience. It starts and ends with a relationship in Christ. 


I can go off on a tangent but the main point of this blog is this, Jesus is EVERYTHING! You have freedom, so walk in it! Throw out everything that hinders you from destiny and purpose in CHRIST! Even the good ideas that are not God ideas-check your motive and throw all those things out* Clean the slate of your mind and ask God to show you His heart on the matter. Pray diligently to grow closer to him and read his word to learn as much as you can about him, build a relationship- not on your terms but by what God's word says.


I am getting ready to go on a retreat with some dynamic young women in the faith and the very leading up to this event has been a challenge. The theme of the retreat is to  "Reset" and in this I believe our lives will be changed if we allow it. I had to sacrifice time, finances, and priorities to go, however, I believe this will be well worth it! In everything I am making an effort to catch Jesus and his lesson and I implore you to do the same. When I return things will be different, very different*


I am going to invite you all on my journey and I plan to communicate with you even more as I journal my experiences, lessons, and bypassers of the faith that I connect with along the way- sharing their struggles but even more so, their success! It's real and you will be able to see that and hopefully recognize the gems in your own life.


My last thought: While I am gone, search yourselves -I will be doing the same* Ask God about the things you struggle with and then give them up. This is nothing cliche, for me, I had to give up the thought of marriage and relationship with a man for now. It hurt and I fight thoughts, opportunities, and things I feel were priceless that I have lost but God's will for me now is relationship building and preparing for my marriage with him. I know that marriage is in my future but it is not to be my focus and I must pray, seek God, read word, and fight not to let emotions rule-its something I have had to let go of. Whatever stops you or slows you down from seeking God is not for your good, it may be a lot to cut it off but you will see the benefits through growth, relationship, and intimacy.




My prayer for you: Lord, forgive us for holding onto the past and the things that separate us. Forgive us for forgetting who you are and leaning to things of no substance. Open our hearts and minds to you God as we commit to change and trust in you. As we go before you in honesty and humility, we know that you hear our every plea and you desire your will for us, help us see the beauty in your will and commit to living that out- let everything else become a memory.


...........I pray that through this time away that you will be refreshed and renewed by the word of God and the start of your new relationship with him. I pray that each weight that so easily slips you up loses its power and is replaced with a hunger and desire for God. I pray that a way is made for you to walk away from that thing unharmed and pray the protection of God around you. I speak the peace, faith and strength of Christ in your life even now. That your mind will be settled and that heart will be content. I pray that your eyes will be opened to the riches and wealth you have through Christ and that love supersedes all else. I pray your growth and that you begin the value the process, even if it is painful. I believe God and all of his promises to protect, guide, and grow you into something beautiful, so as you die to live for him- keep the heart, faith, and mind of Christ. may you be covered by his blood and know the power of it. There is truly nothing that is impossible in God, even a fresh start. You are an overcomer through Christ so now, do the impossible! So God I thank you and believe it is now, in Jesus name. Amen


Love your friend, 


Libby*


P.S. Check out the new page design* Fresh page for a fresh start! The finish line is our goal so when you get discouraged, see Christ at the finish line! Keep running*

Flooded Thoughts and Crucial Conversation*

I'm CHANGED, NEW, REFRESHED, RENEWED and well................I'm READY!


So much has transpired since my last blog, challenges, temptation, distraction, love, life and empowerment. (Not in that order) Unfortunately, I cannot always blog because there is an adventure to be had, called life, but I tell you what, while I have you here, take a seat, get a drink, and let's talk.

Ok, so I have told you before that when I was little I had a vivid imagination and loved to run into dreams and stay there for a while, today, let's sit by the fire on comfy couches. I imagine that the room smells of warm vanilla and we are wrapped up in fur throws, each having a comfy couch to ourselves. The fire is crackling and the tea lights and candles strategically placed all around the room. I see a tea station having the drinks and snacks we desire, all that's needed now is great conversation.

So now that we are comfortable, wrapped in our throws, smelling vanilla, with our snacks and drinks, let me tell you a story. This story is a familiar one, but don't let that take away from the truth inside. I am a firm believer that a gift can be wrapped in many ways and that timing, perspective, and desire are all great contributors when it comes to what we choose to receive. As I tell my story, I pray that you have an open mind and allow God to speak farther than these words, directly to your heart and let Him live there.



John 5 (Amplified Bible)


John 5


 1LATER ON there was a Jewish festival (feast) for which Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
    2Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep Gate. This pool in the Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porches (alcoves, colonnades, doorways).


    3In these lay a great number of sick folk--some blind, some crippled, and some paralyzed (shriveled up)--[a]waiting for the bubbling up of the water.


    4For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted.


    5There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years.


    6When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]


    7The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.


    8Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!


    9Instantly the man became well and recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked. But that happened on the Sabbath.



He walked; now for a paralyzed man, that's big stuff. The inability to move your limbs freely, to do for yourself, to speak (for some), stricken to lie in the same state day after day. That is pretty hard to imagine for a person that has moved freely for 29 years now, but envision it. Sit in your seat right now, close your eyes and picture yourself there. Paralyzed, on your side and waiting for someone to have mercy, that is deep.  This man relied on the willingness of another.

Now my question would be in reference to the mindset, where do you stand?

Moving past the place of victim to victor-  The weird thing about the approach is that Jesus asked, "do you want to become well?" and immediately after the man's excuse, Jesus gave a directive. The man followed the directive and took his deliverance.

This blog is short and sweet, the question is if you can only do it once (life) what would you do? This is not a game, no rewind button. There is a moment, an isolated fragment of time when something just clicks in your head and your heart- a call for action. My desire more than anything is to know Jesus.
Yet, when you know Jesus and get into relationship, you walk with him, and grow- your purpose develops right in front of your eyes. All you have to do then is run on the path, its already set- you are predestined.

God willing this is an intro to action, probing you to think....what more can you do? Are you giving everything and if not, are you like the man by the well with the excuse? Are you accustomed to the paralyzed life in some areas? Can you become vulnerable for God? Will you take up your mat and walk? or do you choose to die a slow death of decayed insides because you decided to remain sick.

Personally, I am in a place of discovering who I am in Christ. At 29 years old, I see places in need of improvement, gaps that only God can fill and I want to work to tear the walls down, to be open and available for God.

................................and I am willing to do anything to get there. I do not want to be the same, I want my insides to change I believe God can do it. There is not condemnation is Christ, I repent and keep running- movement is the key.

You have one life, live it like it!


My prayer is that you are open to who God truly is and allow Him to transform you, do not quit the process. The only life is in Him, nothing else is worth living.

Libby-

Head was full of thoughts so I chose to write them down.

Commit your life to work for God and communicate Christ to the world, once you know of his goodness, its a shame to keep it to yourself. NEVER QUIT!