My daughter and I went to The Habit Burger Grill for 'dinner' last night before heading over to the conference. I really thought that she would want to go to a restaurant. So she had a chicken club and I had a juicy burger. And fries. Gotta have the fries. I shared, but I ate the most. On to the conference we went, got registered, and went inside to 'shop' at a boutique. Disappointed there was only one this time. And it was crowded. Have I ever mentioned I really don't like crowds? And women shopping in those crowds? I glanced through the t-shirts, but didn't buy any. I walked around and saw a few things, but nothing I needed nor wanted. Then I saw it. I had to get it.
First off, I will confess I probably have way too many of these as it is. But this is different than what I have. Honestly, it is. And it was cheaper than at the stores, in most cases. What did I get? A metal drink container. With a little handle. Why did I get it? Cause I liked the words on the side of the container and I can take it to the gym with me, or on walks. Cause it has a handle. Oh - the words?
Lift Heavy. Pray Hard. (black letters on a white background)
Yeah - the 'Lift Heavy'. Pray Hard' words caught my eye and with a handle, yeah, I bought it. And I will use it. For awhile anyway. :-)
The conference was 'ok'.... meaning that worship went way too long (an hour and fifteen minutes!) and it was hard to connect cause there was a tall person in front of me and she kept blocking the words on the screen. Yes, I generally close my eyes while singing, but I didn't know these songs so needed the words. We probably should have sat closer than we did. Then we sat through three (I think) speakers.... and it was different this time... these were more of sharing about their missions... one being Project Rescue, which is rescuing women and girls from brothels in other countries. Then something they hadn't done before; they took an offering to support that. The other 'missions' was something about 'kick out fear'. More songs. Someone was off on the right doing a large painting of a lion's head - very talented, and we were able to catch glimpses of that happening. By the time they got to the third (and I think last) speaker, it was 9:15PM... I was tired from working all day, it was past my bedtime... and I whispered to my daughter that if she wanted to leave, I was ready. So we did. I'm sure the last one was probably the best speaker, but (we) I didn't feel encouraged or motivated by anything I had heard as we have in the past. I also told my daughter that I will go to one more, and if it is like this one, I probably wouldn't attend others. Rash statement? Perhaps. In the past three-four I have attended, I have felt encouraged and motivated to make changes in my life. This one did nothing of that. And that's all I have to say about it.
I didn't get up this morning until about 5:45AM. Hubby got up a few minutes later and brought my coffee. He was surprised I came out at 7AM and started fixing a second cup of coffee and grabbing a snack cracker. He asked if I was finished (no). I told him I have nothing planned and I was going to stay in my room longer. Got my coffee, got my snack, and came back in here and shut the door. I won't stay real long, but I do enjoy my solitude.
I ordered a Bible for my friend who I am covering for as she has surgery. We got to talking about the Jeremiah Study Bible and how much I enjoy mine. She has been watching some of his sermons and really likes him. (I need to listen to more preaching than I do - it certainly couldn't hurt me, right?) Our 30 minute meeting went over an hour as we talked about Jesus and Bibles and all. Anyway, I showed her my NKJV Jeremiah Study Bible (we were on video) and how much I love it. Wish I had bought these for my kids instead of the Jentezen Bible, as it doesn't have study notes as these do. She shared she really likes the NIV so since her birthday is next month and I'm always trying to think of something to send her, I decided to just order it. Got the thumb index too - but had to get black. And that's ok. Black is classy. She was going to order one while she was off, she said, but I jumped on Christian Book Distributors and ordered it for her birthday. I'm not sharing here to get any pats on the back. If I hear someone wants / needs a Bible, I will certainly put one in their hands. One of these days I may order myself the Jeremiah NIV but I don't really need it. They are on sale now, which prompted me to get for her. I learned about Jesus through the NIV as it was easy to read. But I love my NKJV because of the flow of the words. Maybe I'll get one to read through next year. I didn't buy myself a new Bible this year. Not that I need a new one. LOL
Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible? He was a short tax collector and climbed up the sycamore tree so that he could see Jesus coming down the road. (Remember the song? Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he! He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see! And as the Savior passed that way, He looked up in the tree - and He said, "Zacchaeus, you come down! For I'm going to house today! For I'm going to your house today!) (sorry, had to sing the song) Anyway, in the bible it says...
Luke 19:10 (NKJV): for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
What does that mean? Jesus has come to find and to save those who do not follow Him; those who have turned away from Him; those who do not know Him.
I am so grateful that He came looking for me many years ago. 40+ years ago I would have never dreamed I would still be so in love with Jesus still! He rescued me from hell - and it is a real place, in spite of what some of you may believe. I honestly have a great fear of hell. I think I have shared before that my sister and I often say we hope Jesus returns 'on a good day' for us.... days we are not frustrated or angry with our husbands. I tell you what, and this is the truth. If I had not accepted Jesus as Lord of my life and chose to follow Him, I would not be who I am today, nor would I be where I am today. I was a mess back then.
And Jesus picked me up, brushed off the filth, and cleaned me by His blood. Eternally, He set my feet on solid ground and I know that I am His. He has me right where He wants me, in spite of all my grumbling about circumstances in my life. In spite of my attitudes. Jesus knows me better than I know myself. He knows all about me. He knows that He is the only reason I am still here. And I love that about Him. I don't have to explain things to Him as to why I did such and so - He knows what happened. He knew it was going to happen before it did. And He knows that He will always be with me as I cry out to Him and seek His face.
Honestly, there is nothing like it. When was the last time you had a conversation with Jesus? Even though He knows everything about me, about my circumstances, about things that trouble me, He still wants me to share it all with Him.
And He wants you to share with Him as well. Would you just take a moment and share with the One who seeks you, and is ready to save you from whatever you are sinking in? Rejoice in the Lord always, Paul says.
So we rejoice in the One who sets us free.
Blessings!
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