amy domidion

Agh... refreshed. That is what I think of when I think of this past weekend. I have to admit, I was having some doubts about going. I wasn't sure about leaving a nursing baby, three other kids, and a husband who needed to work. But he convinced me to go and that everyone would be fine. As I lay in bed the night before crying out of fear that something would happen, I gave to God all my fears and asked Him to speak to me while I was there. And ... He did!

The speaker actually used an example just like that in her talk. She said, "How many of you all lay awake at night and think of things that could go wrong?" Could she read my mind? No, but God can. He was speaking to me. I am so glad that he can take the same message and divide it 9000 different ways. And if I heard that sermon again in another season of my life, I would hear something else in it.

I was so encouraged by the worship. It reminded me of being a youth group member. When I would come back from youth trips and want to worship at church the way that I worshipped while I was gone. It was hard to come back after that. It is like you expect it to be the same. And for a while it is, but then you fall back into the same habits. I am not sure that will happen this time. Dixie said it best when she said, "Don't you just want to reach up and grab Him?" That is what I needed to hear. That is what I am going to do in worship now. Just try to reach up and grab Him.

The time spent with Christian friends was so great. The laughter, the pranks, the shopping (very quick shopping) and the eating! So much eating! But there were some things that stood out in my mind. God can take people that you don't think you have anything in common with and place them directly in your path so that you have to find that common ground. And there is more in common than you know. God is the great relationship mender. He is the common ground. He is the solid ground.

I am thankful for the weekend. I am thankful for my secret sister and the other sisters that I found how much I love! August... here I come.

leah cherven

We laughed…we cried…we learned the proper driving techniques (thanks Rhonda!) we also learned that everything was "on the right" for some reason (huh Jenny?). Our friendships grew and we made new ones. We even learned the proper way to hug a sister!

It was so nice to step out of the hustle and bustle of life and put my focus back to the Lord! The best way to describe it for me is like getting a new pair of glasses…(not the nerdy kind, Angie, the hip ones like Lacey’s). You know how you think your vision is ok until you go back for that exam only to find out you need new lenses. When you get them you realize you can see clearly again. WOW! To be back in focus! I pray I continue to get my new lenses!

What a JOY it is to see my sisters growing in the Lord as well. Oh, I pray we are contagious…spreading our joy.

About the worship…WOW…WOW…WOW…WOW…WOW. Oh, did I say WOW?! It feels so good to give it all to GOD! Let us not hold it in or we may explode!!

Psalm 85:6,  "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"

guest bloggers

There was a challenge that went out to the LBC ladies that went to the Women of Joy Conference.

The challenge was to share their experience. To tell how Christ spoke to them that weekend. Our goal is to edify, build up, the body of Christ and give Him glory be proclaiming His good work.

One of the ways we will be sharing is through this blog. The next several posts will be written by a "guest" blogger.

Please feel free to comment and share your own thoughts to all of them!

1 Chronicles 16:23-25a, "Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised...."

women of joy

Brad jokes and says we look like the "Deal or No Deal" girls. Well, all jokes aside, I happen to think we do. If you turn all twenty of us inside out, those Deal or No Deal girls don't have a thing on us. How beautiful we are because the creator of beauty lives within us. We are all unique and designed just the way He wants us.

What a wonderful time we had. Laughter was contagious, tears flowed, and bonds were made. We all grew in the Lord and in our relationships. How sweet to see the hugs freely given and the prayers lifted up on behalf of one another during our share time. And who knew we were so "colorful"?

The best part of all, though, was our Lord spoke to us. I kept hearing over and over how astonishing it is that God will use one speaker, with one message and His Word minister to 9,000 women individually. That's our God! We poured our heart out to Him through song and He poured Himself into us through the Word. Mmmm.....good stuff! (Those of you who know me well, know I just stomped my foot while saying that!)

Where do we go from here? First, share your experience. I believe that started Sunday night. Could you feel the electricity in the sanctuary? Did you see all those hands lifted up? (There I go stomping my foot again!) Secondly, be obedient to what Christ spoke to you. Some of you shared with me how He challenged you. Now do it. As Priscilla shared: NO FEAR. And thirdly, continue to fellowship. Lavish your love on all the women in the church.

Some great things are coming down the pike, be ready for it!

A charge for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."