Saturday, May 2, 2009

I Want More of the Holy Spirit!

This weekend I went to a women's retreat in Washington, Indiana. It was incredible! We stayed at the southern district AG campground, which was a beautiful place! Very clean and nice facilities!!

Anyway, I really didn't know what to expect from the weekend. I was so glad to finally be able to get away! This was the first time since I have been a stay at home mom that I have been away by myself for two days, that's 18 months!!! Way to long without a retreat!! I have to tell you I was blown away. It was so nice, because it was a smaller gathering and it was great to really connect with people.

I will give you the short version because I am expecting the boys to come home any time, and I thought I better blog about it now before I forget and I won't get a minute to reflect!

I guess this weekend I had an agenda for the Lord to speak directly to me in a certain area, but this is where the Lord just blew me away, HE had a different plan!! The special speaker was a lady named Sheri (I don't remember her last name). She was just a wonderful and mighty woman of God! She actually is from Winter Haven, FL, where my dad and Kathy live. I need to call him and tell them about their church. She and her husband are the senior pastors at a church in Florida. She shared about how much we need the Holy Spirit in our lives. Which is a message I have heard over and over again, but it really got a hold of me this weekend. It made me look at my own life and realize that I need to be more in tune to the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to just go about life and forget that the Spirit of the Lord is wanting us to take Him wherever we go. The Lord gave us the Holy Spirit to give us power and it enables us to do the things that he has called us to do. Since I came home (back to Indiana) the Lord has been bringing up past friends in my life and really laying them on my heart to pray for their salvation. Not knowing how or what the Lord wanted me to do, I got a more clear picture this weekend on how to reach one in particular. I am still processing it all, but without the Holy Spirit I wouldn't have realized how to do that on my own. The Holy Spirit wants to show me and teach me things, but He can't if I don't INCLUDE him in it! I can't do it on my own!!! I NEED the Holy Spirit EVERYDAY!!!

The weekend also was so wonderful and relaxing for me. On Friday afternoon I was able to take a walk BY MYSELF!!! I emphasize that since it is rare for me to ever go anywhere alone. I needed some alone time with the Lord. It was great to be outside in the fresh air! Though, I got off the main road and went on a little trail and then all these bugs attacked me, it was quite hilarious! I was glad I was alone so no one could see me freak out!

Another great thing about this weekend was that I was able to spend some time with Tami. It blessed me to see her worship and see her go after the Lord. I am so thankful to have a family that serves the Lord, it really is such a blessing!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

3 comments:

Meridee said...

That's great that you had such a meaningful time with the Lord - and some alone time to boot! It was good to be reminded of everything you shared. I wonder how often we walk around as if we're anemic - when all the power of God is just waiting for us to access it.

Thanks Angie.

Jenny said...

Amen Ang! So good! I am so glad you were able to get away for time alone and a retreat with Jesus. You deserve it. Thanks for your post... You have challenged me to talk to the Holy Spirit daily and LISTEN to the Lord's voice. LOVE YOU!

Anonymous said...

I keep hearing message about the Holy Spirit everywhere lately! I want more of Him too! :) Thanks for this inspiring post, and thanks for sharing your adorable sons with us this weekend - I loved spending time with them.