THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD
May 4, 2007
EVENING SESSION
Icebreakers, name callers. Ok, not really name callers, but opportunities to get to know someone else’s name. With my maddening inability to remember names, it will be interesting to see how long I can remember them.
96 women have convened on Camp Chinquapin, near Pinecrest, this weekend for a time of refreshment, fellowship and fun. What the heck am I doing here??!!
OK, so I’m not really a retreat kind of gal, and I had originally not planned to attend, but… well, here I am.
I keep telling God that I’m not a people person. He doesn’t seem to listen. I’m reclusive, introverted, socially challenged. People laugh when I tell them that, but they don’t really know the effort it takes to for me to stand up, to speak, to socialize and interact with others. God keeps putting me in positions where I have to be with people, though. What’s that verse about God putting the singles in families? sigh.
The speakers are sharing right now, bits and pieces of their lives before the real talk begins.
Beauty and Glory
God-conscious, not self-conscious, beholding the Glory of the Lord, beholding His beauty.
Exodus 34:30ff – Moses face shone after being in the presence of the Lord. Does my face shine from being in His presence? How much time do I spend in His presence? Enough to shine? Ouch.
Another point, the glory that I receive is not for my benefit, it’s for sharing with others, they are to behold God’s glory through me, in me. Double ouch.
Isaiah 45:5-7
He is a beautiful God, an awesome God, and awe-creating God. Awesome Beauty. Fearful Beauty.
MORNING SESSION
Beauty Bingo
I’m left-handed, drive a stick, have a tattoo, been to a foreign country. Have never been a sorority, run a marathon, served in the military.
Jesus, you are my reward. To see your face on that day is what I’m living for. Jesus, you are my reward. To hear your voice on that day is what I’m living for.
As we were starting worship this morning, I was reminded of the book, “Hinds Feet on High Places”, by Hannah Hurnard. I was reminded of the two companions that accompanied Much Afraid. It has been some time since I read the book, and cannot remember the names of the companions, but I remember they were rather dour, somber creatures. At least that was the impression that Much Afraid had of them as they began their journey up the mountain. but as they journeyed, Much Afraid saw a transformation in them. She noticed when they rested, they were always facing the top of the mountain, and she noticed one day that their faces were beaming as they beheld the mountaintop. Eventually, she saw them as they really were, beautiful creatures beholding their beautiful Master. They kept their eyes focused on Him, until they reflected His beauty. OK, there may be more to the story. Like I said, it’s been quite a while since I read the book, and these are just impressions from that distant memory. But that’s the impression I took away and it has lingered to this day.
I find myself seeming more the dour, somber companion here. Yes, I can laugh and joke, but I’m not that sociable. I find it hard to talk about simple things, to walk in the shallow waters. I want to dive into the depths, flailing away as I learn to swim the ocean currents.
How great is our God! All will see how great, how great is our God! That’s what I want to talk about. I want to talk about His greatness, to talk about His work, not just in my life, not just to cope with today, not just to deal with husband/children/friends. I want to see what God is doing in this great world that He has created, not just my small corner.
Forgive me, Father. Bless these ladies. Bless them, comfort, heal. Glorify yourself in this weekend.
Exodus 33:18-23
Show me your glory, Lord! How fearsome, how awesome your glory. Like Isaiah I cry, “Woe is me… my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Jesus – the I AM
I AM – the bread of life – provision
I AM – the light of the world – illumination
I AM – the door – entrance
I AM – the good shepherd – protection
I AM – the resurrection – salvation
I AM – the way, the truth, the life – direction
I AM – the true vine – connection
Quiet Time
A Prayer
Disconnected, that’s the overarching feeling I have. Maybe not disconnected, but rather drawn away, separated, not necessarily isolated, but isolation. I seek it, though. It’s not something forced upon me. I hear so many noises around me, seeking the quiet is my salvation, my rescue. thank you for being here in the quiet, the isolation. I know we’ll go out again, to the world at large, the community, but I am grateful for the time alone.
Psalm 145
“I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.”
OK, so it’s a drinking song, but that’s what I was reminded of as I read that Psalm, particularly verse 14. “The Lord upholds all who are falling”
I fall, but He will uphold me, even when the falling is due to my actions or inactions. He is the faithful one. Doesn’t mean that I can do whatever I want, but as I live out this life in Him, even when I do stupid things, say stupid things, He’s there to hold me up, to raise me up from when I fall on my face.
He fulfills my desires. He also hears my cries and saves me from those desires…
EVENING SESSION Day 2
Only one thing is needful – Luke 10:42
I love that passage. Only one thing is needful, necessary; to sit at Jesus’ feet, devoted to Him, close to Him.
Now, I said going into this that I really hadn’t planned on going on this retreat. I said that I really wasn’t a retreat kind of gal. Well…, not much changed about that perspective. I did have fun playing games, visiting with some of the ladies, but when offered a chance to go home early, I said yes. I had already planned to leave early Sunday to get back home to hear a new worship leader candidate at church and decided that leaving Saturday night was even better. It was nice waking up Sunday morning and getting ready for church at home. I even got to church early for a change. The worship leader was warm and personable, he led us in great worship, the message was timely and I had the opportunity to talk with a young woman about recommitting her life to following Christ. God is good.
All Things Elda 