Ready for a God weekend?

So... this weekend is Women's Retreat weekend.  I have mixed feelings about women's retreats.   I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the time that I get to spend with all the ladies, some whom I have known forever and some whom I have never met.  That makes it a great weekend in itself.  The part of it that I don't always look forward to is that God usually uses the weekend to "work" on me:)   Part of being a growing believer is that God is constantly reminding us of the things that we need to change or mature in our lives. Our theme this weekend is "Becoming a woman who...".   We left the theme open because we know that even though our speakers have specific topics that they will be sharing with us, God may have a different agenda for each of us.  God will use the topics and the small group times and the worship and the fun to speak to us individually through the weekend and help us to hear what He wants us to hear.  He will speak into our lives if only we will listen:)   Hope you've got your ears and eyes open for the message God wants you to hear.  Maybe this weekend is just about encouragement for you... be ready!!  If you aren't attending the retreat, please be praying for those who are, so that they will be in an open and ready place to receive God's word, which is healing, transforming, uplifting, convicting, and much more.  Can't wait for tomorrow!!!

Fun House Mirror - Are we distorting Jesus?

I've been really slacking in trying to keep up a blog, but I've decided to try again!  Here goes!

At church the week after Easter, Kevin told our congregation about a new mission statement that we have for Spring of Life.  It is "Inviting you to a better life".    Who doesn't want that?  Who wouldn't want a better marriage, better parenting tips, better character, better financial situation, better life overall?   No one that I know.  I sometimes forget that some people who don't know Jesus don't even have the opportunity to see who He really is, because we don't portray Him well.  Have you ever seen yourself in one of those fun mirrors?  It is a mirror that takes your reflection (which in a real mirror is almost a perfect copy of yourself) and distorts it dramatically.  It may may you really short and stocky, or really skinny (I might have to carry that mirror around with me on a dolly), or really crooked.   If we claim to know Jesus, but don't live according to how He asks us to, people see a warped version of Jesus that really doesn't lead them to a "better life".  Jesus is the only way to better:)   Something to think about as we are making decisions about our lives and how we live them.  Who do you want to help lead to a better life with Jesus but may be hindering because of your lifestyle?  Time to start living what we believe!!  That's the challenge.