And Then...

GOD! He showed up... Pink Impact was amazing! AMAZING!

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For the last few weeks, God has been revealing Himself to me as my Daddy, and me as His little girl. Oh my Daddy does love me. He does.

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Okay, so the first thing that I want to do is outline the amazing messages that were delivered Friday and Saturday:

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On Friday morning, Marilyn Hickey stepped on the platform and she shared the story of Ruth. Oh My Goodness! What an anointed word. She said that when faced with choices in life we can do one of two things:

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1. The Expected - the ordinary, the average... What the crowd would do. And then we get expected results. Even consequences.

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OR

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2. THE EXCEPTIONAL - A choice of faith, a choice that may involve risk and may cause people to question our judgment. But, this kind of decision requires us to believe God even when we don't know what He is up to... To move in His direction even when it means we don't know where we are going and to do what He requires even when it is hard, it hurts and it doesn't make any sense at all. The result of making exceptional decisions as Dr. Hickey shared is that GOD does EXTRAORDINARY things with our EXCEPTIONAL decisions. Oh Yes. Now that is where I want to live. Favor, Blessing, and Grace... I want to experience the exceptional response of God in my life and my circumstances. We must be EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE because we serve an EXTRAORDINARY GOD.

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A few QUOTES from this session:

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* "One Word from the Lord can change your life forever."

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* "God thinks you can do anything."

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* "Ruth is the 8th book of the Bible. Eight is the number of new beginnings."

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* "Stay in faith." (God can work miracles out of our biggest mistakes.)

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* "God loves stupid people." (Okay, this may have been my favorite quote)

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* "Expected is what the world does. Exceptional is what faith does."

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* "Walking in faith brings favor. Walking in faith is something you do even when you don't feel it."

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* "How to get a husband: Ruth 3:3. Take a bath, get a new dress, anoint yourself (aka "put on some perfume"), and then go lay at his feet and pull his robe over you."

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* "You can't do the expected and expect God to do the EXTRAORDINARY."

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* "REPENT and CLEAN UP."

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* "Don't let the world tell you what you can't do let God tell you what you will do."

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OKAY... Did you get all that? Read the book of Ruth and look for how Naomi and Elimelech as well as their sons made expected decisions and what resulted. Then note how Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz made EXCEPTIONAL decisions and what happened that was extraordinary. You can also consider how Ruth and Boaz had Obed, who fathered Jesse who fathered David and from David the line of Jesus was brought forth. Boaz was also the son of RAHAB. Okay... Read Matthew 1:1 and consider that Boaz was the "Kinsman Redeemer." When he took Ruth as his wife, he had to buy the property that would have belonged to her husband and give the child he had with her the name of her deceased husband. But, in Matthew 1:1 we learn that God had other plans for Boaz. Oh Yes He did. God did the Extraordinary because Boaz chose to do the exceptional.

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IN the afternoon on Friday, Dr. Hickey shared about Abigail, Nabal and David (1 Samuel 26). She started out by reminding us that every person is in a season. She stated, "God has a purpose and power in this season for me." 1 Corinthians 4:20.

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Dr. Hickey pointed out that Nabal was just "big mouth ugly." But, his wife, Abigail, was a sensitive, honorable wife who covered for her husband.

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She recounted the way David sent word to Nabal requesting to be invited to the feast Nabal was throwing. Nabal's refusal incensed David and our "heart like His" hero vows to kill Nabal's entire household in retaliation. But, word reaches dear Abigail that David is planning to put an end to Nabal and his household. She prepares a huge feast and she takes it to David acknowledging that her husband's decision was inconsiderate and to make amends on behalf of Nabal.

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When Abigail returns home, Nabal is pretty well passed out drunk. She doesn't tell him what she has done until the next morning. Nabal's rage is so great he dies. WHAT?

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He pretty much gave himself a coronary. Abigail's decision was honorable, her husband's response was not. His continual abhorent behavior cost him his life. But, for Abigail, she gained favor in David's sight and was taken back as David's wife. Dr. Hickey noted that Abigail was beautiful to David. Her tender heart toward her overbearing husband and her obedient behavior toward God shown brightly to David and won his favor and his heart.

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A few of my favorite quotes from this message:

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* "There's no reason to look or act like a slop bucket at any age."

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* "The man (Nabal) with his decisions brought himself to the attention of the Lord for a short life span."

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* "God rewards us when we act in obedience in the season."

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* "We don't know the kind of harvest we will reap if we sow in obedience in this season."

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* "PURPOSE, POWER, REWARDS."

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* "The game is not over 'til you win."

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AND THEN... Dr. Hickey asked the A/V team to run a video and the power went out! No kidding - the whole building went dark.

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Our Women's Pastor, Debbie Morris, then took the stage and called us to pray, and Dr. Hickey asked us to hold hands. We did so. The words began to go up as we all prayed our hearts out. And then... someone across the room lifted their voice, "You are holy, holy are you Lord God almighty. Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb..."

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We sang that chorus for about ten minutes. When we began singing the chorus the second time the video and lighting equipment began to hum and the power lights began to flicker on. One of the spots had the word "HOT" written in the power reading window. The monitor facing the stage had a small blip dancing across the screen and little green and yellow lights were simply glowing all around the ceiling of the sanctuary.

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We closed out the session with presbytery and then recessed until evening. As I drove home I began to weigh something God had impressed upon my heart as we prayed, interceding for the conference in the last month. He showed me the Aurora Bourealis lights and this pressed me to study the cause of these lights.

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What I learned was that the magnetic quality of the North and South poles draw electronically charged particles up toward them and as the particles rise into the upper atmosphere they create the beautiful array of lights that are known as the Aurora Bourealis or the Northern Lights. These lights dance across the night sky in the northern most regions of Canada, Alaska and other parts of our world. As I was reading I also learned that scientist had known the source of the light but never quite knew what it was that caused these lights to dance in the sky. But, recently scientist have discovered a "magnetic tail" that whips out from the poles into the outer atmosphere of earth which causes the lights to dance in the sky.

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As I am reading this I hear, "Sit in the back and watch the atmosphere change and the Light(s) dance." I really felt God was going to do something very specific and it would bring a radical change to the atmosphere of the conference and involve light somehow.

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I am in awe as I return home and ready myself for the evening events. Of course, we were still praying for the power to come back up fully, but in all I had no anxiety or regret that things changed so dramatically. God was up to something, and I, for one, could not wait to see how it worked out.

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My youngest daughter and I returned that evening for the Friday night session. I met up with my fellow intercessors and received the instructions for the evening. We could all feel the "powering up" in the room. I even said at one point that I believed God had to shut the power off to the building so He could turn up the Holy Spirit power for the conference.

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There was only enough power to the building to light and power the sanctuary and they had the coffee bar up and running. But, the rest of the building was lit by candlelight - did you get that... CANDLELIGHT. We entered the sanctuary and got our seats. Then worship began.

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Kari Jobe took the stage and introduced "PINK Unplugged." An acoustic style session of worship where she and one other worship leader sang while the drummer played the hand drums. Half way through this incredible time of worship, I sensed the presence of God so strongly I began to tremble and my legs felt weak. I knelt down trembling on my hands and knees on the floor. I could only weep and sing before the Lord in awe of His presence.

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Suddenly, as I was singing a verse of Scripture God had given me to pray the day before came to my mind. Daniel 9:19. "O Lord hear! O Lord forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name." (NKJV) [I officially did not know the address. I had heard a pastor speaking about this verse from Daniel 9 and it resonated as something I needed to be praying for PINK.]

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I opened my Bible to Daniel 9, but I began to read in Chapter 10. I could not find the exact phrase I had heard on the radio that day, but I landed on verses 10-13 and heard God speak these verses to me: "Suddenly a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, 'O [Michelle, woman] greatly beloved understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.' While he was speaking to me, I stood trembling. [AND] Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, [Michelle], for from the first day you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to your words.'"

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So I stood up trembling in the revelation and presence of God. He was there - His presence thick and palpable. His love so sweet among us as our voices were lifted up to heaven. He was among us and we were basking in His glory.

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After worship, Pastor Robert Morris, our beloved pastor at Gateway, took the platform and delivered a message on John 9. He covered the entire chapter highlighting the ways that our response to God's activity in our lives can prevent us from having an "And Then..." moment.

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Here are Seven "Blockages" to "And Then" moments:

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1. Blame (John 9:1-5) The disciples' question Jesus about the cause of a man born blind. Because they were more focused on the "how" to the man being born blind rather than the "who" the man born blind was... They missed a great opportunity to have an "And Then..." Moment. They wanted to know who was wrong, not how God was going to take care of the man who was afflicted. BEST QUOTE: If you always need to assign blame to something or someone, you have an issue with pride. (Even if you are always blaming yourself.) If you are always looking to assign blame you will miss your "And then" moments with God.

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2. Disobedience (John 9:6) What if the man who was blind had not received Jesus' instructions when he placed the mud on his eyes? QUOTE QUESTION: What's the last thing God told you to do? Have you done it?

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3. Religion (John 9:13) Jesus healed on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were more concerned with the keeping of a religious law than the physical condition of the man who had been healed. One of the things I got here was this: "My ideas and traditions that I use to define any spiritual activity that engages God in relationship is religion." QUOTE: Religion refuses to see. (John 9:15)

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4. Unbelief (John 9:18) Unbelief always demands evidence. He stated that sometimes our need to know... to dot every "i" and cross every "t" and receive explanation and understanding will keep us from accepting the miracles God brings into our lives. He quoted Acts 26:8 "Why should it be though by you that it is incredible God raises the dead?" QUOTE; Why can't I accept a miracle?

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5. Fear (John 9:22) Fear wills top you from having your "And Then" moment. Fear is an expression that lacks faith. We are commended to step out when God speaks to us. QUOTE: Our great testimonies are often born out of our greatest tests.

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6. A Hard Heart (John 9:28) When we question God's miracles --- calling what God does evil, we are really refusing to believe and receive from God. He quoted "Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick." The Pharisees were so hardened by their own opinions and traditions that they couldn't see God when He was standing right in front of them. QUOTE: A hard heart can happen slowly or over time a little niggling away at your faith through testing and trials, or it can come suddenly through tragedy. (In tragedy if we find ourselves blaming God, we are walking into a trap of the enemy. "Satan always questions and blames God.")

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7. Pride (John 9:35) Jesus was telling the Pharisees here - if you would just recognize and admit that you need me, I'd remove your sin. But, since you do what you do without need of me, your sin remains on you. They had unteachable hearts. (John 9:38 was the And Then moment.)

ANYTHING CAN BE USED BY GOD TO PRODUCE AN "AND THEN" MOMENT! Look for them.

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Oh, and when we walked out into the hall after the service... The Atmosphere had totally changed. There were candles lighting the way to the fellowship area where desserts were being served and friends were gathering together. The mood had gone from festive to intimate in a matter of 24 hours. Before the conference began God told me to watch for a "Light Show" and for "the Atmosphere" to change. WOW!

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Are you worn out? I am... I will share the final part of this story a little later. Be Blessed sweet friends... Be Blessed!

Pink Impact... Let the Pinking Begin!

At Gateway Church we are redefining Pink! Women of Gateway are reclaiming their femininity and walking in our calling as the women God has called us to be. This year PINK IMPACT is all about our "AND THEN..." Moments.
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Tonight we heard a practical, necessary and quite humorous message from Holly Wagner. Holly and her husband co-pastor the Oasis Christian Center in Los Angeles, CA. She is amazingly funny and fabulously relational. I loved her instantly and laughed my fool head off. (Not really, still have head in tack, though my neck often feels like a toothpick... Maybe I should see the doctor. Or, someone could let all this hot air out of my head!)Here's you a little sample of Holly for yourself:

Holly called us as women to take our position as Adult Daughters of the King. She further defined this role in this way: As a young daughter of the King, we go to our Daddy and say I need, and He meets our need because He loves us. But as His adult daughters we go to Him and say, Father, What would You have me do for You today? (Resonating? ANYBODY? ANYBODY?)
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She went on to talk about how sometimes this role as an adult daughter of the King requires us to fight. She said some battles we choose, and others choose us. Either way the key to taking our place in our Father's plan and purpose for this time and season in History is to do two things:
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1. Make a decision to rise. She said God really first spoke this to her through Proverbs 31:15... She then said after she read it she stapled that chapter of her Bible shut. She said... UH-UH. I do my best sleeping at night. But later, God required her to go back and study it so she had to take the staples out. But, anyway. She said that when the struggles and the crises come that its okay for us to be devestated, emotional and even a little caught off guard, AND THEN... (are you listening for it...) Then we make a decision to rise... rise in your marriage and fight for your marriage - not against your spouse (How many of us would have a better marriage if we figured this out?)Rise in your parenting to overcome what is hard... Rise to overcome the tragedy you are facing - the death of a loved one, loss of job, divorce, poverty... What are you willing to fight for?
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She said you have to learn to fall down and get back up right away! Rise up even when you don't want to...
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2. Recognize you are a part of His team. You are not alone. Each one of us is gifted and talented in different ways, and when we value our differences rather than criticize or envy them... We find ourselves in the unique position of working side by side to fulfill the purposes of God. We should do our own job, not seek to do someone else's. We must learn to understand, value and encourage one another and our differences. She said, quite frankly... I DON'T NEED WHAT YOU HAVE! Use what God has given YOU! Do what He sent you here to DO! She also said, if you get off track... well consider this. God has given us a specific purpose and journey to walk out. And if we stay on track the goal is to get to heaven and hear Jesus say, Well Done. But, if we get off doing the path we think we want to run in our lives... What if when we get to heaven God says, "What are you doing here?" What are you doing here? Ever ask yourself that question? Learn to appreciate your specific servant assignment. You've got one.

We should also remember that we are not called to make people over into our image. God made each of us just how He wanted us to be. Just Do It. (I know that's a Nike slogan... but it is so this message.) The goal is a Kingdom Culture where every part of the body is dependent on the other parts of the body to accomplish the purpose God has called forth the church of this era to complete. Differences make us interesting and stronger. Let's learn to value our differences.
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Holly Wagner heads up a terrific ministry called GOD CHICKS. Check her out and get more info HERE. I'll be Blogging More Pink tomorrow. Can't wait. Dr. Marilyn Hickey is speaking two session tomorrow. WHOO HOOO!
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Speaking of Dr. Hickey... I need to google her and find out where she ministers globally... I got a Pink Survey to finish filling out so I can win an I-Pod Touch. Oh, I want one! Yes, I do.
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YOU CAN WATCH PINK IMPACT at www.gatewaypeople.tv... Tomorrow's session times are 10 AM, 1:30 PM with Marilyn Hickey and 7 PM with Robert Morris at the NRH Campus. That's where I will be. I believe Holly Wagner will be delivering her messages at the Southlake Campus tomorrow. You can watch either.... Check it out. Be Blessed. STOP.

Hearts of Worship

I've been on an amazing journey that started last fall, but has really taken off as I have met with an amazing group of women who are becoming known as "The Pillar Intercessors" we are "WATCHMEN" for a coming conference, praying through and preparing the way.
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We met early yesterday for prayer. Seriously, as these precious women and I lifted our voices and hearts to heaven standing in the gap for thousands of women who will converge on the D/FW metroplex for Pink Impact at the end of the month... I thought I would just leap out of my skin and ascend to heaven. I really felt as if we called down heaven.
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God assembled this group of women through one facilitator. Her heart is to see women liberated at this conference and she believes it starts with a heart of worship. Oh yes, we all believe this to be true.
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As we met last week we discovered that each of us represents a different pillar - a different post that stands watch for the Presence of the Lord. These are the pillars: 1.) The Fear of the Lord, 2.) Love, 3.) Mercy, 4.) Freedom (mine), and 5.) Empowerment.
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Oh the Glory of the progression of our pillars. God is doing such a new thing. In the last week TRUTH has been on the hearts of each of us as we have prayed. GLORY.
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As I joined this journey in October, God had given me the word "WORSHIP" and I then learned our leader's heart was to see women opened to freedom through worship. Then God gave me these four "benefits" of worship: (Kari asked for more information... So I have included what God showed me in my study over the weekend about these Four BENEFITS (Formerly Types) of worship.)
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1. Revelatory Worship - a benefit of worshipping the Lord from our heart that results in our receiving revelation about our circumstances, the Future, and/or about the nature and the character of God. John received the REVELATION (of Christ's Diety) at the age of 90 on the aisle of Patmos one Sunday morning as he stood worshipping the Lord in his prison cell. As Stephen declared the glory of the Lord, in an attitude of worship and humility, even in his stoning he was given a revelation of heaven and such grace for the moment. Isaiah's prophetic call came in a posture of worship before the throne of God. And even Paul, when he was taken up to the third heaven. Worship was the attitude of all these men's hearts. As David wrote the psalms, songs and hymns of praise to the Lord, he received prophetic and divine revelation about God and His plans. Revelatory Worship - The first benefit of worship is revelation.
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2. Interecessory Worship - Jesus worshipped God the Father as He intercedes for Lazarus, the nation of Israel, His disciples and future Christians, as well as for His own coming trial and crucifixion. Daniel prayed and worshipped making intercession for the nation he loved, his fellow countrymen who were being held in captivity and for God's deliverence. His heart worshipped the Lord and God delivered many miracles on behalf of Daniel's prayers. Jeremiah worshipped the Lord even in the midst of great tragedy. (Jeremiah 32) His acts of worship were an intercession before the Lord on behalf of Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom.Moses intercession for the people came from a heart filled with faith and devotion to God. He would intercede boldly and with confidence from a heart that worshipped and believed God would answer his prayers.Paul consistently wrote in his epistles prayers of worshipful intercession for the churches and people under his spiritual guidance and care. Intercessory Worship - the second benefit of worship is a heart that intercedes.
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3. Warfare Worship - I think of Joshua face down before the Commander of the armies of the Lord. His worship led to great victory because in worship our hearts are humble before God and our minds clearly focused on the who of our purpose not the what we have to do. I picture Jehoshaphat and the Judean countrymen sending out the chior and the band against the enemy. Oh how the Lord showed up, showed off and showed true the benefit of worship in warfare. Worship is one of the vital ways we put on the full armor of God. It protects our minds and hearts from the assaults of the enemy because we are declaring the goodness and the glory of God through salvation, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, truth, and faith --- and we are protected by His Spirit and His Word in this benefit. It drives us deeper and longer into His presence and His will. Warfare Worship - the third benefit of worship is victory in warfare.
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4. Relational Worship - In the worship series Pastor Robert taught he defined worship as love expressed. I think of the way David and the apostle John loved God with their whole hearts, sold out and devoted to Him in every way. To lean back into the breast of our Lord and feel the safety of His presence all around you - - - to know God as a friend the way Moses did, to walk with Him in the cool of the day in relationship and trust. It is from these times of pure worship and devotion that our love for God grows because we so deeply experience and realize His love for us. The fourth benefit of worship is a heart that fully loves and trusts God in any and every circumstance.
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That's what I got --- I have pages of Scripture and had trouble nailing it down to just a few so I have chosen to encourage to study up and see for yourself what God would say to you about these four benefits of worship by studying them out in His Word.
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So... now, I have a question for all of you. How have you experienced or seen the fruit the Lord in any or all of these four "types" of worship?
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AND... Have you ever been a part of something so GOD that you just felt like you were going to shed your skin and move right on up to your heavenly home... Tell us about it.

As we prayed yesterday I saw this vision:
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Jesus hovering over a throng of women who are walking the road to the conference. He is ushering them. Then I saw the intercessors kneeling on either side of the path just ahead of the throng of walkers... the intercessors were steadily working to fill in the gaps, the potholes (pits), and remove the stones and obstacles for those journeying to Pink.
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He gave me a couple of key Scriptures: Isaiah 58:8, 12; Isaiah 35:8-10; and the Scripture that so beautifully frames us is Isaiah 62:6-8, 10-11.
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So the floor is open. Chime on in and share your worship story... Share your God glory moments. Just share so we can all learn and know and be amazed at the way our Lord moves among us.
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Glory. That's all I can say. Glory. Fall. On. Us. Today!

Thinking Pink!

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HEY HEY HEY! (And no it is not "Fat Albert!")

I have so much to share in so short a time!

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Pink Impact single handedly qualifies as the best time I've ever had in my life! I realize that this might be hard to believe considering in my time since discovering Bible study, I have twice travelled to San Antonio with women I ministered to - both times in 2004 when we attended Women of Faith in the Spring and Lifeway Women's Convention with Beth Moore in December of that year. I also attended LPL in March of last year with my hubby, but still as great - and I do mean great as those experiences were - Pink Impact this year has been my best time at a conference/ministry event ever!

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I can tell you in one word why: SERVING. It was the first time I had taken on huge responsibilities which would have required me to serve through the entire event. We were called by leadership to be ministers from our seats of both hospitality and God's Word as well as prayer. I saw God be so amazing and so huge as I followed His lead each moment I was at Pink Impact.

First major moment: Well, as I previously mentioned all the gifts were good to go the day before the conference began. That was a beautiful thing to me. I felt so confident going in that everything would be done in the Lord's timing and He would not let one of us be disappointed or left out by what happened with the gifts. And oh boy, did He ever. I was so fretting over the timing and who would be distributing, but God provided perfectly for our need and every woman was not only greeted when she came in, but was gifted when she left with a kind word in that exchange as well.

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Second major moment: I have been a member of the Lifeway Forums for more than 4 years - at least I think I have been... could be less, but I think that is unlikely. A friend and cybersister from the forums emailed me earlier in the year to tell me she was coming to Pink Impact. I was so excited. I offered to save her seats and be her "hostess" at the event. Teresa and I have never met face to face - but we have seen pictures of one another - but the comparison is a little vague in a sea of 1,500 women of so...

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Beyond that, I had been going around taking care of my team leader responsibilities making sure the women had plenty of journals and pens to distribute at each doorway when I dropped off the extra journals I picked up at the North entrance to the auditorium. I met a couple of very nice ladies there and we talked for two seconds before I went back and mingled with the gathering crowd. I was in the midst of several friends and a pastor wondering how on earth someone I knew but didn't know - who would be looking for me who she knew but didn't know would possibly find one another. I had the seats saved by faith and felt sure if we were supposed to connect we would. In the middle of my group of friends a very enthusiastic woman with flaming red hair came up and said, "Michelle Bentham, I Win!"

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I did a quick scan of my mind Rolodex and came up blank before responding, "What did you win?" She exclaimed with hands thrown high and great joy in her heart, "It's tntkart from the Lifeway forums..."

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I would later learn that one of those two women I met in the North entrance evidently met me for two seconds and memorized every detail of my appearance that evening. She perfectly described my hairstyle, my earrings, necklace and clothing so that Teresa easily picked me out in the crowd of women who had converged on Gateway Church that night. Glory to God! We returned to the seats I had saved and sat with my daughters and laughed as we both slipped off our shoes as we began to worship our Lord. We sat together and enjoyed the Lord together through all but one of the sessions those three days and I am so grateful God even gave us time to pray together before we finally parted ways.

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Third major moment: On Friday night, I was overwhelmed during worship. I got down on my knees and just bowed before our Great God as I sang of His love, His healing, His righteousness... I couldn't help myself, His Spirit was thick in that place and I was consumed by Him. As we took our seats after worship, there was a yound woman behind me. She was a slight woman in her 20s by my estimation with deep olive colored skin, large tear-stained dark eyes and beautiful silky black hair. She was trembling as she shared what she had just experienced in worship. She laid her hand on the back of my chair and said, "I was bowing down, too and I saw you were, but when I was down there - I know there are lots of women here in this room - but it was just like it was God and me."

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I smiled and my heart knew such joy as I told her it was like that for me every time I worshipped. She said, "I've never experienced that before, is that not amazing." I knew how she felt - I'd experienced it first several years ago when I first began to walk with God in deep intimacy and knowing - it had become a way of life for me. The lights dimmed and the stage filled and we had to end our conversation so I whispered, "Keep experiencing that with Him."

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As Christine Caine took the stage to deliver her soul stirring message about human trafficing and how God wants us to start in our neighborhoods and then concern ourselves with the world... I was still seeing the sweet, Spirit kissed face of the woman sitting behind me, I still felt her hand in my own when I felt God say open your Bible to Psalms. I did and found Psalm 63... a beautiful Psalm of praise and worship - a beautiful, intimate expression of man's desire to know God more and God's desire to be known by us. I began to write down the words filling my heart and my head as I read and re-read the the words of Psalm 63. I wrote it all down with speed and great joy and just before I had to slip out of my seat to go and oversee the gift distribution I slid the folded sheet of paper into the young woman's hand and slipped silently out of the sanctuary. I did not leave her my name, or my number just a chapter from Psalms and a sweet word from God about His love and delight for her. I cherish that moment. I know it is far better to give than to receive, and now I know why - I went there to be selfish and recieve, but God showed me what He loves about givers that night and I didn't even have to sacrifice financially to do it.

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The final moment: This moment will stick in my heart and my mind as long as I live. I had been busy about the sanctuary as the many women were leaving on Saturday morning after the last session. Over and Over again, the two women sitting wrapped up in a tight a embrace near the south exit came into view as I walked the aisles offering gifts to so many women. The younger woman was crying, weeping unashamedly and her older friend was holding onto her and rocking her as she wept. She was broken and beautiful.

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I wanted to honor their privacy, but my heart just hung onto them as I continued about my closing duties around the room. As I gathered my things and prepared to leave for the day, I approached and my heart again was moved toward this young woman. I went up and sat down in front of them asking if I could pray for her. She readily agreed. I cannot recall much of what I prayed, but what I remember is the deep sense of knowing I had as I prayed. Her precious, tear filled blue eyes were ever before me as I lifted her to the Lord. I sensed she was aching deeply and that God was doing a great work in her life. Much confirmed this sense I had, though no words were really exchanged. God just showed me how to pray. As we finished, I realized she was sitting with her mother and every word I had prayed her mother agreed with. I honored her mother and blessed her and then told the sweet child before me that out of great struggle and suffering comes great destiny and there were indeed great things in store for her in her life. She was just so sweet and so precious... I could barely stand the agony that I witnessed, my heart grieved with her.

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I would arrive home a bit emotionally exhausted and alarmed to realize I had somehow misplaced my Bible and notebook. I returned to the church and did not find the beloved Sword that had begun to mark out my Gateway Journey, but I had a peace about it and learned the next day someone had found it and sent it to the church offices for safe-keeping until I could retrieve! Alls well that ends well! And boy did the women of Gateway who ministered at Pink ever finish well this weekend! It was a glorious, Spirit-filled weekend and I will never forget what my Martha moments brought into my life this past week! Be Blessed, and register for Pink next year if you have a mind to come! I know you will not be disappointed!

Amazing Women's Conference - North Texas Area

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March 27-29th

Gateway Church, Southlake, Texas

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Come Discover How You and I are Crowned For Greatness!

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You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

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I received the following information today from Jan Greenwood, Event Coordinator for Women's Ministries at Gateway Church...

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If you have never experienced Pink Impact and are available these dates you should come and spend an anointed weekend with the Lord and Your girlfriends. Guest Speeakers will be Christine Caine, Hillsong Church and Dr. Lois Evans, wife of Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship! Kari Jobe, one of Gateway's Amazing Worship Pastors will be leading worship. The time will be very anointed and very meaningful should you choose to come.

We've been planning some fun surprises with you in mind.Pink Devotion and BlogThis year we are launching a 30-day, pre-conference "Pink Devotion". Please plan to join us, beginning February 26th at the Pink Impact Blog. Simply click here. This will take you straight to the devotional where you will find the daily postings.

The blog is designed to be interactive, so please respond using the "comment" tab to share with us about what God is saying to you, how you are personally preparing for Pink Impact, or any need for prayer or praise. Our hope is that this daily devotional will enable all of us as one to prepare our hearts to be Crowned with Greatness.

If you are attending Pink Impact and are a pastor's wife, women's ministry pastor, leader, or director, we would like to know! Pleae tell us by contacting our office at 817.552.3756 or via email at pinkimpact@gatewaypeople.com.

If you are considering bringing a group of ladies from your home church to Pink Impact we would love to send you some additional promotional items to assist you in your plans. This year we will be offering church hostesses - women from Gateway who are positioned at our registration area - to meet you, help you get settled in and in general answer any questions you may have. Please send me your team leaders contact information and we will be sure that our team is ready to receive you.

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I'll be there anticipating the Lord doing mighty, mighty things. Won't you please come...

Blessings...