Joy In The Journey

I have a friend who emailed me, she is eagerly waiting to read my blog about the retreat. I replied I'm eagerly waiting for God to tell me what to write. I've been hearing just write about it. Well God write what? Now I just got a second email from a friend saying she wants to hear about the week end. So here goes I am just going to writing about the journey.

The theme was Joy In The Journey. Our Key speaker was Helen Vansummers. She is the new asst. pastor's wife at our church. She spoke several times though out the week end. Here are a few scripture verses that spoke to me.

We were blessed with much beautiful music. Our theme song was The Blessing by John Waller. You can listen to it here. Sorry you will have to copy and paste I can't figure out how to set where you just click on it.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d6ab439fbd2b78f691ba


1Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Psalm 61:8
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Colossians 1:11-14
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I may write more on each one as I have more time to reflect.

Having Joy is Choice
Here are a few sayings that stuck with me.

You Can't hang on to worries while hoping for Joy at the same time.

Trust God and He will handle every "what if"

Do we really "know" all things will work for the glory? If we do our actions will show it.

We would break into small groups and discuss what we heard. That is when we would get more emotional. They just didn't bring enough tissues for the week end.

Saturday we also had choices of session to to attend. We each chose two. I had Joy in Marriage and Joy In Change. This last one was the best for me. I received lots of information on what to expect after my surgery. Not just medical but spiritually too. I never thought of it that way.

There were quotes and scripture posted everywhere. I just started to laugh when I went to the "little girls room" closed the stall door and saw a quote that end like this "where ever you go"

It was a blessing of a weekend. I would encourage all women every where to go on their churches women retreats. The bond of the women in the church is a good thing.

I'll write more in the weeks to come as I re read and study the scriptures from this week end.