When I began this series of posts about the women’s retreat, I wanted to share how God unfolded amazing things in order. You know, with chronologically accuracy.
Spirit reminded me God’s timing is not linear. This explains my difficulty of remembering things in exact order:
As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:4-5).
Here, Jesus tells us the division of time is either day or night rather than specific hours. For we who are privileged with breath, this is the time of God’s invitation to do His works while we walk in His light. For when we join Him in Heaven, the toil will be behind us. Praise, worship and His glory with reign forever and ever.
A sobering thought … and guidance for me to spare you every little detail of the weekend.
Where did God work at the retreat?
Everywhere. In all things. In all time. I will do my best to bring His highlights to these posts.
A friend I have known since Jackson was in kindergarten with her son came to this retreat. Christa had never been to a women’s retreat before. If she were writing this, she would tell you she just doesn’t go places either where she doesn’t know anybody.
God arranged her commitment to attend this retreat. He made provisions and connected her with sisters in the faith to travel with. By my read of Heaven, Our Mighty God wanted Christa there.
I was blessed to spend some one-on-one time with her, as we both like to walk.
Perhaps she doesn’t know this, but Christa ministered to me. With obvious joy in her heart, she repeated how she was having a great time. Christa shared her observation of the older women who did not hold back their love for the Lord in their dancing, joking and love of others.
Thank you, Christa, for drawing my eyes to older faith mentors who provide a model for me in how to grow old graciously with Jesus.
The location of the retreat is unique in that the line between PA and Maryland runs right through it. Here we are with one foot in Pennsylvania and one in Maryland.
Then, God Led us to meet Judy. She was waiting for others to walk with, but it was Christa and I who showed up.
I may not know all of God’s plans for connecting Christa and me with Judy, but it was a gift to me to walk with TWO sisters, a double blessing if you will.
Annette and Stacey introduced the talent show Saturday night, where all sixty (or so) of us were gathered.
Courageous souls who became vulnerable:
Playing bells, some for the first time
Games and skits
The show went on regardless of the hooting and hollering in the audience!
Singing, a joint effort:
It was a night wrapped in the unexpected fullness of joy.
The Lord your God is with you,
The Mighty One who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
In His love, He will no longer rebuke you
But will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
A joyful noise carried to Heaven on the wings of Heavenly hosts. Our Creator listened to the resound of His rejoicing.
Smiles stretched our collective aging skin.
Yet these moments were ageless, timeless, protected.
I will end here. Tomorrow’s retreat post is the last and most difficult to write.
~~~
Welcome, all! Have you experienced the joy of unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ? I would love to hear about it.
If you or someone you know is looking for a retreat speaker for 2019, please feel free to email me at juliedibblespeaks@gmail.com.
Join me today for Thankful Thursday, 5 Minutes of Gratitude at 12:15 Eastern time on https://Facebook.com/jdibble4Him
If you missed it or want to check out my poetry, you can find the newest poem here https://faithhopeandpoetry.blog
Have a wonder-full day as He has made it!
In Christ,
Julie
Juile,
That’s is very interesting thing to do On Oct 11, 2018 9:49 AM, “Julie Dibble, Speaker and Author” wrote:
> juliedibblewrites posted: “When I began this series of posts about the > women’s retreat, I wanted to share how God unfolded amazing things in > order. You know, with chronologically accuracy. Spirit reminded me God’s > timing is not linear. This explains my difficulty of remembering th” >
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Thank you for the feedback, Cassie. Praying now God to bless you.
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Looks like a great event!
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Thank you dear Nancy. It truly was. I am praying about tomorrow’s post. Holy Spirit is hard to describe!
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Dear Julie, I love the way God brought people together in unexpected and unplanned ways, weaving lives together the way only He can. The location looks beautiful, outdoors, inside and on your faces! What a special time together. You all reflect His glory! Bless you!
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Thank you for reading dear Melissa. Everything was just as He planned, I pray. All glory to Him. I am praying to write and share with the world how the Holy Spirit moved among us for tomorrow’s post.
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Wow! Can’t wait!
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YOU rock! trying to get back to Twitter slowly. I know I have things waiting. Will be praying about that in the morning also.
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May the Holy Spirit help you discern the highest calling for each day!
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Oh Melissa, I receive this. Love “discern the highest calling”, going to post that near my chair. Thank you my dear sister.
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Praise God for His Holy Spirit encouragement and connection! Blessings, dear sister!
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It is beautiful to read about God bringing such sweet connections. Looking forward to your next post. May our God give you the right words to express His heart.
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Thank you dear Anna. It was God-given and orchestrated. Thank you so much for prayers. I will be looking forward to what He gives me to share and how.
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Glad you’re getting this all down, in words and pictures; it will be such a blessing to re-read and be blessed all over again!
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Thank you so much Kathy. I really need to pray about tomorrow’s. I trust He will help, just want to do Him justice with all the glory possible.
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Oh, such good memories–both fun and spiritual times with sisters-in-Christ. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know Christa sooner than the last night. Maybe another time!
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Donna, thank you for reading. Yes, I trust God will draw those He wants together again! I will see Christa tonight at the local football game as our kids run around with their friends, tee hee.
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Dear Julie,
I love the way that God drew you in to be blessed and given to, as you were there to serve and to give. He is so good in the joining that way! You are in my prayers overnight that the Lord will give you His thoughts and perspective to share in your final post. Looking forward to reading!
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Bettie, your prayer and words lift my heart. Thank you my sister in Christ, my writing friend, and my soul-knower who has trudged uphill in desperate need of Him.
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Julie I love how your words remind that eternity is in the midst of time. Day and night. Darkness and light are alike to Him (Ps 139). He never slumbers or sleeps. So glad for all who could attend.
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Thank you dear Mary. The words, He never slumbers or sleeps, speak loudly to me today. Yes I thank Jesus for this retreat, for all He did through me and through others. And His Spirit!
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🦋 Great pics.
Sounds like you had a great time.
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Thank you, Chrissy! God blessed us and the time so abundantly.
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