Isaiah 30:15

In repentance and rest is your salvation, In quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15

Updating on Life:)

All good things are a gift from God!

Celebrating Banner's 31st birthday at Atlanta Bread.

 Day out at the batting cages with Mommy!

 Lunch at Honey's!

 Remodeling......is an adventure.  We are so excited about our new kitchen.  May it be used for the glory of God!

Remodeling!

I have embraced the chaos.  I have accepted the mess.  No cleaning or cooking, washing dishes in the bathroom sink.  We are thinking of it like a camping trip.  It's an adventure, and I like adventures!  Just promise me that  Maids on the Move can come help me clean up after this is all over:)

Atlease everyone is over the flu.  Remodeling and the flu.  As one of my friends said, "The Locke's just can't do normal."

I will keep you posted on our progress.....more to come!

RBC Ladies Had a WONDER FULL Time

Last weekend we had our ladies retreat.  Truly God was in the details.  He always amazes me!!!

Jana and Glenda at our registration table.  Then here I am, below, with Chuck Honey, our women's ministry assistant.

Laura Willeford and Glenda Yohn sharing from their hearts.  Somehow I missed getting a picture of the wonderful Angie Terry.  God used all three in amazing ways over the weekend.  So thankful for the team we had.

My travel group:  Jana Champion, Leigh Taylor and our new friend Kari Beth Price.  Only God could have put Jana, Leigh and myself together.....it was a total surprise, but God planned it that way.  The other beautiful ladies were the travel group we shared our table with.  They were all a fun bunch.

Our retreat T-shrits.....a vision given by God, created by Jana:)

In Africa (we were traveling the continents, exploring God's love and a women's heart) we were able to do a service project. Our ladies teamed up and made blankets to be donated.   These blankets will go to The House of Ruth and Women's Hope.

We survived!!!!  Mary Hickman, Glenda Yohn, Carmen Pearce and me.  Whew...God was good:)

Isaiah 41:10

Nancy Missler wrote "The Way of Agape."  That study has impacted my life more than any other study I can think of, other than "Experiencing God."    I get her daily devotionals which are a good reminder for me to choose "The Way of Agape" daily.  Just wanted to share today's.... Nancy writes:

"God's Love is faithful to the absolute.  He will never leave you or forsake you...'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'"

Isaiah 41:10

I love those words.  

The Purpose...

Next weekend we are having our ladies Winter Retreat at Lakepoint Lodge in Eufaula.  This retreat is different and there have been a few who have really questioned this event even happening.  But I know this is what God has for us, as He put this retreat into my hands.  I have questioned myself....a lot.  But I trust God, even when I don't understand.  Oh, and He has been so faithful to pull everything together.  Truly, it's not up to me.  He is doing this thing and I am excited.  We have a wonderful team that God has put together and I am so thankful for His provision in every way.  He is going to do more than any of us can imagine.

Just now I was sitting with my bible.  God was so sweet to speak to me and give me His Word on the purpose of this Wonder Full World retreat will be having next weekend.  Ladies, this is WHY we are doing something so different....He wants to do a work in us as the body of Christ.  Here is what God gave me:

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of UNITY among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Romans 15:5-7

I can't wait to report back what God does in the hearts of our women next weekend!!!  Praying for unity...for the glory of God.  In  breathless anticipation......

Restoration

You know I would blog much more if I didn't have kids.  Seriously, kidding there...but forming a complete thought is often hard around here.  Still,  I love to share what is going on in my heart and life when I have the time.  God is always taking us someplace new.....our lives are a work in process and we must not give in or give up in the face of failure and discouragement.  

I have been studying the life of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16.   In chapter 14, verse 2 we read that "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God."   Asa was given the promise that God would be with him as long as he obeyed and followed God.  Chapter 15, verse 7 says, "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  We are continually challenged to not give up in the work God has given us to do.  I believe the enemy uses discouragement and our failures to try to keep us from following through with what God has called us to do.  The enemy wants to distract us and keep us from finishing strong.  But God wants to restore us when we fail, but whether or not that happens, is up to us.  

2 Chronicles 15:17 says, "Asa's heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life."  Yet, in chapter 16, Asa has a failure.  He relied on man and not God.  Therefore, he would be at war from then on as a consequence of trusting in man more than God.  Asa then becomes angry when faced with his sin and he refuses to turn to the God who had been with him and given him victory in the face of his enemies.  He becomes sick and even then refuses to seek help from the Lord.  

As I was studying over this I began to discuss it with my husband.  Asa's heart was fully committed to the Lord, yet when he failed he became angry and refused to deal with his sin.  He never repented and therefore, he was never restored.  Was he disappointed in himself for messing up?  Was it pride keeping him from admitting his mistake and accepting forgiveness and restoration?  I wonder.

David, on the other hand, was a man after God's own heart.  He failed time and time again, but each time he repented and God restored him.   I want to face my sin and failures like David.  I can totally relate to him as an imperfect human with a desire to love God with all my heart, yet messing up more times than I can count.  Failure is a part of life, but it is not final.   God will restore us and redeem our mistakes, if we will humble ourselves and return to Him with a heart fully committed to seeking Him and obeying Him.   

Restoration.  It is good to be restored in the Lord.  Therefore, I will not give up.

Oh, there is so much more to dig deeper into what God is saying here......But little boys and LEGOs await.