"It seems it never rains in Southern California ...... but, man, it pours!" Anyone remember this song? Or am I showing my age here!:) Well, anyway, that kind of describes the weather we have been having here! Lots of rain, pouring rain, drizzling rain, steady rain! Did I mention wind too! I know we are a bit spoiled in sunny California, and when we have weather (and I realize Californians are a bit clueless on what real "weather" means), it catches us by surprise.
As we started our first week of Reflections here in Bakersfield, I was reflecting on this weather, this steady rain, we have been having. Since we are spoiled, sometimes rain makes us change our minds about going out, especially if we don't really need to! I mean, we don't want to get wet, do we!? We don't wear the right kind of shoes for that, and who has an umbrella handy! It is silly, I know, and I was hoping that the ladies coming to the study this week would not let the rain be a discouragement.
Then... a different view of the rain came to mind. Instead of thinking it could be a hindrance, I begin to think of it more as a symbol, an invitation, from God. Could this rain be God giving us a visual, a reminder? Could He be calling us, out into the rain, inviting us to be brave and stand still in the downpour, tilt our gaze upward to the sky, close our eyes, and let His "healing rain" wash us completely clean, white as snow? Wow. Yes, it could be. Suddenly the rain was beautiful and welcomed. The promise of God washing away our fears, anxieties, sin, our past... the possibility of feeling so clean before God - filled me with joy. This describes the journey of Reflections.
God's "healing rain" drew all the women to the study this week! The next 10 weeks will be a time of quietness and stillness, focusing on where God is taking each one of us. We hear His voice calling, "Be still, stand still in the rain of My mercy, look up to Me, and let Me wash you with my Love, let me renew you."
enjoying His rain,
Debbie
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A New Year, A New Life
The possibility of "something new" is what Reflections is all about. It is not just a possibility though - it is a promise from God. It is the promise of a CHANGED LIFE, a NEW LIFE, ... starting first with a glimpse of HOPE that life can change, then the sense of FREEDOM on the horizon, and finally the realization of a new JOY that emerges as God's forgiveness is fully embraced!
The journey of Reflections is one of renewal. Through the study of God's Word, we first immerse ourselves in Who God is; and we find He is Holy, Powerful, Faithful, All-Knowing, Loving, and much more! We then slowly peel back the layers of emotion that have been protecting and guarding our deepest hurts and losses ... yet have also hindered our growth and affected our relationships. We look at our anger, anxiety, depression, bitterness, and denial; and recognize it for what it is. It is a cover up for our pain, our grief, our unforgiveness of self and others. As those layers are peeled back and released, we begin to notice new layers emerging - the layers of healing. Now as we look at our pain and losses clearly and in the Light of God's Word, we can begin to accept His gracious gifts of peace, joy, forgiveness, acceptance, and, ultimately, a new life in His freedom!
It is so fitting that Reflections Bible study starts at the beginning of a New Year offering REAL change for women who are bound by their past. And then it ends just as the season of Spring is beginning... as we physically see in nature the signs of "new life", the women in the study experience a "new life" growing within their hearts, minds and souls. It is a true miracle and we get to be a part of this miracle, this transformation! I praise God for the honor of experiencing His miraculous power over and over again!
Come join us and experience this new life for yourself! Our study is starting during the week of January 18 - 22, 2010. We would love to talk with you.
Debbie
The journey of Reflections is one of renewal. Through the study of God's Word, we first immerse ourselves in Who God is; and we find He is Holy, Powerful, Faithful, All-Knowing, Loving, and much more! We then slowly peel back the layers of emotion that have been protecting and guarding our deepest hurts and losses ... yet have also hindered our growth and affected our relationships. We look at our anger, anxiety, depression, bitterness, and denial; and recognize it for what it is. It is a cover up for our pain, our grief, our unforgiveness of self and others. As those layers are peeled back and released, we begin to notice new layers emerging - the layers of healing. Now as we look at our pain and losses clearly and in the Light of God's Word, we can begin to accept His gracious gifts of peace, joy, forgiveness, acceptance, and, ultimately, a new life in His freedom!
It is so fitting that Reflections Bible study starts at the beginning of a New Year offering REAL change for women who are bound by their past. And then it ends just as the season of Spring is beginning... as we physically see in nature the signs of "new life", the women in the study experience a "new life" growing within their hearts, minds and souls. It is a true miracle and we get to be a part of this miracle, this transformation! I praise God for the honor of experiencing His miraculous power over and over again!
Come join us and experience this new life for yourself! Our study is starting during the week of January 18 - 22, 2010. We would love to talk with you.
Debbie
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