I have so much to write about. I think I'll have to share it in more than one post. This past week has been a very difficult one. I will post about that another time (maybe tomorrow). For right now, I want to share about my weekend (Friday night till Saturday afternoon).
Over the past few months I have been hearing about a lady named Beth Moore with Living Proof Ministries. I didn't know anything about her but I was reading about her on different blogs - "I've just come from my Beth Moore bible study", Beth Moore this and Beth Moore that. When I saw an announcement in our church bulletin saying that this Beth Moore lady was coming to Vancouver for a conference, I thought I'd do a little Google search on her. It was then that I learned that she has an international ministry. She began by creating bible studies for her church and it has spread from there.
Deep inside me something stirred. I just knew that I should go to this conference. I don't usually make spontaneous decisions like that. I didn't really know all that much about this lady. I didn't even know if she was "out there" in her beliefs or if she really was spiritually on track.
I chose to listen to that stirring in me, sent out an e-mail to the other ladies in our church and waited to see if anyone else wanted to go. I didn't really want to go by myself, besides the more ladies that came, the cheaper the hotel cost would be! I'm all for trying to cut costs.
Two other ladies responded so we registered for the conference and booked our hotel. I still wasn't sure if I would have to spend my time at the conference trying to decipher truth from lies, but at the same time I was at peace with going.
From the moment the 2008 Living Proof Live conference started, I was completely at peace. I was able to immediately enter into worship with the worship team. The entire conference was absolutely amazing, focused on Christ - not Beth and the worship team. From the very beginning of the conference, and throughout it, Beth and the worship leader, Travis Cottrell , said that they are hear to serve us. They were not doing these conferences for their glory, rather for God to receive the glory. This was demonstrated over and over again. The strongest way this was portrayed was at the very end of the conference. Beth had finished speaking and the worship team began leading us in some final songs. They began the last song. They began with full instruments, then stopped playing them so we were all singing a cappela. The lights faded, the worship team stopped singing so it was just us women singing praises to God and then quietly, the worship team left the stage. No big hype about praising them for the amazing job they did, no seeking glory for themselves. Just leaving us women to worship God. I was so impressed by that.
Before each conference, Beth prays and asks God what He would like her to share with the ladies in that particular city. Rather than having a polished presentation that she repeats at every city, she speaks specifically what God impresses on her heart. For this past weekend, Beth spoke on Hebrews 4:12-16,
12) "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing sould and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (13) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sigh. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (14) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. (16)Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
I've read these verses before - they are highlighted and underlined in my bible. But having Beth take us through and dig deeper into the meaning of each verse...it is so different from just reading it. She also had us memorize verse 12. Memorizing scripture is so important. Much of what Beth said I already knew, but hearing it in different ways, hearing it again gives more impact to the verses. I have nine pages of notes in my journal!
The biggest impact for me this weekend was the absolute, all-consuming urge to study the bible more. I know that the Word of God is powerful, sharper than any double-edged sword. I have had an inner yearning for the past number of months to dig deeper in to the bible, but this weekend, having Beth lead us through these verses has strengthened my desire to learn more. It is so exciting to read the bible and see how it can change a person's life. The words in the bible aren't just words on paper, they are living and active. They can heal a person's hurt, they can encourage and uplift, they can bring a person to their knees in repentance. I want to share the excitement of God's Word.
I don't know if this weekend was another step in God's preparation for leading me (and Jeremy) into further ministry or if it's just for the purpose of strengthening my personal relationship with Christ. Whatever the reason, I want to be available.
If you have never attended a Beth Moore conference before, even if you have, I highly recommend you attend one of her upcoming conferences. Check out her website for locations (the rest are in the USA). If you live in the vacinity, make it a priority to attend. You won't be disappointed. You will be challenged and refreshed!
This video is of the conference this past weekend - actual footage! Many thanks to Travis Cottrell for putting the Html code on his blog!
