My computer is ill.  I am working on my lap top.  It has a mind of it's own.  I have started this entry three times now and it has closed this window twice.   I don't like typing on this lap top.  I find typing harder than on a regular keyboard.  I don't mind reading on here but long thought out post are frustrating.   So if I don't post much until my main computer is up and going you will know why. 

I have a feeling some one doesn't want me to share about retreat.  Since I have started each time that the page closed with telling about how wonderful Retreat was. 

We were blessed with lots of wonderful healthy food, fellowship that couldn't have been better and then an awesome incredible message.  The message challenged you to think outside the religion box.  Which I thought was interesting in it's self since that is what God had already been challenging me to do.  To really study scripture and see what it says about many issues but mainly Acts and how Acts should be working in our lives today.  To make this more interesting many many  of the women said the same thing.  That God had already been working in their lives about how we should be looking and handling the Gifts that God talked about and how we aren't seeing these gifts used and many have been told those gifts died with the Apostles.  If they weren't meant for all time then why did He have them written about?   I would love to hear from you if God is quickening your Spirit to not accept less than what God shows you on the Gifts of the Spirit.  If He is working in your life, or your fellowship to change "status quo" thinking.  I know He is working and really stretching some of us in this area.   Our Sunday Fellowship has been studying Acts for 10 weeks now.  Then we go to Retreat and what is the topic?  More of the same.  Can you tell I am excited about this?

One of the testimonies that was given gave me more food for thought.   She was telling a story about her father and how he is unsteady on his feet, very unsteady.  He wanted to give her teens some of his guns so here he comes into the room with a LOADED shot gun.  You can picture how unsafe that was.   She said God showed her just like you don't give a loaded gun to a person that isn't able to handle it safely or to a small child, God isn't going to give His gifts to people that can't handle them responsibility.  When she was talking I thought of this scripture.    

We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself.10 Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.11 Do good and bad water flow from the same spring?12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree make olives, or can a grapevine make figs? No! And a well full of salty water cannot give good water.  James 3:9-12

I really want the Gifts of the Spirit.  I really do, but for me God is telling and showing me that I first have to learn to control my mouth.  That I speak praises and curses from the same mouth.  That just like I can't trust my children with a loaded gun, or to drive a car, I can't be trusted with the Gifts my Father wants to give me............YET!  My prayer each day since has been for God to work with me to help my mouth and heart only edify Him.  That I would not tear people down, or speak curses.  I think the speak curses is my main struggle.  I don't think before I say, and when I speak I speak negative instead of positive.  I will change!  I will correct this in me.  I want what God has to offer me.  I understand it is there, but I have to be responsible enough to handle it.

Can you tell it was a powerful message that moved many of us out of our comfort zone?   He had already been packing many of our bags to move us.  The retreat just moved us OUT of our comfortable spot and into a place He can work with us.  One thing many of us are now standing on and in is the Peace of God.  We are working at walking in God's peace.  We have to continue to remember that our job is to stay focused on God.  To walk in His peace, when we do that then the battles that come our way are His battles.  She tells some of the battles she has went through trying to get this message ready for Retreat.  Satan really threw a lot at her.  She is a mom to 8 children.  Her house is being remodled.  Her living room is in the hall. Her living room was filled with 2 ft of insulation as they tore the ceiling out.  Now she can look up and see sky in her living room.   When the wind blows little "gifts" of insulation blow down.  So you have the picture of how her life has been as she prepared for this weekend.  Yet God used her in might ways.  She touched and changed lives. 

Any one want to join with me in walking as God planned, in His peace in His kingdom?  If we help each other focus on God and His will for us, instead of listening to the enemy what a powerful force we will be for the kingdom of God.