Today I am ‘thankful’ for being able to attend the Elizabeth George Seminar that was held in Knox, PA. It was about a 2.5 hour ride to get there but when you have 6 gals of various ages in the car it was a joyful ride!
The only downfall of the day for me and some of the others in my group was that we had to set in folding chairs at the ends of the auditorium rows. Since it was downhill in the aisle my toes actually ached from holding myself back in the chair. I felt like was was falling forward the entire day. We didn’t get to set together but was still blessed beyond measure.
On the way home we hit some snow in the higher elevations, the rode was wet but no snow laid upon it. We stopped at Indiana, PA for supper and ate at the Ruby Tuesday there. Our meals were delicious but wow were they busy! There was a college football game and no restaurant had instant seating!
When I was involved in leadership with the ladies ministry we had Elizabeth George for a seminar and she was an absolute joy! That was a few years ago now but we still hear how she impacted women’s lives that day.
Her first session was about “Loving God with all of your mind.” ~~
The verse which is her life verse from what I understand is Phil. 4:8-9 KJV
“8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
She said we have to train our thoughts to think on what is real. It’s a command. She said “to think outside those biblical boundaries is sin.” WHACK! … one of those right between the eyes deals …. when God commands, He enables us to obey that command.
Accordingly God hears, He remembers, He looks to us and He knows our need.
2nd Session she talked about “Winning over Worry” ~~
Worry is sin! Take one day at a time and deal with today. (I know I hear this and it is sin but I still do it)
“If onlys” does not work! Don’t “rehash, remember or relive” but we should pray and fast. Reach forward, gain a forward momentum. Choose to trust what the Bible reveals about God and ask Him to replace any fears and doubts with the truth of His Word. “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done. quote by C.S. Lewis” Focus on today helps us live each day to the fullest, and that focus begins with preparation, planning, and prayer.
3rd session was “Trusting in the Lord” ~~
Romans 8:28 “We know that God causes all things to work together for good.”
That we are to take every thought captive: “Nothing will ever happen to you that God does not already know about. Nothing will every happen to you that is a mistake. (Ps. 139:4,16) Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life (Rom 8:28-29), and nothing will ever happen to you apart from God’s presence. (Matt. 28:20).
She talked about Ney Bailey and how she learned to “pray the Word” thru her teachings. She said that Ney showed her how to use the authority of Scripture in prayer. “Your Word says … ”, “You have also said that …”, And Lord, Your Word says …” “When we choose to believe that truth we can’t help but find hope in Him.” He only asks us to trust that He is working His purpose in us as we live out our purpose of serving Him.”
She spoke about difficult times we are each going thru and how the Lord will bring us thru. She shared how she was as a ‘new’ christian and how she underlined everything in the Bible that pertained to who God is and laughed at how many gold pens she used in doing it but mostly how it helped to her to come to know Him more. Her teaching touched each one of our lives at the very ‘season’ we are in.
Then there was the music! Wow! Janet Paschal was the special music and does that lady know who to minister to you. She spoke about her time with cancer and how the Lord brought her through. She encouraged the audience to participate. But the combined singing of 812 women along with her accapello .. words cannot describe it.
Back in 2004 when Elizabeth was at our seminar she signed her book “Loving God with All Your Mind” to me. She wrote, “Pam - thank you for today!”
Elizabeth George – Thank You for how you have touched my life. Your three ‘pink books’ changed me and the women I call friends. My home, my faith, my marriage, my sons, my becoming a “Woman Who Walks With God”, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart”, “A Woman of High Calling” has come from the truths about God and your relationship with Him and how you taught, shared, cried, and laughed with us, at us, and at yourself has been a blessing beyond measure.
Thank You Lord for her! Bless her and I know You will …
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Glad you had a nice time Pam! :)
ReplyDeleteI looked around for you...but didn't see you. I was in the very back row on the right side (if you are looking at the stage). My mom did their brochures and so we got the tickets for free and they reserved us seats. Did you hear them announce, before the last session about Nancy, who did the brochures, and Katy? :) I had gone out to the van at that time since I wasn't feeling too great...but my mom was still in there. The lunch they served was good..but I think something in the lasagna didn't sit well with me. Did you enjoy it?
I hope you have a lovely week ahead!
What a blessing! I've enjoyed so many of her books. What a godly woman she is.
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