Preparing for a retreat
Is like marinating meat
In your favorite flavor
The aroma of Christ
Fills the room
Where you pray
To be used
In His will and way
Daily responsibilities checked off
But kept at bay
The focus of your heart
From the start
Is opening your souls arms
To faith lifting hymns
To raising your eyes
In purified praise
To closing your ears
To nay-sayers
To reading His truth
Swallowing His breath in every word ….
Loving on Jesus
Our Lord always with us
~~~
Praise the Lord, my soul,
all my innermost being, praise His holy name
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all His benefits-
who forgives al your sins
and heals all your diseases
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:1-5)
~~~
Hello and welcome to all! I am slowly re-entering blogging. I leave Wednesday and head to the other side of PA to speak to a group of God-chosen women this coming weekend. My time in preparation has been sweet and challenging at the same time.
I pray you have a blessed evening.
In Christ,
Julie
Faith Hope and Poetry 
Dear Julie,
It’s good to see you back! I have missed your words, but I am so thankful you were obedient to the Lord’s call. These words today especially touched me:
“The focus of your heart
From the start
Is opening your souls arms”
Such a beautiful way of expressing those moments spent in intimacy with Jesus. I pray that you will have a time of special praise and joining together with those that God joins with you at the retreat. Blessings!
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Bettie, your prayers and kind support mean so much to me. Thank you, my sister in faith. I look forward to learning more about His plans for you and Anna upon my return next week.
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Your words are always inspiring, Julie! I just read a quote, “Prepare long. Execute short.” Using Jesus’ time spent away in prayer with the Father as an example. Long times spent with the Sender, so when you are sent the time is well spent. Bless you for living out this wisdom and truth!
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Oh wow, thank you for that quote and blessing dear sister. Yes, I can testify the time was well-spent. I will blog next week about what I have learned in this Sabbath. Praying now as I type a blessing over you and your husband.
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I receive your prayers with joy! Praying back for you as I write.
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