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I am sitting here with all my friends at our Women With Vision computer workshop. I’m showing them all the different ways you can use the computer in ministry. And of course, one of my most favorites is to use Caths Blog to share everything that’s happening in Quiet Time Ministries. I wanted them to see how incredible it is to be able to put something up on a blog. We are having a lot of fun this weekend – there are hundreds of women attending all kinds of workshop about women in ministry, leadership, and growing in the Lord. My four workshops include The Devotional Life Of A Godly Leader, The Computer In Ministry, A Heart For Revival, and Romancing The Word. May the Lord continue to bless our time together.

When my dad calls me now he starts laughing before he even starts talking because he knows I’m going to be someplace other than where he expects me to be - like Dallas or Tulsa or Denver. I can’t wait for him to call me this weekend because guess where I am now - Minneapolis, Minnesota! I am very excited to be here because I’ll be speaking at Westwood Women’s Retreat about two and a half hours outside of Minneapolis at a place called Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center. It looks beautiful and is right on a lake. You can see here in this picture that I’m just leaving the desert - it was 80 degrees in the desert yesterday. I’m what they call a “road warrior” meaning I’m used to being “on the road” traveling a lot - and I admit I love it - I’m made for it. It is so exciting to go to new areas and meet men and women who love the Lord. There’s an art to packing for flying these days. I have my favorite bag for carry-on. It’s called “Beyond-A-Bag” made by Ricardo - what I love about it is that it fits my laptop, books, notes for speaking and other papers as well - and most of the time it fits under the seat which is great and amazing these days with the limited space. I always take my Video Ipod with me and have the capability to watch things on there or listen to sermons which I love to do.

View From The Plane - As you can see, heading toward Minneapolis, the view from above made it clear that I was no longer in the desert and 80 degree weather. We already knew from online weather reports that Minnesota was having unseasonably cold and snowy weather. Now you need to know that snow pretty much is an unknown to me - I grew up in Phoenix and have lived in southern California most of my life. I have no clue how to drive in it and if I’m traveling to where it is I always forget to bring anything warm because it’s hard to believe you’re gonna be in it when you’re sitting in 80 plus degrees and the sun is shining. I was prepared this time however and brought my warmest clothes. The view from the plane was incredible - we flew through some amazing cloud formations and I took nonstop pictures for about a half hour. People must think I’m crazy on the plane taking all those pictures. It was just beautiful and I was loving it.

Well, it’s a good thing I packed warm clothes - it’s cold here in Minneapolis. And yes, that’s snow - do you believe it!! But the snow is now melting and it’s supposed to be over 40 degrees today. People around here think it’s getting warmer. Actually it has cleared up, the sun is shining, the snow is almost gone, and it’s supposed to head towards 60 degrees. My guess is that is going to be a wonderful weekend - I’m excited and can’t wait to get to the retreat center, meet the women, get set up for my messages and teach on “A Heart That Dances - Intimacy With God”. This is one of my favorite message series. I’m praying that the Lord will do great and might things among us and in the hearts of all of us.

Well here I am at Prescott Pines Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona. This area has a very special place in my heart because it is here that I really began growing in my relationship with the Lord so many years ago. I came here for many Campus Crusade for Christ retreats during my college years. I experienced incredible fellowship with other Christians here. And I began to experience intimacy with the Lord here as I stepped away from others to spend time alone with Him out in the natural beauty of the mountains. It is so beautiful here. The pine trees, the views, the quiet, the squirrels, the clean mountain air - it’s all so incredible - and so good for my soul! This weekend I am speaking at the Horizons Women’s Retreat and our subject is Intimacy With God. I am sharing all about what it means to dance with the Lord because that is such a great picture of intimacy with Him. We are using David as our example because he was called “a man after My heart” by God (Acts 13:22). That so impresses me because I would like to be a woman after God’s own heart!

Look at all these beautiful women from Horizons Community Church! It has been a total privilege to be here together with them this weekend. They have such hearts for the Lord and I have had the privilege of teaching and also spending time with them talking about the Lord. It seems that no matter where I go I am discovering a common thread among women - there is such a spiritual depth, a vibrant love for the Lord, and hearts on fire for Jesus Christ. I wonder what the Lord is going to do among us all in the next few years - it seems He is stirring among us in a powerful way with the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is Kris, the Director of Women’s Ministries at Horizons. It was such a joy to spend some time sharing with her. She shares my passion to lead women and what a gift she has in doing exactly that. One of the things we did before every session was spend some time with the leadership of this retreat. She would lead and then the coordinator of the retreat would go over the schedule. I really like that kind of organization - it makes for such a good flow when we finally meet. I have such a heart for Women’s Ministries and Women’s Ministries Directors - probably one reason is because I have been one for almost 8 years. I know what a huge stewardship it is to be entrusted with the leadership of so many women who are committed to the Lord. One of the great privileges is to meet leaders of women at all the churches where I speak. They are such an encouragement to me in my own ministry. I sit back and watch them in action as they lead. Every leader is different - different personality, different gifts. I’ll never forget about a month ago in Tulsa when Janis David stood and said, “Oh yay, I won!!” before I had even done the drawing - that was one of the funniest things I’ve ever had happen - we all laughed. What a joy these leaders are.

Kelly led a breakout session on the life of Abigail. I loved what she did - she actually did a drama portraying Abigail - she did such a good job that I was convinced she was Abigail! Then, she broke everyone up into groups and asked that everyone answer some questions and discuss the response of Abigail to the foolish actions of Nabal. Then she pointed out that an Event plus a Reaction equals an Outcome - very true! Everyone loved it!

These are two very fun sisters - Cari and Char - I really enjoyed getting to know them at this retreat. You can see a bunch of papers taped to the wall - I loved what the women did here - each paper represents a person at the retreat and everyone could write notes of encouragement to others at the retreat. What a great idea. We all need encouragement, don’t we. I’m telling you - women are so creative. There was so much creativity going on at this retreat. It’s been a total privilege to be here. On a personal note, I had some incredible times with the Lord meditating on the life of David. I am currently reading The Daily Bible by F. LaGard Smith and published by Harvest House. I love how the Psalms are interwoven into the life of David which is the true context of many of the Psalms. I am profoundly influenced by the life of David - one thing I am beginning to notice is the repeated phrase the Lord was with David. In fact I am noticing that phrase in relation to many of the OT characters - I noticed that the Lord was “with” Samuel. Great things happen in the lives of those the Lord is “with.” Well, today is my fourth message with these women entitled “What Is The Message of Your Dance?” I will be sharing all about Corrie Ten Boom and the message of “Hope.” Then, it’s back down to Phoenix to see my family and then on to Palm Desert early Monday morning - VERY EARLY - like 4 am so I can get back in time to go to work that day at the church. What a fast weekend - have you noticed - sometimes time moves VERY QUICKLY. That’s why we need to “make the most” of our time. Well, have to get ready for the day. More later.