We have just had the MOST AMAZING DAY at Calvary Chapel Gulf Breeze. I met some of the most on fire for the Lord sisters in Christ ever here at CC Gulf Breeze. Pictured with me from left to right are Jill Brogden, Women’s Ministries Assistant to Lynn Spencer, Me, and Lynn Spencer, Director of Women’s Ministries. Lynn found one of my books in the Christian bookstore - I think Six Secrets To A Powerful Quiet Time. The Lord gave her the idea to have a quiet time conference and so she looked at our Quiet Time Ministries website, then connected with me via email. We planned the conference and then Lynn, Jill, and their team organized everything from the promotion to the worship, a quiet time drama, and lunch. They kept in contact with Kayla at our office, we got our airline tickets and before we all knew it, it was time to get on that airplane and fly to Gulf Breeze, Florida, one of the most incredibly beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
Cindy and I spent 15 minutes trying to figure out the directions from Mapquest. Sometimes Mapquest works and sometimes there are certain turns that don’t make sense. Finally, we abandoned the beginning of the directions and just found the 399 West. From there the directions were correct. My heart began racing with excitement the closer we got to the church. You can’t imagine what a joy it is to me to know I’m going to spend the day with 250 women who love the Lord and who are going to be thinking deeply together with me about knowing God intimately. Oh, I love these days!! We arrived at the church with great anticipation and were greeted by Jill and Lynn. We unloaded our suitcases of books from the car. While Cindy set up the book table, I took my quiet time basket to the front and checked out the stage. Then, the women began to arrive as you can see in this picture. There were two registration tables set up for all the women. I stood and watched, thinking about what God would do during our time together.
Our day began with prayer by Lynn. Then, the most amazing drama on quiet time - well actually it was amazingly funny and also very poignant. I hope they videotaped it because it was oh, so great and really prepared the way for the things we were about to share together on quiet time. The focus was on the struggle we can have with knowing what to do when we finally get to the place where we sit with the Lord. Oh that we might continue to grow in our times alone with the Lord. That is my prayer for all of us. Then, we were led in worship by our worship team. There is something about praise that turns our focus to the Lord. Both the drama and the worship really prepared our hearts to talk about knowing the Lord.
I began by talking about the three questions I would ask throughout the day: What’s It All About?, Will You Dance With Him, and Can You Hear His Music?. I had the opportunity to give my own testimony of surrendering my life to the Lord. I am so thankful for the Lord’s work in each of our lives. It really is His work through and through. I shared a bit about my life verse, Psalm 27:4 and David, the man after God’s own heart. Then, we talked about how to have a quiet time - setting aside a time, a place, and a plan. I shared the six secrets to a powerful quiet time that are found in the book by the same name. Of course, the book goes into greater detail about the “how” of these six secrets than I can do in just an hour. The three hours I spoke just flew by so fast for all of us.
In the middle of our conference we took a break for lunch and what fun that was. The men served the women as you can see in this picture - how cool is that! I was just so blessed by everyone here. It was such a picture to me of what you see in the church in Acts. Our food was great - a choice of salad or a sandwich with even some chocolate for dessert. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE chocolate. They even had a basket in my room with - yes - chocolate. Mmmmmm. It was such a blessing to watch everyone talking and sharing. I just love the sense of community when I’m with those who love the Lord. There is nothing like it. The world is looking for it, but will only know it when they come to Christ.
I am so blessed to have Cindy, my assistant, travel with me to different speaking engagements. She is a pro when it comes to helping with everything in our ministry. She has served on our team for many years and is such a blessing to us. She always organizes our book table. About the book table - I have long dreamed of having resources available for others so that they can grow in their quiet time. I had no idea we would one day have so many books in addition to the Quiet Time Notebook. I have many to thank for that, especially Harvest House for publishing my books. It was exciting to share with everyone how that door was opened by the Lord - the day I met Bob Hawkins Sr. That certainly altered the course of my life and ministry.
I am so thankful for these two tech guys, Doug and Keith. They worked really hard during our conference and everything worked together without a single glitch. They ran my powerpoint using my notes and the slides I gave them. What pros. You just can’t imagine what it means to me to serve side by side with those who are such servants of the Lord. They had my mike and batteries ready for me at all times. It makes speaking so much easier. Thank you to both of you for being such an integral part of our day.
Well, what a day we had. To my dear sisters at Calvary Chapel Gulf Breeze - I want you to know what a joy it is to have met you and spend the day together. I just know we’ll be together again and I look forward to that day! I’m sad to leave this beautiful place. This morning I got to walk barefoot on the beach. It was so beautiful. I had the most amazing quiet time. The Lord truly surprised me with Gulf Breeze - what a present from the Lord to be here. I collected a few seashells and they are going to sit on my desk as a reminder of my time here. Thank You Lord, for such times as these that provide renewal and refreshment.
Well, as I am writing this, I am watching my husband stand out on the balcony of our Gulf Breeze hotel room looking out at the ocean. Everyone is waiting for me to finish up this blog writing so that we can pack the car and go to the airport. I am sitting here looking out at the ocean and just thanking the Lord for an amazing weekend. May all that He has done be multiplied in our lives and may there be a ripple effect that goes on and on - heaven will tell the story of what the Lord is doing among us as we faithfully walk with Him each day. To God be the glory. God bless you all.
Guess where we are now! Gulf Breeze, Florida - and it is beautiful. I had no idea such a place existed. As we were flying into Pensacola, I looked out the window of the plane and saw the ocean. Then as we drove across the bridge, checked into our hotel and then walked out on the balcony, this is what we saw. Can you believe this view from our room!!! I was completely blown away. It’s incredible here. And I can’t even believe I’m here. My assistant, Cindy, my husband and I arrived at the Palm Springs airport yesterday morning about 6 am. While in the little shop there at the airport I ran into none other than Tim LaHaye. He and I talked for a few minutes - he had just received a copy of Walking With The God Who Cares the day before from Harvest House - how cool is that. What a way to start my speaking trip. He and Beverly were on their way to Atlanta. You know what - it did my heart good to know Tim and Beverly were also on our flight and that the Lord was sending us in many directions to serve Him. 
It’s amazing to be in the desert one minute and on the other side of the country in seemingly the next. What a privilege to serve the Lord. I am so thankful for the opportunities and pray that He will give me the strength and faithfulness to serve Him and love with all my heart during the days He gives me. Today I will speak three times on A Heart That Dances. My messages are What’s It All About?, Will You Dance With Him?, and Can You Hear His Music? May the Lord work in a powerful way among us! God bless you all who read this blog and may you continue to draw near to Him and grow in your relationship with Him.