REVIVE

We're home sick today.....wasn't able to go to church. So rather than have a pity party, I decided to take this time to go over our awesome weekend at REVIVE, last weekend.

REVIVE is a 24 hour intense retreat that Eric and I were both blessed to be able to attend. It was free of charge (a huge plus for us right now!) and an awesome chance to connect to other believers in our church family on a deeper level.

My parents kept the kiddos for us and we headed over to the SEND house in Columbus on Friday eve. The three story house was perfectly suited for our purpose there. The main level was kitchen, dining area and lounge areas. Second level was rooms/bathroom for women and third level was for the men. There is a carriage house out back that had an upstairs meeting room where all the teachings took place. The staff at the SEND house did a wonderful job taking care of us and we really appreciated and enjoyed our time there. The only problem was that it went too fast!

Friday eve at 7:00 was our first session. We started with worship and prayer then had about an hour teaching on "Personal Sin and Confession". We were then broken into groups of two (women together and men together) to pray through and confess areas of sin in our lives. James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another , that you may be healed."

After our time together, we had 'free time' on the main level. Everyone had brought snacks/games and we just had a grand time together laughing and talking. Needless to say, we stayed up WAY too late!

Breakfast Saturday morning was at 7:15 with the first teaching session at 8:00. "Walking in a Life of Forgiveness" was a powerful message of personal testimony and encouragement to live the life of Forgiveness. We have no power in and of ourselves to forgive. Yet we have been given the tremendous gift of forgiveness and we need to pass it on. We then broke into our groups of two again to discuss/share areas that we have accepted forgiveness and where we need to give it.

There was a short break after that and before our next teaching session on Christ's love to us as a Bridegroom for His Bride--"Receiving the Love of Jesus". A lot of time was spent in Song of Solomon. A powerful look at just how He sees us! It is so hard to comprehend that I am a 'delight' to Him! But how I want to learn and live it more! We then had about an hour+ until lunch for personal, one-on-One time with God. It was so refreshing! The weather outside was beautiful and we were scattered all over the porches, hammocks, benches as well as inside.

After lunch break was a session titled "Closing Demonic Doors". It was on the reality of the demonic realm, how demons gain footholds, and getting freedom from demonic strongholds in our lives. Deliverance principles that should be applied to our everyday lives.

Without a break we rolled right into "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit" (which has been an ongoing topic in the sermons at church--awesome topic!). Then we broke into a women group and a men group to pray together. This was a powerful time of ministry and so beautiful to experience. A 'hot seat' was placed in the middle and each was given the chance to be in it and prayed for. (although we women unfortunately had to cut the last few short due to time :0( ) There were laying on of hands, prayers for healing, for deliverance, for guidance and direction, prayers of thanksgiving, as well as rebuking of spirits of fear, apathy, anxiety. Oh, and lots and lots of tears! (as one of the other women said when we first gathered, 'where's the kleenex, it's about to get messy!') IT WAS POWERFUL!!! And such a tremendous blessing!

After the time of prayer ministry, we met back up in the meeting room for a final time of worship and communion together. Such a powerful weekend, such a blessed time together. (There were 21 of us) Lots of laughter, tears and wonderful memories. Such an opportunity to grow in the Lord and grow together--a small part of the Bride of Christ.

I am so blessed by our church family!

Praying you are blessed as well!