Well, I'm back. It was a dicey drive home from the Encouragement Extreme weekend in Greensboro but worth every minute of driving in the snow!
I want to try to describe the Friday night session, because I've never experienced anything like it. My friend Carol Davis gave an amazing message about the woman with "issues" from Luke 8. I've been hearing little pieces of this message for months in our conversations, but the thoughts that God has been giving Carol as she studied and lived out this message were truly remarkable.
At the end she expounded on this verse, "Then he [Jesus] said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.'" (Luke 8:48) Jesus knew that the woman's physical healing was only a part of what she needed. She needed peace, and she needed a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. He didn't just heal her. He made her whole.
As Carol finished, a woman named Betty Shoopman stood. She stood in front of a canvas in which she had already painted the ocean in beautiful colors of yellow, orange, and blue. Suddenly she began painting over the original painting.
I can't begin to describe the transformation, but she added these words one at a time.
love
me
He
loves
me
And then she joined them all together with the word "Redeemer".
That's when the floodgates opened. God began speaking to me about a place in my own heart that needed wholeness.
When the painting of Jesus on the cross was finished, Carol asked all of us to come dip our hand in paint and touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Then we stood while Luann or Ramona washed our hand and tenderly dried it with a towel.
It was that rare combination of words, visual and tactile that broke right through to the recesses of my heart.
The painting at the top of the post is the one that Betty did for us. It's a visual of God's grace that will stay with me forever.
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9 comments:
So sorry to have missed THAT! Is Carol's message online anywhere? (She was a welcome guest in the speaker eval group I was in.)
How precious! So glad God gave you this revelation. May your heart be filled with His love and presence in the area He brought healing to. Love you sister! Danielle
Yes, only God can make us whole! Nothing and no one can ever replace the love and grace God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
I didn't see it or feel it or hear but it touched me...reading your post gave me goosebumps....I really think those are spirit bumps!
I am sorry to have missed that too! Glad to know you made it home safe in the snow!! I'm glad we got to talk for a few minutes and maybe we can get a lunch in sometime ... like in the summer ... when it's warm :)
Just figured out I think I was talking with Dawn W. about eating lunch -- I think she goes to church with you? or lives near you?
Wow... that is one of the coolest things I've heard. Do you know if they recorded the sessions? I'd love to hear that message.
And thanks for your sweet comment this morning. I loved the ladies of ECBC. What a precious time with Jesus we had.
Hi Amy,
I showed this post to my friend, prayer, and ministry partner Betty Shoopman! B and B(Betty and Barbara) aka the BB's combo speaking and painting together. Love this anointed painting!!! The Lord gave Betty the touching of His garment. We were so blown away with what He showed her. So glad the Lord used it in your life.
His love for us is extreme. Enjoy the white blanket He has covered you with. B His Girl
Amy, great job describing the indescribable! I was so drawn into B's painting (verb) as much as the painting (noun) itself.
I am coming to this late, but to anyone who is still wondering, YES, the sessions were recorded. There are both DVDs and CDs available at www.encouragementcafe.com.
:-) Helen
P.S. The ink on my music CDs never did set completely.... have you NOTICED? I LOVE to think of your sweet southern voice, "Well, we're still a cottage industry!" Talk about being encouraging! Thanks, Amy!
Love this. Thank you for sharing.
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