Level Up: Key Takeaways from the Big Retreat!!

Whew.

I haven't written about my retreat experience because I can't quite put it into words and I don't think I'm supposed to.  I'm not going to get into detail about the prophetic words that went forth because it's not appropriate but I'll give an overview as I see fit.

Wowzers

The 12 week I spent in Cleansing Streams was definitely worth it.  At the beginning of the class I said that if I did not do the class, then I would miss out on an entire volume of Life.  

I was not wrong.

Here are my key takeaways from the Retreat

• I didn't make it all up
• We're on to the next volume of Life
• These dry bones will live again and I'm done with the spirit of barrenness
• God is definitely real

God is definitely real

The prophetic word was definitely on point from the beginning:

"Warrior spirit"

"Bull in a china shop"

"You need to learn to move with compassion and grace"

"If you want to be effective, then run only as slow as the slowest person on your team"

All completely accurate but the moment I won't forget anytime soon was when one of the prophets, Pastor Nojja said, "I'm getting a date August 17.  Does that mean anything to you?"

My mouth must have dropped open. 

"That's my birthday," I said in shock.  

The room was stunned and so was I.

She accurately stated that I do not look forward to my birthday but that's going to change.  My mourning will be turned to dancing.

Wowzers.  

I think if I had any doubt in my mind that God was real, I was too through after that!  WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

On to the next volume of Life

Towards the end the amazing Worship Pastor, Pastor Katy says "Do you sing?  Are you a singer?"  I ended up singing and I was surprised I even did it!  LOL!

My next assignment?  The worship team!!  

I said I wanted to do that on this blog but I never really expected it to happen (Clink Link)

We're on to the next volume of life.  My goal is not to get up on stage and be seen.  It's to encourage, motivate, and prophesy through song.  At the end a friend said, "That's what you're going to do.  You're going to sing to the dry bones so that they'll live."

I believe in this hour that worship will need to go to the next level.  We'll need more people who are ready to get crazy and turned all the way up.  You're going to have to use the power of praise to defeat the darkness.

I'm ready to do my part.

These dry bones will live again and I am done with the spirit of barrenness.

My dry bones and barrenness are both rooted in fear and insecurity.

Fear of commitment

Fear of Failing

Fear of Success

Fear of Disappointment

Fear Fear Fear

But I'm done with that.  If I'm going to go onto the next volume of Life, then it's time to leave the valley of dry bones.

Yes the Lord will blow on these dry bones and with his breath in my body so will I.  It's time to take some risks, get uncomfortable, and push myself to get after it even when I want to put the covers over my head.

I did NOT make it all up

Nope I surely didn't.  

One of the big clues that I didn't make it all up that I should have really paid attention to is that I was resistant and making excuses.

Every time it's a "God thing" and not a "G Thing" I make excuses NOT to do it.  

If it's a "G Thing" I come up with rationalizations on why I should.  

For some reason I really enjoy resisting and rebelling against the Lord.  I would rather moan, complain, make a little progress, and then talk myself out of it.

Oh now where have I heard that story before???

What I realized in my week of fasting is that due to their disobedience, what the children of Israel feared most (dying out in the Wilderness) actually happened to them.  

Oof.

Sooooo yeah.

This blog is going public in 2019.

As you read this keep in mind that this is all written in faith.  If you have to see it to believe it, then it's not faith.  

Now to watch this story unfold!!