Our Passion for Christ!

For 6 months, the girls and I planned for the Passion Conference, hosted by pastor Louie Giglio, which took place just this past weekend! My husband, my brother and his girlfriend also joined us, and it was an amazing time in the Lord! It was an experience to be shared, and so we want to update you all on our adventures and experiences that we learned from this weekend!

Upon beginning this trip, our hearts were filled with great expectations! We engaged in all out worship with Matt Redman, Crowder and Chris Tomlin; sat under speakers such as John Piper, Judah Smith, Lecrae and Christine Caine and met some really inspiring Christians from all over the country. In my heart, it was like a little taste of Heaven... But now we're back, so what are we left to do? Christine said it best: we are called to work! "God is not interested in co-stars", she said in her lovely and riveting accent. "He is looking for co-laborers". 

I want to work to the glory of God and be used to enhance His kingdom, don't you?Upon beginning this trip, our hearts were filled with great expectations! We engaged in all out worship with Matt Redman, Crowder and Chris Tomlin; sat under speakers such as John Piper, Judah Smith, Lecrae and Christine Caine and met some really inspiring Christians from all over the country. In my heart, it was like a little taste of Heaven... But now we're back, so what are we left to do? Christine said it best: we are called to work! "God is not interested in co-stars", she said in her lovely and riveting accent. "He is looking for co-laborers". I want to work to the glory of God and be used to enhance His kingdom, don't you?

Many of us went to Passion for different reasons, but all of us left with a new energy for the Lord. This weekend was much needed for me. I'm realizing more and more how much I need Jesus and His mercy and grace over my life. We all have high hopes and good intensions, but if not driven by love and compassion, we will miss the mark every time. The Lord really spoke to my heart concerning this. I know that I have an incredible work to do for His glory, not mine! I have a promise over my life to make His name famous and to share God's love with others, but in His timing and not mine. I'm learning everyday- it is a process that I am joyfully and humbly experiencing. I'm so thankful for the people that are sharpening me like iron and who love me and are supporting me through my
journey with Jesus. He has great plans and I am willing to do the work and continue to plow like
Elisha! All of this is for the Savior! All I have is only for Him! Our attempts to do better or to improve our lives is only a form of powerless religion. We don't have the means to correct our own mistakes, because sin brings death and a dead man can't change their circumstances. When we come to Jesus, he brings new life and begins to live in us, providing the power we need to live pleasing lives for God!

Lord, give us a Passion for you!

~Pearls

We are BACK in session!!!

Last night was an amazing beginning to our first new Bible Study of 2015: Children of the Day, by Beth Moore. I cannot begin to tell you all how excited I was to reconnect with my old Pearls and welcome in new visitors and guests! For the past 2 months, we took a break from our weekly meetings to enjoy the holidays with our families and to just rest in knowing that God's grace is sufficient. During our time away, we did not eliminate meeting all together, as you well know! We enjoyed Birthday parties, movies, carnivals, random nights of nothing at each other's homes, snow tubbing and church serving. It was a much needed break, but I'm so glad to say that we are back in session!

As the days continued to roll over and as we drew nearer to the night of this new study, many of our girls expressed the interest of other girls who had visited our blog, our Facebook page and our instagram page. They felt as if they wanted to be a part of what we are striving to do- which is to simply create a community of women who have the desire to grow in Christ, provide encouragement and accountability through Christian friendships and to be used by God to serve others around us. It was my most greatest joy to not welcome one new guest...not two new guests... but 7 new guests, with 2 more who are planning to attend next week!!!! Let me tell you, a living room full of 15 girls is a very exciting sight to see!!!! We had to move tables and pull in chairs, with no room to spare! It was incredible and wonderful and every other good word that you could ever think of!

The house was full of joy! There was so much laughter and jokes, flashes from camera's and plates full of food! We talked, we read scripture, we prayed and we hugged. Last night couldn't have gone any better and I am so thankful to the Lord, because our growth is the evidence of His Spirit at work through us.
As I looked around at all the old and new faces, I realized that being a Christian is truly a state of living and experiencing. We are called to reach out, connect, encourage and to love; not just quote scripture or maintain traditions. The life of a Believer is the most beautiful existence, because we are moving and thriving and producing that which is eternal.

Last night, we learned from the first session that God wants to do a "Remix" in our lives and in our hearts. He isn't interested in us just re-doing and re-playing the same conversations and the same events over and over again. He wants to be alive in us! He wants to use us to reach others and to love without limits, share His truth with confidence and engage others in the knowledge and hope of Jesus Christ! God wants to bring in new people, new events, new challenges and new victories, but we must have a willingness to follow Him where ever He may lead us. I pray that we all are willing to arise to that calling:

"Lord, have your way in me"!

I'm so honored and so thankful to be a part of such a loving and dynamic group of women! We are all different- coming from different backgrounds, different careers, different forms of education and different places in our walk with Jesus. But one thing we have in common- the only thing that truly matters- is that our hearts are joined together in anticipation for God's promises and with an expectation to receive more of Him in our lives! I am amazed at my God and I look forward to the weeks ahead, learning, serving and loving with these beautiful sisters in Christ!

Let's get started on the next path of our journey!

~Pearls

Giving Praise

"Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart"- Psalm 111:1

Good morning, everyone!
We wanted to just encourage you all in the Lord, today! Our God is so majestic and wonderful and His love is never ending!

Last night, our friend Anthony Foster, from CTS, was so kind in featuring us in his Open Mic Showcasing! We were able to minister and be ministered to! We sold some sweet snacks and were able to raise a few extra dollars for our Passion Conference trip and we met a lot of wonderful people, who encouraged us and prayed with us. It was so refreshing to be amongst other people and other hearts who are crying out to praise and please the Lord. It was a true blessing and testimony of how great our God is!

As you go on throughout your days and week, we pray that you all will find moments to praise the Lord for all the good things he has done!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

~Pearls