(in) Real Life 2014 - This is PAST DUE for me...

Calling all ladies!! Are you ready to have some fun? 

Me, too... in fact this is WAY OVERDUE. :) 

So, here's the lowdown... A few years back, the ladies over at (in)courage took note that quite often we ladies typically DON'T get together to encourage each other on a personal level, for a host of different reasons. 

While we are so very good at connecting with each other via social media, it's easy to sit behind the computer screen, and be safe to type (rethinking many times what you're going to say, so it sounds just right) and maybe edit those posts, afterward, to be sure that they are "encouraging". 

I don't know about you, but I know that my human soul longs for face to face interaction...  And, I'll go out on a limb here, and say that if you're a living human, then you need community, too. :) We all do. It's how we were built.  

To meet this need, the (in)courage team had a BRILLIANT idea to offer a FREE annual Women's Conference that comes to you! It's called (in) Real Life. When I heard about it, I was all in... because, I mean, what woman doesn't LOVE hanging out with her girlfriends, catching up, and share her life stories? 

I love this idea because EVERYONE HAS A STORY, and we never know if our story will be just what is needed to encourage someone else who is currently walking where we have already been.  

So... with the blessing of the Full Life Women's Ministries, I will be your humble host for the first annual (in) Real Life Women's eConference on Saturday, April 26th @ 4:00 - 6:00pm.  Click here to register & view the agenda and speaker list!

There will be food, giveaways, I have heard about a possible craft that (in)RL is putting together for us to do together, and of course the conference (via webcast on the BIG SCREEN).  Oh, and CHILDCARE (W/SNACKS) WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CHURCH. 

You may have noticed that the conference is 4/25 & 4/26. The conference IS a two day event, but the Friday session will be available at different times for you to view at home, whenever is the best time for you. So, you can be in your PJ's, eating chocolate, and no one will know! 

I love this... I'm thinking of retreating to my bedroom that evening, and letting daddy have a movie & pizza night with the kiddos in the living room! :) 

God has challenged me with transparency this year, and I'm so looking forward to spending my afternoon with you, getting to know you better & learning who Jesus has been in your life! 

Won't you come? I would love to see you there! 

Bread and Wine Explained...

The other day, I mentioned that I would elaborate a little more about daily bread and wine. And today, I'd like to do just that. The few scriptures below have seemingly intermingled themselves in ways I would have never thought to use them before, and it has given light to my eyes.  While I cannot promise that it isn't a bit jangled together, my hope is that you'll see a nugget or two and respond to Father's invitation to the feast.

Exodus 29:11 Then slaughter the bull in the Lord’s presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle. (part sin offering - part consecration for Aaron & sons as priests)

 29:33 They alone (the priests) may eat the meat and bread used for their purification in the ordination ceremony. No one else may eat them, for these things are set apart and holy. 

Exodus 29:42 “These burnt offerings (ram, unleavened bread, and wine) are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the Lord’s presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you.

Matthew 26:26-28 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

Proverbs 9:4-6 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5“Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

 Is it just me, or do these all seem connected?  They just happened to be the selections chosen as part of my daily bible reading plan a few days ago. I don't know why it never occurred to me that the priests had to offer bread and wine along with the daily offering (the ram) to the Lord. But, it was God's way (at that point) to reconnect Israel with Himself. Also, until a few days ago, I had read over the fact that only Aaron and his sons were allowed to eat the bread and wine used for their purification. That hit me like a rock.

Then, in Matthew's account of the last supper, I saw the same the New Testament version of this daily sacrifice. Jesus (the lamb slain from the foundation of the earth) presents His body and Blood as the bread and wine. One last bread and wine offering for ALL MANKIND. I feel the need to say, "Selah" here. Just let that sink in. Contemplate. Interlude... Wow.

He says simply "Take and eat" of the bread, and then "Each of you drink from it". What's great here is that each of us, not just the priests, now have permission eat and drink freely the bread and wine that purifies us from all uncleanness, and confirms our covenant with Father. No further mediator necessary. Again... Selah...

Going further, that bread and blood is available on a daily basis for finding wisdom. Remember the recent post about wisdom, who was present at the earth's beginnings? This really sounds like Jesus to me. Wisdom speaks in Proverbs 9: 5-6, "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment." Wisdom promises that if we will eat her food, and drink her wine, then we can begin to really live.

It also brings to mind Jesus's declaration in John 6:53-57 "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me."

So, simply put… Jesus is Life. Jesus is Wisdom. Anyone who eats the bread of Life and drinks His wine will find wisdom and eternal life. My reply to His calling to dine? Two words. Yes, please.