Deeper Still - Friday

Hour One:

Upon landing in Atlanta Friday afternoon, we were taken straight to Philip's Arena for a quick lunch and then the speakers and musicians had sound check. I was thinking how exciting to be a part of a sound check. That's something I've definitely never done before. What I didn't realize at the moment was how the coolest things were about to happen even before the sound check began.

The Lifeway staff greeted Mrs. Beth, Amanda and myself at this back entrance of the arena and we were walking down this hall to a room where we were going to eat a quick lunch.

Pause and Rewind: One of the things I was looking forward to most leading up to this weekend was that I was going to get the chance to meet Kay Arthur, a beloved Bible Study leader/writer of mine. I've been doing her Bible studies for about 5 years now and have lead a few of them also. So I was actually a little nervous, and by a little I mean I was FREAKING OUT about getting to meet her.

Fastforward: We are walking down the hall to this room and Beth mentioned to one of the Lifeway staff members that I was looking forward to meeting her. The Lifeway worker looked right at me and said, "Well, you are about to walk right into a room where she is." I'm sorry, WHAT. I immediately started sweating thinking I needed more time to prepare for this moment, some sort of annointing from the Spirit. This was all happening too fast.

Sure enough, seconds later we walked into a room and this is who was in it:
Kay Arthur
Priscilla Shirer
Travis Cotrell, his wife and band
Mandisa
and of course, Beth Moore.

Sweet Beth walked right up to Kay and told her that she had someone to meet her. Precious Mrs. Kay gave me the biggest embrace and was as sweet as sweet can be. I would be lying if I told you I didn't tear up as she embraced me and talked to me.

But the greetings didn't end there because I also got to meet all of the amazing people mentioned above too!!! Y'all, seriously? I was so hugely floating on cloud nine, I thought I was going to ascend into heaven right then and there.

Not only did I get to meet them, but I ate lunch with them. Mrs. Kay sat right next to me. That is worth repeating in case you didn't catch it the first time, she sat RIGHT next to me. Her chair. Next to my chair. Priscilla and Beth were at the same table too! Oh, I can not even explain to you how I couldn't take one more bite of my meal after they all sat down. I just could not believe that these teachers that I love and respect and have learned so much from were inches away from me. It was like a dream.

THEN, we go into sound check and while they are all doing their thing, in walks BooMama and Big Mama.

Talk about a good first hour in Atlanta!

After sound check, we went to our hotel and relaxed for a few hours, which was so nice.

At 6:00, we headed back to the arena. The first session was unbelievable! The music was out of control. Travis and his band are quite possibly the most talented musicians I have ever heard. The girls on his praise team make you want to curl up on the floor in the fetal position and sob. I don't really know what that means. But they are GOOD!

Then Priscilla Shirer got up to do her thang. I had never heard her speak before, so I didn't know what to expect. Okay, wow!



Her lesson came from Exodus. It was all about when the Israelites were walking through the dessert. Here are some of the notes I wrote down:

"In the wilderness is when they were brought face to face with God."
"Mt. Sinai was the furthest place in the wilderness away from their destination, but it is where they got the biggest blessing."
"Am I going to let the wilderness push me away from God or draw me in?"
"I am more protected IN the wilderness WITH God than out of the wilderness without God!"

God asks them to do 3 things:

1. God called them to remember what He has ALREADY done on their path. When He delivered you, lifted you and drew you to himself!

2. He called them to recognize their spiritual identity. "There is only ONE who has the authority to name you."
"True spiritual discernment is being able to discern between right and ALMOST right."

3. God calls them to new levels of surrender.
"Holiness is important to God. We mix happiness with holiness without God being the reference point."

AMEN!! I have drawn even more truths from typing my notes up for y'all. She was awesome. So dynamic and funny!

I am so grateful!

Saturday to come...