It has been a while since I last blogged. I am just busier than I ever imagined when I retired from a regular teaching job and yet I am a blessed, happy daughter of God who loves her life. It might be hard to imagine what I do with my time that makes me feel so happy and fulfilled. The title of this blog is Walking in the Light because that is what I do. I simply want to share how it is that a person like me Walks in the Light.
Are your Saturday’s free days for you like they often appear to be for me? You know, a day to catch up with correcting papers, or when a student, writing papers or maybe catching up on housework, washing, or perhaps resting. Often they were days of social obligations. Occasionally that is still the case for me, but let me share a recent Saturday which I did not plan or have anything to do with the planning. I just the responded to a call to be present and ready.
On Saturday, March 3rd, a Spanish Women's Aglow group had their meeting at Christ Church. If you are not familiar with Women's Aglow, it is a charismatic international organization of women who gather one Saturday per month from different denominational churches (not exclusively but mostly charismatic protestant churches) to listen to a Gospel filled message and to praise and sing to the Lord, in addition to lots of prayers. Women come closer to the Lord at these events and it is indeed a ministry to the needs of women.
I had previously only attended one such meeting but it was an English Women's Aglow. I believe this Spanish Aglow is the first one being formed locally or perhaps in California, anyway, my understanding is that in Spanish it is rare. This was the second one held at Christ Church and I was anxious to attend since I missed the previous one due to a prior commitment. I heard that in February there had been a wonderful turnout of about 30 and the Holy Spirit really fell in the church and most of the women were really touched and even slain in the Spirit.
The morning began with a gathering for coffee and delicious pan dulce after which we gathered in the church.
I was just amazed as women continued to file into the pews. What beautiful women were gathering, well dressed, bright eyed and ready to meet Jesus. By the end of the service there had been about 80 women in the church. 80 women singing and praising and praying and ministering to one another.
There was a long session of glorious worship music and some very intense intercessory prayers for the state of the world and the many nations of the world.
There was a long session of glorious worship music and some very intense intercessory prayers for the state of the world and the many nations of the world.
The music group came from a church in Visalia and the speaker was a pastor's wife from the Visalia area. As I listened to her speak, I was so impressed with her personal testimonial message and how the Lord used it to touch some of the most essential concerns of Hispanic women living in our society. She admitted that the message she had intended to present was changed by the Holy Spirit once she arrived earlier in the morning. It was such an anointed message that many women came forward for prayers so that they could also turn over some of those same kinds of concerns to the Lord. The message centered on the fact that whatever we have lived through in our past or are living through in our present lives, things that can seem overwhelming and painful, that the Lord is there to pick us up and liberate us from the pain and shame of sin and suffering. And that liberation and grace thereby gives us right and power to be his daughters. Also that we are being called upon in this age to become his power warriors, alongside our brothers, meaning the men in the church.
The anointing of this service was so powerful that I know you would not have to understand a word of Spanish to be blessed by its power. There was one woman who was interceding in the back the whole time until the message was delivered. She told us that she did not speak Spanish so one lady began to interpret the message for her on the spot. It was great!
I am attaching a little video I took with my iPhone so you can see the music and the women. It is not the best because I was stuck in the back row due to my current handicap. I had foot surgery again and my right foot is in a cast. But you will get the idea.
Let me also say, I was so blessed and the Holy Spirit filled me in such a powerful way that I had not felt for a couple of months. Needless to say, it was a wonderful way to spend a half day on Saturday, full of healing, glowing and basking in the Light of the Lord.
He also sent me a message, "When your foot is healed you too will dance in the Spirit with me." What a loving promise, what a joy for me to hear and know. I know that when we join Him on the heavenly side of the Kingdom, I will be a dancer but to know I will be able to dance on this side of the Kingdom is awesome! Spanish Women's Aglow will continue to meet here on the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM and lasts until about l PM. It includes a coffee time and ends with lunch! Join us!
He also sent me a message, "When your foot is healed you too will dance in the Spirit with me." What a loving promise, what a joy for me to hear and know. I know that when we join Him on the heavenly side of the Kingdom, I will be a dancer but to know I will be able to dance on this side of the Kingdom is awesome! Spanish Women's Aglow will continue to meet here on the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM and lasts until about l PM. It includes a coffee time and ends with lunch! Join us!
