Our theme for our annual Spring Retreat was A merry heart does good like medicine. Proverbs 17:22. We all had a good dose of medicine as we laughed together throughout the weekend. John Hobbs shared from the Word about the purposes of God in the seasons of our lives. We began our weekend by crying out to the Lord, "I want the joy of the Lord to come down," as our praise team led us in this song by Rita Springer. Kevin shared some awesome impersonations of Disney and other movie characters. What a blast! Then Wendy (our soon-to-be-daughter-in-law) shared a beautiful worship dance that touched the very fabric of our hearts. Saturday morning opened with Dee, Cherry, and Bob leading us in a time of Devotion in Motion which led us to the cross to begin our day in a wonderful way. Following John's morning message, we prayed for folks as God released healing in their bodies, souls, and spirits. In the early afternoon, we had a treat as Ina Newell (from River of Life, Raleigh, NC) played beautifully on the harp. As we basked in the heavenly melody, another friend, Jodie, washed us in the scriptures. It was a refreshing awesome time as we listened and rested in the Lord. After a break, we assembled again and were released into prayer groups. This was a powerful time of ministry as folks shared needs and prayed for one another. What sweet communion! One lady shared during this time that she had seen an army of angels just above the trees as we had worshiped together. How exciting and comforting to know the angels were gathered around! Following a delicious fellowship meal together, we concluded the day with another time of laughter, worship, and Word. Jason Gault (pastor of Nashville Baptist Church) shared some hilarious bulletin bloopers and had us all laughing and enjoying Jesus. Kevin entertained us with The Butterbean Song (by Little Jimmy Dickens). It was so funny! Wendy's niece, Brittany, shared a beautiful worship dance to the song, I Can Only Imagine (by MercyMe). John shared an awesome Word and finished his time with he and I singing our duet, The Sun's Coming Up. It was hilarious! Then Kevin finished out the night leading us in a time of worship. Throughout the evening, an "art studio" section was filled with artists painting some absolutely beautiful pictures with powerful meanings and expressions of worship. One serious artist, Sybil Hodge, had painted a picture of the cross hovering over a garbage dump. Folks were bringing their "garbage" and leaving it there as the blood of Jesus then covered it and washed it away. It was fabulous! There were so many awesome paintings that I cannot mention them all. The artists once again donated their artwork for auction on Sunday to raise funds for KDM. Sybil also presented Kim and I with a saw painted with a picture of the house and farm on which we were living when I received the vision from the Lord for this ministry. Wow! Sunday morning was a time of sharing and reflecting on the weekend. My niece, Michaela, said that it wasn't like a meeting; it was fun! Creative Ministries, Fay Nelson and Cliff Ann Perry, had wonderful sessions with the children throughout the weekend. They had a glorious time as two young girls received Jesus and were born again. One of the little girls, Katie, after she went home, shared with her school friends that she had Jesus in her heart now. One of the friends curiously asked how to get Jesus in your heart. Little Katie replied, "You have to go to Mr. Kenny's." To have our retreats be a place to find Jesus is truly a desire of Kim's and my heart. We really enjoyed sharing this time together with old friends and new ones. We hope all of you who weren't able to join us this year will make plans now to come next spring. Come on down to "Mr. Kenny's!"
|
|
