Deeper Still….

How in the world could I ever possibly describe this past weekend?   There are so many words that come to mind when I reflect.  Friendship, growth, worship, laughter, fun, learning, honesty, vulnerablity, truth. 

I had been anticipating this past weekend for about eight months and I was not disappointed!  As soon as I heard that Beth Moore would be joining 2 other incredible teachers (Pricilla Shirer and Kay Arthur)for one awesome event, I knew there was no way I could pass it up.  Beth Moore is a huge role model of mine, and her bible studies have been such a catalyst in my spiritual growth.  As soon as I heard about the Deeper Still event, which was in Nashville, I called my friend Amanda and we started making our plans to go (a lot of y’all know Amanda from weddings she’s helped me with).  Its a good thing we jumped on it too, because it sold out so quickly! Mandisa (remember, from American Idol?) even made an appearance and sang a few songs!  Mandisa was actually on the worship team that travels with Beth Moore before she auditioned for A.I. 

Anthony Evans was also part of the worship, and he sang this beautiful song which pretty much sums up my testimony.  I was sitting among the other 20,000+ Christian ladies with tears in my eyes as he sang it.  It is as if he got in my mind and wrote the lyrics perfectly describing my spiritual journey.    For so long I "chased the winds" of money, acceptance, physical appearance, and success.  After years of chasing I realized once I achieved a few of these, that I was still empty.  My favorite part of the song is "with intimate insistence, you overwhelm my senses, all I need is before me now". The ‘meaningless treasures’ that I possess are more than just the material things that God has blessed me with in this world, but also all of the talents, gifts, relationships, everything.  All of these ‘treasures’ are meaningless to me without Him.   Only He can fill the void.  Here are the lyrics-

Meaningless  - Anthony Evans

Chasing a dream, so many things, capture my affection.

Running ahead, I’ve been a mess, Loosing my perspective.

This is my obsession; always chasing the wind, left with nothing in the end.

(chorus):

Its Meaningless without you.

Meaningless, these treasures I possess.

Only you can satisfy, only you sustain my life,

without you, its meaningless.

Feeling you near, its coming clear, you’ve got my attention.

Filling the void, killing the noise, focus my direction.

With intimate insistence, You overwhelm my senses,  All I need is before me now

CHORUS

I’m breathing but I can’t survive; Living but I’m not alive, without you.

CHORUS

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

In front of the coliseum ready to go in:

The packed coliseum:

Elvis couldn’t help but jump in a pic with us!