Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend an event focusing on Jesus.

Even though there were times when the weather tried to douse the LIGHT at this outdoor event, the LIGHT of Christ always shines even when it rains.

Going to an event such as this is waaaay out of my comfort zone. However, being surrounded by women of many different religious affiliations in unity one with another was refreshing in this world that has become so stubborn and unbending in their beliefs and perceptions. These were women who respected one another, and whose goal in life is to come together in spite of different opinions and religious beliefs. This is easy to do when the common denominator is Jesus!

We began with this prayer, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3: 14-21 NIV

Here are some things that lifted me and brought LIGHT into my soul.

“Negative thoughts are like birds that circle above our heads. They may circles, but we don’t need to allow them to build nests on the top of our heads!” As we take 90 seconds each day to recite positive daily affirmations, we will be happier even in the midst of difficult trials and tribulations.

“How I hear Him, is often through other people.” I once heard Kyle Korver, a former Utah Jazz Basketball player say, “You are who you hang out with.” I believe this is true! Who is your community? As we surround ourselves with a strong community of family, church, and friends, it enables us to realize that we have more in common than we do in differences. Serving together as different congregations with a common goal is what community is all about.

“Why is it important to be in a community with other women?” “The best parts of Him are in us.” “We learn from and empathize with one another.” “God answers prayers through other women.” “We are shaped more in the image of Jesus through community.”

“God is good all the time, All the time God is good.”

“As we learn to interact with the Savior, we learn to have a strong intention to not allow anyone to stop us from going to Jesus. Are you walking in your intentions? Are you willing to get what you need even if it means maybe getting hurt along the way? We have it in us to heal ourselves. It’s because of our faith that we can be made whole. Our Faith is the deposit.”

“Did you know 2/3 of the world’s population can’t see the Milky Way due to light pollution? What is the light pollution in our lives? Fear? Doubt? Disappointment? Grief? Failure? All of these things hinder us from experiencing or feeling the love of God.” As we seek for peace, our communities can help us achieve it. When we believe and trust in Him, He is our Milky Way. It’s always there, even when there’s light pollution that makes it impossible at times to see Him.”

“Jesus has a fire to take care of us. He prepares a table for us even in the midst of our enemies. Determine that we won’t let anything prevent us from running to Jesus and sitting at His fire.”

“Because we love the Savior we choose to be His disciples and worship Him. We make mistakes, even sometimes our achievements are messy, but we can still be intentional, but imperfect disciples of Jesus Christ.”

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” ~ Betsy Tenboom

“We have opportunities to love all around us. Love and patience are never wasted. This helps us take the long view. When we know who we are, we can see the problems in our lives as opportunities.”

I am grateful for my own community of family, church and friends! They bring LIGHT into my life every day! May we seek to enlarge our communities, and spread the beautiful LIGHT of Christ throughout the world, for the best parts of Him are in us!

Love Ya, Les :)