I spent the weekend in the Prayer Room at the Girl's Chrysalis. I was completely blown away by the power and majesty of God - again - by His goodness, His grace and His love for us. Every time I am given this opportunity I am changed forever. In November, 1999 I attended the adult version of the same retreat called Walk to Emmaus. God used that weekend to begin a work in me that has brought me to this place I find myself inhabiting today - a place of worship and freedom. My former self is a mere shadow dimly fading. Thank You God!! This weekend felt like a purification process for those 42 young women. They were being restored to purity. The former things are gone, washed away. Behold!! They are new creations! God is so very good. I feel fresh and new, too. Somehow purified. And it is so very sweet. I wish this for everyone. Freedom is a much better place to live than in bondage or denial. Trust me, I've experienced all 3 and this is WAY BETTER!!!
Last night at soaking my friend, Amy, suggested we ask God to show us how He sees us. My mind went immediately to a photograph I have of myself at about 3. That little girl was terribly shy and afraid of everything. Today I know that she is full of life and laughter! Then I heard the word "pure". I was so humbled. In my adult life I have not thought of myself as pure. But that is how God sees me. Amazing. When Amy prayed over me she heard "sparkling pure like a clear crystal". She wrote it down. Confirmed! I have a book called The Name Book which gives the inherent meaning of your name and then a spiritual connotation, along with a scripture. Candice inherently means "Unblemished". The spiritual connotation is "Shining". My scripture is Isaiah 62:3, "You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God." How amazing is that? Hey, if you want to know what your name means, comment me and I'll post it here. That'll be fun!
Anyway, today I am a new creation and I live to glorify and worship my King. I may be called to do some strange looking things so watch out if you sit by me in church. I'm not in the mood to be afraid of what you're thinking anymore.
5 comments:
You are so awesome, Candy-I just love you! I love that you are not afraid to be God's tool-especially when that means stepping outside of the box and looking unconventional! ;)
Isn't it great how God can take you from one place and completely transform you into something else? It is amazing! My Chrysalis was absolutely transformative, and something I will never forget. In fact, that is when that new creation verse really became real to me, and the idea of the chrysalis and the transformation of the butterflies became so special. I have LOVED butterflies ever since! ;)
I know, sorry-I meant to call you on your birthday while we were driving, but it did not happen. We were only in Abilene for an hour or two because Jen had to take me back to Denton and then drive back to Abilene-or else I would've called you!!
The only meaning I have heard of my name is "pure", but if you find anything else-let me know! I love reading about the meaning of names. In fact, a few months back I did an entire post on names, and especially the many names of God and their meanings.
Ok, now that I have written a book I think I will go find some lunch! Love you, friend!! Thank you for sharing, for your encouragement, and your prayers!!
Blessings~
I am in the same place in my journey of not worrying about what others think about how I choose to worship the Lord. I want to be very sensitive to the calls of the Spirit- whatever they are and whatever they entail. What a precious and special picture of how the Lord sees you. Be blessed. I will be calling you soon to get together, I promise :)
Hey Candy - My given name is Angela. I would be curious as to what your resource says about that!
I would love to know what your book has to say about the name Susan. Thanks.
Susan
I'm terribly embarrassed. I thought I had already left a comment with name origins. I'm so sorry! I know I typed it in. I guess it just didn't post. So here goes again:
Katherine:
Inherent meaning: Pure
Spiritual Connotation: Perceptive
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
Lauren:
Inherent meaning: Bay
Spiritual: Guarded of God
Scripture: Isaiah 25:4 (TLB)
Angela:
Inherent meaning: Angel/Messenger
Spiritual: Bringer of Good Tidings
Scripture: Revelation 22:16 (RSV)
Susan:
Inherent meaning: Graceful Lily
Spiritual: Purity
Scripture: Proverbs 4:18 (NRSV)
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