This was MY verse in college! I had it memorized so well that I could say it forward and backward. It spoke volumes to my heart then, and it still does today. Tonight, my women's ministry leadership team team and I are planning our first retreat. It's a day retreat that will be held on beautiful Lake Keowee an hour from here on March 7. Our topic is "Indescribable"--how awesome our God is. And yes, it is based on the song by Chris Tomlin and the DVD by Louie Giglio. Y'all, those by themselves are fabulous! But, we need a little more! We have lots of ideas that we need to pray over and discuss. Several of the team members are not going to be able to come. So, there will only be about 6 of us. And, hopefully, your prayers will surround us!!! That's what this blog is about today! I've asked y'all in the past for your prayers, and you have so lovingly lifted up "Growing in Grace" for us! I come to you again for prayer and thank you in advance! How wonderful it is to be able to call on "bloggy friends" that you converse with weekly and have never met face to face! (There are a few exceptions there!!) That is something only God could conceive!
Here's something else that I would also appreciate! Tell me what you would absolutely love in a retreat if you were going to attend! Dream big! We already have fabulous food! And, beautiful scenery! And...wonderful door prizes! Think of details that would add to a retreat...some that might be small or large, but something that would always remain in your heart and would come to your memory when someone mentioned that retreat.
I can't wait to see what God says through your answers! Y'all are awesome, too! Have a wonderful weekend! We're FINALLY thawing out down here!! I am SO not a cold weather person!
Many Blessings,
18 comments:
What about this: as people are arriving for worship, have lights dimmed. Candle light is best. Quiet, possibly instrumental music playing. As the women enter, there will be several women there with towels wrapped around their waists and over their arms. They will have others waiting and ready, as well. Greet each person quietly and have them led to a chair with a basin. Without a word, remove their shoes and wash their feet. Maybe even rub lotion? Some people will be reluctant to have others wash their feet. They may want to just observe, but we encourage everyone to participate. It is incredibly humbling. We've done this before (hard to do with more than 50 or so, but possible--have the washees become washers after they are done) and literally ended up weeping in each other's arms as we compared the servanthood of our hearts and how unworthy we are, and yet how Christ ministers to us through others.
Nice idea, btw! Caught your comment at Chatty Kelly's and I just have to ask if you are the same runner mom from The CH Front Porch?
You are a cold weather person when you running :)
Your retreat will be a blessing! I think having a smaller group will be perfect.
Praying for your retreat!
A schedule that includes some light-hearted activities or moments...not all serious and heavy. Each has its place and its purpose.
I look forward to checking back to see how it all came together.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
To me, I value the most in a retreat...a great message...whether it's in the speaker's topic or the group discussion...something that gives me an aha moment or a moment of growth and understanding about the Lord. Of course, that is not something you can necessarily plan out. Maybe most women just want fun in the retreat but a spiritual aspect to take some new revelation home in my heart would be grand.
I've had Eph 4:4-7 written on my heart for several years. I love it.
Hope you have a grand retreat in March.
Love,
Paula
First I have to tell you that your verse is MY verse! I love that verse. This is my "testimony" verse where I first came to know God. Yay!
I want to encourage you not to try to please everyone. You cannot. My church had a retreat and a ton of women were saying they wanted "FREE TIME." But a bunch were like we can take free time at home, we are there for spiritual retreat. So use your wisdom and know you can't please everyone.
Having said that, how about taking that fabulous verse of ours and laminating it for Bible bookmarks or something. A "take-away" from the retreat with spiritual meaning. I'm not fancy. I just like to go. That is the best part to me, being with other Christian women. I pray it will be wonderful!
How cool, your gonna have fun!
Girls just wanna have fun, with the Son!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Susan, this may sound funny, but one thing our church does when we have a Ladies event/retreat is take time to add special touches to the washrooms. We decorate them; add special hand lotions etc... We bring things from home to make them look welcoming. We also put pretty boxes on the counter with a sign that says, "Prayer Requests" and include some little forms and pencils so ladies can write out personal requests privately and then just slip them in the boxes. No names need even be given. We then collect the requests after the day and spend time praying over all the needs. It's amazing how many people comment on our washrooms - women really appreciate that added feminine touch.
Praying your planning meeting goes well,
Love & prayers,
Joy
Hi Susan! I can' wait to see what God has planned for you with your retreat. I don't have a lot of experience with retreats, but I'll think about it and let you know if anything comes up.
I love the verse you opened up with. I thik that could/should be my life verse. Do not be anxious about ANYTHING! Amen.
Hey Susan,
Thanks for stopping by the today! Hey, I just memorized that scripture! And yes, I did many years ago too!
Your retreat sounds wonderful.
Wish I lived closer...
Havea blessed weekend♥
Sounds like it's going to be wonderful! I will be lifting you up. :)
HI, Susan, thanks for stopping by & leaving a note. I'm glad you found me & I hope you'll come back often. I'm always up to something fun. And you mentioned needing help, I do online consultations. Details on my left sidebar if you want to contact me! I'd love to help.
Hello! :)
Hello friend! I'm a few days late reading this...but man! I wish I lived close enough to attend this retreat!
I agree with Chatty Kelly...When I go to a retreat I want some "meat" I can have "free time" at home.
Also: I think the number one thing that sets certain retreats apart is the prayer time that goes on BEFORE the retreat...so many times we get so busy inviting the speaker, the musicians, the ladies that we forget to invite the presence of the ONE...the Holy One...You can't go wrong if make sure He is invited!
love,
Teresa
I live by that verse! Today has been one of those days and its not even noon yet. I must be still... and know ... that He is God!
About those cabinets. I didnt add a sealer beacuse they tend to turn orang over the years. If you feel you need to put one I would go to maybe lowes or a home center like that. Ask them for a sealer that wont turn orange... Good luck my friend~
That is a favorite verse of mine too. I will have to think on the retreat thing, it already sounds great. Jackie
I am not a cold weather person either.
I've never been on a retreat so I don't have any ideas to help you out. Sorry.
I'm looking forward to hearing about it, and will be praying for you.
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