what to say to someone attending a christian mens retreat
4 Reasons Why Nosotros Need Women's Retreats
- Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- 2014 4 Mar
"I tin can't exist gone for a whole weekend. Who volition have the kids to soccer?"
"My husband hates it when I'g gone. Information technology'southward non worth the hassle."
"Information technology's out of my comfort zone and a little scary."
We take a hundred reasons why we shouldn't go to the women'south retreat. Some years the voices win out, and we stay home. Later, when we hear the glowing reports from others about how wonderful it was, we feel a pang of regret, but it doesn't last long. "Oh well," nosotros say, "perchance next year." Other times nosotros brand the actress effort, and we're the ones sharing happy stories and telling how glad nosotros are that we attended.
I've been a Christian for over 30 years, and I'chiliad a business firm believer in women's retreats. Here are a few reasons why, with accompanying show from the Scripture in case you need extra persuasion.
Why Nosotros Demand Women's Retreats:
one. Considering it's hard to hear God'south voice to a higher place the racket of everyday life.
When is the last fourth dimension you sat before God without a To Do listing hanging over you, a pile of laundry the size of Texas Stadium in the groundwork, or family members pressing in on all sides? If yous can't retrieve, you lot need to attend a retreat.
"To retreat" means to get out our ordinarily occupied positions and go to a place of safe, serenity, and seclusion. By going to a retreat, nosotros physically remove ourselves from life'southward distractions, the phone call of chores, and the demands of people in order to make space for God. If you call back you're less spiritual considering y'all struggle to hear from God in the cacophony of your daily life, be encouraged. Even Jesus recognized the value and need to go away.
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got upwardly, left the firm, and went off to a solitary identify, where he prayed" (Mark ane:35).
Jesus retreated.
2. Because we need each other.
Religion is contagious. Just similar a virulent virus, it passes from person to person through close contact. Today'south busy world allows little time for women to share faith stories, pray together, and hear biblical messages written with women in mind.
Equally we consider and apply God's Word together, we learn from each other's varied backgrounds, experiences, and insights. The better we sympathize God, the stronger our faith becomes. And so we can strengthen others. Hearing other women's testimonies nearly God's faithfulness helps me realize that God will likewise have care of me. Hebrews x:25 spotlights the value of common encouragement and warns u.s. not to neglect corporate worship: "Let united states not surrender meeting together, equally some are in the addiction of doing, but permit us encourage i some other."
3. Because meeting together spurs the states on to "love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).
The Greek discussion for "spur on" is paroxusmus, which means to stir someone up. It has negative connotations, such as stirring upward disagreement, just in this passage, it underscores the fact that coming together together as believers helps us love and serve God and each other better.
4. Continuing side by side with our sisters in Christ, and worshipping, praying, and learning virtually our precious Savior makes us stronger.
When I join a group of women singing praise songs to God, I experience a sense of taste of what Heaven'due south going to exist similar when we're gathered around his throne. When I sit with my sisters and open God's Discussion, the insights I gain every bit we study together add weight and credence to its truth. When I pray for others, and they pray for me, I know I'm not alone, no matter how heavy my brunt is. Some years their faith strengthens me, and other years my faith strengthens them. Together nosotros conduct each other's burdens.
For these and many other reasons, I place a high priority on women's retreats.
When my children were immature, it took a corking deal of planning and preparation to exist away from my family unit. I'd gear up meals in advance, swap carpool duties, and cash in spend-the-nighttime favors. Some years were financially challenging, and I had to detect creative ways to finance my getaways. I'd save my birthday money, squirrel abroad coupon savings, or apply for scholarships. Other years I've struggled spiritually and had to push myself to go fifty-fifty though I didn't want to. I'd invite a friend to join me so I couldn't back out or commit to carpool with friends. On every occasion, I returned refreshed, strengthened, inspired, and closer to the Lord and my sisters in Christ.
I've never regretted attending a retreat, only I've often regretted not attending. If you've never attended a retreat, or you haven't in a while, why not brand plans to attend one? Yous'll be glad you did.
Lori Hatcher is an author, blogger, and women'southward ministry speaker. She shares an empty nest in Columbia, S Carolina, with her ministry and marriage partner, David, and all-time canis familiaris ever, Winston. A homeschool mom for 17 years, she's the writer of the devotional book, Joy in the Journey – Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms. You'll detect her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time.
Publication engagement: March 4, 2014
Source: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/4-reasons-why-we-need-women-s-retreats.html
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