Weekend Women's Retreat

Several weekends ago, I had the great pleasure of attending the Presbytery of Ohio's Women's retreat. And it was such a blessing! It was relaxing, convicting, and encouraging.

Getting in the car

Although I did get carsick, the trip was enjoyable.  The wisdom of the older women with me was amazing. Opportunities to ask questions and to listen to their stories were precious.

When we arrived the camp, the beauty of God's creation struck me anew... so we went on a short walk before our sessions began...

The vista

Exploring

The Pond

Me

Follow the leader

Mrs. Tara Barthel with Peacemaker Ministries was an impressive speaker. Funny, articulate, and smooth, she would make you laugh and convict you within moments. But, Tara was quick to remind us that we don't start with our work. We start with what God has done for us. We start with the indicative --> what Christ has done for us and who we are.... and then move on to the imperative ---> God's commands and how we should live.

Tara Barthel from Peacemaker Ministries

Materials

You knew that I would bring some books, right?

Our room

It was nice to fellowship with so many godly women apart from distractions. In our every day existence, we become so busy that we can forget God. Sometimes those two days can refocus us in the right direction.

There were no men...

And it was nice to see some "old" friends too. :)

Heather and I

Some new friends

Learning to Be Joyful for His Name's Sake

"I have seen a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad."
Psalm 119:96

I’ve blogged about joy before but never like this...

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Sunday school… even in a time when it’s not popular in the broader Christian circles. Sunday school is a convicting, encouraging, and enlightening time for me. Learning from my elders or teaching my little ones is a blessed experience (who by-the-way, usually know the lesson before I teach it because of their covenant parents, but that's another blog post). Yesterday, the most prevalent element in the adult Sunday school was conviction.


The Larger Catechism’s explanation of the third commandment is beyond all my ideas about the Lord’s name…

Q. 113. What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, ordinances, or works, by blasphemy, perjury; all sinful cursings, oaths, vows, and lots; violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; murmuring and quarreling at, curious prying into, and misapplying of God's decrees and providences; misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, or sinful lusts and practices; the maligning, scorning, reviling, or any wise opposing of God's truth, grace, and ways; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being ashamed of it, or a shame to it, by unconformable, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive walking, or backsliding from it.

Are you humbled yet? I was and am. The “murmuring and quarreling at” section spoke to my heart the most. Throughout my everyday existence, I am a great murmurer. (And yes, I know it’s not a word.) If there was a trophy for whining, I would win the championship. It’s nothing for which to be proud.

By whining, complaining, and wishing (for another time of life), I take the name of the Lord in vain. I profane the name by my sinful and wicked attitude. God’s sovereign providence is good, right, and holy. Who am I to question His plan? Who am I to criticize? With my attack, my disapproval, and my murmur, I place myself higher than God. I declare that I know the best "good" for my life. Therefore, I deny His word: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

It’s not only complaining about chores, work, and calling. What about people? Do I whine about my parents? My brother? My grandfather? My church? Yes. But, God has established these relationships. What do the scriptures say about God’s providence and complaints?

Elihu’s rebuke to Job rebukes me. "Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?” Job 33:13

With this judgment, I speak Job’s words of weakness to God. "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.” Job 40:4

Although life can be difficult, I should rejoice in what God has laid before me. Doing the laundry, the vacuuming, and the dishes… while studying, reading, and learning… in the relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Will I keep this commandment perfectly? No. For as Paul says in Romans 7:15, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” But I will by the grace of God “[fight] the good fight of faith” knowing the Jesus Christ will be the one to set me free from the “body of this death.” Therefore, my brothers and sisters, "Consider it all joy." Soli Deo Gloria.

Camp: Why are we here?

Of course, the ultimate goal of camp is to glorify God. To this end, the theme of this year's camp was "Serving Others in a Self-Serve World."

With the youngest kids...

Mr. W guided them in...

memorizing scripture, singing songs, and playing games.

Jonathan taught some of the Missions lessons.


With the older kids...

Mr. I and his son talked about their mission trip to Haiti...

Mitch spoke about the chaplaincy and being a soldier


The kids had discussion groups...


And Mr. H delivered messages about needing Christ in our lives (and being able to serve God) before we have the ability to serve others...

The need to worship, honor our parents, and treat each other respectfully.

And I don't have any pictures of Bob's or Ken's sessions. :(
But, it was a wonderful week filled with the word preached. :)

Ah, Flexibility

For the first time in 18 years, I did not have to attend school today. Wow, what a change. It's strange that I'm not cracking the books, writing my notes, and studying every morning. But, today instead, I was able to finish a children's book, work at dad's office, clean the kitchen, cook dinner, and spontaneously agree to help with Cindy's kids and babysit Atticus. God is good! I've missed this flexibility these past 4 years. And now that I see that accomplishment of my formal education, I think that I've been greatly blessed.

My 2nd Sunday School Class

Aren't they sweet?

Camp: "Where's Waldo" OPC style

Do you see me? How about Mr. A? Or Jonathan? Mellissa? Mr. F? Jake? Noah?

Ohio Presbytery Youth Camp: Camp Views

Last year, I promised pictures and they never came... This year WILL be different.

Without further ado... Summer Camp!


Our sign is very important.... Putting it up (or taking it down) can be a very important moment.... And yes, we took lots of photos. :P

Isn't this area beautiful?!

The Nurse's station... and main cabin office


Some of the girls cabins... with clothes line. :)


The lake...
The Pool... etc.
I LOVE this photo! Kudos to Kathy for taking it!

More to come...

Quote of the Day

"A religion which is in constant process of revision to square with science's ever-changing picture of the world might well be easier to believe, but it is hard to believe it would be worth believing." C.E.M. Joad as quoted in Understanding the Times p.18

A Week in Worldview Training

Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32


Several CHEWV conferences ago, my dad bought Summit ministries worldview curriculum: Understanding the Times. This, combined with a general love for conferences, created our family conference.

"What", you ask, "is a family conference?" Don't worry. You're not the first to ask me that question. My father (and the rest of us) took a week off from the office... and pursued a course of study. Mornings started with devotions and breakfast. Study to begin at 8:30am. We read chapters in the textbook, essays in the student manual, watched lectures, and generally discussed worldview issues all week long. Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Ethics, Biology, Politics, History, and Economics were the subjects whirling and colliding in our minds.


We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ... 2 Corinthians 10:5




With 4 hours a day devoted to study, we made it through three units: Introduction, Theology, and Philosophy. I LOVED it. It strengthened my faith and aided me in analyzing the "Big 6" worldviews (which, of course, included my own): Christianity, Islam, Secular Humanism, Marxism-Leninism, Cosmic Humanism, and Postmodernism.




And there MUST be a silly photo! :)


See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8





I did not agree with everything Summit Ministries proposed, but I would definitely recommend their curriculum to anyone desiring a holistic worldview program.

Oh and PS... Y'all will probably being reading more quotes and ideas from Understanding the Times on my blog in the future...

"Sign the Roster"

"Ooo! Ooo! Pick me!"

Have you ever had volunteers? Plants that spring up without your labor?

We have.

Out in front, amongst our hostas, a watermelon vine has sprung up... A random seed? Spit from last year's melons?

God's goodness is evident even in creation! We'll soon be enjoying yummy fruit!