Ladies Retreat 2005

This years ladies retreat was just this last weekend. What a refresher and rejuvinator it was. My mom and another friend came up and went with me, it was so nice to have them join in with myself and the other ladies from church. The retreat was based around

Titus 2: 1-8 (NASV)
¹But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. ²Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. ³Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. ⁶Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ⁷in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

The retreat was an overnighter out at Meier Lake Lodge, I think most of the ladies were up as late as 3:30am, which is hilarious when I think about it.

The accountability list was passed out to everyone but 10 more questions were added. I really like all of those questions.

There were 10 speakers, 11 speeches, with 3 crafts & a massage provided at midnight. Dinner, desert, munchies, breakfast, and lunch were all cooked and served by several men from our church. Talk about being pampered physicly and spritually. I really can't wait till next years retreat.

The speeches
1. The word of God may not be blasphemed

Mark 3:29 (NIV) - But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.
Colossians 3:8 (NKJV) - But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

2. Not given to much wine (presented by yours truly)

Galatians 5:19-21 (NASV) - Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV) - For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

3. Malicious gossips

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV) - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
James 3:5 (NIV) - Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

4. Sober/Sensible

1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) - The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 5:8 (NASV) - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

5. Love/obey your husbands

Colossians 3:18 (NASV) - Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22-24 (NKJV) - Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

6. Love your children

Titus 2:4 (NKJV) - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children

7. Discreet

Proverbs 2:11 (NIV) - Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 11:22 (NASV) - As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

8. Chaste(disciplined)/pure(uncontaminated, not containing any mixture of evil)

Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life
Hebrews 12:11 (NJKV) - Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it

9. Keepers at home

Proverbs 31:27 (NKJV) - She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

10. Being Good

Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Valley Church of Christ
Ladies Retreat 2005