Retreat Reflections

Last weekend approximately fifty of our ladies trekked down to the Cape for their annual retreat. The theme verse was, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21; Luke 12:34). The keynote speaker was Diane Schreiner, who serves with her husband Tom at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where Tom serves as Preaching Pastor. (He is also the Professor of New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.)

In the days following the retreat, I heard many positive comments from our ladies - through hallway conversations here at church, e-mail, facebook messages and the like. I was quite encouraged by hearing these, and I thought it would be good for the TruthWalk readership to be blessed as well (especially since so many of our readers are members here at First Baptist Church). So without further ado, here are some comments (with little to no editing) that were passed on to me by various retreat participants:

The Ladies' Retreat was such a blessing to all of the ladies that attended. It was a real ministry to my sister Joan, a new believer...she even shared her testimony with all of the ladies!

I loved Diane's simple style of getting out the fact that we are all at different stages in our lives.... I like how she taught us to use the verse "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14) as a stepping stone ... as we rise out of bed [and] begin the day before us. I also really loved the small gathering after each of the teachings where we shared our favorite Bible verses that helped us in our daily walk. And the bonus, which I really needed was the six hours of girlfriend time, just having some fun exploring on the Cape which was quite restful!! Although I came back tired, I was refreshed spiritually as well as mentally. I hope we continue to have retreats like this. Again, the simplicity of it made it possible for me to reflect on the teachings and put it into practical use.

It was a long two weeks building up to what was supposed to be an exciting time away. The reality of going to a weekend event seemed like one more thing that was on a never ending list. The moment I walked into that room the worlds problems disappeared and women who I get a friendly "hi" in the hall from became eternal friends. The schedule was wonderfully balanced with worship, quiet time, free time and small group time. We watched as Moms and daughters, daughter-in-laws and sisterss, new believers and old all shared their heart and their laughter ... so much laughter! What an inspirational goal to strive for as I someday hope to share the time with my girls. God was ever present this weekend.. I am home very excited to apply the simple truths that were brought to the forefront and the ease in which we are to carry them out. To pass His love on to my family I feel equipped, refreshed and looking forward to next year.

I really loved the retreat. I thought the speaker was a wonderful Titus 2 role model. She had a meek and quiet spirit, she was warm, loving and approachable, and her teaching was very sound. She encouraged us in our devotion to Jesus. I also appreciated the quantity and quality time we all got to spend together. We got to share together in small groups after the talks, and we got to laugh a lot together during the game times. Also, I enjoyed getting to know my roommate and riding home with her, too. It was really nice to get to spend time with her. It is a blessing to see her willingness to deny herself and follow Christ. She acknowledges how the Lord is rewarding her lately. When she won the raffle we were all so happy for her. She said her 20th anniversary is coming up. The Lord is good!

As women, it is very easy to feel isolated and alone trying to juggle the demands of being a wife, and mother, of working outside the home, church ministry and many other responsibilities. Satan loves to discourage us through, guilt, lonliness and feeling that we are the only ones messing up or feeling overwhelmed. When you put all those women together who share similar stories and exeperiences you get 1) uncontrolable fits of laugher and 2) encouragement that we are facing the battle together as sisters in Christ. We have other women to offer advise, give encouragement, share scripture and hold us accountable. The fellowship was very sweet!

In reflecting on the Retreat this past week-end, the number one thing that jumps out at me is the sweet fellowship and unity that was so evident. I totally echo another sisters sentiment when she passed along how she could sit down at any of the 10 tables and enjoy just talking and being with them. If you have been here for any real length of time you are aware of the fact that it hasn't always been that way! God has done a work in our midst and words can't express how thankful I am!! May God continue to have his way in each of our hearts and lives so we will continue to grow even closer and more like Christlike in every way.

Praise God for His work among these women and numerous others who joined them for this retreat! May each of us be spurred on in our walk with Christ, having been encouraged and challenged by these testimonies!

God Will Never Send His Children Packing

By now you've probably heard about Torry Hansen, the woman from Tennessee who sent her adopted 7-year-old son back to Russia. AolNews reports,

Last week Hansen placed the child, unaccompanied, on a one-way flight from Washington, D.C., to Moscow, where she had hired a man to pick him up and take him to the Russian Science and Education Ministry Building.

"I adopted this child, Artem Saveliev, on September 29, 2009," Hansen wrote in a note stuffed into the boy's backpack. "This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues/behaviors. I was lied to and misled by the Russian orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues."

An investigation is underway to determine if Hansen's actions violates any laws and thereby constitutes a crime. So far no charges have been filed. However, Russian officials are outraged and have threatened to suspend all adoptions of Russian children by U.S. parents. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called Hansen's actions a "monstrous deed."

One of my friends, who provided a link to the above article on his facebook profile, passed on a remark made by another pastor who said, "This is a tragedy. But, it gives one new appreciation for our adoption into God's family, where we are NEVER 'sent back.'"

I remember thinking the very same thing as I watched the story unfold on the news the other night. The New Testament says that as a response to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God adopts us into His family.

Galatians 3:26: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

John 1:12: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name."

A few contrasts can be made regarding Hansen's adoption of the Russian boy, and God's adoption of His children:

1. Based on her claims, Hansen didn't know what this boy was like before she adopted him. God, on the other hand, did not adopt any of His children in ignorance. He knew we were a bunch of dirty rotten sinners, yet in His mercy and grace He adopted us anyway. This leads to the second point:
2. Whereas Hanson's acceptance of her adopted son was conditioned on his behavior, God's love and acceptance of His adopted children is unconditional. "God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
3. Hanson's adoption of the Russian boy was temporary - she sent him packing. But God's adoption of His children is permanent. Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).
4. All the boy got out of the deal was two hundred bucks and a one-way ticket back to Russia. As God's beloved children, we get to share all the riches of Christ. "But you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:15-17).

As I think on these blessed truths, a wonderful old hymn comes to mind. It's entitled I am His, and He Is Mine. If you'd like to sing it with a musical accompaniment, click here. Or you can simply read the lyrics below:

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;

Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!

O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine!

In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green!

Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen;

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;

Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.

O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part?

Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart!

Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;

But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.

But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.

Timeless Truth from an Aged Saint

Earlier this week I paid a visit to an aged saint (he turns 93 next month). I hadn't seen him for quite some time, and there was a noticeable decline in his health. Though he lives in a rather large house, his living quarters have been reduced to one room on the first floor. He sleeps a lot and is nearly stone deaf. His mind is fading as well. He repeats things, often just a moment or two after he said them. Much of the time he doesn't talk at all - even when company is present - but simply dozes in his chair.

This man has been a Christian nearly all his life. He has a great heritage and has left behind a great legacy. I would tell you his name, but that's not important, for he represents a vast majority of men and women who have walked with the Lord for many, many years and have almost reached heaven's shore.

As I visited this dear friend the other day, I found it hard to get a conversation going. He seemed simply to want to sleep. The nurse came over and yelled (rather loudly) into his ear, "Mr. ______, Pastor Matt is here! What would you like to say to him?" He responded,

"I'm glad he's still in the faith."

Wow. So am I. That fact meant a lot to this man. He himself has been a dedicated servant of the Lord for many, many years - nearly all his life. Now he sat there dozing.

That was fine with me. I was content to sit there and thank God for this wonderful man and the godly influence he's had on my life over the last eleven years that I've known him. When my mom died back in 2000, this dear friend wrote to me one of the most meaningful handwritten letters I have ever received. I still have it. In it he spoke of the glory that awaits us in heaven, where we will dwell with our Savior and loved ones in Christ forever and ever. Now this dear brother is almost there himself. Soon he will be "absent from the body" and "at home with the Lord."

My friend has always loved the old hymns, so as he lay there dozing, I told him that we had concluded our Easter service by singing "Christ Arose." Though I don't have a great voice, I attempted for the sake of my friend to sing that first stanza nice and loud:

Low in the grave He lay - Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day - Jesus my Lord!

I was just about to sing the chorus, when to my utter surprise, my dozing 93-year-old friend lifted his head, opened his eyes, and sang with more lung power than I could have imagined:

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

I am not kidding when I say that his booming voice resonated throughout the entire house. The nurses were peering in through the glass doors. (They later said that at first they thought he was yelling at me!) What a joy it was to hear my friend sing with such "gusto" unto the Lord! I grinned from ear to ear and almost laughed from sheer joy.

Not wanting this musical exchange to end, I informed my friend that earlier in the Easter service, the children had sung:

He lives! He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today! . . .

At this point my friend joined in and sang:

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way. . . .

Of course I continued with the words,

He lives! He lives!

Salvation to impart . . .

But instead of continuing these lyrics with me, my friend went back to booming out:

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Talk about an impromptu hymn medley! Now I did laugh. This was great!

Yet my friend no sooner finished the chorus and he lowered his head and began to slumber once again.

I just sat there looking at him with great love and admiration in my heart. After a few moments I decided that I should quietly slip away and allow him to rest. I was just about to do that when he lifted his head and said out of the blue:

"God is faithful."

Then he dozed a bit more. After a minute or so, he said it again:

"God is faithful."

Another pause followed by a new phrase:

"The fellowship of the saints."

Amen. Precious.

I hated to leave but knew I must. He needed his rest, and I needed to get home. Before I left, I asked him in a loud voice, "Mr. ________, do you have a favorite Bible verse?"

"Yes," he replied.

"What is it?" I asked.

Without hesitation he said,

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever."

I sat there letting the words sink in. Clearly there was a connection in what my aged friend had said throughout this conversation. Stringing it all together, I thought:

I'm glad he's still in the faith. . . .

God is faithful. . . .

God is faithful. . . .

The fellowship of the saints. . . .

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The lesson is clear: God is faithful; therefore let us be faithful. We are called to faithfulness. "Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2).

This man before me had not only said it; he himself has lived it. As I parted with a prayer, I thought, "Imitate his faith."

By God's grace, I will.

Gym Hours versus Jesus Hours

This morning I went to my local gym to do some exercise. While going through my workout regimen, I listened to some great Gospel-centered songs and sermons on my iPod. Truly the spiritual workout met or exceeded my physical workout!

I left the gym physically exhausted yet spiritually enriched. But as I made my way through the main doors out into the parking lot, I saw a sign that said:

Easter Hours:

7:00 a.m. - Noon

Instantly I felt a deep agitation within my soul. The only hours they would be open on Easter Day would be the very hours that corporate worship would be taking place. To them this was not a "holy day" but a mere "holiday" in the secular sense. It was not a time to worship; it was a time to work out. Once noon rolled around, the staff and whoever got in their a.m. workout would be free the rest of the day to do their thing.

Yet in my anger I remembered that Jesus died to save sinners like these. Sinners like me. The Holy Spirit brought to mind the words of Titus 3, which instructs us as believers

"to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures.... But when the kindness of God our Savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

- Titus 3:2-7, italics mine

The Spirit that moves me to anger at man's disregard of the Savior and the greatest demonstration of sacrificial love which shaped the course of history and eternity, is the same Spirit who reminds me that my redemption is not owing to my own righteousness. It is a gift of God's grace. And the grace God extended to me He can and does extend to those who are still enemies of the cross of Christ.

God help me to hate the sin but to love the sinner, and walk in humility with my Savior before a watching world.