Retreat season is upon us at the Keizer Church of Christ.  Retreats are a opportunity to get away together for a time of spiritual renewal, encouragement, and rest.  The ladies’ retreat is this coming weekend at the Oregon Coast and will run Friday afternoon through Sunday morning.  This retreat is designed to be an intimate environment (30-40 women) that features spiritual instruction from the speaker, Dawn Doberenz (Metro Church of Christ), combined with lots of time to visit, play games and just get to know one another.   As well, there is plenty of time set aside to rest, enjoy the beauty of the Oregon Coast, or shop!

The men’s retreat will be at Camp Yamhill on March 11-13.  This year the Southwest Church of Christ is hosting the retreat and has a special emphasis on intergenerational faithfulness.     The focus is for dads and teenage sons to attend together and have some time reflecting on their common Christian faith.     There will be lots of good teaching from Matt Morine of Colorado as well as an opportunity to participate in the 22 long rifle shooting contest headed up by our very own Rob Beck.

I thought I might take this opportunity just prior to retreat season to impart words of wisdom about attending a retreat.  Seven things came to mind:

• GO.  Retreats are a great source of encouragement, instruction, fellowship, and comradery, things that we all need.   Why not take advantage of the opportunities for spiritual growth that a retreat offers?
• PRAY.  Pray ahead of time for God to do something with you at this retreat.  There is some reason you need to be there and you probably don’t even know what it is.   Pray that God will work that out.
• IDENTIFY.  Identify a spiritual goal you have for the retreat.  Perhaps it is to spend some special time in prayer for a person or family at our congregation who is in need.  Or, maybe it is to have some dedicated time to wrestle with a spiritual question.
• DEEPEN.  Pick one person you would like to get to know better at the retreat at a deeper level.  Perhaps there is someone attending that is new to our church family or has been around for a while but you’ve never got to know them below the surface.  Make a special effort to share your life with them.
• NAP.  Just so you know, it is ok to take a good long nap at a retreat.
• BIBLE.  Bring your Bible and read it.  Both retreats feature good Bible teaching and having your Bible is a must.  But, you will also have time to browse the scripture and maybe catch up on your Bible reading schedule.
• LAUGH.  Have fun.  It’s really ok to laugh, joke around, and chortle at a retreat.  Laughter is good medicine and a good dose of it can help lift up your spirit.   It may be just what you need.

May God bless this season of retreats.  If you have a favorite retreat story or an encouraging tip for those attending retreat, please post a comment below.   DTW