Eliacin's comment provoked me...

I would rather blog than comment to Eliacin's comment on the previous blog, "How do we know we are successful..."

I want to tell you why I like to do women's retreats. Everytime I tell someone what I did this weekend they get this look on their faces like, "What is wrong with you?" They get a smirk or something that just cannot relate to the whole thing.

First off, it is a time for the food service supervisor, Chef Bink, to go crazy and make incredible food. We want to pamper these women, like no one else does. We want them to feel loved and cared for. We want them to unwind enough so they will be able to experience Jesus' presence in their hearts and spirit. We want them to feel safe to share their hearts and open up enough to allow Jesus to forgive them of sin, release them from the chains of abuse and pain they have been holding on to their whole life. Many are ministering out and this is an opportunity to be ministered to. And Jesus shows up everytime.

We are manipulating them, not by trying to whip them up emotionally, but unwinding them spiritually to let go of themselves into His arms to be loved and set free. When weather permits we open up the giant swing and climbing wall for them to try new things and feel confidence where they lacked before. We have crafts for them to sit, talk, get ministered by Deb as she teaches and talks about this craft and their heart. Safe places to come and let go and let Him.

The speaker is a key. She has to be someone who can understand these women need Jesus, not Freud. They need to be set free, not given more to do. They must walk away release to do His work, not feel guilty for not doing her work.

I lead them in worship. I point out along the way things that Christ is doing and letting them experience Him. It is not about powerpoint or the latest songs, on Sunday we couldn't use the projector because the sun was too bright so we sang songs we knew, old ones, they chose them randomly, and I played them on the piano, and the Spirit ministered to them. I was panicing on no powerpoint but Jesus was moving inspite of our production.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added... is really the formula for good programming. Do we allow room for Jesus to do the things He wants to do or do we only do the latest things that we see others doing? Do women come because of the food? You bet! Do they come because of the crafts? Yep. They come because they will see Jesus. But on Sunday when they leave we want them to be 5 pounds heavier because the food was so good, but 50 pounds lighter because Jesus has set them free of the burdens of sin and pain they have been carrying around in their souls for a long time.