ALF retreat

Last weekend we had our annual Abundant Life Fellowship (formally known as singles fellowship) retreat at Camp Mac in Alabama.

This was my sixth retreat so naturally I was initially wondering why I should go to another one. I obviously qualify to go by my marital status, but beyond that I was doubtful of what my personal gain would be.

God really worked in my heart and used the teaching by Jeff Ashby in major ways. He discussed four "F" words: foundation, form, follow, and flourish. The retreat theme was "Finding your Focus" in order to stay strong in the Lord for a lifetime.

One thing that really struck me was how naturally I allow my singleness to define me, instead of who I am in Christ as His child. I could blame this on society or whatever it is that reminds me that I am lacking something as a single person. It was refreshing and convicting to digest the truth about how in Christ I have everything and He is my foundation for what is true and what I should be doing. I lack nothing.

I'll also include here a good quote from the weekend by Henri Nouwen: "I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother's womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me."