main sessions
In God We Trust…Really??
Pam Allen
"For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me." Philippians 4:11-13
What role does money play in your life? Does it serve you or do you serve it? Let’s take an honest look at how money is a tool for your life that doesn’t run your life. We’ll walk through the ways money provides a false sense of security and explore the truths behind God’s scriptures so you can use a kingdom view of money in everyday life.
Pam Allan is the Divisional Controller for ViewPoint Bank and is a CPA. She co-founded Simple Marriage with her husband, Corey, a business aimed at helping couples create great marriages. They live in McKinney with their two children. Pam also enjoys singing on the praise team and volunteering in various roles at her church, Greenville Oaks Church of Christ.
Surviving Stress in a Godly Way
Carolyn Frisbee
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
We will be looking at what God says about stress and how to handle it. With the world in such a bad place, how do I keep from worrying and fretting?
I am Carolyn Frisbie. I have been married to Tom for 50 years. We have always been in the minis try. We have 2 wonderful children who are in the ministry also, and seven gorgeous grandchildren. Tom is the pastor of Fellowship Christian Church of Sulphur Springs, TX and I direct our childcare center and teach kindergarten. We do not anticipate retirement. God has given us purpose and a vision and is helping us by providing all we need. We (I) haven’t “arrived” as far as handling stress, but He is teaching us daily!
Renewing My Strength
Jane Bull
Habakkuk 3: 18 & 19a, "Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength."
Isaiah 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength: They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
What do you do when you pray for healing for someone and it does not happen? How do you handle it when a rebellious child turns from the Lord? How do you gain new strength? Let's explore the Scriptures together and find some help for our weariness.
Jane Bull has been active in Area Women's Retreat for years, including being Chairwoman in 1995 and on the current Planning Team for the past 5 years. My relationships include my husband Rich, seven children (3 sons, l daughter, 2 daughter-in-laws and 1 son-in-law) and 12 grandchildren (including newest granddaughter, Reselea born January 25!). My most important relationship is with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Caregiver…what does it mean?
Q & A Panel: Sharon Mathis, Melody Leftwich and Dottie Farley
“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:3-8, 16
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
Having a hard time soaring while tied to a loved one in need of care? We've been there and we're here to answer questions and hopefully offer insights into finding the joy of serving the Father in this important roll.
Change is a part of living. As a pianist, worship leader and former Christ In Youth servant, Sharon Mathis attends a non-instrumental Church of Christ in Palestine, Texas where she resides with her husband Nick. "I have two sons, am stepmom to four, and grandma of 5 with number 6 due in September. Sharon graduated from MSU in Wichita Falls, Texas and is currently utilizing her BSE degree by substitute teaching, thus leaving flexibility to 'grandma'. I have been attending the Area Women’s Retreat off and on since the mid-1980’s, when I was a long time member of Central Christian Church in Richardson, Texas. My most recent role as caregiver to my Dad ended upon his death in May 2011."
I'm Melody Leftwich, my husband Mike and I attend Cross Bend Christian Church in Plano, TX where I delight in serving as a teacher for our youngest children and on occasion, in our Women's Ministry. I received my PHT (Put Hubby Through) from Dallas Christian College and studied under one of their finest professors, Lee Wineinger, all my life (he was my Dad). I serve as webmistress on the Area Women's Retreat Planning Team. I grew up learning about caregiving from my grandmother, who cared for her husband for 27 years as he suffered with lung cancer. In my twenties it was my turn, as first my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and then my father with end stage kidney cancer. My unique perspective on this panel is in the fact that I myself was the patient as I fought breast cancer in 2009--and won! I believe absolutely there is joy to be found in these very troubling situations and that God offers us a gift when he gives us the opportunity to become a caregiver.
I'm Dottie Farley (also known as '.e'). God has blessed my life so much more than I ever deserved...a wonderful husband, Ron, and 3 wonderful children (I've watched too much Wheel of Fortune!) Dawn, Ashley, and Kristin; and 6 MAJORLY wonderful grandkids. Ron and I have served at Cross Bend Christian Church in Plano, TX going on 32 years. Been blessed with getting to serve and plan this retreat for several years...I think some of the gals wonder when I'm ever going to quit...I'm sure some day they will declare me incompetent!
All of us 3 gals (as well as many of you) have experienced being a caregiver. My Mom & Dad lived with us until their deaths, and during that same time, my sister became terminally ill. My husband and I also went through assisting with the care of his Dad, and currently Ron's Mom is 95 years old! Caregiving isn't a down time, but rather a time to use every bit of love you have...and what you don't have--God will and did supply. The result...PRICELESS!
Prayer Walk (on the Nature Trail--weather permitting)
Kathleen Marshall
My name is Kathleen (Goudie) Marshall, (Ph.D. in Linguistics (1979)). I gave up my career in Texas Instruments of "teaching computers to talk" in 1986 to be a stay-at-home mom to my two daughters. I am married to Bob Marshall who serves as an elder at Central Christian Church in Richardson where we actively worship and serve.
I have been praying with Moms in Touch International (MITI) (now called Moms in Prayer International (MIPI)) for about 17 years. Over the years, God has been faithful to answer my prayers and to grow my daughters in grace and in knowledge of him. As an area team member for my local Moms In Prayer region, I have also taught Fern Nichol's Igniting a Passion to Pray course to moms who have wanted to learn to pray for their children and their children’s schools.
Since the summer of 2008, when I became the Prayer Ministry Leader for Central Christian Church of Richardson, TX, I take every opportunity to teach what I’ve learned about the Four Steps of Prayer, (Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Intercession), how to do intercessory prayer effectively, the foundations of effective prayer for beginners, and how to incorporate prayer into our daily lives to develop a close personal relationship with God."I need to talk...." --Teen workshop
Amanda Roman
I was born into a “big, fun, Puerto Rican” family and grew up in the inner city in Chicago, Illinois. In 2007, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to complete a nine month internship and discipleship program. After a year, I returned to Chicago, where I began teaching abstinence in the Chicago public schools with a program called “What’s Good.” I also created a program entitled “Real Talk” for inner city youth. She and her leadership team wanted to create a place for the kids to hang out and learn about God’s word through teaching and fellowship. In 2010, I moved to Dallas to continue my education at Dallas Christian College where I will graduate from in 2013. Since moving to Dallas, I have taught at several different churches in the DFW area, reaching out to junior high, high school, and college-aged students. Most recently, I spent two weeks in Uganda, Africa, speaking about abstinence and healthy relationships. Currently, I am working on a non-profit organization that will support women’s biblical education in 3rd world countries. In the future, I would like to tour the country in a purple tour bus, putting on conferences for young girls and helping them to reach the next level with the Lord. I want to help create a generation of young women who are “not settling!” I hope that people will use my story, my struggles growing up and the positive decision that changed my life, and realize that every girl (or boy) is worth the wait!
"What's In it for ME?"
Brittany Burnette
John 13:1-17
Have you ever gone to help with a charitable project and secretly wondered, “What’s in it for me?” If so, come search for an answer with a look at John 13:1-17.
"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Brittany Burnette is the Associate Director of Admissions and an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Dallas Christian College. She served as the Academic Dean and Headmaster of Plano Christian Academy, where she taught Latin, political philosophy, Church History, and rhetoric. She is a co-author of Apostolic Fathers Greek-English Lexicon with Dr. Daniel B. Wallace (2012). She also served as a research assistant to Dr. Darrell Bock for: Jesus According to Scripture (2002), Jesus in Context (2005), The Missing Gospels (2006), and The Baker Exegetical Commentary on Acts (2007). She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Yale University and graduated Magna cum Laude from Dallas Theological Seminary. Brittany also lived in Seoul, Korea for two years, where she earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is a rabid tennis fan and an unapologetic caffeine addict.
The Rest of the Story
Monica Points
Remember last year and that moving testimony to God's grace shared by Monica as she poured out her heart to us? Remember her face to face encounter with God on a barstool? Remember our outcry as she ended the story RIGHT THERE? "What happened next?!?" we cried. Find out at Campfire (although burn bans may be in effect and imaginations may be necessary).
Monica Points is the wife of Randy Points, elder of Cross Bend Christian Church. Mother to four kids and a dynamite singer on the worship team there, she serves tirelessly (and a bit crazily) as a member of the Ministry to Youth.
God Calls Us to Stand for Truth
We Are Not Alone
God Can Showdown Disappointment