by Juergen Kneifel
Suncadia Resort--Cle Elum, WA
One couldn't imagine a better location to celebrate marriage and a time for spouses to share in relaxation than at the Suncadia Lodge, nestled in the Cascade mountain range. There were 65 couples in attendance at the 2010 Calvary Fellowship marriage retreat that featured guest speakers, Brad and Marilyn Rhoads from Owensboro, Kentucky. The Rhoads' are connected to Calvary through our missions ministry work over the past few years as they joined with us on the Mission Nicaragua team (Brad, Marilyn and two of their children). The couple shared at the retreat how God had graciously taken their marriage to a place of great joy and fulfilment as each learned to walk in obedience to God's Word. There were three main sessions, including one where men spent some time in a "guy talk" with Brad, and Marilyn shared with the wives on topics that will help each to better live out their God-given roles.
Men were invited to learn how to study their wives and use a "black book" he provided in order to record observations that would help them to better serve and minister as the head of their marriage in the same way that Christ is the head of the church. The Rhoads' also shared a collection of three books with each couple to help them study God's purpose and will for their marriages. For husbands: Sex, Romance and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney. For wives: Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. And lastly a book for couples to study together: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. This final book begs the question: "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" There has been discussion to set a class for marrieds where we will take on the Sacred Marriage book study...watch for details.
On a very positive note, Marilyn learned that she is expecting their fifth child--due in October. Marilyn's first four pregnancies were very difficult and she was already experiencing debilhitating sickness with this pregnancy. A number of folks in Kentucky are praying and fasting for Marilyn's capacity to function well during this time and were very intentionally interceding for her to be able to travel to the retreat. According to Brad, the three days the Rhoads' were in our area were the three best days she's ever experienced in all of her pregnancies. We are truly thankful for the answered prayer and the gift of teaching that Marilyn provided to benefit our church family. And we continue to pary and lift Marilyn's pregnancy before the Lord who is ABLE!
The retreat received rave reviews from those in attendance...watch for 2011 announcements and make plans to be a part of the next marriage retreat.
