December, 2002-January, 2003

As always, we thank our Lord for giving us such a wonderful, blessed time at another marriage retreat. What an honor it is to serve Jesus through the ministry of CFMR! We thank CFMR's attending Board Members for serving and brightening the place with their smiles. In addition, we thank Mark and Joy for obeying the Lord's command to sing "Let's Begin Again" at the retreat. The sweet presence of God filled the room as they gave honor to our God for the great things He has done in their lives. Praise the Lord!

UPCOMING RETREATS - Mark Your Calendar!

2003 FAMILY WINTER WONDERLAND RETREAT:
The Family Winter Wonderland retreat scheduled for January 10-12, 2003 is booked. We are anticipating a weekend full of fellowship and fun in the Lord! This is an annual event for the ministry so if you missed out on this one we hope and pray you can attend the next "Winter Wonderland" retreat in 2004!

Featured Article: God - The Giver of Gifts

Referenced scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".
The opening scripture reminds me that no matter what I accomplish for the sake of Christ my good works have nothing to do with my salvation (deliverance from hell). My salvation is solely based on the work of the cross, God's wonderful grace. To think that my acceptance into God's kingdom is based on my good deeds/works is an insult to God's character. When Jesus Christ was crucified He spoke the words "It is finished". Everything you and I need in order to be approved in God Almighty's eyes happened at Calvary. The day Christ was risen from the dead, our Heavenly Father opened up the Heavenly gates for the world to see Him in all His fullness.

According to God's word, "we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Since it is strictly by God's grace we are saved, it is necessary for God's people to spread this good news to the world. Together we can change the world through the great blessings God has bestowed on each of us. He graciously gives His people spiritual blessings such as the gift of teaching, preaching, and healing, the gift of hospitality and above all a heart to love and serve. God's word tells us "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much..." (Luke 16:10). God has instilled different gifts in each of us so that together we, as His church, have the power to make a difference in a dark and dying world. Whether your gift is to be a virtuous woman for your family or community, or to pray for the sick to be healed do it all in the name of Jesus and watch how God brings blessings to the world around you! I hope and pray we, as God's children, never take our gifts and talents for granted. As a dear friend of mine recently shared with me, refusing to use a God-given gift or talent is a very sad situation because ultimately the recipient is returning a gift back to the Giver, God Himself. When someone gives you a gift the last thing that person would want is for you to say "thanks, but no thanks".

In conclusion, I pray this article encourages you to pray and ask God to show you the plan He has for your life and to reveal your gifts and talents He desires for you to use for His Kingdom purposes. In most cases, it is easy doing things our way and on our own terms, but when you allow God to open doors for you the blessings are limitless! I believe obedience to God's will brings Him great joy as He watches His children perform mighty works in the name of His wonderful Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Almighty God, the creator of all things, is waiting for you, His child, to say, "Here I am Lord, use me"!

--With love, Joan
May you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year

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!The Christian Family Mountain Retreat (CFMR) ministry is a non-profit organization ordained by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our commission is to reach the lost with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and, minister to married couples and families in need of healing and restoring what was lost or stolen in their relationships. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you and God bless you!
CFMR’s Staff: Eric and Joan Bair, Joan E. Bair "Gramma Bair", Marcia Bair , Tim and Tina Miceli, Ralph and Sonya Pagan.