December 2003 -January 2004

Happy New Year!
We pray God's abundant blessings come your way for 2004! Please keep this ministry in your prayers as we continue being obedient to the Lord's plan for Christian Family Mountain Retreat. With God's help, we will continue offering retreats as a tool to building families and marriages that glorify God. In addition, this ministry will continue being instrumental in helping others take back what the devil stole from their relationships!

Newest Addition to God's Family!
Congratulations to Mark and Joy as they rejoice in the birth of their baby daughter, Abigail Marietta! She weighed in at 8 lbs 11oz on November 10, 2003, and is very healthy and so beautiful.
God is good !!!!

Upcoming Retreats
2004 "Winter Wonderland" Retreat - You don't want to miss this retreat! Bring your family and/or a friend. All are welcome! This retreat is scheduled for March 5-7, 2004 (two night stay) at the "Majestic Lodge", Deep Creek Lake, MD. The ministry is supplying all meals and lodging. Donations are accepted to help the ministry fund this retreat. The weekend plans include outdoor activities such as snow tubing at the "Bear Claw" tubing park (approximate cost is $14.00 per person for a two-hour session) and indoor games and activities. Registration for this retreat begins 12:00 noon on January 15, 2004. To register, please call 301-387-8208 or email us at cfmr@gcnetmail.net.

2004 Spring Retreats
We will be scheduling a "Women's Retreat", "Married Couples Retreat", and possibly a "Men's Retreat" starting sometime during the month of May 2004. These retreats will be announced in the next CFMR Newsletter and will also be posted on this website.

FEATURED ARTICLE: "We Have Not Yet Begun to Love" by Eric Bair

I'm sure we all know the satisfaction of putting in a hard days work, knowing how we have provided for our family, or the feeling of accomplishment we might get from maintaining a comfortable home with good meals to eat and clean clothes to wear. It's only right that we take care of the family the Lord blessed us with here on earth. In fact, the Apostle Paul said we would be worse than an unbeliever to not do so (I Timothy 5:8). When we do these things I believe it's something we can be proud of (certain types and levels of pride are ok). I've caught myself at the "end of the day" recounting all the deeds I had done and how surprised I was that I could have accomplished so much. As I sat there in my chair, feet propped up, remote control in hand, and that end-of-the-day unwinding beginning to take place I realized, "I have not yet begun to love my family". All that had been done that day, up to that point, had been done to provide. True, this is a form of love, but I'm talking about affectionate love. This is where Agape love really shows, when we're too tired to get up out of that recliner and we do it anyway to help prepare dinner or clean up afterwards, or help our children with their homework, or just talk to our loved ones. It would be easier to watch TV but it's worth the extra effort to ask questions and listen to answers and love our family.

We have become distracted from our commandment to love one another (John 15:12). Remember this thing called work wasn't part of the original plan. It wasn't until the fall in the garden of Eden that we had to provide by the "sweat of the brow". So please don't let your job or your duties distract you from your first and most important duty to love. Your family might have your home, your toys, and your money, but if they have not your love they have nothing.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you; May the Lord be kind and gracious to you; May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

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"Remove". Thanks
!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.