Stand Firm: 2024 Retreat

Losing a child is something most consider unimaginable, yet it’s our reality every morning when we open our eyes. This suffering and grief can tempt us to not trust God. It can be hard to believe His character is still good. We can wonder if He is keeping His promises to see and care for us. We may even doubt that He wants to and will protect us. We have a lot of questions. Questions that may never be answered this side of Heaven; and I pray that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to believe what God says about Himself, because the devil loves to use the things we’ve gone through as an attempt to distort our minds about what God has revealed. The Bible makes it very clear that we are in an ongoing spiritual struggle with the powers of darkness in this world (1 Peter 5:8).

This world is broken and hard to live in. There is a lot of suffering, and we weren’t created for it. The fall happened and here we are, trying to make our way back Home. You and I have gone through horrible things here. But we can fight the darkness by standing firm upon the word of God, through prayer, and resting in our Lord who promises to fight for us. This is not the end of our story or God’s bigger story. Just as Scripture reminds us of the reality of the war we are in, it also reminds us that we never fight alone. As followers of Jesus, our strength does not come from within ourselves, rather it comes from a good and sovereign God who has already secured the victory! There is no need to craft our own weapons or create our own armor– those are not the instructions that Paul gives. Instead, he implores us to put on the armor of God already given to us, and to take up our weapons of faith that have already, and eternally, defeated our enemy.

Does standing firm sound impossible? Does fighting a battle make you feel instantly frozen and overwhelmed? Does the idea of putting “anything on” sound like way too much work right now? Does it all sound far away and intangible? If so, we’d love for you to join us April 5–7, 2024, at Tejas Camp and Retreat in Giddings, Texas. Our founder, Erin Cushman, is our Keynote Speaker this year and she will take us on a journey into the mystery and reality of the armor of God. I believe you will be encouraged, challenged, and empowered as you study Ephesians with us. I trust the Holy Spriit will meet us as we seek to understand what Scripture teaches about the war we are in and how we are already equipped for the fight. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Take up God’s armor and stand firm!

The Armor of God Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. –Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

When: April 5-7, 2024

Where: Camp Tejas

1038 Pvt Rd 2191, Giddings, TX 78942

Cost: $340.00

Keynote Speaker: Erin Cushman

Worship: Katie Cobbs

Questions: retreats@hopemommies.org

- Jennie

Hope Mom to Paige Marie

Jennie is the Executive Director for Hope Mommies. She and her husband Brian live in Oregon State and have four children together— Trenton, Paige who has been in Heaven with Jesus since 2010, Mason, and Cora. If you were to knock on her front door today, you’d find her in something comfortable drinking a hot cup of tea, while trying to figure out how to balance all the things that make up a life. She enjoys spending time in God’s word, fresh flowers, board games with her kids, cooking, and evening walks in her neighborhood. She adores being a new creation in Christ and prays she reflects Him well on this earth.

Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.