Retreat Theme:\u00a0How Does Your Garden Grow? Rooting Our Relationships in Grace and Truth<\/b><\/h3>\n
As women, we live under the fear of others\u2019 judgment and our own struggle with self-condemnation and pride. We compare ourselves with others, wondering if we measure up. We hide from others, trying to keep up a flawless appearance, hoping that what we look like on the outside (physical appearance, task performance, spiritual performance) can make us acceptable to others. We seek experiences to numb or compensate for our sense of failure. Underneath all of this is a deep fear that we are not truly acceptable – to others, and ultimately\/most critically, to God.<\/p>\n
What if we could be assured that we were accepted, that we met the standard, that we were delightful?\u00a0 How would that change how we felt about ourselves?\u00a0 How would it change how we related to one another?<\/p>\n
\u201c[…] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus […]\u201d<\/i> (Romans 3:23-24)<\/p>\n
As we are united to Christ, we are united to his identity and performance, his life and death, ONE man for ALL. We are truly accepted, truly delightful, because Christ is accepted by God and delighted in. This can free us from self-condemnation and from fear of others to love and be loved, by God and one another.<\/p>\n
![\"Rebecca](\"http:\/\/christredeemerchurch.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Rebecca-Strickfaden.jpg\")
<\/a>Rebecca Strickfaden, originally from northern California, was a part of the CRC family for four years while she attended Dartmouth College. After graduating from Dartmouth she joined the staff of Cru, working for the Lifelines ministry. Lifelines uses experiential learning techniques, often through outdoor adventures, to help people to grow in their connection to God and others. Rebecca’s team is based in Plymouth, NH, and serves college campuses and other groups throughout New England.<\/p>\n