Last weekend's Women's Retreat was in a word, awesome.  Elyse Fitzpatrick was our speaker.  I'd never heard of her before  - (which seemed kind of funny to me - since she's from So Cal and has written at least a dozen books) - but by the time the first session was over I totally understood why our church brought her back (she spoke at the retreat few years ago).  I came home feeling the need to just lock myself in my room for about a week and ponder her messages.  Since that's not going to happen, however, I'm trying spend a few minutes here and there poring over my notes. 

Elyse's main point was along these lines:  We "Serious Christians" tend to think that the gospel is something for unbelievers; we feel like we've got that part down, and now want to focus on the "serious stuff" - ie - what we are supposed to do and to be.  This is a grave error.  The gospel should be at the center of our lives as Christians, and everything that we do, think, and experience needs to be evaluated in light of the cross.  And that's how our growth (sanctification) happens - not by "trying harder."  If our obedience to God is motivated by anything other than our love for God (which according to 1 John, is the direct result of His love for us), than it is not obedience at all, but merely penance.  So needless to say I've got lots to chew on.  I did come home with one of Elyse's books (it was hard to limit it to one!), and I'm looking forward to diving into that as well.