Jesus calls us to retreat: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28 A silent retreat offers the privilege and freedom to concentrate our attention fully on God; desiring deeper intimacy, we seek Him with our body and soul. In a sense going on a silent retreat is an act of faith: not demanding a specific outcome, simply coming to God with empty hands…
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And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony… Revelation 12:11 Our stories are powerful weapons against the enemy. When attacks come against us God shows up! I’d like to share my latest testimony: About a week ago paramedics took me to the emergency room when suddenly I wasn’t able to speak, I felt weak, and one side of my face drooped a bit. A verse came to…
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'Puzzling' is a contemplative time as I relax and enjoy music playing in the background. My eyes scan the separated pieces on the table attempting to match shape and size, while my mind wanders with the words of the worship song in longing for more wholeness in body, soul, and spirit. The scattered pieces invite a prayer for healing of what may still be the broken and unrecognized pieces of my…
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Have you ever been in a mall and thrown a nickel into one of those large, funnel-shaped, coin banks? The coin circles around the top several times, over and over, being held in place by the centrifugal force. Gradually, it goes deeper and deeper as it circles faster and faster, all the way down the vortex. It eventually drops into the depths along with all the other coins that have gone before it…
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Sitting on my patio, enjoying the beauty of the pink petunias, I saw a bee come and land on each flower, but quickly leave - finding no sweet nectar to drink. The Spirit whispered an insight: We have become beautiful blooming flowers but without the sweet nectar that attracts bees to make honey. We’ve lost our sweet savor that attracts - love and compassion. Our hearts have left Home and we’ve…
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Michael Nelson. The Christian life has room for all who will come, as it sanctifies the vocation of soldiers, peasants, bishops, politicians, and merchants alike. The vast universality of Christian life and the potential for growth therein is underscored in the vocation of St. Simeon Stylites, who ministered sitting atop a pillar for thirty-seven years. St. Simeon was a city on a hill; his…
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