Good Friday prayer

Good Friday is one of those days in history that changed the world. Verses from Isaiah 53 have been on my heart today: "the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed."

I pray that we will each know the peace that Jesus purchased for us...a deep abiding peace within our inner person that sets us free from any lies we may hear from the Accuser that we are not good enough, or that we are disgusting, or that what we have done is so shameful that the suffering of Christ couldn't redeem it. May each of us know His peace today that was purchased at an incomprehensible price.

Brenning Manning was meditating on the crucifixion of Jesus, and intentionally wanting to know the agony He endured. He was trying to let himself receive the truth of what Jesus did on the Cross. At one point he heard the cry of Jesus' wounds: "This isn't a joke. It is not a laughing matter to me that I have loved you." Brennan said it was then that he realized that no one had ever loved him like that. No one else ever could love him like that.

Jesus paid everything that we might live in peace with God. It was no laughing matter to Him. We continually need to be receiving that gift and opening ourselves to the magnitude of it because it is beyond understanding. As Isaiah says, "By His stripes we are healed" -- not partially healed, but fully healed. Completely set free.

May you receive the love of Jesus today - and experience the inner peace His sacrifice provides. May you know the depths to which you are loved by God.

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Psalm 84 was the focus of our Chapel meditations

Click on the photos to enlarge them

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

 Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young--

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere...

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

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Such a Sweet Time

"This retreat was such a sweet time with my Savior. So refreshing and encouraging. So nice to get answers and find some clarity, and be encouraged. I was so excited to come here and get away from all of the noise and distractions and just be loved on by my Abba. I can't wait until I can come back again."

--Springs North participant

"The Springs was an amazing time to be refreshed and renewed....and have the time to spend with God."

"I needed this!  I was able to truly evaluate a lot of guilt and pain I have been going through.  Pain and guilt that has lated my happiness and kept me from moving forward. I realize where all of my bad decisions are coming from. It was very healing."  -- Springs North participant

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A Pathway to Heaven

"The Springs Retreat gives us opportunity for lots of solitude and time to be with God -- the schedule has a perfect balance between alone time and time in community with others.  The Lord used this time to help me begin the grieving process for the loss of my son. To feel safe in His loving arms. To feel the loving support of the women here. To banish some thoughts from Satan about the why's of my son's death. I had time to read more and practice silence, solitude and prayer. Just being with God without having it be full of labor."

--Springs North

"How would I describe The Springs for someone?  It is an undescribable walk with the Lord - a pathway to heaven." -- Springs North participant

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What a great time we had

Springs North - April 2011

"The Springs is a beautiful place to come rest, be refreshed, retreat with some structure that allows you to have time alone. You don't have to go to workshops. You don't have to go from class to class and be busy-busy. You have freedom to do and be with the Lord at your pace."  - Springs North

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Women came from Arizona and California to retreat together

"The Springs is great!  A great time alone to make real progress with God."

"He has met with me here, again!"

He has spoken to me through His Word and my devotional time."

- Springs North

 "I found a different way of journaling; taking the garbge that fills my mind and writing about it. As I write God reveals his perspective and the garbage loses its power over me. I need a journal that is for God and me alone. I have a new vision for quiet time that is focused on being with God rather than focused on Bible education, ministry to others, problems and decisions."  -- Springs North

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Too much fun!

"I thought the idea of a silent retreat was crazy. But oh, how wonderful it is to be with our Father in his beautiful nature, listening and journaling and meditating on His Word." - Springs North

Several of us decided to walk down the road to the river and the waterfall. With 13 feet of snow in the Sierras, the rivers were very full. It was beautiful walk...as I walked I pondered what questions I was living. It was a good conversation to have with the Lord.

 I found Gina sitting by the river, journaling.  The falls and the Red Bud trees were lovely.

I also found Lindsay swinging. It is such a joy to experience God's love in such tangible ways.

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The trails at St. Anthony's were spectacular

It takes a while to leave behind all of our responsibilities at home and settle into the retreat. Taking a walk, listening to the birds, noticing the wild flowers, helps us to begin to relax and become more intentionally aware that God is with us.

"I enjoyed the outdoors without having to do something other than enjoy His beauty and the blessing of health to walk and hike. That is rest, relaxation, down time for me. He used me to pray for a woman who has suffered a terrible loss -- not with her specificaly, but on my walk during my waterfalls time."

-- Springs North

"He reminded me that He alone is my perfect comfort when I am not comforted by people. The Springs is a time to become acquainted, or reacquainted, with how to hear God through Scriptures and live the spirutal life God created us to live."  -- Springs North

"For those who have never been to The Springs, it is a place to relax and be alone with God, and take in God's beauty.  During our retreat, He helped me to see what needs to be done in my life as well as He encouraged me."  -- Springs North

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The Wildflowers!

"At the Springs, you learn how to have, and the importance of having, time alone with God. Silence and solitude was so refreshing! I got to rest. I met some great ladies that God put in my small group. I did some journaling which I haven't done in a while. I spent a lot of time reflecting on my relationship with God and others. He revealed several things to me during those times and in chapels. I LOVED THE CHAPEL!  The music during our worship times was wonderful."

- Springs North

"I would describe The Springs as a place to go and detox from the pace, noise, pressure and people that fill our lives and yet limits the space and availability to hear myself, hear God, and unite what has been seperate conversations into a conversation of prayer." -- Springs North

"I had the space to cry out my burdens to the Lord & hear Him comfort, teach, correct and guide me as I dialogued in active listening, prayers, Scriptures, journaling and times of silence. Prescious time!

"He also gave me a fresh glimpse into my what I had be believing about God versus what the great "I AM" says of himself in Scripture. This helped settle my mind and open my heart to trust Him with what's on my mind and heart. I desire to follow and love Him with my mind, heart, soul, strength fully engaged. My trust in Him, and of Him, anchors-down as I got a glimpse of Him. The truth that He has always existed and will always exist: no beginning or end. So He is not dependent on anything/anyone to exist. WOWZER! I can trust that kind of Source.

"I also enjoyed our group time as Luann sparked our discussions towards stimulating and honest dialogue, like, "What quesion am I living with?"

- Springs North, Women Ministries Director

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What a special Springs!

Time to be alone with the Lord. Experiencing His incredible love for us. Beautiful surroundings. Precious new friends. Peace. Quiet.

Like a little taste of heaven here on earth!

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