Tuesday, November 19, 2013

November 2013

We had a great time!  
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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Our Part in Spiritual Transformation

"Our aim is not first to act differently but to become different in our inner being. We're not just learning how to be nicer versions of our old selves. We're dealing radically with the fundamental wrongness of human life left to itself and introducing the kingdom of righteousness that is Christ into the depths of our heart. It is the inner life that counts. That is where profound transformation must occur.

"Spiritual formation for the Christian refers to the Holy Spirit-driven-process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself. To the degree spiritual formation in Christ is successful, the outer life of the individual becomes a natural expression of this character and the teachings of Jesus." ( Dallas Willard, Renovation of Character).

It is the love of God that will change us. And "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (Rom 5:5). It is the love of God flowing through us--not our human attempts at behavioral change--that will transform. God's love is the love described in I Cor. 13. His love will never give up. That's why Paul prays in Ephesians 3 that they will know God's love that surpasses knowledge and be filled up to the full measure of all the fullness of God. As the Spirit expands our experiential knowing of the God who is Love, we will be freed to know ourselves, in all of our vulnerability and shame, and be changed.  It is the grace of God that gets next to us, and transforms.

Grace does not rule out method or effort on our part. Grace says that what we receive is not earned or even deserved. Grace is a gift that is given to us. But grace does not mean that we cannot "make every effort" to be open to His love. The part we can play seems to be around the idea of being intentional or deliberate, to work with the Spirit to receive His grace and grow in our experience of His love. Our tendency is to hide, and get distracted, and fail to be attentive--even resistant. The invitation is to receive His gift.


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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

We can't give up!

C.S. Lewis' chapter in Mere Christianity on “Sexual Morality” – seems to have a lot to say about whatever struggles we are engaged in.

“Many people are deterred from seriously attempting Christian chastity because they think (before trying) that it is impossible. But when a thing has to be attempted, one must never think about possibility or impossibility. Faced with an optional question in an examination paper, one considers whether one can do it or not: faced with a compulsory question, one must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. Not only in examinations, but in war, in mountain climbing, in learning to skate, or swim, or ride a bicycle, even in fastening a stiff collar with cold fingers, people quite often do what seemed impossible before they did it. It is wonderful what you can do when you have to.

“We may, indeed, be sure that perfect chastity—like perfect charity- will not be attained by any merely human efforts. You must ask for God’s help. Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given. Never mind. After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity, or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven. The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection….
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Monday, June 24, 2013

Spiritual Transformation

Some of us seem to have given up hope that we can do anything about our inner character. We truly believe that transformation must be a supernatural act of God on our heart if we will ever be changed. We've gotten on with our lives and hope that someday, the Holy Spirit will bring to completion the work He has begun.

Others of us may roll up our sleeves and set out on a journey to become like Christ. Ben Franklin writes in his autobiography about how he "conceiv'd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time...I did not see why I might not always do right and avoid the wrong. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined...I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was in our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and estabished, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct."  So Ben Franklin conceived of a method. But after years of trying, he writes:

"This article, therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempts, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect, like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbour, desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge. The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turn'd, while the smith press'd the broad face of the ax hard and heavily on the stone, which made the turning of it very fatiguing. The man came every now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding. "No," said the smith, "turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by-and by; as yet, it is only speckled."  "Yes," said the man, "but I think I like a speckled ax best." And I believe this may have been the case with many...they concluded "a speckled ax was best." 

Franklin reflects: "I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it."

Franklin's approach seems exhausting -- and completely focused on external behavior. When externals are the main focus, spiritual formation doesn't really happen. As Paul writes to the Colossians, ""Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!  These regulations have an appearance of wisdom, butthey lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." (Col. 2:20-23) It's the inner life that counts -- that's where spiritual transformation must occur.  But how?

What is your understanding of spiritual transformation? How do we walk in the path of righteousness? What is our role in putting to death the old man, and putting on the new?
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Monday, June 17, 2013

Following along the Path of Righteousness

True righteousness requires that we open ourselves to Him, that we allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable with Lord in prayer – coming to Him and presenting our true self --not the self we show others, not even the private self that we ourselves see, but our inmost self, the hidden person of our heart – the self that God sees in order that we might be forgiven and changed. 

Don’t mistake what I am saying. We do not live righteously, and no amount of trying harder will get us there. Yet righteousness is God’s dream for us. It is His call. It seems we have two natural responses. Many of us are overwhelmed by our own sense of unworthiness and failure. We have lost hope that things in our lives will ever be different than they are today. We know becoming righteous is not something that we will ever accomplish, so we have stopped trying. Somehow we have come to believe that trying to become all that God dreams for us to be, is legalistic, goes against grace. We think that because transformation is by grace and not by works, we shouldn’t make any effort to try to become righteous. We reason, if transformation is all a gift of His grace, then we simply need to entrust His work to Him, and in the process, we relieve ourselves of all responsibility to be growing in righteousness.

Psalm 23 says that the Lord guides us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake –He guides us, but it seems, we must follow, step by step, to walk along the path He shows us.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
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Hiding

Foolishly we hide ourselves in fear that God will be displeased, though in fact the hiding may be what displeases God the most. It feels to us like self-protection; but to God, it looks like lack of trust. In either case, the wall of fear will keep us apart. When I acknowledge my need and reflect on God's desire to embrace me, I can come out of hiding. Our God is the prodigal's father. At first sight of us, He runs to meet us. Daring to return home, I find not a tyrant, but a compassionate Father.

Knowing that we are loved, draws us home. His dream is that we have the willingness to trust Him enough to come. His dream is that we have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, the ability to put up with annoying people, to forgive, to love -- His character in our hearts. When we open ourselves in vulnerability and receive His mercy and grace, He transforms our character...gives us new clothes to wear. (Col 3)  He accomplishes in our lives what we are completely unable to do on our own. He transforms us.
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Monday, June 10, 2013

Fear yields to His embrace

I thought I had to be perfect to be accepted. My deep-seated fear of rejection has begun to yield to God's embrace. Somehow, in a way I can only trust and not understand, presenting to God the truth of my life gives Him pleasure...Let me say this again: Our fear of rejection yields to God's embrace. His love for me is not diminished by my sin, my willfulness, my rebellion or my failure. Somehow, in a way I can only trust and not understand, presenting to God the truth of my life gives God pleasure...Opening my self is really about trust.

Trust in His love for you...look at Him hanging on the Cross and remember the depth of His love, then you will be able trust Him, and open your inner self to Him, telling Him what you find there. We do not need to fear. We do not need to hide. We do not need to present to Him anything other than the truth.

Trust Him. Trust that when you open yourself to Him, He will delight in you. Let His love dispel your fear of rejection and lead you into His arms of love.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Psam 103:8-14
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Monday, June 3, 2013

Arms of love

Jesus, our Shepherd, guides us in paths of righteousness. Becoming righteous is a process of opening our self to Him, our true self. The path of righteousness is a path that leads us ultimately to our home in Christ, but it is also a path that takes us through the anguish of the Garden of Gethsemane, to the foot of the Cross where we see His extravagant love for us demonstrated, through the darkness of valley of the shadow of death, as we journey home. Where are you in your journey today?

All the way my Shepherd leads me. He holds me in His arms of love. He holds me near. And when we get weary, He carries us in His arms of love.

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms.
Psam 68:19
 
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11
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Monday, May 27, 2013

Invitation

"For too long we have been in a far country: a country of noise and hurry and crowds, a country of climb and push and shove, a country of frustration and fear and intimidation. And He welcomes us home: home to serenity and peace and joy, home to friendship and fellowship and openness, home to intimacy and acceptance and affirmation." (Foster, Prayer, p 1-2)
 
We do not need to be shy. Jesus invites us into His heart where we can know His love that surpasses all knowledge. He invites us into the intimacy of His friendship, He invites us into His protection where we are safe because He is strong. Jesus invites us into a loving, vital relationship where we come to know, and to be known by, Him.

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Monday, May 20, 2013

A Dream

I have become convinced that Jesus has a dream for us -- that we will become righteous. When Jesus says "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48), He wasn't joking or exaggerating. He wants us to be righteous. Not a "have a pretense of righteousness," but a true righteousness. Real. Authentic. From-the-heart righteousness. That is His hope for us. He has made us righteous by His death on the Cross, and He calls us to live in righteousness now. 

The Lord will guide us in the path of righteousness. He will lead us. He is our Good Shepherd. Our part is to be willing to follow. Not to be distracted, inattentive, straying, going our own way, but step-by-step to follow as He guides us in paths of righteousness.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling -- calling for you and for me. O for the wonderful love He has promised...promised for you and for me. Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon. Pardon for you and for me. Come home. Come home. Ye who are weary, come home. Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling. Calling, O sinner, come home.

If you have strayed in your attentiveness to Him, simply turn, and come home.
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Monday, May 13, 2013

Our Personal Knowing of God

What have you learned about yourself as a result of your experience with God?

And what do you know about God as a result of genuine encounter with your self?

The first thing some Christians would say they know about themselves as a result of their relationship with God is their sinfulness. And quite possibly the first thing they would say they learned about God from this was God’s forgiveness and love. These are important things to know. But what else do you know about yourself and God that has arisen from your encounter with the Divine?

While many of us have followed Jesus for much longer than the three years we have tracked in Peter’s journey, too often we have not allowed the initial introduction to deepen into a deep, intimate knowing. Though we glibly talk about a personal relationship with God, many of us know God less well than we know our casual acquaintances. Too easily we have settled for knowing about God. Too easily our actual relationship with God is remarkably superficial. Is it any surprise, then, that we haven’t learned very much about our self as a result of this encounter?



Pausing for Reflection
● Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by guilt if you judge your own relationship with God to be superficial. Hear God’s call to a deep personal encounter as an invitation, not a reprimand. It is an invitation to step out of the security of your boat and meet Jesus in the vulnerability and chaos of your inner storms. It is an invitation to move beyond objective knowledge to personal knowing. The question is, how will you respond to this invitation?


I enjoy David Benner's books and his weekly Something to Ponder posting? If you are interested, you can find him at: www.drdavidgbenner.ca/blog
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Monday, May 6, 2013

Our Hope - Psalm 23

God's goodness and love will continue as long as life lasts and beyond we will be welcomed into the house of the Lord forever. Walking through the valley of the shadow of death will not terrify us. God's presence is the strength of His people. He is our comfot. He protects us. And with His staff He draws the straying sheep back to safety. He is our host who bountifully entertains us at His table. We anticipate nothing but goodness and mercy, a long life spent in communion with the Lord and looking forward to dwelling in our heavenly home with Him forever.
Wildflowers in the grass at St. Anthonys
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Friday, May 3, 2013

A Gracious Host

 
The Lord is a gracious host, providing us with lavish hospitality. He welcomes us into His home and showers us with His abundant blessing.

His loyal love will go with us everywhere, through all of life. God's blessing remains with us, no matter what our circumstances may be. Each day, every day, we will enjoy full communion with the Lord. In fact, the Hebrew verb translated "I will dwell" conveys the idea of returning...it's the same verb is used earlier in the psalm and is translated, "He restores" (23:3). Perhaps the psalmist is drawing our attention to the daily refreshment we find as we return, continually attend to dwelling in the presence of the Lord.


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Thursday, May 2, 2013

God's Care for Us

"The Lord is our Shephed, I have everything that I need."







All the way my Shepherd leads me.
As we reflected on God's providential care, we were reminded of how He drew us to Himself.
 
 
 
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

God's Care for Us

The familiar words from Psalm 23 formed the framework for our retreat this spring. Using metaphors from pastoral life, in Psalm 23 David describes God's providential care. He provides rest, refreshment, guidance, protection thru the valleys, and abundance at His banquet table...

 
 

As the retreat began, we reflected on God's providential care for us. And shared our stories.


Betsy shared her months of walking through the valley and how God seemed absent, for months, even though she was in His Word and praying. One day as she was walking, God revealed to her how He had been with her, providing real care for her and her family through the many people He surrounded her with during this time.

David concludes: "surely goodness and love will follow us all of the days of our lives and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." As we looked back, we could see God's goodness and how He cared for us.
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Sunday, April 28, 2013

A Wonderful Time at the Retreat

“I just wanted to take a moment before I headed back home to say thank you. I am so grateful for the gift you gave not only me, but my family as well. Have you ever had a full-body massage? Well, I feel as if I’ve had a full-spirit massage. I haven’t felt this peace in years. The Lord had something He really needed me to hear and in the silence I was able to hear it. No, not just hear it, but truly listen. I am not the same woman that so nervously embarked on this seemingly scary experience. You were an integral part of the Lord filling my cup to overflowing. I will be seeing you next year (or in November if God wills it).  THANK YOU!”  With a grateful heart…



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Seeking the Lord with Purpose

“How did the Lord use this time? He used it for refreshing, renewal, and re-assurance that His love for me is not based on performance or how well I think I am doing at living a Christ-like life. I want to be intentional to seek the Lord with purpose. If I had to boil what I’m taking home down to one word, it would be: Re-assurance.”  Diana Herman

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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Follow Me

“The Lord used this time to do some inner “business.” I especially felt God’s blessing as I meditated on the stations out in the larger yard from the Nativity to Christ’s Ascension.”  Eleanor Hill


“The Springs is a soul-lifting time that is always exactly as God intends it to be. It’s a sweet treat in my busy time-crunched life. Thank you for this time. The Lord gave me rest—much needed rest. He also spoiled me with small blessings – special words, his majesty through nature, quiet times with Him, sweet sleep, and new friends. The main thing I received, was ‘Keep moving – follow Me.’” Chrystal Sturm
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Friday, April 26, 2013

Attending to His Voice

“He meets me here everytime, and this time was another one for the record books. The Lord wooed me on my way here (praise and worship in the car), welcomed me with open arms and encouragement (the wonderful team) and guided me to his Word where He laid His character open for me to know Him. How great is our God?!  I want to be intentional about being in constant intimacy with the Lord. It’s only by knowing and being practiced at recognizing His voice, that we can we hear it in our lives.” Rachel Dutcher
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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Attending

“I already wanted to be more aware of God’s presence after I get up from my quiet time. It’s hard to keep following His direction through the day, but this past year I’ve felt it is essential. I just have a hard time practicing that part of our relationship. Now I have some strategies to help.

This is my third time and it’s taken me this long to relax and receive.



What I’m taking home:

When I’m in chaos, the first thing I want to do, when possible, is to get out of sight, raise my hands in surrender to God, and ask for His direction. Ask for Him to wash over me with His love, and to rain down His grace. If not possible, I will surrender quietly an ask quietly for His love, and grace.

I’d like to make my own memory stones, and store them in an open container and use them when I have a “Where is God?” moment. 

I want to keep a running list of promises from my quiet time.”  Jan Swing

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Remembering Who He is

“If I had to boil everything down to one main insight, it would be that I want to remember who He is.”  Sarah Long
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Monday, April 22, 2013

Practicing the Presence of God


“It’s funny how we come to The Springs with our own idea of what the Lord has planned for us to focus on and when we get here we find out it is something completely different.  The Lord sent me a clear message of His plan for me and although His plan is nowhere close to what I came here thinking, He also gave me a deep excitement about getting to work on the plan! The main insight I will take home is to “…Practice the Presence of God…” and the thing I will be intentional to do as a result of what the Lord did in my life here is to …Practice the Presence of God…”  Fran Thompson




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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Serving and Ministry flows out of our "Being" with Him



“The Lord used this time to slow me down, to bring comfort and to be comforted by His love, and to remind me that I am His beloved. The main insight I am taking home is simply “to be” and allow the doing to come out this “being.” I will start journaling again – doesn’t have to have rules…it is just a process the Lord uses to teach me and reveal Himself to me. 

What a gift! Thank you for providing a place, time, and leading me through this time to get away with the One who calls me, Beloved.”  Becky Austin
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Saturday, April 20, 2013

He is my Daily Bread


“God simplified my purpose. With all the ministries I’m juggling plus the responsibilities of home and family, I’ve made things so complicated. I’d somehow gotten the idea that I needed the perfect plan. I’d driven myself crazy with schedules and outlines written weeks and months out. In our time together He reminded me He is my daily bread. I can’t store Him up and go about my business and be okay. I was designed for daily renewal that can only come from Him. I know Him as my peace and my Provider only when I come to Him with my needs.



I want to remember that I’m not “bothering” the Lord with my problems, that He wants me to come to Him. My thorn may even be given by Him to keep me relying on Him and not myself.” Sarah Johnson

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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Testimonies


This is one of the highlights of my year – it is already on my 2013 calendar! (Sue Sabaloni)

I am always refreshed and restored. It has been a gift of God to attend. (Rosalie Campbell)

“I am walking closer with God and I’m stronger in my relationship with Him because of The Springs.” (Jan Fayle, Love INC., Executive Assistant, Evangelicals for Social Action, Valley Christian Center, Fresno)

“I love, love, love this place.” (Laura Todoroff, Physician, North Coast Calvary, Carlsbad)
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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

"I love coming here!"


I love coming here. I enjoy all the leaders so much and their resources help me to get the most out of this retreat. I find this time is so sacred and refreshing to my soul. It is just wonderful! Thank you again for having me here! It is precious to me and helps me reconnect with my Lord and Savior so I can be a better wife and doctor and friend. Thank you! Don’t change anything!” (Laura Todoroff, Physician, North Coast Calvary, Carlsbad)



“Opened my mind to realizing I have a “heavenly Father” to experience just as I experienced my loving, earthly father.” (Patty Sue)

“To slow me down and turn down the roar of the world! To commune with me and remind me of how to come into His presence and quietly wait for Him. The Lord answered all my questions, calmed my fears and blessed me greatly with Scriptures and a love letter.” (Bobbie Roath, Living Hope Christian Fellowship, Oakdale)

“I was able to empty myself of a lot of baggage and draw closer to God”
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Monday, April 8, 2013

What was The Springs like for you?

“It was a beautiful time of focusing on my relationship with God. I loved my walk with God and our conversation. I like the bells calling us to chapel and the feeling of a monastery. It felt reverent and holy. The music touched me so much. Old and familiar songs brought me to tears. God cleansed my soul. He refreshed my spirit. He renewed my resolve to serve Him in every area of my life.” (Tracy Millward, First Baptist Church, Mesa, AZ)

“Many ways…First, I feel closer and more filled with Him. He pampered me with His presence. He gave me some insights from my reading about the Levites in Deuteronomy about my calling and the ministry of Love Inc.  I came asking the question, “What is more important, hearing from God or what we hear from God.”  The answer is different for different people, but at this time, quality time, is most important for me. Just knowing that I am with Him, is where I find my security and direction.” (Jan Fayle, Love INC., Executive Assistant, Evangelicals for Social Action, Valley Christian Center, Fresno)

“I just desperately needed rest. I needed time to decompress and to let my mind relax. The full day of silence, prayer, and meditation was just what I needed. There were no great revelations, just a day of peace and the presence of God. You all did a wonderful job of preparing us and leading us through. Superb!” (Louann Roberts, Correctional Facility Chaplin, Grace Baptist Church, San Jose).
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Sunday, April 7, 2013

How did the Lord use this time?

“He helped me to see that I can do things alone that He will guide and comfort me.”

“Helping me through a time in my life right now. I feel a little better, but I know I have God to help me through it.” (Sarah Long)

“It gave me time to reflect on myself and where I am with the Lord. I enjoyed the journaling tips. It really opened up doors for me to search out God and what direction He would like me to go. I enjoyed the Stations of the Cross. It gave me time to really reflect on Christ and His sacrifice for me!” (Clivia Wolff)

“I was fascinated with how God put me with others who are on similar journeys with the Lord.  He confirmed truths I have been wrestling with and refreshed my soul.” (Janis Walton, Pastor’s Wife, Belevue Community Church)

“To emphasize how much He loves me. To give me insights on a writing project. To “examen” – some of the past. I loved the helpful booklets, “Set your Hearts on Things Above” and “I am with you always.” Colossians was a wonderful choice to focus on at this retreat. So rich. It has fed my mind, heart, and soul. Now – it’s time for application to my life! (Rosalie Campbell, Prison Outreach, Cornerstone Community Church, Canyon Lake)

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Saturday, April 6, 2013

How did the Lord use this time in your life?


We asked women to tell us: How did the Lord use this time in your life? This is what they said:

“He gave me the gift of rest. Although I did not have a “spiritual breakthrough” I did have time in the Word, time to decompress, time to take a break from the demands of “real life.” It was just what I needed.” (Susan Booker, Dir of Women’s Ministry, Evangelical Free Church, Huntington Beach)

“I was able to hand over certain problems or areas of my life and see the need to let it go and give all of it to the Lord. Praise Him. I hope to be able to attend again and bring someone with me.” (Jane Seyler, Friendship Church, Palm Desert)

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Friday, April 5, 2013

What is The Springs like?

We asked women who joined us in November to describe The Springs to someone who has never been. This is what they wrote:
 
“Know how you keep wishing you could have a whole day with the Lord, uninterrupted? This is it!” (Louann Roberts, Correctional Facility Chaplin, Grace Baptist Church, San Jose).
 
“A wonderful time to be completely alone with the Lord.”
“It’s a wonderful quiet place to spend time with the Lord and if you don’t know how to do that, they offer great tips.”
 
“A time to commune with God, search your spirit and refresh your soul.” (Janis Walton, Pastor’s Wife, Belevue Community Church)
“The kind of retreat you long for; time alone with God and away from the hustle and bustle of life.” (Tracy Millward, First Baptist Church, Mesa, AZ)
“Focused time with Jesus. Excellent guidance and freedom. Yes – a spa for my spirit.” (Jan Fayle, Love INC., Executive Assistant, Evangelicals for Social Action, Valley Christian Center, Fresno)
“A time of refreshment, a time to be alone with God, to be in the presence of God. An individual retreat but in a group of amazing women to help facilitate you on your journey.” (Laura Todoroff, Physician, North Coast Calvary, Carlsbad)
“A time of reflection, clarity of thought, peaceful.”  (Patty Sue Beadle)
“A great opportunity to draw closer to God. The silent time helps separate busy lives from the craziness for a short time. A good reminder for all of us to make an effort to have quiet time often.” (Maureen Palmer)
“A beautiful time away with the Lord. A great time of rest, refreshing and blessing.” (Bobbie Roath, Living Hope Christian Fellowship, Oakdale)
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Thursday, April 4, 2013

What was your experience at the Retreat?


At the end of the retreat we asked the women to share with us their experience while at The Springs. Sue Sabaloni, the Womens Ministries Director at Calvary Bible Church in Bakersfield brought 7 women from her church with her. Sue writes: “As He always does here, He again gave me a time to “retreat” and just delight in the goodness of God.  This year He gave me the stories written by Elaine which were wonderful.  And being able to bring 7 new ladies and see what it meant to them was “over the top.” One of the sweetest parts of this retreat is you 5 women! You treat each one of us so very special and with a tenderness that truly shows the love of Jesus.  Each one of you on the team, in your own way, make the ladies feel very loved – thank you that I know when I bring my ladies here, I know that they will be touched with kindness, grace and mercy.”    (Sue Sabaloni, Womens Ministries Director, Calvary Bible Church, Bakersfield)                                         
 
 
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

What is The Springs retreat like?

The Springs is a wonderful time to draw closer to God.” (Jane Seyler, Friendship Church, Palm Desert)

“Rest, reflection, restoration. A time to bask in His gentle love and acceptance.  I was particularly struck by the power of the Word when the team recited Colossians as a chorus. The words came alive.” (Deanna Harder, Worship Leader, First Baptist Church of Mesa, AZ)

“The Lord renewed my spirit. I have been in a dry desert for the last 18 months and He used this time to fill me up, love on me, encourage me, and give me peace. Even when an emergency came through, He comforted my heart and filled me. I finally feel like I can serve again. He reminded me that I am precious and loved.  Colossians was perfect and just for me!” (Pam Goudge, Sovereign Grace, Bakersfield)

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Create your own Personal Retreat

“This is a precious and intentional time to be renewed and refreshed. Even if you are a woman who lives alone or spends a lot of time alone, this is different. And if you live in the normal “blur” of life, these few days are a delight to the soul and a time with the Lord that is rare. This retreat is designed for you, whoever “you” are because you are free to do with it as you please and make it your own “personal retreat.” (Sue Sabaloni, Womens Ministries Director, Calvary Bible Church, Bakersfield)
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Forty Days to prepare for Easter

The season of Lent has begun. You may want to consider abstaining from something -- but not because abstaining is the point, but for the purpose of adding something -- maybe something that will draw you closer to Jesus. You may want to spend time in prayer or in silence or in Scripture. It could be anything that creates real space for you to hear and draw closer to Jesus.  Share with us what you'll be doing to prepare your heart for Easter.
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