Saturday, January 3, 2015

Comments from Women -- November 2014

“The Lord used this time at The Springs as a place of refuge. Not an escape, but a place of safety. To be in constant communion with Him and other women believers. I found peace and love without a lot of outside interruptions. I don’t know what God has in mind from here, but I am willing to be used for His glory, even if it means as a prayer warrior only.”

"This was my 8th year at the Springs. For me, this retreat is not optional -- it's a given! I come because I know I will be renewed, refreshed, and re-connected to my Savior. The teaching team is a diverse group of godly women who use their God-given talents to bless those who come. The food is "over the top," the facility is serene and absolutely gorgeous, and the people are precious. As a busy mom, grandma, and ministry leader, this is my time for reflection and regeneration. It has a permanent place on my calendar!"  Sue Saboloni
 "This was a time for refreshment for my soul. Being on the church staff, being a mother, sister, wife, etc...seems nearly impossible to take time for myself. So this time away without any responsibilities was huge for me. I felt like I got to be a beloved daughter just hanging out with my Daddy. I got to crawl up in His arms, and He kissed me on the cheek, and let me relax and feel safe, no worries, no cares...just me and Him."  Julie Ann Callahan-Brown


"I am taking the photo of the empty cross home and using it as a reminder: the debt for my sins is paid in full. I laid them at the foot of the cross. Jesus knew of them when he died on the cross. He died for me. He rose again and He is coming back. Now I'm free to live for Him. focusing on heaven, not on the world." (Col 3. 1-4)     Jan Swing 

 The Lord allowed me time to rest, relax, reflect on how my life is today with the loss of Michael. (Michael, her son, had passed away just three weeks before the retreat.) I can't keep rewinding the tapes only to listen to the same recording. The Lord used this time to teach me about the tool of journaling for everyday stuff and how it can improve the outcome of life, especially right now, with the "fog" (of grief) I have over me.   -- Keni Barry
“The Lord used this time at The Springs for rest and affirmation of His love for me. I feel more confident in all areas of my life. I am taking home with me the intention of not listening to doubt and negative thinking from others and especially not from myself.”
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Rest



 “The Lord used this time at The Springs to give me space and time to come away and rest. It was marvelous. I am in full-time ministry and give out a lot. It was a phenomenal gift to be able to open up and receive, just for me, right from the Lord’s hand. Jesus reminded me again that home is where He is; everything I need is found in Him and then flows out to others from that abiding place.” Jill Ludlow
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Joy!

November 2014 Springs participants
“It seems that I have been on a self-imposed spiritual exile caused by my own sin and unbelief. God has promised me though his Word that I “shall go out from that exile with joy and be led forth by the Lord Himself and His Word with peace. And the mountains and hills will break forth before me with singing and all of the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Is 55:12).

I have heard the singing of the birds in the trees and have walked the trails. I’m leaving with joy! (How ironic…my quilt piece was simply the word “joy” – God knew). I am His beloved! I am going to start a journal that is full of scriptures and promises of His love for me so I can be reminded of His faithfulness and love in the next crisis.  – Pamela Thomas
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Diana said it was such a gift to be able to bring her mom
“This retreat was a time of peaceful rest in Him. He wrapped me in His loving arms and reassured me of His unconditional and everlasting love for me. Thank you all for providing this opportunity. I love you all. I thank Jesus for the Springs and for the Springs Team!!”


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Thin Places

Sometimes there are places where the boundary that separates heaven from earth is thin. While we are there, for five, ten, maybe even thirty minutes we experience such a unique and unhindered intimacy with God that we know we’ve been in His Presence. For many of us, St. Anthony’s is a thin place. We live and work in “a dry and sun-scorched land” (Isaiah 58:11) and every part of our being--our soul, our heart, our flesh cries out for the living God. At times we feel like we are hanging on by a thread and our soul faints for the courts of the living God. Sometimes something horrible has happened and we are bewildered or grieving. Sometimes we are doing fine, but we feel a weariness in our soul. Bottomline, we all come to the Springs retreat with a longing for refreshment. David expresses this same longing in Psalm 84: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord God Almighty, My soul longs, even faints for the courts of the Lord, My heart and flesh cry for the living God. Each woman who comes to the Springs comes in hopes of meeting Jesus. He never disappoints.
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