Vast, Immeasurable, Boundless, Amazing

"Regardless of what you have come to believe about God based on your life experience, the truth is that when God thinks of you, love swells in his heart and a smile comes to his face. God bursts with love for humans. He is far from being emotionally uninvolved with his creation. God's bias toward us is strong, persistent and positive. The Christian God chooses to be known as Love, and that love pervades every aspect of God's relationship with us."

(Surrender to Love, David Benner)

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Journaling

I read this in Surrender to Love by David Benner:

Imagine God thinking about you. What do you assume God feels when you come to mind?

I decided to journal for a while.


There's a lot of good information about journaling at www.journalkeeping.org

These books are helpful as well:
Journal Keeping -- Writing for Spiritual Growth by Luann Budd
Journaling as a Spiritual Practice -- Encountering God Through Attentive Writing by Helen Cepero

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A gorgeous retreat at Three Rivers-photos by LouAnn Christie

After quite a rain storm, the sun came out and what glorious weather we had for our retreat!

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Some Photos by LouAnn Christie

Elaine -telling us about the Oasis dvd.
The Cross
Roses and journals
Darlene
Betsy - our worship leader

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"I'm saving $20/month so I can come again"

I would describe this retreat as a protected time in a quiet place so that we can meet with the Lord. I think the huge blessing of this retreat is that the agenda is to be quiet and there's not the pressure of socializing -- just because that can be a difficult thing to choose between for me (being quiet or socializing). I had a wonderful time.
Lake Godfrey ... along a walk I came upon Lake Godfrey which sad to say reminded me of me. Low (need to fill back up), stagnant (not moving forward) .. no movement. What a vivid word picture the Lord gave to me.

There's nothing like retreating with other women to fill you up with the Lord's love. It was fantastic. I can't wait for November.

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What a Wonderful Time we had!

"The Lord used this time to simply remove me - physically, emotionally and spiritually from the "crisis chaos" of my current life circumstances -- and in His perfect timing -- knowing all along this was the EXACT time I needed to be here and to be with the EXACT women who were here.

The Springs, twice a year, is a commitment I've made to the Lord and I will be here each time, unless an unforeseeable situation prevents me from coming. I put it on my calendar--and it is a priority for me -- to spend time with the Lord - here - in this way - with the precious women of NEWIM and the women who join us. My experience at The Springs has made me a better person--grown my FAITH and given me strength, comfort and peace in a way I did not know was possible. I am grateful beyond expression for the opportunity to be here - each and every time. To the NEWIM Springs Team -- ,my eternal and gracious thanks and love!"
This retreat has been an unexpected gift. A gift to be opened, to be used, to be treasured. A time of letting go of the world for 3 days and refreshing my spirit at the river of life -- in the arms of my Father.
"This retreat is a time for sweet worship, time for reflection and meditation and silence and solitude in the presence of the Lord. The environment is beautiful and peaceful with lovely walking paths. It's a time to let go of all the busyness and stresses of everyday life and dwell in the presence of the Lord. It was fabulous!"
"This retreat is an amazing time with the Lord. Come with an open mind, open heart, and no expectations. The Lord will lead you."

"What a blessing! My worship time alone on the hiking trail was so precious -- after I was back in my room I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror -- and was surprised (and amused to be surprised) that I looked the same -- I expected my face to be glowing!"

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from Christy Wold

After 30 years of following Christ, I finally understand the difference between belief that God exists and is the way, and experiencing God's presence and love for me. Over three lovely days set aside to be with God I discovered him to be beyond anything I can imagine or capture, and yet he had me put my head on his knee as I sat at his feet and he told me to stop all my questioning and seeking and doing for a moment so he could tell me that he loves me. I was able to see how beautiful it is in the present with my Abba. God did provide grace for each "thing" I had to do so I could live in the present and not worry about the future. I even enjoyed cleaning up and wasn't just hurrying to get to the next thing - how freeing.

Thank you God for Saturn, Sirius, star nurseries, and all your wonders - the wildflowers, clouds, and gentle breeze. I feel like I am still glowing after being in your presence. It is absolutely amazing what you can do when I give you the time. I can't wait for November Springs - what a gift Lord. Thank you......

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Chapels focused on Trust from the Psalms

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

excerpts from Psalm 61, 62, and 63

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A few testimonies from The Springs retreat in April

"The Lord used this time in my life to show me through the sessions, the conversations, the "sistership" that I am not a reject but someone who is loved, valued, and chosen. He also showed me, and taught me about Trust. I learned the truth (about what God wants and desires for my life), how to release (myself, my pain, my expectations, my pride), that it's OK to be uncomfortable and that safety can only be found in the arms of Abba. And finally that the Trinity--Father, Son and Holy Spirit are continuing their work in me."

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How did the Lord use The Springs retreat in your life?

The retreat was "awesome, amazing, freeing and healing. The Lord truly met me here and walked with me. This retreat is unlike any other retreat I've been on. This retreat has been one of those life defining times. I don't know that every time will be like this. Yet, I trust that everyone of them will be sweet with His presence."



"I received an opportunity to quiet myself and simply spend time with the Lord. I was able to simply refocus my thoughts and priorities on God alone. He has filled me with His peace and I feel like my relationship with Him has been strengthened. I feel refreshed and ready to go back into the world."

"The Springs is a place to go to meet with the Lord. To get away from all distractions and allow yourself to simply hear God's voice speak to you."

"I really appreciated the practical talk about journaling by Luann and I felt God was just putting His finger on the importance of this practice for me. In fact, I went back through my journal from the last year or so of a really intense growth period and major challenges in my life and realized I barely scribed anything in a year period. So, I feel like the tool of journaling to focus with the Lord is being downloaded to my heart, here. And, the importance of listening in prayer -- not just talking -- and making regular time to listen to His Holy Spirit speaking deep into my heart. What a warm group and a wonderful time to do and be just this -- quiet. That's so hard to find in the daily grind. I'd love to come for longer!"
"The Lord revealed to me that I need to stop filling up my calendar with so much activity and schedule time for silence and solitude -- time to spend with Him. He is working to heal my wounded heart and reveal to me how much He loves me. The worship time was sweet and seemed directed just for me. The silent time allowed me an opportunity to just be in His presence. God met me here in such a sweet, gentle and loving way."

"The Lord loved on me in the most amazing ways. He wooed me into falling into His loving arms. He showed me that I can instill my trust in Him."

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Our Retreat is finally here!

This week we'll be meeting at St. Anthony's near Three Rivers and at Prince of Peace Abbey in Orange County. We are all really looking forward to having lots of time to be with the Lord and to pursue our relationship with him.

In the North, we'll be using Psalm 61, 62, and 63 to focus our chapels --and spending time reflecting on the Lord's love for us, and our trust in Him.

"To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." Jude 1:1

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Only six weeks before the next Springs!

Our next Springs Retreat is April 14 - 16, 2010. We are meeting in two locations-near Visalia and in Oceanside. We'd love to have you join us.

At St. Anthony's (near Visalia) our focus is going to be on Trusting the Lord -- our chapels will be centered in Psalm 62.

Brennan Manning writes that his spiritual director told him, "Brennan, you don't need more insights into the faith. You've got enough insights to last you three hundred years. The most urgent need in your life is to trust what you have received." I think that could be said to most of us -- but learning to trust what the Lord has given us is not as easy as it would seem. We spend our whole lives constructing ways to avoid being dependent on God. At this Springs, we'll talk about the challenges and be encouraged to let our roots grow deeper into the heart of God that we might be women who trust him.

Go to www.newim.com to sign up -- or email me, and I'll get you the information. luannbudd@sbcglobal.net

Hope to see you there. There are scholarships available. So if you'd love to come, or know of a friend that you think would really like to come but doesn't have the $255 -- let me know and we'll work out a scholarship.

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Come to the Springs this April

Augustine once said that “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” At the Springs, the Spirit teaches us what our hearts have yet to fully grasp…

• That communing with God is never a waste of time but an investment in an eternal friendship.


• That seeking God is always worthy of my effort…even when He is silent or appears to be absent.


• That the nearness of my God is the one true ‘good’ that I can no longer live without.


• That intimacy with God is not something we make happen, but something we create space for.


• That experiencing God’s love is all that I truly need in this life.


• That I will only love my God to the degree that His love has been internalized in me.


• That silence before God helps me learn to lay down the power of my words.


• That I’m fully seen in my brokenness, still loved in my failures and deeply cherished by my heavenly Father. (Anonymous author)

Come to the next Springs and see what the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to your heart.

Thanks to the generous donations of many, $100 and $200 scholarships are available. Please email questions or your request for a partial scholarship to Darlene Derby at darlenederby@comcast.net

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The Treasure

“The treasure is the real presence of Christ in our midst.”

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Receiving, submitting, praying

“Having the Bible, defending and celebrating the Bible instead of receiving, submitting to, and praying the Bible, masks an enormous amount of non-reading.” (Eugene Peterson, Eat this Book, 140). One of the wonderful aspects of the The Springs retreat is that we have time to really receive the Word.

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The Word

Reading the Scripture puts solid food in our mouths, meditation chews it and breaks it down, prayer obtains the flavor of it and contemplation is the very sweetness which makes us glad and refreshes us.” Guigo the Second, 12^th century monk.

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Love and Do as You Will

Carlo Carretto writes: I have known the satisfaction of unrestrained action, and the joy of the contemplative life in the dazzling peace of the desert, and I repeat again St. Augustine's words: "Love and do as you will." Don't worry about what you ought to do. Worry about loving. Don't interrogate heaven repeatedly and uselessly saying, "What course of action should I pursue?" Concentrate on loving instead.

And by loving you will find out what is for you. Loving, you will listen to the Voice. Loving, you will find peace.

Love is the fulfillment of the law and should be everyone's rule of life; in the end it's the solution to every problem, the motive for all good.

"Love and do as you will."

This is the crux. When I love I can no longer do as I will.
When I love I am love's prisoner; and love is tremendous in its demands when it has God as its object, especially a crucified God. I can no longer do my own will. I must do the will of Jesus, which is the will of the Father.

And when I have learned to do his will (to love), I shall have fully realized my vocation on earth and I shall have achieved the highest stage a man can reach...if the will of God urges you to seek out the poor, to give up all you possess, or to leave for distant lands, what does the rest matter? Or if it calls you to found a family, or take on a job in a city, why should you have any doubts? "His will is our peace," says Dante. And perhaps that is the expression which best brings into focus our deep dependence on God.

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Transformation

The goal of the spiritual journey is the transformation of self which requires knowing both our self and God -- if we are to discover our identity in Christ we must know both.

I would think that it would be much harder to know God than to know ourselves. But since the fall, we have become masters at hiding. We tend to create a public, idealized self that we disclose to others. Deep down inside, we believe that our value depends on what we have, what we can do, and what others think of us. It's not so much that we tell lies about who we are...we live the lies.

The only way to unmask the lie is a radical encounter with the truth.

Experiencing the love of God gives us the courage to peak behind the curtain and see our true self. Spending time at The Springs focused on experientially knowing God's love for us, leads us to confession and transformation.

As John Calvin wrote: "There is no deep knowing of God without a deep knowing of self, and no deep knowing of self with a deep knowing of God." This deep knowing can occur at The Springs.

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Journaling

Moody Radio's Midday Connection www.middayconnection.org focused their June 2 program on Journaling. Luann was one of their guests. Here's a link to the webpage -- then click on the "Listen Now" icon on the right sidebar. (Luann's section is the last 15 minutes.)

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Pray or Act?

Pray or act? How do we know? Some advice from Carlo Carretto:

Live love, let love invade you. It will never fail to teach you what you must do.

Charity, which is God in us, will point to the way ahead. It will say to you "Now kneel," or "Now leave."

It is love which gives things their value. It makes sense of the difficulty of spending hours and hours on one's knees praying while so many need looking after in the world; and in the context of love we must view our inability to change the world, to wipe out evil and suffering.

It is love which must determine one's actions, love which must give unity to what is divided.

Love is the synthesis of contemplation and action, the meeting-point between heaven and earth, between God and humanity.

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