Well today I traveled with eight other friends from Big Valley to The Journey (follow link for info). This spiritual retreat process has and continues to truly be a huge blessing in my life. I couldn’t thank my church leadership enough for making this life long investment in me so that I might be an investor and blessing to others.
Here are just a few thoughts from Day 1:
- There is so much truth in the statement: The Sacrament of the Present or better stated: The Grace of God in this present moment. I won’t find grace dwelling on regrets of the past or worrying about anxieties of the future. No, I need to meet the Omni-present God in this moment now and let him fully love me right here and now. There I will find grace. (Jean-Pierre de Caussade)
- Imagine if I was fully present before people (not thinking of things to come or things past)… they would sense love of God in me who is always fully present and willing to extend love.
- Isaiah 50:4. Read it… “wakens my ears to listen.” Question: How many times am I awake, but not fully listening; awakened to the Words of the Father.
- Whatever we are as leaders, we are first as listeners; to God and others. (Alan Fadling)
- “Many people imitate the outer journey (deeds of grace and compassion) of people like Mother Teresa but fail to couple that with her inner journey discipline (devotion, rest, holding Christ at the center).” (Alan Fadling)
- “It is not uncommon to give the worst of our time to God, and the best to His work.” (Edmund R. Morgan)
I’m truly excited about what tomorrow holds in store! Pray for us… the sky to our West has a dull glow on it which just happens to be a forest fire. We are praying in faith against any evacuation– this is so the place my soul craves to be right now. Besides, I just got my stuff all unpacked!
i think it’s so awesome that our church invests in our leaders in this way! i like the whole idea of being fully present with an omni-present God. hard to do some times…
I like what you said about the Grace of God… so true. Stay safe and away from all fires
GREAT thoughts on day 1 .. thanks for sharing them.
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