It's easy to focus on the cold and barren setting of winter, but there is so much beauty in the season too. Let's take a few moments to meditate on some of the wonders of this quiet season and connect with our Creator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0l-k-LyQB8
Is this season of waiting difficult for you to grasp and appreciate? Today's post by retreat presenter and gifted writer, Mary DeTurris Poust, may resonate with you. An Unlikely Advent Journey For the longest time, I considered myself more of a Lent person than an Advent person. The journey through the desert felt familiar, the three-prong practice of fasting, prayer and charity was concrete and easy to grasp. As I age, I find myself learning to love this season of…
Today's post comes from retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust. It's a great reminder, especially as we begin the season of Advent. Will you take some time to pause during this special time of anticipation and hope? Becoming a participant in your own life by Mary DeTurris Poust on November 3, 2021 It’s amazing how we can convince ourselves that we simply don’t have the time to do even the little things that might make our lives demonstrably better. We race…
The phrase 'Fear not' and similar wording is mentioned over and over again in the Bible. Clearly this is a message that God wants to make sure that we hear! It's been very difficult not to have deep feelings of fear during the pandemic though, right? So, let's take time today to refresh our hearts and minds with the scripture below. Then, take a few moments of silence to unwind, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, relax your…
Let's take a few moments to center ourselves with prayer and a (virtual) walk through the forest. Many of the scenes in this beautiful video could be from the woods around our Center. May you have a deeper appreciation for the simple vine wrapping around a tree in the sunlight or the diligent ant making it's journey home on your next walk in nature. Pray with us. Creation Prayer God our Father, you created the world and sent your own…
Are you familiar with contemplative, Christian meditation practices? If you're curious, but not sure when to begin, we've included a nice introduction video below that we discovered on YouTube. Many find that it's helpful to adopt a prayer practice like this within a group setting. Centering Prayer sessions have been held at our Center for over five years and many guests return week after week for this special time of spiritual growth. Throughout the pandemic, many returning guests and also…
Today's post comes from retreat presenter, Susan Boruff. Let's read about her lessons from scripture that encourage us to examine our hearts with compassion. Love in Action “Whatever arises, love that.” Matt Kahn Give yourself permission to spend some time with God. You might want to light a candle to remind you that God is in you and around you, the light of the world and the Light within us-Christ in you. St. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:7 that…
Today we are highlighting a video from YouTube. It is a meditative video with soft music and reassuring scripture. After seven long months of the pandemic, many of us are weary and anxious. Our faith can ease this anxiety though. The Bible reminds us to turn our worries over to God in prayer. We hope that this video can provide some of the reassurance that you're seeking today. Let's take a deep breath...in...and out...and let go of our anxiety, turning…
Debra Donnelly-Barton has graciously shared her Summer Meditations with our blog and today's post is the last in this series. Let's take a few moments to contemplatively read her reflection and then maybe take time to be outdoors, recognizing this deep sense of Presence. A Liturgy of the Living Earth Praying the hours in tune with nature Summer Meditations Earth's Wild Wisdom The greatest delight which the fields and woods minister is that I am not alone and unacknowledged. They…
Today's reflection is the third in a series by Debra Donnelly-Barton. Debra has presented several retreats at our Center and we look forward to hosting her again in the future. Let's take a few quiet moments to read this reflection about nighttime vigils. What can we learn from a late-night session listening to God's voice? A Liturgy of the Living Earth, Praying the hours in tune with nature Summer Meditations, 2020 Vigils On my bed I remember you; I think…
