Tee Biddle, Executive Chef here at the Retreat & Conference Center, shared the reflection below during our weekly Planning Meeting on Tuesday. Take a few quiet moments to close our eyes and sit with each sentence after you read it. Envision what this means for you. Let's put our gardening gloves on and work in our gardens! Remember, read this slowly, pausing after each line. Imagine your mind like a garden and your thoughts are the seeds. You get…
“Fruits of the Spirit” by Max Lucado It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of…
Today's reflection is another by Fr. Michael Schleupner, which he shared last week as he celebrated his 50th jubilee! Let's read about how he tied together readings from the gospel for his role as a priest and how we can use this within our own communities. We look forward to seeing more of Fr. Michael when he's here for our July and August Directed Retreats, serving as a spiritual director. Please comment below to congratulate Fr. Michael on an amazing…
Words are difficult to find after the shooting in Texas this week. We share this prayer from our health system and quotes passed along from the Sisters of Bon Secours. To learn more about the ongoing efforts of the sisters to end violence, please click here. Pray with us. Act with us. A prayer for healing and change Loving and merciful God, our hearts are broken. Our anger, frustration and sadness are overwhelming. We are crushed by this tragedy and…
For today's blog, we're catching up on two recent writings within a Lenten series from Fr. Michael Schleupner. Fr. Michael is a favorite retreat presenter and spiritual director here at the Center and we really appreciate how he shares his writing with our blog audience! We hope that you're blessed from his words of inspiration during this sacred season of Lent. Lent Musings - 2 Dear Friends, My March 13 'Temptation' blog concluded with my saying that fasting from food…
Today we continue our Black History Month poetry series with inspiring pieces from the beloved Maya Angelou. She was not only an incredibly gifted writer, but a civil rights activist too. "Equality" was written in 1990, yet that the dream of equality is still yet to be fully achieved. The 2nd poem we're highlighting was written in 1995, entitled "Touched by An Angel" and focuses on something that can make her vision of equality possible, love. We hope you enjoy…
First Coming Madeleine L’Engle He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin…
We Greet Your Coming People in Nativity Scene Costumes We greet your coming, God, with wonder: You come to be with us; yet you remain far greater than we can imagine. You are near; yet your wisdom sets you apart from us. You appear among us; yet we cannot describe your glory. We greet your coming, God, with repentance: We are more or less satisfied with ourselves; but your presence exposes our sin and failure. We are self-confident; but you…
On this last Sunday of Advent, we offer another important lesson from Fr. Michael Schleupner's 'Getting Ready' series. Although this was presented for the 3rd week of Advent, it can lead us right into today's focus on love as well. Let us know your thoughts as you reflect on the hope, peace, joy and love of the season. The week has arrived! Jesus is coming soon! Getting Ready - 3 Dear Friends, Last week I recommended that we get in…
Advent Oratorio Paul Spicer & N.T. Wright Come, Lord, and cleanse us from our sin; Your new, glad work in us begin. Remove our idols from our sight; Let us in you alone delight. Prepare us for your coming reign By washing us from every stain; Make known to us your holy Name; Let us no more turn back to shame. Call us to you from every land, And guide us with your powerful hand; Show us the path that…
