Welcome to Fall! and the Two Words that Make All the Difference
Hi Friends,
Oh, my goodness can you believe that it’s Labor Day weekend?
I know it’s with a tinge of sadness that many of us say goodbye to summer. I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s also a tinge of joy.
After soaking in lots of sunshine and time off, I feel a renewed sense of desire to get re-centered in life and my relationship with God. Not that we’ve been distant from each other during these months, but with all the delightful, bustling people and activities, I’m longing to bury myself in my Abba Father’s chest and have some time just with Him!
On Rick Warren’s podcast this week, he said, “If someone asked you to describe the Christian life in two words what you say?
Moral Devotion?
Ethical Behavior?
Religious Ritual?
The essence of the Christian life summed up in two words would be,
”Love Affair”
Oh my, just let that sink in.
Like weekends away with my husband rejuvenate our love affair again, I need the same thing with God, intentional time to fall deeper in love again, with Him.
One of my absolute favorite ways to do this is through our spring and fall retreats.
Our next one is coming up soon! October 20-22 is our First Love Fall Silent Women’s Retreat at the Hermitage just outside Kalamazoo.
Our retreats may be different than any you have experienced before. Usually, retreats are time away with a speaker, teaching sessions, and worship services. At First Love retreats God is the speaker, with the agenda uniquely sculpted by Him for each person and what they need most.
Finally, the time you’ve longed for where you don’t have to jump up from your knees and get to everything else that is pressing in. Lots of time for prayer, rest, the outdoors, listening, and journaling. Time to love on God, let Him love on you, and fill every crevice of your being.
We’d love to have you join us! I know there’s some controversy around a retreat with silence in the title. This may be a new concept. Your heart may be thumping at the prospect and afraid at the same time of something so different.
That's exactly how I felt, too!
Hope you enjoy this article, Silent Retreat, Is that Even Christian? answering the questions that may be coming to your mind, the story of my wrestling and what happened on my first one. I'll never forget it.
~ Lori
For information about the Fall Retreat or to register, go to,
Thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com/events
P.S. The retreat may be filled by the time this comes out. But if you sense God calling you away, come to the prayer cabin, or schedule your own retreat at The Hermitage. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to be without it again.
How To Tell God You Love Him Daily Hope with Rick Warren