PRESIDENT’S BLOG
Trash and Treasures
September 19-21 the Pennsylvania Pastor’s were provided a time for spiritual reflection, Bible meditation and personal prayer. Those who chose to come together for the optional Spiritual Retreat gathered at Laurel Lake Camp on the Sunday evening following the Fall Camp Meeting.
The philosophy for a quiet, gently guided retreat such as this comes from the statement in Ministry of Healing which says:
We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God." This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, he who is thus refreshed, will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts.--The Ministry of Healing, p. 58.
A chapter from Psalms was focused on. Reading was provided with a book authored by Ben Patterson, and a personal copy of Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, both of which were given to the participants. Journaling and private prayer time were encouraged and structured into the day. What a treasure to listen to God in His word and in prayer!
Comments from those participating were:
• Thank you for this opportunity to come apart from the busyness of ministry. I greatly appreciate this retreat.
• This time, program, is absolutely essential to a pastor’s spiritual health. I am so glad you are committed to this program.
• It provoked deep thoughtful reflection. I shall plan to return.
• I needed this spiritual retreat in an absolute way. Not that I was getting overburdened or stressed by working, but to recalibrate my spirit to this important things in the spiritual life.
During Monday afternoon’s open time, I walked along the road from the main entrance of Laurel Lake Camp to the road leading to Hemlock Lake. Troy Haagenson accompanied me and together, we picked up all the trash we could find alongside each side of the road. Later Mike Bernard came by with the LLC utility vehicle and we transported the trash bags back to the dumpster behind the LLC Lodge building.
As Christians who believe that Christ created this world and gave us stewardship of it, and that He is coming soon to bring us to a re-created perfect world, it is our privilege to care for and clean up the waste and destructive practices that mar and harm God’s creation.
Trash and Treasures
September 19-21 the Pennsylvania Pastor’s were provided a time for spiritual reflection, Bible meditation and personal prayer. Those who chose to come together for the optional Spiritual Retreat gathered at Laurel Lake Camp on the Sunday evening following the Fall Camp Meeting.
The philosophy for a quiet, gently guided retreat such as this comes from the statement in Ministry of Healing which says:
We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God." This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, he who is thus refreshed, will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts.--The Ministry of Healing, p. 58.
A chapter from Psalms was focused on. Reading was provided with a book authored by Ben Patterson, and a personal copy of Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, both of which were given to the participants. Journaling and private prayer time were encouraged and structured into the day. What a treasure to listen to God in His word and in prayer!
Comments from those participating were:
• Thank you for this opportunity to come apart from the busyness of ministry. I greatly appreciate this retreat.
• This time, program, is absolutely essential to a pastor’s spiritual health. I am so glad you are committed to this program.
• It provoked deep thoughtful reflection. I shall plan to return.
• I needed this spiritual retreat in an absolute way. Not that I was getting overburdened or stressed by working, but to recalibrate my spirit to this important things in the spiritual life.
During Monday afternoon’s open time, I walked along the road from the main entrance of Laurel Lake Camp to the road leading to Hemlock Lake. Troy Haagenson accompanied me and together, we picked up all the trash we could find alongside each side of the road. Later Mike Bernard came by with the LLC utility vehicle and we transported the trash bags back to the dumpster behind the LLC Lodge building.
As Christians who believe that Christ created this world and gave us stewardship of it, and that He is coming soon to bring us to a re-created perfect world, it is our privilege to care for and clean up the waste and destructive practices that mar and harm God’s creation.
