Dear Leader, How are you? Has anyone asked lately? I?m asking because I really want to know. Are you tired? Are the demands of leadership wearing you down? Do you feel as though everyone needs something from you? I know I?ve felt that way before. I go to the office where I am expected to […]
A Simple Strategy for Dealing with Depression
A book that I?ve found practically helpful on the theme of contemplative prayer is Martin Laird?s A Sunlit Absence. At one point, he mentions a man who wrestled with depression for some time, and finally found help in contemplative prayer. I have found myself struggling at times with seasons of depression. I?ve discovered that […]
Life-Giving Loneliness
One writer whose novels have often stirred?me is George MacDonald. Listen to this little dialogue between two people about holy loneliness or solitude: “What I want to ask you,” said Ian, “is, did you ever feel alone? Did loneliness ever press itself so upon you that you felt that if you called nobody would hear? […]
Is Your Retreat Really a Retreat?
A few years ago, I led a weekend retreat for a wonderful church community. It was a very encouraging time. Some commented that the schedule was not as intense as in past retreats. I had input on the content and a little on the schedule. The group chose the theme of ?Rest? and the key […]
A Holy Rhythm of Solitude and Ministry
I lead a lot of retreats that include an extended time alone and quiet with God in the schedule. For many, it?s quite a challenge. For others, it?s a welcome opportunity. Sometimes, I think more would come to our retreats if they were scheduled nice and tight with lots of information to learn or techniques […]
Quiet: Capturing Quiet Spaces for God
I?ve shared a quotation in this blog before from a book by Ann Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea. Below are a few others on the themes of solitude, silence, simplicity and open space for God. ?For it is only framed in space that beauty blooms. Only in space are events and objects and people […]
