Bumpety-bump-bump; A few potholes here and rough terrain there (some states worse than others linking Florida to North Carolina), our return journey home was complete. Once back inside our home, with luggage strewn across the floor, my heart naturally sinks. After all we have experienced, through the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) Conference, not to mention, the State of Florida’s beautiful, picturesque backdrop, with invigorating weather, and the oh-so-hard-to-leave eating out and no housework, my heart sinks that it has ended. Yes, it is true! Who is ready for the mundane of everyday chores after experiencing such a retreat?!

But home we must go! And home is where we are!

With March barreling down on us, it is time to analyze my own personal journey in preparation for the Easter season. A part of me wants to take off for Wilmore, Kentucky, and join the Revival at Asbury University. How incredibly inspiring!  But home I must stay, as I have decided to plan my own personal retreat. With the last few years my heart-preparation for Easter has been abstaining from dairy and sugar through a month-long fast. Yet this year, a more deliberate exercise in abandoning my comfort and seeking to hear from the Lord on intensely deep matters has driven me to a 6-week commitment. I have never been disappointed, never, in spending a more concentrated time in God’s Word as well as focused prayers. You are reading that correctly: NEVER! There is a sense of total abandonment of those things I cling to for comfort, and instead, finding my Heavenly Father has empowered me with the Spirit Who teaches me more and more of the love of Christ.  

The times “true growth” takes place is through the experiences we encounter when we have deliberately made the choice to live outside our comfort zone!

It may not be feasible to set out for Wilmore or make a pilgrimage journey to some foreign land, but right here, right now, in my own little abode I can prepare my heart and my home to experience Resurrection Sunday like never before! It is through the times of living outside our comfort zone that we experience true growth!

I am planning a Six-Week Retreat: Refocusing and Refueling through God’s Word as well as seeking to live outside my comfort zone with a Plant-based diet and of course whatever else I am led to accomplish for my Savior.

“The whole purpose of God in redemption is to make us holy and to restore us to the image of God. To accomplish this He disengages us from earthly ambitions and draws us away from the cheap and unworthy prizes that worldly men set their hearts upon.”

  A.W. Tozer

Upon what and upon Whom have you set your sights? Are you running the race of ambition? Can you say you are becoming disengaged from what the world esteems as important and filling up on the lifegiving commandments of Scripture.

This quote by Leonard Ravenhill moves me to do more:

“Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, loved more, grieved more, prayed more, sweated more and given more.“

Your laws are wonderful,    No wonder I obey them!

The teaching of your word gives light,   So even the simple can understand.

I pant with expectation,   Longing for your commands.

Come and show me your mercy,   As you do for all who love your name.

Guide my steps by your word, (Establish my footsteps in Your word, NASB)

   So I will not be overcome by evil.

Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;   Then I can obey your commandments.

Look upon me with love;   Teach me your decrees.

Rivers of tears gush from my eyes   Because people disobey your instructions.

Psalm 119:129-136, NLT

A Six-Week Retreat Refocusing and Refueling: Sunday, February 26—Sunday, April 9, 2023

My prayer: Lord, establish my walk in your Word, may my prayer life reflect a heart that is moved to tears for those who are not following the instruction of your commands.