Monday, March 03, 2008

Meditation Retreat - March 28-30

Meditation
Listening to the wisdom of God’s Word.

On the weekend of March 28 – 30 a few of us will gather to spend time discussing and meditating upon the Word of God. I invite you to consider joining for us for this time to reflect upon how God teaches us wisdom through His Word. This will be the first retreat in our series of retreats this year on cultivating the wisdom of God in our lives

During this weekend we’ll talk about the relationship between meditation and the Law, meditation and the fear of the Lord, meditation and the beginning of wisdom. While we’ll spend time in a group, we’ll also have plenty of time to meditate.

Dallas Willard once suggested that the most popular retreats are typically on “knowing the will of God” or “hearing the voice of God.” We desire to understand God’s guidance in our lives, and the idea that we can hear him more clearly stirs our soul. Unfortunately, this longing sometimes causes people to feel even more distant from God.

Either their own lives do not reflect the dramatic stories they’ve read, or their own personal times of devotion seem cold and ineffectual. During this weekend, we’ll consider the pattern revealed in the psalms of meditating upon the Word of God.

The psalmist teaches that meditating upon the law of the Lord will make us like fruitful trees:
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:2-3

Accommodations: I’ve rented a nice cabin overlooking the Smoky Mountains for the weekend.

Reservations: Please email me (doug@springoflight.org) if you plan to come. I will send out information to help you prepare for the retreat.

Costs: The approximate cost of the cabin will be about $75 per person. Everyone is welcome to come regardless of whether or not you can afford it.