Refreshed!
Elizabeth's Blog

Refreshed! is a place for my personal reflections along my journey with Jesus.
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Getaway with God a great success!

It might seem rather presumptuous to call a Getaway with God a 'great success'. Is it possible to measure what God does in the hidden recesses of the human heart? Yet from the experiences that were shared and the joy that filled my heart as I listened, I can safely say that our first Getaway with God/Stilteweekend was quite glorious.

Ank and I arrived early Friday afternoon and arranged the conference room into an inviting grand room. A wall of windows treated us to a landscape of rolling hills which provided a living canvas for the ever-changing shadows of the low winter sun. Within a couple of hours worship stations hugged the walls while groupings of chairs and tables offered spaces to pray or reflect, to draw or chat, while music enhanced the contemplative atmosphere. The convent's bright and spotless rooms, the sisters' warm hospitality and the crisp air of the countryside were about to provide an ideal setting for the Getaway.

Our top goal was to facilitate genuine encounters with God. We did some teaching but guided experiences were central to the weekend. These provided jumping off (or jumping in) points for the participants' own times of prayer and reflection while we remained available to encourage, pray with and guide as we were invited to do so.

As I opened the weekend, I encouraged an attitude of expectancy that we would hear from God, for the God with whom we'd come to meet was delighted that we were there. On Saturday evening, and again on Sunday afternoon, the stories shared were wonderful. So much had been accomplished within in such a short time. Desires met, stirred up, shaped and affirmed. Goals re-directed toward fertile ground. Wounds tended. Hope bestowed. Truth claimed. Discoveries made. Light and hope kindled again.

Leading this weekend was a dream-come-true. A new season of ministry has begun, and I look forward to future weekends, each one which promises to be unique.

Interested in participating in a Getaway? You'll find all the info you need on the Getaway (English) and Stilteweekend (Dutch) pages.

3/1/12

Getaway with God

As I write I'm at the midpoint between taking a personal getaway with God and leading one. The memory of the weekend is still sweet and I'm looking forward to facilitating such a time for others on the weekend of 9-11 December.

I shared the experience with my friend Ank. We were actually guests at a men's retreat. Ed Haagsman of the Navigators has opened up his network to us, thrilled that like-minded women are available to offer getaways for women. He instructed us to 'stay in the background'. This was a men's retreat after all. We smiled at the thought and the challenge he'd given these two highly social women. It was no problem though. The men welcome us warmly and we, like them, were there for one purpose: to meet with God.

And it was a lovely meeting! I've been thinking about what facilitated it...

Intention. I really wanted to connect with God. I know that the Lord loves us to prioritise time together, and sometimes you just need extended times together with the One you love.

Expectancy. I know that God loves to speak when we stop to listen. So my ears were tuned to listening and I was confident that this was going to be time well spent.

Aaaah! The beauty of unscheduled, non-computer time. (My life is ruled way too much by the computer screen.) For 48 hours the only 'have to' on my schedule was a 'want to' - to be alone with God.

God spoke. And in such a beautiful way, as he drew me deeper into intimacy and assured me afresh of his great love for me.

Does this speak to a longing in your own heart? Are you in the area? Join us! (Doe mee!) Registration closes 23/11.

8/11/11

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