Retreat

RETREAT

withdrawal from enemy forces, 

to pull back from what is difficult, dangerous, disagreeable,

a place you can go to to be alone to find rest and repair.

Sound like something you need?

I know I do.

As a teenager, I remember Fall Retreats

at Toccoa Falls, Epworth by the Sea,

      GA District Camp Adrian, State Parks

     or North Georgia mountains. 

Activities included

campfires, 

                                  pillow fights, food fights, A sardine fight (yes, one unplanned and unnecessary!  Never happened again!)

                                     rolling down hills, climbing hills

                                                                           (the side of Toccoa Falls 

                                                                                                    straight up, no concrete walkway!)

                                                            white water rafting, and tubing

                                                                                                                  playing UNO until 3:00 am.

            Late night talks in the hall or the staircase

                                                     chapel services by the lake or the sea 

                                                                       and most importantly, relationships built and

                                                  decisions made for Christ.

These times are forever etched in the memory of my heart.

Just a small group in a small condo, laughing, crying, 

praying and singing together. 

The Theme, Psalm 139

"Where can I go from your Spirit:

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast."

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, 

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake I am still with you."

My prayer then and today is,

"Search me O God, and know my heart

Test me and know my anxious thoughts,

See if there is any offensive way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting."

Bonnie:)