Comments on: Retreat: Invitation to a Counter-Cultural Practice https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/ Strengthen The Soul Of Your Leadership Fri, 01 Jul 2022 19:01:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Dear Weary One | Soul Stops https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700473 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 21:28:59 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700473 […] invites you to come to Him in your weariness. (Matthew […]

]]> By: Mike Sobolik https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700457 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 16:07:37 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700457 So much in this blogpost resonates with me. The presumption of people who think they know what I should do, how I should serve. The bait-and-switch of retreat’s call becoming something quite different in reality, something full of frenetic activity. Being wanted for what I can accomplish rather than for simply longing to be with me. Jesus’s invitation to “come away with me” is the call of a lover. Serving, doing, leading and accomplishing will all come in their due time, but in this moment the One who loves me is calling me to linger with Him. God have mercy on me that your call won’t fall on deafened and distracted ears. Call me away with you. I want to come!

]]> By: Mary https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700456 Sat, 13 Oct 2018 04:58:25 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700456 Dear Ruth,
Once again, thank you. You remind me of what Jesus told Martha upon her complaint of her sister’s private ‘retreat’ at Jesus’ feet to learn of/from Him. While Martha was busy trying to serve, Jesus waited patiently ‘to serve’ – and found a willing soul in Mary. He said, ‘One thing is needful’ – thank you for reminding us of this simple, profound and necessary posture – to wait in ‘retreat ‘ for replenishment and renewal.

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700455 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 14:57:47 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700455 In reply to Mark Mixter.

Really like the way you extended the metaphor from the first chapter about retreat as strategic withdrawal in the military sense of the word. Retreat as a place to lay down our weapons–that is, our normal ways of fighting and keeping ourselves feeling safe in the world–yes! That is what we do! Blessed surrender…. don’t we all get tired of fighting sometimes?

]]> By: Cynthia Fore https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700454 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:56:12 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700454 I can almost ditto the words above about you being a timely mentor to me. I have devoured this new book….and taking with me some key places in it and questions for my own journal reflection on personal retreat in just another week. This invitation to regular retreat has stayed with me since my own TC8 experience. I long for it. I am deeply grateful for the continued invitation. Thank you so much for continuing to speak into my life. God has brought us together “for such a time as this”. May I return rested and recalibrated for the ministry God has me in. Amen.

]]> By: Mark Mixter https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700453 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:41:29 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700453 For me the word ‘retreat” carries connotations of moving backwards, leaving the field in face of a stronger foe, with the follow on implication of failure, not being good enough. How refreshing to hear ‘retreat’ as an invitation to come be with our Father who longs to heal, equip, empower, and transform, me into One able to stand firm, and move forward in the power of the Spirit. Just as many who are first will be last, so I think sometimes the only way forward is to go back. I’m learning to see retreat as surrender – I am, as Lewis notes, a rebel who must lay down his arms. In retreat I lay down weapons I don’t need for battles I’m not prepared to fight.

]]> By: Rica https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700452 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 07:26:02 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700452 My women’s organization is planning a retreat next year. Your message is very timely. I pray that we, the organizers, will not fall into the same “routine” of over programming this leadership retreat. I covet your prayers for this. (I am a pastor’s wife from the Philippines, heading up our churches organization of the women’s commission.)

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700451 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:39:28 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700451 In reply to Ron Wood.

I am so sorry about this I barely know what to say! When you need a retreat, nothing else will do. I am praying RIGHT NOW that God will give you the necessary gift of retreat soon. Don’t give up… press on in
pursuing what you know your soul needs.

]]> By: Ron Wood https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700450 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 18:41:29 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700450 Church work is noisy. I just signed up for a 4 day retreat. I was excited. Then it was cancelled this morning. I am dealing with my disappointment, but looking with some anticipation for another chance to disengage. Thank you for your ministry of soul renovation.

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2018/10/invitation-to-retreat-a-counter-cultural-practice/#comment-700449 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:37:32 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=8815#comment-700449 In reply to Patti Mangis.

Wonderful!

]]>