Our prayer is that On Retreat will help you break from habituated patterns of mind and frantic activity, make more space for God, and step into a new way of seeing, believing, and abiding.The descending way of humility is a movement towards our true self-realization. Each retreat will focus on a healthy body, a serene mind, and a powerful spirit. Your devoted guide will be modern day Christian mystic, Betty Skinner.
Affirming the Hope Hidden Within You~Cathy and Kitty
Gratefulness
A Healthy Body
Do a few simple stretching exercises to energize your body, then silently integrate the inner peace of your practice for a few minutes.
A Serene Mind
Begin this portion of your time with God by sitting with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or water with lemon in a comfortable chair in a quiet place with your Bible close. Light a candle as a symbol of God’s presence with you.
Opening Prayer
Let Betty’s lovely Centering Prayer video help quiet and refocus your mind or read it on page 53 of our book, The Hidden Life Awakened. Listen for His voice in silence for a few minutes.
Reflections from Betty
The green has turned to golden.
Some branches bare, their leaves have fallen.
And I, His chosen, come again to ponder,
Within the changing pattern of creation
The beauty in the dying,
The forgiving face of God.
Oh, Good Jesus,
In Your redeeming power,
Liberate my broken, crushed self-image,
Worn, tired, abused and torn.
Refine within me Your kiss of peace
That I might extend to others
Your hand, Your word, Your heart of love.
This unity of forgiveness,
The beauty in the dying.
BWS
Further Reflection
I often wonder… Lord, giver of everything, what can I bring to you my King? I am gently reminded that a grateful heart is my humble offering. Whether joy or pain, gratitude helps me not forget the truth of who He is, His faithful presence that forever remains.
God wants you to be healthy and happy as much as you want that. So take care of yourself by taking care of your cells. What one good thing will you give your genome today? Will you go outside and walk a little? Will you feed your cells a meal of delicious, mainly plant-based foods? Will you think of things you can be grateful for, trusting that your brain is turbocharged to re-create itself when you are in a state of gratitude? If you will do these things, you will one day wake to find yourself in new and joyful places you never dreamed possible. The Hidden Life Awakened
May we surrender today to gratitude, thanking the Lord for the purposeful coming and going of each unique season of our lives as we observe changes in the natural world as well as the deep workings in our own hearts. All the while grounded in the One who remains, who wraps himself up and in and through the beauty of it all with us, whether summer breeze or golden leaves or barren trees.
A Powerful Spirit
Spend a little time now, letting the Living Word speak to your heart.
Divine Reading
Psalm 136
Rest Quietly with God
Use your imagination to visualize Jesus walking with you on a path through the many events of your life, starting as a young child all the way up until the present. Whether they are joyful, painful, or sorrowful memories, simply picture Christ by your side through it all. May this simple practice transform your heart to a place of gratitude as you remember that in all things, He “is with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Reflective Writing
Journal every thought that arises without censoring as a child would. This is the indwelling Spirit speaking truth to you. Trust this for now.