MY 'RETREAT'

[PearlB]

I often look back to the time I spent in hospital and I’m seeing it as a sort of retreat; a spiritual experience.

I had none of my usual things around me; no TV or PC; no Christian radio or CDs. I didn’t even have my bible or bible notes. I couldn’t eat what I wanted when I wanted and I couldn’t make myself a drink. I didn’t have my husband there to talk to and I couldn’t go outside. I only had a few basics of my life; pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown; a few toiletries and a hair brush.

The wonderful thing about it is that God has used that time to draw me closer into himself very intimately. I have felt his presence; I have known his peace which passes understanding much more deeply that I have done for a very long time.

I didn’t mind not having my things. I was content. God has shown me that it is his presence; his power that surpasses all other things and that this is what I need to live the Christian life. He is the main thing. He is what is important. He is what is vital.

When all else is stripped away God is still there. And he is clearer and he is nearer. And I have realised that this is what I truly want.

This was a time of de-cluttering. I want to stay clutter free. I want him to be as close to me as he has been during that time. I must work at it and not take it for granted.

And I have also been physically healed by his power. Praise his holy name.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Wonderful Testimony Sister!
Thank-you for sharing.
You are so right with this insight. That the more we have surrounding us, the less it appears we have time for that which is most important, and that is personal time with God!
\o/

 

[Bill]

I often look back to the time I spent in hospital and I’m seeing it as a sort of retreat; a spiritual experience.

I had none of my usual things around me; no TV or PC; no Christian radio or CDs. I didn’t even have my bible or bible notes. I couldn’t eat what I wanted when I wanted and I couldn’t make myself a drink. I didn’t have my husband there to talk to and I couldn’t go outside. I only had a few basics of my life; pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown; a few toiletries and a hair brush.

The wonderful thing about it is that God has used that time to draw me closer into himself very intimately. I have felt his presence; I have known his peace which passes understanding much more deeply that I have done for a very long time.

I didn’t mind not having my things. I was content. God has shown me that it is his presence; his power that surpasses all other things and that this is what I need to live the Christian life. He is the main thing. He is what is important. He is what is vital.

When all else is stripped away God is still there. And he is clearer and he is nearer. And I have realised that this is what I truly want.

This was a time of de-cluttering. I want to stay clutter free. I want him to be as close to me as he has been during that time. I must work at it and not take it for granted.

And I have also been physically healed by his power. Praise his holy name.

That is a really beautiful experience.

Something i think many loose sight of when it comes to our relationship with God. How close God wants to be with His children.

As a truck driver, it isnt easy to find a church to go to on Sunday morning . And many truckstops do not have a service anymore.

On saturday, when i stop for the weekend , i ask the Lord where he wants me. Pray over the gps, and He leads me.

The last few churches i have gone to, the very nature of this thred, a close relationship to the Father , was difficult to explain.

It may seem odd to some. But if you spend a lifetime, beseeching, asking for, praising, seeking forgiveness from God . A simple talking relationship to God will be difficult. Im not joking.

As a guest speaker to every church ive attended , i bring up the " strange concept " for many, that God wants to just be with us.

Many of you, im sure, have had good relationships with your parents. Do you ever just sit with dad. Cuddle with dad. I know as a child, i loved taking my nap next to dad when he took his afternoon nap. God doesnt take naps, obviously, but that relationship is exactly what God really wants with His children.

I remember one young lady really found the whole idea of just talking and being with God too extreem . I spent a few months with her to help her be comfortable in just talking with God. Not praising, not beseeching, not singing , not begging . Just talking .

 

[PearlB]

That is a really beautiful experience.

Something i think many loose sight of when it comes to our relationship with God. How close God wants to be with His children.

As a truck driver, it isnt easy to find a church to go to on Sunday morning . And many truckstops do not have a service anymore.

On saturday, when i stop for the weekend , i ask the Lord where he wants me. Pray over the gps, and He leads me.

The last few churches i have gone to, the very nature of this thred, a close relationship to the Father , was difficult to explain.

It may seem odd to some. But if you spend a lifetime, beseeching, asking for, praising, seeking forgiveness from God . A simple talking relationship to God will be difficult. Im not joking.

As a guest speaker to every church ive attended , i bring up the " strange concept " for many, that God wants to just be with us.

Many of you, im sure, have had good relationships with your parents. Do you ever just sit with dad. Cuddle with dad. I know as a child, i loved taking my nap next to dad when he took his afternoon nap. God doesnt take naps, obviously, but that relationship is exactly what God really wants with His children.

I remember one young lady really found the whole idea of just talking and being with God too extreem . I spent a few months with her to help her be comfortable in just talking with God. Not praising, not beseeching, not singing , not begging . Just talking .

Closeness to God my heavenly Father is what I seek. It is what I long for. And there have been times when I have felt so close to him like I did during and after my hospital stay. Another time was at home when I was reading one evening; I felt his presence and looked up almost expecting to see him on the sofa across the room. His presence felt so powerful and I KNEW he wanted to live with me in my home and 'keep his slippers in my hall'.

I'm not great on bible study or knowledge of scripture but I love God and want to be close to him, and that is the desire of my heart.

 

[Brother-Paul]

I often look back to the time I spent in hospital and I’m seeing it as a sort of retreat; a spiritual experience.

I had none of my usual things around me; no TV or PC; no Christian radio or CDs. I didn’t even have my bible or bible notes. I couldn’t eat what I wanted when I wanted and I couldn’t make myself a drink. I didn’t have my husband there to talk to and I couldn’t go outside. I only had a few basics of my life; pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown; a few toiletries and a hair brush.

The wonderful thing about it is that God has used that time to draw me closer into himself very intimately. I have felt his presence; I have known his peace which passes understanding much more deeply that I have done for a very long time.

I didn’t mind not having my things. I was content. God has shown me that it is his presence; his power that surpasses all other things and that this is what I need to live the Christian life. He is the main thing. He is what is important. He is what is vital.

When all else is stripped away God is still there. And he is clearer and he is nearer. And I have realised that this is what I truly want.

This was a time of de-cluttering. I want to stay clutter free. I want him to be as close to me as he has been during that time. I must work at it and not take it for granted.

And I have also been physically healed by his power. Praise his holy name.

So true sister,

We are our own worst enemies when it comes to tasks, we take them on, take more and more until we haven't time for God.

The enemy of souls knows how to distract us sister,

It is wonderful when we learn to be content, it is wonderful to spend time in the Peace of God that passeth all our understanding.

May the Good Lord bless you in abundance sister.

Shalom

 

[Bill]

So true sister,

We are our own worst enemies when it comes to tasks, we take them on, take more and more until we haven't time for God.

The enemy of souls knows how to distract us sister,

It is wonderful when we learn to be content, it is wonderful to spend time in the Peace of God that passeth all our understanding.

May the Good Lord bless you in abundance sister.

Shalom

Lol . I read your words and just have to laugh. God is such a character.

Quite often as i drive down the road, i will be listening to music. A song i like will come on the radio. And the Lord will suddenly speak, " do you like me more than this song" inwhich i answer, of coarse i do, and turn off the music.

Then we talk or He just fills me with His presents. Sometimes He says, " come up here " lol. Yes while driving semi, i will go in spirit to the presence of God.

 

[PearlB]

Lol . I read your words and just have to laugh. God is such a character.

Quite often as i drive down the road, i will be listening to music. A song i like will come on the radio. And the Lord will suddenly speak, " do you like me more than this song" inwhich i answer, of coarse i do, and turn off the music.

Then we talk or He just fills me with His presents. Sometimes He says, " come up here " lol. Yes while driving semi, i will go in spirit to the presence of God.

Psalm 84:2
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

 

[Bill]

Closeness to God my heavenly Father is what I seek. It is what I long for. And there have been times when I have felt so close to him like I did during and after my hospital stay. Another time was at home when I was reading one evening; I felt his presence and looked up almost expecting to see him on the sofa across the room. His presence felt so powerful and I KNEW he wanted to live with me in my home and 'keep his slippers in my hall'.

I'm not great on bible study or knowledge of scripture but I love God and want to be close to him, and that is the desire of my heart.

Your words are really cool to read. I love hearing of others who fall in love with God

 

[Bill]

Psalm 84:2
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

There are no words in my heart to decsribe the depth of my love of the Father and His love for me. But it is the same love that courses through me to the world . I will give up my heart and life for the world , that it will find salvation in Jesus .

 

[Brother-Paul]

Lol . I read your words and just have to laugh. God is such a character.

Quite often as i drive down the road, i will be listening to music. A song i like will come on the radio. And the Lord will suddenly speak, " do you like me more than this song" inwhich i answer, of coarse i do, and turn off the music.

Then we talk or He just fills me with His presents. Sometimes He says, " come up here " lol. Yes while driving semi, i will go in spirit to the presence of God.

No worries Bill

Unless He says 'Do you Love me' 3 times.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Psalm 84:2
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

PSALM 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Bless you sister

 

[PearlB]

PSALM 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Bless you sister

Ephesians 5:19-20
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Bill]

So true sister,

We are our own worst enemies when it comes to tasks, we take them on, take more and more until we haven't time for God.

The enemy of souls knows how to distract us sister,

It is wonderful when we learn to be content, it is wonderful to spend time in the Peace of God that passeth all our understanding.

May the Good Lord bless you in abundance sister.

Shalom

You know brother, we are our own worst enemies on every aspect of how we think God thinks of us. And the truth so easily seen in the example of the prodigal son story , the longing father

 

[Brother-Paul]

Ephesians 5:19-20
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lovely verses please allow me to add a little more

Eph 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I like the ways these verses include, wine in moderation, do not get drunk, but be filled or full of the Spirit
Then follows the rejoicing and singing, without being drunk
Of which we give thanks unto God in all things
Submitting ourselves to one another in the fear of God

Then tells us of the role of the wife and the husband to each other.
Lovely verses sister, thank you for sharing them

Bless you

 

[Bill]

Ephesians 5:19-20
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You are going to like Heaven.

 

[Bill]

Lovely verses please allow me to add a little more

Eph 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I like the ways these verses include, wine in moderation, do not get drunk, but be filled or full of the Spirit
Then follows the rejoicing and singing, without being drunk
Of which we give thanks unto God in all things
Submitting ourselves to one another in the fear of God

Then tells us of the role of the wife and the husband to each other.
Lovely verses sister, thank you for sharing them

Bless you

On a side note , where it says " fear of the Lord " you know fear was the closest word translators could come up with. But a longer version would be ' a humble respect '