Posts Tagged ‘retreat’

On the Porch

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

On the porch I sat.

It was a beautiful spring day, but I had a wazoo of weeds, a long unwanted list, and a dry, empty longing. Whether it was the paralyzing pace, or the brilliant sun’s warmth, I had to simply sit.

waterglass

I didn’t want to do anything. I’d lost my excitement and anxiety reigned in its place. I wanted to shut down and turn off the to-do file.

Way too much happening. My oldest child was about to get married, the next in line graduating and headed off to school. At home, the remaining last child was uneasy, teasing about running off. Anything seemed more appealing than being left with the “crazy old parents.” Add wedding showers, graduation parties and the search for the right dress to the less-than-simple schedule and . . .

I quit.

I was done.

Done for, anyway. The clock was ticking. I’d fought Father Time like he was a bad weed. I’m ashamed to say that when my kids were in grade school, I even stopped giving them birthday parties.

I prepared the babies to be grown-ups, but when the exchange took place, I noticed I missed the class preparing me. Surely after I’d invested my life into these kids, they couldn’t leave.

But try as we may, life changes faster than clock hands during spring forward.

Kids change. They age. And our denial is forced to a halt.

So on that bright spring day, I sat on the porch.

And I discovered, again, my desperate need. The need to fertilize my faith, plant inner growth and gulp the Living Water. The life giving, thirst quenching water of trust in God, good for all seasons.

I remembered life’s summers may come and go, but Jesus remains the same.

Today. Tomorrow. Yesterday.

The same.

I trust him.

You can too. Won’t you join me for some Living Water refreshment on the porch?

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Called Away

Monday, August 31st, 2009

 

 

Solitude. Even the word sounds lonely. I admit that sometimes I want to be alone, but never do I want to be lonely. A restricted solitude, like solitary confinement, would be extra brutal. No touch, no interaction, no…nothing from anybody. How can the will to survive remain? Could severe solitude be good?
 
Some examples in Christian history bear witness that solitude is very fruitful, and possibly more effective than the busyness of Christian ministry or doing good.
Called away
 
For instance, when Paul was imprisoned from his missionary travels and confined from the masses he desired to speak to, he wrote letters of teaching and exhortation to those he’d met along life’s journey. Much of the New Testament’s writing comes from Paul’s solitude and has delivered the hope of God to people for two thousand years.
 
Another example was a preacher named John Bunyon. While he was in confinement in a dark dungeon, he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. It’s a story about coming to Christ and learning to live as a Christian, and is still read generations later making a difference in the lives of many.
 
Even Jesus withdrew to solitary places (Mark 1:35).
 
These examples show that when forced into solitude and limited interaction with people, many turned to God to fill the void. The resulting closeness to God made them more effective than if they’d remained in freedom and busyness. God used them to create works of great influence that lasts.
 
If God in human form needs solitude, I can’t imagine how much more I need it. But It’s against my nature to seek it intentionally. And I don’t like being alone. I pace the floor and become listless, feeling un…usable? It’s a feeling like I’m wasted or unworthy or something. Then doubt becomes a close friend.
 
I understand that in order to be effective I need solitude more than I need an audience. If my purpose is to make a difference, I must be different. I need to make peace with being alone. I’m called away.
 
Taken aside by Jesus,
To feel the touch of His hand;
To rest for a while in the shadow
Of the Rock in a wary land.
 
Taken aside by Jesus,
In the loneliness dark and drear,
Where no other comfort may reach me,
Than His voice to my heart so dear.
 
Taken aside by Jesus,
To be quite alone with Him,
To hear His wonderful tones of love
‘Mid the silence and shadows dim.
 
Taken aside by Jesus,
Shall I resist to desert place,
When I hear as I never heard before,
And see Him “face to face”?   ~Streams, p. 329.
 
There’s a delicate balance between solitude and interaction. Sorry Facebookers, twitterers, and bloggers. Friends of all kinds. I’m not unsociable, but at times, I need to be called away.

 

 

iGETitLIFE.com Free Book Drawing

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

And the winner is… A drawing for an author-signed book was taken from the pool of early registrants of the Capture Me! September 2009 iGETitLIFE Women’s Event. Congratulations to Pam Moore of the Texas Hill Country.  She has won a free personalized copy of Vonda Skelton’s Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe.

Vonda’s book is filled with insight and humor. The rest of us can order our copy of Seeing Through the Lies to get a taste of the awesome time awaiting us at the Capture Me! Event. Vonda is the keynote speaker and you will be blessed by hearing from her in person.

Breakout sessions by other godly speakers include Renae Brumbaugh, Anita Onarecker Wood, Anne LeGare, and myself. We may even have a surprise missionary to speak to a young women issue — what God can do with the unmatched pieces of my life? Some breakout session topics are:

Capture Me! 2009 iGETitLIFE Women's Event flyer•    Hope? I NEED Hope! – Has all the chaos beaten you down? Discover what God says about hope, and sharpen your focus—gain new encouragement with the anchor of our soul – - hope!  Anita Onarecker Wood is an eyewitness to miraculous prayer. She was on the bridge with her first husband, Dick Onarecker, who prayed for Don Piper, as told in 90 Minutes in Heaven.
*    Morning Coffee . . . Caffeine for the Soul - Soul weary? Need a java-jolt? Grab a cup of coffee and discover practical keys for successful living. You’ll come away with a renewed spirit that will satisfy . . . all day long.  Renae Brumbaugh is the author of Morning Coffee with James, four other books, and a syndicated column. She makes hard truth easy to swallow. Need a little sugar with that?
•    Default Settings — Stuck in the Spin Cycle? – Worn out? “Why is my Christian life so hard?”  Your “default settings” may be set on the “spin cycle.”  Discover how to reprogram to the “vibrant colors” cycle God intends and get out of the wringer!  Anne LeGare is a former Army major. As a divorced, single mother with two small children, she earned two Master’s degrees. Remarried with five kids, she’s living proof that you can come out of the “Spin Cycle” and rest in the Lord.
•    Sacred Conversation: The Eternal Chat, IM, & Text – Learn to chat with God and join his amazing adventure. Discover how to make a difference and find healing, hope, and purpose. Robin Bryce is committed to engage, inspire, and influence abundant life and is the speaker and founder of iGETitLIFE. She’s found hope and life-purpose chatting with Jesus.

Don’t delay. Register online now or download form for this awesome weekend of inspiration, fun, and worship. Time and space is running out.

Oh, and Pam, look for your free book to arrive in your mailbox soon and thank you for registering early.

And BIG THANKS to Vonda for donating and personalizing her book for the drawing. She’s such a doll. You got to come meet her.

 

iGETitLIFE 2009 Spectacular Ladies Event Invitation

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

Watch it. The fun waits, mixed with great inspirational teaching and stories. You don’t want to miss out. Something great is in store for you. See the video and find more information at www.iGETitLIFE.com.


The video is on YouTube.

Join my friend, national speaker and author, Vonda Skelton, and award winning worship leaders Tasha Fox and Brenda White for a spectacular weekend September 18th – 20th 2009. Great breakout sessions and time for a refreshing focus on Sacred Relationship is also yours if you sign up before space runs out. We are limited in the number of ladies that can attend, but the sky is no boundary to the fun and encouragement that can be had. I look forward to hearing from you and spending a great weekend together!

See you there!
Robin

PS. Don’t forget to register at www.iGETitLIFE.com.
 

iGETitLIFE 2009 Ladies Event

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Open Registration: www.iGETitLIFE.com

view youtube video promotion.

Momma Mia! GraceMark Girl Style

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

 Momma Mia! GraceMark Girl Style

I laughed so hard my face muscles hurt and my stomach felt like I had done three sets of 25 sit-ups. Oh my goodness, what a great time we had. The GraceMark Girls even let me pose with them in a picture.

 

I’ve been told I must, but I haven’t seen Momma Mia!, the movie. After this past weekend’s lip-sync/karaoke version, I’m trying to work it into my schedule. The “girls” from GraceMark and community and I had gathered together at a retreat for inspiration, encouragement and seeking God. We were challenged to believe God, trust his love, and pursue our God-given dreams in spite of the difficulties and fears. God is faithful and he will accomplish all he set out to do in and through us. We got more than we went for. God brought one from amongst them into his saving grace and personal relationship with himself. We all rejoiced over this one coming into the kingdom. Pray with me for these sisters and friends, for God to continue to work in them.

Blessings,

Robin

 

*I GET IT* Ladies Retreat

Monday, August 11th, 2008

 

When: November 7 & 8, 2008
Where: North Point FWB Church
17018 FM 1314
Conroe, TX 77032
936-697-0786

 

Accommodations: Drury Inn & Suites
28099 I45 North
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-362-7222

 

 

Cost: $40.00 for Retreat and Meals
See Registration for Special Room Rates!

www.iGETitLIFE.com

 

 

Contact info: Robin@RobinBryce.com
936-449-5571

Meet & Greet for the *I GET IT* Ladies Retreat

Monday, August 11th, 2008

When: Hurricane POSTPONED to

Saturday, October 4th, 5-7:00 pm

September 20, 2008, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Where: Dacus Baptist Church

5403 FM N 1486

Montgomery, TX 77356

Come! Charge! Retreat!

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

 

In response to a HighCallingBlogs Group Writing Project on the importance of taking time to get away in retreat, I laughed at my first thoughts on the project’s title, “Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!”

 

I didn’t envision a soft, cushy, comfort. I heard a battle command. Maybe it’s because I recently watched a movie with Charlton Heston from the 1960’s called Major Dundee. He consistently reminded his men he had only three commands. “Come. Charge. And run like…” Well, you can watch the movie, but retreat is part of the battle planning.

 

As a Christian equipped with armor, burdened with mission, and awaiting orders, I look to the Lord for when to retreat. If I listen carefully and obey quickly, I’ll know when to get out of the daily grind or battles and run for the “strong tower” of refuge.

 

My retreat brings healing, rest, and renewed vigor to accomplish the tasks of life. I can’t always get away to attend a nice retreat center like Laity Lodge, but I am able to take a walk alone, go to a coffee shop and sit, or drive with God and my thoughts (although driving retreats have recently proven dangerous).

 

For more serious retreats, I need a deeper withdrawal, somewhere safe to sleep, to “lick my wounds” (have God’s healing comfort applied), to recoup and regroup. My serious retreat locations can be at home, on vacations, and at retreat centers, but always they include those I love and trust, those who believe in God within me. I call upon proven prayer warriors, mentors, family, and friends.

 

During quiet, comforting retreats I get a clearer focus on my part in God’s mission, and retune my ears for the “Major’s” voice.

 

What’s that? Come! Charge! Or Retreat!

 

One to be change,

Robin


 

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