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The Benefits Of Solitude

Why Getting Away For A Time Can Be Crucial To Spiritual Growth

I’m getting antsy. I’m ready for a break from the routine, ready to get away for a few days.

The Benefits Of Solitude

Each year, I take a week around the first of October and head out for a spiritual retreat. For the past several years, I have utilized a program called Wilderness, run by Christ In Youth. And it has always been an incredible time of spiritual growth and reflection for me.

I try to take a short break every few weeks, a day away where I seek solitude and spend the day in prayer and reading God’s Word. But once a year, I take a bigger chunk of time to really revitalize my soul, and Wilderness has been a key factor in making that a priority for my life.

Solitude is a spiritual discipline that most of us are probably not comfortable with. In our busy society, and a very noisy society, getting away by ourselves and being quiet is very intimidating. But it is very necessary.

At Wilderness, one of the elements I love so much is the opportunity to find a place where I can be alone to listen to God for several hours a day, each day, throughout the week. Wilderness is held at Bear Trap Ranch, outside of Colorado Springs, and each morning, I find a spot in the mountains where I can see peaks all around me, and the golden aspens moving in the breeze. It is incredible peaceful, and I relish this time by myself each day.

Solitude is something I have come to appreciate. It’s something that Jesus modeled for us, because he spent a lot of time off on his own, seeking the Father through prayer. Sometimes it was in the early mornings (Mark 1:35), other times it was in the evening (Luke 6:12). Many times it was before a major event in his life and ministry, like the transfiguration, his arrest, or the choosing of his disciples. But regardless of when or where, it is essential to note that he did this regularly and frequently. So should we.

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The Importance Of A Faithful Example

How To Have The Heart Of A Champion

Having the Heart of a Champion can be difficult sometimes. But as Paul shows us in 2 Corinthians, there are some key things that we can incorporate into our lives in order to succeed in this.

The Importance Of A Faithful Example

One of those characteristics that we can develop to help build the Heart of a Champion is the ability to stand strong as a faithful example. Look at how Paul states this in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10:

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

What Paul is saying here is that people are watching us. They are looking to see how we respond to the circumstances, often difficult, that we experience in life. And their response towards God is influenced by our actions. And so it is critical that we remain steadfast as a faithful example.

I don’t know who said it, but I have a quote in my files that states, “The most valuable gift you can give another is a good example.”

A French Press is an easy way to step up your coffee game and not break your wallet. Plus, it makes a great cup of coffee. While I prefer pourovers more, I keep a press in both my home and office, and another in my vehicle. You can grab one at Amazon.

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Coffee Break – 08.28.2017

Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration

On this day in history: In 1609, the Delaware Bay was discovered by Henry Hudson. In 1907, the “American Messenger Company” was started by two teenagers, Jim Casey and Claude Ryan. The company’s name was later changed to “United Parcel Service.” And in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I Have a Dream” speech at a civil rights rally in Washington, DC. More than 200,000 people attended.

Coffee Break

Discovering the Coffee Culture In Kerala, India – We don’t often associate India with coffee, but it does have a vibrant industry. This article gives us a good look at it.

10 Things Women Love On A Man – I strive to be a well-dressed individual, simply because I want to look my best. And as I am able to afford it, I add pieces to my wardrobe to accentuate that. Real Men, Real Style posted this a while back, and I decided to watch to see if my wife agreed. She has confirmed almost all of these. That gives me yet another reason to be well-dressed.

Protect Your Library The Medieval Way, With Horrifying Book Curses – I have an extensive library. Maybe I should consider this…

Seasons, In A Small World – This is a creative way to utilize the perspective of a microscope or a macro-lens to display the four seasons of our world.

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 4:19

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

The final verse in 1 Peter 4 sums up the section, but it also summarizes the central theme of the entire letter. You can see it for yourself in 1 Peter 4:19.

1 Peter 4:19

Peter’s primary theme throughout this letter has been the concept of suffering, and how the Christian should respond to it, and continue to serve Christ in spite of it. That is nothing surprising, because all believers will suffer, or have suffered, because of their faith in God. What is surprising here is that Peter indicates that this is God’s will.

This is not the first time he has alluded to this idea. In chapter 3, Peter gave us another glimpse that the reality of suffering is something that God can and will use for his glory and for our own growth.

At first glance, we are tempted to think that unjust suffering is not what God would want for our lives, and that unjust suffering is caused by the enemy. To a certain extent this is very true. But as we see in the book of Job, along with other passages of Scripture, God is in control of each and every situation, and he ultimately controls all of humanity, and even the enemy and his demons. In that regard, everything he allows to happen is within the span of his will.