By Patricia Stratton, national president
Focus Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
Introduction: Crafting this spiritual retreat has been an intimate journey for me. I felt led to center it on one of my favorite spiritual practices, “Dwelling in the Word” or “Lectio Divina,” the sacred reading of Scripture. The ideas I’ve put forth are things that I do in my own devotional times. I wrote the retreat as a personal spiritual retreat, one that can be done simply by you individually, but it is easily adapted to a group context. You will see that I’ve added ideas for adaptation where needed.
Our ministry focus for 2013-2015 is “A Time to Serve.” We understand we are to serve, that now is the time, and that God has gifted us with all that we need as leaders to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry,” (Ephesians 4:12-13). We also know that as women we are pulled in many directions. We’re caring for our families, our ministries, our homes; we have jobs (paid and unpaid); many of us are sandwiched between caring for children and aging parents… and the list goes on. How do we stay focused? How do we attend to our own needs, spiritually and otherwise? From where do we draw strength? My strength comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth; from Jesus the Christ, lover of my soul; and from the Holy Spirit who continually teaches the deeper things.
I invite you to journey to the heart of God. I invite you to explore the source of your strength. I hope is that as you explore God’s heart, your heart will be changed, your mind renewed, and your strength multiplied.