April 13, 2010
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Deer retreat in pictures
As you know I took an overnight retreat recently at Holy Wisdom Monastery where there are 130 acres to wander and enjoy.
I’d lived in Madison for almost thirty years, and though we had driven by the property several times,
I only began to take retreats there about four years ago.I’ve already written a bit here and here about my time away.
I’m not sure if I’ll write more or not, but for now, I’d like to share some pictures I took while I was away.
(And I regret to say that I did not see any deer…or llamas.
)Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
I like taking pictures of paths…I’m not quite sure why…
Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Ok, ok…I know this is not an eagle’s nest…
Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Four years ago in August God impressed on me the passage in Genesis 15 as He was challenging me to step out in obedience to Him. I knew I wanted to obey Him but I didn’t have the will to and He needed to change my heart…He reminded me that I needed to lie down and “sleep” like Abraham and trust Him to work in me what I could not do myself, so I might obey Him…and He did more than I could have asked or imagined!
Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down,
and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
I woke up early and was able to see the sunrise.
Across fog-covered Lake Mendota is the University of Wisconsin, where my husband & I met back in the day…
I’d applied to four graduate schools and it’s the only one that let me in. Hmmm…
Psalms 84:3: Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Thank you, Father, for providing times of refreshment for our dry souls…
