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Maria and I spent this week on a Spiritual Retreat at the Abby of the Genesee in upstate New York. Famous for their Bread (MonksBread.com), these Fathers & Brothers sing through all 150 Psalms each week (this is a Tradition going back hundreds of years) through 7 different Worship Services each day. (I never did make it to a 3:30 AM Vigil Service) 


There is something very life-giving to have the Psalms wash over you as the Sun is coming up and then again while it goes down. There were some ‘Holy Naps,’ beautiful walking trails during the times of Solitude, and the 24 hour time of Silence. Here are a few takeaways for those interested:

  1. By nature, I am a ‘Fixer’ with a deep desire to solve problems I see; this often requires action ‘in the trenches.’ Yet it was humbling to witness the tremendous Discipline and Intentionality these Monks had as they went about Serving the Lord in their unique Calling. This was especially true of those much older Brothers who sometimes lacked the strength to stand and even struggled to breath at times; their faithfulness to Serve the Lord, whatever their capacity, was truly inspiring. They are ‘set apart from all, for the sake of all.’
  2. Finding Rest in the Lord is different from sleep. In a time when people are taking PTO from their job, not for a vacation but for sleep, God’s People should relearn the rhythm of seeking the Lord for His Rest.
  3. So many of us often run ourselves ragged. If we do not ‘make time’ to experience a FULL STOP, one will be provided for us. (And we might not like the circumstance when that occurs.)

A big thank you to our friends in the Better Together group and Cultivate Renewal for providing the space and time for the healing of our Souls. It was SO good to be surrounded by fellow Ministry Leaders who treat each other with dignity and respect. All Praise to our God: “Who is, who was, and is to come; at the end of the ages.”

Oh, and there was also a waterfall not far away.

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