Rena and I just got back from a ministry retreat in the Colorado mountains. We had a full summer and an especially full three weeks before the retreat. Honestly, we were tired and frazzled. I was ready to bail out of the retreat – and said so to Rena – but the Lord had good plans!
The Sonscape Ministry Retreat in Divide, Colorado, was just that – a retreat. Our leader couple focused on our personal walks with God and our rest in Him. I arrived ready to get feedback on our plans for the next two years of developing PPI. Instead we talked with the Lord and each other, walked the foothills of the Pikes Peak range, and rested.
It was just what we needed after these past 16 months of change and new Kingdom adventures. I read this week:
“If you will take care of the depth of your life and ministry, God will take care of the breadth. If you will stay focused on the root, He will produce the fruit.” (The God Ask by Steve Shadrach)
Jesus said it simply: “Abide in me . . . . Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). It’s easy for any of us to get so caught up in the opportunities and responsibilities of life that we miss our Savior’s invitation to lead our lives and give us rest along the way. He says to us, “Come away and rest awhile.” That’s what this past week was for us, and we are grateful!
Now we are back home in Michigan, and have resumed climbing the mountains before us here! It’s an exciting, joyful trek and our steps are lighter. Will you pray for us as we:
- Work toward our next pastors training in Gonaives, Haiti in February
- Contact and meet with churches and individuals to develop partnerships with PPI
- Continuing pastoring First Baptist Church and assist in the church’s search for its next permanent pastor
We don’t want to lose what the Lord reminded us of on the mountain!
Thank you, Pastor Ken, for sharing. We all need the reminder to set aside time to rest and be refreshed.
You’re welcome, Sharon. “O rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for Him, and He will give you your heart’s desire.” A good promise from our Father in Heaven!
Keep up the good work, your doing great things for God Ken. Your going to enter heaven with a fan fair!! -1 Peter.
Thanks for the encouragement, Joe. Pray for us, brother, because there are many adversaries and setbacks! What did Paul say? “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest upon me. . . . When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Thank you for blessing us and encouraging us to focus on the Lord.
Thank you, Liz. So good to hear from you. O rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for Him, and He will give you your heart’s desire.” A good promise from our Father in Heaven!
Praying with you as you continue to climb.
Thanks, brother. We so need the Lord’s grace and strength every day! Great to see you on Saturday. Good to catch up a little. Keep climbing, my friend!
Thanks for all the commitment to the Lord Ken and Rene!
Thanks, Mike and Cheryl. Without Him we can do nothing and, man, do we know it!