While most of our retreat activities focus on quieter, often internal, ways of engaging with God (reading, writing, speaking, listening, etc.), there can also be great value in incorporating more creative or interactive aspects into our time with God. This acknowledges and lives in the reality that God made us creative, dynamic people, and there...
Category: Let the Thirsty Come
Record of Debt
Using Scripture to guide self-examination, confession, and living in light of the Gospel God’s Word is the best tool available to us as we seek to look honestly at our lives and bring our sin back to the cross. In this activity, we will specifically reflect on Colossians 3, asking God to open our eyes...
The Lord’s Prayer
In this activity, we use the Lord’s Prayer as a template for looking to God and depending on him for our core needs. When Jesus instructs his disciples to pray, he reminds them to beware of two dangers: praying to impress others and praying to impress God. Instead, he calls his disciples to pray in...
Part 4: Quiet
This is Part 4 of our Let the Thirsty Come retreat series, which highlights different aspects of spending extended quality time with God. God calls us to come and be still, and this invitation flows from God’s mighty power – not from the stillness of our surroundings or circumstances. Even in the midst of troubles,...
Isaiah 55
In this message based on Isaiah 55, Josh introduces the heart of the Abiding Waters ministry, and the necessity for all believers to be daily coming to Jesus.
Seeing the Word
God’s Word overflows with imagery that enriches our understanding and our engagement with who God is and what he is communicating to us as his children. As sons and daughters of our abundantly creative God, he has given us the unique ability of imagining and picturing scenes and interactions that are not physically present before...
Part 3: Creativity
This is Part 3 of our Let the Thirsty Come retreat series, which highlights different aspects of spending extended quality time with God. We have a beautiful and creative heavenly Father, and he has made us creative as a reflection of part of his character and image. In this month’s devotional, we explore the richness...
Part 2: Scripture Meditation
This is Part 2 of our Let the Thirsty Come retreat series, which highlights different aspects of spending extended quality time with God. What does it mean to meditate on Scripture, and how does God speak truth and bring transformation as we engage our mind, heart, and situations with the Word of God? This month’s...
Closing Reflection and Prayer
The following reflection questions and prayer time are intended to help close a time of spiritual retreat or extended alone time with God. Take a few minutes to prayerfully journal your responses. Feel free to adapt the questions, as helpful. 1. How am I doing and how am I feeling after this time spent with...
Engaging Mind and Heart
This activity is a modification of some of the basic meditation activities. The goal of the modifications is to help you intentionally focus on engaging both your mind/thoughts and heart/emotions with a passage of Scripture. Two different format options are given below. Choose one based on your personal preference and also the length of the...