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A Monthly Mini-Retreat with Jesus

How do you stay connected to Jesus when your Bible study group goes on vacation?  Does your commitment and discipline go away when there's no one in the flesh to hold you accountable?


For eight months now, I've been purchasing a monthly subscription box from Yada Missions (formerly Purpose Driven Essentials).  Each box has contained wonderful goodies to help me keep my focus on Jesus like books and CDs, Bible journaling supplies and a treat to enjoy when I sit down to enjoy the elements in the box.


I've tried to scrape together a little time after receiving each kit to use the Bible journaling supplies because I don't have a regular time that I commit to being artistic in my Bible.  I've thought that being spontaneous when creating the artwork keeps it honest and not forced.  The result of that is a growing pile of art and Bible journaling supplies waiting to be used.


I thought that maybe having a "place" to do this journaling would make it easier to create a habit.  And I've been wanting to designate a room in my house as a "War Room" for prayer and Bible study and making ministry related phone calls so I won't be disturbed.  So this is where my art supplies are.


Just this morning, it dawned on me that I should take the arrival of each kit as an invitation to make an appointment for a mini-retreat with Jesus!  I need to give myself time to engage the elements in the kit and allow the artistic representation to come forward...  After all, this is how I add drawings to my sermon notes each Sunday.  I listen to my pastor preach and when he says something that brings a visual to my mind, I draw it in my notes.


I received a new kit on Saturday.  And I just scheduled my mini-retreat for the end of August.  I'll let you know how it goes.


Will you schedule a mini-retreat with Jesus over the next month?  What will you bring to your retreat?  What music will you listen to?  What Bible passage will you read?  For whom will you pray?  Will you draw or paint or stamp or color or add stickers to your Bible?  How will you commemorate your retreat?

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