and I are trying to plan the first of what we hope are many spiritual retreats, and we're looking for a bit of advice.
Here's what we have planned so far:
Brandon's father has a farm about two hours from here, which is where the retreat would be located.
No technology of any kind, except for cell phones in case of emergency (or maybe we just give out the land line number of the house and don't take cell phones either).
Our diet will consist entirely of bread, water, and coffee.
We will pray the , with each time of prayer followed by silence, and concluding with journaling.
All other time will be filled by reading scripture, reading books, and manual labor (around the farm).
So that's a rough sketch of what we've been working on, but we're looking for some advice and guidance. If you've been on a spiritual retreat and/or have planned them, what are the best resources you can recommend? Do you have any tips? We're looking for anything at all to help us plan the most nourishing retreat possible.
If you know of anything that would be helpful, please leave a comment!
Highlight of the week: Last weekend and I drove to St. Paul to see play a show, which was totally bizarre because a) the bouncer let us in for free (it was a $10 show) and b) there were less than 25 people there. Even so, they put on a great show. If only I had received my new camera by then.
Book(s) I'm reading: I finished by Dave Eggers and at this point I think I am okay saying that it's my least favorite work by Eggers. You see, I usually love anything he writes, but I feel like there was something missing from this novel. Anyway, I've moved on to by Steven Johnson.
Music I'm digging: For the past couple of weeks, I have almost exclusively been listening to by Green River Ordinance, which is a phenomenal pop/rock album, and by The Alternate Routes.
Something(s) that blew my mind: I just want to be a fly on the wall in and soak up every ounce of songwriting goodness.
Ministry update: We're super busy getting ready for the First Annual St. Mark Sale Barn and Silent Auction, which is less than a month away. Lots of things need to come together for it to be a success; and while I'm really nervous about it, I have faith that it will turn out to be a fantastic fundraising event.
Myself and most of the staff at St. Mark are going to the mini-conference this Saturday. I'm indifferent about it.
Also, Brandon and I are busy putting together the next several videos for Lenten small groups. Here's Chapter 3:
Seminary/ordination update: Nothing new to report.
Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to a normal week. I don't have any extra meetings or anything, so I'm hopeful that I can be really productive.
In my life, the days of being simultaneously passionate about photography and not owning a decent camera are a thing of the past. Using this year's tax return, I recently purchased a .
In reality, I know next to nothing about photography, but I am willing to be patient and slowly learn the ins and outs. To help facilitate the process of learning, I'm participating in on Flickr, which means I will every day for 365 consecutive days.
No doubt I'll occasionally post some photos here on the blog, so I hope you don't mind. In fact, I hope you will leave comments with constructive criticism.
Photographers, I have two questions for you (I'm looking at you, ): 1. What's the #1 piece of advice you'd give to a newbie photographer? and 2. What is the best photoblog you read? Please leave a comment and let me know!
Marshall McLuhan was far ahead of his time in terms of understanding media and communication theory, . "Many people seem to think that if you talk about something recent, you're in favor of it. The exact opposite is true in my case. Anything I talk about is almost certain to be something I'm resolutely against, and it seems to me the best way of opposing it is to understand it, and then you know where to turn off the button." Related: Is Google Making Us Stupid?
. "Often, in reaction, we think that, in having no programmes, no hierarchy, the removal of the institution will solve the problem. After all, if the institution is getting in the way of the purpose, get rid of the institution. This response is increasingly ingrained in us, such that even using the word ‘institution’ is anathema to those seeking new ways of doing and being church. But I think how ever well intentioned, this approach is naive and inadequate to the task of being Church."
JakeBouma.com is a weblog maintained since 2005 by Jake Bouma, an ecclesial junkie and (imprudently) aspiring polymath who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
