A Sabbatical lifestyle 2-4May 08

1st time at a semi-silent retreat @Montfort Centre... lovely, serene place with a marvellous sunset..

Learnt about solitude (fasting from people) and silence (fasting from noise) in order to hear God.



Went for two morning walks (with Jesus) at Bukit Batok Nature Park aka Little Guilin...





God gave me songs every morning I woke up while I was there... In all things (Rom 8:28) and O Master Let Me Walk with Thee.

Some Key Lessons:

1. Ps 131:1-2 - to be still and quiet before the Lord, like a weaned child

1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.


2. Isa 61:1-3 - I will rejoice (cf. boulder - wrapped but not suffocated, plant is still growing)

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

3. Daniel 3:16-18 - shift my point of reference: it's not about me, it's about God; trust in who God is

Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego trusted God to rescue them from the furnace, knowing that the God they believe in will save them and even if God does not, they will not bow to the statue, standing by what they believe in.

4. Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the prodigal son

God loves me. He is Abba Father who is watching and waiting and loving.
I shall let God define me.
I shall not let men define me - not what I do or have or have achieved.