Soul Retreats: Considering a Tree

Like people and snowflakes, every tree is unique - each is truly a one-of-a-kind creation. Perhaps that's why a tree never fails to inspire a sense of wonder when one stops to take a closer look. 

In the midst of your busy day, take a few minutes to ponder the magnificence of a tree that lives and grows near you. Slowly run to your hand along its trunk. Is the bark smooth and a little sticky, made up of hard lumpy squares, or something in between? Take one of its leaves and trace its lines and ridges with your fingertips. Step back and gaze up into the branches, noting the way they have been shaped and turned by the wind and rain. Imagine the roots burrowing underground, providing stability, strength and nourishment. 

As you do this, consider the fact that you are God's unique creation. Like the tree, you are one of a kind, molded and shaped by the hand of God. Let that understanding lift your spirit and refresh your soul. Then open your heart and whisper a greeting to God, who uses even a tree to remind you of His great love for you. 

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Happy are those who... find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. 

They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. 

PSALM 1:1-3

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They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 

ISAIAH 61:3

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I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. 

PSALM 52:8

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The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. 

PROVERBS 11:30

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To him who overcomes, Jesus will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. 

REVELATION 2:7

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Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

PSALM 100:3

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The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. 

PSALM 92:12 

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Soul Retreats: The Amazing Bible

Without a doubt, the Bible is the most magnificent book ever written. Its words are filled with encouragement and inspiration. Even more than that, the Bible is a living letter from the loving God to you. 

It isn't necessary to read a whole book or even a whole chapter at a time. Find a quiet place and a readable version of the Bible. Allow yourself to move about within its pages, soaking up God's promises, gleaning God's wisdom and learning of God's great love for you. Read each passage twice - once for your head and once for your heart. Go slowly, and allow the richness of God's Word to calm your mind and refresh your soul. Soon you will feel the stress and fatigue of your busy day subsiding. 

No matter how much time you spend reading the Bible - event if it is no more than a few minutes a day, you will always be blessed as you read God's life - giving words. 

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When your words came, I ate them; 

they were my joy and my heart's delight, O Lord. 

Jeremiah 15:16

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How sweet are your words to my taste, 

O Lord, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

Psalm 119:103

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The precepts of the Lord are right, 

giving joy to the heart. 

Psalm 19:8

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When Moses went and told the people all the Lord's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the Lord has said we will do." Moses then wrote down everything the Lord has said. 

Exodus 24:3-4

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Jesus said, "It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." 

Luke 4:4

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The unfolding of your words gives light, O Lord.

Psalm 119:130

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Jesus said,  "If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you." 

John 15:7

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You are my hiding place and my shield, 

O Lord; I hope in your word. 

Psalm 119:114 

Soul Retreats: A Spot of Tea

God is aware of the complexities and stress-filled circumstances that you face in your life. God cares. He cares so much that he has provided many natural foods that will strengthen and renew body and mind and help you relax and recoup your energy. 

When you find yourself feeling the stress, boil the water, steep the tea and sit for a moment, allowing yourself to enjoy the incredible benefits of a simple cup of tea. These benefits shouldn't be seen as substitutes for more sophisticated remedies our doctors prescribe for us. But they do represent a wonderful provision for helping us cope successfully in our world. 

Relax, and know that God created tea for your benefit.

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God causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, 

and herb for the service of man,

PSALM 104:14

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God blesses the soil which drinks in the rain that often falls on it and which grows plants that are useful to those for whom it is cultivated.

HEBREWS 6:7

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God said, "Behold I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and in every tree which was fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you.

GENESIS 1:29

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Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. 

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31

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Your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb; and the hand of the Lord shall be known towards his servants. 

ISAIAH 66:14

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O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 

PSALM 36:6,8

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I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. 

ECCLESIASTES 3:12-13 

Soul Retreats: Like a Playful Child

Children are capable of unfettered play because they are comfortable with there dependence on others. They know that someone will be watching out for them, and they accept the fact without question. 

If the responsibilities of your grown-up world keep you running in circles, spinning plates, and trying to hold all the aspects of your life together, visualize yourself as a child at play under the watchful eye of your heavenly Father. Forget your tension. Let worries drain away. Deliberately relax your shoulders, relax your stance, let your limbs hang loose. Know that God, who is more dependable than any earthly parent could ever be, is always looking out for you. So play! Enjoy God's world. 

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As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

PSALM 103:13

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Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, "Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

MARK 10:13-14

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Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

MATTHEW 18:2-3

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Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

PSALM 34:11

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

PSALM 131:1-2

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How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

1 JOHN 3:1

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Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

MARK 10:16

God's Eternal Faithfulness

Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!

For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

PSALM 117
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I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever;
In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”
“I have made a covenant with My chosen;
I have sworn to David My servant,
I will establish your seed forever
And build up your throne to all generations.” Selah.

The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord,
A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones,
And awesome above all those who are around Him?
O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty [f]Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

PSALM 89:1-8

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Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13