Posts by Sue Palmer

Posts by Sue Palmer

Spiritual Practice: Praying the Labyrinth

Sue Palmer, spiritual practices specialist, traces the history of the labyrinth, and demonstrates several ways a labyrinth can be used to facilitate prayer and meditation as a spiritual practice today.
saguaro blooms

Reopening to Guests mid-September!

We are so excited to be welcoming guests again! Our doors open mid-September and we are looking forward to seeing old friends and preparing to meet new ones. At Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center we have been busy deep cleaning and disinfecting while the center has been on hiatus. New protocols are in place for dealing with COVID-19 so if you have any questions, please call us at 480-488-5218 and we will be happy to give you more information.Our…

2020_Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis

Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis Grief, pain, isolation, fear, worry, and loss can upend our normal spiritual rhythms of life and our faith life as a whole. As Christians, what do we do? Do we grit our teeth, fake it ‘til we make it, and carry on regardless? Aren’t we supposed to be “thankful in all circumstances” and happy all the time? Should we just turn away from God until we feel better? These are all valid questions and…

The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 2

Fasting is just about giving up chocolate or alcohol for Lent, isn’t it?” Actually, there are other ways of fasting, and, in the Christian tradition, other times of the Church year apart from Lent, when we are encouraged to fast. We discussed in “Fasting – Part 1,” that fasting from meals can help us make room for God, help us focus on our spiritual needs rather than our physical needs, and help us prepare for Church seasons such as Easter…

The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 1

What do Mardi Gras, Friday Fish Fry, and locusts and wild honey have in common? That’s right – fasting. Mardi Gras (literally Fat Tuesday) is now a carnival celebration, which culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. In Great Britain, Mardi Gras is referred to as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. The idea of Fat Tuesday originated in medieval times when monks would use up their rich food and fats, often in the form of pancakes, the night before Ash…

The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Have you ever been offered a place to stay at a time of need in your life? Has a kind word or thoughtful presence helped you…

The Spiritual Practice of Prayer

The Spiritual Practice of Prayer… Prayer may be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about spiritual practices. And it should be – prayer is the oxygen of our life as Christians. Without prayer in our lives we are merely observers of a relationship with God rather than participants. Why do I say that?… As in any relationship, our relationship with God can never grow if there is not some level of communication. Prayer is that means of…

Speaking the Word Freely Retreat

JAN. 23-25, 2018: SPEAKING THE WORD FREELY retreat Spirit in the Desert is honored to again offer Speaking the Word freely workshop, now in its 10th year. Speaking the Word Freely, with Rev. Jerry Larson, is the tried and true Process Preaching system enabling pastors and others to deliver sermons freely without reading a manuscript or speaking off the cuff. Speaking freely is such a powerful way of communicating that it literally can wake people up. Why does speaking freely…

Lutherhostel 2018

FEB. 25-MARCH 2 AND/OR MARCH 4-MARCH 9: LUTHERHOSTEL 2018 Join us in spring of 2018 for a week of faith exploration and learning, worship and singing, fellowship and fun at Spirit in the Desert. In 2018, we’re honored to have two highly respected and well-known theologians leading the teaching both weeks of Lutherhostel. Participants spend each morning in worship/song with our musicians/worship leaders and study with our featured guest presenter. Each afternoon includes options for continued growth both on and…

3rd Chapter of Life

We established the Center for the 3rd Chapter of Life, creating an array of original programs designed to help people discover their true meaning and power.