'community' Tagged Posts (Page 2)

'community' Tagged Posts (Page 2)

Daily Devotions

When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’” vs. 11 Acts 11:11-18 Luke leaves us with the impression that this one conversation was enough to change the minds of the Jerusalem believers and open their hearts to the uncircumcised. Of course we know from Paul’s letters that it took years for the gospel to be seen in an inclusive way. Judaizers dogged…

Daily Devotions

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9           Psalm 71:1-14 Some things never change! Even in the time of the psalmist, more than 2500 years ago, people had a fear of growing old. That fear stems not so much from the aches, pains, and muscle weakness that comes from aging, but the alienation and loneliness that can be almost more than our spirits can bear. Physical…

Daily Devotions

For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.” vs. 10 Psalm 31:9-16 We don’t know what was going on with the psalmist, he doesn’t give any details about whatever it was that had been tormenting him. We can only imagine–and make some guesses based on our own periods of dismal existence as we’ve made our way from spring to winter in the course of…
The Gift of Years Retreat feature image

The Gift of Years Retreat Open to Commuters

Want to participate in Spirit’s ‘The Gift of Years’ retreat, but sleep in your own bed? Spaces are now open to locals who prefer to commute to Carefree. Participate in the program, the meals, the yoga, the camaraderie and the fun ~ everything but the overnight sleeping ~ for only $199!

Daily Devotions

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.” vss. 16-17a Luke 4:14-16 Synagogues began to be built in the towns of Galilee and Judea just prior to the time that Jesus began his ministry. They were places of prayer and study and for the reading and exposition of…

Daily Devotions

Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’”  vs. 18 Genesis 2:18-24 The second of the two Hebrew creation stories paints a picture of God that is dear to our hearts. Here we see the Divine Presence, not as the transcendent creator of all things, but as a down-to-earth God who gives to humanity the breath of life. And more than that, those ancient…

Daily Devotions

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” vs. 16  James 5:16-20 It has become common for believers to speak of the personal relationship that they have with Jesus. We have learned to talk in this fashion because some religious leaders have had a fixation on what might be called individual salvation. They teach that “going to heaven” requires each person…

Carefree participates in Spirit’s Virtual Silent Auction

The Carefree business community generously stepped up to support Spirit in the Desert by donating dozens of items for the Virtual Silent Auction fund raiser held the third week in May, 2021. More than 32 merchants, restaurants, individuals, organizations, and friends of Spirit contributed to the successful, first-ever, Virtual Silent Auction. Participants bid on gifts, home goods, accessories, vacations, a new Apple watch, restaurant gift certificates, and a gourmet meal for ten prepared by Spirit in the Desert’s Chef, Zoe…

Daily Devotions

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” vs. 1 Psalm 133 The psalmist nails it today! His dream has been around for a long time and describes one of our deepest yearnings. There is nothing that can be any better than unity in the life of our communities. When Jesus was completing his mission John tells us that he told his disciples that he was giving them just one commandment, that they should love…

Daily Devotions

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” vs. 9 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 Jesus came proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and for generations believers have embraced that good news with enthusiasm. It fits our notion of the American dream where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the highest aspirations. Some carry this to an extreme and say that there is nothing that can be forbidden to them–they’re inclined…

Daily Devotions

Matthew 22:1-7 … “But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.” vss. 5-6 This parable obviously packed a punch for Pharisees when they heard it. They immediately ratcheted up their plans to eliminate Jesus–for them he was nothing but a troublemaker. For us it’s interesting, but not easily relatable–we don’t live in a time of regional kings and royal wedding…