'community' Tagged Posts (Page 3)
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…
12 Tiny Things Retreat Now Open to Commuters!
elsewhere? Now’s your chance! This retreat is now open to locals who prefer to commute to Spirit in the Desert. Participate in the program, the meals, the yoga, the camaraderie and the fun ~ everything but the overnight sleeping ~ for only $249!
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…
Daily Devotions
Philippians 2:1-4 … “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” vss. 3-4 As Paul bares his soul to his friends in the Philippian community, we see clearly what he desires for them in their life together. Living in Christ will be different from life in the world. No longer will they be dominated by desires…
Daily Devotions: April 17, 2020
April 17, 2020 1 Peter 1:6-9 … “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy…” vs. 8 We’re all pretty much in the same boat when it comes to Jesus. None of us ever saw him in the flesh and we certainly can’t see him in bodily form now. He lived a long time ago and we’re totally…
Daily Devotions: March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020 John 11:1-16 … “But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’” vs. 4 These words of Jesus seem contradictory. Whoever heard of an illness that could bring glory to God, especially one that was deadly in nature? And yet that’s what happened: Lazarus died, but his death provided an opportunity for folks to celebrate…