Some exerpts from my retreat notes:

From a meditation on Romans 8:1-17 - "God has been acting on my behalf for a long, long time. His action now, to give me the eternal kind of life now and to deeply reassure me of my sonship, is all part of this “Different Plan”. My response, by the Spirit’s power and leadership, is to think about things that please the Spirit (to have God ever-present in my mind – to think his thoughts) and to turn away from the urgings of the flesh. The natural result is the kind of relationship like a tender father has with his children."

Romans 8:15 from the Message - “So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent? There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!"

And my response: "I realize that I really don’t owe my old life and old ways of operating anything. There is no sentimental value in hanging on to them any longer. I don’t need to protect myself, be constantly analyzing myself, comparing myself to others, or doubting my place with God. God’s Spirit is whispering to the deepest parts of who I am, in my heart, that I am God’s son. Period."

Final thoughts: "I think this retreat has given me a deeper understanding of my identity in Christ, his action in my spiritual formation, and how this Jesus revolution is really the only hope for the ruined world."

Psalm 149:4-6:
“For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
Let the praises of God be in their mouths,
And a sharp sword in their hands…”

More to come...this hotel connection is really slow.