Lost Disciplines Found

I had an opportunity last week to go on a 48 hour silent retreat in solitude, two spiritual disciplines that seem to becoming lost in our Christian lives. Though this was a required activity for seminary, I was eager to get it started because I usually find refreshment in solitude, though it can be hard to find in our busy lives.

A family in our church offered their cabin to me for this time away with the Lord. It was fairly remote, six miles off the nearest paved road, in the mountains south of Prescott, AZ.

Once I arrived at the cabin on Wednesday, it was almost dark and I had to rush to get things opened up and turned on while I could still see. It took awhile to dial down and begin to concentrate on God. As I began seeking God's presence, I felt that I needed to read certain scriptures and pray certain prayers. But after a while I just wasn't feeling like I was connecting with God and decided to just go to bed.

On Thursday morning I began to pray and read while enjoying my coffee on the deck of this beautiful cabin. Again I was feeling like I needed to approach God in a certain way in order to have "that encounter". Then I felt Him say, "Why are you striving so hard, I am here, I am always with you. I don't want you to DO anything, I just want you to BE, be with Me. It's OK to rest." Then I felt pressed to read Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

I replied, "OK Lord, I hear you, I can rest." I then stood up with my coffee to gaze out at the wonderful view from the deck when I heard some twigs cracking to the left of the cabin and then 3 deer came walking by and stopped right in front of me and grazed for about 15 minutes before moving on. I began to thank the Lord for He knows what it is that I like. Then I heard a turkey and sure enough about 12-15 turkey proceeding in from my right and stopped right in front of me to feed for another 15 minutes. God was blessing me and bringing rest to my soul in watching His creation. 

"Be still and know that I am God" was the verse coming to mind as my time at the cabin continued. I picked up my bible to read this verse in Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God." is how it reads in my translation. This prompted me to read some other translations of this verse and some of them can read as "Let go" or "Relax and know that I am God."

I asked the Lord, "What am I striving for?" He then proceeded to show me three areas where I've been striving and not trusting in Him. This brought about a release of control in these areas to God, my Father who has good gifts for His children.

God continued the theme of cease striving in a couple of different ways during my 48 hours, but He also continued restoring my soul and pouring out His love and grace upon me. God also encouraged me in things related to seminary, as well as bringing another confirmation about the mission to Uganda. He made it clear that I just needed to trust in Him for all the plans, resources and provision for this trip. Since returning home God has been opening doors that have allowed me to check a couple items off the list, as well has some financial donations towards fulfilling the dream of this mission trip.

What I've discovered in these lost disciplines of solitude and silence is true rest, the kind that can restore your soul; as well as being able to hear so clearly from the Lord, as the distractions of the world are removed. God is always with us, he never leaves us nor forsakes us and all we have to do to experience his presence is to stop and be quiet long enough to recognize that He is there.

No Boundaries

What a blessing brother's in Christ are to each of us; One such brother brought an encouraging word and a confirmation to the timing of this mission to Uganda is the one I am supposed to be going on. 


Last night while we were sharing a meal of tacos (homemade of course by his lovely wife), conversation began to center on this mission trip. Before you know it God is having me share more of my ministry history than I thought was necessary, but God had a reason for it. As I was coming to a point of wrapping up this tour of my history my friend said, "Don't you see it, you are absolutely supposed to be on this mission trip for this exact purpose."


Part of the what I was sharing with this friend is how God really unlocked the gift of prayer and intercession He had deposited in me long ago and the key He used to help unlock it was Pastor Bill Goodwin. From following a prompting of the Holy Spirit to show up at the youth service Pastor Bill was leading to just sit in his office to pray during the service, to the development of a prayer ministry with in the youth ministry, to leading prayer ministry in the larger church, to where I am following this pastoral call today. Its like, what unlocked the journey back then has come full circle, and know another unlocking is about to take place. After years of not serving with Pastor Bill in ministry together, he has asked me to serve in this role of prayer again for a new area of his ministry. Its back at the beginning but at a different level; a perpetual motion that takes place which launches us from one phase of life/ministry into the next.


Some have asked, "Why go to Africa? There is so much here that needs to be done." This is true, and my first longing for mission is right here at home and feel I have been serving in that copacity. However, in Gods kingdom there are no boundaries in the sense of state lines, country borders and continents. Gods kingdom is Gods kingdom it covers the entire universe, His people are His people regardless of where they may happen to be geographically. 


While I and the others going on this trip, will be serving the children and adults by lending a helping hand while loving them with the love of Christ; God will also be ministering to us and unlocking new doors in this life of ministry.


There is a sense that what God is about to unlock on this trip will eliminate boundaries. The boundaries of distance, thought, perceptions, finance, religion, language... For "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2Corinthians 3:17

A Dream Becoming Reality

Since having a dream about ministering in Africa back in 2003, I've known that someday God would bring it to fruition. I have had opportunities to go to Africa several times over the years, but never felt it was the right time, nor did God confirm it like He has this time.

In July I received an invitation from Pastor Bill Goodwin to go on a mission with him and a team to Uganda Africa from January 15th - 25th, 2012. As Bill was sharing with me about this trip the Spirit within me leapt! As I prayed about it I sensed that God was saying now is the time.

This trip to Uganda will involve working with Oasis of Life Orphanage ministering to the children and doing service projects. Pastor Bill will also be speaking at a pastors conference through Living Word Temple that will provide training and encouragement to local pastors. The team will also be providing prayer ministry and support during these conference times. The evening sessions for this conference will be open to the general public to come hear about Jesus and how He can heal.

I am very excited for this opportunity, especially with my specific role being centered around prayer. As I continue to pray and listen God is making it clear that now is the time for this dream to become reality.

Would you consider how you can partner with me in this mission? First and for most I need prayer support for the preparation, the time away on this mission and the return trip home. Then would you also prayerfully consider making a financial contribution for this mission. You can make a secure contribution using this site Chip In by just clicking the "Chip In" button.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Check back here for updates and more information as it becomes available.

Blessings & Peace,

T.L. Landgraf