Rhythm (Retreat)

Oct. 27-29, 20 of us from Westside took the week-end (or Saturday) to create a healthy rhythm. Why Rhythm? B/c we wanted to intentionally create a break from the norm to rest and find refreshment both spiritually and relationally. Mission accomplished!!

We had a blast together, hanging out tons during the space provided through-out the day. Rested, when needed - lots of people take some needed nap-time. Relationships - we're both deepened among some and new friendships formed among others. Lots of fun - both intense and casual through games, and spontaneous conversation.

On the spiritual challenge here's what happened: The Intentionally Formed Life (the theme). We alked through 3 movements keeping ourselves planted in Psalm 1 while exploring related themes in other parts of scripture. The underlying theme was the relevance of scripture in our lives and creating a deeper hunger for it.

Movement One: Mirror
Big Question - who are you?
Object: mirror - had people look intently into an enlarging mirror for 60 seconds and see if they could see anything they missed before
From the descriptions/metaphor of the man described in Psalm 1, we're told who he is (v.2-3) and who he isn't (v.1); this helped us ask ourselves who we are and are not, really defining ourselves honestly.
Main thought: Discovered how the scriptures can read us; we can find our story in its story (the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful); are the scriptures true just b/c they happened or b/c they still happen - our lives resonate with its story (c.f. Rob Bell, Velvit Elvis)
Quotes:
We read them (sciptures), but if we read them long enough, they begin to read us (Peterson); I always thought of my life as a story; if there is a story there must be a story teller (GK Chesterton);
Almost all problems in the spiritual life stem from a lack of self-knowledge (St. Teresa of Avila)
[Psalm 139:23, Psalm 8:4, James 4:4, Rom. 12:3, James 1:23]
Relfection/Response: write a psalm describing yourself (choice was metaphor, plain language, or point form)

Movement Two: Play-do
Big Question: who are you becoming?
Object: play-do - had people create something with play-do in competition for most the creative.
Took the descriptions of what this man in Psallm 1 was becoming (v.3) - his characteristics, perseverance, fruitfulness, strength (metaphors that a tree by streams painted for us)
We asked ourselves what we would become if we stay the course we're on now, if nothing changes. Is there unhealthy indicators you need to be aware of?
Main thought: Discovered how the scriptures not only read us, but give us hope for what we want to become. Our story is not only found in its story, but its story (hope/redemption) can become our story.
Reflection/Reponse: write a NEW psalm about yourself

Movement Three: Form
Big Question: how are you becoming?
Object: cookie cutter form
Psalms 1:2 really became the key direction here - this man delighted (took interest/business with, desire in) God's word; meditated (chewed, growled over, ate, savored) over the scriptures
Eugene Peterson's metaphore of Eat This Book (find article on side pannel) really helped us understand that we can't just read the scriptures but need to eat them up. (Meditate in Ps. 1 is the same word for growl in Is. 31:4) In eating them we digest them, in digesting them they nurture us, we therefore assimilate them into our system and they begin to change us - organically, naturally, sometimes without notice.
Main Thought: Discovered how the scriptures was the main shaper of this man's life. They were forming him. They were the streams of living water nourishing the tree in the metaphor. He didn't just read them, he chewed over them.
Quotes:
- As it turns out, in this business of living the Christina life, ranking high among the most neglected aspects is one having to do with the reading of the Christian Scriptures;
- These are words intended, whether confrontationally or obliquely, to get inside us, to deal with our souls, to form a life that is congruent with the world that God created, the salvation he has enacted, and the community that he has gathered;
- God has not put us in charge of forming our personal spiritualities. We grow in accordance with the revealed Word implanted in us by the Spirit (Peterson)
Reflection/Response: inviting God's spirit to implant his scriptures through us - via worship, prayer, and finally with the wine and bread; eating the bread became very symbolic in that session of eating the book (ironically Jesus is called both the Bread of Life and the Word of Life by John)

* if anyone would like the workbook I created (or notes/resources) just post it and I'll send you the Word Doc.

My hopes were that we would leave more hunger then we came. Retreats are often intended to inspire - which can last for a few days, maybe weeks. If we left hungry - I hope it will last long into our journey.
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Thanks to Electra who worked behind the scenes to make this happen - a fruitful effort!
Debbie and James (or Sher and Shauna) for introducing us to Mafia (not the real one, the game).
Everyone who really contributed to a meaningful time together.