The Velvet Ashes 2018 Online Retreat is now taking place around the world!
You know those world maps where the tiny lights light up for different locations? Can you picture more than 1,300 lights flickering from over 101 countries? Every light represents a woman saying to God, “Yes, I will come away with you and rest.” Every light is a heart open and seeking him. Every light is a beloved daughter of a God who delights in restoring and refreshing his children with his sustaining hand.
This space here is where we gather to share, to process, to celebrate. As you experience your personal or group Retreat, come tell us about it here in the comments.
What was the most meaningful part of your Retreat?
What was your “found object” and what did it represent?
How did God speak to you through the Scripture passages (Exodus 18, Psalm 131, Mark 4)?
Tell us about your experiences with the Peaks & Valleys, the Visio Divina, and the Guided Contemplation.
What moved you in the testimony stories from Megan, Jessica, Amy, and Caitlin?
How were the Kickboxing and Spa experiences?
How did you encounter God’s heart for you? How did God sustain you through this Retreat?
What do you most want to remember from this experience?
Remember, you can join us for our Live Chat (sign up in the Retreat), where we’ll get to talk together. Bring your coffee and it’ll be like we’re sitting in a coffee shop together.
Choose a time and convert to your time zone.
- Sunday April 22 at 9pm Eastern Standard Time
- Monday April 23 at 9am Eastern Standard Time
Also, we’d love to see any images you want to share from your Retreat. It’s so fun to see WHERE people actually are on their Retreat, even if it’s simply your bedroom! Show us your artwork, your found object, your group pic, or any image you’d like! You can load them into the comments below and/or share on Instagram with hastags #velvetashesretreat #velvetashesretreat18
We have been praying over you all, and continue to do so. Your comments mean so much, and we would love to hear how your Retreat experience was.
With love and prayers,
Your Velvet Ashes Team
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This is The Grove and we want to hear from you! You can link up your blog post, or share your practices, ponderings, wisdom, questions, ideas, and creative expressions with us in the comments below.
Share your images on this week’s theme with #VelvetAshesRetreat18. You can add yours! [instashow source=”#velvetashesretreat18″ limit=”45″ cache_media_time=”18400″ columns=”5″ rows=”3″ mode=”instagram” color_gallery_counters=”rgb(0, 0, 0)” color_gallery_description=”rgb(0, 0, 0)” color_gallery_overlay=”rgba(241, 208, 120, 0.9)” color_gallery_arrows=”rgb(163, 163, 163)” color_gallery_arrows_hover=”rgb(241, 208, 120)” color_popup_overlay=”rgba(223, 190, 5, 0.9)” color_popup_username=”rgb(223, 194, 0)” color_popup_username_hover=”rgb(249, 218, 8)” color_popup_instagram_link=”rgb(223, 194, 0)” color_popup_instagram_link_hover=”rgb(249, 218, 8)” color_popup_anchor=”rgb(223, 194, 0)” color_popup_anchor_hover=”rgb(249, 218, 8)” color_popup_controls=”rgb(185, 149, 24)” color_popup_controls_hover=”rgb(99, 99, 99)” color_popup_mobile_controls=”rgb(189, 183, 16)”]
[…] cultures. VA offers online small groups, an online retreat (the next one is the 19-22!), and a weekly link-up on Thursdays for bloggers, called “The Grove”. For current themes and submission […]
I appreciated the opportunity to take part in this retreat. Guess I still prefer the actual face to face human interaction type of retreat though. My tech skills are limited, trying to find my way to the comment sections always seemed convoluted.
However, serving in an area, where other foreign women are a rarity, it has been a treat to “gather”with other women serving in cross cultural settings, hearing their teaching, their stories and nourishing soul and body.
Could relate somewhat to Jessica’s story of God calling out of a comfortable situation where she knew what she was doing to a place where everything is different and all that you knew doesn’t help you much. As I sense my weaknesses, my dependence on God increases. Also Amy’s powerful story of obedience to God even when not yet understanding.
The kickboxing and home facial spa were great practical ways to care for the body as well. I’m not usually into spas but gave this a try. It was a good experience, not something I necessarily want to repeat, but definitely worth trying.
Thank you to all who had apart in this retreat.
I gifted a retreat to a friend, but we can’t figure out how to redeem the gift card code. Can anyone help us out? Thanks!
A Poem in reflection on the Mark 4 passage:
I saw you were tired. (It felt good to care for you.)
Boat beckoned me to man you to the far shore.
I saw you close your eyes.
Boat rocking your childlike trust.
I saw darkness blow up.
Boat bucked my careful sailing.
I saw efforts flapping; fear snapping ropes –
Boat drowned by cares –
I saw you still oblivious and I despised:
“Lord, don’t you care? We are perishing!”
I saw you open your eyes.
Boat sliced by shafts of light.
You saw me. You cared still.
Boat held in the middle of the wreckage.
I fixed on the trust deep inside your eyes
Boat, storm and caring seem on a far shore.
You saw me, a child, and I saw delight.
“Why are you afraid? Do you not believe?”
“Peace, Be still.”
Boat go down or storm stop,
Jesus, hold my gaze.