Showing Tag: "retreat" (Show all posts)

Spiritual practices and habits

Posted by Anne Witton on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, In : Reflections

It’s been a really tough couple of years and I realised that I let other things and people take first place in my heart instead of God. It’s been a long and painful process coming back to him fully, but I realised that the only thing that’s going to replace idolatry in my heart is to pursue Jesus with everything I have and delight in him. That’s not always easy. In fact, I’ve found it very hard, but I’m encouraged that it’s not something I need to manufacture for myself. Even th...

Retreat Guide 2019 - The Sermon on the Mount

Posted by Anne Witton on Friday, December 14, 2018, In : Resources

The Agapé New Year Retreat Guide 2019 is now available for you to use and share. It goes through the Sermon on the Mount over five days, reflecting on these radical words of Jesus to inspire us for the next year of following him. It includes biblical contemplations and reflection to help get the year off to a good start. Each session takes about 30 mins, but there are options for further exploration if you choose.

Get your free 2019 retreat guide here (PDF download)

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Rest

Posted by Anne Witton on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, In : Reflections

This post is based on a talk I did at the Student Life Hub on the subject of rest.

What is rest?

Are resting and relaxing the same thing?
Is rest an active or a passive thing?
Does it mean doing something or is it about cutting things out?

How do you like to rest?

Maybe you like to sleep, watch Netflix, do crafts, sport, music, get out in nature, meditate, read, or do some gardening…

I’ve been trying over the last year or so to be much more intentional about what I do with my downtime so that...

New Year retreat guide

Posted by Anne Witton on Thursday, December 14, 2017, In : Resources

Once the mince pies have been scoffed and the wrapping paper's been recycled, it's time to pause to reflect and think about the year ahead.

Agape's New Year Retreat Guide for 2018 has been put together to help our staff, volunteers and anyone connected with Agapé start the new year with prayer and contemplation. It's based on Colossians 1 and it's available here FREE ... it's really an excellent resource, so please use and share.

Download the free New Year Retreat Guide for 2018

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Retreat locations

Posted by Anne Witton on Sunday, May 29, 2016, In : Resources

When I made my photography website, I created a Google map with my favourite photo locations in the North East and it occurred to me that this would be a great resource to help people find locations for a retreat.

North East England is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the country. From craggy coastlines to rolling hills, from castles to bridges to THAT wall, there's so much to explore. I've been noting my favourite locations over the years, as well as some that are on my 'to do...
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Having a retreat day - Practical tips

Posted by Anne Witton on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, In : Resources

In my last post, I shared with you a handy Retreat day guide which you can use to help you reflect when you have a day with the Lord. I thought it would also be good to explore some practical tips for making the most of a day set aside for God.

Over the years, I've found that having regular times where I choose to be alone with God has been a brilliant way to nurture my relationship with him, to grow spiritually and to enjoy "life in all its fulness" (John 10: 10). It's also been particularly ...

Prayer and retreat guide

Posted by Anne Witton on Saturday, December 19, 2015, In : Resources

As many of us have some time off over Christmas and New Year, it's a good opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone and commit the upcoming year to God. I'm planning to take some time out of the busyness to pray and reflect and I'll be using this great new guide from Agapé to help me.

Whatever this year has held for us - and whatever next year may bring - we have a God who is faithful, loving and compassionate, and who longs for us to draw near to him. Let's do that.

Download the free P...
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New Staff Training Retreat - Heroes of Faith

Posted by Anne Witton on Monday, January 12, 2015, In : Reflections

Last week I was at the lovely Shallowford House for the New Staff Training Retreat, along with the other first year staff and interns. It was a great time of learning together, praying and having some retreat time to seek the Lord.

One of the things that we did was look at the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, so it was fitting that that was the passage I'd chosen to do my devotional on when we arrived.

Here's what I shared:

Hebrews 11 gives an account of men and women of God who have accomplished ...