I am fortunate to have a job that takes serious self-care and self-development. As a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are expect to take an annual time of spiritual development, often called a retreat.
Despite being a chaplain for some time, I have only went on a spiritual retreat once before.
We can make it what we want, designing it according to our own goals. It could be a conference, a workshop, time with a spiritual director, or almost anything else.
This past weekend, I took a self-directed time of spiritual development at Crieff Hills Retreat Centre. I was incredibly impressed by the facilities and the grounds at Crieff. I am definitely planning on coming again.
Central to my time was reading some of Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy (Amazon affiliate link). I have read this book once before and it is just as good the second time. I so appreciate Willard’s writing.
I capped off my retreat by attending Sunday worship at Priory Park Baptist Church, where Ryan Marthinsen is pastor. It was great to see Ryan and his family again.
I am so glad that I had this time to myself. I was able to walk some beautiful trails, sit outside and listen to thunder, and to generally relax. It was a time of blessing.
