outdoors

It’s the Great Planting, Charlie Brown!

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fpss_planting

Just kidding. But in all seriousness, if this rainy weather has had you cooped up inside for far too long, join us this Saturday morning for an all church, family-friendly event. We’ll be planting over 1,000 plants and trees around the Lighthouse property beginning at 9 a.m. Rain or shine. Coffee and pastries will be served in the morning and pizza will be provided for lunch. Bring a shovel, your gloves, and the members of your home, learning and/or fun group for a wonderful chance to gather with friends while helping spruce up the church property. Register here (for food planning): www.lighthousehome.org/planting

You’re Invited to The Silent Wild

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silent wild

Imagine this: you take the picturesque drive to Mount Rainier National Park. You leave all electronics behind and venture into the woods, listening only to the sounds of nature. As you make yourself comfortable on a rock overlooking a majestic landscape, you hear something else. Or maybe it’s not so much hearing as it is a feeling in your soul. The voice of God. Embrace the rest, the wilderness and rejuvenate your spirit on The Silent Wild.

There will be two opportunities to participate this summer. The first is Saturday, July 9th and for those who prefer a weekday option, the second takes place on Monday, August 22nd.

You are strongly encouraged to sign up for one (or both!) of these opportunities. A sample itinerary is below and carpools can be arranged. Encourage members of your home groups to sign up as well. RSVP by clicking your preferred date below.

To RSVP for July 9th, click here: https://www.churchteams.com/m/Login.asp?oID=6397&secID=aTBkVXk1T295V1hwRjhFdjd5UlJVdnU1S1AvTEovem8%3D&page=Register.asp?GroupID=261889~sgr=y

 

To RSVP for August 22nd, click here: https://www.churchteams.com/m/Login.asp?oID=6397&secID=aTBkVXk1T295V1hwRjhFdjd5UlJVdnU1S1AvTEovem8%3D&page=Register.asp?GroupID=261890~sgr=y

 

Sample Itinerary for The Silent Wild

A Personal Retreat Testimony

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Written by Dean McClary

ocean shores 2

I choose to use part of a recent weekend, and access to an Ocean Shores cabin that belongs to a friend, to take a personal retreat. I wanted to apply some of the different practices and postures to touch the hem of the Lord, that I had learned in the recent “How to Relate to God & Others” Spiritual Essentials class with Pastor Tony. I also planned to use the time to address some issues rooted in my past that I have been increasingly aware of that affect my ability to function fully and freely in Christ.

I first felt compelled to have a “season of silence,” which I interpreted as being totally unplugged from all electronics as well as interactions with other people. Related to that, was a conscious attempt to not track time, but to feel free to be led as He directed each moment. Finally, with my strong “Naturalist” tendencies in how I meet God (Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas), I spent a LOT of time walking or running the beaches over parts of three days.

While I did not hear the proverbial voice coming from a setting sun over the pink-colored waves of dusk at Ocean Shores, I know that the Lord met me in the time I had freed up for us in several ways. A personal Sunday morning “church time” with Christ, involving Bible study and scripture memory card review, suddenly went real deep, from my head to my heart. I found myself lingering over verses from Psalm 73: 23-26 in which David claims, “…I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand.” Suddenly the thought of the Lord rejoicing over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) became as spiritually real to me as I have ever experienced in a 30+ year journey with Christ. I found myself claiming those verses from the Psalms in a spirit of praise over the rest of the retreat. He also guided three different “free writes” to unlock some past memories in unexpected ways that went way beyond what I feel I could’ve learned about myself resulting from past events.

What I learned from the experience, besides the obvious fact it was way worth it, is it’s important to seek and have the prayer coverage of family and friends, bring what you have before Him with loose reins, and learn to linger with Him as the Holy Spirit directs.

Experiencing Solitude

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Mt. Rainier

God’s Majesty

Last weekend Pastor Tony led a group of leaders on The Silent Wild at Mt. Rainier. The day was gorgeous! They saw a bear, a mountain goat, and most importantly, everyone on the outing spent time in solitude with God.

Lyle Groeneveld, Tony Traback, Nancy Olson, Dale Olson, Tyler McClung, Kristy O'Hara, Mary & John Latham

Lyle Groeneveld, Tony Traback, Nancy Olson, Dale Olson, Tyler McClung, Kristy O’Hara, Mary & John Latham

The experience unplugging and spending time in solitude was peaceful and inspirational. So much so that each is planning a similar outing within individual home groups. If you’d like information on leading your home group on a solitude experience, contact me for some ideas by emailing sarah@lighthousehome.org.

Ah, a retreat!

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Hey Group Leaders!  All of us need space to slow down in the presence of God.  Join me on August 8th at Mt Rainer.

Click here for more details.  

Please RSVP to me or Beth!

Tony