Mount Angel

I realize it's been half of a very long time since I posted on this site, and I'll skip over the apologies and simply give my reason: I've been busy. I haven't completely stopped blogging, I've just been doing it predominantly in other spheres (like in my relationship blog).

However, this post will be short and sweet and applicable to this blog.

I spent a few days at Mt. Angel Abbey this past week. It was glorious. This picture seems to portray the serenity of the place. I google searched for an abbey within driving distance, and I emailed them to find out if I could arrange for a private retreat. They were incredibly accommodating. I had a private room and bath, and nobody bothered me an iota. As proof, I slept nearly 18 hours the first day I was there.

I went because I wanted to make a conscious effort to get away from my routines, turn off my phone, and spend time with Jesus. I took my bible, a journal, my daily devotional book, and a book by my friend Bill Mills titled, "Adequate." It was SO what God had put in my path!

I finished Exodus, read through all of Leviticus, and started on Numbers while I was there too.

Leviticus, for the first time, left me with the predominant impression that the book is about God revealing his heart and character and holiness through the law, and those being beautiful and good, rather than the book being about a long list of dos and don'ts. I loved it! Every chapter seemed to just shout at me, "I am God! I am YOUR God! I am holy, altogether different than you - and that's an intentional thing. This is who I am - this is my heart, this is my character. I cannot compromise my holiness, and as a result, I'm going to tell you exactly what is acceptable and what is not. I want you to know this, so that you can choose to do the acceptable thing, so that I can bless you. I WANT to bless you! I love you! I want you to know me as I know you! But I am holy. I absolutely must not be treated as common - I can't compromise who I am."

It was beautiful.

I think my days at the abbey highlighted and reinforced how God desires intimacy with us - with me. 20 minutes most mornings just isn't cutting it for God's heart - nor for mine, if I'm honest. God pursues us - in the garden of Eden in the cool of the evening, after Adam and Eve sinned and where hiding... the list goes on and on, and I see in my own life how God pursues me.

I would highly recommend an abbey trip to anyone who is seeking to reevaluate or deepen their relationship with our God.