Peter recorded his experiences in a daily diary, and a personal journal. His printed report includes the diary and selected items from his journal.
Very early in his retreat he found himself reading Psalm 121, and this passage became the spiritual focus of his retreat. Here is one man's experience of rediscovering Gods love for him, so deep that, surrounded by the magnificence of nature he can but repeatedly exclaim "My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth."
He recorded his experience of nature - the birds, the lake, the wind, the rain, his encounters with other people around the lake, and his private reactions. Some is mundane and practical, others are deeply personal and spiritual. Did you know there is a rock on Lake Hauroko called "The Rock of Gods Grace?"
For 40 days and 40 nights he had a deep experience of the grace of God, a healing of fears rooted in past experience, and a renewal of his sense of call to Christian ministry.
At a personal level, we rejoice with Peter in the deep spiritual experience he had. At a CTN level we celebrate the commitment of this man to his faith through which he serves Christ so well in Northland, and for which we all have much reason to be thankful.
I read Peters study leave report in two sittings, close together on the same day. I likened it to reading one of the gospels at one sitting. It was the over all impression that washed over me, rather than the detail. In a recent email Peter said to me that, 12 months later, the experience of his study leave retreat was still fresh for him. I strongly recommend this report for personal reflective reading.
Peters study leave was done well and we commend him for the physical, mental and spiritual effort he put into this time, and we thank him for his ongoing commitment to the whole faith community of Northland.
Rev Chris Bedford
Churches Together in Northland
January 2009
Order PDF Version
If you like what you are reading but don't like reading on a screen, you can order a PDF version that will be emailed to you so you can print it out yourself. Make sure you specify what you are asking for.
No charge. (C) Peter Dunn 2009
