c o n t e m p l at i o n
a call to rediscovering and regaining yourself
invitation to retreat Ruth Haley Barton intervarsity press by Paulo SĂŠrgio Gomes
A
ccording to author Ruth Haley Barton, a specialist in spiritual retreats, retreat attendance is a countercultural practice, corresponding to a divine invitation to rest, something unusual these days, adjusting to the rhythms, discerning the presence of God, recalibrating and repositioning our lives according to His will. In a deeper sense, it is a generous commitment to our friendship with God, allocating an extended period of time to be alone, in the purpose of being with God and giving, whole
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and unconditionally, all attention to God. Barton calls it strategic withdrawal, that is, moving away from the daily hustle and bustle, from over-occupation, from the expectations of
