Flood Church San Diego hosts half-day retreat

The Flood Church adult members attended a half-day retreat fellowship. (Photo taken from Flood Church’s Facebook page)

Flood Church San Diego hosted a weekend program called "Half Day Retreat" on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Mission Bay.

The church’s Facebook page noted the event involved the Vacation Isle.

Refreshing Day

According to the church’s website, the retreat is intended for having a “spiritual refreshment” in their neighborhood. They said they welcome adult members who want to practice belonging to Jesus in the community.

Flood Church San Diego provided guided reflection materials for participants. As further posted, the retreat had two sessions. Participants were given the opportunity to have a quiet moment with God.

Besides, they announced that they had chick-fill-a boxed lunch and some water activities, like a kayak and stand-up paddle board.

Barren, Bearing

The Retreat Packet website revealed that the focus of this year’s retreat is barren and bearing. They noted that Jesus explained the difference between these two in John 15.

They said that everyone experience both barrenness and bearing fruit.

As further explained, people strive for productivity out of their effort, but the truth is, they could be fruitful by simply remaining in Him. They added that the word “remain” in the Bible means being at home with Jesus.

The same website emphasized that Eugene Peterson transcribed John 15:4 as: “Live in me, make your home in me just as I do in you.”

On the other hand, the same scripture explained that those who are not with Jesus could not bear fruit. The website stressed that it is not a punishment but is happening in reality. Some people experienced unproductivity.

They explained that they feel empty because they are tired or burned out about religion. The website added that Jesus did not judge these people but instead continuously invited them to come near to Him so they could redeem their lives.

According to the website, Jesus told His people to walk and work with Him and witness what He could do for them. They said Jesus would demonstrate what it means to have real rest.

Based on the book of Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said He would not give any heavy burden but be with His people to live freely despite their struggles.

More importantly, the website emphasized that the good news is that members at Flood Church accepted the invitation to come home with Jesus as they attended the said retreat.

Learning about Sacred Time

As part of the retreat, the website explained that time is a primary hindrance in prayer. The church emphasized what German Scholar Hartmut Rosa calls “Time Sickness.” She mentioned that there was no competition against time, but at present, it needs to be monitored.

In addition, Rosa thinks that having people’s lives improving is the meaning of living in this modern generation. She added that this development influences stripping the holy out of time.

As further mentioned, human has always had a “Time Keeper,” which means pursuing the good life. Rosa also stressed that when she managed time, she could control her life around the presence of God.