The Retreat in the Woods

Richard Hollerman

They say that if we see a picture, we are more likely to visualize what we would like to see. And this is what we do with the following pictures. Although they may be true to life, still they may evoke a degree of imagination. They may bring nostalgia, or perhaps there would be thoughts, or you may want to be in these places. Personally, I would think that there is about a 1% possibility of my being there. There are just too many negatives involved, especially from a Christian standpoint. But there is a small possibility, thus we offer them to you.

You would be advised that none of these are my personal dwelling places or houses, nor do they belong to friends or acquaintances. Nor do they belong to brothers or sisters in Christ and are habitable as we find them here. But they do represent places that we would want to seek and perhaps, by God’s grace, we will one day be able to have such a place—for God’s own glory, honor, and usage.

A “retreat” has been defined as a place where one may go to find a place of refuge to discover some truth and come to some conclusion, especially a spiritual conclusion. It may “include one or two classes a day, a talk, treatments, use of spa facilities, meals, and perhaps group activities.” In our case, it would be a permanent location where one could offer fellowship, eating, classes, and sleeping arrangements. We find this definition also: A retreat is “the act of giving up and withdrawing or a time away in a quiet and secluded place where you can relax.” (In our case, it would not particularly be a place to rest and relax, for it generally would be a place of work and learning and seeking. See a search in Google.)

It can be a place or location that may be used to provide “accommodation intended to provide seclusion, meditation, contemplation, religious activities, training, or similar activities.” Regarding our usage, we refer to a place in the forest or woods, perhaps with a stream or lake, with lodging for eating and sleeping arrangements, where one or two or many more could come to find a time of respite from hectic city life, from the pressures of the city, and find sweet repose in the midst of natural surroundings.

These are some of the features that we contemplate which could be a blessing to God and to those who come and find this to be a place of refuge. In short, it would be a “retreat” and a place of rest, recuperation, learning, study, work, recreation, walking, exploring, and fellowship with others of like faith in Christ.

We have called this a “retreat in the woods” but it may be much more than this. These are some of the characteristics that we would imagine:

1. We would want to find a plot of land maybe 30 or 40 miles away from the big city in which we reside or where others may live.
2. Further, we would hope to have about 20 to 40 acres of land, although the size could vary.
3. The land would include space for a house or dwelling place and perhaps also various “out” houses.
4. The area could include land for the following: A lawn for children to run and play; some acres for raising good and nutritious organic food—including fruits, vegetables, and grains.
5. There would also be enough area for woods or a forest in which to walk and draw close to God and read the Scriptures, as well as just walking and viewing and exploring.
6. Perhaps there would be enough space for a couple horses, a couple cows, some goats and chickens, and other such animals, including cats and dogs.
7. The house would be large enough for this: rooms for guests, rooms for my family, my study (for computer and reading), my library (for books and the like), a mailing room (for the many pieces of literature I hope to send to others), and storage.
8. There would also be room for visitors to live and learn, to read and study, to eat and have fellowship, to rest and sleep.
9. The meals would be prepared with the use of nutritious food from the garden, at least most months of the year. There would be meals for all of the guests and they could be taught and led into health and nutritious eating. We would also store food for the winter months or through the year.
10. We could have regular, even daily, periods of time for Bible reading and Bible study, for discussion of Biblical themes, for sweet fellowship with other Christians (and perhaps for “seekers” who wish to learn more about the way of Christ).
11. There may not be the space for cutting timber for logging, thus we may need to purchase lumber for building and repairing. That is, unless there could be another alternative.

These are a few of the factors that we could encourage and develop. You and others may respond by saying that you could never, never afford this sort of “retreat” and that it simply would be out of your reach. If you do find a place somewhere that was affordable, there are several drawbacks, such as the following:

1. You may think that you are not old enough. Doesn’t this take someone who is older and perhaps ready to retire? We can see the wisdom in this and it must be considered. On the other hands, some of you may think that you are too young since you have many life-decisions before you that must be settled.
2. Another factor is the price. If you should find a place in the south-east, the south, the west, and so forth, especially if it is near a large city, the price may be high. We have heard that there are places in the small-town Midwest that may be lower, and this is a possibility. But there is benefit in living closer to a large city (maybe 10 to 50 miles) for we surely would want to “reach out” to preach to many people.
3. Probably, we would want to have some land. We refer to maybe 10, 20, or 50 acres. And this may need to be with woods/forests nearby and other places where wildlife would come to graze and live. This would be a difficult arrangement but we suppose that it would be possible.
4. Further, I am a Christian, a devoted follower of Christ, and this would not be an independent or solitary venture. There would need to be 5, 10, or 50 other people who would share your “dream” in a get-away place. These would definitely need to be like-minded and like you in your mutual desire for truth and righteousness. They may wish to have their own places nearby, their own lands, or live on your own lands.

1. Of course, unless you are independently wealthy (and then there would be other issues!), you would need a source of income. If you have a sizeable family, they all could help. If you are raising children or if they are grown, this would be another consideration. Personally, God never gave me children (as I would have greatly desired) and I was perpetually low-income, until I was fired because of my convictions in Christ. But some of you may be able to fare better in this regard than I was.
2. You would need to have some skills (which God never gave to me!) which should help in such a venture as this. We refer to electrical skills, those skills regarding water, building and repairing, digging and plowing, gardening, telephones, machines, gas, and so forth. This would not only be a source of income but also could be used to support and help brothers and sisters in need.
3. It would also be helpful if you and those with you were to know something about medical matters, food raising and storage, health and nutritional expertise, first aid, and the like. If you happen to be a distance from these sorts of establishments, you may need to provide your own help and help for other saints nearby.
4. If you have a sizeable group, each of you may be able to provide the help that you need—to do truck and car repairs, to built and repair houses, to raise animals, to grow food, to paint, to do home repairs and work, to put on a roof, and the like. All of this might take skills and energy.
5. If you are like me, you might want to invest in books and magazines dealing with homesteading. Years ago, I did subscribe to such a magazine; however it was somewhat secular in orientation. In time, I discontinued it for lack of funds and I didn’t think that it was possible. But this input could prove valuable in learning a trade, learning how to build, and the like.
6. A number of titles of books and websites are available in this venue but, sadly, we think that many or most of them are secular and worldly. Therefore, their use may be limited. Yet, for what we would need this for, some of this would be usable information.

These are a few of the considerations to keep in mind regarding such a “resort” that we are considering. Hopefully, this will give a few ideas that should be helpful.

In all of our pursuits, we need to always put God first. We have several articles on the website that may provide motivational in this regard. Just use the Search engine to explore. Go to: www.Truediscipleship.com. Type in the words that you seek and need.