I have gone to several youth gatherings and retreats, both as a youth and an adult, and will contend that many of them can be very positive in this whole integration thing. Specifically, I can remember my faith being challenged and changed upon return from some of these events. Obviously, I can't say that about all of them, but they definitely have played a role in my faith walk, especially in the areas that you're talking about Dion.

Additionally, I was invited to attend a retreat with my former boss once that I had to turn down due to other commitments, but I always wished that I could have gone. It was a silence retreat put on at a camp founded by Jesuits (which I believe my boss belonged to). Anyways, it was a weekend retreat that he went to every year, during which you were not allowed to speak to anyone the entire time. There were some seminars and sessions during which you would be spoken to by leaders/priests/etc. but for the most part it was just you living in silence, seeking God. And I know that these weekends were very powerful in his faith, and he even describes a time in which he felt that God interacted with him very directly. Regardless, spending an entire weekend in silence, listening for God to speak, I think, very much falls into this immersion category and it seems to me like it could be very powerful at integrating faith into our daily lives. I hope I get to participate in one some day.

I used to go on several church retreats as a kid. Every summer I spent a week at Camp Concordia in Greenville, MI. Not only was it a blast, but it was always an extremely spiritual experience. It was there that I discovered the very real presence of Jesus in my life. As I got into high school, summer camp changed to weekend retreats with Youth Group or Young Life. Every time I participated in one of these events (with one exception) I found an amazing energy and excitement that only comes when we gather together for worship and spiritual renewal.

I haven't been on a retreat like that since Young Life Camp in high school. And, I can tell you that I truly miss it. I wonder if it would be the same as an adult. I truly hope so.

I have always loved good retreats...as long as the "ambience" doesn't get in the way. In the past I have experienced great retreats - and retreats where the choices made to create ambience intruded on my ability to focus on God. In recent years when I've needed a change of scenery from the quiet of my own home, I've found our darkened - and silent - sanctuary to be a great retreat, bible contemplation, and prayer place. However, it's hard to find those opportunities!

There's one other personal opportunity that has made a huge difference in my spiritual walk. A number of years ago I enjoyed reading many of the writings of historical Christians, especially regarding spiritual disciplines.

"Practicing the Presence of God" was the name given to the discipline of training one's self to live every moment with the conscious awareness of God's immediate presence - in our thoughts, understanding, attitudes of our hearts, our words and our daily actions. It brought deep and lasting change to my own heart.

I found that keeping this constant focus on God's presence was truly a discipline at first - to intentionally bring my mind back to that single focus when it strayed. However, God's presence gradually became primary reality to me. It brought a whole new perspective to how I saw life, relationships, and purpose. It also brought real heartbreak and immediate repentance when I realized I had offended my Lord who was walking right with me. And it brought peace and strength when life got really hard.

Yes! Let's have a good retreat soon! In the meantime, I heartily recommend this simple practice we can make immediately in our own daily lives - one that brings the retreat to us every moment of the day!