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"Leading a Life With God" and "Creating a Life With God" Books Available Online
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Journey on a
Virtual Prayer Path
The virtual prayer path is a time to draw away and connect your soul with God in the midst of your day. Images where taken as one journeyed along the path located on the MICAH site. To journey along with us click here >>
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Health and Spirituality:
MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT...
how are you feeling?
Every day we as a human race spend billions of dollars, amazing amounts of energy, and countless hours to feel better. It’s a search for completeness. We desperately want to be authentically healthy and whole individuals. However this search continues to be elusive. Why? Because even though we are physical, mental, and spiritual beings we don’t live like we are. And when we don’t nourish our mind, body, and spirit health and wholeness will never be a reality.
At Riverview Family Practice and Integrative Medicine Center we want you to be truly healthy. Click here to read complete article >>
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Join Us in Prayer as We Discern the Direction for the First MICAH Building
As many of you are aware, we have been in a process of visioning, prayer, and discernment about the first permanent structures at our rural site. Last February, we finally arrived at a design for a building that could accommodate healthcare work, retreat work, and a combination of the two. This building not only incorporates many ‘sustainable design’ ideas, but also fits well with the landscape of the prairie and the mission of MICAH. We are very excited about, and happy with, this design. Click here to:
After obtaining the design, we began the process of trying to do some cost estimates on this building. At first, it appeared that the costs of such a structure might be within reach of what we think we might be able to spend. However the initial optimism was apparently premature and we have now been told that the cost of this building seems way out of reach.
Thus we are back to the drawing board, trying to get a sense of what God is calling us to put forward as a possible year-round space for the rural site. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and feel free to send forth any suggestions and ideas, as we continue on this journey.
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Two pictures are worth several thousand words!
A Brief Commentary on Trey's 'community of God' drawings.
(Click here to view the two drawings)
We are often asked, what is the work of MICAH about? Sometimes, and for some people, 'contemplation and healing' are elusive concepts. Equally difficult to explain is the notion of church as spiritual community as opposed to a 'religious' organization. Several weeks ago, Trey drew two pictures that I believe beautifully illustrate both what MICAH seeks to do and be, and also what is the difference between what God calls us to be as church and what we often make church into.
In the first drawing, the church is understood as a community formed by God. This community of 'being' is what is primary: we love God, and our neighbors as ourselves. Then out of these transformed relationships come activities that are like beautiful bubbles: they arise in response to a need, they live out their natural lives, revealing the inner beauty of the community, and then they pop and disappear once their useful life is over.
The second drawing portrays what happens when 'good things go wrong.' The bubbles of activity become the idols and demons of our organization that demand service, worship, and energy. In this situation, the community of
God withers and disappears as the demons become larger and more powerful, distracting us from our primary call as Christians.
The work of contemplation and healing is the work of becoming the first picture; of moving out of our materialistic, activity oriented lives into the life that God calls us: a life of mission lived in the Spirit. To view the two drawings click here > >
Enjoying meditating upon these images.
Peace,
Dan |
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Paradoxical Possibilities: Exploring Rural Ministry is an all expense paid, ecumenical conference for ministry students and seminarians and is co-sponsored by The Fund for Theological Education (FTE, www.thefund.org) and MICAH.
Transportation, food, lodging, and curriculum are all provided. A $100 returnable deposit that secures a place at the conference will be returned in full to each participant at the end of the conference. For more information click here > >
Holy Doodles - Cartoons to Contemplate
Holy Doodles, Cartoons to Contemplate is a fun ongoing section of the MICAH website. The pictures you find here are images that came to mind from meditating on scripture passages, books, past events, conversations with friends and family, and from simply trying to be attentive to God in my everyday life. Following each drawing is a short paragraph about the drawing itself along with a few questions to ponder and discuss. The cartoons are copyrighted, however you are very welcome to use them as long as you credit where they came from. My hope is that these pictures will stretch your mind just enough to cause you to think more deeply about your life with God. Click here to view latest cartoon > >
The MICAH Building Project
A Contemplative Work Mission Trip
Travel to Crookston Minnesota this summer for a unique work mission trip. Spend an afternoon, a couple of days, or a few weeks building a retreat center while learning what contemplative community is all about. Learn and experience what it means to notice God in the unhurried rhythm of work, rest, play, and quiet while taking part in the construction of the first MICAH building.
WHEN AND HOW LONG?
The MICAH Building Project will take place throughout June, July, August, and September of 2008. Your work mission trip can last anywhere from a few days to all summer. We will work with you in putting together the time and length of stay that best fits your schedule.
WHO?
Youth and adults, skilled and unskilled, groups and individuals who live near and far away are all welcome.
WHERE?
Crookston, Minnesota.
COST?
Once you arrive in Crookston your only cost will be room and board. Several options for housing including campsites are available. We can give you specific costs once we discuss your housing and menu needs as well as your group size.
SCHEDULING AND REGISTRATION:
To schedule a time or if you have any questions please call Dan or Trey at 218-281-4853. You may also register via email at:
trey.crxpres@midconetwork.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is MICAH?
MICAH stands for Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing.
MICAH creates, supports, and develops programs and environments for the practice and study of spiritual formation and leadership, healing and the arts. As a contemplative Christian undertaking, MICAH provides a sacred space within which we seek to create a life with God.
Where is MICAH located?
MICAH is located in the Northwest corner of Minnesota in the town of Crookston. The MICAH Building Project will take place on the beautiful rural MICAH site nestled on the banks of the Red Lake River near Crookston.
Map Quest Link
Why go?
It’s a time of being attentive to Christ. It’s is a time of learning and
practicing authentic community life in the midst of work, rest, play, and quiet.
_______________________ MICAH Introduces the ALL NEW Health and Spirituality Yearlong Comprehensive Program
No matter who we are, what we do, or what stage of life we're in we all need opportunities to reflect upon and examine our whole life, physically, mentally, and spiritually, in order to make serious and lasting changes.
At the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing we have developed the Health and Spirituality Program because we believe everyone has the potential of being authentically healthy and whole.
This yearlong comprehensive healing program is dedicated to helping you pay attention to your complete self. You will be given specific tools, individualized direction, and helpful encouragement from an experienced and diverse staff that genuinely cares about you and your quality of life.
The Health and Spirituality Program is an investment toward becoming the person you were created to be. For complete details click here > >
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