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When It's Hard to Give Thanks
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When lost in a dark place, it’s hard to give thanks. Whether you are sick, or in spiritual or emotional pain, it can sometimes be hard to “count your blessings.” How can you give thanks when fear threatens to overwhelm you, when circumstances seem overpowering and evil? Henri Nouwen calls this the “pathology of darkness.” Is there a way out?
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Villa Jubilee: Colorado Retreat Center
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“I don’t think there is,” Nouwen goes on to say. “At least not on my side. It often seems that the more I try to disentangle myself from the darkness, the darker it becomes. I need light, but that light has to conquer my darkness, and that I cannot bring about myself. I cannot forgive myself. I cannot make myself feel loved. By myself I cannot leave the land of my anger. I cannot bring myself home nor can I create communion on my own. I can desire it, hope for it, wait for it, yes, pray for it. But my true freedom I cannot fabricate for myself. That must be given to me. I am lost.
I must be found and brought home by the Shepherd who goes out to me
.”
At Villa Jubilee, we often have guests who have lost their way, who are suffering, and searching. It is our prayer that by providing a safe and sacred retreat center, we are also providing a place for
them to be found and brought home by the Shepherd.
It’s the goal of VJF to keep prices low at this beautiful retreat center by subsidizing groups who can’t afford the regular rates and to provide scholarships for individuals who might otherwise not be able to come.
But we’re not there yet
. As a relatively new nonprofit, we do not yet have the funds to subsidize groups and individuals to the extent we desire.
Won’t you please join our donor community? When you donate to Villa Jubilee Foundation:
- You provide spiritual formation opportunities for yourself and others.
- You support a broad spectrum of ministries – local, national, and international.
- You help people grow in faith and discipleship.
- You answer someone’s desperate prayer for a much-needed spiritual respite.
And, you directly benefit by keeping the doors open for yourself, as well as for others!
Please join us for #GivingTuesday on Nov. 29 and make a tax-deductible contribution to the Villa Jubilee Foundation (a 501(c)(3). You can:
- Pay by credit card or Paypal by clicking on the secure donate button; or
- Send your payment via Paypal to stan at villajubilee dot com; or
- Send a check made out to Villa Jubilee Foundation to 3001 County Road 330, Walsenburg, CO 80238.
Your contribution powers transformational ministries! And for that we are profoundly grateful!
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The board of the Villa Jubilee Foundation is committed to total transparency. For more history about the facility, the events we’ve hosted so far, and our financial statement, please click here.
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The Villa Jubilee Foundation is a Christian organization that exists for the purpose of conducting spiritual renewal retreats and seminar programs. It is the goal of VJF to create an atmosphere of peace and restoration by utilizing facilities that provide the right ambiance for renewal, and to, at times, also provide the teaching programs as appropriate for specific groups, issues, or needs.
In addition, Villa Jubilee Foundation acts as a convener and network hub to connect groups, retreat leaders, and facilities to create the best event, program, or venue for the need. VJF is non-denominational and welcomes the involvement of any who seek to promote or receive the gift of a closer, healing relationship with God.
Millions of people around the world will testify to the saving, redeeming, and transforming power of retreat ministry. You can join in supporting this ministry by becoming a supporter, either through your one-time donation or by becoming a regular supporter.
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Creative content by Sharon Cairns Mann (www.sharoncairnsmann.com).
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