Evotional.com - Mark Batterson

I'm experimenting with spiritual disciplines this year and I just got a great idea from Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church in Colorado. During his twenties he established a habit of getting away for three days every month to pray, fast, and listen to large portions of Scripture on tape. That discipline has morphed some, but he still does three days away once a season (winter, spring, summer, and fall). Haggard uses that personal retreat to reorient himself. I think one of the most overlooked spirtiual disciplines is the discipline of retreating. Jesus practiced it throughout his ministry. I know that not everyone can afford the luxury of three days away, but everybody can personalize this practice and develop the discipline of retreating. For what it's worth, Howard Hendricks said, "You can't minister to people if you're always with them." Lynn Barclay, the director of Young Life in North Carolina said it this way: "Serve from your saucer not your cup." I love that image. We've got to minister out of the overflow of what God is doing in our lives!