“Holiness differs nothing from happiness but in name. Holiness is happiness in the bud, and happiness is holiness at the full. Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness.” ~ Brooks
One of the greatest ‘disagreements’ I had with my mom was over shoes. She wanted me to wear corrective shoes to school, which were ‘not cool’… and I wanted to wear my Converse All-stars. So every morning I would leave for school in her ‘corrective shoes’ but arrive too school in my ‘All-stars’. It seemed like a good compromise to me at the time… funny though how that choice began to affect so many other areas of my life… maintaining the facade was not always easy… always having to remember to change back before meeting my mom seems to not be a hard thing to do, until you have to live it out everyday among all the other stuff I had to deal with in life. There were times when I thought I was happy because I seemed to fit in with the crowd… but I could never say I was at peace with the whole thing. You see, a distance started to form between me and my mom… time spent with her around the dinner table, watching TV, or riding in the car became ‘uncomfortable.’ She never said anything even though I am sure she noticed that my ‘corrective shoes’ always appeared like new…. after awhile, my mom and I didn’t talk much, and I become more aware that the reason for this had to do with the shoes….
The truth I learned back then, and continue to grasp hold of today, is that happiness cannot be anchored in external things… like what shoes are considered cool or even the relationship we desire to be in. No, happiness is directly connected to living in accordance with the design, and not because we have to, but because we want to. The Psalmist writes, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. ‘But they delight in the law of the Lord’, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalms 1:1-3). I like this translation because it immediately went after the idea of joy, that quality that wells up from within us because we are in-sync with God. God has established a design with laws that are absolutely perfect, and it is when we live by these laws that were put in play to cause us to prosper and enjoy being in His presence, that we know true happiness.
I made a choice back in Jr High to wear the shoes my mom wanted me to and not change them on the way to school. Yes, it was uncomfortable, or should I say ‘not cool’, but more importantly, the distance that had formed between me and mom disappeared and I was happy!
Jesus said, ‘If you loved me, you would obey my Word’; and then He went and showed us how it was done. Paul describes His obedience this way, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8).
The Psalms, Proverbs, and even the Sermon on the Mount tell us over and over again that true happiness is found in ‘delighting in the Word of God.’ It is for this reason Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes into the presence of Absolute Perfection any other way but through me.. The living Word of God.’
I learned this in wearing a pair of ‘not so cool’ shoes. I pray you realize it as well and turn from whatever is forming a void between you and our Heavenly Father… who stands looking for you to come home. Do this, meditating on His Word day and night, and you will be ‘like the tree firmly planted by streams of water, which bears its fruit in its season.’ (Psalm 1:2-3)
Praying you choose Christ today
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.
Think About This: If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine! – Elisabeth Elliot
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave [f]us commandment. -1 John 3:23
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Geoffrey Brewster
1702920475
You can see GOD work in and throughAll that go there.
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 425 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Geoffrey Brewster
1702920475
You can see GOD work in and throughAll that go there.