Posted on October 27, 2021 by Catey Stover in Victory Call
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Two people lay in a hospital as a result of a head-on collision. The one, a beloved pastor, lay unconscious, kept alive by life-support; the other, his wife, seriously wounded, on oxygen, but conscious. Not totally aware of all that was going on around her, but aware enough to understand her husband was dying.
Early the next morning, a woman from her church, who was also a hospital volunteer, appeared at her bedside and said, “I’m not going to stay; I just wanted to leave you with this verse: ‘When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.’” And she left.
The following day her husband’s doctor came, “I’m sorry,” he said, “your husband has died.” Unable to move, but not unable to speak, she replied, “Don’t be sorry. I know where he is – in the presence of the Lord he loved and served.” With a puzzled look and a pat on her arm, the doctor quietly left.
The Bible is full of wonderful “words of life” – of advice, admonitions, promises, comfort. The Holy Spirit ministered to me through verse after verse, for even though I could not read as yet, I could remember Scripture; and songs, oh, how songs soothed my overwhelmed spirit.
“Fear thou not, for I am with thee;
I will still thy Pilot be:
Never mind the tossing billows;
Take My hand and trust in Me.”
The afternoon of the accident, I had just concluded a study on Jeremiah with my Bible study group; consequently, the words of 29:11 were sharp in my mind. Thus, lying helpless and immobile, feeling lost without a husband anymore, I trusted His promise: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for good, and not for ill, to give you a future and a hope.” A wonderful future He gave me indeed! He gave me “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). And “the joy of the Lord [became] my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Turning tragedy into triumph is the Lord’s business. Do we have a part? Oh, yes.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Midge Ruth
From Real Victory for Real Life Volume 1
Written by Midge Ruth: Midge Ruth was a member of the Board of Trustees of America’s Keswick from 1991 to 2011. She was a schoolteacher and a pastor’s wife. Midge went to be with the Lord in 2014.
Think About This: “I would not want an extra 15 years in which to backslide and dishonor my Lord. I would rather go home right now than to live on—if living on was to be a waste of God’s time and my own!” – A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold. –Psalm 18:1-2
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more