Posted on September 4, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
I’m going to be blunt right off the bat. I’m about to be very transparent with you – maybe a little too transparent, but it’s heavy on my heart that this needs to be shared. So here it goes…
Life has been taxing and weighing on me for a while now. With my everyday life, with my work, with my relationships, you name it – I’ve been feeling it. I’ve had my fair share of “vent sessions” and mini mental breakdowns recently, because I don’t just look at tomorrow, I look at the whole year and try to figure it out on my own.
I’m a planner. I like to have everything planned down to the hour or minute. And when things don’t go as planned, I have a mini freak out in my brain, then gather myself, replan, and move forward.
Have you ever felt like that?
On Tuesday of last week, I attended the summer dinner concert, held here at America’s Keswick, which featured Kathy Troccoli. I grew up listening to her and many of her songs have spoken to me throughout the years. During her concert, she focused on one phrase: “Eyes on Me!” When things get tough, God says, “Eyes on Me!” And frankly, that brought me to tears. Because I heard that so loudly and clearly as if God Himself was saying it to me.
Thursday night, I went on social media, which I haven’t done in quite a while except for work-related things, and just so happened to stumble on a reel from Wellspring Executive Pastor, Graeme Wilson. And he said this: “What are you busy focusing on? Are you so wrapped up in your situation that you’re sitting on the roadside and Jesus is saying, ‘What do you want Me to do? I’m here!’ But we’re so busy fixing our eyes on our problems… and Jesus is saying, ‘Hey! LOOK AT ME! [Eyes on Me!] because with Me all things are possible.’” Man! Powerful!
“Eyes on Me!”
Later Thursday evening, I walked in on the tail end of Dr. Ron Susek’s session and one itty-bitty Bible reference caught my attention – he was referencing Jesus’ disciples in the boat when the huge storm came – and all I heard was “Eyes on Me!”
How many times do we take our eyes off of Jesus when things get hard, when life gets hard? And all Jesus is saying is, “Eyes on Me! Eyes on Me!”
I hope this speaks to you as it did to me.
Written by Elizabeth Welte: Elizabeth is currently serving as Keswick’s Marketing Director. She is married to Zach Welte, son of Bill Welte, who also serves Keswick in Keswick’s AV Department. She is an advanced violinist; playing for 20+ years. She also rides & jumps horses in her spare time.
Think About This: “We need the discernment of the Holy Spirit to recognize that God’s highest priority is to transform us, not just our circumstances.”― Bukky Agboola
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:10
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
