The Sanctuary at Bear Creek

04/25/2026

What emotions fill you heart when you hear this word? What memories flash? What thoughts?

What emotions fill your heart when you hear this word? What memories flash? What thoughts? far away from as fast as you can?

Or one that fills you with heaviness, rules, and “Thou Shalt Not’s!” … that you want to run far away from as fast as you can?

Sabbath is misunderstood or completely missing from our lives today. But God has a gift waiting that will change your life.

​ (Click Here to Listen to the Podcast Interview with Travis West) ​ ​ “If you … call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable … then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the heights of the earth.” Is 58:13-14 Hi friends, Welcome to Wee...

03/14/2026

It was an article I couldn’t forget.

It wasn’t long—maybe 200 words in a small column on the right-hand side of the page in the newsletter of one of my favorite retreat centers, The Hermitage Pause.

I don’t remember any article ever jumping out at me so strongly—and then staying with me like this one.

It told the story of a Hermitage guest who had been coming consistently for monthly 24-hour retreats, not just for a year or two, but for over 30 years!

(Click Here to Listen to the Podcast Episode) Hello friends, Welcome to the Sanctuary Stirrings Spring Series! We have a wonderful lineup of topics and guest interviews on the p...

03/10/2026

How do you find time alone with God? Do you love your quiet time, but would also love to have more than 30 minutes or an hour? What about a whole day when you wouldn’t have to watch the clock and could just spend time with the Lord however, He leads?

And what if God wanted that more than you do?

We have the perfect guest on the Sanctuary Stirrings podcast this week to talk about that today! Retired missionary, Joel Hogan, has been taking monthly 24-hour retreats for over 30 years~ and the blessings … oh, my!

If this is something you long for, too, you’re going to love this episode!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/70jvIjSoosjD1drPBsoB9v

02/12/2026

“What would you say about following a ‘giant in the faith’ versus reading and studying the Bible?”

This question came into my email from a podcast host who was considering having me on her podcast.

It’s a very common question that I hear from Christians whose faith in Jesus is their highest priority.

Then, about a week later, I got a call from the leadership team at my church asking the same thing. One of our Bible study groups had started using Journey as their text, and they wanted to make sure it wasn’t pulling people’s focus away from Jesus or the Bible.

This is a vitally important question. One I deeply respect and understand completely!

We must “guard our hearts above all else, for it will determine the course of our life.” Pr 4:23 NLT

When I was introduced to this practice, I had the same concern. Would focusing on a spiritual giant pull my attention away from Jesus or Scripture?
What I discovered was the opposite.

Walking with a giant did not diminish my love for Jesus or the Bible — it multiplied it. Their passion for Christ stirred mine. Their hunger for Scripture deepened my own.

Walking with a spiritual giant is never a replacement for church attendance or Bible study, but a wonderful accompaniment. Those two things are, always have been, and always will be, the foundation of our faith.

Imagine the quiet space where you come to meet with Jesus, with your Bible and journal open, and beside them, a stack of other books, including one about a faithful believer that nourishes your relationship with God.

That’s the picture.

Thank you for these questions to clarify what this practice is and what it isn’t, and to remain centered, where we belong, on Jesus.

02/06/2026

Help us, Lord, to pause and let the sentiments from our full lives settle more often ...

To drive in the quiet for a few minutes instead of turning on the radio or a podcast, or eat your lunch looking out at the birds instead of checking email.

Thankful for this reminder to savor You.

02/04/2026

If you’re longing for extended, uninterrupted time with God, join others from the Sanctuary at Bear Creek community for this 24-hour retreat. You’ll enjoy a private room and quiet, spacious hours to abide with Him.

We’ll open and close together and hold each other in prayer.

Rooms range from $80–$105.

To reserve your space, call the Franciscan Life Process Center at (616) 897-7842-- and then message us to let us know you’ll be coming.

02/03/2026

“You hem me in behind and before and lay your hand upon me.” Ps 139:5

I went into the coaching session optimistic, but left frustrated.

It was the beginning of a new year, and I had done all my vision-casting work ahead of time. I had looked back and celebrated the blessings of the year past. I had looked ahead at 2026 and written down my priorities. I carried my notes into the session fully expecting to walk out with a clear plan.

But I didn’t.

Click to read the entire article:

“You hem me in behind and before and lay your hand upon me.” Ps 139:5 I went into the coaching session optimistic, but left frustrated. It was the beginning of a new year, and I had done all my vision-casting work ahead of time. I had looked back and celebrated the blessings of the year past. I ...

02/02/2026

A special thank-you to a dear friend of the Sanctuary, Sherri Willett, who created these beautiful retreat journals for our new Sunrise and Sunset rooms. You may have already been blessed by her journals in the Prayer Cabin and the Secret Place room.

Sherri prays over the unique design of each journal. As she dyes the cloth, paints, and stitches, she prays for the Sanctuary and for every guest who will meet with the Lord in these spaces. What a sacred gift.

Thank you for offering the work of your hands—and your hearts—to this ministry. It is a joy to walk out our life of faith in Jesus together.

01/11/2026

Even the shortest prayers are answered.

The most common one, that I think we all utter when we’re overwhelmed, discouraged, and can’t see how things are going to work out, is simply, “Help, Lord.”

My husband and I have spoken that prayer often as we apply ourselves wholeheartedly to our everyday work, and then work after hours to finish the Retreat Barn at the Sanctuary. We framed it four years ago, and then ran out of time and energy. We gave it another push the following year and finished the exterior. Last year, one more push to install the interior walls with beautiful pine, like the cabin's interior. Then life got busy.

We poured ourselves into our big family, the Camino pilgrimage, the book launch, and my husband’s new office build-out. The barn sat waiting for the interior walls to get varnished. Until this week, when God gave us the strength, and we got rolling again.

At each one of those junctures, we couldn’t do it alone, and uttered our short prayer, “Help, Lord.” And he did.

Young men at our church, our son Eric, and our trim carpenter came and helped us take the next step forward. Pretty soon, or should I say, “in God’s time,” we’ll be moving the furniture in and opening the doors to welcome guests.

All because God answers even the shortest prayers.

01/07/2026

Starting Journey with a Giant?

You’re standing at one of the most important—and exciting—places on the path!

Choosing a spiritual giant isn’t about strategy or striving.

It’s about tuning in --- to the Spirit of God, what your life is speaking, and the holy sparks God is stirring within you.

Walking through the steps in Chapter One will help you notice where your heart feels light (consolation)—and where it feels heavy (desolation). Those holy clues can lead you straight to the Giant God has for you.

Not sure how it works? Come with me as I share how I chose my 2026 Giant.

https://ckarchive.com/b/r8u8hoh3k347rb48nng83sdovqm66h7hmv9og

Can’t wait to hear who you’ll be walking with this year!

Dear friends, Happy New Year! It’s so good to be back with you after celebrating the holidays—and after a bit of “maternity leave” following the release of Journey with a Giant....