Pamela J. Keegan

In a world filled with noise and distraction, during this retreat Pam guides you through Silence, Solitude, and Lectio Divina. Guided solitude provides a sacred space for you to step away from human relationships and make room for God in your life. As you learn to sit in solitude, this spiritual discipline allows you to cultivate other practices in your life like Sabbath, fasting, Lectio Divina, and prayer.  Solitude creates a platform to receive clarity, resolve your purpose, and find inner strength to avoid distractions. Guided silence completes solitude, as you set aside time and space to be quietly present before the Lord. It is in these still moments that God often speaks through nature, allowing you to more readily sense His presence in the events of daily life. Lectio Divina , which means "divine reading," is a method of praying with Scripture. This slower, reflective approach to reading the Word helps you be open to God's transformative work, rather than approach...

When a child hurts physically, they cry out in pain. Lament is an intense expression of thought and emotion communicated to God through prayer. It is a cry for help coming out of pain, grief, frustration and/or disappointment. It is often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, anger, disappointment, disapproval or doubt.  Lament, a biblical process of crying out our pain to the Lord and is a very common type of prayer found in scripture and is broken into four stages. Talk to God  Complain to God  Ask God for Deliverance  Trust God  Pam will lead you through the process of lamentation by sharing examples found in scripture which include but not limited to internal struggles with thoughts and actions, concerns with the actions and behavior of others, when evil seems to prevail and concerns with God's action or lack of action.

This is a guided workshop where Pam will teach and lead you through the process of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina, which means "divine or sacred reading" is an ancient method of reading and praying with Scripture.  This slower, reflective approach to reading the Word helps you to listen and be open to God's transformative work, rather than approach it with a human agenda.  It involves both a prayer of response and a prayer of rest. "The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long, just like the words of someone you love. And just as you do not analyze the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart, as Mary did. That is all…Do not ask “How shall I pass this on?” but “What does it say to me?” Then ponder this word long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

In this talk, Pam looks at the life of Esther.  In the face of life's most difficult trials and challenging decisions, we must remember that we are not alone. Pam shares insight through the inspiring story of Esther, even the bravest and most capable among us cannot rely solely on our own strength and resources when confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Rather, it is by grounding ourselves in the knowledge of who God is - a loving, sovereign, and all-powerful Savior - and who we are in Christ Jesus, that we can find the courage and fortitude to weather the storms.  It is not our own strength of character, our intellect, or our status that will see us through, but rather the unshakeable, unstoppable, and unchangeable nature of the God we serve. When we root ourselves in this eternal truth, we can face the trials of life with a confidence that is not of this world - a confidence that can only come from the Almighty.

In this talk, Pam shares the powerful benefits of a godly thought life. It's remarkable how easily weeds can take root and flourish in a carefully tended garden, isn't it? Even the most diligent gardeners find themselves in a constant battle to keep their prized plants healthy and thriving, having to vigilantly pull up those pesky weeds that seem to pop up overnight.  Just like a lush, productive garden, our own minds require similar cultivation and maintenance to ensure they remain fruitful and nourishing. Pam addresses the commandment found in  Philippians 4:8-9, we can proactively weed and prune our minds, keeping them focused on what is "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable."  This kind of mental cultivation requires vigilance and discipline, but the payoff is a mind that is peaceful, content, and aligned with God's will.  Just as a bountiful garden requires regular weeding, pruning, and nourishing, so too must we put in the consistent effort to upr...

In the talk, Pam focuses on the prophet Elijah during a drought that lasted three years and six months.  She focuses on three phases of this story. Invisible phase:  Elijah heard something, sensed something, perceived something, and believed in something that his eyes had not yet seen. Elijah prostrated himself and believed that what he had heard and spoken would come to pass. What are you believing God for?   Perseverance phase:  Elijah doesn’t lose faith but perseveres. He sent the servant to look for a sign and the servant comes back and proclaims, “There is nothing.” Was the servant’s report wrong? No, but Elijah knew God and knew God was at work. Seven times he sent the servant back before there was a sighting. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean God isn’t working it out. Something is happening! Persevere!   Insignificance phase:  “A little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” What may have seemed insignificant to the serva...

The act of blessing others goes beyond merely offering supportive words. It encompasses the profound gifts of God’s grace that continue to resonate well beyond a fleeting moment. Such blessings recognize boundless worth, highlight individual talents, and direct attention towards a destiny bestowed by God. In this presentation, Pam emphasizes, The blessing serves not as a reward for achievements but as the source of strength for achieving them. The essence of the blessing is not that one must first achieve in order to receive it; rather, it is the belief that success is possible because one has been blessed. When we extend a blessing to others or receive one ourselves, it does not enhance an individual's worth; instead, the blessing enables them to recognize the inherent value they possess.