A devo from Naghmeh Panahi
Recently I lost my dad to COVID-19. It was sudden and unexpected and it was the most painful experience that I have gone through. When my dad passed away I was gripped with much grief, fear, and anxiety. He was my defender and protector. I ran to him for help and advice during my darkest times. Where would I go now?
C.S. Lewis wrote in A Grief Observed that “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” And where there is fear, there is a lack of peace. Here I was preparing to speak at this conference about lasting peace when I had none myself. I struggled with what I should do. Should I cancel? I knew whether I decided to move forward with the conference or cancel, I needed to find that place of perfect peace with the Lord. But how? Anxiety was rampant through my body and no amount of praying was helping.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself is the Rock eternal.”
The above Scripture promises perfect peace if our minds are steadfast in the Lord and for those who trust in the Lord. Through this trial, I learned how quickly my mind would stray from God and back to the things of this world. I learned that it was such a battle to keep bringing my mind back to the Word of God and back to the character of God. I found much peace and rest in trusting in a sovereign God.
As I prayed the Holy Spirit reminded me of Isaiah 57:1 (NIV):
The righteous perish,
and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
I recently read Elisabeth Elliot’s book Keep a quiet heart that“Jesus in the unbroken intimacy of His Father’s love, kept a quiet heart.” Wow! The more we press onto a deeper intimacy with God and having a deeper understanding of His great love for us, the more fear is cast away and with it, our anxiety is also cast away. 1 John 4:18 says that perfect love casts out ALL fear! Not some fear, but ALL fear!
God has used each trial and suffering in my life to further detach me from this world and further attach me to Himself where perfect peace is found. I will end with what Elisabeth Elliot wrote in her book Keep a quiet heart, “Heaven is not here, it’s there. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.”
>> We are so honored to learn from Naghmeh Panahi at our Women's Retreat on October 3rd.
Women’s Retreat is a one-day retreat for women who crave the lasting peace, refreshment, and community that God provides.
You deserve a day that leaves you feeling encouraged and refreshed rather than depleted or overwhelmed! We want to have fun together and enjoy each other’s company!
At our Women’s Retreat you’ll get delicious fall inspired meals, fun workshops, a time of prayer and communion, soulful sessions, and time to connect with friends.
At Black Lake Bible Camp, we believe God has asked us to bring the women in our community together to remind one another of this truth. We want to create a safe, inviting, and fun space where we can encourage one another in joyfulness and truth.
We can’t wait to spoil you with a refreshing day for you to enjoy!
You should be a part of this! Your mother, daughters, friends, sisters, and every woman you know should come to our Women’s Retreat! It may be just a one-day event, but we believe it’s a very important day.
That is why we are offering a group discount when five or more people register together.
Plus, if you bring four or more people with you, then you and your group will get access to a free, private meeting space to discuss each session, drop your belongings, and rest together.
We need your help to spread the word – this day is far too important to keep to ourselves! Share this blog post with a friend and invite them to join!
Registration for Women's Retreat closes on September 28th at midnight!
Here is a quick overview of everything included:
A delicious fall inspired lunch and dinner
Your choice of a workshop
houseplant care
book binding
how to share your story
or free time to connect with friends
Two, soulful sessions on lasting peace
A welcome gift
A day to relax and enjoy yourself
A workbook
A private facebook group for women’s retreat attendees
And more!
ANNOUNCEMENT: We are now offering overnight stays!
You can book a room when you register. Due to COVID-19 regulations, only members of the same household (those who live at the same physical address) can stay in the same lodging space.
To register for Women’s Retreat and learn more about the event click the button below.
MEET THE Women’s Retreat SPEAKER
Naghmeh Panahi
“Having grown up in war and later having gone back to Iran, I have faced intense persecution as a Christian. I constantly struggled with fear and anxiety.
As I got older, I continued to wrestle with this fear and anxiety, and I sought the Lord for victory over them. Abuse and infidelity in my marriage, unwanted divorce, being a single mom, facing autoimmune disease and cancer scares, and dealing with the uncertainties of COVID-19 continued to contribute to fear and anxiety rising up in my life.
But God, by His grace, has taught me to keep peace, joy and even laughter in the midst of life’s darkest storms. As Christians we walk through the same storms of life as others, but how we go through these storms puts God’s glory on display.”
We are Black Lake Bible Camp.
A non-profit Christian camping and retreat center located in Olympia, Washington.
Our mission is to be used by God to transform lives through faith in Jesus Christ.
Due to COVID-19 we have lost over one million dollars in revenue. God has shown us time and time again that HE alone is our provider! We have seen God use our community to bring about the provision we need time and time again.
We are so grateful!
If Black Lake Bible Camp has impacted you and transformed you all for His glory, we ask that you prayerfully consider joining our donor team.