June 22-24: Vernal Retreat, 2012
Revealing the Creative Spirit of God Through Beauty
The Christward Ministry Presents – Revealing the Creative Spirit of God Through Beauty.
Become the type of Christian who walks with awe in the immanence of God’s presence in nature, who listens with inner feeling to monumental works of harmonious sound. Appreciate tremendous beauty and receive from it the charging that is there for you. See every hour as a new canvas upon which you may make your impressions of raising the hour into the level of harmonious significance, or into the expression of the beauty of holiness. Through Christ’s inspiration we walk consciously in the spirit and amidst the spirit everywhere of beauty. –Flower A. Newhouse
Friday: (Reservation Required) 6:00 p.m.: Simple vegetarian Dinner at the Friendship House. 7:30 p.m.: God Revealed in Beauty, spiritualized discussion of Peter Deunov, Flower Newhouse and other great souls. Question and Answer session in the Academy.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God Through PanEuRhythmy. A light lunch will be provided.
Sunday: 10:45 a.m.: Sunday Church Service, The Church of the Holy Quest led by Reverend Blake Isaac – Revealing the Creative Spirit of God Through Beauty, which will also feature an artistic expression of sacred dance and music. Potluck Luncheon to follow in Friendship House. All are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Sunday Afternoon: Time to be determined. Let us conclude our 2012 Vernal Retreat with a closing paneurythmic experience.
Suggested Love Offering $75.00 for all the events of the weekend.
PanEuRhythmy is a dance-movement-meditation for all ages that opens us to the presence of God within ourselves and the universe.
Questhaven Retreat is pleased to announce that PanEuRhythmy will be a part of its annual Vernal Retreat celebrating God’s expression through art and beauty. It is practiced throughout the world as a way to establish harmony with God, the Angelic hierarchies and the universe. Ardella Nathanael, an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of PanEuRhythmy, will be joining us to teach this sacred practice.
Limited overnight accommodations: call early to reserve. 760.744.1500.
Digital Audio Downloads
Flower A. Newhouse
We are beginning to offer the digitally remastered audio lectures of Flower A. Newhouse. Each downloaded talk is $5.00 and can be played on all computers and mobile devices (mp3 format).
If you are interested in hearing directly from Flower on the spiritual topic featured in by another speaker in last Sunday's talk, then please enjoy downloading Flower's talk on that subject.
These downloads are available under "What's New" in the right column of this page.
Many of us were discussing this week how helpful and unique many of these esoteric teachings are from Flower that help us navigate through life. How grateful I am for all she shared and had the foresight to record. What treasures she has left for generations to come!
Your Brother in Christ,
Reverend Blake Isaac
Easter Retreat 2012
Audio and Video Highlights
Special thanks to Reverend Lucy Wold for coordinating this retreat and to all who participated to make this Easter such a Light-filled experience. I cannot remember a retreat when so many people stepped forward to serve in so many ways. The openness and receptivity of all who came allowed the Christ Spirit to be fully received and felt on all levels of being. Please enjoy some of the highlights from the weekend.
With gratitude over flowing,
Reverend Blake Isaac
Easter Sunday Easter's Call to Live the Christward Way by Rev. Blake Isaac
Easter Retreat Retreat Highlights Video
Easter Retreat Retreat Highlights Newsletter
Lenten Series 2012
Studies in Greatness
Our Lord Christ was sent into the world to show humanity a way back to God. He is the fire of enlightenment and transformation that awakens all who seek. Over time many great souls have come in to keep the flames of the Christ's Cause burning to inspire us to stay on the path of discipleship.
During this Lent, 2012, we have taken a look at several of these Christian Mystics and the qualities that they exemplify with our theme "Studies in Greatness."
Feb 22 Flower A. Newhouse by Rev. Phyllis Isaac
Feb 26 The Powerful Promise of Perseverance in Our Journey Christward by Rev. Lucy Wold
Feb 29 St. Therese of Lisieux by Flossie Park
Mar 4 Coming to Self-Surrender Through Holy Obedience by Rev. Blake Isaac
Mar 7 St. Catherine of Siena by Felice Reynolds
Mar 11 Greatheartedness: Living Life with Love and Generosity of Spirit by Rev. Hal Lingerman
Mar 14 Thomas Merton by Richard Boult
Mar 18 Humility: Living the Spiritual Life with Sincerity by Rev. Miara Wiltshire
Mar 21 Evelyn Underhill by Lizz Lang
Mar 25 Faith: The Foundation of Our Spiritual Quest by Rev. Elizabeth Wood
Mar 28 Beinsa Duono by Gary Palisch
Apr 1 The Triumphal Standard of Integrity by Rev. Jonathan Wiltshire
Lent is a glorious time to deepen our awareness of the Christ and how others, who are further along the path than we are, have found their way and contributed to His Cause.
Throughout these six wonderful weeks of having Christ foremost in our thoughts, we will be infused with new spirit, heart, and empowerment in refining us to bring forth the golden qualities of soulic consciousness that are invested within. We want to make this Lent count and be the finest we have known. Then, when Easter dawns we will be victorious in keeping our promises to Christ and be that much farther along on our path of refinement back to God.
Questhaven is a non-denominational Christian retreat nestled among chaparral-covered hills in northern San Diego County.
Founded in 1940 by the Reverends Flower and Lawrence Newhouse, these holy grounds encompass 640 acres of coastal wilderness traversed by miles of nature trails, inviting visitors to worship and experience God in Nature.
Wandering through these oak-lined canyons and shaded woodland sanctuaries, retreatants are able to release the stress from their outer lives and experience the centered stillness and quiet necessary for awakening to the Living Presence of God.
We believe that there are many paths to God–our path is the Way of the Lord Christ. We believe that there comes a time in every true seeker’s life when it is not enough to just believe in God; the greatest need of incarnation is to know God.
This is the Way of mysticism–direct experience of God.
We who study here are striving along the path of Christian mysticism.
We welcome individuals and groups of all faiths to come to these tranquil acres and find their way with God.
Flower Newhouse taught that the Lord Christ offers us the greatest pattern to our own future unfolding–to the full awakening of God within. Thus, every inch of this holy ground is consecrated to the Lord Christ forever and His call for the spiritualizing of all life.
Questhaven Retreat is home to the Christward Ministry – an Esoteric Christian Training Center for students who seek a deeper study into the universal way of Christ.
The Quest: Seeking and living each moment for God–what we call Living The Christward Way.
The Haven: A safe place of peace to connect with God.
Social Networks are available to share ideas and keep in touch.
Podcasts of our recent Sunday sermons are available in case you were unable to join us.
Inspiration Magazine is our email newsletter. Join our mailing list to inspire your mystical journey with Christ.
Google Calendar is available for our most up-to-date schedule of events.
Love Offerings are deeply appreciated and fully sustain this work.
What's New
Audio Downloads
of newly digitized talks by Flower A. Newhouse are now being offered on a variety of topics!
These complete lectures are instantly downloadable for $5.00 each. You can now listen to Flower with ease on your computer or mobile devices (MP3 format).
The Priestess of the Home [Learn More]
In this talk from 1956, Flower focuses on the Divine feminine aspect of God. Mother Light inspires women to their highest potential and encourages them to be priestesses of the home. Points out how men can overcome their lack respect for women and fear of femininity. Shares the lives and events of some significant 'priestess' women.
| MP3 audio (17mb) |
The Akashic Records [Learn More]
In this talk from 1978, Flower explains that everything we think, say or do is recorded eternally in the Akashic Records. People of a high spiritual consciousness can go to these records to investigate and learn reasons for present behavior.
| MP3 audio (36mb) |
The Meaning of Open-Key Periods [Learn More]
This talk from 1974 describes the purpose of "open-key periods," in our lives. These periods are times in our life when we seem to have little purpose or direction, where no one else is guiding or directing us, and we have only our inner selves to turn to. Flower gives specific examples of what can happen during these times and what we can do to get through them successfully.
| MP3 audio (42mb) |
Upcoming Retreats
Major Retreats are held to celebrate the annual festivals of Easter, Michaelmas, and Christmas.
Jun 22-24 Vernal Retreat
Revealing the Creative Spirit of God Through Beauty
Jun 23 God Revealed in Beauty, spiritualized discussion of Peter Deunov, Flower Newhouse and other great souls. Question and Answer session in the Academy.
Jun 23 A day devoted to Connecting to the Divine Through PanEuRhythmy, led by Ardella Nathanael.
Jun 24 The Creative Spirit of God Revealed in Beauty, by Rev. Blake Isaac.
We'd like to recommend the following reading in preparation for our upcoming Vernal Retreat with its emphasis on Nature, the Arts and Beauty.
Songs of Deliverance |
Insights Into Reality |
Angels of Nature |
Aug 11 Master's Silent Retreat
Annual Day of Silence
Sep 28-30 Michaelmas Retreat
Annual Celebration of the Angel Kingdom
Dec 21-23 Christmas Retreat
Annual Celebration of the Living Christ
Sunday Program
Devotional Services
are held every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Quest,
with music, meditation, prayer and a spoken message.
Apr 15 Remembrance of Past Incarnations
Rev. Myrna Triggs
Apr 22 What We Can Learn from Open Key Periods
Rev. Phyllis Isaac
Apr 29 The Akashic Records: A New Look at an Ancient Mystery
Rev. Lucy Wold
May 6 I Walked with a Christian Mystic: The Influence of Flower A. Newhouse Upon My Life
Anne Hubbell, Agnes Meum
May 13 Mother's Day Awakening to the Divine Feminine: Insights from Flower A. Newhouse
Rev. Blake Isaac
May 20 Esoteric Interpretations of the Bible—Noah and the Flood
Rev. Jonathan Wiltshire
May 27 Pentecost and the Activity of the Holy Spirit Today
Rev. Hal Lingerman
Jun 3 Coming to Christ, from the Heart
Rev. Miara Wiltshire
Jun 10 A Stranger's Gift: True Stories of Faith in Unexpected Places
Captain Dan Willis
Jun 17 Father's Day Mayan Prophecy: An Opportunity for Spiritual Transformation
Dr. Richard Wold
Jun 24 Vernal Retreat The Creative Spirit of God Revealed in Beauty
Rev. Blake Isaac
Ongoing Activities
Classes and Workshops
are offered regularly on Christward principles, prayer, meditation, healing, and artistic expression.
Finding Your True North Classes are held each Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the Academy. These classes are designed to help us find ways into God's Presence, using Flower A. Newhouse's western approach to meditation. Early lessons were posted online at questhaven.org/findtruenorth.
Wisdom Classes are led by Rev. Blake Isaac and held on alternating Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m. in Chapelito.
Study Christward Principles on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Questhaven Academy.
Pranic Healing Clinics are conducted on the first Sunday of each month in the Questahven Academy from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Servers in Action Days are on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until noon. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and service to Questhaven.