Off-Site
I am currently at an off-site with my work for a few days. Every quarter we’ll get away and gather together out of the office. While it’s definitely not a vacation, it is a refresher of sorts to refocus and realign our company’s vision.
The purpose of the trip is to get away from the norm; to share, collaborate and communicate with the team. Our team is spread out globally, so these get-a-ways are often necessary every once in a while. Our team is intentional in setting aside these days to share directly and communicate personally. Kind of interesting, but we need to get away to communicate.
If you know me or have read this blog for a little while, you know that I’ve spoken about intentional living. I feel that God has used a lot of experiences in my life to remind me of that importance.
I’m reminded today about the importance of intentionally getting away with my Father with the express purpose of sharing directly and communicating personally.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8a)
To be honest, that hasn’t happened a lot in my life recently. I say to myself, “I’m busy, tired or forgetful”. In other words, the opposite of living with intentionality.
This post is a confession of sorts–one that exposes my need to be purposeful and intentional. My heart being these words is to, first and foremost, initiate change in my own life.
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What does having an “off-site” with God look like in your life?
Any vacation plans this summer?
Tony Alicea
June 8, 2011Man, I haven’t done an “off-site” with the Father in too long. I mean, anything more than an hour or so. I could use one of those for realz.
I’m planning a vacation that some also call a honeymoon. Not sure where though. Anyone have any good suggestions?? :)
Donald Borsch Jr
June 8, 2011Tony,
“I’m planning a vacation that some also call a honeymoon. Not sure where though. Anyone have any good suggestions?? :)”
Somewhere with a sturdy bed, sound-proofed walls, and room service.
Just sayin’.
Tony Alicea
June 8, 2011Good advice!
Dustin
June 9, 2011LOL, great advice! ;-)
Dustin
June 9, 2011We went to Cabo. Loved it!
Moe
June 9, 2011I need an offsite with God. I’m so ovewhelmed with so many things that I have to incorporate my prayers while walking to work, driving, working, etc…
I just want to lay on the floor face down, arms extended and pray to my Lord with no gadgets, agendas, people to interrupt me.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Yep I hear ya….taking advantage of those little moments of solitude. Thx man.
Blue
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adventure
April 20, 2017It’s a pleasure to find someone who can identify the issues so clearly
jenn
June 8, 2011I need to be more intentional in my time with God as well. I hate to admit it, but too often recently God has been more of an afterthought at the end of the day – especially when it comes to spending quiet time with Him. It’s something I’ve actually been feeling convicted about the last couple days, so this post is very timely.
No vacation plans for me this year (no money), but I’ve been trying to do fun stuff with Shiloh close to home. And we’re planning a trip to Georgia to visit my sister in a week or two. That’s always fun.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Thanks for sharing, jenn. I know what you mean.
And, a Georgia trip sounds like fun to me! :)
Jon
June 8, 2011Bro, you and me, both. Thanks for being open.
-Off-site with God means ignoring all things social media, and just spending time with Him. Losing all those everyday distractions.
-No vacation plans set in stone, but might do a mini road trip with some of my buddies, and just hanging out in general.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Nice! A road trip to where?
I hear you about social media/internet/etc – sometimes, for me, those are the exact things I need to step away from.
Jon
June 9, 2011I’m not sure where we’re going…probably philly, dc, virginia…around there. :)
Donald Borsch Jr
June 8, 2011What does having an “off-site” with God look like in your life?
Any vacation plans this summer?
———————–
1. Whenever I am in surroundings that are unfamiliar, like another state or different county, I get that “off-site” sensation.
2. No vacay plans, really. We probably will go to Ocean Grove, NJ, as we have a family house there. Other than that, NO MONEY and gas is over 4 bucks a gallon. Jehovah Jireh He is indeed, but there’s no sense in testing Him.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Yeah, I hear you about the $4 in gas. We’re going to Houston-area for a family reunion and will be roadtrippin’ it out there. Going to be a pain to pay all that in gas, but its less than all the plane tickets! :-/
Cindy Holman
June 8, 2011First let me say that the cup of coffee in your picture looks delicious – can you tell I’m ready for an afternoon cup? Anyway – I digress – I need an “off-site” – I will get one when I take a walk or Greg and I take a little day trip somewhere else where we can just go and relax – leave it all behind but not too often for financial reasons. However we celebrate 30 years of marriage this September and we are taking a 10 day Alaska cruise – how great is that???
Dustin
June 9, 2011I must say, cindy, that is a GREAT 30 yr anniversary present! congrats on the (early) milestone!
Ally Garner
June 8, 2011Hmmm. The first thing that comes to mind: An off-site with God for me means turning the lights out on my phone, tv, computer, etc. I distract myself too much with this “stuff” (your blog not included obviously haha) and it’s just not feeding me the way i need, not surprisingly. I need to commit to making this happen asap.
Hope you have a productive off-site & praying your hero of a wife has great friends & fam to help while you’re away.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Me too! (turning off all those devices)
And, thanks for the well wishes! Jen is with her parents while I’m out, so she has some help. But, she does it day in day out, no doubt she’s an everyday rockstar. :)
Arny
June 8, 2011I comment on Tony’s blog about this…but I get stuck in the “martha” routine…
I try to serve so much that it replaces me just sitting down and enjoy the company of my savior….harsh reality for me….
No big plans…work is always the busiest for me in summer….but maybe some weekend getaway! ….
Dustin
June 9, 2011Nice! what does a weekend getaway look like for you and the fam?
Arnys
June 9, 2011Week go to San Antonio Texas…which is like 3 hours away…
just like to go to hotel and have a different scene…you know?
Dustin
June 9, 2011Oh nice! I have family in San Antonio. I remember really enjoying the River Walk.
bill (cycleguy)
June 9, 2011Needing the off-site but finding excuses is easy. “Vacation” is coming in just over 1 week. Heading to Ohio to watch our grandson while his parents “cruise.” going to have to come home to get a rest when that week is over.
Dustin
June 9, 2011LOL, that’s awesome. But, that’s what grandparents are for, right? :)
Jim F
June 9, 2011I do like to get out and just do something different at times because it stirs the creative juices and gives a different perspective. So with God and an off site I try to notice different things and switch up the place time ect of spending time with Him.
Now vacation will be in the middle of July to visit some family and then the first week of August spending the week in Nags Head NC at the Outer Banks for a week with just my wife and kids.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Love that–switch up!
My wife has always talked about the Outer Banks. Heard it was great!
Michael
June 9, 2011Once a week I go down to the river. (insert Chis Farley joke here) to pray. There is this beautiful spot that I just sit and watch.
Jim F
June 9, 2011(insert Chis Farley joke here) – that made me laugh out loud in a room all by myself – which is hard to do.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Barney the Chippendale dancer was always my favorite character. FYI. :)
Dustin
June 9, 2011As long there isn’t a van, you’re good to go! :)
Jason Vana
June 9, 2011I honestly can’t remember the last time I had an intentional getaway. As much as I enjoy going to Czech, and as much as God speaks to me during those times, it’s definitely not always refreshing. Lots of speaking, events, traveling.
This year, I’m hoping to go to the Jesus Culture/United Live conference that will be in Chicago in August. It will be a great time to get away and reconnect.
Dustin
June 9, 2011I know you feel. The time a co-led a trip to Amsterdam I felt overwhelmed. Yes, God spoke and moved. For sure! But there was just so much on my mind.
seekingpastor
June 9, 2011I get away at the kitchen table or on the couch early in the morning or late at night. And read/pray/ponder. Good times.
And after not thinking we would be able to swing it–God blessed and we are going on vacation next week. Looking forward to it.
Dustin
June 9, 2011Awesome! Are you taking the whole family?
Adam
June 9, 2011Me too man. I feel ya. I have been so busy and tired of late I have just been putting it off. Not good…
We had a vacation to Disney a couple of weeks ago. Had a good time. I am sure we will make a few trips to the beach. We will also be moving in a couple of weeks which will not be a vacation at all…
Dustin
June 9, 2011Oh yeah, you went to Disney. That’ll be fun for us one day with the girls. I’ll have to re-hit you up for tips! :)
Joseph
June 9, 2011Well, I’m slacking in this department. I’ve honestly never been great at the off site time with God. He’s on my mind daily but I rarely stop my day to spend time with him. I need to do it asap though. I’ve got a lot of stuff going on. A lot of good stuff but some not so good.
Joseph
June 9, 2011Oh and I’m going to Cancun in three weeks. First time out of the country and first time flying. I know, 25 and never flown! Ha
Dustin
June 9, 2011You know … so often we busy ourselves with so many “good things” that we fail to stop to reflect on what’s really important.
And, Cancun I’m sure will be awesome! I’m jealous.
Rob Shepherd
June 9, 2011Our staff just got back from our off-site. Lots of work but it’s needed. For me it happens when I go to conferences like Catalyst. It’s a time for me to get out of my routine, hear from God, and listen to Him. Great post!
Dustin
June 10, 2011Cool! You going to go to Catalyst this year? There is a small contingent of folks around here going and/or thinking of going.
ThatGuyKC
June 10, 2011Hope you have fun at the offsite. I enjoy those type of things because you get to connect with the people you work with instead of just the job function they serve.
For awhile I wasn’t very intentional about spending time with God, but the last two months have been better (thank you YouVersion). I think an offsite with God would be a day off of work spent in a quiet coffee shop w/ my headphones in, the bible and another good book.
Vacation plans – New Jersey (family) and Hawaii (belated anniversary trip sans kids)
Dustin
June 10, 2011I agree. For me it was cool because I work with a lot of folks across the country so it was neat to have everyone in one place for a few days. We even had a group of folks who came in from Europe.
New Jersey and Hawaii!? So much for staying in the pacific time zone, eh? :)
Ryan Tate
June 10, 2011I’m glad you’re getting off-site brother. I’m about to go off-site in about an hour. Going to the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania with some brothers in our community. We plan on doing a lot of re-igniting, refreshing, recreating, and redeeming, sharpening, and discipling. Pray for God to move among us!
Dustin
June 13, 2011Ryan, that’s awesome. Love the the intent and purpose of your “get away”.
Matthew Erxleben
June 10, 2011MT 11:28-30 comes to mind. Going off-site with God recharges the soul. Something we all need but we (at least i do) fail to make time to do it.
Dustin
June 13, 2011Exactly. Thanks for sharing, Matthew!