Stories of Glory from the Common Ground Retreat
In Santa Barbara, California

"I really enjoyed the music.  I wait all year to hear that sweet sound!  The teaching was amazing and deep.  I loved the relationship that was made between sheep and goats in the Beatitudes.  I don't want to be a goat anymore!"

"I had some generational curses on my life from my childhood and my upbringing,  This weekend, the Lord removed all of them and I am free!"

"I drive a bus for a living and it's been hard with a bad back that has me in pain all the time.   I was completely healed this weekend."

"I came as a goat and I'm leaving as a lamb.  I've had migraines for 23 years and had one when I came.  I am totally healed.  When Rick Alonzo performed his art to the Lord, I felt a tension leave my back and neck and have been well ever since.  Praise Jesus!"

"The 'goat vs. lamb' stuff was hilarious and insightful at the same time.   I have never had so much fun in church.  It was my first retreat and now I'm hooked.  My wife usually comes with her girlfriends, but this year I wanted to come. I'm glad I did.  When I got up to priase the Lord, my foot was totally healed during the worship.  I have had to wear a brace for years and I left it in my room for the maid and walked out!  It was my private 'miracle' and I didn't even want to share it because it was so personal, but I thought it might bless you."

"I really enjoyed the facility and I enjoyed worshipping with my Abba's Heart 'family.'  I look forward to that every year!  The teaching was deep and appreciated.  I went to my room Saturday afternoon and studied further and loved how the Lord really opened Scripture up to me."

“I have been in terrible back pain for 3 years and Friday night, I was healed.  I have no pain at all now!  The Doctor wanted me to schedule surgery, but I wanted to wait to see what God would have for me at the Retreat!”

“I have NEVER heard the Beatitudes explained that way.  It made so much sense to me!  I hung on every word and they went deep into my soul.  I’m so excited to finally learn how to walk in these blessings.  It’s not a cheap prayer or a thought, it is a mandated lifestyle and then the blessings come automatically and what blessings!  I love how Sandi explained not only what “blessings” meant but also what the inheritance of those blessings exactly is.  I never understood what it meant to “inherit the earth” or “the Kingdomof God.”  It was a real exciting time for me as she went so deep into the Word.

“I have been a goat a really big GOAT!  But, this weekend I have committed to the Lord to be unselfish and giving.  I am going to spend time every day praying for the lost, something I have never done before, because I guess, I didn’t care!”

“I’ve always thought that other people should be concerned about the government.  So, I let them worry about it, after this weekend, I’m going to pray for Americaand I’m going to start fasting as well.  I was inspired beyond belief to care for this country and more than that, I was given the hope that I CAN make a difference, so I’m going to!”

“The sermons were so impactful and hilarious.  I can’t believe that goat song!  I had to admit this weekend that I’ve been goaty.  I judge other people pretty harshly and I’ve made my mind up this weekend, that I’m not going to judge anymore…… since I started, I found out how much more room that leaves for love!”

“My back has been causing me constant pain for a long time.  I drive a bus and was at risk of losing my job.  The Lord touched my back before I could even ask and now I have no pain, none at all!”

“I’m grateful to the Lord for these retreats, they are my family reunion.  When I left the Jehovah’s Witnesses cult, my family all ‘disowned’ me and I miss them.  Coming together here has been such a blessing to me.  I’ve made lifelong friends at these retreats, so thanks.  Oh, I got my prayer language this weekend, with speaking in tongues and my joy is full and complete in Christ.”

“I saw this weekend how I am raising my children to be goats.  So, I’m going to stop and raise some standards in my home… no matter how loud they scream, I am going to raise those standards and we will be the lambs of God!”

“The best teaching on the Beatitudes that I have ever heard, I’m still fired up about it!”

“I appreciate all the effort that goes into these Retreats.  Whether you know it or not, it is the standard by which all other retreats are held!  You see to it that we always receive First Class Treatment and it is truly noticed and appreciated.  Thanks, it’s truly a ‘retreat and time away’ for me that I count on every year and am never disappointed.”

“I came upset, sick and depressed.  I left with amazing joy and health. And, it was such a pleasure to see all my Abba’s Heart family once again.”

“I loved the worship, as usual.  That group is something else.  The Word went so deep into my heart this year, thanks for the studies on Goats, Sheep and the Beatitudes.  All the trouble you go through so we can have such a protected and great time is noticed, thanks!  ‘Don’t be a Goat,’ that was great!”

“I always come to get inspired and I get more than that every year….. I always make a new friend or two and I get refreshed.  I haven’t been this relaxed in, well, at least a year….. since last retreat!  These retreats force me to have a haven and rest stop, thanks for knowing we need that.  I appreciate the fact that there are not a bunch of session and workshops on Saturday afternoon.  Thanks for giving us time to connect and relax in the Lord.”

“I met Jesus for the first time at this Retreat.  My friend brought me and I will never stop saying Thank You to her.”  After I found Jesus, so many people came to me and congratulated me and loved me.  I had no idea it would be like that!”

“I’ve had arthritis for 12 years and on Sunday morning during the session, I was healed.  And, I went up for prayer to be delivered of smoking and I haven’t had a cigarette in a month with no cravings at all.  It’s a miracle!  See you next year.”

“I invited so many people to come and nobody could make it, so I came by myself and I wasn’t disappointed. I met lots of new friends and felt so very loved. The sermons and worship changed my life. My diabetes has completely reversed and the Doctor has taken me off of insulin.  Thank you for the freedom that I experienced and that I watched everyone else experience at retreat.”

“I used to call it ‘camp’, but I know why you don’t call it that.  It is nothing like a camp.  It is a retreat for sure.  A ‘get-a-way’ with God and His saints.  I am fully recharged and ready to go at it again, thank you for the rest.  See you at Queen Camp in October!”

“I had such a terrible migraine when I got there that I could barely see.  Friday night I was supernaturally healed and on top of that, my asthma is gone!  You have no idea what a miracle this is.  I have been terribly handicapped by these things and not any more!  Thanks very much. Praise you Jesus!”