Canaan Blog

Personal Encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus

We would like to share an excerpt from Mother Basilea’s booklet: ‘Joy Comes in the Morning’. On the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, Jesus met the dejected disciples, who thought He lay buried in the grave. They were permitted to complete their journey at His side and in the end to recognize Him. Emmaus proclaims [...]

Posted Apr 28, 2012

For the Easter Season

With God suffering is never the final outcome. After the Crucifixion came EASTER!This is true for us too when we bear our suffering united with God. Please scroll down. At the end is a link for 8 short Easter videos.

Posted Apr 07, 2012

WEEK THREE

Excerpts from the booklet “Where Can We Find Jesus” by Basilea Schlink

Posted Mar 23, 2012

Treasures for the Lenten Season

WEEK TWO OBEDIENCE–A STURDY STAFF Taken from “Behold His Love” by Basilea Schlink Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Heb. 5:8,9 RSV The dread darkness of evil forces surrounded Jesus in  Gethsemane. He [...]

Posted Mar 13, 2012

Treasures for the Lenten Season

WEEK ONE The Lenten season is upon us, and as usual we will want to prepare our hearts for this blessed time. How do we do this? Mother Basilea Schlink writes in the introduction of her book, Behold His Love, “. . . Nothing can bring us closer to Jesus than meditating upon His passion… [...]

Posted Feb 24, 2012

North of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Arizona, lies Canaan in the Desert, the American branch of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary with its Prayer Garden. A sanctuary of peace and blessing ... A place to meet with God ...

Many stories could be told of the Prayer Garden with its sculptured reliefs depicting Jesus' Passion and Resurrection: stories of release from despair, marriages restored, lives healed of addictions -- all in answer to prayer. Spring is a favourite time for school classes to visit. It's a little bit like being in Paradise -- with birds singing, rabbits scurrying under the nearest bushes and children, hand-in-hand, chattering delightedly, "We're going to see Jesus!" Many return with their parents. People on their way to work like to stop by before facing another busy day. Retirees enjoy a quiet moment to reflect on their lives, while the bereaved find peace of soul.

Founded by Mother Basilea Schlink in 1968, Canaan in the Desert also serves as a base for our literature, audio/radio and video ministry. Television programs, including the Easter Special No Greater Love (a walk through the Prayer Garden), have been shown all over America. To quote one program director in Rhode Island: "They talk about God and love -- and I love it!"

Prayer is a way of life for us, whether trusting God to supply our daily needs, celebrating His redemption, or engaging in intercessory prayer for society and the nation at large. Called by God from various countries to serve in Phoenix, we long to help others enter a closer walk with Jesus, to bring encouragement to those who are hurting, to see a return to God's directives for living: the Ten Commandments. We seek, in the spirit of repentance, to work for reconciliation, and over the years bonds of love have been formed with Holocaust survivors and members of ethnic minorities such as Native American Indians. We also explore ways of contributing practically to those in need. As prison populations increase and budgets provide nothing for Christian literature, chaplains are thankful for free, faith-inspiring printed messages to encourage prisoners and their families.

Living near an area of such outstanding beauty as the Grand Canyon, we felt led to set up plaques pointing to the Artist, our God and Maker. God touched the hearts of officials to give permission. Meanwhile plaques have also found their way to the Rocky Mountains and other parts of the country. In view of recent natural disasters, books and videos like Nature Out of Control? help those struggling to make sense out of life. As the needs grow, so do the opportunities for sharing the love and comfort of God with others.

In 2012, RETREATS are held in Colorado and Texas.