Retreat Upward

“Tom Nisbett has captured the spirit of the mountain trail and the spirit of life in Retreat Upward. Like gold embedded in rock, there are precious nuggets of life-truths that will challenge you to search within for those character qualities that are only discovered and developed through resistance and gravity—two forces most present on the mountain trail and on the trail of life. Tom challenged and encouraged me to retreat upward and outward, and I encourage you to do the same! I know you will enjoy the climb!”


—Lee S. Ferguson, retired CFO and VP for financial affairs, East Texas Baptist University





“A Retreat Upward is an intimate peek into an experienced climber’s heart and mind—one might even say his soul. Tom Nisbett calls us to ‘retreat upward,’ but he comes alongside to help us discover more of ourselves and, in doing so, to enlarge our soul.”


—Tim Dinger, executive clinical director, John Brown University





“Tom Nisbett through personal conquest leads us on a journey of the soul. In his poetic-style journal, Tom explores facing the hardship of the elements while continuing to press on to the summit as an act of faith. The personal encounters explored, especially that of father and son illuminates our spiritual desire to know and grow in relationship with the father.”


—Ken Sutterfield, Christian camping/ministry leader





“I’m grateful for this collection of stories from Tom Nisbett’s climbing adventures and the perspective and soul wisdom he has found on the mountain top. This book is like a spiritual retreat of equal parts memoir and contemplative meditations on what it means to journey further up and further in and to ascend to joy. It makes me want to climb a mountain to find this kind of wisdom for myself.”


—Matthew Cleveland, chief development officer, Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches





“Retreat Upward is a spiritual testimony about mountaineering. This book will bring you to tears, make you smile with great gratitude, and make you strive every day to wake up in every way and know the love going out and the love coming in God divinely provided for us in natural landscapes.”


—Melanie Anne Baden, author of Skullgrass: A Safe Haven