I just got home from the GCC 2008 Men's Retreat: Totus Porkus Going Whole Hog for Jesus. This event is one of the highlights of the year for me. This year over 220 men attended the 2 day event. Friday evening started off with a hog roast followed by worship and a sermon by Pastor Mark Beeson (you can get more detailed accounts of the event on his blog).
During the teaching on Friday he posed these questions;
During the teaching on Friday he posed these questions;
"Where do you intend to be in 4 years?"
My ability to financially help others?
My ability to spiritually help others?
My ability to financially provide for myself?
My ability to spiritually feed myself?
Which of the 7 deadly sins do you least struggle?
These are very important questions. But for me to answer them I need to look at my past. Where was I 4 years ago? I was in a deep dark place. Depressed, broken, spiraling down into a pit that would eventually lead to death. 3 years ago I was found, saved, forgiven, baptised. 2 years ago I was in stride moving forward growing closer to God. 1 year ago at the retreat Mark challenged us to step up and make a move. He had each man write on a card what his move was going to be, then attach that card to the cross. When the retreat was over and everyone had packed up and gone I stayed around for a while and walked out to the lake. I had some alone time with God. I asked him to guide me, strengthen me, work through me. I had written on my card: "I want to help others find Christ." Within a few weeks the thoughts of going to school began. Now I'm enrolled in college, working on a degree and helping other people find their meaning to life.
My ability to financially help others?
My ability to spiritually help others?
My ability to financially provide for myself?
My ability to spiritually feed myself?
Which of the 7 deadly sins do you least struggle?
These are very important questions. But for me to answer them I need to look at my past. Where was I 4 years ago? I was in a deep dark place. Depressed, broken, spiraling down into a pit that would eventually lead to death. 3 years ago I was found, saved, forgiven, baptised. 2 years ago I was in stride moving forward growing closer to God. 1 year ago at the retreat Mark challenged us to step up and make a move. He had each man write on a card what his move was going to be, then attach that card to the cross. When the retreat was over and everyone had packed up and gone I stayed around for a while and walked out to the lake. I had some alone time with God. I asked him to guide me, strengthen me, work through me. I had written on my card: "I want to help others find Christ." Within a few weeks the thoughts of going to school began. Now I'm enrolled in college, working on a degree and helping other people find their meaning to life.
Photo by Jeff Kamp
This year he called us out again; write on a card and attach it to the cross. I wrote: "Continue the quest you sent me on last year." After the retreat was over I went back out and stood in that same spot on the lake. Had some alone time with God, asked for more strength, more courage, more guidance and I thanked Him for the opportunity to help build His Kingdom in this way.
Where do I intened to be in 4 years?
4 times closer to being the man God wants me to be.
1 comment:
Brian,
I had a blast this weekend. Thanks for being a great man of God and a great friend of mine.
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