Hey everyone! We had an AWESOME men's retreat last weekend. I have so many thoughts rattling around in my brain from the weekend, but one thing I keep coming back to - and in order to tell the story, I have to name names.
One of the guys I met at the campsite - there were hundreds and hundreds of people near Lake Piru where we stayed - told me that our group of guys seemed like they'd been friends for a logn time. He said, You guys are having the time of your lives! I'm sure it did seem that way.
But here's the facts: everyone who went on this trip has met someone in the group in just the last few weeks. No one knew everyone in the group for longer than a month.
I've known Terrance for a couple months, same with David and Chandler; Mark I've known for Three weeks. We aren't a bunch of friends who go way back!
But I know our group gave that impression to a number of people. I mean, we had people coming from other camp sites to eat with us, pray with us, listen to God's word being spoken (one very drunk man bawled in my arms after hearing the gospel - first, he poked a finger in my chest and said, "Convince me..." Then...). Howard was an AMAZING host and cook. It was just a time of total hospitality and love.
This is what Jesus brings to our lives, guys. This is what must soak us. The world is done with Christians who keep toweling off the water of God, so to speak. They want and need to see people doused in his love.
Jesus has so much love that when he's on the cross with his wrist-bones are shattered, and he can barely breathe from the wound in his side, and he can't think with a crown of old Judean thorns pounded into his head, and he can only aleviate pressure on his arms and chest by standing on the spike in his feet, he still loves his neighbors. Father forgive them, he says of the crowd. Behold your mother, he says to John. Surely you will be with me this day in paradise, he says to the criminal beside him.
This Friday, let's talk about the invasiveness and power of God's love. Maybe you have a story of how God has touched your live through someone else. Guys on the retreat, this is on opportunity to share what's happened during that time.
Our text is Mark 9 - please read it two or three times before Friday.
If you want to help with anything - prayer, discussion, food, whatever, comment on the blog or email me!
6:20pm Friday Night at Westchester Park. If you are able, bring something to share - we'll have the grill!
Peace,
John
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