Retreat 2017, by Will

Retreat 2017 has wrapped up, and it was great. Our group has grown from 6 to 9 (welcome Jacob, Justin and Ryan), and the focus of our group and level of connection has deepened. The purpose of these retreats is to set a focus for the upcoming year, acting as a point of reference and vision casting weekend for the next twelve months. We have been looking at The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge, and striving to help each other grow as men. This year we introduced the stage of the Warrior, and how we build on the past foundation that has been set.

This year we are looking at intentional initiation as Warriors. This involves three specific things: Identity, Calling, and Mission.

Identity seeks to answer the question, "Who am I?". During this next year we are seeking who God says we are, the name God has given us.

"After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'" (Matthew 3.16-17)

At the very beginning of His mission, Jesus was given an identity by God the Father. He is publicly identified as the beloved Son with whom God is well-pleased. This is where everything starts because when everything falls apart this is the solid foundation you have to fall back on. This year we are seeking to hear the voice of God, giving us His name for us, and coming to know, and own, the identity He has in mind when He sees us.

Calling seeks to answer the question, "What am I made of/do I have to offer?". During this next year we are committed to learning and discovering gifts and understanding passions.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. " (Matthew 4.1-2)

After being given an identity by the Father, the Spirit leads Christ into the wilderness for a time of testing and connecting with God. He is alone in the wilderness, fasting and depending on God. His body, mind, and spirit are pushed to the limits, and He endures and grows closer to God. This is how the journey continues, because we learn what we can handle during trials and hardships. When chaos comes, we learn how to handle it, keep our head, and press on. Learning what we're made of and what we have to offer gives us focus and direction for the rest of our lives.

Mission seeks to answer the question, "What will I do/legacy will I leave?" During this next year we are committed to seeking God on the work He has given us to do, and the impact we make on the world.

"And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."' Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, "He will command His angels concerning You"; and "On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone."' Jesus said to him, 'On the other hand, it is written, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."'" (Matthew 4.3-10)

After forty days of intense preparation, Jesus faces battle. Three times He is given an option to do things in a way God has not commanded, and three times He refuses and stands firm. I read once, "The choices Jesus made in the desert inevitably meant the cross, but the cross, just as inevitably meant the final victory." Jesus' role did not end after the final temptation, but the temptations He faced set Him on the path towards His mission and legacy. This is not the end of the journey, but it is a crucial stage because how we respond to this will set the tone for the rest of our lives.

This is what the next year looks like for us. The retreat in 2018 will focus on introducing the next stage, and the next verse of Matthew, but only after celebrating the previous (at this point upcoming) year. This next year we have a plan to journey together, and the next posts will outline this plan in more detail.

Verses for the Warrior:

2 Timothy 2.1-4
1 Peter 5.6-11
James 4.6-7
Ephesians 6.10-18
Exodus 15.1-3
Psalm 16.8
Psalm 62.5-8


TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!





Our group with our two guides, Thomas and Amy, after a day of rock climbing at Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure was awesome and the guides made it a fantastic experience.

http://torrentfalls.com