The Real Journey Begins…
After that Sunday in January I changed my daily routine completely. I got up at 5 am, poured a cup of coffee, grabbed my bible and read. When I had finished reading I went to God in prayer. I knew that I had to stay in God’s Word and I had to talk with him on a daily basis. I had heard these things over and over all my life but I had finally made a decision to do what I had too, to walk in God’s light.
"...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
The first weekend in February I attended a Men’s Retreat at Ross Point Camp in Post Falls Idaho. I had been asked to attend for years but had always declined with some lame excuse. This time I decided it was time to go and see what it was all about. Ten men from our Church attended the retreat. We all rode up to Ross Point together in the Church van. We arrived about 5 pm and had just enough time to check into our rooms and cabins before dinner. After dinner we had a men’s praise service and our first session with our guest speaker, Mark Schmutz from Northlake Baptist Church in Longview.
Mark was the speaker for all three of the sessions Friday evening and Saturday. He spoke on issues relevant to men and Christianity. It was refreshing to hear someone speak directly to men about the battles they face with sins such as lust, pornography and idolatry. He spoke effectively, keeping all of us focused on his messages.
Each service started with praise led by a small group of guitars in accompaniment to I-Worship DVDs. It was uplifting, and for me, a spirit filled encountered. Saturday afternoon during the praise I was filled with the Holy Spirits presence. After turning my life over to God less than three weeks before it was just what I needed to charge my spirit for what lie ahead. A reminder that I belong to Him and am no longer a slave to my desires as long as I continue to seek God will, share the love of Jesus and follow the Holy Spirit.
We also had some free time where we played volley ball, card games and just chatted with other men from around the Northwest. I was pegged as ‘the Biker’ Friday evening when one of the guys from Church said I rode a Harley.
It was a great weekend and I don’t plan to miss another one. It will be what I look forward to the first weekend of February every year. It was a real blessing but just one of many more to come….
“You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him.” Romans 8:9
"...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
The first weekend in February I attended a Men’s Retreat at Ross Point Camp in Post Falls Idaho. I had been asked to attend for years but had always declined with some lame excuse. This time I decided it was time to go and see what it was all about. Ten men from our Church attended the retreat. We all rode up to Ross Point together in the Church van. We arrived about 5 pm and had just enough time to check into our rooms and cabins before dinner. After dinner we had a men’s praise service and our first session with our guest speaker, Mark Schmutz from Northlake Baptist Church in Longview.
Mark was the speaker for all three of the sessions Friday evening and Saturday. He spoke on issues relevant to men and Christianity. It was refreshing to hear someone speak directly to men about the battles they face with sins such as lust, pornography and idolatry. He spoke effectively, keeping all of us focused on his messages.
Each service started with praise led by a small group of guitars in accompaniment to I-Worship DVDs. It was uplifting, and for me, a spirit filled encountered. Saturday afternoon during the praise I was filled with the Holy Spirits presence. After turning my life over to God less than three weeks before it was just what I needed to charge my spirit for what lie ahead. A reminder that I belong to Him and am no longer a slave to my desires as long as I continue to seek God will, share the love of Jesus and follow the Holy Spirit.
We also had some free time where we played volley ball, card games and just chatted with other men from around the Northwest. I was pegged as ‘the Biker’ Friday evening when one of the guys from Church said I rode a Harley.
It was a great weekend and I don’t plan to miss another one. It will be what I look forward to the first weekend of February every year. It was a real blessing but just one of many more to come….
“You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him.” Romans 8:9
posted by Gary Gass at 8:30 PM
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