MEN’S RETREAT
By Rudy
In October, I
joined the men of First Assembly of God, Pepper Drive, for my first
Men’s Retreat. Unsure of
what to expect, I decided to go with an open heart to hear from God.
Once we arrived at Pinecrest Lodge near Lake Arrowhead, I thought
that maybe I would learn how to be a better Christian. Not so! God had
a different plan for me.
What I learned was that men could be together and actually get
along. We could talk (like
women do) about anything… that is, without feeling ashamed.
We could bond like people should, no matter what
their race or nationality. Not
even the different backgrounds could separate us.
We were all there to serve God.
It was amazing! I,
who was (and still am to some degree) very cautious about who I talk
with, actually, bonded with the men from my church.
Mind you, I am still learning to trust people, but I learned that
the men are not there to hurt me, just to help me, and for me to help
them, too. It was great to
be a part of something that helped so many people.
Aside from the personal effect the retreat had, the educational
point that stayed with me was that we are warriors commissioned to care.
We are to be mature and to be able to live outside of ourselves.
To do this, we must:
1)
Be other-centered, and understand that life does not revolve
around us, but that we must revolve around our life in Christ, i.e.,
God, wife, kids, church (in that order).
2)
Be courageous (poetic warriors – be creative), give your wife
and children security. We were challenged to find out if we are doing
that. Ask questions.
3)
Offer unconditional love. This
one phrase teaches that forgiveness is not an acceptance of the
offense, and forgiveness does not happen immediately.
We must forgive someone who has wronged us and trust must be
re-established between us. Forgiveness
is a command of God and it must be unconditional.
If we do these things, as
we walk with Christ, we will be in right standing with Him.
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