Retreat Wrap-Up

Those of you that went, i hope you enjoyed it. I felt like Matt Cohen brought a lot of good scriptural things to the table that i know are valuable for me at least to think about more. Some of my favorite thoughts:

“Christianity is a daily struggle to believe in the Gospel or not”

i know this is true for me, but it is sort of like we are afraid to say it. It was cool to hear a pastor or soon to be pastor say that as if to say it’s okay to struggle and wrestle with these things, in fact, it’s a good thing. I always believe that anything that makes you think and challenge your beliefs is a good thing. It will grow you and firm up what you really believe.

“The church needs to get over their soft, weak view of God.” 

It was definitely cool to hear him break down the way we view jesus as this gentle, meek, carpenter who was just a guy that didn’t sin, no biggie. And transform him into the Living God sitting on the throne ruling over all. His power and dominion is beyond my understanding. Him becoming a man is a big deal, not regular, not admirable, a biiiiig deal. That is humility and obedience in its utter true form.

“Guys, don’t just hang around a girl until its obvious (or awkward) enough that the girl has to ask you what your intentions are.”

I laughed pretty good at this, because we all know how much this happens. Guys dunno what to do or say cuz they get nervous after they put up the facade of a tough guy in control, so they say nothing and just linger. Was also cool to hear Matt say the scripture does not say girlfriends submit to your boyfriends, that is reserved for marriage. simple but good reminder. To the previous point i say “let the relationship juices flow…” guys…that is my phrase, alas, that is an explanation for another post…

Overall, i felt challenged to think about a lot. Even Nate K. going through whether we actually love God or not regarding our whole heart, soul, and mind was good to hear. I think i might have the mind done, just cuz i’m a thinker, but the other two are tricky. then again, i’m a doubter and worrier and maybe that’s part of my mind too, so never mind….i’ve got none of them down. he bottom line to a lot of this however, is that if your heart does not connect with this, or does not desire a eternal perspective, then it won’t happen. I love to think about this, but i could think until i’m blue in the face and if my heart doesn’t click with it, my life will stay the same. That’s my prayer for myself currently. is to say, Lord, break my heart for what breaks yourself, let all of this click and resonate. Let me think through my faith and come out the other end stronger and closer to you than before. I want the passion, joy, and sorrow that goes with the heart emotions of faith. Make it real. Not ideal, not a good way to live…make it real. When that happens, this life will change, this fellowship will change, this campus will change etc.

In case your wonderin’, i’ll put retreat set lists here, however it’s long so i will skip writers this time:

Friday-

• Give us clean hands
• Not to us
• here is our king
• your name
• the stand
• mighty to save
• how deep the father’s love for us
• still
• let me sing
• salvation is here
• yesterday, today, and forever

Saturday-

• Jesus You Alone
• Undivided
• Our God is Love (chorus)
• From the Inside out
• Refiner’s fire
• Great are you Lord
• surrender
• God of 3 strings
• you are still holy – when finally set free
• only one love
• world’s apart – Jars of Clay
• ***thanks guys for tons of good requests!!***
• Salvation is here – came to my rescue (bridge reprise)
• Amazing Grace

There were definitely some awesome worship moments. I know the retreat had me re think the song Great are you Lord to the point where i was almost in tears. Surrender was a good song. its obvious that the song is  hard to sing in the grand scope of things, but who cares, in that moment i believe God loves to hear us attempt to surrender everything, it’s a step in the right direction. God of 3 strings is a new one that we brought back from days of old…really cool lyrics from God’s perspective. The Stand is always good, the words are simple and powerful. I hope you all enjoyed some of the newer songs we have done this year. I know i only brought songs to the table that had simple chorus’ that resonate with us and have great worshipful value. your welcome to comment here on what you think of them, but i think singing to the lord a new song is not only scriptural, but refreshing. Most important, i hope you all were able to experience God in a new or cool way through musical worship this weekend. Much like pastors who want to know how many people they impacted, if you were set free from something, or experienced God in a new way through worship or whatever and would like to share that with me, of course i would love that. I do this whole leading worship thing because the best times of worship i have are alone in my room. And myself and the team desire to share that aspect of personal worship with you all as a congregation every time. We want to break down walls and let God in and ultimately give Him glory. Thanks and God. Bless