Fall Retreat 2009
Sep 13, 2009
We headed off to Walnut Creek for our annual Fall Retreat. This retreat was unorthodox in the sense that there were many videos; videos of Nick Vujicic, the Huckabees, and Angola Prison were shown to challenge our horizons as Christians. Pastor Ed concluded the retreat with a message from Genesis 12 and the call of Abraham.
If I could summarize the retreat into one word, it would be: challenging. Nick Vujicic and Ron Huckabee modeled for me the strength and beauty of depending on God. Though they seemed to have a reason to be bitter at life, they weren’t. They did complain, but ultimately found solace in God’s promise that He would be there for us. In my life, I forget that being a Christian does not mean that everything is going to be beautiful but that God is going to be there with me. It served as a powerful reminder as well as a warning that if I get bitter for not having the perfect life that I want, I’m no longer talking about reality.
Another part of the retreat that also challenged me was the idea that our lives should be a testament to the glory of God, that our lives should not be able to be explained by anything other than the work of God. Pastor Ed mentioned that everything our church does is still very doable – just a little bit of organization and late nights and we can pull it off. We should not be content with the level that we are doing because that would not be comparing ourselves to the standard that God calls for us in our lives. I know that there is a lot more to do and more of a spiritual reality that I learn to see. So as I gradually learn more of the nature of depending on God – I hope to increase in passion and attempt to live up to the invitation that Jesus has given me to join in His work.
Thanks for sharing, Robert. I, too, was blessed by all the videos, but I think Ron Huckabee’s testimony really struck a chord with me. Just when he was feeling low, he got hit by another series of unfortunate circumstances. As Nick so adequately stated, “Faith is not a feeling.” Amen.
I also found out that all these videos — or at least, very similar videos — can be viewed off of Joni’s website:
* Nick Vujicic – I’ve Got Questions
* Ron and Bev Huckabee – Get Busy Living
* Warden Burl Cain of Angola Prison
Update: Gracepoint Video just made it easier to watch the videos.
I think i was really hit by Nick’s story and his sense of confidence that God loves him and that God wants to use him as an instrument to touch other people’s lives. I was amazed and inspired that Nick didnt fall into self pity and depression b/c of his circumstances, but rather chose to make the most out of what he did have. It is true that we have all been entrusted with much, but do we use these things to glorify God or do we just gobble up the blessings that we have been given?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 was a verse quoted several times by Nick, Joni and Ron. It is so clear that God indeed had a plan for each of them despite their apparent physical limitations. and I was reminded that God certainly has a plan to prosper and use each of us too!
Yea, that was such a memorable retreat. Thanks for recounting parts of it. I’m amazed at the testimonies we heard and hope they will remind us never to complain and to be good stewards of all the blessings that God has given us!