A Full Heart - from the SHV Men's Retreat to Fairplay, Colorado

      God has been talking to me about abundance. This retreat embodies abundance. Out in the middle of nowhere, at the foot of the mighty mountains in Fairplay, Colorado, it is impossible to not have a spiritual experience. The raw beauty of God's creation alone stirs my heart to want to abide in a place that constantly reminds me of this aspect of God's soul - the wild wilderness, broad skies peppered with bright stars, a chorus of wind and snow, wild denizens scampering to and fro. The quiet solitude away from the busyness of modern life also pulls my soul into this deeply spiritual realm. I don't want to numb my soul with strong drinks, gluttonous food, or the seemingly endless catalogue of entertainment that modern life has to offer. I want to go deeper.

     My heart is full. I am enjoying the brotherhood of men from my church group. We talk, sharing our hearts and thoughts. We pray and break bread together, read stories, shoot guns, hike, play Settlers of Catan, and watch favorite films. More importantly, we stir each other's hearts and share in this mountaintop experience. We would love to share this experience with our families - and maybe someday we will - but there is something unique and special about brotherhood and walking with the Lord alongside other dudes. Together God is filling our hearts up with His abundance (not the world's). And His abundance is His presence, in which we have no want. He's our shepherd, our shield, our fortress, our healer, our banner, our leader. We would love to dwell here, but we must return to our bustling lives, and hopefully take God's presence back with us to impart to others in valley.

Cheers to my brothers!

The mountains watch over the valley
Quiet sentinels looking over the din
An orchestra of trees speckle the hills
Ever singing with the wind
Birds of every kind flit and fly
Spreading seeds of every kind
Decorating His garden
Wind and mist and sunlight
Swirl in harmony
All of God's creation is alive
Each section playing in symphony
Directed by the Great Adonai
Who conducts His grandest opus
We are witnesses
To the greatest ensemble of all
Nature responding to Elohim's call

Place of Peace

5/7/17

Inspiration:  I have been reading through Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.  In the past, these books brought me into bondage. This time around, I had a fresh perspective on them. Yes, they still present tough questions, many of which I still cannot answer. The most important thing, however, is that I learned how to temper my heart while reading these books of the law, and look at the spirit of the laws therein. I do not think this can be done without a strong foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is about love, hope, faith, and grace.

A Holy God:  In reading the books of the law, I saw a God that exhibited many emotions – love, patience, anger, and wrath, to name a few. Previously, I focused on the wrath, and came away feeling condemned and sorry for the Israelites. However, this most recent reading revealed to me that God’s wrath was actually in response to very specific, very egregious heart issues on behalf of some of the Israelites. I do not know to what extent these groups of Israelites rebelled in their hearts towards God, but it seems significant – I honestly do not think God would randomly smite them for little things. I also saw a God who was holier than any living thing. He was, and is, so holy that only a select few could approach Him, and they could only do so by the blood of goats and rams. And this holiness is the greatest power in the universe. No one and nothing could resist the Israelites with God on their side. They saw a cloud by day and a fire by night. They witnessed and felt first hand how God was a mighty tower, a fortress, and a stronghold from their enemies, as David and the other Psalmists often penned. If God is for us, who truly can be against us? That is how I genuinely felt after reading these many chapters. Yes, they also instilled the fear of God in me, but they also inspired awe. Could my physical afflictions hold fast before a mighty God? Or could the literal or proverbial bullies or enemies of my life stand in His way? These scriptures inspire me to say, “no way!” If God is for us who can be against us? One of the natural effects of having God on your side is that you experience His peace. This is not natural peace, or lack of physical conflict. This is a peace that literally transcends understanding, and renews the heart, the mind, the body, and the soul. And it is from this place of peace that we experience victory.

I also wanted to include other inspirations for the poem:

-Prince of Peace by Hillsong United.

-My lovely wife was my inspiration as she helped guide me back to seeking this place of solitude and peace through her example.

You are Holy

We are completely surrounded by your cloud

In your essence us you enshroud

A fiery pillar of fire as light

A fierce lion roars at night

No one can touch you

No one can see you

And live

You are Peace

Your name is our standard

“The Great I Am” upon our shields

You make war for us

Victory in your name is sealed

You set us down in a place of peace

A resting spot for our souls

You surround us with your angels

You watch over your flock and fold

You are our fortress

All the nations fear you

If you are for us

Who can be against us?

For you are faithful and true

I stand before the world

And say, ‘Fear God!’

Fear the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Tremble in fear

For His Kingdom draws near!

The trumpets sound

His armies advance

All evil flees at the sound of His name

All infirmity and fear run for the hills

At the sight of the Lion of Judah’s flame

His sword of brilliance goes into the wilderness

His trumpets pound fear into its foes

His hands make ready for war

Wherever He and His army goes
There is peace forever more