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