Christian Men's Retreat Learning

This past weekend I attended my first Christian men's retreat ever.  This one was sponsored by our church, a church we've been attending fairly regularly since our move to Denver in mid-2013.  It's an awesome church, but a big one, and I had failed to connect with many in the congregation because of the size.  So the retreat represented a big opportunity to get to know others in the church better, and in doing so grow closer to God in my walk with him. 

So while I was contemplating whether to go or not, Holly encouraged me and signed me up.  Nothing like receiving that much needed nudge when you're on the fence!

Off I went, with anxieties and anticipations in tow ...

I'm really glad I went.  What were my takeaways from the retreat?

• We are all broken. I met other men in the church who are at various stages in their walk with God.  It was comforting knowing that I wasn't alone in my struggles to be a better husband, father, friend, colleague, neighbor and man of God.
  
• There is one specific quality and character trait that is a key attribute of living a God-centered life - HUMILITY.  It will protect our relationships, safeguard our career, and enable us to experience life to its fullest.  I learned that Jesus' teachings centered on humbleness more than any other character trait except one - love.  I also learned that being humble always outpaces us.  If you reach a point at which you are proud of your humbleness, then by definition you aren't being humble!
  
• Three lies and three truths:

• Lie #1: I am defined by my success.
• Truth #1: I am defined by God's love.

• Lie #2: I don't need close friends.
• Truth #2: God created me to live in community with others.

• Lie #3:  I don't have what it takes, AND I have what it takes.
• Truth #3:  God will provide what it takes.

The content of the conference was rich and I took a great deal from it beyond what is stated above.  It provided a great opportunity for reflection and spiritual growth.  Like many things, the learnings will be fleeting unless I incorporate a plan to make the learnings a daily part of my life.  So all participants were challenged to create a personal plan for living a more God-centered and less self-centered life.  

Although I read as much scripture over the weekend as I had read in a month, I'll only offer one here because it is a fitting summary to my weekend spent at the retreat.

"He must become greater, I must become less" - John 3:30