Subiaco Monastery
Beautiful and peaceful here, seems like home. Quiet, relaxing, friendly, fun. Bobby and I walk the grounds – tour the Courey House and the church mainly, but also walk the grounds.
In the first minutes of reflection, I feel led to pray aloud a simple prayer asking for God’s help for a fruitful time here, pleasing to Him.
This is a personal retreat, but also I’m seeking the LORD on behalf of the CCF Men’s Ministry. I’d like to record the main, foundational Scriptures and words that have come and been “guiding” during the last six months – the present/future era of the “Men’s Ministry.”
The word “foundation” keeps coming up. In Joe’s office just a few hours ago. During this time <3-6> perhaps God is wanting to expose & repair any cracks or flaws in the foundation that would cause much damage to the structure (CCF Men) later <>. Joe noted the attendance had been down some. Came quickly to me that it doesn’t take too many men to do (be) the foundation. Joe commented, “We may be in this process 6 months or more – that wouldn’t be too long.” Brian commented once, “Most of the foundation is underground. You don’t see it.” Done in secret. Standing, holding, supporting, abiding – habits of relationship. “Stacked close together” is coming to me now. Talk to David Johnson more about foundations and relationship.
Get confessed up – forgiven & forgiving so you can stand. These thoughts are from Brian
Also, “What’s it going to take to make you fight?” Brian Fields.
“You can’t live far out, today! “You’ll die – get picked off” spiritually, maybe physically, martially. (Bobby and I discuss this on the drive down – Several CCF men.) Maybe beautiful to live our there in isolation, but costly – too costly.
(From Brian, today.) The Word of God – Men, you must spend time in the Word daily. Habit. Have you hidden God’s word in your heart? Memorize some passages of Scripture and quote them to each other, often, as you go. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The “Inner Life.” It’s a must for spiritual living. It’s the point of it all. The journey. The friendship. The inner life isn’t for spiritual giants, seekers, or monks!! It’s for every believer. It’s for you. It’s for me. Get a God Calling book and read it every day! Or, some new Habit!
Read Brian’s word from Daniel – the confession of Shadrach, Meshach; and Abednego
Read the book of Daniel.
Read the book of Ruth.
Habit, Discipline, be reading – the Word.
Spirit of the Disciplines – finish reading. Habit. Read. Humility.
Read & meditate on “God Calling” Nov 8th - Brian.
At first meeting in lobby, Bobby shares Exodus passage – “Drive them out, little by little” Habits. He will as we do. My habits here – meditate study, read, memorize.
John Bevere Drawing Near, Prayer Closet (Matt 6, “when you enter the secret place…”)
“How much should we love one another? Paul … willing to burn for
Men’s ministry is such a pillar – foundation – we are going to have to be willing to go the distance – aggressive, sacrificing for our brothers.
Moses & Aaron upon hearing complainers “fall on face before God.” Num 13-14 v 4-5
V 6-7 Joshua and Caleb confessed boldness and faith
I John 5:14-16 confidence – GO TO BAT FOR YOUR BROTHERS.
Felt anointing of God while we were walking around – and upon entering the room, the Lord said to me, “Read the Word.”
Retreat 2x2. A model I think. For a while? At Subaico or other spiritual retreats.
Bobby and I attend “Office of Readings”
Dinner
“Vespers”
Worship – Interesting – Enjoyable
Back to laying out “what” I’d like to mediate on for starters and as a plan. I recall Brian reading to me over the phone God Calling from Nov 8th
So I’ll read and learn from that before going on with the practice of a habit – hopefully directed or led by the Holy Spirit. There is much to be done – or that could be done. I’m not bored or starring at the walls here in the least!
Nov 8th – Wipe the Slate
“One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark – Phil iii.13
“FORGET THE PAST! WIPE THE SLATE OF YOUR REMEMBERANCE WITH LOVE. FORGET YOUR FAILURES. YOUR FAILURES AND THOSE OF OTHERS.”
Brian’s dream of the gate of heaven comes to mind – everyone being asked one questions, “Did you learn how to love?”
OK … another thing for meditation that’s captured my attention here – notes from (Rodger Brown, I believe) a recent teaching on TIME STEWARDSHIP called “LIVING ABOVE THE LINE” (ties time to relationship to freedom). Action Point! (Go back and discuss over coffee?)
“Deal with distractions” big with me & our culture – “too much of a good thing is a bad thing”
“Relationships cost you an investment of your time.”
Christ “Went away to pray.” Matt 14:23-25
“Relationships have to be built at the moment of opportunity.” Mark 7:24-25 Canaanite woman
“168 hours a week” “can’t save time, can’t borrow time. End of the week, it’s all gone.”
Live/Living above the line
Spend our 168 hours above this line
(Rodger – 168 hours!! We have a problem already. That’s all the hours in a week 24/7. Sleep??)
How do we do better? Give it away?? (Time & Money correlation)
John 14:6?
Christ let someone else tell Him what was important. He probably knew His mission.
DON’T CURSE THE DARKNESS – KEEP RAILING ABOUT THE PROBLEM – DO SOMETHING – GET SOME HABITS – GET TO WORK – ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME BY TALKING AND WALKING/ TEACHING AND PREACHING AND PRACTICE.
OK – feel led in the next 20 minutes to properly memorize two scriptures
John 15:5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (Secret of the kingdom)
Time to meet again in the lobby with Bobby…
“I’ve heard from the Spirit, ‘Go to My Word,’ but it’s never happened to me like this!”
Bobby Praying – on knees – as led, stopped strong hip pain – brought no medicine as faith step.
Joel 3:9
“Wake up the mighty men, assemble yourselves – come down….” and more.
Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar… Men of CCF – deal with PRIDE …a “pride” issue, even/especially the mighty men.
James 2
“Don’t show favoritism”
Pray for some way for the men (CCF) to stay accountable. Micah 5:1 “
I Chron 13:1 – David said, “Let us bring the ark of our God back together. (– other churches?)
Bright, crisp, sunny morning – bells for Morning Prayer (0645L) are ringing as I am getting dressed. I take an hour sunrise walk around the abbey. Meet Bobby up stairs – we go to breakfast. We visit with Brother Mel and some JBU students who know Owen, Neal, (Carr) and David Carruth.
Read God Calling – Yesterday’s again “Quiet Lives” and today’s “Dazzling Glory”
Remembering the warm, brilliant early morning sun – showing off the white/brown sandstone of the Abbey, the red tile roofs, and the deep blue of the sky – from the courtyard –
“Arise, shine for thy Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa. 1x, 1.
“The glory of the Lord is the Beauty of His Character.”
“It is risen upon you when you realize it…”
“The Glory of the Lord is also risen upon you when you reflect that Glory in your lives….”
“…reveal to the world a something of the Father…that you have been with Me….”
Meet with Bobby again in lobby…
(Noted for some reason that his recent spiritual journey took him to ET, CCF, HT, back to CCF.)
Derek Prince Does your Tongue Need Healing?
“I’ve seen lots of things through – but this (Men’s Ministry) is a passion for me.”
Strange fire – sweet aroma – Rev 8 & James 5:15
“I would like to share with the men sometime.”
Eph
“Saved when I was 8 years old. Never took the LORD seriously until 7-8 years ago.”
Action Point! [Get Bobby to share prayer 6 years ago with leaders.]
Jer 17:5-10 wow
Trust the Lord, not man – like trees by river – green & producing.
HE rewards according to our efforts – rewards effort not success.
“Abide” “fear of the LORD”
“Bobby said, “Wept last night, because I’m so unworthy. God was so near.”
Bobby continued “Jer 14:17, I found this – the Lord showed me – v15 ‘these lying prophets.’
--Prophets of ease – will die in it. –
My virgin daughter – lies mortally wounded on the ground.”
(Is it I? Has it been I, or us? Lord have mercy and show/lead us to repent!)
How can we learn to express the LORD’s heart on this as we teach, preach, prophesy, walk?! –
Let the weak say I am strong! We have to know we have God’s favor!!
{I need a brother like you – to pray, burn with the Lord’s light and fire. Thank you, Bobby Burns.} -=db=-
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