Comments on: #570. Getting disappointed when you don’t have a life changing moment on a retreat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:00:52 +0000

I'm a middle-aged woman who first came to the cross of Christ at the age of 30. In the years since, I have been "disappointed" not only at retreats, but in our weekly worship services. I've been slow to learn that I was habitually making an "idol" of life-changing moments rather than consistently seeking a life-changing relationship with the living God. I'm so glad He never stops pursuing me and that He WILL finish what He began in me!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:24:23 +0000

…ouch! Conviction time with Uncle Jon!

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:02:12 +0000

Yep. I've felt that way at a Charismatic Conference or two…(I know I've mentioned I'm Catholic. Did I ever mention being a Charismatic Catholic. Oooops. SURPRISE!) It feels like a let down. However, I think the problem was my focus…inward instead of upward. Oh well…

By: Howie

Howie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:40:02 +0000

Anon @ 4PM: You know someone in The Glorious Unseen?! I love their album. It's so genuine in their worship.

My comment: It's somewhat of a GOOD thing that our generation longs for dramatic God experiences, that they desire God to transform their lives, but why do we consider God so small to only be able to do this at retreats? I got to thinking and the reason God moves mightily at retreats is that we are more focused on Him than we are in our daily lives. If we focused more on Him daily, then we'd see our lives change a little bit each day as we become more like Him. Christianity isn't a series of events. It's a process. And it's about a relationship. (Credit to Dave Edwards for the last few sentences.)

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:38:11 +0000

Me too, jack42

By: jack42

jack42 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:26:03 +0000

biona – I saw it as bee-own-uh

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:51:25 +0000

What about having a life changing moment on a retreat, but totally ignoring it for years?

That's what happened to me. When I was 15, God called me into ministry at a winter retreat. I said no. But God never stopped pursuing me. Thankfully, by the time I got to college, I came to my senses and changed my major. Now I'm on my way to becoming a music pastor.

By: klixtopher

klixtopher — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:19:09 +0000

"I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob."

Isn't it great that our relationship with Christ is not dependant on our emotions or experiences, but on His unchanging character.

Love the blog. Keep up the great work!

By: Wyoming Princess

Wyoming Princess — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:04:47 +0000

Jon – I think you stole my journal from college discipleship retreats and changed the names to protect the dumbfounded. That, or you talked to my camp counselors. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who occasionally felt like a campfire Jesus reject …

By: pure_light

pure_light — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:44:35 +0000

I think part of it happens when the worship leader/pastor/whoever is speaking says "I KNOW God will show you something BIG at this retreat, if you just let Him." Thanks for telling me I don't have a teachable spirit and am unknowingly resisting God…