I have a treat for you. We are at our Northwoods Conference Center just west of Watersmeet in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We have been participating and speaking for a retreat for single young people called; Eternal Impact Summit. I discovered they have up-graded to wireless here so I am going to send a live report or two. Let me know if you enjoy them.
We drove into the color on the way up on Tuesday. It is a beautiful trip. This is the first time I have come to the Northwoods from the Chicago side of Lake Michigan. About Madison, Wisconsin the trees began to blush with autumn. The colors and the sunlight on the water was breath-taking. Our conversation was lively on the way up and we were in good company.
My messages were Wednesday and Thursday night. The theme of the conference is hearing God in sheer silence. Dewey Novotny and I both spoke on the opening night on how to hear from God. Dewey’s message was “Can You Hear Me Now?” He told the young men and women that God is speaking in the beauty of nature all around them. He is a pilot and he told of a trip to France where he noticed that all the satellite receivers were pointed in the same direction. Later when he was disoriented sight-seeing he was able to find his way by checking the direction of the satellite dishes around him. He said that we should have our hearts eagerly fixed to receive signals from the Lord so those who are lost around us will be able to find their way by looking at us.
I will preach the closing message on Sunday morning. This morning I conducted an interview with Mr. Gothard that was enjoyable. He was at his best, filled with wisdom and Biblical insights and willing to answer our questions like:
What is your favorite hymn?
Who was your favorite preaching growing up?
Have you ever been in love?
How do you cultivate love for God when your heart is cold?
How do you know when God is speaking?
Describe what discipleship is supposed to look like?
How do you know when you have met the person you should marry?
What should you do until then?
After the interview he spoke on “How to Hear the Voice of God.” It was a clear, practical message on how to meditate on Scripture. It was filled with practical ideas of how to meditate on Scripture. I will try to post a complete set of notes on that session later this evening or tomorrow.
The dinners are on a theme here. Last night was a 1940’s Radio Theatre Theme and all the retreat participants dressed up. Tonight is a masquerade dinner and a message on “Wearing Masks.”
More later.
Gail Smith
Thank you for posting – we are praying for you all – our
daughter is there. May God use you to reach the hearts
of the young people in a special way.
Mom
love to read your posts… thank you…. My
son is there…. love you…
Your Mom