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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Blessing at Deer Lake
Posted on March 16, 2009
Filed Under Personal, The Church |
And they will be as mighty men, treading down the enemy in the mire of the streets in battle; and they will fight, for the LORD will be with them… Zech 10:5
I just returned from an amazing weekend in the mountains north of Spokane. I was there to teach at a men’s retreat sponsored by Crossover Church. It is one of those times where the only thing you can say is “you had to have been there.”
Over 320 men, from dozens of churches, gathered together on the shore of frozen Deer Lake. The meeting hall was packed to the gills. Crossover had been turning down registrations for weeks and some of the men had to stay in motels miles away.
Obviously, God was planning something here that none of us were aware of.
I was in awe as I listened to Chris Machen and Luke Garret sing. I was moved as the room vibrated with the sound of three hundred men singing together.
And, then, as Pastor Terry later reflected, God reached down, took our faces in His hands and said “Look at Me, I need to tell you something very important.”
It was a call to be Mighty Men.
We talked about a personal encounter with God; how that encounter should radically transform us; how we need to “wrestle” with God, as Jacob did, even though it might leave us with scars, but prepare us for the battle that awaits us. We talked about Truth versus “feeling”; we talked about the heart and the mind, and what it meant to have an “undivided” heart, and to follow God with “all of our heart.” We talked about “A Holy Change of Mind”—our conference title. We talked about dying to self and taking our place in the Larger Story of God.
We talked about the battle between Truth and lies, and the devastating consequences those lies are having in our families and our culture.
We talked about being a man of God…a mighty man of God…a band of mighty men treading down the lies in the mire of the streets.
To those who sometimes find yourselves looking around at the state of affairs and shaking your head in worry or fear, let me tell you that God is working mightily in the midst of all of this.
We witnessed it this weekend.
If He should chose to awaken the men of this country to become mighty men of God, He would not only shake this nation, but He would shake the continent upon which this nation rests—and beyond.
We need to pray that He does just that.
Because, it really isn’t about us—any of us.
P.S. To Pastor Terry, Kelleen, and Joshua. Your humility and love and passion for God and His people (and the birds He has created) were an inspiration to me. May He richly bless you and your congregation.
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7 Responses to “Blessing at Deer Lake”
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Doctor Del,
Thank You very much for speaking at our retreat and church last weekend.(Also, right on the heels of the simulcast marriage conference). It was truly mind transforming gestalt experience, and a blessing to our lives. Hope to here you present some more Truth in the future; if the Lord does not call us home first! May His peace that defies understanding be with you and Melissa always.
Sincerely,
Dawn & Glenn R. (USAFA Class 1984;Maj Retired)
Hello Del
There are indeed times in our lives when G-d does something very special and this last weekend, as you, say was one of them. Sometimes we have the tendency to give praises to men more than to our Savior, however this experience is an example of the Savior using one of His own to bless His people. It is my prayer that we are worthy of His blessing and He will continue to use you in the amazing way He worked at Deer Lake.
Thank you
IN HIM
Les
We do pray for God to rise up Mighty Men of God for such a time as this..We are excited to see how God is going to use these times to send revival to our land. Men, we need you to lead the way!!
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I too am one who was blessed to experience Crossover’s Men’s Retreat at Deer Lake; and rather than revel in how “special” we are, I find myself lamenting the fact that so few and far between are the men in our culture who care or dare to cultivate a truly biblical world-view. I can’t thank you enough for what you have taught through the Truth Project, and indeed at our gathering. Thank you too for your heart for (and ministry to) the college students. I am encouraged to know that at least a few of them are being well armed before they’re thrown to the wolves. May our Lord continue to bless you and your vital ministry.
Marty
Del,
When God brings you something fresh, something you haven’t seen before, it is like He is starting a fire inside you. The way He explained through your teaching, the value of guarding our hearts from the lies, indeed the need to purge our hearts of the lies, is truth that will have lasting effects in everyone who what there last weekend.
This teaching on the heart is something that needs a larger audience. My prayer is that God will help you to achieve that audience.
It was an amazing weekend. Bless you and everyone who sang such rich praise to our King. I will continue to pray for your ministry and that God would build on the fire He started this weekend.
Leonard, Waco,TX
Dear Dr Tackett,
There has been a change here in Spokane. I am so blessed to have the priviledge of hearing your words at our retreat, but more importantly, hearing GOD’s word. Those of us that were there are still reeling over HIS presence in such an overwhelming way. HIS call to action and to be Mighty Men is crystal clear. May we be small part of that plan. I agree, If he awakens all of HIS mighty men of action, the world will never be the same.
I have learned much from your Truth Project and have shared it with several friends. They now are asking those difficult questions for those that have been fooled by lies.
Thank you for your ministry and the time and energy you’ve invested to get yourself to a point where God can use you as he does.
And for your visit, I hope you will be able to come and enjoy this beautiful area in the summer.
Del,
I want to thank you so much for your teaching this past weekend to the men of Crossovr and other churches in the area. God really has used you in a mighty way in the lives of our men. My husband has been truly blessed by this past weekend as were many of the other men that I have had the opportunity to talk to.
I wanted to thank you also for speaking on Sunday as well. What a blessing for the women who were very envious of their men.
ALSO for speaking at the marriage simulcast and your work in the Truth Project. Your teaching is truly inspired by God and I thank you for your humble service to Him!
In Christ,
Kristin M., WA