Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

There are many moments in the life of Peter from which we can learn some great lessons.  Perhaps one of the greatest comes in one of his final moments with his rabbi. (John 21:1-17, John 1:40-42, Luke 4:38, Luke 5:1-11, Mark 5:35+, Matt 14:22-33, Matt 17:1-8, John 13, Matt 26:30-35, Matt 26:69-75, I Peter 5:1-4)

Our faith in the Lord takes an act of trust in the middle of fear. (Matthew 5:21-36)

We are not strong enough to spend a lifetime carrying around unforgiveness. (Matt 18:21-35, Matt 5:23-24, Lk 17:3-5, Matt 5:43-48, Matt 6:14-15, James 2:13, Rom 12:18, Heb 12:1-2, Matt 18:15)

In a conversation about the Law of Moses, Jesus reveals what is to be the north star of our life and faith.  (Luke 10:25-37, Ex 20, Matt 22:34-40, Mk 12:28-34, Deut 6:4-5, Lev 19:18, I Jn 4:19, Matt 6:33, Matt 16:25, Gal 5:22-23, James 2:14-18, Jn 13:34-35)

Fall Retreat Session 4 – Sunday AM (John 15:1-8, John 15:9-17)

Fall Retreat Session 3 – Saturday PM (Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:13)

Fall Retreat Session 2 – Saturday AM (Mark 2:1-12, James 5:16)

Fall Retreat Session 1 – Friday PM (Luke 5:27-32)

Jesus asks his disciples if anything worth more than their souls. This calls us into a deeper question of whether or not Jesus is worth more in our lives.   (Matthew 16:24-27, Luke 6:46-49)

In a tender moment with a paralyzed man, the great Healer asks him if he wants to get well.  What does “getting well” mean for us? (Jn 5:1-9a, Ex 15:26, Ps 147:3, Is 53:4-5, Mark 2:5, Jn 16:33, Rom 8:28)

In a moment of stunning humility, Jesus flips our ideas of weakness, strength, and leadership upside down. (John 13:1-17, Matt 23:11-12, Phil 2:10-11, Acts 4:12, Col 1:15, Matt 28:18, Phil 2:3-8, Matt 5:38-41, 2 Cor 12:9)

In an early moment with his disciples, Jesus asks them a direct question about their motive: what do they want?  How would we answer that question? (John 1:35-41, Jn 1:14, Col 2:9, Ps 139, Ps 147, Matt 7:7-8, Ps 63:1, Lk 10:38-42, Ps 27:4, Matt 6:33, Col 3:1, Hos 10:12)

Our great God, beyond comprehension, became human.  The infinite God subjected himself to a finite world.  In doing so, he taught us what real ministry is. (Jn 1:1-14, Gen 1:3, Phil 2:5-8, Heb 4:15-16, John 10:14-15, John 13:34-35, Luke 9:54)

Moses and Jesus seem to agree on what needs to be our greatest priority. (Deut 6:4-6, Ex 14:14, Deut 11:18-21, Mk 12:28-34, Deut 8:6, Jn 13:34-35, Heb 12:1)

The closer we get to Jesus, the less we need to the World to define us (1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:1-2, Matthew 6:21)

Balaam the sorcerer is hired to curse the Hebrew people, but his encounter with Jehovah God will take him down an entirely different path. (Num 22-24, Eph 6:12, I Peter 5:8-9, Matt 6:13, Romans 8:11 2 Tim 1:7, I Jn 1:5, James 1:13, 2 Peter 3:9, Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28)

Community is powerful – will we let it be a force for good or for evil? (Exodus 32:1-20)

The ark of the covenant sits at the heart of the tabernacle.  And the message it speaks is that an imperfect people need a pathway to a perfect God.  And God in His wisdom has provided that pathway. (Matt 5:17-18, Ex 25:1-22, Deut 10:1–5, Heb 10:1, Gal 3:23-27, Jn 14:6, John 1:29, I Cor 6:11, Jn 8:12, Jn 6:35, Jn 14:14, Matt 27:51, Heb 9:11-14, Heb 4:14-16, I Cor 2:2, Acts 17:27)

The altar of incense reveals that the prayers of God’s people intermingle with his tangible presence.  What does it mean to believe that prayer changes things? (Ex 30:1-10, Ex 30:34-37, Ex 40:5,26-27, Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8, Lk 11:9-13, James 5:13-18, Matt 11:24, Rom 8:26-27, I Thess 5:16-18, Lk 3:21, Matt 14:23, Mk 6:46, Lk 6:12, Mk 1:35, Lk 5:16, Lk 9:18, Matt 26:36, Jn 14:13-14, Mark 9, Matt 8)

The golden lampstand reminds us of our dependence on God to be the light of World

As we push deeper into the tabernacle, we find the table of showbread. This easily overlooked piece of furniture reveals a generous God who is constantly giving an invitation to His table. (Ex 25:23-30, Ex 37, Lev 24:5-9, Heb 8:5a, Rev 21:22, Rev 3:20, Matt 9:10, Lk 7:36, Lk 10:38, Lk 19:1-10, Lk 22, Jn 21, Rev 19:9, Matt 6:9-13, 31-34, Deut 8:2-4, Matt 4:4, Ezekiel 3:1-3, Acts 2:42-47, Jn 6:30-35...

The Bible sustains us in the in between moments in our lives.   (Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:23-24)

How does a true walk with the Lord impact our dating relationships?

Emotions we hold on to and don’t unpack are like vampires with all the power in the dark. How do we unpack our box of emotions to live a more healthy emotional life?