NCS New England Regional Retreat

November 3-4, 2017

Cranwell Resort Spa and Golf Club

Theme: "Authenticity Changes Everything"

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NCS New England Regional Retreat

November 3-4, 2017

Cranwell Resort Spa and Golf Club

Theme: "Authenticity Changes Everything"

- video upload powered by https://www.TunesToTube.com

Wm. Paul Young shares his journey from believing he was a piece of sh** to understanding that the "truth of his being" is that he was made in the image and likeness of God. He describes how his modern, evangelical, fundamentalist upbringing as the son of missionaries taught him that he was a piece of sh** and that everything in life was about trying to cover it up. Young explains that the Holy Spirit helps reveal the truth of our being--which is that everything true about God is actually also true

about us. Young urges vulnerability in relationship--understanding our true nature and taking ownership of how we have messed things up so that we can get on the road back to wholeness and authenticity. He quotes Brene Brown: "If you don't own your story, it will own you, but if you do own your story you will have the authority to write the ending."

Lance Wallnau explains the importance of NCS brudders working "AS ONE"!

John Bishop shares the life journey that led him in 2007 to begin processing life through the lenses of spiritual warfare. He explains how his first 12 years of faith in Jesus were spent learning about war, training for war, going to war (in Vietnam) and recovering from war. In 2007, God showed him that "those days were for these days".

John helps us understand that (1) we are at war against Satan ("the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy" and mass shootings like Las Vegas are instances where the thief found a willing ally to further his agenda), (2) we are all wounded (by our own sins and the sins of others) but in Jesus's world we heal by getting INTO the fight and (3) we have weapons to fight spiritual warfare (chief among them are forgiveness and generosity) and are called to use them (we are called to be allies of Jesus in establishing His Kingdom and bringing the fight to the thief). Bishop explains how fellowship as a band of brothers (like NCS Energy Groups) is a strategic weapon in the fight.

Major General Robert Dees (Ret.) shares his insights on how to weather the storms of life, including what he calls the "Resilience Life Cycle". He explains how to (1) build resilience before a storm, (2) weather the storm when it comes and (3) bounce back after the storm. Dees then does a deeper dive into dealing with bitterness and anger by choosing forgiveness and gratitude.

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George Sarris shares his faith journey, which began with a miracle birth and with parents who loved him unconditionally and helped him understand that he was priceless in God's eyes. Sarris paid that love and assurance forward to his children. It is Sarris's confidence in God's love that has allowed him, like Daniel, to accept setbacks as part of God's perfect plan, to stand unwaveringly for what he believes to be "right", regardless of the personal cost, and to find peace in the face of significant criticism and loss. George explains his deep belief in a Biblical interpretation that some would call "heretical" and how he came to write a book called "Heaven's Doors: Wider Than You Ever Believed". It has cost him a job, a church, a couples Bible-study, friends and much more.

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After a bit of impressive harmonica playing (which is how he got the nickname "Blues"), Rear Admiral Baker shares insights from his own life, both the victories and the trials, that shed light on how we can allow God to shape our plans. Blues explores the assumptions and expectations--both those we have and those others have about us--that can weigh us down. He also presents a Biblical path toward freedom and inspiration by shedding those unhealthy weights and allowing God to shape our expectations, thereby shaping our plans to align more closely with His perfect plan for us.

Jay Stringer provides a path forward to healing by pointing us back to the stories that shape our thought lives, sexual fantasies and unwanted sexual behaviors. His research suggests that the nature of our fantasies and unwanted sexual behavior (including things like the search terms used when looking for pornography) are revelatory of our past lives, childhood issues and experiences, and situations we are now facing. Unfortunately, we are so busy apologizing to God for our behavior that we rarely take the time to explore what our behavior reveals.

Although men are usually surprised when they start making connections between their stories and their behavior, Stringer believes that God is neither surprised nor shamed by our behavior because the work of redemption is played out through our brokenness. Jay emphasizes that we have a kind and curious creator, pointing to Romans 2:4 ("It is the kindness of God that leads to change").

Stringer explains that working through the hurt of our stories is critical because, without it, we end up hurting those around us. Quoting Richard Rohr, Stringer counsels "The pain we do not transform we transmit. Always someone else has to suffer because I do not know how to."

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Mark Finlay offers eight words to guide a walk with Jesus: Love Jesus Passionately; Obey Him Precisely; Act Promptly.

In describing how he has come to live by these eight words, Finlay shares his story, which begins with a graphic rendition of what it was like as a young boy growing up during the conflict in Northern Ireland. As Mark relentlessly pursued a successful corporate career with all the material trappings, he was, in turn, being pursued relentlessly by a message from God.

Mark then explains how his life changed dramatically when he finally accepted that message and began a new journey as an ambassador of reconciliation in the name of Jesus. This extraordinary adventure has taken him from peace talks in Ireland, to the halls of the U.S. Congress, and across the globe, all the time relying upon God to guide his steps and provide for the needs of his family. It is an inspiring story of learning to follow Jesus and, in the process, learning humility, obedience and trust.

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