Testimonies of what Christ did in men’s hearts over the course of Band of Brothers Weekend at Camp Vesper Point in Soddy Daisy, TN, April 29 – May 1. Glory to God!
This weekend, Jesus revealed to me a deeper understanding of some vows I’ve made. I also heard Him telling me what to replace the vows with. The agreements I discovered were that I had accepted that I was disqualified from leadership because of my past failure. I had accepted the lie that I am powerless over pornography. The final agreement was that “getting by was an ok goal. Finally I’m hearing clearly how the distractions have been my silent covering of the glory Father has placed in me. The leadership he placed in me was being held captive by the distractions. I’ve know what my calling is for some time, but believing I was disqualified, I allowed myself to justify inaction in the name of disqualification.
I took away the truth that I really do have a new identity, and that I don’t have to make agreements and negotiate to break free from my sin. In short, I now know that not only is Jesus the source of my salvation, but also my way to overcome sin. Thanks, men!
Our Father has ordained me by his highest authority to speak to his children. He has consumed my heart with his love. He has replaced broken empty spaces with love, freedom, and redemption. Everything I prayed for out of this weekend has been delivered, and as he always does, he gave me more than what I wanted. I know who I am, what I am passionate about, and now it’s time to get going!
My father’s continual message to me was that I was not good enough and what I heard was, “You are weak.” I’ve spent my whole life learning not to be weak. Now I’ve been blessed with an amazing woman who loves me, but has her own wounds and needs daily affirmations and words to help her feel beautiful and desired. The revelation came in my alone time with God that her need, her weakness, has started to creep into my life. And, because I don’t allow weakness, I have stopped affirming her, increasing her insecurities, and started to pull away. I am aware how our two wounds are colliding due to attacks and realize I/we need God to intercede for our growth. Also, that I need to be intentional. Neglecting Jesus and God is like neglecting health and will only cause sickness and negativity. In the future I would like to contribute/share in a men’s ministry. Many challenges ahead but I’m grateful for the start here!
The biggest thing this weekend was forgiving myself, and renouncing the vows that I wouldn’t allow myself to be hurt or to love anyone. I am free at last to love and forgive myself.
This weekend has been a continuation of a journey into truth about God, the “story” and myself. I received my name at a previous Band of Brothers Weekend and am continuing to learn what it means to walk as “Michael” and “Gideon.” I am called to war for the hearts of others. Band of Brothers Weekend is not just a one-time experience. Each one is an experience with Father and other brothers.
This retreat has been an opportunity to reconnect with God and recognize who I am in Christ as a man. I have grown complacent in my relationship with God and have been living as a poser. God has given me the courage to confront that in my life. I have been recognizing it , but lacked the time, space and courage to do it. I will live out this newfound freedom and transparency. I have renounced vows that have held me captive and made new vows that will lead me to freedom.
This weekend helped me to recognized and be able to deal with the wound given to me by my father. I learned that I was/am continuing to seek that affirmation from the wrong father. My identity is found as God’s beloved. I am a warrior and I have to fight to protect my identity and my glory. I also saw the poser/imposter that I am. God gave me a picture of a man dressed in a suit (looking perfect on the outside) but underneath he was dirty and his undergarments were dirty. The suit hid that, but did not change the facts. I need to be real. Not perfect, but real. I need to cling to my identity and walk in the truth of who I am as God’s man.
The first thing that comes to mind is “my name” We did the exercise yesterday and I got a few things that came to mind. Then during the Glory breakout session, Bryon asked what did we love to do. I was reminded of stories my parents told me of talking to strangers we would meet in public and I would have them smiling. I LOVE TO BRING HAPPINESS AND JOY TO PEOPLE. I’m an “encourager. My heart’s desire beneath desires to encourage people and see their hearts heal and restored to their first love.
I sincerely thank the Lord for leading me to the wilderness to meet him. I received His healing of my broken heart caused by wounds I received as a child, young man and even now! So I want to thank each of you for being obedient to our father and for sharing each of your hearts as true brothers, becoming vulnerable so that I may be set free. I make covenant with you guys to proclaim the truth of men and to arise to set our people free. But in the interim, I will allow the Lord to continue restoring the years the locust have eaten. Thank you for your transparency and vulnerability that allowed me to see that the power of God can touch my life too! Thank you for taking up arms to defend us from the tactics of the enemy. I will continually pray for this ministry that God may continue to use it for His glory. I leave this place with a band of brothers in Christ.
I have been blessed with a very good life. I have a wonderful wife, a good father, family and friends. However, the feeling of “I don’t deserve this” has constantly distracted me from truly enjoying the blessings of my life. Band of Brothers Weekend and talking with God has led me to ask the right questions, and to find the answers to many of these questions. I feel that I can move past the sticking points in my life and enjoy my blessings. And in turn, I can bless others from the peace in my heart. Thank you!
I got reaffirmed that knowing scripture and the rules does not make a relationship. He has continued telling me this weekend that the idea of being independent is of the enemy.
This Band of Brothers Weekend reinforce my need for a platoon to watch my back. A Band of Brothers of three or four sounds easy, but it is not. I I have tried to manufacture them and failed miserably! Cameron has insight and God spoke through him to me. He said “It is God that will bring you your band of brothers. Stop and ask him to bring them one at a time.” I haven’t seriously done that but I will. Bryon and Daniel, I loved your passion. Tim, your humility was humbling for me. Cameron and Erik, your surrender was good for me to see. Mark, we have a lot in common, warrior! Praying for you guys. Onward!
One of many things this camp did for me was to open my eyes up to the quiet time with God. I truly believe that I heard God’s voice speak to me. AT home, when I’ve tried to have quiet time, there was always distractions that wouldn’t allow me to focus on the Father. Bryon’s session on spiritual warfare spoke to me personally. I’ve had some of the exact battles he spoke to. I know Satan was behind them and I told him to get out of my life. All the sessions were awesome!
Man, where to start? Taking my wife off that pedestal and stepping forward to bring blessings to her…amazing!!! Understanding her wounds is crucial to our marriage. I need a band of brothers to stand with and fight. I need you guys to come near me, and me near you, to fight this battle that Jesus has sent me into. My life is in His hands 110%. Great job!!! I’m leaving this weekend with affirmation and a fighting spirit.
This is my second time coming to Band of Brothers Weekend. I have learned so much more this time. I can’t wait until the next time we meet. I have experience a lot of things since the last time in my relationship with God. This camp is a must for men who are after God’s heart and his purpose for their lives. I want to thank everyone who have given the talks that have made me a better man, husband, father and person.
Thank you for all you have shared. Having just discovered the Eldredge material, I came with such a great expectancy to hear volumes from my Father and to receive the healing of my heart. I was so bummed that t every break I was deaf and that voice told me to go ahead and leave, just go home for you won’t ever be those things you dreamed. Thanks to Bryon and his late night chat, I know I am normal and it will all come just as the seasons. This whole experience has strengthened my resolve and my vision. It was really a God thing that I would even come to such an event and share my story with anyone. I have begun to discover now the man God intends me to be. Thank you.
I want to thank all of you for having me here. I’ve got a whole lot out of the whole weekend. I don’t think I’ve talked this much to God ever in my life at one time. I know in my heart he has been listening to me. I can feel his presence in my heart and I’m taking him with me and keeping him there for the rest of my life. Thank you all so much for letting me join yall. I hope to hear from you all soon. I want to come back!
I learned that I am not alone and that I don’t have to be the man that my mom and dad want me to be. I learned that I’m supposed to be a husband to my wife and father to my children. That is what my father wants for me. I also learned that hearing that, believe that, and saying that are different than doing that. Today is the beginning of the battle for those things and it will never end, but I don’t have to battle alone. Great weekend! I’ve never had anyone portray religion and spirituality as a living breathing thing. Thank you so much!
When I asked Father to show me and tell my how he sees me, what I wrote filled the page. I’m learning more as I go. This weekend has been great.
Trust the Father… let go… listen for Father’s voice…pray with a renewed heart, the heart of a warrior…don’t lay it all on my wife and blame her for my mistakes… band together and don’t try to do it by myself…pray with my wife and over her.
This is my second Band of Brothers Weekend. The first experience helped me realize there was a battle going on. I wasn’t engaged in my life as God would want me to be. This weekend, He showed me how much He loves me, and He is proud of me. He’s showing me my walls and agreements that I put up and have made. I’ve been struggling with discovering what I’m passionate about. I’ve been upset about this for the last few months. He showed me I made and agreement I made with my boss that I’m not passionate about anything. That agreement was broken! He’s already started showing me my passions.
