Before We Begin
Itinerary:
We are getting together starting Friday night
There is a devotional for you to read each day of the week leading up to Friday, as well as for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The song for each day goes along with the theme of the devotional.
Bring your bibles, journal and pen
Come a little vulnerable and ready to have some good discussions
On Friday night and Saturday morning we will spend some time talking through the devotionals from the days, as well as a campfire “SWC Deep Talk”. There are questions prepared in advance to challenge us to dive into our brotherhood and our faith.
The Devotionals start on Monday, October 19th. The event at the farm starts on Friday, October 23rd. More details coming your way on trip details
Daily Devotionals
All seven retreat devotionals are available anytime. Tap a day to open it.
Monday, Oct 19 - Devotional: Top Shelf
This is the week of our God, Guns and Bourbon weekend retreat at Hamlin’s Farm. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited for it! SWC has always been something that I prioritize on my calendar, with very few exceptions. To put it into bourbon speak, I consider this group Top Shelf – SWC is like a bottle of Garrison Brothers Guadalupe. Each of us has our favorite bourbon or scotch. When we go to the cigar bar, I’d assume your eyes begin looking at the top shelf, not the one on the bottom. Did I say we are in for a weekend of hanging with the guys, and he added bonus of shooting guns and sharing a bourbon together – who wouldn’t want to prioritize that on the calendar??
So ask yourself, do you prioritize Jesus like you do SWC? Do you put Jesus on the Top Shelf of your calendar, your relationships and your open arms? Are there other “idols” that take priority over Him? Exodus 20:3 says “You shall have no other gods before me”. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s easy to put other priorities ahead of spending time in the word, in prayer or simply just listening for His voice.
Sit quietly and invite God into your heart. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to remove the distractions that keep you from building your relationship with Jesus. Then think through how you can prioritize your calendar to spend time daily with Jesus.
Read: Exodus 20:3-6
3 You shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." "You shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Prayer: Father please remove any evil spirits within me that may see other false gods / idols above You. Set my heart for the week ahead so that I am open to hearing You throughout the week and beyond. Amen.
Tuesday, Oct 20 - Devotional: Neat or Rocks?
“Do you want that neat or on the rocks?”. This is a very common question when ordering a bourbon. It’s a choice that you have to make. Studies show that humans make over 30,000 decisions every day. That’s a lot! No wonder we are so bogged down, stressed out and feeling like we may be running the treadmill of life. Hey, one great decision that we recently made was becoming a member of The SWC!!! Hopefully one that was easy and stress free.
You also make a decision, a choice, to accept Jesus as your Savior. And that is AWESOME!! Hallelujah – if you accepted Jesus – we will see each other in Heaven. But is that enough for you? Or are you looking for more? Accepting Jesus as your Savior, and seeking Jesus, can look completely different. One was a decision, the other requires action. How much better could your day look if you started your day with Jesus? Not just a quick prayer, but actively seeking a deeper relationship with Him. Matthew 7:7-8 says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and your find; know, and it will be opened to you”. Pastor Rick Warren said in a podcast that he doesn’t end a prayer in Amen. The reason for that is he is not done talking to God, the conversation goes on throughout the day. Pastor Rick is constantly seeking God.
Open your palms and ask God to help you seek Him.
Read: Matthew 7:7-11
7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Prayer: God, as I am made to make many decisions throughout the day, I pray that I decide to start my day spending time with You first. You will help me to eliminate stress, worry, fear and doubt in the hours ahead. Remind me that if I do feel bogged down, I can turn it over to You, because Your yoke is light, and You have taken our burdens away at the cross. I want to make a choice to grow closer to You. Amen.
Wednesday, Oct 21 - Devotional: Last Call
Do you hear Joey’s voice from the Cigar Bar? “Last call guys, can I get you anything?”. Those are two words we listen for on SWC nights – they are easy to hear.
Do you give Jesus that same ear? Do you listen for him at a certain time of the day before things shut down? The good news is that Jesus never shuts down – He is always open – never closed. There is no Last Call with Jesus. You just need to give Him your ear. Mark 9:7 says: “At the transfiguration, God says about Jesus, This is my beloved son; listen to him”. Peter, James and John got so caught up in seeing Elijah and Moses that they missed the opportunity to just listen to Him on the mountain. God rebuked them quickly! That is pretty direct from our Heavenly Father.
Guys, this weekend is bigger than the SWC brothers shooting guns, skeet, having a bourbon, or just getting away for a few days. It is much bigger than that – and it’s much different for each of us individually. Start today and listen for what God is telling you about why you are going to GGB this weekend. Listen over the next few days and hear what He may be telling you. Come back to it – it could change how you go about your day to day life.
Read: Mark 9:2-8
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.' 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.
Prayer: God I know that my days may run fast, I may not slow down to listen to much of anything. But I know that if I take time to listen to Your voice, I will find peace and assurance that You are in control of it all. Father, You may be trying to tell me something that I keep missing because I don’t sit and listen to You. I invite You in right now to speak to me, and I ask that the Holy Spirit living inside me stirs me up to sit and listen. Amen.
Thursday, Oct 22 - Devotional: Stock The Bar
“Hey honey, I’m leaving a few minutes early for SWC, I need to stop and get a bottle”. These are familiar words to my wife on an SWC Thursday night! We need to stock the bar. What bottle could make for a good conversation, something unique, or something traditional that we all enjoy. The point is that we prepare for SWC. Heck, you are probably starting to prepare for this weekend – getting packed – and getting your bottle to stock the bar!
Prepare something a little extra for the trip. Prepare your hearts, come humble, come vulnerable. Remember what we said on Wednesday – this weekend is bigger than all the fun and explosions. As you are preparing for this trip – ask yourself – do you prepare for time with God? Do you prepare time in relationship? Do you go to church and go through the motions – or are you prepared to do what God calls you to do (maybe a serving team, a youth group, etc)?. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us: “Look carefully at how you walk, not as unwise but as wise. Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”.
Take some time to really break this down - how do you prepare for your walk with God?
Read Ephesians 5:6-17
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Prayer: Father I need to prepare my days ahead to spend time in Your word, time with Jesus, time to build our relationship. I ask that You remove obstacles to help me do this. Help me to say no to something else, so I can say yes to what is more important. Amen.
Friday, Oct 23 - Devotional: Cheers!
Today is the day – it may start with work, but it ends with God, Guns and Bourbon – SWC Style! First – stop and pray for safe travels for everyone coming and going this weekend, and for our families we are leaving behind.
What did you hear from God this week as you went through the devotionals and prepared your heart for the weekend? Keep digging into whatever it was – He is trying to set you on a path created specifically for you…
I’m sure you packed your SWC mug – this group is personal – we all know each others names - Cheers!! We know that we are the Geezers, the adult leaders, the Scoutmasters, the Committee Members and the Merit Badge Counselors – we all had titles. Our kids names are known, and in some cases their children as well! The point is – we know a good bit about each other – and that is why our group is so tight. But we didn’t get that way until we were 30 or 40 years old. And for that we say Cheers!
God knew your name long before anyone in SWC did (Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”). Jesus also knew the people you would associate with at the same time – think about that – he knew that SWC was coming one day! He did this for a purpose, as it is written in Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”. He created this group of brothers to help sharpen each others lives.
Read: Proverbs 27:17; Proverbs 13:20
27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
13:20 "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Prayer: God thank you for getting us to GGB safely. I ask that You open my heart to our conversations, grow greater connections with my brothers and glorify You throughout the next few days. God I know You have a sense of humor, so help me to also shoot some skeet and center of the targets on the pistol range – I don’t want my brothers laughing at me . In all seriousness, only You can give me the focus to do this – and I ask that in Jesus name. Amen.
Friday Night:
SWC Deep Talk: Why is SWC so important to you? Think about that – we will discuss this question tonight.
Song: Another In The Fire, by Hillsong United
There’s a grace when the heart is under fire Another way when the walls are closing in And when I look at the space between Where I used to be and this reckoning I know I will never be alone
There was another in the fire Standing next to me There was another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding Of how I’ve been set free There is a cross that bears the burden Where another died for me
There is another in the fire
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters I’m no longer a slave to my sin anymore And should I fall in the space between What remains of me and this reckoning Either way I won’t bow To the things of this world And I know I will never be alone
There is another in the fire Standing next to me There is another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding What power set me free There is a grave that holds no body And now that power lives in me
And I can see the light in the darkness As the darkness bows to Him I can hear the roar in the heavens As the space between wears thin I can feel the ground shake beneath us As the prison walls cave in Nothing stands between us Nothing stands between us
There is no other name But the Name that is Jesus He who was and still is And will be through it all So come what may in the space between All the things unseen and this reckoning I know I will never be alone
There’ll be another in the fire Standing next to me There’ll be another in the waters Holding back the seas And should I ever need reminding How good You’ve been to me I’ll count the joy come every battle ‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be
Prayer
Saturday, Oct 24 - Devotional: Proof Is On The Label
We all know what the Proof of a bottle of bourbon is. It’s something we may naturally look at when looking at a new bottle you haven’t tried before. But it’s black and white – you don’t have to stop and analyze it. The same can be said if you are looking for a bourbon that has aged for 12 years – simply look for the 12 Year on the label – the same place you find the proof of the bottle. Easy to see and grasp right?
But what about the words, or the voice, you hear directing your life, your decisions, your faith? Is it the voice of the Shepherd or the voice of the Stranger? It’s not as easy as determining the proof or age of the bottle you are going to purchase. John 10:10 says that “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; Jesus came to give life abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd”. But as humans, if we are being honest, sometimes the voice of the enemy (the stranger) sounds like it could be more “fun”. There are not restrictions. Go gangbusters! But where does that ultimately leave us? Probably in the direction of hearing more lies, putting more fear and doubt in your mind and taking you away from the only Truth – Jesus.
Read: John 10:1-5; 10; 27
1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me
Prayer: God I hear so many voices throughout the day. My wife, my kids, my co-workers, my adversaries, etc. What I really want to hear above it all is Your voice. Help me to discern Your voice – my Good Shepherd. Help me to eliminate the voice of the all too familiar stranger – the enemy. It’s not easy, and I surrender to You to help me hear You over the lies the enemy is telling me. Amen.
Saturday Morning:
SWC Deep Talk: If the enemy were to take you out, what would he do? Is your relationship with Jesus strong enough to know His voice over the enemy to prevent it from happening?
(take you out meaning – could take you away from faith; could make you feel like Job (book of Job); could make you ultra depressed, etc).
Song: I Speak Jesus, by Charity Gayle
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind 'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus
I just want to speak the name of Jesus 'Til every dark addiction starts to break Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus
Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over fear and all anxiety To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus
'Cause Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life, yes it is Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like the fire
Shout Jesus from the mountains Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy And Jesus for my family I speak the holy name Jesus Oh (oh)
Shout Jesus from the mountains Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy Jesus for my family I speak the holy name Jesus
Your name (Your name is power) Your name is healing (Your name is healing) Your name is life (Your name is life) Break every stronghold (break every stronghold) Shine through the shadows (shine through the shadows) Burn like a fire (burn like a fire) I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every hear and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within your presence
I speak Jesus
Prayer
Sunday, Oct 25 - Devotional: New Bottle
You may be home by now, or packing up to head out. As I’m writing this in advance, I’d feel it is safe to say: What A Wicked Awesome Weekend!
We probably left something behind this weekend – an empty bottle of bourbon. Maybe on your way home, you are stopping to buy a new bottle for the house.
But what about yourself? Is there something you want to leave behind after spending time with Jesus this week? What would that look like for the New You?
I’m not talking about a wholesale change, but I would challenge you on this. Take some time this week and think about our conversations, what you heard from others, what you shared, or what you read. Is there something that you want to give up to build a deeper relationship with Jesus?
Matthew 4:19 says: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. The disciples had to give something up to do that – what will you do?
Closing Scripture – I feel this talks about our future as SWC – I think God wrote this for us!
Read: Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Prayer: Father, thank You for SWC and for my brothers in Christ. I pray for each of their families, their health, and our ongoing relationships. May we celebrate each other for years to come and do so with You always at the center of this group. Let us not forget that You have a greater purpose for the SWC, it is so far beyond raising a glass to say Cheers. It is about building Your kingdom and ultimately to make Heaven crowded! Amen.