Carver 2012 Retreat
Follow this logic:
1. Do Not Be Lazy,
2. Be Energized by Getting Up and Exercising,
3. So that You will be Healthy.
Logic Breakdown:
1. Do not do X
2. Instead do Y
3. So that Z will happen.
Then follow this logic:
1. Do not copy the patterns and customs of this world,
2. but let God transform you into a new
person by changing the way you think.
3. Then you will know God's will for
you,which is good, pleasing, and
perfect. . Rom. 12: 2 New Living Translation
Conformity: It's what we do.
A major study proved that many of us will deny our own senses just to conform to others:
It's C! Isn't it??
A classic psychological study in the 1950s showed that 76% of test subjects denied their own senses at least once, choosing A or B. (Ashe, 1951)
But how.. and why?!
The Experiment
Couldn't happen to you, you say?
Check out other notable conformity experiments:
Obedience to Authority or Conformity?
A. "How far will humans go when an authority figure orders them to hurt another human being?" (Milgram, 1963)
Unintentional Mirroring: The Chameleon Effect
B. People feel a rapport with those who naturally mimic their movements "(Chartrand and Bargh, 1999)
Okay, maybe I do conform
Face it, we are natural born conformists.
It's what we do, we copy dress sense,
way of talking and acting,
often without a second thought.
It's a mixed blessing. In fact,
many aspects of our social life
would be much harder if we didn't
conform (think legal rules or
waiting in lines).
Well if it's in my DNA, then....
Let's look at the "patterns and customs of this world"
What does God Say?
Romans 6:4
Galatians 6: 15
2 Corinthians 5:17
Revelation 21:5
Romans 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Galatians 6:15
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts in a new creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Revelations 21:5
And he sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
WE. ARE. MADE. NEW!
but we live in a world constantly striving to make us like itself.
(there's that conformity thing again)
Ephesians 2:2 tells us that the 'prince of the air' works in the 'sons of disobedience'.
and
Hebrews 13:14 tells us that this is not our home but we seek one that is to come.
...but nothing stays new
In order to remain in our new-like state (be transformed) we
must change the way we think (renew our minds).
Dictionary.com says:
re·new [ri-noo, -nyoo]
verb (used with object)
1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
2. to make effective for an additional period: to renew a lease.
3. to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.
4. to make, say, or do again.
5. to revive; reestablish.
WHY?
So that we can know what the will of God is for our lives (don't worry, it is good, acceptable, and perfect)
But...um...why?
Sure, it may be perfect and all but why do I need to know it?
W.D.J.S.
The Lord's Prayer
"THY WILL BE DONE" (Matt. 6)
In Prayer in the Garden
"Nevertheless, not as I will, BUT AS YOU WILL" (Matt. 36)
The Benefits
1. It's refreshing, and true, and makes us wise.
~Psalm 19: 7, 2 Timothy 3:16
2. It allows us to spiritually grow.
~ 1 Peter 2: 2
3. The Great Commision
~Mark 16.
It's Simple
"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
~C.S. Lewis
Why Complicate Matters?
There are two types of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says, "All right then, have it your way". ~C.S. Lewis
Our Theme
This year's theme can be summed up in two words:
Think Different!