“Thoughts for Young Men” & Cabin Deadline
“Passing the Baton of Leadership to the Next Generation”
This mission couldn’t be more important! And, if you don’t do it, who will? Our 2007 Father-Son Retreat has been planned to inspire & equip you and your sons in this crucial responsibility.
Dates: August 23-25
Location: Lazy F Camp, near Ellensburg, WA
Registration Deadlines:
- JULY 11th ~ Cabin Bunkhouse Accommodations
- AUGUST 11th ~ Tent Space or RV Space Reservations
Special Guest Speaker: Geoff Botkin, San Antonio
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FATHERS:
Some important
Thoughts for Your Young Men
Young men of the present day, you are wanted for God. This is an age of activity. We are shaking off some of our past selfishness. Men no longer sleep the sleep of apathy and indifference about others, as their forefathers did. They are beginning to be ashamed of thinking like Cain, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A wide field of usefulness is open before you, if you are only willing to enter into it. The harvest is great, and the workers are few. Be zealous of good works. Come, come to the aid of the Lord against the wickedness of this age . . .
Is it better to be idle, frivolous, to live for your body, your selfishness, your lusts, and your pride, or to spend and be spent in the glorious cause of usefulness to your fellow men—to be a blessing to your country and the world, to be the friend of the prisoner and the captive, to be the spiritual father of hundreds of immortal souls in heathen lands, to be a burning and a shining light, an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men, the inspiration of every Christian heart that comes across your path? Oh, who can doubt? Who can for one moment doubt?
Young men, consider your responsibilities. Think of the privilege and luxury of doing good. Resolve this day to be useful. Give your hearts at once to Christ.
Think, lastly, of the happiness that will come to your own soul, if you serve God, happiness as you travel through life, and happiness in the end, when the journey is over. Believe me, whatever vain notions you may have heard, believe me, there is a reward for the righteous even in this world. Godliness has indeed the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come. There is a solid peace in feeling that God is your friend. There is a real satisfaction in knowing that however your unworthiness, you are complete in Christ, that you have an enduring portion, that you have chosen that good part which shall not be taken from you . . .
Young men, these things are true. Listen to the word of exhortation. Be persuaded. Take up the cross. Follow Christ. Yield yourselves to God.
From Thoughts for Young Men, by J. C. Ryle, 1886 …
A message as important now as it was then for passing on the baton of leadership to the next generation!