This past weekend, myself and 211 men gathered for one reason: to encounter God. Now that I’ve let a couple of days pass, I stand in greater awe of God’s massive love for us. Moreover, I have a greater disdain and clarity on satan’s plan and strategies. To say that he moves around, seeking whom he may devour is exactly his intentions. Throughout the weekend we all watched as lie after lie was exposed, attack after attack spoiled and plan after plan halted in it’s process. We stood united. We stood for each other. We stood for nothing less than God’s fullness. We stood to be free and we stood, strong and tall, to be accounted for. Our heads held high. Our identity, calling and destiny clear.

Personally, I experienced something new for me. I’ve always felt and at times said, that there was an apostalic call on/in me. This weekend, I realized that it is no longer a feeling, it is what I am here for. I can’t even begin to explain the joy and delight that I received from watching six men that I care deeply about (Josh, Cameron, Ryan, Tyler, Shawn and Won) go after God with everything they had in them.

I’ll never forget Tyler raising his hands and shaking his fists at God as if no matter what, he’s standing for battle–Take that God. He’s yours and there’s nothing that’s gonna stop him.

I’ll never forget Josh’s comment about this weekend: (paraphrased) “I decided that I’m going to be serious about this weekend and be obedient to whatever God asks me to do.”–If only we all would approach our time with Him with this attitude!

I’ll never forget Ryan’s heart of compassion and deep committment to being all that He has for him–even if he doesn’t know what it is right now.–Faith is defined as ” Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.” Sometimes the first step is the hardest.

I’ll never forget Won’s confession of renewed faith and passion.–Sometimes its necessary to be raw and adventurous in the faith. It always works out for His good!

I’ll never forget Cameron’s smile on his face when he looked back and saw Won, Josh, Tyler and Shawn on their faces before God.–That was pure joy!

I’ll never forget Shawn’s conversion from fear to love. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18) The fight is fixed and you win Shawn.

In my own experience, I’ll never forget the revelation that my insecurities about myself are only lies of the enemy. And if I will deal with them, I will be able to hold my head high, stand tall, and look in the mirror every morning with confidence and strength. There is only one me, Kyle Chowning. I should stop trying being other people and focus on maximizing who God has called me to be.

To the Chowning cell…be alert and watch out. God is taking us to a new level. The battles are already won. All we have to do is claim it and WALK in faith that He has so much more for us than we could ever imagine. It is our full intentions to live in Him fully. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 –

Welcome to the journey. It won’t be easy, but it’s going to be good.