Just got back from Men’s Round up a weekend of man food, flatulence, disc golf and Donald Miller. There’s so much he shared, I’ll be unpacking it from my brain in the days to come.

But for now, here’s the most profound thing I heard this weekend:

“Conflict is what God uses to teach us. It’s the pain of the journey. The fight is actually what makes things worth fighting for.”  - Donald Miller

If you live in the Northwest, you should really sign up for this. I’ve been before and it’s a great event. Don’t worry if you’re not a baptist… you can hang with me (remember, I’m a DB after all). This year’s speaker is Donald Miller (Blue like Jazz) and I’m so excited. Miller is great and it’s going to make this year’s Men’s Round up amazing. It’s a weekend full of sports, worship, speakers and man food (steak and portions you can’t finish). $90 before mid-August and $100 afterward.

Either email me or go to www.mensroundup.com if you’re interested.

I spent the last weekend with three thousand Baptist men at the Northwest Men’s Roundup. I have to say that if the future is in their hands, I’m scared. I’m utterly ashamed. I was surrounded with a group definitely more interested in the food line, than in revival.

So why do I make such a bold statement asking if Baptists are the new Catholics? I observed a spiritually dead audience content with the ritual and tradition. Was the word spoken? Sure it was, and our speaker Pastor Cooper from Orlando, Florida did an amazing job. The only problem was that most were asleep or disinterested. The cameras would pan over the audience and all I saw were Men spiritually asleep (and literally). They were more interested in the next meal than a revelation from our Lord. Coop challenged, but no one was interested.

And I’m afraid to say that most of our Baptist Churches are this way (not all, but most). The men are checked out and sleeping. They do the activities and play the roles, but I sure don’t see anyone who’s willing to be dangerous for the sake of the Gospel. I long to rub arms with the wild men of old, the Paul’s and Peter’s. Unfortunately I’m left with mild, meek shells of men. Were we created for this? Are sweaters and khakis the garb of warriors? Are we afraid or just checked out? Either way, I’m left sitting next to someone who’s cold and dead, like a cadaver. Is there passion anywhere? I sure can’t find it.

 So am I wrong? If so, tell me….

I’m off for the weekend for Men’s Roundup. It’s guys camping in the wilderness of Oregon. I’m sure we’ll be sharing around the camp fire and getting closer over the weekend… Wait a minute, this sounds like the plot for a recently Oscar nominated film. If it’s not a Baptist retreat, I’m in trouble.

God helps us!