Report From Boot Camp

I know it has been a while since my last post on Boot Camp. I must apologize. Things have been crazy busy for me since I returned from Colorado. So here goes…

Let me simply say that Boot Camp was an absolutely incredible experience. Most of the men there had been at least once before. I would encourage every man to attend if he can possibly swing it. Wherever you are in your relationship with God, there is more. (Ladies, there is similar program for you. Check out the Ransomed Heart website and click on “Women’s Events”) It isn’t terribly expensive; even so, do not let cost be a factor. Enter the lottery and trust God to make a way. Eldredge would probably tell you to fight for it. You’ll understand more about that later.

As I said in my previous post, participants were asked to prepare themselves prior to Boot Camp. I re-read Wild At Heart, spent time praying and really thinking through the prayers that were provided, and began asking myself what I expected out of Boot Camp. A warning came with the registration materials: to be prepared for battle during the days and weeks leading up to Boot Camp – the Enemy doesn’t like things like this, and the battle would likely intensify during this time. It did. Holly and I argued over nothing; Braden started having anxiety attacks about sleeping alone; I got a speeding ticket; I felt like I was under attack at work – something that is completely absurd; I had three clients cancel counseling appointments and not reschedule; finally, I got caught in a blinding snow storm the night I was driving from Denver to Winter Park, and I honestly thought I would end up like the James Caan character in Misery. These are just a few examples.

Eldredge started out the first session on Thursday night by telling us that he knew it was hard for us to get there. He said that he knew many of us had outside pressures that really tried to keep us away. One thing that he said that keeps coming to my mind time and time again is that Satan attacks because he knows the potential that we have for the Kingdom, and it scares him. Wow. I, Travis Crow, scare the Father of Lies? What is it that I possess that he fears? My testimony? My possible influence on others?

If you have read Eldredge, you know that he uses a lot of analogies from films. At Boot Camp we get to watch clips at various times, and they are great. The battle that we are in is not unlike the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. We are going into battle, knowing the enemy is out there, waiting for us. We know that some will be “taken out” (an Eldredgeism), and pray that it isn’t us. When I think about what my enemy fears in me, the thought of this battle goes from frightening to exhilarating.

I will post more soon. PROMISE.

Be good.