On February 7-8, international author, educator and historian Roberts Lairdon graced the stage as speaker at Christian Retreat's Winter Conference. Lairdon, who will be forty seven years old this week stated, “I lived the first half of my life on the West Coast, and now live the second half of my life on the East Coast. I expect to live into my eighties.”
Born in Oklahoma, he grew up under the influence of Oral Roberts. His mother was a member of the charter class at Oral Roberts University. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he and his sister were groomed for intimacy with God. Roberts regaled his audience with countless stories that shared the details of how to get into the Presence of God on your own, and not “riding your grandma's coat tails.” One such 'hint' his grandmother insisted on: “Do what I do. If I do it, You do it. If my arm goes up, Your arm goes up. If I get louder, You get louder. Copy, until you 'get the stuff.' ”
Roberts established a strong foundation over three sessions on understanding the Gifts and Call of God on a person's life. The foundational passage for this series of meetings was found in Romans 11:29. “God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.” That means He does not change His mind. He stated that a Call from God is “Simply an invitation from God to work with Him to get something done . . . working with Him His way in His timing. You may either accept or decline an invitation. Be impressed that He chose You!.”
Roberts went on to express that there was a cost to count, a price to pay for accepting the invitation to move out in your calling. “It will cost you something personally. Some parts of living the natural life, you give up. Others may do some things, but you cannot. Some things your friends and family may do that you just don't do as much, or a little.” Roberts shared that laying down certain distractions were a part of counting the cost.
Roberts has spent his life since his early teen years reading about God's Generals. He has read thousands of books about 'dead preachers.' He has researched the archives to find out how and why and what happened when. Back stories. When possible, he tracked down people who had spoken with, sat under the teaching of, or received healing under the ministry of the men of God he was researching. Each night he captivated his audience, trying to close the service. “Do you want one more?” No one seemed to notice it was twenty minutes to eleven and we had begun at seven. Each night the conference attendees spent hours enthralled by his stories and faith nuggets he generously shared.
Roberts Lairdon has settled in Bradenton. He has fast become one of the Retreat's favorite winter speakers. Joanne Derstine Curphy, Vice President of Christian Retreat Conference Center, stated that “It was nice to sit down and get to know him this time. It is wonderful that he has settled down here in Bradenton, and we can have him back.”
The Retreat Center will be hosting Hans Vandergouw February 14-15. His topic will be End Time Prophecy. Sunday morning, on February 17, Jessie Du Plantis will be speaking at the morning service, beginning at 10.
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