This year, our winter retreat was focused solely on the subject of purity. It was a sensitive subject at first. Many of us didn’t want to be the first to ask questions. But as the weekend went on, we became open and honest with eachother, turning a purity talk into a spiritual conversation about honoring God physically.

Overall, it was an amazing weekend and we all had a great time learning about eachother, ourselves, and most of all, our commitments to God.

Here are a few pictures. Copy and paste the link below for the full album on facebook! No need to be a member.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=67761&id=595057217&l=bdd07

 

For instance, Simon Cowel on American Idol. Simon is easily pointed out as the toughest, cruelest, and meanest judge on the show. Every year I want to throw large inanimate objects at my TV when he says the following words “I’m not being mean, but…”

If you watch the show, then you know that the next words that come out of his mouth are somewhere along the lines of this:
“…that was the worst audition I’ve ever heard.”
“…you’re ugly.”
“…your voice sounds like the noise a cat jumping of the Empire State Building would make as it’s falling.”

Sad part is, that last quote is something he actually said on the show a few weeks back! Talk about harsh. Simon doesn’t like to think he’s mean–Instead he says that he’s “brutally honest.” Seems like someone’s just making up excuses to do what’s wrong instead doing what’s right.

Oh wait.

I do that all the time. Everyday, actually. I make up excuses for the things I do wrong–the sins I commit almost on purpose. Such as walking away from the clean dishwasher in the morning because “I’m late” or being mean to my brother because “he started it” or “he’s getting on my nerves.”

We all make excuses to work around our lifestyle. God gives us standards to live by, and when we don’t meet those standards we come up with excuses. Paul explains the need for perfection in Philippians 3: 7-14. To sum it up, he says that everything he thought was awesome or fine or so-so before is now junk. Nothing’s important but the love of Christ. Paul acknowledges that he’s nothing without Jesus, he needs him, and longs to become closer to him. To become closer to Jesus he strives to be perfect, yet realizes he’s never going to reach that goal. The less imperfect he becomes, the closer to God he gets. And that’s really all that matters.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE PAUL. Everything in the bible that Paul writes never ceases to amaze me. Especially this passage. It’s so wonderfully simple: give it all up to Jesus. It’s really hard to give up control, especially when it comes to things I don’t want to do (and thus, make up excuses NOT to do them). That being said, I’m confident, and know from other life experiences that when I do, everything changes for the better and my relationship with Christ grows.

Philippians 3 & 4 are my favorite, I encourage you to read them when you have the chance. And feedback is always fantastic. Thanks for reading!

Thanks Vallely’s!!

Here are some pictures from the night:

1 Timothy 6:19 (New International Version)

19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

When I read this verse it really told me that it is important to think about the small things not only to enjoy them, but in order to live the life God has planned for me, I need to do things for him that do not have anything to do with the future but right then in that moment.

I found this video that I think really goes along with the whole theme of living in the moment and appreciating the small things in life, especially during the times that we are in economically as a country.

Every one of us is attached to something—some person, thing or experience. The trouble with our attachments is that sometimes they let us down. For the next three weeks your students will be exploring the attachments that become part of their identity, and uncovering the truth about their identity in Christ.

Week One (January 4th)

Students will be challenged to look at their lives and consider the things that require the greatest amount of their time, money and attention. In their small groups, they will take a quiz that will help them begin to identify attachments that may be shaping their identity. It is not a time for critique or judgment, but a time to peel back the curtain and look honestly at places of attachment. This week you may want to ask your student about attachments that they see in their lives.

Week Two (January 11th)

Students will be challenged to find their identity not in the things of the world—things that always change and have the potential to let them down and break their heart—but to find their identity in knowing that they are the beloved children of an awesome God. You may want to ask them what they heard the speaker say, and ask them what it means to be attached to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Week Three (January 18th)

Now students have identified the things they are attached to, and have recognized potential dangers associated with creating an identity based on things that do not last. They have considered the truth that they have already been given an identity as the beloved child of God.

Students will now be challenged to lean fully into Christ by fostering a growing relationship with their Creator. That feels risky to a student—and even to an adult. It’s not the reality, because trusting in God is never a real risk, but it sure feels that way sometimes. You may want to talk to your student about ways that you try to lean fully into Christ and things that make it really difficult for you.

EXPERIENCE:

It may not seem like your student needs you, or it may fell like they no longer want to spend time with you. But the truth is, they still need to know you care. No matter what has happened in your family, no matter what hurt has passed between you and your student, they need to feel loved and supported by you—their parent. This month spend some quality time with your student. You may want to choose from the list of ideas below, or create your own experience. Make sure that the time you spend involves your focused attention. Ask questions about things that interest him or her. Be ready to listen and learn, but allow yourself to relax and simply enjoy time together.

• Go shopping for clothes or room decorations (make this leisurely and don’t rush).

• Go to a coffee shop and listen to a local band play.

• Ask them about a good movie that they have seen recently, or ask about one they want to see and go see it together. Listen to them talk about their favorite parts.

• Go to a basketball game together.

We started out with a family movie night on Friday at 8:30 pm at Grace Point.  We watched The Climb.

We then gathered all together around 10:30 for a time of prayer for both the parents and the HSLT team.  Our prayers were this:

1.  That God would give parents rest during the week.

2.  That God will fill the parent’s heart with a fire and love for Him.

3.  That God would keep the HSLT team safe.

4.  but more importantly, that God would find the HSLT team faithful to do the tasks and learn the things he has for us this week.

After a little hiccup with the bus company and a 45 minute wait for them, we packed up the bus and headed out for Myrtle Beach.  With Grace Summit Church in Akron, we had a total of 53 people on board.