Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Summer Youth Retreat 2013

     Our churches VBS was ending the day the summer youth retreat was starting. It wasn't hard to choose where I'd rather be (no offense to my church). I love going to Pilgrim Camp during the summer; I mean, who doesn't?! Me and my sister split the driving time, while our brother took in the view from the back seat. It was our first time driving that far and for so long (4 hrs 30 mins / 250 miles).

     The lessons during the youth retreat were about the Holy Spirit (which my sister had taught about in VBS just a few days before). The leaders who spoke to us did a very good job, because even though I forgot the place where I normally write notes, I remember most of what we learned:
~ The Holy Spirit is constant and practical. 
~ He is always there to comfort us. 
~ He will guide us always. 
~ We should live as Jesus lived-by the Holy Spirit.
~ We have to joyfully pursue the Holy Spirit. 
~ The Holy Spirit will help cleanse us of areas of sin.
~ You don't need to feel anything, the Holy Spirit is continually working in us. 
~ Our spiritul fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) is the evidence that the Holy Spirit dwells with us. 

     Worship time is definitely what I look forward to the most. The Stand by Hillsong has been a favorite since the first youth retreat I attended. 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman has also been a blessing. We actually sang that song for choir at our church once when it came out. This year though, another song stirred me. The lyrics went like: "Come all consuming fire, invade my life I give into you / Come like whisper still, invade my will I give into you / Awake my soul, and arise to the throne / Embrace the one who bled over us." It is called "Come All Consuming Fire" written by Matt Gawronski

     The activities were fun to watch and participate in. There was basketball and volleyball, which I was content to watch. I like playing basketball, but I'm not used to the vicious competition from the young men. The donut eating contest was also fun to watch, especially wiht Brother Ken Freedman participating. There was one game most played and that was the chin-penny game.  We had to balance a penny on our chin and try to knock others' pennies of their chins. It proved harder than I thought but it was fun anyway. I also met new friends and caught up with old ones that I hadn't seen in a while. 


     "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."  - 1 Timothy 4:12, ESV

"Don't use your youth as an excuse; you can and will go wherever I send you. You can and will say whatever I tell you to say. You have no reason to fear the people you speak to, for I am with you and will defend you."  - Jeremiah 1:7-8, The Voice Bible

Friday, July 12, 2013

My hope and dream...

     Every little girl dreams of the knight that is going to sweep her off her feet and honor her all the days of her life. We all had those thoughts of castles with nothing but happiness and love surrounding us. We all twirled around in those beautiful dresses and pretended we were waltzing in a large ballroom. Believe it or not we probably all know how to curtsy even though we never will in public. I think that is a God-given desire. Then, when we meet the man he isn't perfect or honorable everyday. He may not even love us all the time. Soon, we stop that "foolish" dreaming. 
     Well I haven't yet! One day I will meet my knight and you know what, he won't be perfect. He will have weaknesses. This is the man I look forward to meeting one day: A strong man in Christ! A man who, to the world, may be weak, but through Christ is made strong. He will hold my hand throughout life to support me and will treasure my heart. He will love me indefinitely. BUT, I pray that above all else, including me, he will love God. The way he will show his love to God is by cherishing me, the gift God gave him. And I hope and pray that God will help me do the same.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Help Me Find It - Sidewalk Prophets


I don't know where to go from here 
It all used to seem so clear 
I'm finding I can't do this on my own 
I don't know where to go from here 
As long as I know that You are near 
I'm done fighting I'm finally letting go 
I will trust in You 
You've never failed before 
I will trust in You 


(Chorus):
If there's a road I should walk 
Help me find it 
If I need to be still Give me peace for the moment 
Whatever Your will 
Whatever Your will 
Can You help me find it 
Can You help me find it 


I'm giving You fear and You give faith 
I giving You doubt
You give me grace 
For every step I've never been alone 
Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way 
Even in the valley I will say 
With every breath 
You've never let me go 
I will wait for You 
You've never failed before 
I will wait for You 


(Chorus again)

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again) 
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You) 
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see) 
‘Cause You are all I need 


(Chorus again)


This song has been on my heart for a while..and I figured that I would post it. 
Maybe it will bless you, as it has blessed me in the past...and will surely bless me in the future.