Another day is in the books for our retreat and the end of our time together is quickly drawing to a close. We are at the half-way point and it has been an great time here! This morning we began our bible study with praise and worship and prayer. We then jumped into Ruth 2-4 and learned of the beautiful story of Boaz and Ruth. We learned how Boaz was Ruth's redeemer after her husband passed away and the next redeemer in line did not accept Naomi's land and Ruth's hand in marriage. We discussed how Boaz being Ruth's redeemer is a reflection or how Jesus is our redeemer who died on the cross to save us from our sin and to give us eternal life. We talked about how he can take someone who is fragile, weak and broken and use them to further his kingdom and that he will protect his flock just as Boaz protected Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. The boys and girls also learned that we are to wait for our Ruth or our Boaz and that God is molding and shaping a help-mate just for us and that when we live in God's will and we join as husband and wife before God, that he will take care of us and provide, just as he provided a son to a once barren Ruth. We finished up with more praise and worship and with prayer.
After morning bible study and lunch, we headed out to the ocean to enjoy God's creation together. As I sat and watched them splash in the water, throw the footbal and sing "Baby Shark, doo doo..." as they waded around in the tide pool, I was reminded at how they are still children, growing up in a world that will tell them anything and do anything to them to keep them from growing in the will of God and how many of them are fighting battles that no child should have to fight. I smiled as they buried one of their fellow youth in the sand and as they reminded each other to reapply their sunscreen with genuine concern. I wondered if this will be what Heaven is like. All of God's children spending time together in a beautiful place he created for us. Laughing and enjoying our fellowship with the full body of Christ and worshipping our true king as we stand in awe.
After washing the sand off our feet, we headed upstairs to our night bible study.. We changed it up a bit tonight. We started out as a group and read through ! Thessolonians 4: 3-8 and discussed how we are to be holy and to take care of each other and not help others to sin against God. We then broke up into our small groups. The girls got together and the boys and we were able to have "girl talk" and "boy talk." It was neat to just sit back and let them share scripture, stories of redemption, fears, and what their hearts long for in finding their Boaz, their mate that is made just for them. Afterward, everyone came back upstairs and we all sang a few songs and prayed. Some left for quiet time on their own. Some prayed together. It is just an amazing sight to see these kids wanting to stay and spend time together singing, talking about the lessons, asking questions and asking us to pray for them. No one wants to go to bed or leave the room. Friendships are being made, youth who have never gotten to know each other are now opening up and sharing with each other. It really is a spirit filled week. I told them today that when we close the door on Saturday and load the bus to head home that I will #1 Be absolutely exhausted and #2 I will more than likely cry because I will not want to see this week end.
Thank you for reading our blog, praying for each of us and for your words of encouragement through your posts or a text message during the day. We love you. all. Nite.
After morning bible study and lunch, we headed out to the ocean to enjoy God's creation together. As I sat and watched them splash in the water, throw the footbal and sing "Baby Shark, doo doo..." as they waded around in the tide pool, I was reminded at how they are still children, growing up in a world that will tell them anything and do anything to them to keep them from growing in the will of God and how many of them are fighting battles that no child should have to fight. I smiled as they buried one of their fellow youth in the sand and as they reminded each other to reapply their sunscreen with genuine concern. I wondered if this will be what Heaven is like. All of God's children spending time together in a beautiful place he created for us. Laughing and enjoying our fellowship with the full body of Christ and worshipping our true king as we stand in awe.
After washing the sand off our feet, we headed upstairs to our night bible study.. We changed it up a bit tonight. We started out as a group and read through ! Thessolonians 4: 3-8 and discussed how we are to be holy and to take care of each other and not help others to sin against God. We then broke up into our small groups. The girls got together and the boys and we were able to have "girl talk" and "boy talk." It was neat to just sit back and let them share scripture, stories of redemption, fears, and what their hearts long for in finding their Boaz, their mate that is made just for them. Afterward, everyone came back upstairs and we all sang a few songs and prayed. Some left for quiet time on their own. Some prayed together. It is just an amazing sight to see these kids wanting to stay and spend time together singing, talking about the lessons, asking questions and asking us to pray for them. No one wants to go to bed or leave the room. Friendships are being made, youth who have never gotten to know each other are now opening up and sharing with each other. It really is a spirit filled week. I told them today that when we close the door on Saturday and load the bus to head home that I will #1 Be absolutely exhausted and #2 I will more than likely cry because I will not want to see this week end.
Thank you for reading our blog, praying for each of us and for your words of encouragement through your posts or a text message during the day. We love you. all. Nite.