Monday, February 21, 2011

Pinebrook Retreat !!

This weekend from 2/18 to 2/20 I went to a retreat in Pennsylvania.  The speaker their talked about commitment.  Commitment to a relationship with God.  He define commitment as binding to a purpose fully.  We heard also about how some people can be fence sitters, people who aren't fully committed.  A critical point in commitment is to burn bridges that lead you to things that would destroy this relationship with God.  In order to have a full commitment we need:

Anticipation- that God will do something in you
No Condemnation- repent and God will do something for you
 -God has something for you that Satan can't take away
Reconciliation - God will bring you closer to himself
Sanctification - God is going to begin to set us apart from this world

The verse during this retreat was 1 Kings 18:21 which says "How much longer will you waiver, hobbling between two opinions?"  We need to be fully committed to God and I thank God that during this retreat that the people their committed their lives to God.  A song we sang during this retreat was "Everything is different" by Sane and Shane and it touched my life and many other lives.


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Praise you in this Storm - Casting Crowns

I wa lisening to this song and I thank God for always being here for me.  No matter what trials we aree going through God will always guide us and direct us. This song says:


           I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I think this song says it all.  Even though we are Christians, we face problems much like others, but the difference is that we have someone to lean on.  God is our strength and we can count on him in any situation, no matter if he gives or takes away.  This song is always a blessing, and I want to share it with all you Christians out their that need a little boost in your moral.  You could never have a better friend than one who made, loves and, takes all your pain away.  If you feel down bring it to God he can help.  It may keep on "raining" but God will eventually get you out.  He wants to see if you are strong enough to spread his word.  I know I've been through a time like this.  Once on a Friday, my family was going to visit my aunt and I had just broken my retainer that day at school.  i was scared so I prayed to tell my mom.  She got angry an yelled a little but the worst was over.  I was still crying when i went upstairs to get ready to go and i remember sitting on a rocking chair in my room and i just cried out, "God why, why, help me to be more responsible, why, why..."  I felt God around me and I finished crying and I felt God circling me and telling me everything was going to be fine.  Don't feel alone fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, God is always near to lean on!! Ill post the song so if you want to hear it you can:


Enjoy, and may God Bless you!!!