This past weekend was our Cru Leadership Retreat where we learned about the upcoming year, cast vision, and planned with each of our ministry teams. It is amazing to see the passion for God in this year's leaders, and I am so excited to see how He uses us. The theme for the weekend was Repentance, Renewal, and Rejoicing, so we talked a lot about the importance of our personal walks with the Lord and experiencing renewal and rejoicing through that. It's great to be reminded that growing in our relationship with God comes before our ministry. Even though expanding God's kingdom is a crucial part of Christianity, it is meaningless if we do so with an empty cup.
Anyway, something hit me about repentance. I was praying that God would speak to me, that He would show me what He wanted me to learn, or give me a vision for my ministry this year. I became frustrated when I just couldn't hear what He was saying or if He was even saying anything at all. Duh! One big problem: I was approaching God as a filthy sinner. I hadn't laid down my imperfections at His feet. Only then will He cleanse us from our unrighteousness and place His blanket of pure righteousness over us.
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22-24).
Only then can we stand before Him and ask. So often we jump straight to what we want and forget to give God what He wants. Jesus tells us that we must repent to have eternal life.
"But unless you repent, you all too will parish" (Luke13:3b).
Over and over again, we are taught to turn away from sin, to turn away from our evil desires and not give into temptation. In Romans, Paul explains the difference of having our minds set on our sinful desires and the desires of the Spirit.
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (Romans 8:5-9).
When we turn away from sin, we can see more clearly what God wants for our life.
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always" (Psalm 105:4).
God is loving and merciful, and He sends forgiveness through repentance. Then we can experience true renewal and rejoicing through Him.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Where Did the Summer Go?
I guess it’s pretty obvious that the last 5 weeks of Summer Project were crazy busy! I feel bad that went the entire second half of project without updating my blog, but that means that I used that time to do and learn other things that I get to write about now!
When the staff left right before the fourth of July, the real project began. Not that the first half didn’t count, but looking back, a LOT more happened in the second half. We all had to step up and take a new role, whether that meant leading a Bible study or serving on a ministry team. It was SO cool to see how God could work through each and every one of us to glorify Him in so many ways.
My favorite part about the staff leaving was being able to sense the urgency that we all suddenly had. When we realized that the summer was half over, we began to step into hyper drive: taking on new responsibilities, cherishing the time we had left with each other, building relationships with our coworkers outside of work, focusing more time and energy on growing our relationship with God, and going out sharing more than ever. The last thing we wanted to do was regress and end up wasting those last 5 weeks.
Since I have so many stories that I want to share, I’ll try and wrap up my summer the best I can by sharing a little about my favorite memories: my 97-person project family, working at Chick-fil-A, and outreach on the beach.
My Project Family
Honestly, I could not have asked for a more beautiful group of people to spend my summer with. I was so unbelievably blessed with my roommates, my bible study, my impact group, my 6pack, and so many more amazing people. We grew together. When one of us was hurting, we all were hurting. When one of us was overjoyed, we all were overjoyed.
My Roommates
My Bible Study
My Impact Group
My 6pack (just 5 of the people I got closest to and spent a lot of time with towards the end of project)
We had tons of opportunities to grow closer as a group through Community events that were put on every Saturday night, like the $5 Prom, a game of Capture the Flag, a Talent Show, among many others. I, along with many of the other students, spent many evenings hanging out outside of the project office after our evening events and going on “adventures” during our free time on Fridays. I will cherish those memories forever.
Some say that Summer Project is a little taste of heaven. The community and fellowship experienced is unlike anything I will experience again here on earth. While that saddens me, it also excites me for the day that we are all reunited again in heaven! I look forward to continuing the relationships formed and, Lord-willing, seeing them all again soon!
The entire NMB project: students and staff
Chick-fil-A
My job was such a blessing this summer. God placed me at Chick-fil-A for a reason, and it took me a little while to figure out what that was. Waking up at 4:30 every morning for work was hard to do with a smile on my face, but the relationships I formed were so worth it. I got to know my non-project coworkers, making an impact on their lives and them making an impact on mine, while also forming lasting friendships with my project coworkers. I learned to value sleep and was reminded what it’s like to work in a fast-paced food business. And I already miss the food! Maybe they’ll open up a restaurant around here soon!
My project coworkers and a few of our other coworkers
Outreach
Sharing our faith on the beach and around the community of North Myrtle Beach was a main focus of Summer Project. In addition to going out in our free time, we had two scheduled outreach times each week: one hour with our Bible Study leaders and about two and a half hours each Sunday afternoon with the project as a whole. We were able to talk to a variety of different people of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs and learn how to share the gospel with different approaches. We felt the urgency to spread the good news so that everyone is given a chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We also learned how to make evangelism a way of life and not just an activity; God called us to spread His love and glorify Him in all that we do, all the time.
As you can see, a lot happened this summer, and I would love to write more, but I could go on forever! If you have any specific questions about what I did in North Myrtle Beach, please feel free to email me at kscamann@gmail.com or comment on this blog post. You should also check out this Summer Recap Video that my friend Josh made.
I’m not exactly sure where God is leading me from here. He might be calling me to another Summer Project next summer, maybe internationally, or to join Cru staff after I graduate. As for now, UW-La Crosse is my mission field, and I am excited to be leading a Bible Study this fall and sharing His love all around the campus and the city of La Crosse!
Until next time,
God’s Blessings,
Katie
When the staff left right before the fourth of July, the real project began. Not that the first half didn’t count, but looking back, a LOT more happened in the second half. We all had to step up and take a new role, whether that meant leading a Bible study or serving on a ministry team. It was SO cool to see how God could work through each and every one of us to glorify Him in so many ways.
My favorite part about the staff leaving was being able to sense the urgency that we all suddenly had. When we realized that the summer was half over, we began to step into hyper drive: taking on new responsibilities, cherishing the time we had left with each other, building relationships with our coworkers outside of work, focusing more time and energy on growing our relationship with God, and going out sharing more than ever. The last thing we wanted to do was regress and end up wasting those last 5 weeks.
Since I have so many stories that I want to share, I’ll try and wrap up my summer the best I can by sharing a little about my favorite memories: my 97-person project family, working at Chick-fil-A, and outreach on the beach.
My Project Family
Honestly, I could not have asked for a more beautiful group of people to spend my summer with. I was so unbelievably blessed with my roommates, my bible study, my impact group, my 6pack, and so many more amazing people. We grew together. When one of us was hurting, we all were hurting. When one of us was overjoyed, we all were overjoyed.
My Roommates
My Bible Study
My Impact Group
My 6pack (just 5 of the people I got closest to and spent a lot of time with towards the end of project)
We had tons of opportunities to grow closer as a group through Community events that were put on every Saturday night, like the $5 Prom, a game of Capture the Flag, a Talent Show, among many others. I, along with many of the other students, spent many evenings hanging out outside of the project office after our evening events and going on “adventures” during our free time on Fridays. I will cherish those memories forever.
Some say that Summer Project is a little taste of heaven. The community and fellowship experienced is unlike anything I will experience again here on earth. While that saddens me, it also excites me for the day that we are all reunited again in heaven! I look forward to continuing the relationships formed and, Lord-willing, seeing them all again soon!
The entire NMB project: students and staff
Chick-fil-A
My job was such a blessing this summer. God placed me at Chick-fil-A for a reason, and it took me a little while to figure out what that was. Waking up at 4:30 every morning for work was hard to do with a smile on my face, but the relationships I formed were so worth it. I got to know my non-project coworkers, making an impact on their lives and them making an impact on mine, while also forming lasting friendships with my project coworkers. I learned to value sleep and was reminded what it’s like to work in a fast-paced food business. And I already miss the food! Maybe they’ll open up a restaurant around here soon!
My project coworkers and a few of our other coworkers
Outreach
Sharing our faith on the beach and around the community of North Myrtle Beach was a main focus of Summer Project. In addition to going out in our free time, we had two scheduled outreach times each week: one hour with our Bible Study leaders and about two and a half hours each Sunday afternoon with the project as a whole. We were able to talk to a variety of different people of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs and learn how to share the gospel with different approaches. We felt the urgency to spread the good news so that everyone is given a chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We also learned how to make evangelism a way of life and not just an activity; God called us to spread His love and glorify Him in all that we do, all the time.
As you can see, a lot happened this summer, and I would love to write more, but I could go on forever! If you have any specific questions about what I did in North Myrtle Beach, please feel free to email me at kscamann@gmail.com or comment on this blog post. You should also check out this Summer Recap Video that my friend Josh made.
I’m not exactly sure where God is leading me from here. He might be calling me to another Summer Project next summer, maybe internationally, or to join Cru staff after I graduate. As for now, UW-La Crosse is my mission field, and I am excited to be leading a Bible Study this fall and sharing His love all around the campus and the city of La Crosse!
Until next time,
God’s Blessings,
Katie
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