| Thoughts of a Growing Christian | |||
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Monday, November 05, 2001 You're in a state of bliss...you're enjoying every moment of it...time is flying...then BAM...you're thrown back into reality and it's on with life. That's what I feel like right about now. This past weekend I was able to attend a retreat with the theme Spirituality Jesus' Way. It was put on by IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) chapters of IVCF all over michigan attended. The campsite was called Spring Hill which is located in Evart, MI. Although the camp was secluded and the surroudings being a small remote town once you reached the heart of the camp it was a gorgeous place. I wish I was there now. I cannot begin to imagine what the place would look like with a fresh snow fall. The weekend involved going to manuscript studies which are hardcore bible study sessions in which you analyze and really try to understand what the bible is saying to you. They printed up John 13-17 for us and you were free to mark it up as you pleased. I must say it is a new way of studying God's word and I thought it was rather interesting and useful. This was also the time when we broke into small groups and met people...at my table I met a group from Cental Mich Univ. And then the speaker Tim Brown gave four expositions on which he expanded each of the manuscript studies and challenged us with them. I definitely learned more and hope to take it with me and pass it on. Now for the fun of the weekend...TWO new life experienced in one weekend. More like ONE day...ONE! The first event was horseback riding. My horse's name is thunder *I miss you thunder*, a beautiful rustic red stallion. (I know I'm a geek...but I really liked my horse!) It was my first real horseback riding experience. At first I was a little nervous...they gave us a helmet...some words of advice and then a short demonstration and off we went to pick our horses. But when things started going it wasn't too bad I was thinking "oh hey I can handle this." With a guide in front and two in back, the group took a trail through the camp. I got to experience first hand nature at it's best during fall. The leaves had all just falled and as my horse made it's way through the sound of crisp leaves crunching filled the air. We went by a body of water so undisturbed and so splendid it was breathtaking. Trees so tall your head had to be bent all the way back before you could see the imensity of it's height. And then I thought "wow God created all of this...every leaf, tree and the water...the beautiful creature I was riding on all created by Him for us." Along with a myriad of thoughts also came a sense of awe and wonder...being humbled in the presence of God's creation and experiencing a rush of a surrounding too much to take in. Then came life experience #2 zip lining...OVER A BODY OF WATER. Now what possessed me to go zip lining I really don't know. Considering ONE I'm afraid of heights. TWO I'm very afraid of heights. THREE I'm VERY VERY afraid of heights. Need I say more? So here I was with a few other people I knew listening to the instructor as of how we're supposed to put on our harness and use the equipment...you can bet I was ALL EARS. And then once again it was here's a helmet, some basic instructions and off you go. They went up and called us up by groups. So I'm thinking ok up the stairs no biggie...just don't look down. So then the stairs get wobbly. Just my luck, my legs are jello and you and somemore shakiness through the stairs. Finally I'm at the top...can't HELP but look down....immediate onset of hyperventilation. So I paid 5 dollars and her words were ..."it's best to go on three if you're still here by the count of ten it means you have decided not to zip line. And we can push you if you want"...So the thought of wasting money didn't make me to happy but hanging over the edge of this platform didn't make me too comfortable either...so with all my courage I let myself fall and I went on a count of four. SCREAMING ALL THE WAY DOWN. And oh to my delight...*cough* we were gonna go two times. But see the problem is that the first time already did me in. I had no courage left...I had them push me down because I had already used every ounce of courage during the first try. The second time it wasn't so bad...the drop is by far the scariest part. After that was all said and done I was rather happy with myself for going through with it...don't know what came over me but hey...I try to live by the motto "try everything at least once." After that we went back and I took a lovely nap...ahh...the peace, fun, and good times at retreats. posted by Sewa at 12:18:00 AM # |
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