Friday, April 4

The retreat began with a smooth bus ride up to Emmanuel Pines Christian Camp.  I sat on the bus unaware of the spectacular faith that I would encounter this weekend.  We arrived at the camp anxious and excited.  We unpacked and settled into our cabins, and then had Group Time were we played games and settled into the Godly environment around us.

Saturday, April 5

I awoke to the fresh scent of pines and the heavenly feel of the day that was yet to come.  Later on in the day we had Quiet Time where I went into the forest and tried to break the stereotypes of Jesus.  I read verses from the book of Matthew, Mark, and John.  While I was out in the expanse of the forest, I felt myself getting closer to God, my faith began to grow in ways I had not anticipated; it was a very meaningful moment in my life.  Later on in the day we had Jesus Trivia, which explained more about the stereotypes of Jesus.  After that activity we made a picture of the ideal person, I was satisfied to know that everyone included a characteristic of Jesus.  We made cards where we wrote down someone’s name that needed friendship, or the power of God in their life to remind us to help them.  Later we read:  A medical perspective of the torture and execution of Jesus Christ.  In the book of Luke it says “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down to the ground”.  That gave me just a glimpse of the torture that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior had to go through to save us.  After dinner we headed up toward Cedar Chapel for the Service.  I entered into the room, sat down and then waited.  Then I hung my cross on Nathan’s and had communion.  Throughout the retreat I started to have new respect, and more faith toward God.  The Junior Counselors came up one by one and said the seven last words of Jesus and blew out a candle.  As soon as all of the candles were blown out we sat there in silence, watching images of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Right then, my faith grew to an even higher level.  We sat as Michael sang “ The Message of the Cross” which was our main song for the retreat.   

The song is as follows:

This is the message of the cross, that we can be free;
To live in the victory, and turn from our sin.
My precious Lord Jesus, with sinners you died.
For there you revealed your love and you laid down your life.

This is the message of the cross that we can be free;
To lay all our burdens here, at the foot of the tree. 
The cross was the shame of the world, but the glory of God.
For Jesus you conquered sin, and you gave us new life

You set me free when I come to the cross
Poured out your blood, for I was broken and lost
There I was healed and you covered my sin
It’s there you saved me,
This is the message of the cross

This is the message of the cross, that we can be free
To hunger for heaven, to hunger for thee
The cross is such foolishness to the perishing
But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God

You set me free when I come to the cross
Poured out your blood, for I was broken and lost
There I was healed and you covered my sin
It’s there you saved me,
This is the message of the cross

After the song was over I went back to my cabin, touched at what I had heard and learned.  On Sunday our Groups Discussed questions like “ Why is your Cross special to you”.  Later on in the day we packed up and departed for Love Of Christ.  When I got home I was touched.  This Retreat was more meaningful than I would have ever imagined.  After going to this retreat I have more faith.  I thank God for giving up so much and being the great Almighty and Powerful God that he is.

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