Last weekend my family had an opportunity to
travel with the church’s youth group to Camp Lutherwood in Utah. This camp is located right in between Zion
and Bryce Canyon National Parks. It was
the perfect time to get a glimpse of the fall colors and escape from the heat of
Las Vegas!
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| Ready for a weekend of adventure! |
There is something mysterious about these
trips that I always look forward too. Something
changes within the youth, my family, and in even in me… Just taking a moment to breathe, hike through
the canyons, and watch the stars come out at night changes the way I look at
the world.
Our theme for the retreat was based on a
scripture passage from Mark chapter 8. Jesus
asks, “Who do you say that I am?” It struck me on this trip that many of us
never really take time to think about this question. We may have doubt when we look at Jesus, or
we may recast Christ to be whatever we want him to be. In the end, most of us miss the true meaning
of the love and forgiveness that Jesus really stood for. Without understanding God’s love, I don’t
think any of us can really understand who we truly are either.
On this particular trip I heard kids talk about
all the terrible names they had been given.
It’s easy to let these names latch on to us… and sometimes they can even
destroy us. However, I believe our job in
the church is to share a different story.
We are to offer the truth of God’s Grace. I am thankful for the opportunity this trip
offered to share a new story, in spite of the evil around us…
I think we all need to be intentional about
remembering that God made us all in God’s image. I hope and pray that all of you would leave a
little space to remember your true identity.
May you know you are loved, and may you feel God’s peace!
Blessings!
PB
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| Fish weren't really biting, but certainly a fun day out! |
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| Lutherwood is a pretty amazing place! |
