February 6, 2008
-
DKC Youth Group Winter Retreat 2008
Backwards & Forward
Meet the worship team better known as “Evergreen”
This group of artist all have an amazing talent but above all their gifts they do it all to glorify God and bless others.
Music, laughter and good company are a few things at their very core that help us move forward through this journey we call life. Through the motions of life we find many times our lives just seem to be going backwards and at moments we move forward. May time when we feel like we are moving backwards we begin to dwell on our problems, failures and struggles. It’s natural for a human being to do so and moving forward just doesn’t seem to be happening. Most of us fear failure and often time once we experience that pain through failure we hardly want to face it. There are some days where we feel like we just want to throw in the towel and call it quits. However, I am here to encourage you today embrace your failures and move forward. The greatest thing about the Christian faith is that we always have something to look forward to. Our life doesn’t end here at earth. I remember Gandof from Lord of the rings said that “death is merely a path one must take to the place greater than this place.” (don’t quote me 100% on that one hehe).
Most of the world views failure as always being negative. And in some sense it really does seem that way at the moment and few of us rarely ask ourselves what is the purpose in all this. For the first session at the retreat we took a look at Joseph’s life. (Genesis 45:3-8). The amazing thing about Joseph was he was able to see God’s divine plan beyond what his brothers had done to him in the past. I found that to be the most profound thing about Joseph’s character. I’d go into the story of Joseph here but this post would be longer than you probably want it to be haha. To summarize…we learned 5 solid reasons God allows suffering.
1. Develop Character
2. Discipline for sin to produce a life of righteousness
3. Prepare us to comfort others who go through suffering
4. Provide opportunity to advance the gospel
5. To follow Christ’s example and to show others His glory.These are so inspiring and they help me move forward to the Lord’s greater purpose in life for us. Be refined by your experiences, Trust in God and NOT what the world wagers. When you fail…listen to God’s truth. Set your eyes on the Cross and instead of focusing on your failure; focus on God’s Grace, Love and Mercy. May your week be abundantly blessed.
Thanks For Reading – Steve
Here is a quick slide show I put together for them. Enjoy!
Comments (24)
Woop! I miss being in a worship team!
hmmm amen.
“The greatest thing about the Christian faith is that we always have something to look forward to.” YES! And not just in the next life, but even in this. Through every failure, every disappointment…there is ALWAYS something else to look forward to.
those images are wonderful and i love the blog that goes along with it. you are a wonderful influence on these young people!
how come there are only Asian people in these photos? !
jk
excellent insight = ] and i lOve the picture of the girl in green
These are wonderful pictures; I loved the slide show!
Great message, too. I completely agree. <3
Love the band photos.
Awesome blog today! I needed it after the move and trying to start over again. Thanks! I loved the images. It gives me hope for our future to see so many great teens who have it together. Great job Steve!
i luv these pictures. you capture the perfect moment. i really like the picture where the people are laughing. hee hee!
ryc: Glad you like them. The guy is Manchild and the DJ is Dust. The group is called Mars ILL. They have been out for a while. If you do a search on Amazon.com I bet you can find some of their used CD’s for cheap. Great CD’s by the way.
loved the band shots too
i like the color of 3rd picture. NICE.
and i seee korean eyes!
so weird w/ everybody’s xanga now..it’s always the profile page when u click on it. i thought everybody just quit xanga..scared me
What a wonderful opportunity for those youth to build strength, character and everlasting friendships that will help each and everyone of them on their journeys through life. Great post, great words, great images. Keep inspiring my friend!
thanks for the encouragement~…
sometimes we forget the abundance of God’s grace when we don’t have those splendid everything’s-going-right days. we shake our heads asking ourselves why bad things are happening..~ but His grace is always there! we’re just too silly to see it all the time..
thanks to you i have another cd on my wishlist. great choice in music!!!
How ya doing Steve!!!
these are just great….you can just feel the fun!
Kerri
Wonderful pictures.
yes! i got to totally agree with you that xanga is SO GOOD.
i’ve tried blogspot and livejournal but none is better than xanga.
so many talented photographers in xanga community.
you’re one.
you do wonderful work ! these kids are hope for the world (:
SO YOUNG!
i think im still cycling at the age of 15.
looks like you guys had a great time. you took some awesome shots! love the slideshow song too!!
I’ve been stalking you for some time now, and I’m so encouraged to see your desire to know the Lord Jesus and involve Him in every aspect of life. It’s encouraging to see brothers and sisters in Christ from across the globe who have the same mind… Same passion… and that is to glorify our Lord in all we do! Keep on serving God, as it is such an honour to be able to be called His children… May you continue to grow in Christ likeness day by day.. – Linda from Sydney