Spring Retreat Highlights!

You guys are a GREAT group! What else can I say? Hopefully you can tell by the pictures that we had a great time. If you were unable to make it this year, try for next year. It's well worth it! Here's a few highlights from the weekend...

* Nice lodge with an awesome view overlooking the coastline.

* Great food - how 'bout that Izzy's!

* Faith is to lead you, not rescue you...

* Mini-golf at a little rinky-dink "Put 'n Bat"

* Pool, fuse ball and welts (Yeah Baby!)

* The faith of the Centurion

* Lessons from Jenni, Bethany, Cameron, Caleb and Seth on how to walk on water!!

* Raids from the girls to the guys to the girls to the...

* Beautiful weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* The faith of the Canaanite woman

* Worship

* Honey, if you love me...

* Peach and Blackberry cobbler

* Shopping at the outlet malls

* Hip-charades :)

It was so good having you on the Spring Retreat! I really am proud of each of you and was proud to see you all do so well together. So many of you are thinking about your faith and really wanting to grow in the Lord. Continue with this desire. You may not always see instant change and growth, but know that God is working in your lives. I can tell the difference! ~ Pastor Nate

What Are the Implications?

The older I get, the more I like Easter! When I was younger, there was no doubt in my mind that Christmas was the best holiday. What kid wouldn't like Christmas? To a kid, Christmas equals presents. Easter was cool as a kid, but there were no presents - just a few Easter eggs and chocolates.

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My view on the holiday's is different now. I really appreciate the deeper meaning behind these holidays - and Christmas and Easter have huge implications! Christmas celebrates God sending His Son, Jesus, to us as a baby. Christmas is Emmanuel - meaning, "God with us." Easter celebrates the purpose God had in sending us His Son.

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Easter is "He is risen indeed." It celebrates the biblical and historical fact that Jesus bodily rose from the dead. It celebrates a Jesus who is very much alive and is seated in heaven at God's right hand. It celebrates the fact that we too, will also raise from the dead if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ.

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"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead..."

~ 1 Corinthians 15:17-20a

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This Easter enjoy the egg hunt (if you do that), fill your stomach full of potato's, green bean caserole and ham, but most importantly, give thanks to the Lord making salvation a sure thing. Because Jesus lives, we too will live forever!