My Weekend On the Mountain

I am convinced that there is nothing more beautiful than a Colorado sunset over the Rocky Mountains. I had the pleasure of spending the past weekend up in Winter Park where my husband and I led confirmation retreat though our church. 

And all weekend the teens dress up in ridiculous "team wear", play games and compete, they sing, they watch the adults put on ridiculous skits purely for their entertainment, they pray, and they bond.....

They bond because they are all united through Christ. To watch the transformation from night one, where they aren't quite sure how to act or what to think, to Sunday afternoon, where they stand up and vocalize how important faith is in their life, is absolutely incredible. 

To watch God move is simply incredible. 


They watch a clip of "The Passion" where Jesus is beaten, stripped, forced to carry a cross, and crucified, and suddenly it all becomes very real.

This man died for our sins.....Jesus died for me...and there is absolute silence.
...and as we kneel during adoration we sing:

 "I stand, with arms high and heart abandoned. In awe of the One who gave it all. I stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered. All I am is Yours"

 All I am is Yours

 I watched teen's lives change last weekend as they opened their hearts to Christ. I watched and was inspired to renew my own faith. It's always easy to find God on the mountain top and make promises to yourself to change things, but a whole different story when you enter back into "real life". "Retreat" needs to be a more consistent theme. Not necessarily getting away to a perfect camp getaway, but finding ways to spend time with God that renew the spirit and fire under my faith. I think this looks different for each person. For me, it's finding a place to worship with music, volunteering, and mentoring youth...activities that help me remember what is important in life. 

God, I pray that everyday my words, thoughts, and actions reflect Your love. I pray that I exude the joy that comes from Your presence in my life. Grant me the courage to follow your example, to stand up for what I believe in, and to live without fear. I pray for faith like a child: unabandoned, eager, trusting, and pure. Help me find you in all things and help me to continually renew my faith by finding ways to grow in community and be challenged to spend more time strengthening my relationship with You. All I am is Yours.

Amen