2006-06-22

Thoughts and Shots from Tanglewood: Summer 2006

ENTER THE SACRED...


...was the theme of our week of camp this year. The idea was that through Spiritual Disciplines (i.e. meditating, fasting, Bible reading, Bible studying, prayer, journaling, solitude, etc.) we move from casual relationship with God, into a passionate relationship with our Creator.

Here's Jessi being launched from the Blob

Matthew in mid flip!



"Superficiality is the curse of our age…. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
-Richard Foster, "Celebration of Discipline"
"Silence is frightening because it strips us as nothing else does, throwing us upon the stark realities of our life."
-Dallas Willard, "The Spirit of the Disciplines"
"Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life."
-Richard Foster, "Freedom of Simplicity"

Abbot Agatho frequently admonished his disciple, saying: Never acquire for yourself anything that you might hesitate to give to your brother if he asked you for it, for thus you would be found a transgressor of God's command. If anyone asks, give it to him, and if anyone wants to borrow form you, do not turn away from him.
-from"Wisdom of the Desert: Translations from the 'Verba Seniorum,'" by Thomas Merton

"One of the monks, called Serapion, sold his book of the Gospels and gave the money to those who were hungry, saying: I have sold the book which told me to sell all that I had and give to the poor."
-from"Wisdom of the Desert: Translations from the 'Verba Seniorum,'" by Thomas Merton.
"Those who live prayerfully are constantly ready to receive the breath of God, and to let their lives be renewed and expanded."
-Henri J. M. Nouwen, "With Open Hands"
"Jesus took a towel and a basin and redefined greatness."
-Richard Foster, "Celebration of Discipline"

Journaling: Wednesday June 21st - Tuesday July 5th

This is two weeks worth of journaling. Remember that I will be out of town June 28th, so there will be no youth group until July 5th.
Contact Jessi F. if you are interested in still getting together for a game night or to watch a movie. If you do get together I ask you to remember to continue being respectful to the family whose home you meet in.

Wednesday June 21st, 2006 – Tuesday July 5th, 2006

Scriptures to Read:
Psalm 141:2 Matthew 5:43-44
Matthew 6:5-15 Matthew 26:36-46
Mark 11:20-25 Luke 11:1-13
John 17 Acts 2:42
Philippians 4:6 Colossians 4:2-4
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Hebrews 5:7
James 5:13-18

Thoughts to Journal:

#1 Someone recently said, “If you do not pray, you do not have a relationship with Jesus”. Journal your thoughts.
#2 Finish this sentence: “The person I reveal myself the most to is…., because….”
#3 Re-write the Lord’s Prayer in your own words. (Matthew 6:9-13)
#4 Journal: What if…you could spend 24 hours with anyone in the world?
#5 In your own words describe what prayer is.
#6, #7, #8 Write out your prayers for three days.
#9 Journal: Would you rather make a phone call, send a text message, or send an e-mail.
#10 How does God typically respond to your prayers.