TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Less Information, More Formation
I love reading a book over the holidays because there is time to absorb and savor the content. During non-holiday times, however, lots of reading can overwhelm me, and I suspect many of you as well. During retreats, I have learned allowing time for fun and to process the messages is just as important as the message. These times allow the learning to settle in and to be processed. Alan delves deeper into this thought today.
End of Year | Newsletter| Relaunch 2022
Hope for 2022, Teens will be ReConnecing in just one month! Gift Suggestion, Sustaining us to continue the work…
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Presence for the Sake of Others
Many think that we need to empty ourselves to be at peace. Today Gem helps us see that really, we need to fill ourselves with Christ’s presence to be at peace and love others. That is what Emmanuel means – God with us and that is the gift of Christmas. Amazing we can now enjoy this gift any day at any time!
December 12, 2021 VIDEO UPDATE
Hear where our Save The Oaks Campaign is headed in 2022. Please join us in sustaining this Kingdom work God began to relaunch the ministry of The Oaks to our under resourced urban communities in Southern California.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - The Importance of Listening to God
Up until eight years ago, I never experienced hearing God's voice on a regular basis. It is not that I didn't believe it was possible, it was just that I had never settled in a place to hear it or really had earnestly sought His voice. I also had not learned to test the voice to make sure it was His voice and not another spirit. Now I talk to Him every day and He talks back. What has your experience been? What questions do you have in light of Scripture?
December | Newsletter| Relaunch 2022
Lots of news on ReConnect 2022. You launched us into outer space with # Giving Tuesday!
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Grace Works
Sometimes when we get busy as a bee, our work can become routine, dull, or uninspired. Yet, we know that God redeems work and wants us to do worthwhile work. In fact, "We are his workmanship created for good works..." to quote Ephesians 2:10. So when things get hard at work, we learn today a way to invite Jesus in for a little redemption party.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Expanding Care Through Prayer
During summer staff training one year, a young man from George Fox University shared how ministry is the overflow of our cup. As God pours His love into our lives (cup), we then can overflow His love to the world. Today we explore the connection between prayer and overflow.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - The Benefits of a Counterintuitive Move
Taking switchbacks, or following a clear trail which is longer in mileage is typically faster than going straight up a mountain or bushwacking cross-country to your destination. Today we learn from Gem about a similar counterintuitive move in flying an aircraft.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Eavesdropping on My Enemy
Our spiritual enemy is real, and if we underestimate or pretend Satan and his fallen angel's don't exist, they have already won the battle.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Your Cleansed and Grateful Life
I had the blessing of taking a class with Dr. Henry Cloud when I was working on my masters at Biola University. One of the images he gave us was that of a balanced boat wake. He said, "Imagine the wave on one side is grace and the other truth…
November Newsletter| Relaunch 2022 | Save The Oaks
We blast off our end of the year campaign to Relaunch in 2022! Acorns to Oaks…
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Steeping in God-Reality
For years I just treated reading my Bible as something to check off, and I didn't really take time to reflect on and digest what I read. I go much slower now.
October 24,2021—Acorn of Truth
One of the huge things camp does for kids is let them know we are for them and they are loved unconditionally! This song celebrates this fact in a wonderful way. This week's Acorn of Truth thanks to my (Sean's) wife's wonderful recommendation...
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - No Time Like the PResent
In Matthew 6:27 Jesus asks, " Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" I think we know this is true, but sometimes we think by hurrying we can pack more in! As many of us experience the beauty of Fall we are reminded there is a broader sense of time at work.
October 17,2021—Acorn of Truth
Are you willing but weak when it comes to supporting a leader in need? You are not alone. Mark 14:38
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - The Mystery of INDWELLING
What does it mean to have Christ in us? Today we ponder this mystical union we have with Christ once we receive Him by faith and follow Him.
TAKE FIVE | Mini-Retreat - Psalm 27: An Unhurried Heart
Maybe you remember Billy Crystal's character in City Slickers where he is trying to find the secret to a happy life and his cowboy mentor tells him 'one thing.’ Today, we are encouraged to focus on the one thing David sought in Psalm 27.
October Newsletter | Save The Oaks
The reconnect2022.org website is up to register for our teen retreats!