TAKE 5 | Unmasking Anxiety (Part 1)
Anxiety can underly our heart, mind, soul, and work. Today we'll share three attributes of God, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, and Father we can remember when we become aware of this. Remember God is always with us!
March 2024 Ripples Newsletter
Amazing changes were sparked at winter retreats this year! See how God moved.
TAKE 5 | The Importance of Abiding
In the midst of suffering we often ask God to remove our struggles. But what if we asked how God is in and with us in the midst of our suffering? How might that shift our perspective and encourage us?
TAKE 5 | Embracing the Yoke: Finding Soulful Rest in the Way of Jesus
The way of the Lord, taking on the yoke of Christ, is an invitation for us to learn and grow and rest in our Savior. This kind of rest refreshes our soul, renews our mind, and restores our bodies because we are made for the fullness and richness of soul that is complete in Christ. Let's look at a few ways we can full embrace Christ and his ways in us.
TAKE 5 | Gladness and Singleness of Heart
The phrase “singleness of heart” reminds us of how easy it is to wander from the presence of the one our heart belongs to. Whether it’s relying on our own strength to work or being distracted from our work, when our heart is not focus on first receiving and learning from God it is difficult to serve well. Where might you need to correct the focus of your heart?
TAKE 5 | In the Yoke of Jesus: A Path to Soulful Renewal and Rest
We might be familiar with the passage Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...", but how often have we actually thought about what this verse actually, practically means for our soul? What does this passage really say about the rest that we have in Christ?
TAKE 5 | Collaborating with God in Christ
It's easy to gloss over some parts of the Bible, but when we look close we find that little phrases can have huge intention and application. Let's zoom into the phrase "in the Lord" and investigate how Paul's words mean more than we might initially think!
TAKE 5 | The Impact of Authenticity
Jesus transforms the quality of our life. Have you seen this in your life or been inspired by this in someone else's life? Today we can continue this transformation in ourselves and draw others near to Christ at the same time. Let our lives reflect Him!
TAKE 5 | One Important Way to Strengthen Your Leadership
Christ is the light that transforms our leadership and our life. How are you leaning into God so He can continue to transform your life? Just as we are transformed by Christ, please be praying our camper's hearts will be transformed this weekend at the February Spark Change Retreat!
TAKE 5 | Embracing Unhurried Ways: Discerning True Rest from Counterfeit
How has your true rest been? Has it been refreshing, refilling, and reviving or stale, draining, and tiring? When you evaluate you rest are you scoring well or in need of some accountability?
TAKE 5 | Wisdom: Living in Touch with Reality
The Bible is chock-full of wisdom. Today, Gem draws our attention a particular piece of advise that is easy to skip past - to be very careful. The word reminds how we are prone to rush and make careless decisions and prompts us to keep in touch with will the of the Lord instead.
TAKE 5 | 4 More Reasons We Don't Rest Well
Research indicates that it takes 18-66 days to cultivate a habit. Today Alan shares how we can overcome 4 common reasons that discourage the development of growing good rest habits. Let's walk toward the road less traveled and enjoy the freedom of rest together!
TAKE 5 | BREATHE: A Spiritual Practice
What’s something you take for granted? Maybe its time with a loved one or your health or your job. Today Gem reminds us of how we can take our breathe for granted and uses our precious breathe as a way in which we can rest in and experience God.
TAKE 5 | 3 Reasons We Don't Rest Well
My wife, daughter Rebecca, and I spent MLK Jr. weekend up at Lake George for some R & R. Although the weather was not ideal for our typical outdoor activities, it enables us to enjoy peaceful walks alongside the lake and cozy nights besides the woodstove. While it was not what we expected, it helped us all to rest well and be intentional to rest well like Alan reminds us today.
January 2024 Ripples Newsletter
Spark Change winter camps are almost here! Pickleball for St. Patty’s and more.
TAKE 5 | Soaking in Scripture
We just got our first snow here in the Poconos. While the snow is stunning, sometimes we can get distracted by the shoveling, snow-blowing, or de-icing instead of soaking in the glorious wonder of snow. Sometimes we can do this with scripture and skim through it rather than soaking in the words of our Creator.
TAKE 5 | There's a First Time for Everything
My younger daughter Rebecca went on her first missions trip to Nicaragua to serve as a camp counselor this past week. Serving these girls gave her a new perspective on how God has blessed her life and she can have joy in all circumstances just like the girls she served at the camp. The more we learn about and experience God, the more we know Him and see His presence. How have you experienced God's presence?
2023 Annual Impact Report
Celebrate God’s goodness this year and see what is in store for next!
December Ripples Newsletter
Welcoming Cielo Arrioja to our team as Program Facilitator starting in 2024.
TAKE 5 | Resting in Busy Seasons
Both of my daughters just finished up their fall semester at Grove City College. Even though finals week was busy, they still took Sunday off to relax, spend time in God's word, and catch up with us, practicing their habit of taking a Sabbath as Alan encourages us to do today.