May 2024 Ripples Newsletter
Please help us reach our goal of 10K for Summer Camp. Every dollar you give will be doubled!
TAKE 5 | Unlocking the Power of Transformation
Some Christians talk about conversion as a one-time event. But we are all being converted over our entire lifetime into the likeness of Christ. Conversion is long and slow and messy because it’s a change in nature. The question is, are you aware of and cooperating with the God-initiated process?
TAKE 5 | The Journey to Peace: Overcoming Anxiety in Mind, Body, and Spirit
Anxiety can secretly envelope the different areas of our life, affecting our mentality and even the physical tenseness of our body. But when we take away anxiety's authority and replace it with God's peace, out mind, body and spirit can recover.
TAKE 5 | Trust Tested
Today we ask of ourselves the challenging question "How far would I go in sacrificing that which I hold dear, in a spirit of loving trust?" It's not easy when our deepest more prayerful desires and dreams have not been fulfilled. But what will you do with the emotions that come with that unfulfillment? Are you going to God for healing or pushing Him away in anger?
TAKE 5 | Unmasking Anxiety (Part 2)
In today's devotion, Alan gives us three more types of anxiety that may be unintentionally driving our life. Anxiety claims to warn us of a problem, but the anxiety itself may be the problem.
April 2024 Ripples Newsletter
We have a fresh look, a fresh place for summer camp, and a fresh face to help us lead our programs. Take a peek.
TAKE 5 | From Information to Transformation: A Gracious Path to Growth
Hearing passages of the Bible over and over again inform us, but how often do we let them transform us? It usually isn't as often as we are informed by them. Let's walk through the Parable of the Sower today with the expectation of transformation.
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.