A great weekend

Hey Sell Outs, Lee here. Just wanted to reflect a bit on this past weekend. I helped out with several other guys from Sold Out at the SEC high school guys purity retreat at Drift Creek Lodge. I believe we had 8 or 9 guys that helped out, cooking and serving food. It was a great weekend.

Several girls from Sold Out helped out at the female version of the retreat in Milwaukee...post some stories here!

I'm obviously speaking from the guys' retreat perspective and I'm sure there are some great stories from the girl's retreat. It was just great to be an example and serve the high schoolers as they encountered a very important retreat, which hit on huge topics. Us Sell Outs had a great time as well, spending time in our own group during small group times and while cooking food and serving the students.

For me, this weekend solidified the notion I have believed about this Sold Out ministry since around April or May -- we are a family. In our small group times this weekend, we emphasized the importance of being transparent (that is, being open and honest about what's going on in our lives so that others can listen, help and encourage). It's huge... if something is going on in your life, it is easy to fall into the trap of isolation and seclusion where no one knows what you are dealing with. However, with encouragement from our brothers and sisters (and ultimately with the help of God and His Spirit), we can overcome the difficulties life dishes out.

And I'll be honest, the retreat -- even though I'm not in high school -- was a good reminder for me. I learned things right alongside the high school students. It was great to serve them and attempt to bridge any gap that may exist between the high schoolers and college-age kids at our church. I played the box along with Kory on the guitar for some small worship sessions and it was truly awesome to hear the praises being raised from the group. I got goosebumps because it was so powerful.

It was fun trying to keep from burning food and somehow screwing up canned soup. I found a flower-covered apron to ensure I looked like a legit cook. We laughed and had a great time. I debated on whether or not I should go all the way up until last Thursday, but I listened to the Holy Spirit, who was nudging me to go. I'm glad I decided to go.

Be reminded, brothers and sisters, that we are a family in God's church, and especially in our small Sold Out ministry. Be there for one another and we can keep growing strong in the Lord TOGETHER. See ya tonight.

EMBRACE

Hey, Guys! It's Courtney and this is something I wanted to share with you. Here's a moment to look forward to.....

A daughter lays there crying.
On her knees she sits, hands folded in her lap.
Feeling abandoned, alone, and ashamed.
Her eyes well up with tears and she squeezes them shut.
Her efforts are in vain as tears pour down her face.
She gently raises her chin and opens her eyes.
There, standing in front of her, is her Father.
Her Father in Heaven who has been her everything,
Even when she couldn’t or didn’t remember.
She stands and rushes toward him.
Shame, guilt, sin fall freely from her.
Faster and faster she goes.
Light and burden free she feels.
Time stops as she falls into his open arms.
He holds her tight revealing a pure and loving heart.
A love fills her, a love she’s been waiting for.
One that has drawn her near her entire life and is summed in his grasp.
Her life was hard, but for this….she’d gladly do it again.
It was worth it, she thinks.
Tears continue to fall, not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.
Squeezing tight, she knows she’ll never let go.
Her Father continues to hold her, soothing her gently.
He won’t ever let her go.
He’s looked forward to this day longer than she has.
Never again will they part.
Home at last, they think.

Having a Mary heart

Hello everybody, this is Megan. Some other ladies from our group and myself are reading a book right now called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. The book is based off of the passage in Luke where Jesus visits the sisters' home and Martha and Mary have two very different ways of reacting to his visit. I highly recommend this book to the ladies in our group!

In yesterday's reading, I read about how important it is for us to have intimate time with God. Not just time of prayer, not just reading the Bible, or sitting in church, but a time of complete intimacy with our Lord and Savior. The author writes that "Satan enjoys using our hectic schedules, stressed bodies, and emotional upsets in his efforts to put up barriers to our intimacy with God. That's why we need to take a close look at any thought, feeling, or activity that diminishes our appetite for intimacy with God."

I never looked at my intimacy with God in quite that way. The author also compares this with us preparing an incredibly delicious meal for our family and friends to enjoy with us, but then we get a little hungry and snack before dinner and then cannot fully enjoy the meal like everyone else. It's the same with our relationship with God. We should desire a full, complete intimacy with Him, and not spoil our appetites.

"Things like friends, books, and shopping... they may be good things, completely innocent things - but not when they take the edge off of our hunger for God." I think about how often I get on the internet and spend over an hour on facebook looking at friend's pages, or when I play video games, or talk on the phone. Those things are innocent, but when I have taken time for those things throughout my day and then finally settle down to spend time with my Lord; my appetite has been ruined. So I guess my question to all of you is: How hungry are you?

Superhero Film Festival

We had a great night a few weeks back, hanging out, eating great food, playing crazy games and watching some HILARIOUS videos. Here are a few pics from the evening.