Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Just Another Day @ The Beach
Thought I would give you just a quick run through of the amazing day I had yesterday. We are on staff retreat @ one of my favorite places in the world, Fort Caswell. It is a beautiful retreat area located on 110 acres at one end of Oak Island, NC. I spent 2 summers of my life working as a member of the worship team here for the youth summer camps, and something about this place just feels like home. We are currently sharing the grounds with about 1600 NC Baptist Youth and leaders as they are here for summer camp. Yet somehow we have still been able to "get away"! Anyway back to the amazing day...
The day started with a conversation with one of my best friends. I got to video Chat with Travis for about an hour yesterday morning. It was so wonderful to talk to him. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, Travis and I went to college together, served in ministry together with AIM, and have been accountability partners for years. He is currently serving on the mission field. Our conversations are rarer than we would like but through the power of skype, we have been able to stay in touch! Please be in prayer for Travis, he has a few more months on the field and I know God is really going to use him.
After a quick but wonderful breakfast (cooked by our production pastor Doug - with help from some of the ladies) we headed off to the gym for a little staff basketball. For those of you who have been to Caswell in the past, I have exciting news...the gym now has A/C!!! And because of this new addition, we were able to play for about 2 hours. It was awesome.
Then it was off to the beach for a little sun and fun. We hung out until the beach access was overrun by teenagers (no big deal because many in our group were sunburnt by then anyway...haha). We body surfed, played football and bocce, caught some rays and even took out a few ocean kayaks. For about an hour and a half, we had then entire beach to ourselves! It was a great way for our staff to relax and play together. I think God was looking out for us!!!
After a quick shower, it was time to kick back and relax around the house. We are staying in Lantana Lodge; a beautiful house located near the point of the island right along the Intercoastal Waterway. The house was the former home of the Fort commander, but also served as the base hospital for years. It is is a wonderful place to stay. Plenty of room for our group of 19 and far enough away from the students that it is quiet. Again, I think God was looking out for us!!!
After dinner is when the real fun began! Ray decided we should have a short staff worship and prayer time to close out the day; God had a different plan. Our 30 minutes of worship turned into about 3 hours of powerful praise and worship! I had been in Hatch Auditorium earlier in the evening for youth worship, and I know I am biased, but our small group of 19 was significantly louder than the 1600 students in Hatch. It was incredible! As we sang, Students, leaders and even camp staff members joined us. In fact, 4 camp staff members said they heard us from the other side of the camp and had to walk down and see what was going on. It was an amazing time. We had a chance to pray with youth leaders, staff members and youth during the night and We got to see God do some amazing things. I hope to post a video or two from last night so all of you can join in our worship time!
Thank You Lord for allowing us to have this time to refocus and unwind. Glory to God, Forever!
The day started with a conversation with one of my best friends. I got to video Chat with Travis for about an hour yesterday morning. It was so wonderful to talk to him. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, Travis and I went to college together, served in ministry together with AIM, and have been accountability partners for years. He is currently serving on the mission field. Our conversations are rarer than we would like but through the power of skype, we have been able to stay in touch! Please be in prayer for Travis, he has a few more months on the field and I know God is really going to use him.
After a quick but wonderful breakfast (cooked by our production pastor Doug - with help from some of the ladies) we headed off to the gym for a little staff basketball. For those of you who have been to Caswell in the past, I have exciting news...the gym now has A/C!!! And because of this new addition, we were able to play for about 2 hours. It was awesome.
Then it was off to the beach for a little sun and fun. We hung out until the beach access was overrun by teenagers (no big deal because many in our group were sunburnt by then anyway...haha). We body surfed, played football and bocce, caught some rays and even took out a few ocean kayaks. For about an hour and a half, we had then entire beach to ourselves! It was a great way for our staff to relax and play together. I think God was looking out for us!!!
After a quick shower, it was time to kick back and relax around the house. We are staying in Lantana Lodge; a beautiful house located near the point of the island right along the Intercoastal Waterway. The house was the former home of the Fort commander, but also served as the base hospital for years. It is is a wonderful place to stay. Plenty of room for our group of 19 and far enough away from the students that it is quiet. Again, I think God was looking out for us!!!
After dinner is when the real fun began! Ray decided we should have a short staff worship and prayer time to close out the day; God had a different plan. Our 30 minutes of worship turned into about 3 hours of powerful praise and worship! I had been in Hatch Auditorium earlier in the evening for youth worship, and I know I am biased, but our small group of 19 was significantly louder than the 1600 students in Hatch. It was incredible! As we sang, Students, leaders and even camp staff members joined us. In fact, 4 camp staff members said they heard us from the other side of the camp and had to walk down and see what was going on. It was an amazing time. We had a chance to pray with youth leaders, staff members and youth during the night and We got to see God do some amazing things. I hope to post a video or two from last night so all of you can join in our worship time!
Thank You Lord for allowing us to have this time to refocus and unwind. Glory to God, Forever!
Great blog by Jon Allen. Really sums up what God did last night. Still in awe of an amazing God moment!!!! Glory to God, Forever!
http://jonallen-hrcc.blogspot.com/2010/06/worship-breakout.html
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A Weekend To Remember
It was an amazing weekend for the High Rock family. A weekend I wont soon forget. When I finally got home late Sunday night, I just laid in bed thinking. I was in awe of what God did. I was humbled by the fact that He allowed me to be a part of it. And I was so pumped up that I think I could have made an appearance on American Gladiators!
The weekend started with an amazing time with friends on Friday night. A dinner at Casa Grande that lasted 3 1/2 hours because we just decided to sit and talk. Saturday was highlighted by an amazing night of worship @ HRCC West; followed by another 3 hour meal with friends.
I woke up Sunday morning so excited about what was happening. The message this week was on Lust and the struggles we (men and women) have with it. I know lives were changed, marriages were healed and victories were won. It was evidenced by the response of people as they worshiped a Mighty God! As we sang Hillsong's "The Stand" I looked out to see a sea of hands lifted in worship to Our God. Tears started rolling down my face as I watched High Rockers crying out to their Savior; telling Him that all they are is His! It was amazing! It was a God moment!
But the excitement didn't stop there! I left the west campus following the 11:00am service and headed to High Rock Lake for a Baptism Celebration...and let me tell you, it was a PARTY!!! We had lunch on the lake and when all was said and done, we baptized 49 people! (50 if you count me...HRCC tradition is that the new guy on staff gets dunked...Thanks Jon!)
I left the lake and headed back to the west campus for Ignite West (West Campus Youth Service) and was blown away by the number of students who came and the excitement in the room. During the service, one of the youth accepted Christ as his Savior!!!!!! Yet another God Thing!
When I got to staff meeting this morning, I found out that our Kannapolis Campus baptized another 7 on Sunday night, bringing the weekend total to 56!!!!!!!!! All I can say is Thank God!
So in honor of all of the High Rockers who took that next step in their walk, I have decided to upload a live video of one of my favorite Needtobreathe songs "Washed By The Water". I hope you enjoy it!
The weekend started with an amazing time with friends on Friday night. A dinner at Casa Grande that lasted 3 1/2 hours because we just decided to sit and talk. Saturday was highlighted by an amazing night of worship @ HRCC West; followed by another 3 hour meal with friends.
I woke up Sunday morning so excited about what was happening. The message this week was on Lust and the struggles we (men and women) have with it. I know lives were changed, marriages were healed and victories were won. It was evidenced by the response of people as they worshiped a Mighty God! As we sang Hillsong's "The Stand" I looked out to see a sea of hands lifted in worship to Our God. Tears started rolling down my face as I watched High Rockers crying out to their Savior; telling Him that all they are is His! It was amazing! It was a God moment!
But the excitement didn't stop there! I left the west campus following the 11:00am service and headed to High Rock Lake for a Baptism Celebration...and let me tell you, it was a PARTY!!! We had lunch on the lake and when all was said and done, we baptized 49 people! (50 if you count me...HRCC tradition is that the new guy on staff gets dunked...Thanks Jon!)
I left the lake and headed back to the west campus for Ignite West (West Campus Youth Service) and was blown away by the number of students who came and the excitement in the room. During the service, one of the youth accepted Christ as his Savior!!!!!! Yet another God Thing!
When I got to staff meeting this morning, I found out that our Kannapolis Campus baptized another 7 on Sunday night, bringing the weekend total to 56!!!!!!!!! All I can say is Thank God!
So in honor of all of the High Rockers who took that next step in their walk, I have decided to upload a live video of one of my favorite Needtobreathe songs "Washed By The Water". I hope you enjoy it!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Bless Your Name
Great New Song from North Point! Can't wait to sing it with all my High Rock family!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sacrifice, Part 2
Last Monday I posted a blog in honor of the men and women who have given the greatest sacrifice they could for our wonderful country. As I was typing it, God brought something to mind. I decided to hold it off for another post because I wanted to focus on those who have served our country and died for it on Memorial Day.
As I was typing, God continually reminded me of the sacrifice He made for me. I begin to think more about it. The sacrifice American soldiers make day in and day out is a beautiful picture of what Christ did for us. He left the comforts of home and traveled to the place of need, He gave up the luxuries of home and became a servant, He fought a battle which most of us know little about, and He gave his life for the freedom of others! The cost was high, and He was willing to pay it.
Today I challenge you to consider the sacrifice Jesus made for us and ask yourself, am I living a life worthy of that sacrifice? Freedom is never free, but by the grace of God we have received it. Now it is up to us to decide what we will do with it.
Thank You, Lord for paying the price that I could never pay! May I never forget Your sacrifice and may I never forget that I need to follow Your example.
As I was typing, God continually reminded me of the sacrifice He made for me. I begin to think more about it. The sacrifice American soldiers make day in and day out is a beautiful picture of what Christ did for us. He left the comforts of home and traveled to the place of need, He gave up the luxuries of home and became a servant, He fought a battle which most of us know little about, and He gave his life for the freedom of others! The cost was high, and He was willing to pay it.
Today I challenge you to consider the sacrifice Jesus made for us and ask yourself, am I living a life worthy of that sacrifice? Freedom is never free, but by the grace of God we have received it. Now it is up to us to decide what we will do with it.
Thank You, Lord for paying the price that I could never pay! May I never forget Your sacrifice and may I never forget that I need to follow Your example.
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