Random Cat Fact

Kaylee (the cat) LOVES my roommate Leah. She loves Leah's room and hangs out in there and "helps" Leah with her studying (you know, when she's not helping Mom play on Facebook - Kaylee, not Leah).

Youth retreat, Part 1 - The schedule

So, as promised, here's my post on the youth retreat this past weekend.  Camp was fun. Everyone should go next year.  Actually, there will probably be a couple of posts. One just to summarize the weekend and then one or two more to discuss a few things in more detail.

Okay.  First of all, Echo Ranch Bible Camp is really one of the most beautiful places in the whole world. Seriously. It's about 30 miles from downtown Juneau and a 3-mile hike from "the end of the road." Even on the rainiest of Southeast Alaska days, it doesn't get much better than Echo Ranch.  And this weekend wasn't rainy at all! It was a gorgeous weekend with temperatures in the low 80's, so I hear (and believe).  So, the stage was set with beautiful weather in an amazing location.

Of course...

Of course, since I decided to start my little blog adventure, I'm going to be abandoning it for the weekend. But with good reason! I get to go hang out with over 60 teens and about 20 adults (plus the amazing staff) at Echo Ranch Bible Camp this weekend (if you're not familiar, you should check out their website and pictures)! And it's supposed to be sunny!

Never you fear, though! I shall be back in a few days with stories and pictures!

Jesus wept...

So, I was reading John 11 today. Well, technically, I was reading it yesterday, but since I haven't slept yet... But I was reading. And, of course, one of the most notorious verses in Scripture "Jesus wept" is in this section. Every Sunday School kid's cop-out when you have to quote a verse from memory. But today, as I was pondering, a couple of things stuck out to me. 

First, Jesus KNEW that in order for God's glory to be fully displayed in Lazarus' life, Lazarus has to die. Now, this comes shortly after Jesus heals the man born blind (see chapter 9) who had been blind (as I mentioned) his whole life so that God's work could be displayed! And a whole life is a long time to be blind, if you ask me. Lazarus was dead less than a week. But Lazarus wasn't some man he came across as he was teaching. When Mary and Martha send for Jesus, they say, "Lord, the one you love is sick." And when he didn't show up until after Lazarus' death, they both questioned his delay. But he knew something they didn't. God would receive all the honor and glory for Lazarus' healing. If he died. 

Second, even though he knows that Lazarus has to die, he's still moved to weeping (not just shedding a tear to be polite) by the pain his delay and Lazarus' death have caused. Jesus is fully aware that, despite the reason for the delay, his actions have, for the short term, caused his friends - people he knows and loves, and people who know, love and trust him - pain and heartache.  He hurt because his friends hurt. And he hurt because he knew he could have prevented it. And he hurt because no one there understood why he was really there.  And he hurt because he knew his death wasn't long in coming. And who knows why else... 

Jesus felt pain for his friends. He feels pain for us. Stuff happens. And there's a reason. It doesn't make it hurt any less, though. It's pretty sweet to think God isn't just saying, "Buck up, kid, it's all gonna be okay in the end!" When we feel pain, he feels it, too. He stands there with us while we cry and then he helps us walk through it. 

And sometimes, he provides a miracle.

So...

I'm starting a new job, going back to school, and otherwise just starting this new chapter of my life. So, what better time to start a blog, right? I'm not sure what this is going to look like yet. There will probably be random stories, pictures, Scripture things I'm studying, and who knows what else.

And with that, here we go!