Camp June 1, 2010

Hey girls!

If you’ve been coming to the Current or River’s Edge the past couple of weeks, you’ve seen some of the top ten reasons to come to camp video countdown. If you’ve missed any of the videos, you can see them here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/longhollowstudents?v=app_2392950137&ref=ts

So I’ve been inspired to come up with my own list of ten things I absolutely love about camp. Here it goes!

10. Paintball! The whole getting hit and bruised thing isn’t my favorite. But this is the one time I ever play paintball, and it’s an essential part of camp for me.
9. Chick-fil-A! On the days when you’re getting tired of camp food, it’s nice to have God’s favorite fast food on standby.
8. No parents or brothers! Being away from the family is nice sometimes. But this year both my dad and my brother will be going to high school camp with me… so we’ll have to see how that goes J
7. A whole lot less drama! It’s weird how not having cell phones or face book makes everyone get along better.
6. The water park! Sun, water, and hanging with the girls- it doesn’t get better than that!
5. Group cheers! I don’t know how they do it, but the guys always manage to come up with the greatest skits ever. And the bar just keeps getting higher. It starts the mornings off right!
4. Family groups! Camp has given me relationships with girls younger and older than me that I still love to talk to. It’s always cool to watch your group come together through the week.
3. Incredible and intense worship! When you choose to remove the distractions and fill that gap with God, and when you’re in a forest in the middle of nowhere, you can’t help but see God. Praising Him comes so naturally at camp.
2. The giant swing and the zip line! The butterflies you get in your stomach right before you step off the platform are the greatest. It’s such a rush, and there’s no other feeling quite like it!

And finally……

1. Hearing from God! God will speak. He will show up. And He will move. Camp is always an awesome time to focus on your relationship with God and to grow. You can’t get away from Him, and if you are open to what He has to show you, you will never be the same!

If you have any questions about camp, go to www.longhollow.com < http://www.longhollow.com>  or call 824-4006. I want to invite you to go- I promise you’ll have a blast and learn so much! See you there!

~Paige

Romans 12:2- ” Therefore, do not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of God’s will- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

*MoNdAy’S w/ MiKaELa* May 24, 2010

How many more days of school do you have left?  I have 2 days. 2 days- That’s it. Some of you might have a week left, some of you have 4 days left, some of you have 3. We are all at the end, the closing of this school year. This is our last TAIL END CHANCE to impact our friends before summer or even forever. What can we do in these next few days to prepare for the end?

1. Perservere.

Have strength, but give it all towards your goal of being a light of Christ. In Hebrews 12:5 it says that “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

2.  Be intentional.

Write down a friends that God wants you to make a mark on. After you have asked God to reveal them to you, ask God to put a desire in your heart for them to know Christ.

3. Invite to Camp.

There isnt a better way to end a conversation with summer plans., Long Hollow’s Youth Camp. Telling them about how camp is so  exciting and life changing, is  a great way to follow up this summer.  (If you haven’t signed up yet you can sign up at http://www.longhollow.com/events/details/188 )

I pray that the Lord will put His guiding hand on your daily encounters at school. Be strong with Him finishing this year off with a BANG. Could you imagine if all our lost friends were to know Christ this week. God is a BIG god of BIG dreams. Make your dream for your lost friends to know Christ, even if you only have just a few days.

Have a great day!

*M*

Fearless! April 15, 2010

Hi Girls! Its Mikaela! Just got back from an amazing mission trip to Atlanta, GA with the High School Ministry. While we were there we had the opportunity to see different cultures as well as be with the different cultures. Every afternoon we would spend 4-5 hours with kids in different apartment complexes around the international village. All of the kids were from a different nationality. In the time we had with them we played games, sang, had snacks, made crafts as well as one of our students would teach a bible story. It was such an blessing to be apart of those kids lives for a few days.

The apartment ministries was just one of the many things we did: we cleaned the church where we stayed, went to a soup kitchen and served, visited the international village, attended the Braves game, ate at The Varsity, played basketball till midnight, went to the Chick-fil-a Headquarters, and had special share times each night. During the day everywhere we went we used 15 passenger vans. The very first night we went to a soup kitchen. Atlanta traffic is really bad so it took us twice as long to get to the soup kitchen so we had a little extra time on our hands… literally. We plugged someone’s ipod up to the radio and just started singing random songs, eventually we landed upon Taylor Swift’s Fearless. Shannon Self, one of our new high school pastors, was driving. Soon enough he got into the song and every time Taylor would say ‘Fearless’ he would hold up the ‘heart sign’ made with your hands. We all started following his lead. Then every time after that van ride we would listen to Fearless and do the same thing. It kind of caught on to everyone throughout the week as a inside joke. But at share time one night Brittany Cox read a verse that had the word fearless. We thought it was so cool how God could make such a repeated hand sign the center of our week, spiritually and in a secular song. Here is an email Paige Elliott sent out to some of the girls after the mission trip explaining what Fearless really meant for her this past week.

“One of the things i learned this week and wanted to share with all of you had to do with our theme song for the week, fearless. brittany- thanks for speaking up and saying something about being fearless, because it really got me thinking.ephesians 6:19 says: Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Just thinking through each line in the chorus of the song really made me think about my relationship with my Heavenly Prince:

And I don’t know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me headfirst, fearless
And I don’t know why but with you I dance
In a storm in my best dress, fearless

it really doesn’t get better than where we were this week, feeling so in the center of God’s will. feeling like that’s really what we were supposed to be doing that week. that feeling is the best, when you are so close to God like i felt this week, and like i hope you did too. God leads us into the unknown, asks us to take His hand and dive in head first. Those moments of total surrender are when we’re fearless. Sometimes faith seems crazy to others, like they have no idea why we’d do that. When we are at our best, and in the storms of life, dancing in the arms of the King of kings is the best place to be.

Fearless.

~paige”

Paige Elliott, Sophomore

Hope you girls are having a great week! Continue to fall at the feet of the Lord, surrendering everything, then trusting him to do whatever he has called you to do, doing it fearlessly. Because with Christ you are FEARLESS <3

*M*

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Thinking… March 4, 2010

I was hanging around at my house the other day, and generally when I do that I do a lot of thinking. Generally when I do this I think about my day, or what is going on the next weekend, or trivial things like that. This day, however; was different. On this day, in the middle of January, I was thinking about how things change. When I look back over the last year it is hard to believe that the time flew by so fast and also on the other hand that some of the things I went through were only a year ago, when they seem like they were forever ago. It’s really an interesting thing to think about. But what is more interesting, and also very scary I might add, is thinking about the future.

A year a go I was not driving, I didn’t have a twitter, I wore a lot of black, and my brother lived at home, while these may seem like silly or pathetic situations to think about it is true. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of difficulties in 2009. It wasn’t all peaches and cream. As I thought about these I was faced with the eye-opening realization that I definitely do not have it all together. I need God now more than ever. I can’t control everything about my life. Even though I try to go through life on my own I will fail eventually. I am human. Sue me. I’m going to mess up.
The Lord says to be the best me I can be. Colossians 3:23 tells us that in anything and everything we do we are to do as if we are doing it unto the Lord. When I think about this it sort of puts a few things in perspective. I do not have it all together, and no one does except the Lord. So when life hands you something that throws you off balance, stand on the Rock. (He’s got the whole world in His hands….)

Tons of teens my age are just like me in that they worry about the future. I constantly have to remind myself that God is in control. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself…” Mat. 6:34. Thinking about the past year and the changes that went down really made me nervous about the next year, and the next, and the next, but I can’t be worried about it. The Lord has got it in control. It’s also refreshing to hear about the times when God alters people’s plans and leads the to do something they could not even dream of. I want to be that girl. I want to be the girl that gives everything to God, and by doing that submit all worries, cares, and goals to the Father so that he can do big things through me. The way I think we can do this is by doing everything as if we are doing it for the Lord.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

~Kelsey Lovingood-11th grade~

*MoNdAy’S W/ MiKaELa* … on Wednesday. OOPS! March 4, 2010

Sorry its 2 days late!

Steve

Sunday a close friend introduced me to Steve. It was an experience and encounter I’ll never forget. All I said to Steve when he said hi was hi, back. Then is when my encounter with God embarked upon me. Steve started telling me about how Christ changed his life for the better one night before! Steve told me how Long Hollow had happened to him, how gracious his friends were to him. He was so excited to be there. Holding his bible while taking to me, I stared in awe of our worthy King of praise.

Steve kept going. He told me how many people he met, how Christ gave him the last bit of strength to prevail until he met the real Him. Steve told me that a few days before He was depressed and by his facial expressions, man was he ALIVE now. His eyes were lit, hands folded upon the bible which he now held pride in, his smile which was wider than 12 inch sub at Subway, it was that REAL. There wasn’t something just different about Steve. He was the difference God has created. He possesses that crooked smile of the healed joy within Him.

Steve’s story is amazing from abandonment to reckless peace of acceptance through Christ. Steve was washed clean as snow and in his presence you can see the white covering of faith tucked away in his eyes. The fire burning within him is real. I desire the real, real.

This accountancy happened so fast but so slow. I remember thinking this is the one true God everyone is looking for in life. Steve came on Wednesday night that same week. With his bible carried high and smile swung wide, he came to learn. Within his eyes he possessed a yearning passion to soak up every bit of wisdom and intelligence to shine through him the next day at school.

How may you ask this happened?  Steve saw God’s face. He had a face-to-face encounter with Christ, saw his sin, and surrendered. Within four days he has impacted so many. He has the passion to glorify Him. Why can’t we have that passion?

PRIDE. You see Steve didn’t care one bit how I thought of him when he told me his story on Sunday. He didn’t know me from Kalamazoo, but he still told his story, the story that will change many more. Steve laid his pride aside when he gave his FULL life to Christ. Should we turn back around and surrender ALL? Laying our pride aside might be hard to do, but if you desire the passion Steve has it’s a requirement that only you can do.

Thinking about Steve has me realizing the unimportant principles in life. Life is not something we should try to win. Life is not a game. Life is an enduring passion for a holy flame lit inside to shine brighter than the sun itself. And that is what Steve has, Life with a meaning of a kingdom above calling your name in the tone of love.

Heres some verses about what Steve showed me:

Psalm 36: 9
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Luke 11:35
See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Love you girls! Have a great rest of the week!

*M*

Trial by Marki Lewis January 21, 2010

What is a trial? According to Merriam Webster a trial is a test of faith, patience, or stamina. What does the bible say about trials? God puts them in our life to test our faith (kind of like the definition). Have you ever wondered why He put them there though? I know I have. I found myself asking why me, when I should be asking God to work through me. We may feel stuck at some point, and think that we can’t do anything to spread God’s glory, but we can! We have neighbors, parents, siblings, and friends. All of these people we can reach! My question is, are we going to let God use us in a way that could bring more people to him? My prayer for each of you this week is to step up at school, and not think of the hallways as a place to run through and dodge people on your way to class, but to think of them as mission fields.

Though we may be suffering from a trial right now, God is going to renew us and use us in a miraculous way! We just have to let him, and trust in him. Here are some verses that I read earlier this week and have helped me:

1st Peter 12-13.
1st Peter 5:10

I love you girls, and I’m praying for you, and if you ever need to talk, I’m here!

Marki Lewis, Sophomore in High School

*MoNdAy’S W/ MiKaELa* January 12, 2010

Hey Girlies!

Lately, I have been catching myself talking too much and not listening to the people who want to have a conversation with me. It’s something I think a lot of girls struggle with.

Can I relate this with God? Do we talk over God’s voice in our prayers? Do we talk so much; we end our prayer without listening to him?

We can listen to God through so many things. Through the worship, through encouragement, through a storm in your life, through reading the bible, we can hear him. But have you ever thought you can listen to him in the silence, if you just give Him a moment. He is enthralled with you and He wants to tell you He loves YOU. If we just listen sometimes, rather than talk, we can hear His direction and discover the unending love for us. He’s just that amazing!

Job 34:16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.”
Proverbs 8:6 ”Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.”

Love you!

*M*

~TUESDAYS. with. CAITIE. ~ December 15, 2009

“God is Our Helper.”

Happy Tuesday! This week, i was reading through Psalms, and came across a few passages, and they really stuck out to me. They were about calling to God for help, in times of need. See, a lot of times, when we’re in a deep hole, in need of some help, the last person we turn to is God. We try to get advice from every other person. But in the end, the only one who can really and truly help us, is God.

Psalm 121:1 and 2 says, “I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.”

God WANTS to help us! And ultimately, He has the answer to our problems. We sometimes just need to humble ourselves, and ask Him to show us what we need to know. So, as you go throughout the next few weeks, we are all bound to have problems sometimes, right? Well instead of going to others for advice firsthand, try praying, reading through your bible, or just simply talking to God and asking Him to help you through whatever it is you are going through. Not to say asking others for advice is wrong by any means. In fact, others opinions are good! But if you come and talk to God first, he will certianly bless you because of it Whatever your problem, God can, and will get you through it!
Have a GREAT week!!
-Caitie (:

*MoNdAy’S W/ MiKaELa* December 14, 2009

HEY HEY HEY!

What Can You Give?

Around this time of year we hear “‘Tis the Season to Give.” Most of the time we just buy presents to give to our relatives, friends, and family because that is what is expected of us. But honestly, are we giving with the spirit that God had when He gave His only son?

He was in love with His son. Yet, He loved us to give Him. He gave with a spirit impacting this world.  This spirit and love possessed was elegant, trusting, humbling, awe powerful, but calm. He didn’t bring His son in with a big lightning bolt or storm or riding in a chariot. He was born in a barn, where most of us would cringe at the thought of being born in one. But OUR KING WAS! Gallantly wrapped in swaddling clothes with the shining star above. God gave us the symbol of this star.  The star symbolizes to shine His light by the example of giving. Our King gives with a passion for us. Can we give with a passion for others?

Giving what you don’t need, is not giving. It may be handing down, but not giving. Jesus was God’s ONLY son, and God gave Him. Can we give our ONLY hope, love, light, and savior this Christmas season?

Just dream. Imagine if we took the love of our savior to the christmas dinner table? Sharing the blessings he has poured over you this pass year. Imagine if you took the light to a homeless shelter with pans filled with a hot dinner. Imagine if with unity, we cared about our community and friends, truly sharing His hope. Imagine if we give what we ONLY have.  Imagine the glory God will receive! Imagine the community we would have! This is what Christmas is all about, giving what we ONLY have, the story of our King, the one who gave His ONLY for US.

Have a FABULOUS Christmas!
*M*

FEAR December 9, 2009

Hey everybody! I am Caitie Hurst, and i am a sophomore at beech high school. I hope God will use this blog for a great purpose, and that you will get something out of this blog every week! This week’s Tuesday topic is fear…something we all deal with!

All of us have probably had some point in our lives where we’ve been afraid to do something. It’s just part of life! There are a lot of different things we’ve been scared of, but God tells us to trust Him, and He will guide us, and walk us through the things we are fearful of.

“Where God’s Love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.”
-1 John 4:18
God loves us so much, to where He will definatley help us through whatever our fear, if we jsut let Him. You may just have to take a leap of faith, and trust that God will catch you…because He will!

“Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them and don’t be frightened, because the lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.”
-Dueteronomy 31:6
It doesn’t matter who or what you’re afraid of. God is SO much bigger than any of that. You can’t overcome any of your fears on your own, but with God’s help, you for sure can

“The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you, he will not leave you nor forget you. Don’t be afraid, and don’t worry. “
-Dueteronomy 31:8
So what is it that you’re afraid of? Is there someone God put on your heart to witness to, but you’re scared to do it? Is there something you know God is calling you to do, but you’re afraid to answer his calling? This week, pray and ask God to help you through whatever it is you might be scared to do, because our God is so great, that He will lead you through absolutley anything you are going through…anything, that you are afraid to do. Have a fantastic rest of the week
-Caitie

“For the Lord has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” 2 timothy 1:7