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| Father's Heart 2015 |
- You
are loved and cherished by our Father in Heaven.(John 3:16-17; 1 John 3:16; Rom 8:37 – 39; Eph 2:4 – 5; Rom 5:8; Psalm 86:15)You are found favored always and forever. Therefore, never be discouraged by how you look or appear, by your past or present mistakes, by your weaknesses, or by your unfaithfulness. The Lord is open and merciful, gentle but fiercer than a lion’s roar, faithful and ever present.
- This
retreat is not the last retreat.There will always be a next one. Even if you cannot make it, there will be many more opportunities and chances for you to attend elsewhere.
- This
retreat was not the best one.I'm not inferring this retreat was not a good one; matter of fact, this was one of the best ones I went to. However, know that there will be many more retreats available in the future. The next one can potentially be better and more resounding in your personal growth and development. Do not be disappointed.
- Your
counselors and leaders have been praying for you.(James 5:16; Eph 6:18; 1 Tim 2:1; 1 Thess 5:16 – 18; Rom 15:30; Col 4:2)The leaders have spent countless hours thinking about you and praying for you. Perhaps, some will continue to pray for you until the Lord knows when.
- Your
counselors are broken people. (Rom 3:23; Isa 64:6; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:10 – 17; Proverbs 3:5 – 6)The leaders are not perfect. Your leaders have weaknesses, struggles, and personal issues. Your leaders are human beings, in flesh, wicked in sinfulness. But your leaders love God and they are searching for Him day by day, fighting the same fight you guys are fighting. They understand that they are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and they stand coheirs with Christ forever.
- Know
that your counselors are open.The counselors and leaders made a commitment to be open to you guys. Cherish your relationship and seek them in times of trouble or when you have questions. (However, always boy to boy and girl to girl.)
- You
have a church.
(Heb 10:25; Matt 18:20; 1 Cor 12:27; Rom 12:4 – 5; 1 Cor 12:12; Col 1:24; Eph 4:25; 1 Cor 12:12 – 31; Eph 4:11 – 13)Your church is open to you for a reason. You are a member of your church for a reason. You are blessed with a church. The church is committed to train you in righteousness. The church is an absolutely necessary outlet for all broken people. Your church [should] represent Christ. - You
are not alone. (Heb
12:1; 1 Tim 6:12)We’re all in this together. Fighting the same good fight. Running the same faithful race.
- You
can still meet up.Who said you guys can’t meet up? There’s always time for fellowship and community time. There’s always time for a one-on-one meal or coffee. Your counselors can make time to spend time with you. Use modern technology to your advantage – Skype or Google Hangout. However, maintain pure, holy, and righteous relationship. Avoid "emotional-high" status quo.
- This
is not the end.Anticipate in prayer, there’s more to come. ‘Nuff said.