C.O.G.

Okay, we're blogging, but obviously not very often. Sorry about that. I will try harder from now on.

The first weekend of the month our youth group attended C.O.G. (Centering On God). It is a state-wide youth retreat at the Nazarene campground, Pinecrest. It was an amazing weekend! God blessed us with terrific weather! Of course, we were inside most of the time, so we didn't get to enjoy it much.

Anyway, the weekend started Saturday night with a mini-concert by a band called "Same State". They were awesome! This is a picture of the band with our Kaitlin nestled in the middle. She was a big fan! They then led the 256-person audience in amazing praise and worship. They definitely set the stage for Jim Chapman (a.k.a. Big Chap), the speaker. His message was on being the one Jesus loves, and owning that label. Too many kids live with labels--goth, jock, short, fat, tall, skinny, goody-goody, bad girl, etc. We should own and live the label, "Hello, I'm the one Jesus loves." That's the only label that matters.

After the service, the kids had the choice of enjoying a bonfire, participating in games, or hanging out in their coffee house. Finally, we fell in to bed around 1 a.m. But, we were back up and at 'em enjoying breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The morning session was just as powerful as the night before. The audience was encouraged to be rid of their sins! YOU ARE FORGIVEN! So, Big Chap had us write what we wanted forgiven for on a sticky label, stick it to a rock, then literally cast that rock into the lake. They're forgiven and forgotten! Never to be seen again. Thank God!

The afternoon session was simply a prayer service. Prayer for us youth workers. How humbling that was!

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. I was so proud of our kids, too. Jake is now known as the Great Straw Caper of Mid-Missouri. Matthew gave about six guys a piggy-back ride. Kaitlin blessed me by being bold in her praises. Ethan and Monte touched me with some of their candid answers to discussion questions.

I am proud to be involved with these guys. They are such a good and neat group of kids! Each one is unique and special. I can't wait until the next event!

Please be in prayer for us as we host a youth service this Saturday night. Pray that our kids will be bold and invite everyone they come in contact with. Pray God will bring them in. And pray that God will change lives once they get in the doors of Iberia Church of the Nazarene. We will give God all the praise! Amen!