Challenge Update

Reconciliation. That has been a constant theme the last few days. What a powerful word that is. Reconciliation: to make something right, to make oneself no longer opposed, to re-establish relationship with. When God created Adam and Eve and gave them life in the fullest, they decided they wanted more. The completely rejected the rule God had for them and sinned against Him. Their act of rebellious disobedience caused a break in relationship. They were no longer in perfect unity with Christ. BUT the story doesn't end there. Genesis 3:15 is the fist foreshadowing of the the man who will make a way for that relationship to be reconciled.  Jesus will come and conquer sin & satan. Jesus humbling came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life and gave of himself for us. He took our sins, he became our sins ( 2 Cor. 5:21). He took our penalty of death upon Himself. Jesus has reconciled Himself to us. HOW COOL!

This theme has been an evident part of the way God has been working in students, leaders and even our speakers the last few days. I've seen students surrender to God, praise God for this reconciliation and be changed because of that. I've seen students realize some of their relationships with each other aren't at peace...and they reconcile those relationships. This morning one of the speakers spoke to the adult youth leaders about how God was molding and shaping him in this area. God is at work and it is so cool to see and be personally a part of.

This morning we continued on in the theme of getting rid of our old way of life and being hidden in Christ. (Col 3:5-11). We are made alive in Christ, we no longer our slaves to our sinful nature, but our slaves to Christ, to righteousness. Craig Cross did an excellent job conveying this to students this morning.  He has a ministry specifically to porn/sex addicts and spoke directly to the hearts of teens in this area. Check out his ministry website here. God is doing a work in our students. Pray for us as we process these intense messages from the word, pray that we would respond in surrender and obedience to our Savior.

Here are a few pictures of the last few days: