So we have Week One under our belt...how did it go? Jumping in with a food fast was a tough transition for me, but it truly did keep my thoughts and heart on Jesus.
Here are a few things I was reminded of last week as I struggled through the week trying to only eat 7 foods all week long. And let's face it, with Fall Retreat this past weekend I decided that my "7" would end on Friday. Praise, because no one wants to have me on a youth retreat without coffee. Ever. Ever. Ever. 1. It was harder than I thought it would be. I found myself really wanting things that "weren't on the list." Like, really wanting them. I thought about stopping on Day One. My head hurt so badly from caffeine withdrawal...and I'm sure I was a barrel of fun to be around. 2. It was simpler than I thought it would be. With only a few things to choose from, mealtimes were easy to navigate. We were also not eating out and having a "pantry-raid" at the same time. So we were at the mercy of whatever was in the cabinet and fridge. All this made food decisions really simple. 3. It was more intense than I thought it would be. I couldn't get away from my own wants. Feeling deprived because I didn't get my cup of joe in the morning? Please. Disappointed because I can't put sauce on my chicken? For real? None of this is worth me getting frustrated over and I found myself doing just that over and over again. I didn't make it past day one before I was thinking, "Poor me, no coffee or coke today, what am I to do?" (sigh) My own attitude, ego and privilege were staring me in the face. And that made me think real hard about Jesus.
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Yep, we are going to start it folks! October 9th will be our first night with The 7 Experiment at Oakmont Youth. This blog will be a mixture of: youths' stories about their own journey's with 7, thoughts from the theme each week, questions to ponder during the week my own 7 Experience with all it's highs and lows. (Especially no coffee...big time low) Parents and Church family...join us!! Look for details here on how to make The 7 Experiment a part of your whole family's life! Check back and walk with us on this journey to clear space in our lives and hearts for God's Spirit to move in us and through us all. Oakmont Youth will be going to New York to work with Greater Restoration Baptist Church at the Albany Housing Projects July 9-16. Come join us! We will stay at a local university and travel to NYC by train. For more info come to our brief informational meeting on May 1st at 5pm at Branches.
Here is a creative way to experience Lent. Take a photo a day based on the theme word for the day. Post on Instagram and tag us #oakmontyouth and you will see your pictures on the homepage! If you are not into photography or don't use Instagram try drawing or journaling the theme word for a creative alternative! Download the entire challenge here. This prayer from Frederick Buechner sums up my heart as we close down 2014 and look to what 2015 has in store for as as individuals and as the community of faith we call Oakmont.
May it bless your heart as it blessed mine. Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, be born again into our world. Wherever there is war in this world, wherever there is pain, wherever there is loneliness, wherever there is no hope, come, thou long expected one, with healing in thy wings. Holy Child, whom the shepherds and the kings and the dumb beasts adored, be born again. Wherever there is boredom, wherever there is fear of failure, wherever there is temptation to strong to resist, wherever there is bitterness of heart, come, thou blessed one, with healing in thy wings. Saviour, be born in each of us who raise our face to your face, not knowing fully who we are or who you are,knowing only that your love is beyond our knowing and that no other has the power to make us whole. Come, Lord Jesus, to each of us who longs for you even though we have forgotten your name. Come quickly. {From Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner} Today we checked in at Passport Missions 2, our mission project basexamp for the rest of the week! We are excited to find out about our work sites tomorrow morning and to spend the rest of the week engaging in the Atlanta community around Park Avenue Baptist Church. Check out the photos throughout the week as well. More tomorrow!! We had a great time today! The morning started off with worship at Passion City Church. The students were thrilled to have Brett Yonker (the worship leader from Student Life Camp) in the team leading worship at Passion City Church this morning! Great worship and a challenging message in a phenomenal worship space...that was our morning! After worship we went to Turner Field to watch the Braves play the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Braves didn't win but burners still a great game. We finished the evening with a trip to Atlantic Station for dinner and downtime. Tomorrow we will sightsee in the morning and check in with Passport Missions after lunch. The work starts then! It's been fun to relax and enjoy Atlanta for a few days before heading to the work site. Keep checking the website for updated photos!! Internet is limited at the church where we are staying but we will try to keep things current so you can keep up with us on our week in Atlanta!! We made it to Atlanta! Tonight we had dinner at he CNN Center and strolled around Centennial Park. Tomorrow we will worship at Passion City Church and watch the Atlanta Braves play the Arizona Diamondbacks! Enjoying a little fun and fellowship before the work projects start on Monday afternoon! Check back for pictures throughout the week!! What an incredible beginning to a wonderful week! Extreme Impact started off Monday morning with eager students ready to serve the Greenville Community. Youth will be serving in a variety of areas this week! You might see us at some of these places: Little Wille Center South Greenville Park 1400 Red Banks Road Greenville Community Shelters Oakhaven Nursing Home Food Bank of Eastern NC First Born God's Love Ministry and many more... Take a look at the photos from Monday and you will see the youth had a great time! Camp was fantastic! Created with flickr slideshow. Check out all the photos from camp (click photos)
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October 2016
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