Refreshed

This past week was kind of a hard week for me in a lot of ways! But, it's over and I am feeling really refreshed and ready to take on the tasks of next week. I am thankful that God refreshes us when we need it most. Today has been good for me.

This past weekend was really good for me as well. Me, Jonathan, Jim, Brandon and Chris went up to Cohutta lodge and met with the youth group from my church back home. The band was playing for Spring Retreat and I got to tag along with them! It was so great to see Tina, Casey and Sadie Claire. I really miss them when I am at school!

It was so foggy on the mountain though the whole time we were up there that you really couldn't see anything. It's kind of a shame because the lodge is surrounded by some really gorgeous scenery! We still managed to get outside for a round of putt putt golf.

The sessions were mainly based around prayer and what blocks us from growth in Christ and from praying the way we should! I found it really amazing because you hardly ever hear sermons solely on prayer. And I don't think I have ever been to a summer camp or retreat that had the theme of prayer as the main topic! I realize that my prayer life is lacking. It is hard for me to get somewhere and sit and talk to God for a long time and just to focus on him. But, It really is something we should all do more of. It is amazing the strength it gives you and what it does for your relationship with Christ.

The weekend really spoke to me and made me evaluate things in my own life. It was good to be with my home church and my close friends again. I just really enjoyed it! It came at the right time. But, everything comes just in time with Christ. I hope this next week will not kill my refreshed spirit.

Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.