There were so many titles I wanted to call this entry, but then thinking on the way home from the retreat, why I don’t just call this entry Infinite Titles.
There’s no title that I can put to describe the weekend I had at this latest retreat. This weekend was one of the most glorious weekends ive ever had along with friends. This weekend I had plans, and Thank God, seriously, those plans all fell into place at the right times!! Im extremely thankful for that. Whether it be with the fellowship and friends of the band, or the alone time with Rosa and I, it was a good weekend, and I congratulate (I hope that sounds ok) God for the Great job he did this weekend, telling us to put on this great retreat for all the Young Adults.
I was so glad that there were a lot of new faces at this retreat. People I didn’t see or even realized they were there in the last retreat. From Tracey, to the Torres couple, Sophie, Eli, and others in our groups, it was my honor to meet yall and consider yall fellow Young Adults. We definitely shared a lot in our group, even though there were only 4 people in that group. I kind of felt more open in that little group than probably if I was in a big group.
As for the stations that the council put into place I did some of them. I really needed some time to think about how my life is now, how glorious it is now, and how valuable these moments I had this weekend were great. I really think those stations, played a pivotal part in this retreat. It was for everyone to “Check Yourself” and see where they were with God. What is in your future plans with God? What does he have for you, what is his plan that he has dealt you and will you follow it?
Friendships are there for the taking during this retreat, and sure enough I met some great friends I have never met. As I wrote earlier, Friendships are done on purpose, their not accidental. There Gods way of saying this friend is gonna play a part in your life, we just don’t know how. So it wasn’t an accident that I met those friends I wrote about earlier. These friends are now gonna play a part in my life, and I will truly try to play a part in theirs. Also another situation came up where friends need friends for comfort and friendship. I won’t mention the situation, but friends need to be there for other friends when there down, the devil attacks then and they need their good Christian Brother/Sister there for them, in their time of need. I was witness to this, this weekend. Now if that’s not a true friend who will be by your side when their sad or to lend then a shoulder to cry on, I don’t know what is.
When we come to praise and worship, in his house, we should be grateful that God has picked the right format for the worship songs. This was soooo evident on Saturday Night! This P and W service was beyond awesome!!!! Again, just like I told Rosa during the week, I broke down during this intense p and w service. Holy is Our King, really hit me again. And I saw it made lasting impact on other people. I just felt something that came over me during this; I also noticed that it really got to others too. I just felt his presence in the room. It was a great feeling.
Last night, when they were building the fire after it was going out, I was reminded of something. Rosa, you and I stepped another step, added a part to this “Friendship House” were building together on Saturday Night. I mean we had planned to spend time alone, and we certainly did. Along with the hay-ride(remind me to call the lawyers on Monday, lol) and that time we spent together(even though it was freezing outside and windy) I just felt that our relationship/friendship grew again, we stepped on another step on that ladder to success. We hugged, we laughed, and we probably shed some tears during praise and worship, you grabbing my leg when you were sliding on the trailer, lol, the cuddling (but with no hugging, lol) on the trailer because you were cold. I really enjoyed those moments with you and everyone else. I thank you for that.
You see, if I were to put that plan into action you read about in that entry I gave you, we would have NEVER met. Im glad I gave you the honors of ripping up some of my past. I was a past that I want to certainly forget. Cause I like the result that happened. I met you! And now I consider you one of my best friends, I hope you do the same. Thanks again! I hope you appreciate it! J
So all in all folks, this retreat was a great blessing to me and along with the other Young Adults. Its just like our shirts say, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of Man, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
We truly should get the approval of God, I mean he approved everything this weekend. The Approval of Friends, The Approval of Praise and Worship, the Approval of Our Speaker, the Approval of the Teachers, The Approval of the Camp, The Approval of having Rosa as my friend, The Approval of even the food. Maybe some people still have that mentality of proving and winning the approval of Man, but I hope this retreat made you realize that you truly should get not try to get the approval man, but of getting the MAIN approval of God! Cause of you Approve Him, he will approve your finances, your friendships/relationships, your family status, your schooling, your future family, your well being in the world and church, and even tell you your potential mate is.
So thanks all for a great retreat. I hope to see yall in April in Weslaco, were WE (The Southern District Council) put on our first retreat on over 10 YEARS!!!
Hope you enjoyed this entry! And God Bless!
-Johnny (Johnny 5) Herrera