On our Origin beach retreat, "REhab", for our final service we had four stations set up on the beach. We started with a meal at this great little Italian place called Grazie then we went back up to the condo for a candlelight service where I talked about leaving room in your life for God to interrupt. We get so routine from time to time that we may walk right past the burning bush and completely miss the voice of God. God speaks to us in creative ways I think we often may miss it because we aren't expecting it or we stay so busy that we're not open to His interruptions. I pray... "God speak and do it as often and creatively as you like. I for one, would LOVE to hear a donkey speak." (Balaam) After the talk we split everyone into groups of four. I asked them to share with each other what God had spoken to them and pray with their groups for a short period of time, until their group was called.
The night was amazing and here's a short run down of the events on the beach, following the talk and the group prayer.
Station 1- REflect: We set up a mirror and at the bottom were pictures of each person taken at some point on the retreat. We asked them to reflect on what God had said to them that weekend
Station 2- REconnect: Here we set up a little hut on the beach which was kinda lie a meeting place. We wanted them to feel that they were about to have a conversation with God...
and they did. We had written letters from "God" to each person. These letters were carefully prayed over and written to speak to each person on a personal and individual level. They were very specific. This was a very motional time for most.
Station 3- REpent: We placed a cross on the sand at waters edge. We had placed a container of dissolvable paper in a basket with some pencils. We asked each person to write down there sins and things they wanted to abandon or abolish from their life. After writing this they each walked to the water and threw it in the ocean as tide moved in and out. When those sins fell in the water they dissolved into an ocean that seemed to go on forever. That little piece of paper would never be seen or remembered again.
Station 4- REunion: Here we had placed a communion table on the beach with elements. We asked each person to partake in communion. What a perfect way to end the perfect service in the perfect place.
Cool band. They have a really good sound from their vocals to their instrumentation. Its a pretty "guitarish" sound but its worth at least checking it out even if you're not into guitars (whoever that one person in America may be). Love love love, "I Need You". All you 333'ers... expect to hear it soon.
We have our annual beach trip coming up the end of the month for Origin and I cannot wait. Last year God did some amazing things and it was really just an awesome time of fun and spiritual REnewal. Our theme last year was "REfocus; REfuel" and both of those things occurred in me.
There's just something about the beach that brings me back to center and allows me to get rid of the things I need to let go of and to bring my attention back to the place where's its really needed. Honestly though... how could a place this beautiful not do that for everyone? We do not slack on this trip. We stay in one of the nicest complexes in Destin, Florida. The beaches are absolutely amazing and the weather is perfect this time of year.
