Spring Break to Spring Snow?

I was looking forward to taking some students rappelling on Saturday. Smelling the fresh spring air, feeling the warm sun on my face, all while standing on top of a cliff helping students challenge themselves. Well, with a crazy chance of spring snow here in Oklahoma, this weekend is not panning out the way I had planned. At least we had beautiful weather last week for our Spring Break trips.

We spent 9 days in the Wichita Mountains talking to students about the love of Christ. One of our staff members, Chris Johnson, a recent OBU graduate, had a great discussion with a student. We had just gone climbing and we were back at camp in the late afternoon. Some students were throwing the Frisbee, others were getting cleaned up from the day’s activities, and some were relaxing on the picnic tables enjoying the spring warmth. Chris and a student were down by the lake hanging out and the student told Chris about the challenges he had in his life and with his friends. Chris was able to talk to him about these struggles and help him figure out how God would want him to handle this situation.

That is why we do what we do!! Thank you Father for putting a man of God like Chris there at the right time to talk to that student in his time of need.

Shane Seaton

Spend Some Time Outside

Since the beginning of time God has used His creation to draw people close to Him. Whether searching for answers, preparing for ministry, or looking for rest, people have gone to the wilderness to meet with God. The Isrealites were forced to wander in it, David spent most of his early life in it and frequently returned to it in his later years and Jesus spent a month in it before starting his ministry.

Time spent in nature is time spent with God. You can not encounter creation without encountering the creator. All of creation shouts His praise! A poet once wrote:

"I stand amidst the grandeur of trees that have grown for years,
My eyes can hear a symphony that is silence to my ears.
Creator of everything, but He is much more than that!"

When did you last walk in the woods talking with God? Sit quietly by a stream enjoying Gods' presence? With Spring and Summer upon us, there is no better time to get outside. Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist and Jesus had their hearts encouraged and talked openly with God through time spent in His creation. Give it try and see what happens.