on the sixth day...

"Oh! Precious is the flow,That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus"

Nothing But The Blood- Robert Lowry

I have grown up understanding that blood is gross. Blood is not a good thing, on a scale of good to bad it would be bad. Never had I considered terms like "lifeblood" or "getting the blood pumping" as actually having anything to do with blood. No way, Jose.

But we'll get back to that soon.

This past weekend I had the privlege of going to Hornby with my youth group on a retreat. For those of you who don't know where Hornby is, seriously now, it is four hours and two ferry rides north of Duncan. I'm surprised at how often I am surprised to find I'm still in Canada...aren't hippy islands extinct?

It was an amazing weekend to really build into the kids, love them, teach them what little knowledge a could, but mainly to just come alongside them in fellowship...Godly, wholesome fellowship. We journeyed through enchanted forests, stood on bluffs carved out by towering waves, laughed as we refused to fall asleep, and drank the blood of Christ in a serene beach setting.

As a leader on trips like these you come into it hoping for change for the students, what you don't expect is God working in you. I know that sounds weird but I've been guilty of weirder things. If you've been reading my previous posts you realize that my youth has delegates from all social parties, and yet they become one...almost like a body, where have I heard that before? I am slowly finding my place in this body - and it has been extremely rewarding.

So what about blood?

Our devotion and Bible study times have revolved around the fact that God loves them infinetely more than they know. So much so that the blood of Jesus was shed, simple stuff...right? We seldom mention how that blood cleanses us, how we are washed with the fount that is Jesus. We neglect the very thing that was intended by the action - we neglect freedom.

From my very first solo time during Spiritual Formation to quiet time I squeezed in during the retreat, the song Nothing But The Blood has been on repeat in my head. The truth of that song has been present during times of anger, times of frustration, times of peace and great joy, and times of confusion. I am not washed by the acceptance of others, nor by the praises of brothers and sisters in Christ. For only one act, call it substitutionary propitiation, call it an incomprehensible act of love...whatever, bottom line is that this saturates our whole life and, when fully surrendered too, leaves no stone unturned.

What is God teaching me, I think I'm suppose to meditate on that for a while, but I left this weekend being encouraged both directly and indirectly. I cannot thank you enough for the prayers I have received from you who continue to hold my youth and myself in prayer. I am continually amazed by the tangible difference prayer has made this year. God is so good, and I am tagging along for the ride, I look forward to letting you know how it goes. Until next week.

Jake