All You Need Is Love

Love is . . . well, lots of things. It's hard to explain, though, isn't it? But, what about this: love is essential. Think about it, people need love in order to function, be healthy, and find fulfillment and purpose. Newborn infants even need love and affection to survive! A millionaire businessman, a lawyer, a mom or a toll booth operator: everyone needs love.

So why, if holidays are even created around it, do some people seem to live without real love in their lives? What is love, anyway? Who buys all those candies and roses on Valentine's Day? Learn all these things and more (like why the band Sevenglory just can't get enough of this place) in this issue of Bounce. We'd just love if you'd read it!

News @ SpringHill

Crud wars, paintball, the zipline, adrenaline-packed rallies with awesome live bands, the Spirit Stick, the gusher, friends and counselors who find their way to your heart and stay there - have you registered for the greatest summer of your life? Get all the details on our website or call us at 231-734-2616 and we'll send you a SpringHill Summer 2006 registration packet. 

If you know SpringHill is the place to be this summer and you want a great way to show and tell your friends, throw a Blast in a Box party! Sign up to host and we'll send you great stuff, like S'more fixings, balloons, streamers, wristbands and more, to help ensure that your party is a blast! (In the box, you'll also find details on how you and your friends can enter to win a free iPod. Don't miss it!)

In February and March at Camp 44°, we have Junior High Winter Retreats! Experience life-changing messages, live bands and loads of wild-and-crazy, snowy fun. Get your youth group on board and get out here! Or, how about one of your parents? Participate in a Parent/Child Retreat this spring and get your mom or dad down our zipline. Now, that's something to see!

Up Close and Personal with Sevenglory

Check this out! Many of you know of the band Sevenglory from their numerous appearances at SpringHill. Well, this month we caught up with Gabe Johannes, Sevenglory's drummer and overall cool guy. Here's some of what we chatted about...

Bounce: Thanks for sitting down with us, Gabe. We caught you during a busy spell. Want to explain?
Gabe: Actually, yes. The guys and I just moved into a new house in Valparaiso, Indiana, and we're in the middle of painting and doing the usual move-in thing.
Bounce: Sounds like fun. A smart time to do it, too, huh?
Gabe: For sure. Winters are usually slower for bands like ours. No private jets and all.
Bounce: Maybe someday! But in the meantime I hear there's a particular camp you guys like to frequent.
Gabe: SpringHill has been an awesome opportunity and ministry for us over the years.
Bounce: How did Sevenglory discover SpringHill? Was it love at first sight?
Gabe: More or less. Those old-school SpringHillers will remember a band called Fishers Net (now AM Drive) that played SpringHill back in the day. We heard about the camp through them.
Bounce: Why keep going back? I mean, aren't there a ton of other things an up-and-coming band like yours has to do?
Gabe: Sure, life is busy, but SpringHill is a highlight for us. There is something almost indescribable about the place. We've made many good friends over the years, so going to SpringHill is like playing at home. We see many of the same campers and staff every time we go. The community is strong and exciting.
Bounce: Spending so much time on the road, it's probably a relief to be in places where people know your names and want to spend time with you, huh?
Gabe: Definitely. One of the biggest challenges for us as a band is staying grounded. SpringHill helps us do that. We're involved with the Vineyard church in Valparaiso, which is key for us. Staying in the word and involved with our church helps us focus and grow spiritually as a group. There's a lot out there that can rip apart those important commitments.
Bounce: Being involved in the music industry, you probably wrestle with what God wants for you and what the world wants. Would that be a fair assumption?
Gabe: Definitely.
Bounce: With that in mind, what ways does the band see God's love at work as opposed to the love the world offers?
Gabe: I suppose the most tangible way to explain it would be this: even if a gig goes incredibly well and we are well received as a band, even if we sell a lot of records or meet famous people, later on we find ourselves thinking, "That's it?" The excitement of being successful as a band eventually fades in view of the fulfillment that is ours in Christ. God's love surpasses the world's: it is deep and constant and unconditional.
Bounce: That's awesome. Thanks for talking with us. Good luck with the new album and all things musical. We'll look forward to seeing you again at SpringHill sometime.
Gabe: No problem. It was a real pleasure. Rock on.

What Is Love?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Why is it not surprising, when we look at the world around us, that there are many people living without love -- they're not receiving it, and they're not giving it. It's quite possible that they, like so many of us, are looking for love in all the wrong places. Love today is more about physical beauty, material possession, fame, popularity and success than it is about family, friendship, obedience and faith.

That's why we look to God's Word for the truth about love. Notice how each aspect of what love is seems to point us towards others? Jesus is our example of God's love. All you have to do is read the about His life in Matthew, Mark, Luke or John to see Jesus putting love to work. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, hung out with rejects and sinners. He showed us love so that we could know it. Now it's our turn to show this love to others.

Think about this: What do you think Jesus' kind of love would look like today? What passes for love instead? Where do we get our examples of love? What would it mean in your own life to show true love to others? Remember that God's love is free -- for anyone, anywhere, regardless of effort or good deeds. Study His Word and deepen your knowledge of His love. Then, go out and live that love to other people!

What You Said

While 30% of you said you need a fresh start at least once a month, and 17% say you could use one every day, 13% say it's never needed.

Over half of you agree that it's usually hard to leave sin behind.

What is love? 35% say joyful, 30% say feel good.

52% of you say you feel genuinely loved most of the time and 30% say all the time.

Knowing that Jesus is love makes you feel secure (57%) and excited (26%).

Now Playing

Testify from P.O.D.: The highly anticipated fourth album is finally here, and as rocked-out as ever. P.O.D., the band who opened the door for Christian influence in the secular mainstream, delivers a serious musical experience with Testify, it's newest and most acclaimed release. To check out this new album, click here.

Apathetic EP from Relient K: The favorite emo/punk rockers are back with a taste-test mini-album. Riding the wave of mmHmm, their earlier release, Relient K's Apathetic EP offers acoustic renditions of older songs and some other great tracks including an ode to C.S. Lewis' Narnia.To read more about this new release, click here.

Sevenglory fans: Be sure to look for reviews of their upcoming album in Relevant Magazine. Coming soon!