This Could Be Your Lucky Day

Do you believe it? Do you think you deserve a lucky break? Or does it seem like the odds are against you? Sometime life feels like it's governed by some random luck-granter. This month we even have a holiday to celebrate that elusive form of good fortune (well, that and little green leprechauns). But is there really such a thing as good luck? Is it possible to run out of luck? Find out why nothing happens by chance when Jesus is around, and why you'll be in luck if you're coming to SpringHill this summer. There are reviews and fun stuff in this issue of Bounce, too. Check it out!

News @ SpringHill Camp 44°

Crud wars, paintball, the zipline, adrenaline-packed rallies with awesome live bands, the Spirit Stick, the looooongest waterslide, friends and counselors who find their way to your heart and stay there - have you registered for the greatest summer of your life? Or, if you've been there, done that, live on the edge (literally) on an Alpha Expeditions trip. Climb some big rocks in Pennsylvania or join the awesome Adventure Race in Northern Michigan. Get all the details on our website.

Experience loads of wild-and-crazy SpringHill fun...with one of your parents! That's right, you can get mom or dad down the zipline or running for cover in the paintball field at one of our Parent/Child Retreats this spring. Plus, you'll have some solid one-on-one time together. You can't beat it!

Thank Your Lucky Stars

...if you're coming to SpringHill this summer, that is. Do we ever have an awesome time planned for you at Camp 44°! Here's a little rundown of what you'll get out of a week at New Frontiers:

The Theme: Fine lads and fair maidens, the King of the Hill doth requesteth thy presence at the merry faire to partake in feasting, dancing and knightly games and challenges. (In case you're not catching on, we're going medieval this summer.)

The Focus: Get into the life of a real king. David. He messed up; he came clean. He messed up; he came clean. He messed up; he came clean. God never gave up on him. He went from little shepherd boy to powerful king. You might say he was lucky. Truth is, he was loved. Get the whole story here.

The Fun: Take all the regular bigger-than-life stuff: zipline, waterslide, skate parks, paintball, horses, gusher, blob. Throw in a couple new things: lacrosse major, more boats on Rose Lake, killer new auditorium. Add a little friendly competition for the Spirit Stick, night after night of Real Life (with heart-thumping live bands), and a big medieval bash. Okay, this is not just fun. This is take-your-breath-away, nothing-else-like-this, mind-bending fun. Trust us.

The Alternative: If you've done New Frontiers and you're looking for a whole new summer experience that's still full of the kind of heart-altering fun we describe above, with stuck-for-life friends and counselors, try Alpha Expeditions. Each trip is a totally unique, outdoor, small-group bonding, leadership building, "I didn't know I could do this" experience that you just can't reproduce anywhere else. Curious? Click here.

When Your Luck Runs Dry

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, 'Friends, haven't you any fish?' 'No,' they answered. He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!'" -John 21:4-7a

The disciples just weren't having much luck. They were all experienced fishermen, but the morning hadn't yielded a single fish. A stranger's (Jesus, but they didn't know that yet) voice broke the morning stillness. Throw the nets over the other side of the boat? What? That doesn't make much sense at all.

Here we see Jesus turning a frustrating, hopeless situation into a revelation of himself to his disciples. Note how extremely determined and orchestrated the interaction is: Jesus knows exactly what he's saying and why. The disciples must have thought Jesus was crazy. After all, the water on one side of the boat is the same as the water on the other side. No fish means no fish. The disciples were preoccupied with their terrible "luck": so much so that they didn't even recognize their Lord. How often it is that we as Christians do the same! We spend our time worrying about our problems and our circumstances when Jesus is right in front of us!

Luck is meaningless next to Christ. Nothing happened by chance that day on the water, and nothing has changed. Jesus intended to display himself to his disciples in a miraculous way -- he desires this for us as well. Whether we have the eyes and anticipation to see our Lord when he's right next to us or not, God is in the business of revealing Himself in beautiful and incredible ways.

Think about this: When you feel like the odds are against you, where do you turn for help? Are you more likely to grumble and complain or to look for God in a tough situation? The next time you "run out of luck," be sure to take a look at who's standing on the shore.

Now Playing

Ripen by Shawn McDonald: What do you get when you throw a little Jack Johnson, Damien Rice and David Crowder in a bowl? McDonald's new release gives a refreshing boost to the basic singer-songwriter act. If you're into honest lyrics and creative musical output, you'll dig Ripen. Check out the album on Shawn McDonald's website.

Worship Vol. 1: Stand For You by Tree63: One of Christian music's favorite groups is back with a great worship album. After some band member and style changes, Tree63 and frontman John Ellis are putting a new twist on the Christian worship experience. Don't miss the new album! Check it out on the Tree63 website.

Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect. 
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I do not believe that the Good Lord plays dice.
-Miguel de Cervantes

You've Got To Be Kidding

» St. Patrick was born in Britain, not Ireland.

» New York's St. Patrick's Day parade is the longest running civilian parade in the world.

» The shamrock is a traditional symbol because Saint Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to represent how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could exist as separate elements in the same entity.

» Barbers are usually closed on Wednesday in Thailand because Thai people think it will bring bad luck to cut their hair that day of the week.

» It is generally considered bad luck to put a hat on a bed. (Seriously, people believe this.)

If you know a strange fact you'd like to share. Email us!