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Who Needs a
Hand?
In the last issue of
Bounce, we asked whether you have ever served God by
serving others and 85% of you who answered our survey said
YES! Whether it's an organized service project in your
community or a church missions trip or simply lending a hand
to someone in need during the course of a regular day, serving
is a tangible way to be Christ's hands and show God's love to
others. In this issue of Bounce we talk to some
SpringHill counselors about the ways they serve God and look
more deeply at what being a servant is all about. You'll also
find out what SpringHill counselors are listening to and find
another opportunity to converse with your fellow campers on
the SpringHill myspace page. Hop in!
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News @
SpringHill Michigan
Now
that there's a winter chill in the air, it's time
to tell your youth leader about
our awesome 2007 Winter Retreats. Get your group to
SpringHill Michigan for heart-thumping live music,
captivating speakers and wild and crazy snowy
fun: February 23-25 and March 2-4, 9-11, 16-18 and
23-25. Ask your youth leader to visit the
Winter
Retreats page on the SpringHill website to get your group
on
board!
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Going Against the
Flow
"...whoever wants to become
great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be
first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many." -Matthew 20:26-28
Imagine how humbled Jesus'
disciples felt when he said these words to them. Afterall, no
living being has ever had more right to be served than Jesus.
Yet, that wasn't his goal. Jesus' whole life was devoted to
service, to putting others before himself. In today's "me
first" culture, it goes totally against the grain to purposely
put ourselves last, and yet this is what Christ is calling us
to do. When was the last time you took your mind off of
yourself and intentionally put someone else's needs before
your own? This is the kind of service God honors.
Think about
this: When are some times that you have to be first?
How often do you serve yourself before others? What could you
do to put others first?
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 | A SpringHill
Counselor Speaks Out
If you were at New
Frontiers this summer, you probably remember Craft Coordinator
Sarah Moore who had the unique privilege of seeing nearly
every camper that came to SpringHill in 2006. A junior and art
education major at the University of Nebraska, Sarah talks to
Bounce about how and why she serves and the
difference it makes in her life.
Bounce: What are some tangible ways you
serve God?
Sarah: I volunteer as an ESL
tutor and lead a women's Bible
study.
Bounce: Did you learn anything
about service while you were at
SpringHill?
Sarah: If you're serving
continuously, you are not able to do it on your own strength.
You have to pray a lot. Service is not something we're made to
do on our own. We can do it because of the grace, mercy and
love that God has shown to us.
Bounce: How
does serving God and serving others impact your own
life?
Sarah: It's the most fulfilling
thing I can do. I especially felt that when working with
campers with special needs. When I'm serving, I'm doing what
God has created me to do, so nothing could be more meaningful
and fulfilling.
Bounce: What advice
do you have for a camper who wants to
serve?
Sarah: God can use you no matter
where you are in your faith journey. Don't be afraid if you
don't feel like you have it all together. God wants to use you
and he will bless you through
it.
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SpringHill
Stunts
Last month, we gave you a tricky
rope-tying stunt to try. Did you figure it out? If not, are
you ready for the solution? Watch
the video now to see how it's done! (Or, if you missed the
email last month, click
here to see the challenge.)
Now for a new stunt! We call
this one The Inchworm. Here's what you
do:
1. Find a partner and sit
facing each other with your knees bent and your feet flat on
the floor.
2. Grab your partner's arms and slide your
feet under your partner so he or she is sitting on your feet.
Have your partner do the same thing.
3. Lift your body
up and back, taking your partner's feet with you. As you sit
back down, have your partner lift up and forward so
together you start moving in one direction.
With good teamwork and
coordination, you and your partner should be able to move like
an inchworm across the floor. Once you've practiced a little,
find some friends and have a race!
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Now Playing
Albatross from The
Classic Crime: Although SpringHill counselor Dan
Buckley loves the intense yet melodic modern rock sound of
this band, it's the message in the songs that keeps him
listening. The track "Flight of Kings" with its awesome,
soaring melody stands out for Dan because of the lyrics,
"...if your life is ever torched/Or if you know the pain I
sing/Then you will sing with me this chorus/And we will cut
through people's hearts and free them." Not only is there hope
in The Classic Crime's lyrics, but also encouragement that in
our weakness God can still use us for his glory. Read
an album review or visit
the album website to hear some tunes.
Fully Alive from
Flyleaf: On a first pass, you may be surprised that
this aggressive rock music is Christian. But one good listen
to the lyrics and it's undeniable that there's a life-giving
message in this music. One SpringHill counselor describes
Flyleaf as having an Evanescence-like sound with lyrics that
proclaim "how we can be fully alive in Jesus." Sound like a
winning combination? Listen to some tracks on the
band's website and decide for
yourself.
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I don't
know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the
only ones among you who will be really happy are those who
have sought and found how to serve.
-Albert Schweitzer
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world.
-Anne
Frank
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Talk About It
When
you serve someone, what are you expecting in return? A thank
you? A pat on the back? Recognition? Maybe even the chance to
see a life changed? If you don't get the response you expected
when you reach out to someone, how do you feel? Cheated?
Disappointed? Confused? In the article "You Ain't No Better Than Me,"
student Ed Gilbreath shares an experience in giving that
backfired - or did it?
Check out the story and then share your views on
our motivations for service on the SpringHill My Space page!
Go to myspace.com/springhillcamps
to talk about it with other SpringHill campers. Or, if you
have another question you'd like to discuss, email us.
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What You
Said
20% of you
say that you tell others about Jesus only if you feel like God
is really with you; 20% of you say that you don't tell
people in words, but rather in the way you live; and 20% say
that you would tell people but you don't know what to
say.
65% say that sometimes it's difficult to talk
about your faith; 20% say that it's always
difficult.
Thinking about sharing your faith as a way to love God and
others makes it easier for 55% of you to do
it.
How do you feel about your testimony? 40% say
blessed; 20% say bored; 20% are unsure; 10% say that
you don't have a testimony.
85% of
you have served either with your youth group or your
friends.
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