Taking SpringHill Home

Summer is in full swing at SpringHill. Already several TST teams have come and gone, Alpha Expeditions trips have made it to their destination and back, and many of you have gotten fired up about Jesus and the impact his life can make on yours. If you're still waiting for your stint at SpringHill, we're psyched for you to get here. If your weeks are already over, we hope you're finding ways to take the spark that was lit and get a fire going for Jesus back home. Don't forget to look for The Well every month throughout the school year. It's a great way to stay connected to SpringHill and to stay in the beat all year long! Check out this issue for a devo on a sneaky temptation, website reviews, news about retreats at SpringHill and a call for your SpringHill story. We want to hear from you!

News @ SpringHill Michigan

There's still time to experience the best weeks of summer twice! Register for a second session at SpringHill this summer and receive $100 off! Visit our registration page to check for availability and to register. To take advantage of this opportunity, please enter promotional code SS06 to receive your discount. For more information, call 231-734-2616.

Bring your whole family to SpringHill for an awesome weekend of Family Camp. Finish out the summer by flying down the zipline with your mom or ducking for cover in the paintball field with your dad or sending your little sister soaring off the blob. Have out-of-this-world fun and experience God in a real way with your whole family. It all happens here September 1-4! Check out all the details on our website. (Then, say to your parents, "Let's go to SpringHill!")

Get SpringHill fall retreats on your youth group's calendar! At Michigan we'll be meeting at the Hill for the High School Kick It! retreat October 6-8. Out-of-this-world activities, time to grow with God and as a group - it's an awesome way to end a great summer. Or, tell your youth leader about our awesome winter retreats, with heart-thumping live bands, incredible speakers and wild and crazy snowy fun: January 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 and February 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Confirm a date now by having your youth leader call Mike Krick at 231-734-2616!

The Temptation to Be Spectacular

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: bHe will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written, bDo not put the Lord your God to the test.'" -Matthew 4:5-7

Satan's ploy to destroy Jesus was a ploy he uses on us every day: go it alone...be spectacular...draw attention to yourself and exalt yourself in doing so. The world we live in celebrates and even worships this kind of lifestyle. We are encouraged to fight for our own success, to show how awesome we are, even at the cost of others' failure, pain and embarrassment.

In these verses we see Satan tempting Jesus with the same "luscious fruit." The reality is that Satan is twisted-he's confused by Jesus' character and intentions. God created us to be in relationship with him. He created us to need him and need others in order to grow and strengthen. Being dependent on Jesus and interdependent on others is how God has planned for us to grow. Remember that the early church was strong because of its unity and dependence on the members of its body. Each person has a vital role.

Think about this: Do you ever find yourself in the process of glorifying yourself and pursuing things on your own? Is it hard for you to depend on others? Some of us have been hurt by others and this makes us want to keep to ourselves. But think of Jesus: he was denied by his own disciple and betrayed by another. He was beaten and cursed and murdered on our behalf. Consider how you might move towards dependence in your own life. What are some steps you could take?

Websites Well Worth It

www.boundless.org: The Boundless webzine casts a faithful light on the growing generation: thoughts on life, relationships, school, and everything in between. Relevant and insightful articles make this a web gem for teen and twentysomethings with a passion for Christ and culture.

www.ccmcom.com: CCM Magazine online is the ultimate resource for contemporary Christian music. From exclusive interviews, CD and book reviews and an in-depth look at the lives of today's leading Christian music artists, CCM Magazine gives you the inside scoop on Kutlass' rise to popularity, a look behind the scenes at an Underoath show, and so much more. Check it out!

Tell Your SpringHill Story

If you've spent a couple weeks of your summer at SpringHill this year, we want to hear about it! What's the craziest thing that happened? The most significant moment? The biggest "ah-ha"? Did you serve on TST or conquer some incredible challenges on an Alpha trip? We want to know!

Email us and give us the lowdown on your summer at SpringHill. Be sure to let us know if we can share your story in an upcoming issue of The Well. Inspire your peers. Reminisce with your friends. Just speak your mind (and heart). Write to us today!

Note: Some links in this newsletter take you to websites outside SpringHill's control. External links are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of SpringHill, but are provided as a service to you.