Last weekend 43 of us from Karns attended Challenge Youth Conference in Gatlinburg. It was an extremely beneficial weekend for everyone. Personally, I think it was by far the best year overall that I have ever attended. I thought all the speakers did a tremendous job with their lessons and our group devotionals where some of the best time we spent all weekend. As I sit back and reflect on what I hope is a launching pad for a fantastic 2012, I want to share with you some of the quotes that stood out and challenged me over the course of the weekend.

“All the devils apples have worms.”

“We will have to give account for the things we know and for the things we should have known had we been listening.”

“You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.”

“Temptation is a proposal to fulfill a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.”

“The penalty of sin last longer than the pleasures of sin.”

“Not feeling shame doesn’t make something right!”

“Until we decided sin is something detestable, disgusting, something we hate, we are not protected from sin.”

“When we change our mind about what we love and about what we hate, then we can protect ourselves from sin.”

“We can’t have a flirtatious relationship with sin.”

“When what you want is greater than what you fear, you’ve lost the battle with sin.”

“There is nothing I can do to make God love me more; there is nothing I can do to make God love me less.”

“My actions are a measure of my love for God. Can people look at my life and tell I am into God?”

“Two reasons people don’t become Christians: 1) They don’t know any Christians; 2) They know some Christians.”

“Do people praise Jesus because of you?”

“If your friends followed you today, where would you lead them?”

As I said earlier, my life was richly blessed because of CYC ’12. Lord willing, I’m already looking forward to next year.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Father, thank you for an incredible weekend at CYC. I pray all those who were in attendance will take to heart the challenge that was presented. Help us to be people who truly hate sin and are hooked on you. Lord, please forgive us when we fail you and give in to our desires. Help us become more like your son. In Jesus’ name, Amen!