Ahhh…summer!  Time to get outdoors and enjoy God’s wonderful creation.  Time to go camping, biking, hiking, walking, play sports, etc… There are tons of different forms of recreation we all enjoy.
       
If you put a hyphen in the word “recreation”, it means something similar to but not quite the same as the original meaning.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines recreation as “refreshment of strength and spirits; also: a means of refreshment or diversion” while “to create again” defines re-creation. 
       
The theme for Youth Encounter’s 2003-2004 event season is “New Creation”.  It is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 which states, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”  This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  What a great gift!  What a great promise!  We can be refreshed and totally made new through Christ!  Whatever I did yesterday, no matter how stupid, selfish or sinful, can be forgiven and forgotten today as God makes me totally fresh, clean and new and leads me forward in His grace.  Our spirits are refreshed through the cross as we grow through forgiveness and learn from, but don’t dwell on, yesterday’s mistakes. 
       
Experiencing this re-creation revitalizes the spirit--much like the exuberant rejuvenation we feel after taking a hike in the mountains or breathing fresh air on a bike ride or just being outside wherever we are and taking in God’s marvelous handiwork.  We are thankful and energized to live “life to the full” for Christ! (John 10:10) 
       
Be sure to check out www.youthencounter.org/events for next season’s event dates and locations.  And, don’t forget about the Early Bird deadline to reserve your spot and save $15 per person (9/1/03 for fall events, 10/31/03 for winter/spring events).   
       
We’re excited to recreate and celebrate with you as we prepare for another awesome year of God working in incredible and wonderful ways!  Tell your friends!  Tell your family!  Tell your fellow youth workers!  Enjoy your summer recreation and we’ll see you at a Quake or Congress near you next season!