CIY 2010 - The Power of God

This year as i went into CIY i was so excited. I had been facing many doubts in my life about God and religion before i went, but i made myself go into the week with an open mind and a willingness to learn so that i could have vanquished these doubts from my life. And as we talked about Grace on that first night, i remembered that God forgives and forgets. And that next morning when we started talking about the resurrection and the proof both biblical and scientific i remember thinking "How could i ever doubt this religion? How could i ever think it was a lie?" And i knew from that moment that my faith had been restored in Jesus Christ and as far as God was concerned... it had never even happened.

I really enjoyed the messages from this last year at CIY, and the challenges to be more Godly, trust Jesus with everything you have, endure through hardships, finish the race, and accept grace. Although i understood the message on influence and what it has to do with (taking good influence into your life, and keeping bad influences away) I am having trouble applying the second part of the message to my life, only 2 days after. The challenged us that in 1 week from last Thursday we need to be having a conversation with someone who we believe is a Godly person and can be our mentor, essentially a Paul in our life. I obviously have my father who i believe to be a great role model, but i went to a super elective on Thursday about relationships and finding the right person to be your mentor. In this class they encouraged us to find people outside of our parents to be our mentors because who really wants to go confess to their parents right when they mess up? But right now i am having a difficult time of thinking who a good mentor for me could be in my path to being more like God... The other things that CIY challenged us to do with Influence was to find a Bartemis in our life that we can grow with spiritually together. I am so lucky to have everybody in my youth group for this you guys mean the world to me! And lastly we had to find a Timothy, and i am going to do my best to get my little brother ready for next years CIY.

Wednesday night we went on a snack run, but i was surprised when i spent the whole time talking to one of my best friends Connor. We just started talking about the week that we were having and some of his frustrations and some of my doubts and frustrations. I really think that the time we spent walking around Wal-Mart together brought us closer together as friends and i hope that we keep each other strong in the future.

One night i opened up to the group about how i had tried to get in the ring with somebody and how my friend had slammed my beliefs in my face, and not wanted anything to do with them. After group that night i talked with Jessica about my experiences with trying to get people to know Jesus because she wanted tell to her (soon to be) boyfriend about Gods grace and her religion. I tried to help her the best i could explaining that it wouldn't be easy to do, but i knew she felt a strong conviction to do so. I wish you the best in your quest Jessica, dont be afraid to call me.

Throughout the week when i was getting to know more and more about Trevor, i started to gain more and more respect for him. And on Wednesday i think it was, i realized that i was a horrible person. You see when Trevor first came to the Church a couple of months ago everything was good. But then some changes started occurring and i was NOT happy. I would go around and talk to anyone who would listen and make my opinions about these changes and Trevor known. And once everybody else settled down about these issues, i couldnt let them go... So i came to CIY not really know what to expect of how i would act around Trevor, but i was shocked to find out how much he cared about us, loved us, and would do anything for us. I had this realization as i said on Wednesday and then i realized something else. I needed to apologize because it was a red card that was holding me back (Red Cards were symbolic for the things in life you are not proud of and by throwing them away you received Grace from God). And so Thursday night i plucked up enough courage to ask Trevor if we could talk after Youth Group time that night. And as i explained everything to him and how sorry i was that i had wronged him, he didnt get angry, he didnt walk away from me, no. All he did was shake my hand, forgive me, and then give me a hug. It was one of the greatest things that anyone had ever done for me.

As the week finished up on Friday it was bittersweet. I was happy to be going home to see my family, but i didnt want to leave all of these great people and that great place/atmosphere behind. That Youth Group time was the most emotional of the whole week. As we went around and talked about why we had to recommit to God that week, and what we were going to do to make it better in the next year, i started to tear up when i was speaking because i was disappointed in myself for having to recommit for 2 years in a row. And then when Chelsea started to talk about how we were her family and how much she loves us i just couldn't help but cry. And i think it basically started a chain reaction because everywhere i looked there was someone crying. And i also remember praying with Jessica that night as we split up into 2's and how we asked God to calm our fears and give us the strength to endure through anything that may come into our lives. When we were done praying she looked at me and said "You're gonna make me cry." And the emotion and friendliness that was put into the hug after the prayer was unlike i had ever known between two friends. It was just a great all around day.

This last week that i have gotten to spend with all 16 people that went to CIY has been thoroughly life changing. I love you all from the bottom of my heart and i know that you will always be there for me, as i will always be there for you. Please do not hesitate to call me. I look forward to what we will do and accomplish in the next year!
-Mitchell