This is a MODERATED Forum. Your post may have to be approved before it is posted. In order to post a new topic, you must be registered and logged in. The links to register or log in are at the bottom of any page on this website. Although we often allow controversial topics to be posted, we urge you to follow the spirit of Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-22, and Ephesians 4:29-32. We reserve the right to remove posts we feel are offensive.
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| Author |
| |
Messages |
Sort: |
|
vince4christ
Posts:1
|
|
Posted:01/15/2007 8:12 PM |
|
This is my first post, and I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Vince Kinney, and I've been coming to fUEL for a long time. I liked being around good people and being able to skate in the park, and that was about it. I went on the leadership retreat this weekend, and I've been completely changed. I've accepted christ into my heart as my lord and savior, and I am a better person for it. I'd like to say a few things about the retreat and encourage anyone who is curious to do whatever it takes to go to the next one!
Day 1: I got to BRCC at about 7:45. I was nervous. The only people I knew (like knew fairly well) were Dustin, Alex, and J.P. I was nervous because I thought I would be judged and unwanted there, as everyone there seemed very close knit and knew each other. When I signed up and got on the bus, it was smooth sailing. I met so many wonderful people on the ride there that enhanced my trip once we arrived. The trip didn't take too too long, and it was worth every minute of the journey up there. Once we got there, we got settled in and went to an amazing AMAZING worship service. Everyone was like a huge close family. When Cory started singing the song (i'm not sure to the name, I think it's called "You never let go," but I could be wrong) a group of guys gatherred around a young man with a messed up leg, put their (including mine) arms around each other and swayed back and forth basking in the healing that I know was taking place. Afterwards, we all got pretty aquainted with each other.
Day 2: Day two was a very meloncholy day for me. It started off bad. Some issues had taken place, and all the guys were called down and questionned about it. The adult leaders left the room, and asked us to discuss amongst ourselves what had happened. Emotions were flying, but we all came together and figured everything out, and we settled it! True leadership was shown here, in my opinion. Afterwards, we had a GREAT dinner (I was roomed with a gourmet chef  ) and some of the guys decided to have a prayer group up in our room. This day was very emotional for me. At a point during the service, I broke down and had to go outside. I was crying pretty hard and everyone was there for me. It was wonderful. A very great friend of mine came up to me and talked to me about why I was upset...it sounds corny, but it was because I felt really alone, even though I was surrounded by people. I was having girl troubles for lack of a better explanation. I felt like no girls since my late girlfriend Baily (god rest her soul) could see past the way I look on the outside and truely see me on the inside. I told him I felt like love was like a board game, and that I was like an 8 year old playing with teenagers, and they kept skipping my turn. I shout MY TURN MY TURN, ISNT IT MY TURN? WHY ARE YOU SKIPPING ME! I told him I just didnt want to play this game anymore. I told him I wanted a girl like the one he has. One who is kind hearted and truely cares about the right things, and not the wrong things. I told him I didn't feel like it was worth living anymore. He stood up, and told me "Dude, I'll show you how loved you are, and you will finally realize it" and walked inside. He went into the service, asked to use the microphone, and by the time he could get out the words "I have a friend..." he was too out of it to say anything else. One by one, people went up to the microphone and said how much they cared about me. I NEVER expected that. After everything had become too overwhelming, I took off. I ran and ran and ran. I ran down the beach and all the way around the condo's, trying to escape from the lonliness I felt (I wasn't in the room when the people were talking about me on the microphone, so I didn't realize how much I was cared for.) Then, when my friends had found me, Mac Turner (a truely amazing and helpful leader at fUEL) sat me down and truely showed how amazing the Lord can be. After a good emotional 5 minutes, they proceeded to place all of their hands on me and pray for me. This is what did it for me. This is where my life turned towards the light. I accepted christ, and all my problems were lifted off my shoulders. God was carrying me through this, and changed me! Day 2 is when I became a christ warrior, and I am so happy about that.
Day 3: WEATHER ALERT! ICY STREETS IN S.A.! You know what that means, we're heading back early. BUMMER! No big deal though, We all gatherred in the ballroom and hung out with all of each others new brothers and sisters, until the bus came, and brought us home.
Now, I want to make a few comments about some of the people I met that have truely changed me
STAFF:
MAC TURNER. I owe this man my new life. He invited me, payed for me to go, and was there for me every step of the way with insight and love and care, and is truely an awesome person.
CORY: (sorry cory, don't know your last name.) Cory is an awesome person as well as a great musician. He was the leader in the room I was in. He was there for everyone and very easy to talk to
STUDENTS:
THERE ARE SO MANY! I'm going to list as many as I have time for. These are in no particular order.
Hannah: Hannah is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She is wonderfully and unnaturally kindhearted and loving and just overall a beautiful person. She would come to me and talk to me when I needed it, and knew all the right things to say.
J.P.: J.P. is probably the person who had the most profound impact on me. I don't think I could have asked for a better friend. Period end of story. He's the one who went into the service and started talking about me. He's the one who kept reminding me that he cared. He's the one who said he looks up to me. He's the one who prayed over me and made me feel all right.
Kalyx: One of people I truely felt connected to. She is a very very sweet and kind person, who is open to whatever you have to say. I felt at ease going up to her a few times and talking to her.
Gabriel: Gabriel is an awesome guy. You wouldn't see a person crying without his hand on their shoulder doing everything he could to make them feel better. He is very sympathetic, and a great friend to have
Danielle: Wow, what can I say that does her justice? Nothing really...she's too perfect. She is AMAZING. She barely knew me and treated me not just like a brother in christ, but a brother period. She was one of the people that made me feel better, just by seeing her smile at me. Definitely one of the greatest people I've ever met.
Andy: Even though me and andy didn't talk much on the retreat, he is a great friend of mine, and has never judged me for the way I look. One of the very few people who hasnt.
Julio: Julio is a great guy. I was sitting alone by the hot tub and he came up to me and we started to talk. He could have went off to the beach and swam away, but instead he and I walked and talked for a good hour and a half, and he stayed with me until I was in a good place.
Cory: Cory davis is a really good guy. I had him in my German class back at marshall, and I totally got him all wrong. I thought he was a troublesome guy, but he really is a christ warrior. When he found out I had found my faith, he came up to me and told me how proud of me he was. I really appreciated that.
the fords: All 3 of the ford brothers are great guys. I wish I would have gotten the chance to talk to them more to find out who they really are.
Dustin: Dustin (JP's bro) Is one of the most funloving guys I've ever met. He always has a smile glued to his face, and where ever he goes, happiness ensues. He leaves a wake of smiles behind him.
I have not forgotten anyone! I am just exhausted from this trip (I cried a lot and slept very little) and I need to get some sleep. I hope this little piece of writing will encourage anyone curious about God to go on the next retreat, and see if it's right for you!
|
|
| AngelDDS (guest) |
|
Posted:01/16/2007 3:05 PM |
|
Vince4Christ,
Thanks so much for sharing your story. You moved me to tears. I am glad you have found a true family at BRCC. You matter to many people...even those you may not personally know. Enjoy the peace that comes with resting your worries on our Father. As far as finding that special someone for you, I know how you feel and all I can tell you is that God alone knows what is best for you. He will orchestrate that encounter when He feels you and the woman He has made for you are ready. Trust in Him with all your heart. Let go and let God.  )
AngelDDS
|
|
| vince4Christ (guest) |
|
Posted:01/16/2007 5:36 PM |
|
|
Thank you. Every burden I've ever had has been lifted. I'm a jesusfreak and proud of it.
|
|
| kalyx (guest) |
|
Posted:01/17/2007 2:11 PM |
|
wow vince thanks for what u sadi about me ur a very nice guy
probably the only one who saved me from the "hot tub"lol
i hope that god leads u into the right direction in ur life and i hope to see u at the leadership meetings on sunday nights and at fuel.
kalyx
|
|
| kalyx (guest) |
|
Posted:01/17/2007 2:11 PM |
|
wow vince thanks for what u sadi about me ur a very nice guy
probably the only one who saved me from the "hot tub"lol
i hope that god leads u into the right direction in ur life and i hope to see u at the leadership meetings on sunday nights and at fuel.
kalyx
|
|
| corydavis(a leader of god) (guest) |
|
Posted:01/24/2007 11:17 PM |
|
wow man, that was amazing u really inspired me i love u man. u r an amazing person and ill always be there for you.
GOD BLESS
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
ActiveForums 3.0
|
|