Centrifuge - Day Four: "Sacrifice"

This morning was beautiful...a nice, clear sky and pretty sunrise.  A perfect southern early summer day.

However, into Day Four of Centrifuge, I have noticed another phenomenon.  Yes, the walking distance seems to be getting shorter.  Unfortunately, so do the nights.  Four hours of sleep really doesn't seem like much.  Here's why: BECAUSE IT ISN'T. Still, I find the energy to face Day Four head-on. 

Speaking of finding energy...After breakfast, before the "Morning Show" activity in the auditorium to kick off the theme of the day, some of the kids lined up in front of the fountain in "The Circle" and gave an impromptu performance of "Vast Voyage" from VBS, complete with choreography.

Apparently, they were energized enough to mobilize the show and they rolled on into the auditorium, keeping the music and dancing going all the way, until they spilled into the aisles of the auditorium, picking up more students as the concert continued.  It eventually flowed seamlessly into a coordinated choreography taking up two aisles and complementing the thundering pre-music for the "Morning Show".

It. Was. Awesome.

Today's theme was "Sacrifice".  Bible study focused on the sacrifice of Hannah in I Samuel.  In my study, Romans 12:1 and 2 provoked some thought.  It speaks of making ourselves living sacrifices and being transformed by renewing our minds so that our sacrifice is real and will stand up to the pressure of letting our own will override the sacrifice.  The life questions sting a bit.  What are you willing to give up in order to live the life God has for you?  Why does your affection for other things often outweigh your love for God?  Oh, so it's gonna be like that?

The evening worship services continue to be fantastic, with more examples of how God is moving in these young people's lives.  It's hard not to get caught up in the unbridled enthusiasm and excitement, even for a jaded old guy like myself!  Great praise and worship music, energetic, to-the-heart-of-the-matter teaching, and involved and engaged young people.  What's not to like about that?

The week is beginning to tell on the adults, for sure. The kids seem be impervious to calorie intake, fatigue, or hoarseness.  The rest us us?  Well. . . .what is the old saying about a picture and a thousand words?

 

And I would have to say that this picture also fits in rather well with the day's theme.  Let's caption this photo with one word:    "S A C R I F I C E"