No Shortcut: Reclaiming the Journey of the Cross

If I were to treasure a week in my entire lufe, it would be the week that I have spent in the Lord's Garden. It was literally that--the Lord's garden. It is where we spent six days of life-transforming expositions, talks, spiritual retreats, quiet times with the Lord, banquet night, missions night, laughs, fellowship, jokes (corny or not), games, skits--everthing! I met new friends, knew new names and found the welcoming embrace of counselors who took care of us during the camp. Aside from all of these, I would agree that the camp would be meaningless without one very essential factor--God's presence. And I am happy to say that God has been more than generous in accompanying us in the camp. I praise and thank Him because of His loving presence and for all the things that He had revealed to me about my self. I thank Him for the challenge that He has given me. I thank Him for once again changing me and molding me little by little into the person He wants me to be. All these things happened in the span of six short days. I didn't know that I could have such a life-changing six days. Yes, I would treasure my week in the Lord's Garden, Looc, Calamba, Laguna.

I wish more of us were there. LCDC (Leadership-Discipleship Camp) is something that you have to experience for yourself. I can tell everbody the minute details of my experience, but still, the feeling won't be the same. It is life-changing. My testimony could be as simple as that. BUt it carries the intensity of the six days encounter with God Almighty while on camp. It's very different when you don't have your papers and exams to think about. It's different when you are away from the city landscape and all that is facing you is fields of green with the cool (and unpolluted) air touching your face. Like what the testimony of my co-camper, the morning breeze is like God embracing you. It's very different when you have one full hour of total silence to listen to God speaking to you. An hour of silent reflections, an unhurried quiet time with the Lord. Before the camp, I didn't know how serious a quiet time could get. It's because I'm usually in a hurry to finish it and carry on with my papers. Now I know that quiet time means quality time with the Lord, not just a silent five minutes or a thirty minutes with divided attention. Quality time with God means a Christian who can endure anything. That's what I am missing with all the things set in fast track.

By the way, the theme of LCDC 2006 is "No Shortcut: Reclaiming the Journey of the Cross" After the camp, I realized that I am doing a lot of shortcuts in my spiritual journey. Because of that, I can't experience the full glory of God. I have a limited experience and I can't really say that I could last when times get tough. Even a bunch of paper works could hinder me from my daily bible reading. The camp, therefore, is a rebuke and a blessing to me. Before the camp, I though that I have committed myself fully to God. I was wrong. I've realized that there are many things that I am witholding from God.

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*sigh* I think it would take three entries before I finished with everything that I have to say... so I guess I have to be satisfied with the testimonial part. Yup... this is my testimonial of the things that happened to me. Although that this is not everthing, these are the things that struck me and struck me deeply. These are the major things that I learned in LCDC. They are my personal experience. I strongly suggest that you make yours... ciao!