Category Archives: Encouragement

Taking A Break

 

Do you ever take a break? You know. A real break. Not the vacation insanity that most of us go through every summer and Spring Break. Those times are wonderful, especially with a young family, but I’m talking about a real break. A rest. Some may say a “sabbath”.

How should I put this? Try this: A time to get away and reflect. A time to recharge. A time to bring your focus in life back to what is most important to you.

A break/rest can be different for many people. Do you need to be cloistered in a cabin in the woods with no outside influence? Some people would be so stressed by the silence they wouldn’t rest at all. A new term I learned recently would apply to those folks. “Fear of Missing Out” or “#fomo” if you want to hashtag it for social media. If you looked at the picture I posted, you may be able to guess that my version of a break/rest is a calm, peaceful, quiet place. I would revel in the silence. I crave a place that I can quiet my mind and focus my thoughts on what is important to me. Is it necessary for me to leave my wife and kids for a few days in order to find that quiet place? I don’t think so.

We all dream of traveling somewhere to spend time away from our day to day responsibilities. But, can you find that place at home in the midst of your busy life? I believe you can. I believe I can. I just haven’t spent the time to find it yet.

Do you have a place like this? At home? Away from home?

The Most Important 15 Minutes

As a follow-up to my previous post about my renewed passion for Young Life, here is a description of the impact Young Life had on my brother in the Summer of 1987.
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(Originally posted on the Castaway Young Life 50th Anniversary Celebration FB Page, used with permission.)
Life Change Happens At Castaway
Chris Theule-VanDam
Western Great Lakes Regional Director
Sunset at Castaway
My connection to Castaway started in the summer of 1987.  It was the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school.  My Young Life leader, Steve “Wink” Winkle (Wink was also my cross country coach and English teacher) took myself, my twin brother, Rick, and a group of 15 total guys and our leaders to camp.  We all crammed into Helm which at that time was in the middle of the Galleon, and had no windows. It was during that initial Castaway experience that I sat on the center of the outdoor basketball court during the 15 minutes of silence, and gave my life to Christ, as best as I knew how. Since then I have returned to Castaway over and over.  First, as a Work Crew kid in 1989 (dining hall), then on Summer Staff in 1994 (maintenance with John Stowers – and I still use the screwdriver he gave us).  I also have led kids in cabins at least 15 times, along with attending leader weekends, work weeks, and having multiple summer assignments.  All in all, I once figured out that I have spent a year of my life at Castaway (and I’ve never lived in Minnesota). The way God has shaped me into a follower of Jesus has been continually been impacted by my time serving and being served at Castaway.  Every time I am there and another 15 minutes of silence occurs, I work to get back to the same spot I sat in 1987.  It is a holy place. It will be a joy to celebrate Castaway’s 50 years this Labor Day Weekend.  Please join us! http://castaway.younglife.org/Pages/50th%20Anniversary.aspx
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Once again, if you like to donate to Young Life RIGHT NOW, follow this link: http://www.younglife.org/Giving/