Practice Makes...Permanent?
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“. . .Rather train yourself for godliness. . .”
1 Timothy 4:7
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Train yourself for godliness. When I read the words “train yourself” I am taken back to my lacrosse team. My coach used to always say, “Practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent. How you practice, is how you will respond.” Often, he would be saying this as he was making us repeat a basic drill or run sprints. Without fail, we would ask when we could start playing a real game. And to these questions he would always repeat, “Practice makes permanent.” Looking back, he was the best coach I have ever had because of his attention to detail and emphasizing the importance of practicing the little things. It was the repetition of those basic drills that helped our team excel under the pressure of game day so when push came to shove, we would not have to even think twice about how to respond. Our reflex response was not instinctive, it was practiced through hours of training in the basics.
Through these past few years, and even in recent months, with current events and life circumstances, many times I have been struck by my reflex response to situations. I have found time and again that what I have been practicing in my life is feeble self-reliance and self-preservation. When the big things of life hit, my “training” fails me every time. I crumble under the pressure, and my responses are far from reflecting the hope and love of Christ. Paul’s call to train ourselves in godliness does not mean to wait for the big events of life, but to start with the basic everyday moments, especially the decisions that seem like “no-brainers”. His call also does not mean rehearsing proper responses so you can become a better you. At the end of 1 Timothy 3, Paul does not give a list of rules to describe the mystery of godliness, but instead describes the person of Jesus Christ. To train myself in godliness is to turn to Jesus in the little things and seek His guidance. This training does not prevent our world from shaking, but better prepares us for our response when the shaking starts so our reflex response is nothing other than turning to the Lord. It is not natural or instinctive, but looking to the Lord first and foremost can become second nature if we practice it in our everyday lives. Paul notes in 1 Timothy 4:10 the reason why we train in godliness, and it’s not to become a better person or to withstand what you are facing. We train to remember the hope we have in Christ Jesus no matter what comes our way: “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
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Kristen Romano is originally from Colorado and attended both Capernwray Hall in England and Tauernhof in Austria where she also interned for a year. Kristen was the female R.A. at Ravencrest for two years and now works full-time as Programs/Women's Care Support and Event Coordinator.
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Bible School
It's hard to believe we have already celebrated the end of our winter term - that happened so quickly! We started and ended the term with a TON of snow! So instead of our normal shuttle of sending our van or school bus down, we did a caravan of all-wheel drive staff cars to pick up and drop off all of our students at the airport. Some of the highlights of the last month were a Valentine's Day dinner that the guy students put on for the girls and guests from town joining in on swing dancing at the last Gathering we hosted a couple of weeks ago (pictured below). Please be praying for a little over thirty of our students who are out on missions trips for Spring Break and for the others who are traveling or at home - pray they will all keep Christ the pre-eminent One in their lives.
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Workout Room Repair
The Maintenance team is in the final stages of finishing the workout room (pictured below) - the windows are in, the new concrete wall is in, drywall is up - which is already making it a much warmer area for the team as they working during some pretty cold days. The Student Center had to take priority the last few weeks as we had to schedule the carpet install for Spring Break - but they are very close to being finished with this big project!
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Student Center Carpet Replacement
The carpet in the Student Center is being installed as you read this! There has been quite the transformation in the Student Center. We are so grateful for our maintenance team and students on work day that have done such a phenomenal job ripping out carpet and painting everything - it's hardly recognizable! Stay tuned next month for pictures of the finished product....
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Mainland Family
After wrestling with the desire to live closer to family for some time, this past summer Chris and Carly felt God give them permission to finally follow that dream, and also pursue owning their own home with more space for their little girls, near cousins and grandparents. Chris will continue his work in media and communications for Torchbearers International from Wisconsin. They have expressed they will dearly miss their Ravencrest family and being part of the ministry here for the last 8 years. Ravencrest has been so blessed and enriched through the Mainlands, and while there is much sorrow for their departure, there is hopeful joy for what the Lord will do in their lives back at home. Please pray for them as they make this big transition.
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Engagement
Zach Delorenzo (Media Intern) and Annabelle Lee (LTC student) were both first year students last year, and just a few weeks ago became engaged to be married. We are excited for them. Please pray with us for them as they prepare for their marriage to begin in July.
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Maintenance Interns 2022
This next summer of 2022 we will be needing some maintenance help. For all those who are interested in our yearlong maintenance program, you can apply online by clicking the link below.
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Media Intern 2022
We are looking for someone (late April/ early May) with a knowledge and previous experience with A/V. Some knowledge of I.T. and creating, or working with, other digital media would also be helpful.
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Kitchen Interns 2022
This August of 2022 we will be needing some kitchen help. For all those who are interested in our yearlong kitchen program, you can apply online by clicking the link below.
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Summer Program Interns 2022
We’re looking for anyone who loves the Lord and wants to share His life with guests to come serve with our Adventure Camps this Summer! Volunteers can expect to be serving in practical ways, sharing about Christ in structured and unstructured times, and leading our guests as they go hiking, biking, climbing, or kayaking, and whatever else the Lord provides the opportunity for. No prior training is necessary, but volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
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Mission Trips
Denver Mission Trip
A small group of students is in Denver right now on a missions trip, but we will also be sending our whole student body down to Denver, April 8-10, for a variety of service projects.
LTC Camping Trip
Our LTC students will be headed out March 29 - April 1 on a camping trip led by Justin and Rachael Alexander. The time will involve teaching, processing the year, and time with the Lord.
Easter Jubilation Shindig
On the afternoon of Easter Sunday, we will be inviting the neighborhood and surrounding community to celebrate with us with a wide variety of activities. If you are in town and interested in joining, stay tuned for more information!
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RECHARGE:
Men’s Retreat
Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2022
Cost: $150
Speaker: Ravencrest Staff Men
"Created to..."
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REFRESH:
Women's Retreat
Dates: August 3 – 6, 2022
Cost: $225
Speaker: Ravencrest Staff Women
"Deconstructing the Proverbs 31 Woman"
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RENEW:
Adult Retreat
Dates: August 8 – 13, 2022
Cost: $395
Speaker: Wayne Weissman
"Salvation through Exodus"
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God's Provision
A message from our Director,
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As the spring and summer now approach, we are hoping to get a lot more done this year, and there are many ways that you can help and support us in this process. First, please pray! There is a lot of attention that many of our buildings need, and items that need purchasing, and we need wisdom from the Lord to know when, what, and how to move forward – we desire to be good stewards of His provision. Second, for those of you who enjoy working with your hands (skilled or unskilled), there are lots of projects and work that you can come to Ravencrest and assist us with. Whether you want to come on your own for a few days and help paint or come as a small group (up to 15), there are lots of ways that your willing hearts can be put to use. Lastly, if the Lord would put on your heart to support the financial needs behind the “working and caring” for this facility, then please follow the link below.
Here are some projects that would require skilled labor or professional experience…
- New decking installed for Student Center and Berghaus: $40,000
- Window replacements – multiple buildings (approx. 30 windows): $24,000
- New flooring installed – multiple buildings including a staff home
- Staircase to Room 7 of the Lodge replaced
- New roof on Cottage and Media shed: $15,000
- Landscaping projects around campus (property entryway, firepit, garden areas, Ridgehaus)
Here are some projects that we would welcome anyone with a desire to come and serve…
- Interior and exterior painting
- Sanding and staining different buildings/homes decks
- Bike course and walking path maintenance
- Lower Berghaus (Dorms) remodel - flooring and 2 bathrooms: $15,000
Other items/needs for consideration
- New 15-25+ passenger van/bus: $20,000+
- Ridgehaus basement completion – staff apartments: $120,000
If you have any questions or would like to talk further on any of these, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly 970-372-8831 or erik@ravencrest.org. If you or a group of individuals are interested in coming to serve, we would be looking at days/weeks between May 15 - September 2. Please contact our office at 970-586-8118 to arrange accommodation. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Peace and joy to you, in Christ.
Erik Snyder
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Praise:
- For the 4 new students who joined us.
- Our students have been able to enjoy the snow in many outdoor activities such as skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding.
- For repairs around campus, including gym/shop roof replacement (many heavy snow falls and still no leaks!), workout room repair, and student center carpet replacement.
- For the Gathering, an opportunity for the local community to join us each month for an evening filled with praise and fellowship.
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Pray:
- That the Lord will “show the riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:7)” as our body “beholds Him” this year
- For our staff, interns, and students to keep Christ the preeminent One in their lives.
- For our March mission trips. We have two separate teams with a total of 33 students going out to serve within the US over Spring Break.
- For volunteer workers, including kitchen, maintenance, media and summer interns.
- There is also a need for skilled and unskilled workers who enjoy working with their hands. Many of our buildings need attention and many projects need assistance.
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