What up

What up yall!!!
So it's been awhile....
But i figured it was time to hit this sucker up, especially since you guys seem to have slacked off severely in my absence. So like i had said, i gave up aim for a while...and it has been quite wonderful. Seriously, i do hop on briefly and under that "invisble" mode or whatever to talk to a few folks, but other than that i have given it up. The freedom is amazing. While i've still been mysteriously drawn to it at times (much more so lately...so keep me accountable about getting on too much, i wanna keep down to one or two brief sessions per week at most), i have kept my decision to get away from it and love it. I really do feel much freer and it's been very good for me spiritually. I dont really even like getting on anymore. And if any of you do find that you miss the sweet serenade of my captivating conversations, just hit me up on the cell. Heck, if you do that i could even sweetly serenade with a song if you want--better than aim, eh?
Anywho, i've been doing pretty well. Last weekend was the ENCM Fall Advance--a retreat, involving tons of NC schools that have ENCM chapters, that we call an "advance" because we aint retreatin' from nuthin': we'are advancing in God and against the enemy (i'm not so sure that you can use a hyphen and a colon in the same sentence, but i did anyways). Anyways, i cant really go into details cause that'd take forever, but what the pastor spoke about hit home big time for me--and in a totally unexpected way. It turned me around from the problems i've been having and showed me a side of God that i've never truly experienced before. And since the Advance, i've been learning a lot about spending time with God and standing on scripture.
I'm definitely excited about our fall break starting wednesday--Jo-Jo and i are going to visit Winthrop to see my favorite two co-counselors ever: the AMAZING and INCREDIBLE Brooklyn Currie and Crazy Rique (again, hyphen and colon in same sentence...not too sure about that). THEN, we get to work at camp and see the Joiners and Tim and Petra and i dont know who else, but i'm excited to see them too.
Finally, i wanna leave yall with this scripture from Revelation 2 that Pastor Doug shared on the Fall Advance:

2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

In our busy lives that so often get overrun with school, church, bible study, jobs, friends, television, AIM, and being leaders in ministries, dont forget the simplicity of Christ's love for you and your love for Christ. Scripture also tells us that without love, everything else is pretty much useless. I would encourage you all to dedicate a part of your devotion time to just being silent and blocking out all other thoughts, worries, and prayers to just sit and rest in His love and tell Him in words how much you love Him.
Let me know how you guys are all doing and call me up if you're struggling with ANYTHING.

Love you guys,
Luke