Day One:
The trip down went very smoothly. Lunch at the Tallahassee Mall was great and then we were back on the road. Thanks to Jeff Allen, Tom Mobley, Eli Lines, and Jim Dollar for smooth, safe uneventful travel!! Around 3:30 local time we arrived safely in Panama City Beach. Everyone unloaded and got into the rooms. First we had a little free time for hanging out in the hotel lobby, checking out the beach, etc.
Here is the whole gang meeting for student orientation in the Sego Center.
Later tonight, dinner, worship, preaching, and a concert by Crashing Jericho. Check back later for pictures of all those.
PM Activities
Dinner – yum. Corn on the cob, Mac & cheese, Salad, Sonny’s Chicken, bread and peach cobbler. It was all very good. James Dollar and the Elevate band lead us in praise to the “Holy Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come.”
The Onward team of Joshua and Elizabeth entertained us with a skit, but more importantly made us think about how people are watching what we do.
Bro. Larry Grays brought the message.
“A Desperate Nation” - Ezekiel 22:23-31
1. A desperate nation needs to recognize reality
Israel thought they were OK with God when they really weren’t. Sin creates a gap between us and God. V24 - “not rained on”- sign of God’s blessing or favor.
Because of her disobedience Israel had not experienced cleansing (from sin); she had not received rain (blessings). Could it be that we are so used to not having God’s presence that we do not recognize that he is gone?
2. A Desperate Nation Needs Prophets not Pimps. V. 25, 26,28
Instead of doing their God given responsibilities, they had stopped telling the people of God’s upcoming judgment. They were in it for the money.
3. Ministers not Maulers. V 27
The government authorities were supposed to be taking care of the welfare of the nation, but instead were tearing and shredding the people. 1 Tim 2:1 Thank God for godly leaders and pray for them.
4. A Desperate Nation Needs People with Compassion V.29
The ungodly leadership had resulted in ungodly people. We need to be ministering to the poor and needy because we are ministering to Christ when we do that. We must realize the majority is not always right, and right is still right even if no one is for it and wrong is still wrong. Go do what God has called you to do, or shut up about it – if you believe something, you will act on it.
5. A Desperate Nation Needs Someone to Stand v.30
God was looking someone who would stand for him. God doesn’t owe us anything; everything we have, he has given us. How greatly could God use a few kids who would decide this week that they are ready to stand in the Gap.
6. A Desperate Nation Needs to Embrace Grace v. 31
Because of #1-5 God was poring out his wrath on the nation of Israel. God was willing to forgive and restore, but Israel said, “No thanks.” So God walked away from them.
After a brief break, we had a concert by Crashing Jericho. Here are the Crashing Jericho guys.
Of course Second Baptist is joined by several other churches for Beach Retreat. Here are a few of them. We’ll get the others later in the week.
Pine Grove in Hillsville GA
West View in Hawkinsville GA
Southside Baptist Church in Blakley, GA (and yes, that is Bro. Ben Adkison who is now the Youth Pastor)
Chamblee Memorial in Fort Valley, GA
After the concert, we split up into individual churches for Share Time, then Room share time, and (in theory) Lights Out! 
