MONTHLY ARCHIVES: June 2013

Night of Chaos Vlog 2013

Posted by Sharon

The name says it all, “Night of Chaos”!  This activity includes lots of water, shaving cream, hair gel, ping pong balls, squirt guns, footballs, and much more.  The Green is truly chaotic during this activity!  Unfortunately on this particular night, the activity was cut short due to a thunderstorm but the girls still enjoyed their time of Chaos!


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Excuses

Posted by Karah

“I forgot.” or “It’s not my fault!”

Think about times in the past when you let someone down. What excuses did you give for your behavior?
It’s human nature to try to excuse or justify our bad behavior. But as Christians, we simply can’t rationalize our sin, even when society accepts it.

Read Matthew 5:27-32 to learn more. After you’ve read through the verses several times, ask yourself some tough questions:

Addicts tend to rationalize their behavior. As sin addicts, so do we. How do you rationalize the sin in your life?

If you could sit with Jesus, like a friend, and talk through your reasoning, what do you believe He would say?

Check out verses 29-30. What is God’s attitude toward sin? How would you write these verses using modern-day examples?


The Point

Sin is sin. We can rationalize it and make excuses for our sin, but that doesn’t make it OK. True disciples of Christ don’t excuse their sin; they put a stop to thoughts and behaviors that lead to sin.


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Steven Curtis Chapman sings at Closing Program

Posted by Sharon

This past Friday marked the closing of our first session for 2013.  One of our camp dad’s, Steven Curtis Chapman sang “King of the Jungle” at our Closing Program which happens to be one of our favorites!  What a treat!


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Total Bedlam Vlog

Posted by Sharon

We introduced a new game to Camp Crestridge today.  We borrowed the game from Camp Ridgecrest and the campers seemed to love it!  It was crazy during the game, balls flying everywhere!  Check out the footage…


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Harmony

Posted by Karah

Harmony–noun: the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect
• the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole • agreement or concord

In music, it’s when different notes are played or sung together in order to make the music sound best. In relationships, it’s when our relationships are in good order and healthy, when we live in agreement and peace rather than contention and disagreement.

Read Matthew 5:23-26 in your Bible. Answer these questions In the comment field below:

According to these verses, what effect does holding a grudge or not forgiving someone have on your worship? Why?

When is it easy for you to forgive? When is it more difficult? Why?

Journal
Do you actively forgive? Is there someone who you need to call, text, or email today? Pour out your heart to God in your journal, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who you might need to forgive. Then, act on it.


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Tuesday Traditions

Posted by Sharon

Every Tuesday night, each cabin builds a fire and cooks their dinner at their cabin.  After dinner, they head to the campfire area to sing songs with Ron and hear a message from one of our staff.  This night has it all – fun, laughter, singing, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature, and precious time with our Lord!

 

 


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It’s Not About Rules

Posted by Karah

New Heights

Few people have reached the heights Sergey Bubka did. The Ukranian Olympian broke the world record for men’s pole vaulting 35 times in his career.

As a 19-year-old, Bubka was already a notable athlete after an upset victory at the World Championship of Athletics.

The Ukranian pole vaulter would go on to win six consecutive world championships from 1983-1999. He became an Olympic gold medalist in 1988. And in 1991, Bubka became the first person to clear 20 feet—a height that has not been matched since. To this day he remains the current world record holder.

His athletic career is one of unprecedented heights, earning him nicknames like “The Tsar” and being called the “Hero of Ukraine” by the Ukrainian president. He even has a stadium named after him in his home country.

Bubka reached higher levels than anyone ever expected. As a believer, Jesus calls you to the same thing.  

 

Read Matthew 5:20-22. Consider these questions:

– How would you summarize this passage in your
own words?
– What higher standard did Jesus call His followers to?
– What impact do these verses have on the way you live your daily life? Explain.


The Point

Clearly, to Jesus, living obediently isn’t just about following all the rules. It’s about the condition of your heart. If your heart is pure, then your actions will be, too. And Jesus values purity.

“[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”

—C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity


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The Authority

Posted by Karah

Think about the last few days. What are some laws or codes of conduct you’ve chosen to obey? List as many as you can think of in your journal, or in the comment field below.

 
When you choose to obey a law, rule, or a person, you give them authority in your life. You allow them to determine how you will live. As believers, Scripture is supposed to have authority in our lives. Did it make your list?

authority—noun
• The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience • [often with infinitive ] the right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another

Fulfill—verb
• To meet the requirements of (a business order) • bring to completion or reality; achieve or realize (something desired, promised, or predicted)

 

Read Matthew 5:17-19 in your Bible.

What do you think it means that Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets?
What do these verses teach you about the authority Scripture should have in your life?
Does Scripture have authority in your life? Why or why not?

 

Behind the Story

In today’s passage, “the Law” refers to the first five books of the Old Testament and “the Prophets” is a reference to the Old Testament history books and those by the major and minor prophets. Jesus knew that His audience made the Law into a checklist of do’s and don’ts. He wanted to free them from the burden of being tied to the checklist, but He didn’t come to get rid of the Law. Jesus came to fulfill it and to make right what we couldn’t do on our own. But until it’s all said and done, the words of the Bible are ours to live by.
Take Action

Scripture is full of promises from God. But it’s also full of expectations for your Christian life. These expectations aren’t rules for the sake of rules, but rules that bring joy because of how Christ has transformed you. In your journal, list three verses from Scripture that challenge the way you live. How will you live in obedience to them this week?


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