Remember Who He Is

JOEL IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE books in the Bible. Joel tells of a time that the nation of Israel messed up, and God disciplined the people. God promised that if they asked for forgiveness, He would restore them. God loves and cares for His people; He cares for you. Part of that caring is making sure you are doing the right thing. As a Christian, if you mess up, God will bring discipline, but it’s for your good. Sin is never good for us; it always has negative consequences. That is the reason God gave us His law.

Read Joel 2:21-27 and take a close look at verse 21.
 
God’s message to His disobedient people was to not be afraid. When have you needed to hear these words from God?
 
Why did Joel remind the Israelites of how God had always taken care of them in the past? How has He taken care of you in the past?
 Has something bad ever turned out for your good? What happened?
 How did you see God at work?
 Has it made it easier to trust God in the hard times? Why?
 
In what areas do you struggle to trust God? How can you turn those things over to Him?

During the times of discipline or trial, God is helping you grow and is shaping you. Remember that God wants what is best for you. The Lord will do great things for you, through you, and with you, if you will trust Him. It can be hard when we have plans or ideas of our own. Sometimes we want something so much that we can’t see how it would hurt us. Remember that God knows what is best for us. He knows His plans and the future. Make sure your will lines up with His.

No matter what happened yesterday, God knows what He’s doing. Understand that it’s not too late to do what’s right, and it’s not too late for God to do something amazing.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Joel, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Christmas Time is Here

Greetings from Ridgecrest Summer Camps!  I hope you were able to read our last blog about the Snow Storm here at camp.  By the time the snow ended, we had over a foot of snow!  It was absolutely beautiful!  Not much has melted so we are still enjoying the remnants.

Well, it’s Christmas time and we’d like to bring you another Norman Rockwell Christmas card.  Thank you Wayne for your talent and inspiration.

We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Christmas Video, Crestridge funny videos, Crestridge snow, Crestridge Vlog, Funny videos, Norman Rockwell Christmas Video, Ridgecrest funny videos, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Fear Not

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN freaked out? Ever walked up to your cabin after dark?  Ever been outside at night when it was stormy? Can you imagine being in a boat during that same storm? Imagine: it’s windy, so the boat is moving around, and it’s dark so you can’t see well. Suddenly, you see a figure coming toward you . . . walking on the water. This is what happened to the disciples at 3 a.m. one day, according to the Bible. They were tired, it was dark and stormy, and there came Jesus. They thought it was a ghost, since they had never seen anyone walk on water. Frightening!

Read Mark 6:45-52. Carefully consider verse 50b.
 
What do these verses teach you about Jesus’ power?
 
When things got out of control out on the sea, what was the disciples’ first reaction?
 
What is your first reaction when life whirls out of control?

 Of what are you afraid?

 Why does it scare you?
 
How do you think God can use that fear to help you grow?

 Will you trust God in that situation?

Sometimes we get scared. We can be afraid about the future or the things in our lives. Life is uncertain. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you’re never going to be scared or frightened or feel faithless. The Bible tells us that when we mourn, we mourn with hope. I would also say that when we are afraid, we are afraid with hope. We have hope and comfort in the fact that God is for us and working in us. We experience things that make us afraid, but we can use those situations. Have courage and trust that God will bring you through the dark times.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Mark, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Winter Storm at Camp

It is currently cold and snowing here at camp!  There is a big system moving up through the Southeast and because it’s below freezing, we are getting all snow!  There may be an inch on the ground right now, but they are calling for over 8 inches!   We took a drive over to Crestridge so we could show what it looks like under snow.

I wish you all could be here right now enjoying a good snowball fight or even playing 4-square!   We hope you enjoy your Friday, whether it’s in the sun, rain, or snow!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Crestridge snow, December Snowfall, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Almost Finished with Roofs

They only have 1 metal roof to put on and they’ll be finished with phase #1.  It’s hard to believe the work they’ve already accomplished and it’s only December!  They are almost finished with the electrical work.  They’re still working on installing the new floors and inside walls.  They recently started putting the siding on Chippewa 1.  When finished, all 25 cabins will look the same but their cabin sign will be painted the color of their village.  It’s going to look so nice!  Here are a few pictures to show you the progress.

The siding has not been painted yet, so it looks a little light in these pictures.  I’m sure the construction workers will be taking a little time off for the holidays so it may be a few weeks before the next construction update.  Thanks for your prayers as we continue to move forward with this construction!

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It’s Campfire Day

Today is Tuesday!  Do you know what that means?  It’s Campfire day which means cookouts, singing, fires, and hearing a message from God’s Word.  We’d like to take you back to the summer and remind you of our time around the fire!  If you know the song, sing along!

Now if you really want to treat today as if it were a Tuesday at camp, ask your parents if they can cook your dinner over a fire.  I’m sure they would love that!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Campfire, Crestridge Campfire, Crestridge Vlog, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

It’s All Under Control

PEOPLE IN THE WORLD often seem to want to get rid of Christians. It seems like the rules limit when we can pray and read the Bible. We know that Jesus has conquered the evil forces at work in the world. So what does this mean for you and me? It’s important for us to remember that we are in a battle. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we battle against spiritual forces, not physical forces. We must fight the battle in prayer, worship, and Bible study.

Today we are looking at John 16:29-33. How does verse 33 encourage you?

 Do you find yourself turning from God in hard times? Why?

 When things are difficult, how do you respond? Prayer? Complaints? Anger?

 Does it make it easier or more difficult to trust God? Explain.

 How does God provide for you during difficult times?
 
Why is it important that Jesus says He told His disciples these things so they could have peace?
 
In what areas of your life do you need the peace of a Savior who has overcome the world? What steps will you take to let Him have control of those things?

Do you ever feel like you are being singled out because of your faith? Like it would just be easier to throw in the towel and give up the faith? Jesus told us this would happen. Every day is a battle, and some days we fight harder than others. We study the Bible and learn God’s truths so we can hold fast in hard times. We study passages like the one we have today because it’s a good reminder that Jesus knows what has happened and what will happen—and He’s still in control. He wants us to have peace. The best ways to have peace are to trust Jesus, pray, read your Bible, and spend time with other Christians. It may not be easy when hard times come, but we can make it through because we know that Jesus has overcome.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, John, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Congratulations to Delaney Phillips-November Winner for Free Store

Congratulations Delaney, on winning the November drawing for Free Store!  Delaney was a Cheyenne this past summer during 2B.  All Delaney had to do was comment on a blog and she was entered into the drawing.  The more you comment, the more your name gets entered.  We went to the store and got a Cheerwine and a pack of Rolos which are being mailed to Delaney as I write.

Don’t forget, you too can win a Free Store!  All you have to do is comment on any of our blogs and your name will be entered into our monthly drawing.  You can comment as much as you want for more chances to win.  We choose a winner each month, so be sure to comment each month.  If chosen, we’ll get your order and send it over to you!

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Touring Colorado Springs, CO

This past week, Ron, Phil and Sharon attended the Christian Camp and Conference Association’s National Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.  We had the opportunity to attend seminars/sessions and also worship with other camping people.  It was a fun and restful time!  We thought it would be a good idea to give you an idea of what we got to do while we were out there.  Take a look!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Colorado, Crestridge Vlog, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, VLOG | Leave a reply

Give Him Everything

WHAT ARE YOU passionate about? What gets you going? What motivates you?
Each of us has a passion for something. For some it may be sports. For others it may be friends at school or friends at camp. But as believers, where does Jesus fit? Are you passionate about your relationship with Him? It is easy to get sidetracked by things that in the end will not matter. Everything has its place, but Christ must be first. Our relationship with Him needs to be important. With our focus on Christ, all of our other passions will fall into their proper place.

Read Philippians 3:7-11 and contemplate what was written in verse 8.
 
What was Paul passionate about?
 
Why did he consider everything he had gained as filth?
 
Ultimately, whom did Paul want to glorify in his life?
 
Ultimately, whom do you want to glorify with your life? Why?

Paul loved Jesus. He realized that the most important relationship in his life was the one with his Savior. Paul wanted to glorify Christ in all things. He realized that everything he did paled in comparison to the greatness of Christ. It was because of God’s love and mercy towards him that he was pulled from the depths of sin. His life was completely changed because of the compassion of the Savior, and he wanted everyone to know that. Paul totally submitted to serving Christ, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. He willingly and sacrificially gave up his life to serve the One who had done the same thing for him.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Philippians, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply