MONTHLY ARCHIVES: April 2013

Hungry and Thirsty

Posted by Karah

Let’s say you haven’t eaten much in the last few days. You’re extremely hungry and thirsty. What do you want the most and what extreme measures will you take to get it? Think of a few ideas.

When you’re really hungry and thirsty, that’s really all you can think about. And you’ll focus every bit of your energy on finding food or water. If you want something bad enough, you’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

Now, read Matthew 5:5-7. Ask yourself:

  • What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
  • Does that describe you? Why or why not?
  • Who in your life is a good example of hungering and thirsting
    for righteousness?

Just the Facts
To hunger and thirst for righteousness means you:

  • rest in the gift of grace, not the goodness of your abilities.
  • make God’s will your purpose all the time, not just on Sundays.
  • depend completely on God, because you know that apart from Him, there’s no righteousness to be found.
  • take each of His commands seriously.
  • make Him your priority because all other passions leave you empty inside.

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”
—Saint Augustine

Going Deeper
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus mentioned righteousness five times. Those references help us better understand what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Check them out:
– Matthew 5:6
– Matthew 5:10
– Matthew 5:20
– Matthew 6:1
– Matthew 6:33


Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

2013 Staff Bios

Posted by Karah

Are you curious whether you favorite counselor is coming back to work this summer? Or who your Village Director will be this year? If so, you can see all of the staff that will be working this summer on the “2013 Staff Bios” page that is listed under the Staff tab on our website! But we don’t just give you their picture, just click on each staffer’s picture to learn more about them!


Posted in Girls | Tagged Leave a reply

Dance Dare Session 2A

Posted by Karah

Check out this video for some more Dance Dare fun!


Posted in Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Poor In Spirit

Posted by Karah

❶ Read Matthew 5:3-4 carefully in your Bible. Then, consider the definitions some of the key words and phrases below.

BLESSED —adjective
endowed with divine favor and protection; those who live with God in heaven.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT—
people who depend only on him (CEV); who realize their spiritual poverty (NCV); those who know there is nothing good in themselves (NLV)

THOSE WHO MOURN–
those people who grieve (CEV); when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you (MSG); those who have sorrow (NLV)

❷ The Point
It’s an unavoidable truth: to be a follower of Christ, you must be “poor in spirit” (admit your need for God) and mourn over sin and its consequences. If you don’t, you can’t have a right relationship with God.

What that does and doesn’t mean:

Sin bothers you but doesn’t defeat you.

You’re happy because God is awesome, not because you are.

You are content because heaven is yours, not because your life on earth is so satisfying.

You readily admit your sin—and God’s grace, not legalism, compels you to do so.

❸ Journal
Take some time to think over what this verse really means. By the definitions, are you poor in spirit?

Are you someone who grieves over sin? What does it really mean to say you’re blessed today? Pour out your thoughts and feelings to God. Use your journal to record them or your prayer.

LEGALISM —noun
• excessive adherence to law or formula
• (theology) the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works; the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.


Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Meet the 2013 Village Directors

Posted by Karah

 

Chippewa

Julianne Weatherall is from Morristown, TN. She is a Sophomore Nursing student at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. This will be her second summer at Crestridge. Last year she served as a counselor in Chippewa 1. She has two older siblings, a nephew she adores, and beloved dog named Sailor. Julianne is excited for camp and cannot wait to hang out with all the Chippewas!

 

Chickasaw 

Lacy Fisher is from Camden, TN. She is currently studying Nursing at Union University in Jackson, TN. This is Lacy’s second summer serving at Crestridge. Last year she was a counselor in Chickasaw 8. Lacy is excited to be back at camp playing Gold Rush, eating Chicken Tenders on Tuesdays, and most of all getting to know all the Chickasaws!

 

 

Cheyenne

 Lisa Saari is from Lilburn, GA. She is currently a Psychology major at Furman University. This will be here ninth year at camp and second to serve as the Cheyenne Village Director. Lisa is ready for mini pizza Mondays, Night of Chaos, and hanging out with the Cheyennes!

 

Choctaw

 Ryann Andrews is from Tallahassee, FL. She is studying Nursing at Florida State University. This will be Ryann’s thirteenth summer at Crestridge and her second summer at the Choctaw Village Director. Ryann is excited for another summer full of campfires, packet meals, and quality time with the Choctaw Village!

 

Cherokee

Aubrey Edkins is from Fayetteville, GA. She is currently studying at the University of Alabama. This will be Aubrey’s ninth year at Crestridge. Aubrey is excited for this summer! She is ready for singspiration, building new relationships, and hanging out with the Cherokees!


Posted in Girls | Tagged Leave a reply

What’s The Attraction?

Posted by Karah

Do you go to church . . .

  • to see your friends?
  • because you think the speaker is cool?
  • to learn about God?
  • because your parents want you to?
  • because the music and media stuff entertains you?
  • to serve others?

    Read Matthew 5:1-2. Ask yourself:

What do these verses tell you about why the disciples came to where Jesus was?

Do you go to church for the same reason? Why or why not?

Do you have a personal relationship with Christ? Explain. If so, how is it challenging or changing you?

Think About It
Today’s Scripture passage describes a huge crowd. In today’s church culture, we’d get so excited. We’d roll out a sweet sound system, set up a stage, bring in a cool worship leader, and put together a PowerPoint presentation complete with info about upcoming events for the big screens. Jesus didn’t operate that way, though. In fact, He did the exact opposite. When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. He didn’t have to try to draw people to Him; those who longed to know Truth came to Him and listened. The stuff wasn’t the attraction. Jesus was. Jesus still is.

The Point
True disciples of Christ don’t need to be entertained; they know they need a personal relationship with Him that challenges and changes them. Jesus’ disciples came to Him to be taught, to learn what it means to follow Him. Do you do the same?

Take Action
What are some ways you will spend time with Jesus this week so that He can challenge and change you? Comment a few ideas below, or jot them down In your journal.


Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Dance Dare Session 1A

Posted by Karah

You never know when somebody might just decide to start dancing behind you. These people were definitely unsuspecting!


Posted in Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

2013 Summer Clothing Preview

Posted by Sharon

For those that do not receive clothing pre-order forms, here is your chance to view the 2013 Summer Clothing!  Don’t miss out on these great items! You can click on each picture to see a bigger picture.



Posted in Girls, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

You Are Precious To God

Posted by Karah

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

—Matthew 10:29–31

Think about it
Read Matthew 10:26-31 in your Bible. Jesus told the disciples that His followers would face opposition as they chose to obey and follow God. So will you. When you do, take Jesus’ advice: don’t be afraid. Trust that you are precious to God, and He is in control.

Take Action
In what ways do you doubt that you are worth much to God? Honestly express those fears to Him today.

In what areas of your life are you facing opposition to really living out your faith? What steps will you take this week to trust those areas to God and actively believe that He is in control?

What are you afraid to turn over to God, fearful that He can’t be trusted or that He will not replace it with something infinitely better? Turn it over to God today!


Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

What Could Happen If…

Posted by Karah

What could happen if . . .
➤ you break your curfew?
➤ you don’t study for the big test?
➤ you wear flip flops around camp?

In our society, and at camp, there are rules and laws set up to protect us from danger, injury, or pain. We can choose to obey them or ignore them, but there will be consequences.

Read Jeremiah 38:19-23.

What were the choices Jeremiah presented to King Zedekiah?

What were the consequences of each of those choices?

How do you face similar opportunities to obey or disobey God every day? What opportunities have you had today?

Do you think that as Christians, we’re still called to proclaim a similar message when we share the gospel? Why or why not?

The Point
Like King Zedekiah, every person will face a simple choice in their lives: surrender to Christ and gain eternal life, or rebel against Him and face eternity in hell.

Take Action
Have you responded to the gospel? If you have not given Christ control of your life, you are not a Christian and do not have eternal life. Read “Do you really know God?” on page 4 for more information on how to become a Christian.

If you are a Christian, who in your life needs to know about the hope the gospel provides? What steps will you take this week to be God’s ambassador to those who need to hear God’s message of forgiveness?

Going Deeper

Explore the passages below for other models of sharing the gospel:
– Acts 17:16-34
– Colossians 4:5-6
– 1 Peter 3:15

“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Behind the Story
Surrender is an interesting word. In Zedekiah’s case, to surrender to the Babylonians was a sign of humility. It would have been a sign of remorse and repentance. If Zedekiah surrendered it would be as if he were admitting on behalf of the entire nation that they had sinned against God and deserved the punishment.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you admit much the same thing. To surrender your life to Jesus is to admit you are a sinner, that only Jesus can save you, and to give Him absolute control of your life.


Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Older posts