Girls – Page 28

CATEGORY ARCHIVES: Girls

Construction Update

Posted by Karah

Everything is moving so fast now at camp, it’s almost hard to keep up! Here are a few highlights since last time:

The pool is coming along really well! The frame has been dug out and they are starting to lay the pipework as well.

The Upper Crafts building has all the walls and roof up now.

The Choctaw cabins are almost all up!

It was hard to get a good picture, but the floor is laid for the second floor of the Dining Hall and walls are starting to go up.

Thanks for keeping up with the improvements at camp! Please continue to pray for efficiency in the construction progress as we move toward the summer.

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Freedom in Boundaries

Posted by Karah

Pause

Consider this quote from Ravi Zacharias to begin your quiet time:

“Pleasure without God, without the sacred boundaries, will actually leave you emptier than before.”

Think about your favorite sport. What are the boundaries or rules of that sport? What would it be like if there were no boundaries? Jot down a few ideas.

Life also has boundaries. Read Genesis 2:8-17. As you read, look for the boundary God laid out for Adam and Eve. Underline it when you find it.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” —Genesis 2:15-17

Everything God created had boundaries: night, day, land, sea. God’s good boundaries insured that each part of His creation would fulfill the purpose He intended. Humans were the only ones capable of crossing the boundaries God had set for them.

Why do we push against boundaries? When have you pushed against God’s boundaries?

Read Genesis 3:1 carefully. Compare Satan’s question to what God really said in Genesis 2. How did Satan twist God’s words and plant doubt about God’s goodness and provision in Eve’s mind?

How is Satan’s question meant to destroy the good God had created?

The Point

God created a world of boundaries meant to bring Him glory. But we chose to push against those boundaries.

Respond

To cross the boundaries God has set is sin. Think about clear boundaries God has set for His children in Scripture. Are you living in accordance? Confess any ways you are living outside of God’s plan and seek His forgiveness.

Eve became vulnerable to sin when she doubted God’s goodness and provision. What blessings of God do you see in your life today? How has He generously provided for you? Take the time to praise Him!

Behind the Story

The fact that God placed Adam and Eve in a garden is important. A gardener purposely plants and protects his garden. Without the gardener’s protection, the fruit or crops wouldn’t be free to grow to their maximum potential. God’s boundaries in the garden of Eden were intended by God to protect humanity and give us freedom to grow unhindered to our full potential.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Retro Friday

Posted by Karah

Camp Crestridge was established in 1955. During the charter summer there was a total of Chapel 142 campers that attended Crestridge. That’s half of how many campers we had at one time this past summer! Well, there’s no doubt that Crestridge has certainly grown throughout the years, and we are continuing to do so.

In some catalogs from Crestridge’s earliest years, there is this written purpose of Camp Crestridge:

“Our purpose at Crestridge while we work, play, camp out, live together, is to give the camper opportunity to ‘lift her eyes unto the hills.’ It is our hope that as she does, she will turn away with a new understanding of ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.’ Applying this understanding to her own life we hope that she will be able to say positively and proudly, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ It is our desire that the camper advances in truth, courage, growth, perseverance, and purity while at camp. The director and staff dedicate themselves to give to each camper guidance toward this purpose.”

One thing that has not changed and will not change as the years come and go is our desire for campers to know God and to trust in what Jesus did on the cross for them. What is the most meaningful thing you learned about God in your time at camp?

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Created for Community

Posted by Karah

Pause

Ponder this quote from John Piper:

“God created us for this: to live our lives in a way that makes Him look more like the greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that He really is. This is what it means to be created in the image of God.”

Skim over Genesis 1–2 one last time this week. Count how many times God said His creation was good.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.” —Genesis 2:18

Now, look more closely at Genesis 2:18. God wasn’t saying that man was in some way bad, but rather that He had created humanity to exist in relationships with others. God created us to live in fellowship with Him, but also to build relationships with other humans. God created community—and He created us for community.

Ask yourself:

God created Eve as a complement to Adam, someone with whom he could have spiritual, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy. She was someone he could be real with. Are there people with whom you can be absolutely transparent about your life? Who? Why did you select those people?

If God created us for community, what does that teach you about the importance of the church?

Why is it important to realize that God created us to live in community—in our faith and the work He has called us to?

The Point

God, the Author of our story, has hard-wired us for relationship. From the beginning, God created us to live in relationship with Him and with others.

Respond

Who do you know who is trying to “go it alone” in the faith or live in isolation from the church? How can you reach out to that person this week, helping them to experience and see the need for true Christian community? Jot down three ideas.

Who in your life needs someone to come alongside them and help them to truly live out their faith in a dark world? How can you be someone who invites transparency and honesty, while also pointing others to God?

For further study, listen to “Carry the Fire” by Andrew Peterson (Light for the Lost Boy, 2012).

Behind the Story

The word translated as complement in Genesis 2:18 literally means that which is in front of him, implying a counterpart or equal. She is to be a helper (from the Hebrew word ezer), which stresses aid and support—and is even used of God Himself in Scripture (Ex. 18:4; Deut. 33:7, Ps. 46:1). The man and the woman have different roles, but those roles are designed to support and complement each other perfectly.

Construction Update

Posted by Karah

So much has been happening at camp in the past few weeks. It’s amazing to see the progress. In this first picture, you’ll see that the Dining Hall is starting to shoot up. The walls are done on the lower level and they are starting to work on the second level now.

In this second picture, we see the new crafts building located on the Ridge!

In this third picture, Cherokee hill has almost all its cabins built.

Finally, our climbing tower has been relocated to the Ridge and we have a new element – the Pamper Pole – up there too!! Please continue to pray for rapid and efficient progress in construction.

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A Caring Creator

Posted by Karah

Pause

Set aside anything that could distract you from focusing on God. Turn off the TV, your phone, and deal with anything that is weighing on your mind in prayer before you begin.

“God also said, ‘Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you.” —Genesis 1:29

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.” —Genesis 2:18

Read through Genesis 1:26–2:25 carefully. As you read, look for the ways God showed His love and provision to humanity. Underline the instances you find and jot down any insights or notes. How do these examples help you to understand that God values humanity?

Consider these questions:

Look at your notes and the things you underlined in your Bible. What do these instances teach you about God’s attitude toward humanity?

Consider Genesis 1:28. Why is it important that God gave Adam a job and a sense of purpose? Explain.

Reread Genesis 1:29-30. How do these verses show God’s provision for Adam and Eve? Why is it important that you understand God provides for His children?

Read God’s command in Genesis 2:15-17. How does God providing a boundary help you to see His love and affection for humanity? Explain.

The Point

From the beginning of His story, God has never been distant or uncaring toward His people. God values us, loves us, and cares for us.

Respond

Think back over your life. Where do you see examples of God’s love? Of His provision? Of ways He has met your needs? Thank God for how He has worked in your life, giving you direction, providing for you, and loving you.

God sets boundaries in our lives because He knows what is best for us. Are there boundaries He has set that you’re trying to ignore? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways you’re living in opposition to God today. Confess and turn away from them today.

For further study of God’s provision and love for you, read Matthew 6:31-32; Luke 12:24; and Philippians 4:19.

Behind the Story

Genesis 2:4 includes the first use of God’s personal name, denoted as Lord, in English. The Hebrew spelling is transliterated as YHWH. The Jews considered the name to be so sacred that they would not allow themselves to say it. Its actual pronunciation is unknown, but suggestions include Yahweh and Jehovah.

In His Image

Posted by Karah

Pause

Read through Genesis 1–2 again today. Praise God for the creativity you see in His creation and thank Him for creating you.

What are some things that people think set them apart from the crowd?

Circle all that apply.

Income Hard work/effort

Intelligence Passion for something

Skills Family

Popularity Appearance

Relationships Power

“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7

Now, read Genesis 1:26-27 again. As you read, think about who or what is being set apart from the rest of creation in these verses. Consider these questions:

Of all the things that God created, only humans are made in His image. How does that set us apart from other created things?

What does that fact teach you about the kind of relationship God wants to have with us—even from the very beginning?

Read Genesis 2:4-7,18-22 in your Bible.

What examples of the set-apart, intimate relationship God wants to have with His children do you see in these verses? Explain.

Why is it important that we recognize that from the very beginning we were made to know God personally and be in fellowship with Him?

The Point

God, the Author and Main Character of Scripture, created us to be in relationship with Him.

Respond

Meditate on this thought: God created humanity in His image even though He knew—even in the very act of creation—that He would have to redeem us.

God wants to have a personal relationship with you and provided the way through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Place your faith in Him.

As Christians, God is continuing to conform us to His image, the likeness He has shown us in Jesus (Rom. 8:29). How can you see God at work in your life? If you don’t see God conforming you into His likeness, ask the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual eyes to see God at work or reveal any sin that is disrupting your relationship with Him.

Behind the Story

The creation of humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creative work. This is shown in that it was His final creative act, along with the personal nature of the way He created man and woman. In addition, of all God’s creation, only humans are said to be made in His image.

Three-In-One

Posted by Karah

Pause

Focus your mind on God and who He is. Listen or sing your favorite worship song to Him as an act of worship. Try “The Earth s Yours” by Gungor (Beautiful Things, 2010).

Read through Genesis 1:1-27 in your Bible, then focus on verses 26-27.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” —Genesis 1:26-27

Ask yourself:

What do these verses reveal to you about the main character of Scripture? Explain.

Focus on verses 2, 26, and 27. How do these verses suggest the Trinity? Why is that important?

Now, read Colossians 1:15-20 in your Bible.

What was Jesus’ role in creation? Explain.
Why is it important to recognize that the God who created the world and set redemption into motion is a three-in-one God?

The Point

The Author of the story is our threefold God. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all active in creation—and redemption.

Respond

It’s easy to think that Jesus and the Holy Spirit didn’t enter the story until much later, but it is our threefold God—Father, Son, and Spirit—who set the world into motion, beginning with creation.

Praise God in all three Persons for their involvement in creation and the story of redemption.

Think about your personal story of redemption. Thank each Person of the Trinity for their role in bringing you into a relationship with the Father through the Son, empowered by the Spirit.

For further study, read John 1:1-13.

Behind the Story

The original audience of Genesis 1-2 would not have recognized Genesis 1:26-27
as a reference to the Trinity, since that concept wasn’t fully revealed until later in redemptive history. While theologians caution that we cannot derive the entire doctrine of the Trinity from one use of a plural pronoun, we can derive that there is plurality within the Godhead. This passage is the first of four Old Testament passages where the plural is found in divine dialogue. Genesis 3:22, 11:7, and Isaiah 6:8 are the others.

GODHEAD (n.) =Word used to refer to the three Persons of the Trinity, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Construction Update

Posted by Karah

The Dining Hall is really coming along. The walls on the lowest level are going up quickly. The Dining Hall will be so big and so convenient for all of the many activities and skills to be held there. Also, the barn, SALT cabin, horseback cabin, and old kitchen boy cabin have been taken down.

Meanwhile, our first Cherokee cabin has been built on the Ridge, and the rest will be popping up very quickly!

Future Cherokee 42

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Construction Update

Posted by Karah

Big things are happening! Footers are being laid up on the Ridge for future Cherokee and Choctaw cabins.

Future Cherokee hill. Look at that view!

The pool area is cleared and we are SO excited for the design and for all the fun we will have there this summer.

The Dining Hall has also made some big progress as well. The foundation and floor have been laid for the new part of the Dining Hall. The walls for the bottom level are beginning to go up as well.