Camp Crestridge – Page 18

Spend Time

Posted by Melissa

Look-alikes. There’s a rumor that the longer a couple is married, the more they begin to look like each other. When you live in the South long enough, you develop a Southern accent. There are even pictures on the Internet of people who look like their dogs! (Creepy.) All those things aside, the point is this: when you spend a lot of time with someone, that person rubs off on you. You begin to become more and more alike.

Read Acts 4:8-13, looking especially closely at verse 13.

Why were the disciples being questioned?

What was their response?

What did the crowd of people recognize about Peter and John?

How did the crowd know that Peter and John had been hanging around with Jesus?

Do the people around you ever recognize that you’ve spent time with Jesus? Why or why not?

In today’s passage, Peter and John were in trouble. They had healed a man and were being questioned about it by people who weren’t exactly fans of them or their faith. The religious leaders were astounded by Peter and John. They knew that Peter and John were uneducated, normal guys, but their explanation wasn’t. The crowd recognized that these men had spent time with Jesus.

Jesus had rubbed off on them. They had been around Jesus so much that they spoke like Him, acted like Him, and loved like Him. Want to help people know God? Spend time with Jesus and let Him rub off on you.

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. —Acts 4:13

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Want to see God? Look to Jesus.

Posted by Melissa

Pictures. Photographs. Portraits. Digital images. Think about your favorite picture of yourself. Why do you like it? What does it say about you? What are you doing in it? Does it say anything about your family or what you believe is most important? Explain.

Read Hebrews 1:1-3, and stop to think about verse 3.

According to these verses, how did God reveal Himself in “these last days”?

How much of an expression of God is Jesus?

What does this passage have to do with knowing there is a God?

Do these verses indicate that Jesus is a good picture of God?

What does Jesus’ earthly life tell us about God?

Some people find faith difficult because it involves believing in Someone we can’t see. But as today’s passage points out, while we don’t have a photo of God, He has revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ. If you want to know what God is really like, read about Jesus’ life here on earth. Discover His character. See how He treated people. Understand why He came to earth and what He came to do. Seek Jesus. The clearest picture you have of God is Jesus, a Man who loved and served others and gave Himself up—even unto death—for our well-being. He is God! Today’s key verse says He is the exact expression of God’s nature.

So, what is God like? Jesus.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. —Hebrews 1:3

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No Excuses

Posted by Melissa

So what’s your best excuse? When you don’t have your homework, what do you say? Something along the lines of: “I’m environmentally conscious, and I am saving paper this week”; “The dog ate my flash drive”; or “We had homework?”

I’m sure you could be more creative than that. You might have over a hundred excuses, but how many are “good” excuses? How many really excuse you from your responsibility? There is one thing for which no one has a good excuse.

Read Romans 1:18-20, focusing on verse 20.

According to these verses, what is revealed against godlessness?

These verses say that what can be known about God has been made evident. How?

What evidence of God have you seen around you?

Why are people without excuse?

Today’s passage indicates that there is no good excuse for not believing in God. We may come up with excuses like the lame ones we use for forgetting our homework, but there is not a valid excuse. Scripture says God has proven His existence through the things He has created. God is real. Did the sun rise today? Did you breathe air? Did your blood flow where it was supposed to and your feet and hands work today? God has made Himself known through His creation, and there is no excuse for not believing.

For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. —Romans 1:20

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

See The Proof

Posted by Melissa

Read Psalm 19:1-6.

Think about the most breathtaking natural wonder you’ve ever seen. The Grand Canyon. Niagara Falls. Mountain ranges, vast river valleys, caves. Think about the intricacies of your body’s cells and the tiny details you can’t even see with the naked eye on the wing of a butterfly. Consider that no one has the same fingerprints and every dog has a unique nose print. Ponder the seasons, the tides, the moon, and the stars.

Creation itself testifies that there is a Creator. The world around us calls us into a God-consciousness. Because of the intricacies of life, life processes, and all creation, we begin to recognize that there is a God who created all and is in control of it all. Just as a watch points to the existence of a watchmaker, creation over and over declares the glory of the Creator.

That’s what David was describing in today’s Scripture passage. Just as a watch has a watchmaker and a house has a builder, we can look at the intricacies of creation and know that God made it. You live in a world in which many proclaim there is no God, yet creation itself tells a different story. As David pointed out, creation sings a silent song of praise to the Creator, and the message has gone out to all of the world. The writer even points to the sun itself, calling attention to its daily route from horizon to horizon and describing its brightness as the joy of a bridegroom or an eager athlete. The sun itself testifies to the existence of a Creator who set our planet into motion around it. The point is this: God reveals Himself to the world, and one of the ways He does so is through His creation. Many in this world may question the existence of a Creator, but creation doesn’t. If anything, it testifies to His glory. Look out your window. Go outside. See the proof.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. —Psalm 19:1

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

New Crestridge Flag

Posted by Karah

Flags represent a community of people, where they come from, and what they stand for. This summer, Crestridge has received its own special addition to fly proudly at camp. Given to us and made by hand by one of our own lovely camp nurses, Monica Kidder, the flag sports camp’s symbol and colors. We are happy to have a place like Crestridge where we can grow in the Lord, and make lasting friendships that build up the body of Christ. Whenever you think about Camp Crestridge or see the waving flag this summer, give thanks to the Lord for blessings such as camp, friendships, and creation. We are getting so excited for the summer to start, and we are just about ready to have all of you here! See you all very soon!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest, Crestridge, Crestridge Flag, Flag, New Flag, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Just Talk

Posted by Melissa

I’m not afraid to share my faith. I’m really not. I love sharing the life-giving truth about Jesus. However, don’t start asking me questions about my Christian T-shirt when I’m in the middle of my favorite TV show, and don’t text me with questions about a confusing Bible verse when I’m headed to the football game. Admittedly, it’s hardest for me to share my faith when it’s inconvenient. When is it toughest for you?

Zone in on verse 2 as you read 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

With what have we been charged?

Which of these instructions are easiest for you to carry out? Which one is toughest? Explain.

What is a recent situation that has required great patience from you? How did you do?

When has it been difficult for you to persist in telling others about Jesus? When has it been inconvenient?

What are some examples of verse 3 in your school, community, or even church?

What does it mean to keep a clear head?

How can young believers keep clear heads in our culture?

What are you doing to keep a clear head?

Paul spoke some pretty challenging words to Timothy. People aren’t going to like your words, he admitted. Paul’s advice? Tell them anyway and don’t quit. When are you most tempted to quit? When does it seem like a waste of time to even open your mouth?

Stop right now and ask God for courage to speak His truth, even when it’s unpopular. Even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it hurts. No matter what, speak His truth.

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. —2 Timothy 4:2

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Meet the 2011 Cherokee Village Director!

Posted by Karah

Say “hello” to the lovely Ashley Sutherland! Ashley is from Greenville, South Carolina, and she just graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Marketing. This will be Ashley’s third summer at Crestridge. Serving as a counselor her first two summers, she is back this summer to lead and serve the sweet Cherokees as the Cherokee Village Director. Ashley is very excited to get to know all of her campers, meet the new girls, and see the growth of her returning girls. Keep Ashley in your prayers as she kicks off her life as a college grad and prepares to come serve all the young ladies and staff at Crestridge.

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Tell Your Story

Posted by Melissa

At the local coffee shop, a man sits alone, gesturing and having a conversation with . . . uh, no one? No, he isn’t deranged. He has a headset on his ear. Sure, he looks like he’s talking to himself, but he actually is having a real conversation. That must have been how Paul looked to his companions while he had his very first conversation with Jesus, except there was no earpiece. Just a very real God.

Read Acts 22:6-10. Don’t miss verses 6 and 7.

How do you think Paul felt when the blinding light suddenly flashed around him?

What was it like when you first experienced the light of God’s truth? Explain.

How would you describe that experience to someone who has never met Jesus?

If Paul didn’t know who was speaking to him, why did he call Him “Lord”? Explain.

If you have never had a personal experience with God, why do you think that is?

Why do you think Jesus didn’t give Paul the complete instructions right away?

How do you feel when God gives you incomplete instructions and you have to wait?

God got Paul’s attention by pointing out that his religious crusades against Christians were actually persecuting the very God he thought he was serving. Think back to the day you met Jesus. How did God get your attention? How can you explain that moment to others in a way that makes sense to them? Don’t let the unbelievers in your life stare at the light without comprehending it. Help them hear God’s words.

As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” —Acts 22:6-7

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Say “Hi there” to the 2011 Choctaw Village Director

Posted by Karah

Say “hello” to Katie Correll! Katie is from good ol’ Memphis, Tennessee and is currently studying Earth Sciences at the University of Memphis. This will be Katie’s third summer at Crestridge. Her first two summers, she was a counselor in the Choctaw Village. This summer, Katie will be serving the lovely Choctaw’s as the Choctaw Village Director! Katie loves geocaching at camp, and loves being in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She is really excited for planning activities, and is looking forward to serving her campers along side of her staff! Be praying for Katie as she is finishing up her classes, and as she prepares to come lead the lovely Choctaw Village this summer!

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New Addition to the Crestridge Lake

Posted by Sharon

That’s right campers, get ready for a new addition to the Crestridge Lake this summer! You might be wandering…what else could we possibly add? Well, we have replaced the ancient cement docks with bigger, floating docks! You now have the option to walk out to a new swim platform without getting wet, or you can swim to the new platform. Take your pick! We are excited to see campers swimming in the lake again, it’s too empty right now. Check out the pictures below: