ENCORE!!!!

It’s Friday!!!

Home tomorrow–can’t wait.  I will let your kids tell you all about today when they get home, since it is a recent memory!

We are planning to leave here by 9 if at all possible. The goal is to screech into the new parking lot by 12:30!

Your kids are a blessing!

Yes, but I will say why in a minute…

Our morning sponsor challenge was on John 3:30- “He must increase, but I must decrease” from Evangelist Tom “Double Barrell” Farrell. I appreciated and needed the reminder myself, that it is Christ–My knowledge of Him, my proclamation of Him and the resulting knowledge of Him that spreads to others that must increase. Too many of us are always pushing in our lives to increase our own selves–our reputation, our abilities, our wealth, our experiences–that we leave Christ out of the picture of our lives. When Christ is not in the forefront of our lives, He will certainly not be on the edge of our tongues and those around us will not hear about Him.

We may excuse ourselves by thinking, “At least they will see Jesus in us,” but a Christian that doesn’t speak about Jesus will simply not be a Christian whose life testifies of Jesus. He must increase!

Now, about your kids– they are a blessing. I prayed with a couple of the boys after the service. One said “I just think God might want me to preach.” The other prayed that his life would be lived for CHrist. I told him afterward his voice sounded just like his dad’s when he prayed (it was striking). One of your kids bought pops for two cabin friends to be kind. Another keeps his eyes on the speaker the whole time and I can tell he considers every word. The girls have made friends and encouraged their counsellor. One guy asked, “Can I sit out this game and learn a couple more verses?” Another one got a cheap shot in the back during a game and he responded perfectly. I won’t say they are all perfect all the time, but our kids represent our church, your family, and Christ well even as Junior Campers. Good job!

I meet with them all this afternoon to remind them to bring all of the luggage they came with to the van in the morning. Our goal is to leave about 9:00 AM, but that is always dependent on when the kids get packed, who wanders off somewhere while everyone else is on the van and who else leaves when I go find the lost sheep, etc. However, we will depart sometime, Lord willing, and shoot to be home by 12:30. I am looking forward to that as much as you are!

Thirsty Thursday

Great day today folks! We had a later service and I was spending some time with others, so I am quite late getting this up (and getting to bed!).

This morning’s breakfast was a little more normal: French Toast and sausage, though I saw a few kids with the “I look like a corn dog, but I am really a wheatsausage pancake thing.”

I got some good pictures at and after breakfast, but forgot the card again. Never done that before, but I did it twice. Regardless, I got some more pics during free time and such which I uploaded.

The morning service followed the theme of “Navy Seals: The Only Easy Day is Yesterday!” Mark addressed the kids not to be lazy in their spiritual life, but instead to have 1) an attitude of surrender (of their eyes, and mind), 2) An Aversion to Sin (you hate sin and love God and His Word), and 3) An adoption of Separation (from sin and from sinners).  Mark encouraged the kids to love God and work hard to know Him better.

Lunch was leftover hamburgers and the old Cole-Slaw, plus fresh hot dogs, macaroni salad (another menu choice by an elderly person) and chips.  I dove for the salad bar again.

The afternoon was filled with cabin challenges, Girls Swim time, and other free-time activities. The Sponsors had a cookout for dinner of chicken, and the aforementioned macaroni salad and cole-slaw, plus a great fruit salad. It was nice. I don’t know what the kids had, but I hope I didn’t miss the real corn dogs.

The kids played an activity—Boulder Football—while I was at the cookout, so I have no idea what it was. I hope they didn’t throw boulders though. I think they used a big ball.

Tonight’s message was by Hal Hightower again. His theme was to have a life that counts for Christ. He used life cereal as an object lesson and sprang off the text Mt. 16:24 , “Whosoever will save his life will lose it.” He encouraged the kids not to be selfish with their life, not to waste it, nor to defile it, but to share it with others and live it for God.

It is cooler here tonight, so we are thankful. It is about 65 degrees right now. I hear it is a bit warmer downstate!  Sleep well tonight.

Oh, and I polled the kids– 14-0 in favor of the one’s who don’t miss being home. I don’t know if it is me or if it is camp, but they want to be here! I am planning to bring all of them home Saturday though, so don’t worry.

Wednesdsay Evening

Hey Folks,

Nice and warm here today. Kids don’t mind too much and they seem to have had a good day today. I caught most of them at the cookout by the lake, which included cheeseburgers, chips, and cole slaw (tell me, do any of your kids eat cole slaw? The bowl seemed pretty full and I was one of the last to go through). They had chips and Capri-Sun juice too, so everyone was happy.

CoBeAc has expanded it’s waterfront significantly. I took some pictures of it for those of you who have been here. The beach is bigger, there is a deck, and they expanded the boat area around the corner a bit. They also dumped a lot of sand in the water so it the swimming area is bigger as well. They even got new kayaks and paddleboats which are nice.

Tonight’s service theme was the Army Rangers. “Leading the Way” is their motto. Mark spoke on “Leading the Way through the Roman’s Road.” He gave a straightforward gospel message. 1) Man’s Problem: Sin. 2) Sin’s Penalty: Death. 3) The Payment: Christ’s Sacrifice. 4) God’s Plea: Repent, Believe, and Receive Christ.

I could tell the kids were dragging after a long, hot day.

Tonight they had Funny Time (I will let them tell you about it!) and Their bonfire (they know how to build them big up here in the woods!), which concluded with a trail hike through the woods. No phone calls from the office tonight, so I think everyone made it back. I will be there at breakfast to check on them and I am available all night long if there are any issues.  You all have good kids!

Pray they will get a good night’s sleep. (me too!)

Wednesday Morning

Since it is going to be a late night tonight, I thought I would do a midday post for you–esp if you are starved for pictures.  In our morning chapel time, Mark talked about “The Soldier’s Arsenal” for serving God. He began with 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 then branched off from there into more of a theology of the equipping for Christian life.

1. The Power of God
• Demonstrated in Creation (Gen 1:1)
• Demonstrated in Christ
• Displayed throughout Scripture (Ps 62:11; Job 42:2; Lk 1:37; Mt. 19:26)
2. The Presence of God’s Spirit- He lives inside of believers (Acts 1:8; Jn 16:13; Gal 5:16)
• He communicates truth through His Word (Jn 14:26)
• He confronts us when we are wrong- conviction
• He comforts us when we are hurting
• He controls us as we obey the Word
3. The Promises of God’s Word (1 Jn 2:2-5)
4. The Prayers of God’s People (Mt. 26:41; Lk. 18:1; James 5:16)

Following Chapel, there was an emergency drill information meeting, then the kids had some cabin time to learn their memory verses. It is wacky-Wednesday, so the campers are dressed in bright colors, inside-out clothes, and interesting hairdos.

In case you are wondering, they are making the kids take showers once a day–either in the evening before bed or in the morning. Trust me, they needed them!

They finished nap time a short while ago since it is a later night. Tonight’s schedule:

3:00- Watermelon Time

3:00-5:00- Guys Swim Time and Open Activity Time- Stores, Game room, Frisbee Golf, Climbing Wall, Crafts, Black Hole, Basketball

5:00- Cookout by the lake

5:30-6:30- Zipline, Game Room

7:00-8:15- Evening Service

8:30-8:50- Team Meetings

9:00-9:45- (Hope Its) Funny Time

10:00-10:30- Campfire/Singspiration/Woods Hike

11:00- Back to Cabin

Tuesday Morning Meditation

Good night at camp last night. It looks like the storm that was headed this way has dissipated. The kids had a healthy breakfast of what looked like corn dogs. Never fear– it was a sausage on a stick dipped and fried in pancake batter! Frosted mini-wheates with bananas, apples, peaches and oranges were served as an alternative. (I had the alternative :-))

From today’s reading of Hosea 1-4, I would encourage you to meditate on Hosea 2:23: “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will aslo have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!'”

People say a lot of things that identify themselves and make a lot of boastful claims about their background, their ethnicity, their wealth, their positions, and their accomplisments.

What a privilege we have to proclaim the accomplishment of God– that He has made us His people who were not His people. He looks at us now and says “You are Mine!” We, in turn can look to heaven and say “You are my God!” Pray that, through the gospel, we will have the blessing of seeing people who now say to many other things or to themselves “you are my god,” say to the True and Living God, “You are my God!”

Tuesday at Camp

Good evening, parents! First off, I want to apologize for the lack of pictures tonight. I left my memory card in my laptop and then don’t have the connector cord, so I will have to upload Tuesday’s pictures on Saturday! I did get one tonight of Dayton looking for his cabin buddies 🙂

Today was another good day here at Camp. Weather was a little warm, but breezy and not as hot as predicted.  I met the kids at a breakfast of egg product and biscuits.  After breakfast they cleaned their cabins, had flag raising, then an hour of morning free time where they rode the zip line, went down the “black hole” (a tube slide). At 10:45 we had the morning chapel with “Major Mark.” He challenged the kids from James 1:19-20 to be special forces for God like the Marines Force Recon, whose motto is “Swift, Silent, Deadly.” God’s special forces must be swift to hear authorities, slow to speak sinfully, and slow to anger.

Lunch was served of chicken fritters and fries. Personal devotional time followed that, then cabin and camp pictures. Girls had swim time this afternoon while the boys enjoyed all the other camp activities. It was a full afternoon.

Supper was chicken-ish fajitas, rice and cake. They will certainly long for home cooking!

Tonight we heard from Evangelist Hal Hightower, who is here for a  three week period. His message was from 1 Peter 3:10 on how to have a blessed life– keep your tongue from evil, Avoid evil, do good and seek peace and pursue it.

The kids got to bed by 10:30 tonight, so hopefully they will get a good night’s rest.  Sorry again about the pictures! I may lose my sponsor job over that one! 🙂

 

Tuesday Morning Meditation

Feeling a little under-fueled by the egg product and biscuit, I have found some real fuel in God’s Word! Parents (and others), I hope you won’t mind me sharing with you.

If you are reading through the “Book at a time” Bible reading program, perhaps you were struck by today’s reading from 1 Chronicles. I was especially encouraged by David’s instruction to his son Solomon in 28:9,10 and 20:

As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act. (9,10)

Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. (20)

I was taught by the Spirit through this on a few levels:

1. In order to serve God effectively, I need to continue to  seek Him and know Him with a whole heart and willing mind.  Knowing God is not just heart work, and it is not just mind-work, neither is it one without the other. We whole-heartedly and mind-engagedly seek and know God.
2. When God has called, gifted, and tasked us for serving Him, we need to first know Him, but then act with courage and resolve.  I find myself to be too hesitant and lacking in courage many times when I know God has called me to act for His glory.
3. When God leads us to serve Him, whether in building a temple in Solomon’s case, or leading a family or serving in the church in our cases, He will be with us and will not fail or forsake us.  This inspires and fuels our confidence to know Him more and act for Him.
4. More basically–David was telling his son this.  Am I consistently teaching Grace and Pearson IV these truths with both my actions and my words? Do they see my mind and heart engaged in knowing God and in serving Him without fear?

Have a great day serving Christ!

Monday at Camp!

Welcome to the Homebuilders, I mean, the Junior Camp weblog!  I hope the updates will help you follow what your children are doing this week, pray more effectively for them, and just enjoy seeing and hearing about their week. I also hope you are challenged personally to lead your families more effectively, as you see what your children are learning from God’s Word.

We had a smooth trip, other than the normal rest area being closed. A McDonalds at the next exit was fine, and we made the rest of the trip without “incident.”  The kids were great. Loud, but great!  We pulled into Camp CoBeAc about 2:20—the same time as a storm rolled in. Nothing like starting off the week wet.

We got the kids unloaded, through health check (no lice!), and farmed off to their counselors. All the kids are in three cabins—the girls are all three together and the boys are divided into two groups with 5-6 of them in two cabins. I met their counselors and they seem like great young
people.

Dinner was mostaciolli (however you spell that), cheese-filled bread sticks, mixed veggies and cake. Salad was optional (though not for me).  The evening service followed dinner.

Our speaker is Mark Herbster, long time friend from Bob Jones’ days, and faithful preacher of God’s Word. He is guised as ‘Major Mark’ again this summer. Last summer was a “boot camp” theme, and this summer’s theme is “Be a Part of God’s Special Forces.” I know the kids will profit from his ministry.

He spoke tonight on the theme: God wants you to be a Special Forces soldier for Him that will make a difference!  The Text was 2 Samuel 23:8-39, the account of David’s mighty men of valor.

Special Forces soldiers must be willing to accomplish four actions:

1. Be Willing to Stand Singly (Alone)- The passage gives an account of a number of mighty men who fought even when others fled.
• We need to be willing to stand alone against evildoers (Ps 94:16)
• We need to stand alone even when all around are corrupt (Ezek 22:30)
• We never really stand alone, for the Lord is with us (Ps 118:6)
2. Be Willing to Serve Selflessly- the mighty man’s goal was not to promote himself but to serve their king and God.
• We must be willing to lose our lives even for Christ’s sake (Mt. 16:25)
• We must look out for the needs of others (1 Cor 10:24)
• We must look out for other’s concerns (Phil 2:4)
3. Be Willing to Submit Sincerely- Can we say that “whatever God says, that I will do?”
• We must submit to God primarily (James 4:7)
• We must submit to Christ as servants from the heart outwards (Eph 6:6)
• We must have a submissive heart that fears God shown by obeying Him (Deut 5:29)
4. Be Willing to Struggle Securely- we stuggle, and work hard, secure in God’s help, depending on Him
• We must trust in God, not our own thinking (Prov. 3:5)
• We understand a fear of man brings a trap (Prov 29:25)
• We have peace when we rest in God (Isa 26:3)

This was a good exhortation for me to be reminded about– to be willing to do right no matter who does anything differently. To be willing to serve even when it doesn’t advance my agenda or popularity or wealth. To be willing to submit from the heart and find joy in doing so. To encounter the struggle, but do so trusting in God. Parents, if we would express to our kids when we do these things, we will exemplify our role as a part of God’s “Special Forces” as well– which are really God’s redeemed, grace-receiving, joyful people.

We had a lengthy sponsor meeting afterwards, so I didn’t make the activity. THe kids all said they were doing well, and seem to be doing so. They went to their cabins afterward. I will check in with them at breakfast, and the office knows how to get in touch with me at any time of the night if there are any problems.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family in this way!

Not to many pictures yet. I will catch some more tomorrow.