Ridgecrest Camps » Boys

God Doesn’t Like Fakers

melissa — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:01:32 +0000

I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE WHO act like something or someone they aren’t. Most people call them fakers; the Bible calls them hypocrites. You see it all the time. You know people who try to be something they aren’t. They’re always trying to impress everyone or somehow be better than everyone else. You don’t really like to be around that kind of person. It feels tiring and pointless.

And when you’re absolutely honest with yourself, you’ve been that person at least once in your life.

Read Isaiah 29:13-16 and focus on verse 13.

What did God not like about the way the people were worshiping Him?

Think over the phrases God used, like “man-made rules” and “lip service.” What do those mean? How have you seen them play out in your life?

What are the results when people offer lip service to God?

What do these verses teach you about God’s attitude toward worship?

What are you allowing to distract you from truly worshiping God?

When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites, He didn’t have a lot of good things to say. He told them that they’d made worshiping Him into something meaningless. They did all the right things, but their hearts weren’t in the right place. Outwardly, they looked like perfect followers of God, but it was all fake. They’d watered down faith into a long list of rules. They said all the right things but didn’t mean them.

God doesn’t want us to be fakers—not in our lives or in our worship to Him. But many times, we’re guilty of just that. We can’t see God work if our worship is focused on us and not on Him. He wants us to come to Him with absolute honesty, without hidden motives. He wants to have a relationship with us through Jesus—not watch us follow a long list of rules. Be real with God. Come to Him with honesty when things are going well and when they’re not. Worship Him with every moment of your life, when it’s easy and when it’s not. It’s what He wants.

February Free Canteen Winner!

seth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:42:55 +0000

Congratulations to this month’s free Canteen winner, Thatcher Broyles! Thatcher will be having his Canteen choice, Cheerwine and a Fun dip, delivered straight to his door this week. Thatcher was a Shawnee last summer, and he will be moving up to the mighty Choctaw this year. He said his favorite thing about camp was Sock War, and his favorite staff member was his counselor Adam “Rambo” Smith! Thatcher is excited about coming back to camp this year to go on the Blob and for Horseback Skill!

So guys, remember to keep commenting on the blog. Every time you leave a comment your name goes into the drawing for a FREE CANTEEN! You could be the winner next month!

Worship Is A Verb

melissa — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:01:45 +0000

WHEN WAS the last time you felt angry because someone’s actions disappointed you? For me it was when my wife and I drove up to our house to discover my car had been stolen. It’s a strange feeling to be angry and hurt at the same time.

Read Mark 11:15-19. Contemplate verse 17.

What was going on that made Jesus angry?

Why would that have made Jesus angry?

How did the priests and scribes respond to Jesus’ actions?
Why were they afraid of Jesus?

Jesus didn’t like the things He saw at the temple that kept people from truly worshiping. What kind of things would He not like in your life?

That day in the temple, it seems clear that Jesus was angry and hurt at the same time. He had walked into the temple—the place where people were supposed to serve the one true God—and found thieves. The money-changers and religious leaders were profiting from the religious traditions of the day. The temple was the one place where worship should have been on full display; and instead, greed was the primary focus.

It must have saddened Jesus to see the people He loved so far from the truth. Yet, we still do the same thing today when we allow barriers to get in the way of true worship. We do it in our daily lives when we let things distract us from focusing on God and in worship services when we text, daydream, or write notes. Are you making God’s house a place of worship or a den of thieves?

4 secrets to finding the best staff around!

seth — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:46:02 +0000

Here are the 4 secrets that I used on my travels to find the best staff around to work at Camp!

1. Drive a lot, as in 2,200 miles in 13 days across 4 states, to search for the coolest guys you can find.

2. Visit some awesome college campuses, feed a lot of people and tell them about camp!

3. Hang out with awesome staff who have worked with us before and feed them as well, they like food.

4. Praise God for Camp and how he blesses us year to year with the best staff in the country!

Those are just a few things that I learned as I traveled from Ridgecrest all the way to Orlando and back on my trip to recruit staff for the summer of 2010 and see some old staff along the way! You all need to be real excited about this summer, other than the fact of getting back for Sock War, Campfire, Council Ring, and Skills, but, also, because your staff is going to be AWESOME! I guarantee it. I can’t let you guys down when it comes to staff!

Be looking on the blog in the coming weeks for a list of the staff that are returning! I know you will be excited. I will leave you with some pictures from my trip!

If You Belong To Him, You Can’t Hide It

melissa — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:01:36 +0000

HAVE YOU ever wondered why your nose is the way it is? Or maybe why some men never go bald and others have heads as shiny as bowling balls? Why do some women have high cheekbones and others don’t?
The answer lies in genetics. All the things that make you uniquely you—including those things you hate—were passed down to you from your parents, grandparents, and all those family members who came before them. Your genes help tell the story of who you are and to whom you belong.

Read Galatians 5:19-26 and read verses 22-23 out loud a few times.

What are the works of the flesh?
How have you seen your sinful desires fight against the leading of the Spirit?
According to this passage, what is the fruit of the Spirit?

Which fruit of the Spirit do you struggle with the most to express toward others?

How does the fruit of the Spirit help tell the world about whom you belong to?
What does it mean to “live by the Spirit”?

Take a good look at your life. Where do you see the work of the Spirit? In what areas do you need to let Him have more control? What steps will you take to do so?

When Paul was writing to the Galatian Christians all those years ago, he wanted them to recognize the war going on between their sinful desires and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. He explained to them (and us) that the fruit in our lives points to whom we belong. If our lives are dictated by the desires of our flesh, as Paul put it, then we aren’t in a relationship with Christ. If we know Jesus and the Spirit of God lives within us, it will be obvious. Our lives will be marked by peace, joy, love, gentleness, and all those other laudable qualities. God’s Word is clear: we must live for Christ or live for the world. We can’t live for both. It’s your life that tells the truth. So, what does your life say?

Hate Is a Strong Word

melissa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:01:39 +0000

GETTING YOUR WISDOM TEETH pulled. Getting ditched by your friends at school or in your cabin. Having your heart ripped out and stomped on by your recent crush. These are definitely situations that you don’t look forward to experiencing. It doesn’t matter if the pain is physical or emotional. We want to avoid it, minimize it, or get rid of it. What is the most painful experience you have had?

Read John 15:18-22. Reflect on verse 18.

What did Jesus say would happen if you follow Him?

Why will the world hate you?

What scares you the most about being persecuted for your faith?

What are some ways you try to avoid persecution?

How can you have hope in the midst of persecution?

Jesus never beat around the bush. He told the disciples straight up what would happen if they followed Him: they would face persecution. When you live a life dedicated to and on fire for Jesus, you can be sure that you will suffer for your faith. The world hates you! (Heartwarming, huh?) It hates you because of whose you are. You see, the world hates Jesus with a passion, and you belong to Him. But He knows what you are going through because He has already experienced it. You can trust Him to give you the strength to endure. Are you looking forward to the pain that following Jesus will bring? Probably not, but you can look forward to the day that Jesus wraps His arms around you and says, “Well done.” Remember: your suffering is only temporary; glory is forever.

Don’t Be Afraid of Suffering

melissa — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:01:27 +0000

“HOW MANY TIMES DO I have to tell you?” “If I had a quarter for every time I told you how to do that, I would be rich.” Do these statements sound familiar? Sometimes we just don’t get it, even though something has been explained to us over and over. It just doesn’t click. What is something you just don’t get?

Read Mark 10:32-40. Read verse 39 aloud.
What did James and John ask Jesus?
What was Jesus’ response?

What cup was Jesus going to drink? (What was going to happen to Him?)

What kind of persecution do followers of Christ experience today?
In what ways have you experienced persecution for following Jesus?

If you were to live more boldly for Jesus, what persecution would you experience?

The disciples—how much they remind me of myself! Jesus had told them very specifically what was going to happen to Him, and their only concern was sharing in His greatness. They wanted to rule beside Him in a place of honor. They didn’t get it! They didn’t get that Jesus was going to be persecuted, suffer, and die. They didn’t get that anyone who boldly follows Jesus will also experience persecution and suffering.

Whenever you wholeheartedly live for Jesus, it will offend the world, and you will suffer for your faith. It’s a guarantee! However you are also guaranteed that Jesus loves you, is with you, and will one day reward your faithfulness. That is something Jesus doesn’t mind telling you over and over again. Make sure you
get it!

On the road again…

seth — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:04:00 +0000

Hey Y’all!

It’s Seth, I have been on the road for the past week in the Commonwealth State (that’s Virginia, come on). I was able to go to Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, and Liberty University to recruit some staff for this summer. We only want the best staff, so we travel all over to find them! I may have even seen one of your counselors. On my trip I got to see: Eli White, Ken Brown, Jason Browning, and Sam Pineda. They told me to tell all of you hello through the Blog! Next week I leave to go on an 11 day trip to Florida, I hope it is sunny and warm down there. I want to get away from all this cold and snow! I will let you guys know where I am going so if I am near you, leave a comment and maybe I’ll see you around!

Seth’s Next Adventure:
2/9: Clemson, SC
2/10: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
2/11: UWF, Pensacola, FL
2/12: Back to Tallahassee for the night
2/14: Good News Church, St. Augustine, FL
2/16: Orlando, FL
2/17: UF, Gainesville, FL
2/18: Jacksonville, FL
2/19: Charlotte, NC

Leave a comment if I am coming near you!

In Him,

Seth

January FREE Canteen Winner!

phil — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:16:50 +0000

Congrats to Van Lucas! He is our January winner of a Free Canteen delivered to his door, straight from the Ridgecrest Canteen. Van, go ahead and tell me your order. I’ll make the hike to the canteen, through the snow, to pick up a drink and candy of your choice.

You too could win a Free Canteen! Simply make a comment on any blog post to enter. You can make as many comments as you like. Good luck and see you this summer!

Live By Example

melissa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:01:30 +0000

WHAT DO MILEY CYRUS and Kobe Bryant have in common? They are role models for thousands of teens. Girls try and dress like Miley, and boys try and shoot like Kobe. Who wouldn’t want to trade places with them for a day? Just the thought of thousands of fans screaming your name is a rush. With which famous person would you be pumped to trade places?

Read Matthew 20:20-28 and memorize verse 28.
Who came to Jesus? Why?
What was Jesus’ response?

What was Jesus’ requirement for greatness?
How did Jesus model servanthood?

Whom do you have a hard time serving? Why?

How would Jesus want you to serve that person this week?

Mothers want the best for their kids. James and John’s mother was no different. After all, they were some of Jesus’ best friends. Believing Jesus to be the Messiah who would set up an earthly kingdom, she wanted recognition and honor for her boys—yet Jesus told her sons to live as servants.

Jesus’ response was not expected. The most amazing thing about the whole conversation was that Jesus used Himself as a role model. He wasn’t asking His disciples to do anything that He wasn’t doing or going to do, including laying down His own life so that all could be saved. When you are looking for someone to model your life after, don’t look at celebrities. Look at the cross.