Ridgecrest Camps » Girls

Sometimes, It Is You

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

POTENTIAL IS definitely a word we like to throw around. When I hear it, I’m always reminded of a pepper plant I once planted in my garden. The plant was in one of those biodegradable pots, so you could plant the whole thing. I didn’t realize that I was supposed to cut the bottom out so that the roots could continue to grow. That plant never grew to its potential because it was confined. Think about that. The thing is, we’re the same way. If we allow limitations to be put on us, we don’t grow in Christ.

Read Mark 11:22-25. Read verse 25 a few times, slowly.

What was Jesus talking about in these verses? (putting limits on what He can do and unforgiveness)

According to these verses, what happens when we pray believing God can and will answer?

What does it mean to forgive?

How does forgiving someone help you grow in faith?

How have you seen these things keep you from growing in your faith?

What steps do you need to take to actively pursue God’s will in these areas?

Growing in your faith in Christ will give you victory. Once I figured out the problem with that pepper plant, it had already died. It died because it couldn’t get the nourishment it needed to be a successful plant. You and I are in the same situation. When we don’t believe God can or will answer our prayers or refuse to forgive, our faith stagnates and our growth is minimal. But Jesus wants us to flourish. Christ wants us to have a dynamic, growing relationship with Him. What do you need to start pursuing to have that kind of relationship?

Some “Office” Fun

sharon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:04 +0000

Before I get into the “office” fun, Phil and I had the opportunity to go out to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for a couple days to take care of camp business. While we were out there, we got to have dinner with Abby Postma. Abby has been our Videographer for the past 3 summers and also our Intern last year. It was so great to catch up with her and hear what she’s been up to since camp ended. We are praying she’ll be able to return again this summer!

Despite what some of you may think, we have a lot of work to do throughout the year to get ready for the summer. Most of the time we are very busy, but we do take advantage of the amusing things here in the office. Each day, we have at least two dogs in the office, Boone (Phil Berry’s dog) and OJ (Sharon’s dog). Some days, we have an extra visitor, Ezra (Chris Maslin’s dog). We had a few extra sunglasses lying around and wondered what they would like with them on.

Oh the things we will do for a good laugh!

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.

Congratulations to Catherine Brown- February’s Free Store Winner

Kathleen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:36:38 +0000

Thanks to all of you for commenting this past month, your opinions in our Hat Poll was so helpful. This month we want to give a special shout out to Catherine Brown for all of her comments and encouragement! Catherine will be recieving her Free Store of choice: Cheerwine and Sour Punch Straws, this week.

Catherine will be moving up the hill to join the great Chickasaw Village this upcoming summer. Her favorite skill was Crafts, and her favorite staffer was Lizzy Peterson who is returning another summer to lead our Chippewa girls. We hope you enjoy your Free Store Catherine! Remember everytime you comment your name gets entered into that month’s Free Store Drawing, so keep the comments coming- we love hearing from you!

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?

Construction Keeps Moving Forward

Kathleen — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:14:37 +0000

Our construction crews are steadily moving forward and making some major progress on the cabin renovations. The Cherokee cabins all have new walls and ceilings that look absolutely amazing. Having two toilets and two showers in every cabin sure will make things easier then back in the days when the whole Choctaw Village had to share one Bath House. The crews have also started to install the showers into the Chippewa and Chickasaw cabins; changes are happening so quickly! Check out some of the shots of the improvements as well as the saved names section in Cherokee 4.

Hope you’re getting as excited about camp as we are, and remember to comment and let us know what you think!

If You Belong to Him, You Can’t Hide

phil — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:01:58 +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?

Samford Staffers Sing for You

Kathleen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:59:00 +0000

This past week I was able to travel throughout Mississippi and Alabama in order to recruit some amazing college students to serve on staff for the upcoming summer. I made stops at Auburn University, Mississippi College, Mississippi State, Samford University, and the University of North Alabama. Not only did I get to meet some really great people who were interested in camp, but I was also able to reunite and visit with some of our staff from previous summers. While at Samford we decided to celebrate the time together by enjoying 2 of Crestridge’s favorite pastimes: eating ice cream and singing camp songs while standing on chairs. Lauren Lunceford, Leanna Cannafax, Brooke Crutchfield, Laura Edwards, Keaghan Glassmyer, Jenn Debrecht, and Taylor Pierce show their Crestridge pride as they sing Kitty Kitty Kitty for all of you.

Join in the fun at home by sharing your favorite camp song with your friends and family in true Crestridge fashion!

Pick Your Favorite Hat

sharon — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:04:34 +0000

Hey all you Crestridgers, we need your help! Every summer we try and come up with some awesome t-shirts, sweatpants, jackets, waterbottles, and other items that you can purchase at the Camp Store. We love seeing you girls show camp spirit all year round! Well, this year we want your input. We are trying to choose a hat for this upcoming summer and have narrowed the field down to 3 choices.

Option 1- This hat is a more of a street-savvy style that you all can most definitely rock (please know that the UCLA will be replaced with Crestridge):

Option 2- A fun neon version of the Trucker Hat:

Option 3: A basic and simple, yet totally awesome hat:

Let us know which one you like the best. Also, if you have an idea of something you would like to see in Crestridge Store- tell us! We can’t wait to hear what you think!

Hate Is a Strong Word

phil — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:05:12 +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.