Ridgecrest Camps

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.

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.

“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!

“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!

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

We have a new Winner!! Kayla Jamison has been a faithful follower of our blog and her enthusiasm has paid off because she is our January Winner!  Kayla will soon be munching on her Snickers bar and washing it down with a refreshing Sprite.  This past summer Kayla was able to be apart of the Chickasaw Village, and her favorite activity was Messy Games!  We can’t wait to see Kayla and everyone else back at camp this summer, and remember if you would like to receive a yummy Free Store in the Mail you have to comment, comment, and comment some more!

We choose a winner each month, so be sure to comment all throughout this month and maybe you could be the February Winner.  If chosen, we’ll get your order and send to you a Care Package filled with your choice of goodies!

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!

Once again Jack Frost himself has covered our lovely camp with white snow.  This time we received about 6 inches of the white fluffy stuff and are truly enjoying it to the fullest.  Here are some pictures of your home away from home covered in snow:

Also, even through the cold winter days our construction crews are moving along with enthusiasm.  All of the Cheyenne and Choctaw cabins have their siding up, and the Cherokee cabins are getting their new inside walls.  Cherokee 25 seems like a completely new building with a higher ceiling and open floor plans- these changes are so exciting!  Here are a few pictures to show the updated construction with more to come soon.

Check in soon for more updates and remember to comment for your chance of winning a Free Store!

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.

The girls of Camp Crestridge lost a special friend yesterday, as Arko our beloved camp dog passed away.  Arko has been the faithful companion of our Summer Director, Marva Rawlings for over 13 years. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to her today.  It’s hard to think about our favorite dog not being there to oversee the 4-square courts, or to allow us some good cuddle time when we need it.  We’ll miss you very much Arko.