MONTHLY ARCHIVES: December 2011

God Loves You

Posted by anthologycreative

Read Galatians 4:1-7.

Slavery—it isn’t something we willingly think about. Yet every day, we can’t help but hear stories of those who are caught in this evil.

In the newspaper, on the Internet, or from our friends, we hear of children forced to work in mills and factories and of young girls caught in human trafficking. We see consumer campaigns urging us to stop buying clothing made in sweatshops all over the world. We’re aware of how ugly slavery is, and the plight of slaves touches our hearts. But most times we don’t like to dwell on their daily lives. It’s too tragic and overwhelming.

In today’s passage, however, we are reminded that spiritually, we too were once in the same desperate condition. Sin held us in its unyielding grip. There was no escape. And even though we thought we were in charge, truth was, we never had any power over anything. Satan held our past, our present, and our future in his cruel hands.

Enter Jesus. Suddenly, there is hope and a way of escape. Suddenly, we have a choice and a future. And God, the Almighty One, becomes our Father. How things have changed! Instead of being nobodies, we’ve been welcomed into an eternal family, loved and accepted by the Father. God doesn’t hold you at arm’s length. If you are a believer, you are a dearly loved child of the Creator Himself.

Don’t let the wonder of that kind of love escape you today. When things get stressful, remember whose you are. Rest in the love of a Father who will never leave you. You are loved!


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Merry Christmas from Camp Ridgecrest!

Posted by phil

We love this time at Camp! Why? Because it means that we are half way there! The Summer 2012 season is now closer than last summer! We hope and pray that your time with family and friends is enjoyable and that you remember to be thankful for what Jesus has already done for us. We still have spots for next summer! Grab your spot before it’s too late….


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Our Gingerbread House

Posted by Karah

Ridgecrest Summer Camps recently entered a Gingerbread House Contest that was held at the Ridgecrest Christmas Party (Conference Center and Camp staff).  We also had to submit a video with our Gingerbread House.  We didn’t win first place, but we did win “Most Creative”!  You all should be proud!


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Use The Map

Posted by anthologycreative

Try to find your house on a globe. Or maybe you could find Camp and the Lake. (I’m pretty sure you can’t do it.) Sure, you could find your city, if your city is big enough. A globe is the wrong kind of map if you want to find your way around a city. In the same way, if you were planning an international journey, a city map wouldn’t be much help. It might help you find the airport or the main highway out of town, but that’s it. To get where you want to go, you need the right map.

Read Galatians 3:23-29. Check out verses 24-26.

How is the Old Testament law like a road map?

What happens if you only use the law as your guide? Where would you end up?

How is faith like a map?

According to these verses, what purpose did the law serve?

How have you seen Jesus bring freedom in your life? In the lives of others?

God gave the Old Testament law to show us who He is and who we are (and are not). God is holy; we are not. God’s laws are perfect, and we are far from perfect. The map of the law only gets us part of the way there. The law provided boundaries and accountability, but it didn’t do anything about setting people free from their sinfulness. The law reveals our limitations; it shows us that we are sinners who need a Savior.

Jesus is the completion of the map. He is the way, the truth and the life. It’s Jesus who leads us to the Father and finishes the job that the law started. Together, they make the perfect guide to lead us to eternity.


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Everyone Needs A Savior

Posted by anthologycreative

Have you ever played Ridgecrest dodgeball and been knocked out of the game? You sit on the sidelines and wait for someone to catch a ball. Your ability to get back in the game requires the actions of another person. Your destiny is out of your hands. Someone needs to rescue you.

In life, like in dodgeball, there are many times that we need someone to save or rescue us. The trick is knowing the right person to rescue you.

Read Galatians 3:19-22 and make sure you notice verse 22.

What are some things you think imprison you today?

What does it mean that Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power?

How is sin like a prison?

If sin is the thing that is imprisoning you, who can rescue you?

Have you asked Jesus to set you free from your sin? Why or why not?

How does it feel to know that Jesus has set believers free from sin?

Each of us has areas of sin with which we struggle. We all need rescuing. Left on our own, we are unable to set ourselves free from sin. There is no way we can be perfect, and so we become slaves to the sin in our lives. Sin is like quicksand, and we need someone to pull us out. We need to be rescued; we need a Savior.

Jesus is the only way out of the prison of sin. It’s not good works or being nice or following all the rules of being a so-called “good Christian.” If we believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we become free from sin. He is the key that opens the gates that keep us trapped. Let Him set you free today!


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Retro Friday: Old Cabins

Posted by phil

Our Cabins here at Camp Ridgecrest have made quite a bit of progress over the years. There have been a number of renovations including: adding new roofs and higher walls, painting the cabins different colors, adding sky lights, adding block stilts rather than wood, adding small platforms outside the door, adding a small deck to that platform, and now adding a covered porch. It’s neat to watch the transformation over the years! What do you remember?


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He Promised

Posted by anthologycreative

How important are promises in your life? Promises are binding. That’s why people make contracts and written agreements. Once those documents are signed, the people involved are required to do what was described in the documents they signed. The truth is, a promise is important. When we agree to do something, we should do it. Once trust is gone, it’s hard to get back.

Read Galatians 3:15-18, giving careful attention to verse 15.

Do you trust others to keep their promises? Why or why not?

If your best friend made a promise, do you trust him or her to keep it? Explain.

When you make a promise, how hard is it to break it?

What do these verses teach you about God and His promises?

Why is it important that God keeps His promises?

How has God kept His promises to you?

When God makes a promise, He always keeps it. The wonderful and incredible thing about today’s verses is that they’re full of God’s promises to us. In today’s key verse, Paul pointed out that even on human terms, once a promise or covenant had been made, it couldn’t be changed. If that was true for humans, then it was all the more true for God.

The infinite Creator of the universe promises us that Jesus will save us if we trust Him. God planned it and promised it long ago, and that promise is good forever. Trust it!


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Winner of $50 from Camp Ridgecrest Day!

Posted by phil

Can Ridgecrest Day was a great success! We saw loads of pictures and videos come in from you and your camp friends. We saw pictures and videos of you getting woken up by Reveille and Ron. We saw pictures and videos of you doing a song and blessing before a meal. There were lots of folks dressed up in a camp T-Shirt, and some even dressed up like one of their favorite staffers. Some folks ate packet meals as a family, while others dressed up for sockwar! So many great memories from all over the country. We hope that you enjoyed celebrating Camp Ridgecrest Day! Go ahead and mark your calendars for next December 1st, for the 2nd Annual Celebration!

Oh yes, there is a winner! As you know, for every picture taken or video sent in, you were entered for a drawing of a $50 Clothing Store Gift Certificate! The winner is….Caleb Thompson, a Choctaw camper! Congrats Caleb!

Enjoy some of the pictures below… looks like a good time was had by all… Stay excited about Summer 2012!


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Revolutionary Sock!

Posted by phil

Sockwar is perhaps the greatest activity at Camp Ridgecrest! Running through the woods, working in teams, letting your imagination lose in the adventure, and having an absolute blast with your friends! Sockwar is just awesome! What was your favorite Sockwar theme from last summer? Enjoy this video from one of these Sockwars…


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