Boys Blog gets New Name

It has been a few years since we started the Blogs here at Ridgecrest Summer Camps. We started 3 blogs at the same time. There was the “Boys Blog” (super original, I know), the “Girls Blog”, and the Parent’s Blog (which we called “Just for Parents”).

Earlier this month we decided to stop being boring and actually name the Blogs something meaningful and interested. After some debate, and even asking your opinions over Facebook, we decided on a name.

The Boys Blog is now known as “Our Paddles”. If this sounds random to you, let me explain. For many years we have closed Council Ring Ceremony each Sunday night by singing a special camp song. This song is called Our Paddles. Every camper over the past 40-50 years has sung this song at least once. It represents the quiet sounds and songs of the warriors paddling down river towards camp, the second verse is sung louder as the warriors pass through the camp, and then quiet again as they move down the river. This seems very similar to how so many of us interact with camp. We get excited as camp approaches, the have the time of our life during the best 2 or 4 weeks of our year here at camp, and then as we go back home we slowly become distracted from the traditions, the adventure, and even the lessons God taught us here at camp.

We see this Blog as a tool to remember. We want you to remember what the Lord taught you here at Camp last year, or even 30 years ago. Similar to the warriors canoeing down the river, Our Paddles seems like a perfect title that calls us to remember how it felt to get excited about camp before we arrived our last summer as a camper, to remember the adventure that our God took us on while at camp, and even the transition back into the “real world” back home.

Check back here often, as Our Paddles is updated at least once a week! See you soon…

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Council Ring, Our Paddles, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

A Plan for You

Before you were born, your parents wondered what you would be like. After your birth, they watched you grow and figured out your likes and dislikes. As you started making friends, your personality blossomed. By now, all your relatives, teachers and neighbors have a solid grasp on who you are and who you are not.

But did you know that God knew you completely BEFORE you were born?

Read Jeremiah 1:1-5 to learn more. Focus on verse 5.

What do you think it means to be “set apart”?

Why is it important to recognize God had plans for Jeremiah before he was even born?

What are some of the plans you think God has for your life? Explain.

How does knowing that God knows you and has a unique design for your future affect the way you live your life today? Explain.

The Point

Long before your parents had even an inkling of your existence, God was drawing up the blueprints for your life. He made great plans for you—and He wants to put them into action.

Take Action
Take stock of your life. Are you trying to plan your own life or are you trusting God to show you His plans? Explain.
List three steps you’ll take this week to let God have absolute control of your life and your plans for the future.
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Behind the Story

According to the opening verses of his book, Jeremiah was the son of a priest and lived in Anathoth, about three miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s career as a prophet began during the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign. Jeremiah was probably born around 650-645 B.C. during King Manasseh’s rule, meaning he was probably young and unmarried at the time God called him into prophecy. Despite being mocked, scorned, ignored, and rejected throughout his ministry, Jeremiah continued to faithfully proclaim God’s judgment on Judah and Jerusalem.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Jeremiah 1, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply

No Pride

It’s the cocky guy who has a “better-than” attitude and pushes you around. It’s the popular girl who wields her power, crushing you when you try to get in her way.

You’ve seen these characters portrayed throughout pop culture in films and books. The reality, though, is that you know people just like them. Pride is at the core of who they are.

Read over Romans 12:13-16, paying close attention to verse 16.

How are you encouraged to treat others—especially those who create conflict with you—in these verses?

What does it mean to pursue hospitality? How will you do so this week?

With whom in your life are you not in agreement? What steps will you take so that you are?

How have you seen your own pride get in the way of resolving a conflict?

In a culture that tells you, “You’re number one in your life, and no one else matters,” pride is quick to jump in the front seat when you’re facing conflict with someone else head-on. In verse 16, Paul says three very important things that are extremely opposite of what you’ve been told:

• Live in harmony.

• Don’t be arrogant.

• Don’t be a know-it-all. Be humble.

Based on that, here’s a new and improved role you can play: drop the pride, take on humility, and reach out to the ones you disagree with. That’s bound to get people talking!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans 12 | Leave a reply

Let Love Lead

Your family is probably perfect. I’m sure no one ever fights. There’s never any tension. I’ll bet you’re a “Brady Bunch” look-alike, right?

I didn’t think so. None of us look like that. All families are flawed—even Christian families. But what makes a healthy family is that Jesus is the foundation, the love is unconditional, and the forgiveness flows freely.

Read Romans 12:9-12, and zone in on verse 10.

What do these verses teach you about how Christians should treat other believers and non-Christians?

What does it mean to “show family affection” to others?

How can you outdo someone in showing honor?

How often do you display genuine love to those you know? Explain.

What does it mean to be fervent in the spirit? Are you?

How have you rejoiced in hope? Been patient in affliction? Been persistent in prayer?

What did God teach you through those times?

There wasn’t a specific rhyme or reason to Paul’s list of love in Romans 12. But one thing is for sure—he started by making a bold statement. I love how the New Living Translation phrases it: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” What he really means is: don’t be fake; instead, love others like you would your own family. It’s not as easy as it sounds, right? It is easier to avoid the unlovable and dismiss those you don’t like. But here’s what you need to understand: the love Paul talks about isn’t the kind you can produce on your own; rather, it’s the kind that can only come from Jesus and is funneled through you. Stop and ask God to give you that kind of love. Let it be your guide!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans 12 | Leave a reply

Be The Bigger Person

“Choose your battles.” You’ve probably heard that before, right? I’ve picked some battles that were totally worth it, and I’ve picked some that have sent me down in flames.

This is what I learned: unless it affects the moral character and integrity of someone or some situation, or unless it has an impact on God’s bigger story of eternity, then it’s probably not worth going to bat for.

Can you think of a disagreement you’ve put on your boxing gloves for? How about something you chose to walk away from? Go through those scenarios again. How could you have done things differently?

Take a look Genesis 13:8-12. Focus in on verses 8-9.

Why do you think Abram took the high road and worked to resolve the conflict quickly?

Do you work to resolve conflicts quickly? Why or why not?

Whom do you identify with more—Abram or Lot?

When you’re faced with a conflict, do you ever choose to be the bigger person? Why or why not?

Are you someone who seems to incite conflict or quell it? Explain.

Plotting out land ownership wasn’t a hill Abram wanted to die on. Even though he was the one in authority, Abram took the high road.

When things get heated, it’s easy to get mixed up in the hype. But being the bigger person is more than just forfeiting and letting the other person win. Abram was able to let it go because he knew God would provide for his future and bless his faith, regardless of the outcome. Do you trust God with the outcome of your conflict? Someone has to be the bigger person in a disagreement and let it go, or it can get ugly—really ugly. Let that person be you.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Genesis 13, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply

VLOG: Super Saturday

Yet another VLOG we are re-posting from this past summer….

Saturdays at Camp Ridgecrest are just awesome! And before you watch this I bet you could ask your camper why and they could tell you. But, just in case they aren’t there to fill you in, please watch this short clip and tell me one good reason why you wouldn’t want to join us on a Saturday at Camp!

Ridgecrest Vlog 2012 – Super Saturday from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Christian Camps, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, sockwar, VLOG | Leave a reply