MONTHLY ARCHIVES: April 2013

Hungry and Thirsty

Posted by anthologycreative

Let’s say you haven’t eaten much in the last few days. You’re extremely hungry and thirsty. What do you want the most and what extreme measures will you take to get it? Think of a few ideas.

When you’re really hungry and thirsty, that’s really all you can think about. And you’ll focus every bit of your energy on finding food or water. If you want something bad enough, you’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

Now, read Matthew 5:5-7. Ask yourself:

  • What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
  • Does that describe you? Why or why not?
  • Who in your life is a good example of hungering and thirsting
    for righteousness?

Just the Facts
To hunger and thirst for righteousness means you:

  • rest in the gift of grace, not the goodness of your abilities.
  • make God’s will your purpose all the time, not just on Sundays.
  • depend completely on God, because you know that apart from Him, there’s no righteousness to be found.
  • take each of His commands seriously.
  • make Him your priority because all other passions leave you empty inside.

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”
—Saint Augustine

Going Deeper
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus mentioned righteousness five times. Those references help us better understand what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Check them out:
– Matthew 5:6
– Matthew 5:10
– Matthew 5:20
– Matthew 6:1
– Matthew 6:33


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Retro Friday: Camp Application

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This camp application for the 1932 season shows the simplicity of camp and life over 80 years ago. In 1932 camp tuition was $142. This application was to be filled out and mailed in with $10. Imagine all of the paperwork that the camp director and administration sorted through and filed.  The $142 tuition included everything for the full season, June 30-August 25, except laundry and horseback riding. Because of the relationship with the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and because it was not operated for profit, Camp Ridgecrest offered maximum advantages at minimum cost, even 81 years ago!

The camp application was a simple one page that asked only basic questions. Now our application is all online to make it quicker and easier for the campers, parents and camp staff.Have you noticed that zip codes are not included on this application? They weren’t needed back then. This application also only asks two questions about the campers’ health. What do you think about this application? Do you remember filling out a paper application similar to this one? We’d love to hear your stories!


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Poor In Spirit

Posted by anthologycreative

❶ Read Matthew 5:3-4 carefully in your Bible. Then, consider the definitions some of the key words and phrases below.

BLESSED —adjective
endowed with divine favor and protection; those who live with God in heaven.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT—
people who depend only on him (CEV); who realize their spiritual poverty (NCV); those who know there is nothing good in themselves (NLV)

THOSE WHO MOURN–
those people who grieve (CEV); when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you (MSG); those who have sorrow (NLV)

❷ The Point
It’s an unavoidable truth: to be a follower of Christ, you must be “poor in spirit” (admit your need for God) and mourn over sin and its consequences. If you don’t, you can’t have a right relationship with God.

What that does and doesn’t mean:

Sin bothers you but doesn’t defeat you.

You’re happy because God is awesome, not because you are.

You are content because heaven is yours, not because your life on earth is so satisfying.

You readily admit your sin—and God’s grace, not legalism, compels you to do so.

❸ Journal
Take some time to think over what this verse really means. By the definitions, are you poor in spirit?

Are you someone who grieves over sin? What does it really mean to say you’re blessed today? Pour out your thoughts and feelings to God. Use your journal to record them or your prayer.

LEGALISM —noun
• excessive adherence to law or formula
• (theology) the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works; the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.


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The Dark Sock Rises…

Posted by matt

The ending of a series, but the beginning of a war. Sock war. The Dark Knight once again lent his hand in the battle of good and evil in this blockbuster sock war, The Dark Sock Rises. Check out this little recap of the caped crusader at it once again!

 

 

 


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The 2013 Tribal Leaders

Posted by matt

APACHE: ZACK AYERS

A.K.A. LC Sensible Stoat! He will be a senior at James Madison University and this is going to be his tenth summer at Camp Ridgecrest (count ’em)!  One of his favorite things about camp are the friendships you make – no matter where you are in life. He has big plans on teaching the Apache brethren how to be serious warriors for Christ and be the great, hairy chested me they truly are!

 

 

 

SHAWNEE: BRANDON DAVIS

Some call him Brandon, but around here he goes by Chief Intense Timberwolf. He comes all the way from Indiana where he is a Junior at The Indiana State Univeristy “Home of the Sycamores”. He is a full time student where he is studying to be an elementary school teacher. This will be his 12th year at camp… so the man knows camp. He is  pumped about the fact that strangers come to camp and grow together worshiping the same awesome God. Get ready folds, he already has big plans for SubWars and the crazy cool Shawnee Nation.

 

Choctaw: NATHAN BURKETT

Chief Riotous Orangutan is back as your Choctaw TL for this summer! He is a senior dawg at Mississippi State University, and this will be his 4th summer at camp. He has served as a Choctaw Counselor for two years and then Choctaw TL for one. This summer he will start up another Civil War on Choctaw Hill while other tribes stay jealous. However, he most excited to see Jesus begin transforming and keep transforming lives through the Holy Spirit’s work at camp. We are mighty! We are raw!

 

ARAPAHO: DEAN HELTON

This will be his 3rd summer at Camp Ridgecrest (although first as a TL). He has been a Choctaw Counselor for the past two summers, but this year he is changing it up! Right now, he is a senior at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis Tennessee. Dean has made it one of his goals to take down the Sioux 4 out of 4 times in the Arapaho vs. Sioux Ultimate Frisbee game. How will the Araps fare? We shall see…

 

 

 

SIOUX TRAILBLAZERS: EP KELLER

Chief Temperate Rhino bringing up the rear from Greenville, South Carolina and graduate of the Clemson University (Go Tigers!). God has brought him back for a seventh summer at camp to keep blazing trails with the Sioux. His favorite thing about camp is how evident the presence of God is and can be witnessed in the many relationships and interactions between new and former campers and staffers. He plans on bringing his “A” game for the Sioux-Arap frisbee game and refuses to lose. This year’s games will definitely be some for the history books.


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Retro Friday: Rogers’ Retreat

Posted by anthologycreative

These pictures are taken from the 1960 brochure, camp’s 32nd season. Rogers’ used to be the campers’ lounge. It is the closest building to Lake Ridgecrest with an exceptional view! Rogers is a two story rock building with staff living quarters upstairs and a beautiful patio extending out to the lake. Downstairs there is a fireplace with chairs to relax. Campers can read, play chess or checkers, or use the prayer room for personal quiet meditation.

Now, Rogers’ Retreat is used as a staff lounge. A few of our female staffers live upstairs. Rogers’ is still the building with the best location – right on the lake. Campers are not allowed in Rogers’ Retreat except those campers being tapped out for the Little Chief test. The test starts with the charge being read in Rogers’ and staff gathering to give advice and pray for those Little Chief candidates.

Do you remember hanging out in Rogers’ when it was a camper lounge? Tell us your stories below! 


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You Are Precious To God

Posted by anthologycreative

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

—Matthew 10:29–31

Think about it
Read Matthew 10:26-31 in your Bible. Jesus told the disciples that His followers would face opposition as they chose to obey and follow God. So will you. When you do, take Jesus’ advice: don’t be afraid. Trust that you are precious to God, and He is in control.

Take Action
In what ways do you doubt that you are worth much to God? Honestly express those fears to Him today.

In what areas of your life are you facing opposition to really living out your faith? What steps will you take this week to trust those areas to God and actively believe that He is in control?

What are you afraid to turn over to God, fearful that He can’t be trusted or that He will not replace it with something infinitely better? Turn it over to God today!


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Retro Friday: The Lodge

Posted by anthologycreative

Did you know that Camp Ridgecrest for Boys used to have a building called “The Lodge”? When most people hear “The Lodge” they think of Camp Crestridge. However, this picture in the 1932 brochure shows one of the most central buildings in camp at the time. The Lodge was an eight room house. As you can see it was a two story house that had great porches where you could stand and see most of the activities going on around camp. The camp offices, nurses station and canteen were all located in the Lodge.

Camp has spread out more since 1932 and we now have separate buildings for all three of those things. The offices are now located across from the lake in what we call the “Lake Lodge”. In 2009 a new infirmary was built to better serve our campers in a more central location. Our canteen building, the “Depot” is the old Ridgecrest train station. The Depot is now in the location similar to where the Lodge was in the picture.

Do you remember the Lodge? We love to hear your stories about camp in past years. Comment below to tell us!


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What Could Happen If…

Posted by anthologycreative

What could happen if . . .
➤ you break your curfew?
➤ you don’t study for the big test?
➤ you talk during council ring?

In our society, and at camp, there are rules and laws set up to protect us from danger, injury, or pain. We can choose to obey them or ignore them, but there will be consequences.

Read Jeremiah 38:19-23.

What were the choices Jeremiah presented to King Zedekiah?

What were the consequences of each of those choices?

How do you face similar opportunities to obey or disobey God every day? What opportunities have you had today?

Do you think that as Christians, we’re still called to proclaim a similar message when we share the gospel? Why or why not?

The Point
Like King Zedekiah, every person will face a simple choice in their lives: surrender to Christ and gain eternal life, or rebel against Him and face eternity in hell.

Take Action
Have you responded to the gospel? If you have not given Christ control of your life, you are not a Christian and do not have eternal life. Read “Do you really know God?” on page 4 for more information on how to become a Christian.

If you are a Christian, who in your life needs to know about the hope the gospel provides? What steps will you take this week to be God’s ambassador to those who need to hear God’s message of forgiveness?

Going Deeper

Explore the passages below for other models of sharing the gospel:
– Acts 17:16-34
– Colossians 4:5-6
– 1 Peter 3:15

“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Behind the Story
Surrender is an interesting word. In Zedekiah’s case, to surrender to the Babylonians was a sign of humility. It would have been a sign of remorse and repentance. If Zedekiah surrendered it would be as if he were admitting on behalf of the entire nation that they had sinned against God and deserved the punishment.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you admit much the same thing. To surrender your life to Jesus is to admit you are a sinner, that only Jesus can save you, and to give Him absolute control of your life.


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