MONTHLY ARCHIVES: July 2014

Bedlam Ball World Cup Style

Posted by phil

Lat night at Camp Ridgecrest we had 325 people, about 93 over-sized inflatable balls, 12 countries, 12 teams, 12 goals, and a ton of fun! Watch this short clip!


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Proclaim & Persist

Posted by Karah

36ff15a2-0871-4d16-88e0-c87a4bc5c2a9Pause

Think about how quick you are to give up when people don’t respond the way you think they should. Now, thank God that He isn’t like that.

Think about a difficult situation you have faced or are facing right now. How quick are you to give up when something gets hard? Below, rate yourself from 1 to 10.

 never give up                   give up at first sign of difficulty

            1—-2—-3—-4—-5—-6—-7—-8—-9—-10

Read 2 Timothy 4:2-5 to discover a difficult situation Paul knew Timothy would face: proclaiming the gospel to those who didn’t seem to respond.

“Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.”

—2 Timothy 4:2

Ask yourself:

• When should you persist in proclaiming the gospel? What would that look like in your daily life?

• What does it mean to rebuke, correct, or encourage with “great patience”? Who do you know who truly lives that out? Explain.

• Why would correcting someone or sharing the gospel without patience be detrimental to the cause of Christ?

Respond

Do you know someone who needs to hear God’s message of hope? Have you tried sharing with them, only to become frustrated or discouraged? Commit to pray for anyone who came to mind by writing down their names. Ask God to give you opportunities to share His message with patience this week.

 

Behind the Story

Paul wrote this letter as he waited in a Roman prison for death by execution. He was convicted for being a follower of Christ. The letter was written to Timothy, Paul’s dear friend and the pastor of the church at Ephesus, as a sort of “passing of the torch” of leadership. Paul’s letter was to remind Timothy of what was truly important and to encourage him in the faith.

The Point

Because God is patient, wanting all to come to salvation, we must continue to share the gospel and encourage others with great patience and persistence.

 


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The Galdiators Return to Camp Ridgecrest

Posted by phil

It all begins with the sound of an old rams horn echoing throughout camp, followed by a charge of central staff dressed as Gladiators surrounding the campers at Retreat. Everyone is then escorted into Spilman Lodge where they take part in a massive feast on 4 large banquet tables! The teams are already separated and their colors are waiting for them on their chairs! They eat with no plates or utensils, but enjoy foot-long Turkey Legs, chicken legs, tater-tots, rolls, bug juice, corn on the cob and more. (Don’t worry, we had some PB&J for those who needed a little extra.)

From dinner they watch a 4 minute compilation of some of the greatest pump up movie excerpts of all time. After being led to the upper green and through a tunnel of torches, the young gladiators had several training exercises that you will see on the video, all leading up to a huge game of This Land is My Land where the young Gladiator do battle against their counselors! In the end, the campers were victorious and the night ended with a few energetic Gladiator Cheers! What a night! Take a look…


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Carnival, a Unique Perspective

Posted by phil

See what Carnival looks like at Camp Ridgecrest! We had a blast hanging out with Camp Crestridge, playing games, eating good food, and collecting “Ron Dollars!”


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A Patient Life

Posted by Karah

72545efb-74f3-4c9e-9ae8-8a691cfcd19ePause

What things are causing you to be anxious? Instead of worrying about those things, lift them up to God.

Think about the words patient and impatient. What attitudes, feelings, or other words and phrases do you associate with each of those words? Write out your ideas.

Read Ephesians 4:1-5 in your Bible, then read over verse 2 again. Underline the words that should describe your way of life as a follower of Christ.

“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us”. —Ephesians 4:1-2

According to this passage, why is it important for Christians to exhibit this kind of character? Explain.

Patience is a vital part of maintaining unity within the body of Christ, the church. Do you think that statement is true? Why? How have you seen it play out in your church?

Respond

• There are probably people all around you who try your patience. Think about the people in your life or church with whom you sometimes grow impatient. What are some specific ways you’ll choose to be patient with them this week? List two.

• Identify the triggers that cause you to be impatient, then outline specific actions you will take when tempted to respond impatiently.

• For further study, read Galatians 5:22-23 and to learn more about what walking with Christ looks like.

Behind the Story

The Book of Ephesians is a letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus to strengthen and encourage them. One of his key themes in the letter is the church. Chapter 4 stresses that unity should characterize the Body of Christ. That means that believers should have commitment, concern, and harmony with one another because of their common bond in Christ. How do you see this in your relationships with other Christians?

The Point

Because God is patient, you can be patient with others, especially within the body of Christ. Patience is vital to building unity in the church.


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Extraordinary Patience

Posted by Karah

IMG_0768Pause

When are you the most impatient? Think about the people, situations, and circumstances that most often trigger your impatience. List a few.

It’s easy for us to place our own characteristics on God. Because we get impatient, we think He will, especially in light of our sin. Even as Christians, we often sin, but we don’t have to worry that God will get impatient with us and walk away. That’s not who He is. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17 to learn more.

“But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

—1 Timothy 1:16

Ponder these thoughts:

• Re-read verses 12-14. Underline the words Paul used to describe himself before he came to Christ. What words would describe you before Jesus came into your life?

• According to this passage, why is Paul an example of God’s great patience?

• Paul obviously still marveled at the power of the gospel and the transformation Jesus had brought into His life. He knew how bad he’d been, so he understood the patience God had shown Him in forgiving Him and never giving up on Him. Have you ever felt that way about the gospel? Why or why not?

Respond

• Meditate on these truths:  Because God is patient, I know He can forgive and transform me, no matter the sin. Because God is patient, I know that He will never be impatient with me.

• Do you live like you believe those truths? What changes will you make today in order to do so? List one idea below.

• For further study, read Psalm 40:1-3 and consider the benefits of God’s patience. Also, read “A New Way to See” in The Jesus Storybook Bible, a story about Paul’s conversion.

Behind the Story

The “extraordinary patience” discussed in verse 16 suggests an attitude of moral restraint even when provoked. In His patience, God holds back overdue judgment and offers forgiveness rather than separation and lostness.

The Point

Paul claimed to be the worst example of sin, but his life gives proof of God’s great patience toward us. Jesus came into the world to save sinners and no sin is too great for forgiveness.


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