Sunday, June 30, 2013
Only a few more days of agonizing waiting. Can you tell I love camp? Can you understand why I don’t understand why some people don’t love camp? I think they’re crazy. J
I said it a couple weeks ago, and I’ll say it again… camp is all about the preaching of God’s Word! What’s NOT to like about that?! If it’s the heat, stop being a baby and drink some water. If it’s the lake, stop being a baby and jump in. If it’s the games, stop being a baby and just play. If it’s the counselor or your cabin mates, stop being a baby and go with it for one week.
Camp isn’t about those things (which, incidentally, I love all those things about camp, too!) Camp is about preaching. Another camp I’ve been to uses the acronym CAMP: it’s a Controlled Atmosphere for the Ministry of Preaching. I like that. It’s all about God’s Word.
I used to think camp was all about getting right with God. It was for the people who were bad and needed to stop doing bad things and needed to start doing good things. You know what I found? It wasn’t just for “bad kids.” I found that when God’s Word was preached, even when I didn’t consider myself a “bad kid,” I was challenged and convicted in my spiritual walk. I already had a daily walk with God and I was doing WELL in my Christian walk, but God used summer camp to challenge me to do more.
Sure, I look back on times when I needed to stop doing wrong. I dedicated my life to God in 5th grade and re-dedicated it in 8th grade. I learned a lot about getting serious for God in 9th grade, and in 10th grade I started doing my devotions every day after being challenged about it at camp. That’s all I needed, right? Nope. The next year I was inspired to have a deeper walk with God and then my senior year, God called me to preach at summer camp.
Can you see now why I love summer camp? God has used it to transform my life and mold me, for better or worse, into what I am today. I love a concentrated week of preaching. I love it. I want it for you.
On Friday, we added one more guy going with us. Praise God! The camp is almost full, but if there’s room, we would LOVE to have you come with us!! Again, I don’t know why you wouldn’t, and I know why you should!
If you’re NOT going, was that a decision based on loving God and being obedient to Him—a decision you prayed about and tried to follow God’s leading on—or was it a selfish or personal decision? You’re not some horrible person if you’re not going… but I do hope you consider your own motives and know that you’re doing what GOD wants for your life… not YOU. I love camp, and because I believe in it so much and love you so much, I want everyone to be a part of camp. One more week! -Bro. Ryan
CAMP! Have you done anything since Sunday to prepare for camp? If not, shame on you! J Pray. Think. Reflect. Read your Bible. Listen to God. Ask Him to give you a tender heart. Think. Look for ways to encourage others. Get in shape. Practice swimming and belly flopping. Perhaps you could email Pastor Goetsch and tell him you’re excited about what God will do through his preaching next week and that you’re praying for him. Just a thought. [email protected]
AFTERGLOW TONIGHT – At the Bakers’ house. Bus leaves right after church. You can come with your parents or on the bus. Have your parents pick you up at the Bakers’ house an hour after services let out.
CAMP MONEY DUE TODAY – Please see my door for your total.