Camp's Rants & Raves

We just got back from Family and Youth Bible Camp. What a great week! I tagged team the senior high with my friend Nick Marcoux. And…as always, we had a blast!

Here are a few glimpses…

- Serving the Lord with your all in the ordinary will result in the extraordinary. “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” (1 Samuel 16:11). This is Jesse talking of his youngest…David. David was living an ordinary life…serving God with his all. The rest of the story speaks for itself.

- You might not make it across the street, home, through dinner, or whatever. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man, the living should take this to heart (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:13-14).

- Knowing you might not…what are you going to do with Jesus? Forget all the other questions. This is the only one that truly matters.

- Listen to the Paul within your life…there’s likely more than one. Paul advised them saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul (Acts 27:9-11).

- What is it costing you to follow Jesus Christ? Then King David said to Ornan, “No but I will surely buy it for full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing,” (1 Chronicles 21:24).

Also, here are some questions asked by the senior high…all eye openers…

- If you feel as if God is calling you to do something bigger than what you are capable of doing, how can you feel the confidence to do great things for God?

- Why does God not let something happen that you have worked hard for and would be able to praise Him through?

- Other than an accountability partner, what are good ways to break a habit, as in a habit nobody knows you do?

- How far is too far when it comes to dating? When does it become a sin? What’s the most advisable way to resist the physical temptations and sexual temptations from the opposite sex?

- What do you do if you have a friend who is a believer, but doesn’t attend church?

- My dad is probably not a believer. Besides praying, what are some other ways to also influence him?

- How should I begin to talk to someone about Christ? What should I say first?

Camp was a huge success! God moved in mighty ways and I’ll forever be grateful…for we serve an awesome God. Until next time. Jed.

God's Pie

An intriguing video. Money aside…this video can apply to all walks of life. Especially your time.

What Will You Have For Lunch

Chicken noodle or peanut butter? The options for my daughter’s lunch. She went with chicken noodle. A good choice…especially with the winter weather. What will you have for lunch?

This choice will be one of many today. After all…we live in America. Where choices and options abound. Just look at toothpaste. Baking soda anyone? Cavity protection or whitening? Gel or paste? Mint or fruit flavored? Name brand or offshoot? Sensitive teeth too? Toothpaste claims an entire aisle within the store. Toothpaste is serious business.

But…the choices and options have just started. Looking only within our baths…we have conditioners, deodorants, scrubs, shampoos, soaps, sprays, etc. Wow! And…without hesitation we pay the bill. We don’t think twice. We put in the time. To ensure we have this or that. Even going out of our way or paying a little more.

Kind of nuts. Isn’t it? Putting so much thought into our hair, teeth, and underarms. But…what about God? How much thought heads His way? Well...we listen to that Christian radio station. Say a quick prayer or two while plowing through the snow covered roads. Oh ya…we even read that Christian blog. We’re good. Aren’t we?

I’m not here to condemn. Just wanting to give a second or third thought as Jesus stands and knocks (Revelation 3:20). We pursue the best for ourselves…with all the products noted above. But, do we pursue God? We carefully mold and shape our hair. But, do we allow God to mold and shape our hearts?

As Jesus stands and knocks…let’s answer and sit with our Savior. Pursue God’s best! Until next time. Jed.

A little humor before leaving. What’s the slogan for hillbilly toothpaste? If it was made for more than one tooth, we’d call it teethpaste. Ha ha.

The Best Is Yet To Come

There’s hope for today and hope for tomorrow. But…I’m somewhat drained, exhausted, jaded, and whipped. Thoughts are racing and racing fast. Reaching for just one and poof. It vanishes…as countless others race past. There’s no end and I’m out of shape. Nap time anyone?

Guess what? You’re not in this race alone. Sure…there’s doubts, fears, thoughts, and worries running wild. But, you’re not in this race alone. Sure…you may be drained, exhausted, jaded, and whipped. But, you’re not in this race alone. You may not even see a finish line. You ask…what’s a finish line? Do they truly exist? But, you’re not in this race alone. You may hopelessly look for a body…someone to talk to or relate with. But…yep, that’s right…you’re not in this race alone.

The writer of Hebrews says it best. Hebrews 6:18-19 notes, “Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” What does this text mean? Well…Jesus has your back and you’re not in this race alone.

There’s hope for today and hope for tomorrow. The best is yet to come! A simple post…but, one that’s dear and near to my heart. Until next time. Jed.