Once again, Tracy and I had the wonderful opportunity to lead an Elementary Adventure Camp at Jumonville last week. This was the fourth year that we were Deans together. The kids never cease to amaze us, and God always provides.
At the beginning of the week as I was reading some scripture, I came across a passage that resonated with me. In the third chapter of Joshua, as the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordon River into the Promised Land, Joshua told them to prepare themselves to worship the Lord. He said, “Make yourselves acceptable for worship, because God is going to do amazing things for us” Joshua 3:5.
It was the beginning of our week, we had much that was before us, and so I thought that it was amazing to read such a verse at the beginning of our week. I heard God speaking in those words that we should just be ready for anything. So I shared those words with the campers and reminded them that through all of the adventures, in all of the activities, during all of the challenges, we should be open to God and open to worship God through everything that we do.
Each night and even during Bible Study, we would give the opportunity to the kids to talk about how God was working, what they found amazing, where they saw God, and even asked them when they knew when God was real.
Both Tracy and I were amazed at the responses that we hear throughout the week. But above all of the responses about seeing God in creation and in the sounds of the river and the waterfalls, there was one response that continued to resound. Quite often the kids would talk about knowing, feeling, and experiencing God in a way that they felt protected, secure, safe, and loved. How powerful is that!
In biking, in climbing, in hiking, and even in a simple yet necessary harness – the kids felt God’s hand of protection on them. They attributed their safety all to God! Even when they ‘wrecked’ on the bike trail, or when they slipped off a hand hold on a climbing wall, even though they may be bruised or scrapped a little, they knew that things could have been much worse without God’s hand of protection in their lives. And yes, even when they saw their Dean battered and bloody from falling off Cucumber Falls, they knew that God was protecting us. Amazing and God glorifying stuff if you ask me.
So maybe that would be a good question for all of us to answer today. Where do you see God working in your life today? Where do you see God doing amazing things? Further, are you open and acceptable to make worship a daily part of your journey of life?
I pray that you are. Some of us think that worship only happens once a week, in a specific place. That could not be further from the truth. Worship happens in our daily lives, when we serve God, love God, and serve others. Open yourself to worship God this day – and God will do amazing things!
This week, we will continue our series on hymns of faith. Are Ye Able is the hymn that we will share and communion will be the feast that nourishes us. I hope that you will be with us this week. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
At the beginning of the week as I was reading some scripture, I came across a passage that resonated with me. In the third chapter of Joshua, as the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordon River into the Promised Land, Joshua told them to prepare themselves to worship the Lord. He said, “Make yourselves acceptable for worship, because God is going to do amazing things for us” Joshua 3:5.
It was the beginning of our week, we had much that was before us, and so I thought that it was amazing to read such a verse at the beginning of our week. I heard God speaking in those words that we should just be ready for anything. So I shared those words with the campers and reminded them that through all of the adventures, in all of the activities, during all of the challenges, we should be open to God and open to worship God through everything that we do.
Each night and even during Bible Study, we would give the opportunity to the kids to talk about how God was working, what they found amazing, where they saw God, and even asked them when they knew when God was real.
Both Tracy and I were amazed at the responses that we hear throughout the week. But above all of the responses about seeing God in creation and in the sounds of the river and the waterfalls, there was one response that continued to resound. Quite often the kids would talk about knowing, feeling, and experiencing God in a way that they felt protected, secure, safe, and loved. How powerful is that!
In biking, in climbing, in hiking, and even in a simple yet necessary harness – the kids felt God’s hand of protection on them. They attributed their safety all to God! Even when they ‘wrecked’ on the bike trail, or when they slipped off a hand hold on a climbing wall, even though they may be bruised or scrapped a little, they knew that things could have been much worse without God’s hand of protection in their lives. And yes, even when they saw their Dean battered and bloody from falling off Cucumber Falls, they knew that God was protecting us. Amazing and God glorifying stuff if you ask me.
So maybe that would be a good question for all of us to answer today. Where do you see God working in your life today? Where do you see God doing amazing things? Further, are you open and acceptable to make worship a daily part of your journey of life?
I pray that you are. Some of us think that worship only happens once a week, in a specific place. That could not be further from the truth. Worship happens in our daily lives, when we serve God, love God, and serve others. Open yourself to worship God this day – and God will do amazing things!
This week, we will continue our series on hymns of faith. Are Ye Able is the hymn that we will share and communion will be the feast that nourishes us. I hope that you will be with us this week. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
1 comment:
Glad you and Tracy had such a wonderful time at camp this year. It's awesome up there. Hope you and your family are well and blessed brother.
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