Monday, June 30, 2008

Some thoughts on summer camp.

15 Days and counting.

That's when "EXALT" begins--this year's Teen Mania Extreme Camp. I am going to be a counselor this year. First time ever. I have never been to any Christian summer camp as anything other than a camper, but I'm looking forward to how God will use me in the lives of those I am going to be over for that week.

The Christian summer camps I have frequented in the past have played a pivotal role in inspiring me to seek hard after the Lord. Whether it was the one I attended in elementary school where we played a lot of games and had good times of praise and worship and great speakers and I was able to just be in the presence of the Lord or whether it was a discipleship camp I went to in JH and HS where we had a lot more real Bible study and discussion, I recognize all of it now as times the Lord definitely used to draw me to Himself.

Many teens will go to camp and get the "spiritual high" and then wonder what happened a few weeks later when they don't feel like reading their Bible anymore. I remember this. It was extremely frustrating. BUT I also remember that the more I did study the Word (even in those times right after camp) it drew me into the heart of God and I began to get addicted. I had to keep going back to Him. Again and again. And even when I didn't "feel" like it anymore, I knew I had touched something so much deeper and greater than myself. There was no option but to keep pressing on.

So if you're a youth pastor out there I'd really encourage you to challenge your kids to stick with spending time with the Lord everyday...with the promise that if they seek Him, He will be found by them! (1 Chron. 28:9)

And just for props, EXTREME CAMPS-Exalt 2008 is a really great camp in Garden Valley, Texas. with Teen Mania. Lots of great discipleship, speakers, bands and games...Check out their website http://www.extremecamps.org/

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