If you could go back in time and witness any event in history, what would it be? The sinking of the Titanic? The parting of the Red Sea? David throwing a stone at Goliath? Perhaps the birth of Jesus? Or what about the winning goal of the World Cup this year? But in truth, no other event in all history could be more important or climactic than the moment the stone was rolled away, and Jesus walked out of that tomb. Seeing that would settle the matter, once and for all, abou

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now,

The more I search for truth in the Bible, the more I am struck by things that I’ve read 100 times that meant little to me years ago, but now help me better understand who God is and what He desires. The problem with preaching today, at least in my experience, is that we preachers tend to repeat the same sermons we preached years and years ago, but some of us have ceased to be looking for new truth. I am still a student still—-an apprentice—a learner. Sitting at the feet o

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than other

Abel The first sin was——-pride—-Lucifer—he wanted to be equal to God! The second sin was—-disobedience—-Adam and Eve—God said “don’t,” and they said, “why not?” The third sin was—jealousy and hate. “Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man.” Later, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time, Cain brought some

The ducks are COMING. As in real, actual, living ducks. As in the petting zoo is becoming very, very real and we could not be more excited about it. One section at a time, one animal at a time, this thing is happening and it is going to be INCREDIBLE. But more on that in a second — because first, let us tell you about the last few weeks. Man alive. 🔨 JAMIE. TEN HOURS. EIGHTY DEGREES. LEGEND. We need to take a moment and formally recognize Jamie, who spent approximately ten h

“The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” Psalm 107: 42-43, NIV A few years ago, I heard a conversation among some youth about how to know if God is really speaking to you. Their question was whether God was speaking or you were just making up the conversation and speaking to yourself. It was a great question; I have struggled with the same inquiry at times. I want

Psalm 3 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him." But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear, though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 And if this is true in my life, what good riddance! Dean and his ego are out of the way, and Jesus Christ reigns in his life! “I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonabl

🧔 WHO SAID SUMMER WAS BEARD SEASON? DEAN DID. THAT'S WHO. For the first time in the entire history of this camp — and frankly, the entire history of Dean's face — we are proud to present something truly historic. Something nobody asked for. Something nobody was prepared for. Dean has a beard. We know. We know. Take a moment. Breathe. We needed a moment too. After decades of a clean shaven existence, Dean has apparently decided that this is the year, this is the summer, and t

One of my favorite apologists, Chesterton, said that Jesus promised his disciples three things: “That they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” These words are true if we’re following Jesus. I don’t know anyone who truly follows Him who does not understand this! But even 2000 years later, after thousands of pages testifying about God’s love have been recorded, and hundreds of thousands of martyrs have died, and even though we live in a nat

Silver lining 🌿 ALLERGY SEASON IS IN FULL SWING AND WE HAVE THE SNEEZES TO PROVE IT!! The trees are doing the absolute most right now. The pollen is EVERYWHERE. The tissues are running low. But you know what else arrives right after the pollen? CAMP. Consider it nature's way of saying hang in there. Camp is Days away!! We are talking DAYS. The excitement is at an all-time high, the to-do list is at an all-time longer, and the coffee consumption around here has entered dan

Hebrews 10:25 “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”. Those words were not meant for pagans or non-believers, but for Christians, just like you and me, who thought they could do without joining together with other Christians for fellowship and prayer. Around the world this Sunday, only the following % of Christians go to church: 7% in Russia 13% in Euro

1. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”— Luke 23:34, NIV This first saying of Jesus on the cross is traditionally called "The Word of Forgiveness”. It is theologically interpreted as Jesus' prayer for forgiveness for the Roman soldiers who were crucifying him and all others who were involved in his crucifixion. For you and me: If Jesus could not only forgive them for what they did to

Another week in the books, folks. The countdown is REAL. The hype is REAL. The chaos behind the scenes is also very real, but we are choosing to focus on the positives. We'll be posting regular updates right here until the gates swing open — so bookmark this page, set an alarm, tell your neighbors, whatever it takes. Big announcements are coming and you do NOT want to miss them. 🚵 MOUNTAIN BIKING IS OFFICIALLY BACK, BABY!! Last week we dropped the bombshell that Gardening is

🏕️ CAMP IS ALMOST HERE AND WE ARE LOSING OUR MINDS WITH EXCITEMENT!! 🏕️ Summer is practically knocking down our gates, and honestly? WE ARE READY. Like, so ready. We've been busy making upgrades, improvements, and general acts of awesomeness all spring long — and we cannot WAIT to show you what we've been up to! We'll be posting at least twice a week leading up to the summer, so if you're joining us this season, keep your eyes glued to this page for tips, updates, and all

Do you ever have days when you think there is no way things are going to end up right? It’s hopeless. Too many variables and too many irons in the fire. Many days, I believe that it would take two of me, working 24 hours a day, to get it all done—and at least one of “me” would need to have a much larger brain. I cannot do it all—I am unable. But Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:3, KJV), but what happens when your heart i s troubled, and you can’t brin

I’ve heard many stories about the prophets in the Old Testament, and more than one about Elijah. He’s also mentioned in the New Testament. Jesus spoke about Elijah in several contexts within the Gospels, acknowledging Elijah’s significant role in the history of Israel as a prophet and his symbolic return in the figure of John the Baptist, which was a fulfillment of prophecy and a herald of the Messiah’s arrival. But his apprentice, and the one that took over his role when he

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20, NIV) Jesus spoke this to the church of Laodicea—the “lukewarm church”. So, if God loves us, He will rebuke and discipline us. Even though we are His own sons and daughters…even though we are sealed, born again, and part of the elect? Ye

After sleeping for a thousand years, art woke up in Tuscany at the end of the thirteenth century. The first real genius of the Renaissance was an artist named Giotto (“JOE toe”). But he is most famous not for his sculptures or paintings, but for drawing a big circle”—-just a circle.. Pope Boniface VIII wanted to commission some paintings for St. Peter’s Cathedral, so he sent a courtier around to find the best painter in Italy. The courtier asked all the artists to give him