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Camp – Day 5 & Wrap Up

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Today was the final day of camp. We got up early, loaded up the vans, (I drank lots of coffee), grabbed some breakfast, and went to morning celebration decked out in our silver, for the final day with our mission site coordinator. Good time there. Billy and Cindy took us out with Knees Are Bowing. We were dismissed and got on the road, arriving back in Hutch around 3PM. We had an uneventful ride home, for which we thank God.

So, what things emerged to me this week?
1) I was encouraged to be bold in preaching through Neil’s solid leadership.
2) I was exhorted to God-centeredness in the song portion of our services through Billy Foote’s amazing music.
3) I was challenged to serve by Student Life’s staff, as they willingly decreased so that our group could increase. I’m praising God for them.
4) I was warmed through good Christian fellowship with old friends and new. My good friend Dale Baker was there and I was able to meet some new friends in youth ministry and on Student Life’s staff. Furthermore, our group was excellent in discussing the gatherings and reviewing what stood out.
5) I was excited to see God’s Word produce fruit again. While there were many tools God used, if God hadn’t moved by His Spirit, it would have been and empty and futile gathering. God’s Word was lifted up and produced fruit.

I am looking forward to another year of camp next year and am prayerfully considering what God would have us do.

Camp – Day 4

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Morning Celebration today was on John 14:1-7 and how what we believe relates to how we live. There are many realities that emerge in this text that have ramifications for what we believe.

We finished up our week of missions with a Cookout for those we had the privilege of serving.

Then, tonight, Evening Worship included Billy & Cindy’s excellent leadership. Neil preached a provocative message (in my opinion) from 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 and how we need to flip live and learn to LEARN AND LIVE. This passage calls us to learn 4 things from God:
1) Worship Him!
2) Listen to Him!
3) Trust Him!
4) Follow His Leaders!

We ended the day as a church group together. Good day and we head home tomorrow.

Camp – Day 3

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Another day wrapped up and in the books. Had a good day and finished a bulk of our physical labor, which was helpful.

In the AM Celebration, Billy and Cindy brought us usual God-centered songs and Neil opened God’s Word to Psalm 12:6 and spoke on the importance of God’s Word in our lives. God’s Word reveals who we really are.

In the PM Worship Neil spoke on the 129 Words That Changed the World (Romans 3:21-25). He presented 4 things we must believe and respond to:
1) All have sinned.
2) Grace is real (It’s Power, a Gift, and Transformational)
3) Redemption is only in Christ…
4) and it … has to be received by faith.

One more full day and then we’re done.

Camp, Day 2

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We had another great day at camp today.

Our morning began with Celebration. Neil opened up God’s Word to Nehemiah 8:1-11 and urged us to greatly rejoice in God’s Word. He spoke of how Christianity is not a feeling we strive to maintain, but a reality we were created to enjoy. Then he gave this simple outline: 1) most of the difficult things in life require more joy than discipline and 2) the Bible has more confidence in joy than you do. He ended by directing us to Hebrews 12:1-2 and how Jesus lived out of joy.

Our afternoon service project was a good success. We got 3 rooms completed and 2 more to finish tomorrow. We also moved some things for the organization we get to serve.

Tonight, worship helped with theme of the day — enter. Neil’s message was on the Fruit of Conversion from Acts 16:16-34. There were 4 points:
1) Consistency
2) Endurance
3) Worship
4) Conversion

Was a great day and we anticipate more from the Lord tomorrow.

Camp – Day 1

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Well, we arrived safely around Noon. We grabbed some lunch and got registered, then, after orientation, got ready for the evening.

Evening worship included Billy and Cindy Foote leading music from their latest EP Wonder Working One (where you can read my review under customer reviews). Their exact set began with Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Sing to the King, Knees Are Bowing, Set Free, You Are My King, Nothing But the Blood, All Praise To God, and How Great Is Our God.

Neil McClendon came and preached on “The Patient God That Crushes People” from Luke 20:9-18. His outline revealed 4 things out of the text about God…
1) God is Patient
2) God Speaks
3) God is Just
4) God is Direct
I was struck by application to use this week to listen to all that God has ordained to show me. He is patiently calling me to Himself. I need to avail myself to this grace.

We finished the day with church group time. We had a great day. Everyone’s doing well and we look forward to a busy day tomorrow, serving so that God is glorified.

Camp Is Near!

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Tomorrow, Monday, July 20, we leave for Student Life Missions Camp.

Our Camp Pastor is Neil McClendon.
Music will be led by Billy & Cindy Foote.

You can visit the Student Life website, to listen into worship services, check up on camp happenings, email members of our group and countless other activities. (If you go to check us out, we are at a Missions Camp, July 20-24, 2009 at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK.)

Or use this direct link.