Student Life Camp 2011 Thursday

It's hard to believe we are already in our last full day of camp. Our days are so busy that they do indeed pass quickly. Yesterday afternoon we played ultimate frisbee and I discovered that I am in fantastic shape and this 8,000+ ft altitude doesn't affect me at all. Sorry, I slipped out of reality there for a second. We had fun though, and afterwards I schooled several of our students in the game of miniature golf.

Last night's worship was a powerful time. JR Vassar talked about how we live in a culture that is becoming increasingly post Christian. The true followers of Christ will be seen by their devotion to Him, and simply the traditions that they follow. JR talked about how Jesus is the chief cornerstone and all who set themselves against him will be crushed. He quoted Tim Keller saying "When it comes to Jesus, you'll either have to kill Him or crown Him." A powerful truth that needs to be preached and re-preached. He also said that the only way to be neutral toward Jesus is to edit or censor your own version of Him. We must take a stand on what we believe about Jesus Christ - He is Lord or He isn't. We had two young ladies profess that they wanted to recommit themselves to living for the one who died for them. Our young men and women had some great insight - they are wise beyond their years. I thoroughly enjoyed our church group time hearing their thoughts and stories about what God is teaching them this week.

We left our church group time to a nice steady rain that was falling. I forgot how loud thunder sounds in the mountains, and especially in Estes Park which basically sits in a bowl surrounded by mountains. This morning JR talked about how we live in a hyper reality. What that means is that the exaggerated is presented as normative. Images, media, tv shows, and even the dream lifestyle have created an ideal picture of something that does not truly exist, and yet we continually strive for it. He also talked about how social media has allowed us to compare our lives - but in reality your life on your facebook page is often an edited digital life. This hyper reality creates a constant state of "I'll be happy when...." and leaves us always chasing after a lifestyle, a product, or an idea. Our consumerist culture attests to this truth. Jesus in John 6 tells the crowd that he is the bread of life, and to not labor for the food that perishes. We've been blessed by both Jeff Johnson and JR Vassar this week. I'm looking forward to a great day today and finishing camp strong before we return to Rio Rancho tomorrow. God has done and is doing great things!

Student Life Camp 2011 Wednesday

Camp is in full swing and things are going great. Yesterday afternoon our students did a photo scavenger hunt throughout the entire campus. They took some funny and creative pictures and I think they all had a good time doing so. Afterwards, many of them used their free time to play putt putt, rest, and swim.

Last night was another solid time of worship and bible study. JR Vassar continued in Hosea talking about how Hosea went broke to buy back his wife Gomer who was now enslaved in prostitution. I've studied Hosea before but have never heard a pastor teach so in depth on that book, and JR preached two awesome messages from that book. The story paints a beautiful picture of redemption. After hearing him speak, I was reminded that I am Gomer. Jesus gave all that he had to bring me back from slavery to my sin, and not bring me back as a servant but as one of His own sons. That is such great news, and our students responded very well to that message as evidenced in some of the comments that were made during our church group time last night.

This morning JR spoke out of Matthew 12:38-42. He said that the love and wisdom of Jesus should warm our heart to the Lordship of Jesus. If Jesus is truly as wise and all knowing as He says He is, and if He loves us as much as He says He does, shouldn't our response be to trust Him? We obey because He has our best interests in mind. As I type this our students are in family group bible study time. Bobby Greene and my wife Chelsea are leading the groups and I am so thankful for all that they are doing to invest into our young men and women. This afternoon we're going to play ultimate frisbee and will again have some more free time after that. It thrills me to hear our students talk about how much fun they are having and how they believe God brought them here for a purpose. We are exactly where we are supposed to be and the week isn't over yet. Please continue to pray for us!

Student Life Camp 2011 Monday/Tuesday

On Sunday evening at 11:35pm I called the bus company to make sure they were going to be there to pick us up. The voice on the other end told me they didn't have us scheduled to leave until 8am Monday morning. After a panic filled conversation I had to break this news to a group of anxious students and parents. I was frustrated, disappointed, and flustered. I had our trip planned out - where we would stop, where we were going to eat lunch, what time we would get here. It was my plan, and if you know me I strive hard to stick to the plan. After a long day of travel and missing out on a few opening activities, my frustration resurfaced.

During the evening worship, Jeff Johnson was singing a song called "Ruin my life". I've seen him numerous times and sang this one several times before, but when we got to the line "Now the plans that I have made fail to compare, when I see your glory", my wife leaned over and reminded me that sometimes God ruins your plans. I should know this lesson, but it seems God is teaching me to hold on loosely to the things I arrange. Our students did amazing yesterday. They didn't complain. They were prompt at both of our stops so we could get back on the road quickly, and through it all they went with the flow. I am so proud of them and so thankful to be their youth pastor.

JR Vassar is the speaker for the week. Last night he spoke out of Hosea and shared about how God's love is a voluntary love and a vulnerable love. God chooses to love us knowing that we are going to be unfaithful, just as Gomer was to Hosea after she married him. I think we all slept well and today (Tuesday) has gotten off to a great start. This morning, JR talked about being reconciled to God in 2 Corinthians 5. One of my favorite things he said was "God treated Jesus like he lived your life, so that he could treat you like you lived Jesus' life." Our students are now in small group bible study time and this afternoon we have some fun activities planned for them. Parents, your kids are doing great - thank you for allowing them to be a part of this special week. Please continue to pray for great things. This place is beautiful and the weather is cool, and best of all the air is not filled with smoke like it is back home.

Student Life Camp 2010 Thursday

Today is the last day of camp for us and it has been a great week. Darren Whitehead talked about the world's perception of the Church and God's perception of the Church last night. We are the Bride of Christ, and we should proudly portray that beautiful image. This morning he spoke about the tongue being like a fire able to cause enormous destruction. We're all twinkies today wearing our blue "epic" shirts, and we took some pictures on the beach as you can see. There is a lot of oil on the shore today, much more than we've seen all week. It's also much fresher, for lack of a better word. It's not mixed with sand like it has been, but instead is thick and dark blobs. There are also noticably more boats out in the water with skimmers and boom, as well as several helicopters flying over. In the midst of an unforgettable week it's been crazy to see this disaster continuing to unfold. Pray for the gulf coast! God is alive and well in this place, and Student Life has a presence down here for several weeks out of the summer.

I've been so blessed by our adult leaders and students this week. Because of this trip at least seven students stepped into an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is soooo worth any inconvenience we might encounter, and far more beautiful than any beach setting in the world. We begin the long journey back home tomorrow afternoon, and I'm anxious to see these students continue to live out what God has done this week. We have one more afternoon and evening to go, and I hear some seafood calling my name. Be blessed!

Tuesday afternoon brought lots of rain and a little bit of sunshine. Tuesday night brought showers of blessings. Seven of our students responded to the invitation - some of them trusted Christ for the very first time. This is why we do these things - this is what it is all about. David Nasser shared a personal story about traveling to the wrong city, and told us that the only thing worse than being lost, is to be lost and not even realize it. I think some of our students had been struggling with that judging by the conversations we had afterwards. One of our young ladies could not contain her excitement after she responded to the message. Her response was contagious, and I found myself being blown away and tears welled up as I watched her share what God had done in her life with the group.

Today (Wednesday) has been a beautiful day. Darren Whitehead joined us this morning and talked about how our culture dictates our dreams. He talked about culture has shaped our dreams and aspirations that we don't even know what to ask God for. If we could have anything we want it is usually something we think will bring happiness, security, and prosperity. We've let the world dictate what we should pursue. Our students then got to spend some time shopping a little bit before lunch and some time on the beach. We had a team play dodgeball, some of the guys tried (and mostly failed...ha ha) to skim board, and swimming. As I type this the students are in their small groups doing their bible study for the day and Sean is grilling some chicken for us. It's going to be a great night. God has truly blessed this camp and this week and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. More to come tomorrow.

Student Life Camp Orange Beach 2010 Tuesday

We arrived here in Orange Beach yesterday afternoon after two long days of travel. Our group did an exceptional job on the road - I was very proud of them. That being said, we were all very anxious to get here and are happy to be settled in for the week. We are staying in four separate condos all on the fifth floor and each with a gulf front view. The beach is beautiful and our students are enjoying it already. The water in Orange Beach is closed due to a swimming advisory in place by the state of Alabama, but just a few miles down the road in Gulf Shores the water is open so we'll probably head down there at least one afternoon.

David Nasser and Darren Whitehead are the camp pastors for the week. David spoke last night and is speaking today then Darren will take over from that point. David challenged us last night from Isaiah 6. He said that perhaps God has brought us here to ruin our lives. That's a scary thought for students and parents who are probably already a bit leary of sending their child to the gulf coast in the midst the greatest environmental disaster of all time. David encouraged us to think about our response to God and in light of being in His presence, what needs to change in our lives. Perhaps we need to be ruined so that we can become what God desires for us to be. I'm excited to see how that plays out this week for our students. God planned for each of us to be in Orange Beach this week long before BP ever drilled a well in the gulf. I know it's going to be a great week and that the best is yet to come. More beach pics and news to come later.

Student Life Camp Thursday

I can't believe we'll be on the road headed back to Lubbock in less than 24 hours. We have had an incredible week at Student Life Camp this year. As the youth pastor who's been planning for this week for over a year it's been a blessing to watch it play out and get to be a part of it. Last night was unbelievable. Stuart talked to us about the renewal of our mind (Romans 12:2). He challenged each of us to spend time with God and in His Word. That is the only way renewal will come about. We must replace the lies we believe with the Truth of God. This reality landed heavily upon myself and several of our students last night as we entered into our church group time.

We had several students share about some sin that they had been struggling with (a lie they had been believing), and their desire to repent. When one of our young men shared a struggle it opened the door for other young men and women to share some of their own struggles. I believe we saw some genuine brokenness unfolding in the room last night. It was emotional indeed, but it was so much more than that. Students were confessing some stuff that was embarassing and difficult. I am so proud of them for their courage and their passion to become more like Christ through changing their minds. I must admit that I wasn't expecting it, but it was an unforgettable experience. I've been a part of numerous camps, conferences, and ministry events, and it's no secret that usually the last night of camp is when the waterworks come out and emotion rules. Last night was genuine and I honestly don't know what can happen tonight that will blow me away the way the way our experience last night did.

I'm so thankful for Stuart Hall and his words this week. He speaks the truth and he's dealt with some real life issues. It's almost uncomfortable to sit through at times because you know he's going to challenge you to change something in your life. At the same time, he has made me hunger to hear the word and be in the word even more and for that I am truly grateful. It's been a great week and it's not over yet. Please pray for our last day and our long trip home tomorrow. I can't wait to see my beautiful wife and our sweet little baby girl. I love and miss them so much, but I know God brought me here for a purpose. Here a few more pics from our week.