school and God
i decided to write a new post, Enjoy= We all know that school is important, and God is important as well. We should all try to balance school,reading the Bible, and going to church so it’ll all work out. We get to do good in school and also learn a lil more at church,which is awesome! I thank God for giving me my school and the awesome bible teachers i know (tim,gardner,roger,etc.) i hope that throughout the school year i can balance everything out,get good grades on my test,and be able to worship God. Man,being an 8th grader is tough. I wonder what high school will be like????
thanks for reading.God Bless,
Anthony
Careful with “back to school” priorities
Now that school is back in session, I want to remind campers of the important fact that school should never take priority over spiritual activities. Yes school is important, but it is essential that we maintain our spiritual focus and make the extra effort to attend services and Bible classes. I think you will all agree that homework can be of the devil (I’m only halfway joking) if it becomes an excuse to taper off our prayer, Bible study and efforts to encourage each other. So, keep praying, studying and maintaining contact with each other! I hope Tim, Roger, Emily, Brigham, Esther and others will stay after everybody to not let school slow down this good thing the Lord has going for us!
4 down…a couple billion to go
Wednesday August 13th 2008, 9:50 am
Posted by Hermano Tim
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Filed under:My Thoughts, Spiritual MessageMan! What a couple of days, huh?
Carlos got baptized on Sat. Abby got baptized on Sun. Jillian got baptized on Mon (I think it was after midnight), and Bill got baptized on Tues!
Let’s see if we can keep this streak up? Who’s next.
I’m real proud of all these young people to make such an important decision, especially Carlos and Bill. I’ve been with them for their entire spiritual life. It’s so rewarding to see them grow. They’ve helped me so much too. Let’s keep it up year round!
I Love Everyone!
tm
MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE…
Thursday August 07th 2008, 12:43 am
Posted by Megan
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Filed under:Spiritual Messageis Psalm 73:25-26
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
The whole context of that verse gives it such special meaning! Being with the Lord should be our hope and desire. And seeing and knowing the Lord for eternity is what makes heaven so special. If our purpose now is for God then there is nothing on earth that could surpass how wonderful He is. So even if our flesh and our hearts are failing and feel weak- we have God to go for strength and fulfillment.
I hope that you are drawing near to God this week as He draws near to you! See you Saturday, punks!! And I love you all and I LOVE NEW JERSEY CAMP!!
p.s. being home in washington again feels good!
This is gonna be a crazy few weeks!
Tuesday August 05th 2008, 1:38 pm
Posted by Hermano Tim
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Filed under:My Day, Spiritual MessageLife is great. Super busy, but that’s what makes it great!
This coming weekend is the Teen Day at Washington! That’s gonna be a blast. Everyone bring a camera. There’s also gonna be a real pleasant surprise you won’t want to miss, so be there. Everyone call their friends to make sure they will show up.
The weekends to the 24th and 31st of August I will be teaching class and preaching the sermons at East Orange. That should be fun.
The weekend after that I’m preaching at Mohawk. You coming Megan?
There’s just so many spiritual activities that I can’t handle it! Everyone take advantage of the summer and get to Bible studies! Whew. I’m crazy just thinking about it all!
Love you guys!
tm
I hope this makes some sense…
I would like to take a closer look at the first and second chapters of Judges. I started reading through this book, and although I am not movvery fast, I am gaining a lot.
Judges 1:27-35
27 However, Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out.
29 Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
30 Nor did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites dwelt among them, and were put under tribute.
31 Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob.
32 So the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out.
33 Nor did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but they dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were put under tribute to them.
34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountains, for they would not allow them to come down to the valley;
35 and the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; yet when the strength of the house of Joseph became greater, they were put under tribute.Judges 2:2
2 “And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?”It looks to me like the people of the land, were more ‘detirmined’ to live in the land, then the Israelists were to obey and trust in their God.11 “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.”
In chapter one we see that the children of the land didn’t completely drive out everyone as God had commanded.
Doesn’t it seem that since they didn’t take any action toward obeying God, they ended up taking action(s) the other way, from God.
So in Judges 2:11-13 I think that we see where this took them.
So I was thinking to myself, how true this still is today. I mean, we should ask ourselves if we are more determined to serve God, than the world is to disobey him. Also, are we taking action toward God, reading our Bibles, praying, etc. ? Or will we too end up drifting to those around us and end up giving into the temptations that we weren’t detirmined to get rid of.
Well, I hope that this hasn’t been too confusing. Sometimes I just get going and it totally makes sense to me, but everyone else is so lost. These verses helped me a lot & I hope that they will help you too.
Stay Strong!
-h
Walking…
Wednesday July 30th 2008, 8:27 am
Posted by Miriam
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Filed under:Camp Shout Out, Spiritual MessageEph. 2:2 - “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…”
Eph. 2:10 - “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Eph. 4:1 - “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…”
Eph. 4:17 - “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind…”
Eph. 5:2 - “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Eph. 5:8 - “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…”
Eph. 5:15 - “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise…”
Great verse!
Friday July 25th 2008, 10:52 am
Posted by LeahlovesNJcamp
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageI feel like I’ve been posting a lot, but this was the Daily verse on www.biblegateway.com and it is such a great verse for every day of our lives! Kids, don’t wait till camp to pray, study, and serve like crazy!
“I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments.”- Psalm 119:60
Romans 13:11 is also a good related verse to check out!
Keep reading and studying, kids and counselors!
Love you!!!!!
MORE encouraging books of the Bible to read
Thursday July 24th 2008, 12:06 pm
Posted by LeahlovesNJcamp
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Filed under:Camp Shout Out, Spiritual MessageHello, my dear campers and counselors!
I know there have already been suggestions, but a book of the bible that has been particularly comforting to me in the weeks receding camp is II Corinthians. It deals directly with the comfort we receive from fellow Christians as well as from Christ, and can encourage us to keep in touch with one another as we should, no matter how crazy life gets!
Love you guys,
Leah :)
I like…
Thursday July 24th 2008, 7:15 am
Posted by Miriam
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Filed under:I Likes, Spiritual MessageBeing able to say that GOD knows best! Whether I understand it or not, He knows what He’s doing, and I can trust Him with my life! Isn’t that great? Aren’t you so glad you’re not in control?
Thank Him for that today,
Miriam =)
Amaziah
Tuesday July 22nd 2008, 12:16 pm
Posted by Em
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageSo, I am teaching Bible class to the first and second graders at church right now. I love teaching them - not only because they are so excited to learn the stories but also because it helps me to brush up on them and remember them myself.
I recently taught the story of King Amaziah (II Ch 25). It says that he was a good king who “did right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” Its easy to see in this story how he had some things right - and even gave up a lot of things (such as money) for God. But then the story also shows how he made poor decisions and ultimately left God.
I think that this is an important story for us because it shows that even while we can love God and do good things for Him, we can be doing it with only a partial heart. Its scary for me because when I do good things its easy to think that I am on the right track and that I am making God happy. But I need to remember to always be careful and try to look at my life the way God does and see if I am really serving Him in ALL things and exactly the way that He wants me to.
I am thankful for the Bible which shows me the right way to live and I am very blessed to have good Christian friends who point out to me when I am not on the right track.
So anyway, I would encourage you to read the story of Amaziah and see what you learn from it!
“become like one of these…”
Tuesday July 22nd 2008, 9:27 am
Posted by Hannah Works
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Filed under:Camp Shout Out, Spiritual MessageSo, the past couple days Lydia has really been wanting to say all the prayers. It is really great. We have to be continually reminding her that she can pray at any time. Well, two nights ago here is how the beginning part of her prayer went.
Dear God,
Thank you for this opportunity to be here. God, You are so awesome!….
There was more, but her theme word for that prayer was awesome. It was so cute at the time, but also so amazing that at 3 years old she already has a consept as to who and what God is in comparison to us. I can learn so much from her.
-h
I like…
Monday July 21st 2008, 9:17 pm
Posted by Hermano Tim
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Filed under:I Likes, Spiritual MessageGod for forgiving us with His endless mercy.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51)
Reading…
Sunday July 20th 2008, 10:22 pm
Posted by Em
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageHey guys!
I finally had Tim show me how to use this website (I know, you would think I could have figured it out on my own!), and I am very excited about using it as a way to keep in touch with you all. I know that camp was incredibly encouraging for me this year and I was so thankful that God blessed me with the oportunity to be there again for another year.
I had a chance to read with some of you while I was there and that was so great. I love having friends to read with and its always so encouraging to find other people who want to read the Bible with me. The real test though is keeping up with reading on a daily basis for the rest of the year!
I know that for me its difficult to be as focused as I need to be because I am busy, I already go to Bible studies (so its easy to justify not reading as much on my own time!), and I just am plain old lazy a lot of the time.
BUT! lets all try to be focused and to really be committed to reading EVERY DAY. We all struggle with that, but God will give us the strength to stay focused. Don’t wait for camp next year to get another “spiritual boost.” Keep reading and use your friends, or this website and the people that we talk to on here, to gain encouragement and strength to serve God the way that you need to.
I love you guys and if you never need someone to talk to you know where to find me =)
A good weekend
Monday July 14th 2008, 3:40 pm
Posted by Hermano Tim
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageI just got back from hanging out with my grandpa.
He’s a great man. He just tells me all sorts of stories about his life growing up. It’s cool to have such a strong Christian family to learn from. If you have wise relatives, Christian or not, seek their wisdom.
tm
Words of Encouragement.
Thursday July 10th 2008, 7:56 pm
Posted by Im8913
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageCamp was so fun and spiritually uplifting this year. Keep all those who are new Brothers and Sisters in Christ in your prayers. For me myself the first week back in the world has been so hard on me as a new Brother in Christ. But I keep praying and trying to devote myself fully to God and it has paid off; I continue to grow and become wiser everyday.
To all those struggling, I keep you in my prayers. May God bless you all as He has blessed me.
-Jacob O’Connor
Exalted
Tuesday July 08th 2008, 8:40 pm
Posted by douglas
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageExalted
This is a beautiful song. You can click to listen.
Thanks A Lot Guys
Tuesday July 08th 2008, 9:38 am
Posted by TallMatt
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageI was over at Daniel’s house this morning, thanking God for all the great things He accomplished this week and man was it a long list! Thank you so much for opening up to us Southerners so quick, it really made for a great week. I hope you were as encouraged as much as i was. Let’s make the changes in our lives we know we have to make.
-Matt LaGrone
Camp is awesome!
Monday July 07th 2008, 2:05 pm
Posted by terri
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageHey everybody. so i finally got around to registering on this site and everything. oh man, i miss camp already. it was great this year and even though i only got to be there for 2 days, it was well worth it seeing all of you and being able to praise God together. i was incredibly uplifted and got my spiritual boost for the year. i hope it did the same for all of you.
Great week
Sunday July 06th 2008, 11:00 pm
Posted by GaryFisher
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Filed under:Spiritual MessageThank you so much, guys, for accepting me with so much love and encouragement. I really enjoyed the week. Thank you for so many of you eager to be helpful and work together in edifying each other. Let’s make this week a really excellent one for the Lord.
