Things You Can’t Do When You Are Not At Camp

I know that you are getting more and more excited about Camp Ridgecrest this summer. But I have to warn you… no matter how pumped you get, you have to contain your excitement, and remember… you’re not at camp yet. This video will explain what I mean. We can’t wait to see you in a few months! It’s gonna be an amazing summer. And yes, we still have a few spots open. Bring a friend this year!

Thanks again to Trip and Tyler for this video idea!

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Choose Life

We are all familiar with the image of a street preacher standing on a box screaming about eternal death and damnation for those who do not repent. It may be hard to hear that way, but those words are true.

Read Romans 6:19-23. Focus on verse 23.

What does Paul mean when he says the Romans offered parts of themselves?

What fruit do you think the Romans were ashamed of? (See v. 21.)

Why do you suppose Paul says that fruit led to death?

What does it mean to be enslaved to God?

What fruit or characteristics do you believe come from Christ’s righteousness?

Do you see any of those things in your life? Why or why not?

What are the wages of sin?

What is the gift of God?

Have you received God’s gift?

When I was growing up, I often heard verse 23 used to scare us into obeying God. It was such a heavy verse, pointing out so blatantly that all sin really brings us is death.

But as I have grown, I have learned that this verse actually expresses God’s love. Because God loves me, He has given me eternal life through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. He has provided salvation, forgiveness, and His Holy Spirit to guide me to make daily choices that honor Him and point to eternal life. When I do make choices that lead to death (every time I sin), His Spirit convicts me so I can seek repentance. God has provided a way for me to choose life each day and for eternity. Listen to the Holy Spirit as you go about your day today. Choose life!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans | Leave a reply

What’s Your Motivation

Have you ever thought something like this: “I can tell this little white lie now. I will ask Jesus to forgive me later”? If you have, did you notice it was easier to lie the next time? Did you start to notice a pattern? Whenever you were in a pinch, you probably found it easier and easier to shoot off another lie.

Read Romans 6:15-18. Look at verse 17.

Do you see Christ just as the Person to ask for forgiveness for a sin you continually choose to repeat? Why or why not?

What do these verses teach you about that kind of attitude?

Why is forgiveness a gift you shouldn’t take for granted?

How does your life show God’s grace is precious? Explain.

Today’s reading says the Romans “obeyed from the heart.” Does that mean that the Romans were afraid of Christ or that they loved Him? Explain.

What’s the reason for your obedience to God? Explain.

The word “pattern” in verse 17 refers to the teaching the Romans received. A pattern is predictable and recurring. If you live by the pattern taught in Scripture, your life will be predictable and consistent. You know you love Christ, and you know how He is calling you to live—and you obey from the heart. That means that the reason you’re obedient to God isn’t because you think you have to, that being “good” will earn you His favor, or that the way to live the Christian life is to follow a bunch of rules. It means that you obey Christ’s commands out of love, recognizing who He is and what He has done for you. When you understand the cost Christ paid to set you free from sin and the depth of His love for you, you simply can’t pursue a life characterized by sin.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans | Leave a reply

Best Blobs from 2011

As the weather begins to warm up, my mind starts drifting to one thing…. THE BLOB! As I prepare myself for another amazing Blob Season here at Camp Ridgecrest, I have to reflect back on some of the best Blobs caught on video from last summer. Enjoy this as you begin dreaming of Summer 2012!

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Leap Day 2012

Do know what Leap Day is?  Do you know why it was created? These questions will be answered if you watch this video!  You’ll also see how we celebrate Leap Day here at Ridgecrest Summer Camps!  We hope you enjoyed Leap Day!

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Give Him Control

It’s brand new. Silver! It is the hottest car in town. When you put the top down, people can see that you are the driver of the new car everyone is talking about. You drive slowly down Main Street. Your cousin waves you down. He asks to take your car for a spin. You remember all the cars he has dented the past few months. But he is your cousin. He has your best interests in mind, doesn’t he? You offer him the keys.

“Yeah right!” I hear you say as you read this. But don’t we do that all the time? Offer the keys of our heart to a driver who doesn’t have our best interests in mind?

Read Romans 6:12-14. Look again at verse 12.

What does it mean to let sin rule in your body?

How have you seen this play out in your life?

Do you think that your musical tastes or your movie or Internet habits show who reigns in your life? Why or why not?

When friends hear you talk, whom do they suppose rules your heart? Explain.

In the way you speak to your teachers and parents, is it obvious that Christ rules your heart? Why or why not?

Does Christ reign in your study and work habits? Explain.

Think of your heart as a huge parking garage. There are many cars in it, and each one represents an attitude, an activity, or some other facet of your life. Christ died for you so He can drive each one of these cars. But you may have said to Him, “You can drive this old truck but not this sports car.”

The point? If Jesus isn’t in control of every part of your life, He isn’t your King. That’s what today’s Scripture passage is about. If sin is reigning in your life, Christ isn’t in control. What areas of your life are you withholding from Jesus’ control? Give them to Him today!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans | Leave a reply

Alive

The sunrise this morning took my breath away. Along the horizon there were a few clouds, metallic pink on the backdrop of a pink and yellow sky. A nice cold morning here at camp! The breeze was invigorating. I felt so alive. I knew God was with me.

Read Romans 6:8-11. Notice verse 8.

When do you feel most alive? In nature? With friends? At a worship service?

Are you aware in those moments that God is with you? Why or why not?

Do you think God gives us those moments to remind us of the truth that He is always with us, even when we do not feel Him?

How do you feel knowing God is always with you, living with you?

What does it really mean to live with God?

Are you aware that Christ is with you at school? At the movies? Everywhere? Explain.

How is it that we still are tempted to sin even though we died to sin?

Today’s verse tells us that because we died with Christ to sin He now lives with us. When you live with someone, they know all the very best and the very worst about you. They know what you do and don’t like. They know what buttons to push to make you instantly furious. They know what fills you with happiness.

Christ knows all about you, inside and out, and still loves you thoroughly. As today’s Scripture passage points out, while our sin is the reason for Jesus’ death, we did nothing to bring about the resurrection—yet we get to share in the fruit of it, eternal life. What a miracle! Let that truth sink in today. Live each moment for God!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans | Leave a reply

Guerilla Warfare

Here is a look back at one of the best games at Camp Ridgecrest. Nothing like 18,000 water balloons unleashed by 300 people in a short period of time. Only something that can be experienced at Camp Ridgecrest. And yes, camp is just over 3 months away! Grab your spot if you haven’t already…

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Sin Doesn’t Have A Hold On You

When you hear the word slave, what picture pops into your head? I see a poorly clothed man or woman who is skinny, bruised, and ashamed. Hands tied behind the back. Head down. Eyes on the floor. There is no hope and no escape in store for him or her.

Read Romans 6:5-7. Pay attention to verse 6.

What comes to mind when you read the phrase “enslaved to sin”?

Do you believe you have been freed from the slavery of sin? Why or why not?

Did you live yesterday like your old self had been crucified with Christ? Explain.

Is there something you would have done differently yesterday if you had remembered you are no longer a slave to sin?

Do you have a habit that you are unable to break even though you have accepted Christ into your life? If you do, consider asking someone you can trust to help you with it.

How will your life be different today by remembering you are free from sin?

The words “for we know” in our passage (v. 6) today are so important. Often that is the reason we stray back to old, sinful habits: we forget what we know. And when we forget, we act as slaves, helplessly doing what our sinful desires demand. We have to remember what we know! We know that our old selves have been crucified with Christ.

I have a ring a dear friend gave me. I wear it to remind me of what I know. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of whom I belong to and how I should honor Christ with my life. Would a symbol help you remember what you know? What will you choose, and what will it remind you of?

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Romans | Leave a reply

2012 Theme Design

Are you getting excited about this summer yet?  It won’t be long till we have campers at camp again!  We’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about our theme for this summer.  We have finally made a decision and it is “The Well”.  The theme verse is John 7:38, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” NLT

We are currently trying to think of a design for our theme.  We are having a little trouble so we’d like your help! From now until Friday, February 17th, we will be accepting submissions for the potential theme design.  The person who submits the best design will win $50 to our clothing store this summer.  We may even put that design on our theme shirt!  You can send submissions to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com.  Submissions can be drawn by hand, designed on a computer, etc.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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