You Have Been Rescued From Sin

Read Romans 6:1-4.

Finally, after two months, the helicopter spotted you and rescued you from the tiny, forsaken island! Relief flooded you from head to toe. Last night was the first night you spent back in your own bed.

When the morning sun flooded the room, you opened your eyes. Laid out on a chair were new jeans and a T-shirt in your favorite colors and brands. You smiled. As you got up to put them on, you saw in the trash can the tatters that had been your clothes as a castaway. You pulled them out, smelly and torn. You stared at them fondly for a minute. Then you put them on and walked downstairs.

Crazy? Yes! But not as crazy as living in death and defeat after you have received new life in Christ.

Christ has rescued us from sin and given us a new set of clothes to put on each day. When we get up each day, we have a decision to make. We can reach for old tatters (like an old attitude that constantly reminds you that you aren’t worth anything)—or we can reach for the attitude of Christ that reassures us we are significant because He loves us and has rescued us.

Do you have a favorite attitude that you put on each day? What is it? Now think about what attitude Christ would have you wear instead. You have been rescued from that! Live like it 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

Choctaw Hill: Before and After

After roughly 4 months of constant work, seven cabins have received a complete upgrade. Cabins 10-16 are now complete and ready for campers this summer! As we have continued to update you all throughout the process, today we are proud to present the final product and show you the differences. You will notice many differences on the hill. A few of those differences include: big porches, a green trim on Choctaw cabins, green roofing, Cabin 12 facing a new direction, new green doors, and much more! To see how awesome the upgrades are, check out the pictures below…

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Cabin Restoration, Camp Ridgecrest, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Choctaw, New Cabins | Leave a reply

High Five Etiquette

Boys learn a lot of things here at Camp Ridgecrest. One of those things is how to properly administer a “high five.” Thanks to the friends of camp,  “Trip and Tyler” for this hilarious idea!

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, VLOG | Leave a reply

What Does Your Life Say

I know it’s silly, but I have to ask: Does an apple tree bear oranges or a grape vine produce strawberries? The answer is a big, obvious “NO!”

Now let me ask you this. What kinds of fruit should a Christian bear?

Read 1 John 3:4-6. Focus on verse 6.

What is the law being referred to in the passage?

How did John define sin?

Who is the sinless One who was revealed to take away your sins?

What did John mean when he wrote that anyone who sins has not seen God?

In what ways has your life changed since you became a Christian?

Do Christians never sin? Is that what John is trying to say in today’s Scripture passage? Not quite. We may belong to God’s family now, but we’re still in this world. Sooner or later, we’re bound to mess up. But we know for certain that when we became God’s children, we were also freed from sin’s tight grip. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, we can choose to stop sinning and start following Him.

So it is a problem when you can’t (or won’t) stop sinning. Think about it. As God’s child, you’ll genuinely want to leave old, sinful habits behind. Of course that’s not easy—but God knows that. But that’s why He gave you the Holy Spirit. He never expected you to escape from sin in your own strength. Instead, He has provided the way out and the means to stay out. What great love is that!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged 1 John 3, Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply

You Don’t Have To Measure Up

Think about what it means to be your parents’ child. How are you like your mom or dad? How are you different? How much of your identity is tied up in whose child you are? Why?

Read 1 John 3:1-3 twice, stopping to think about verse 1.

What is the promise found in this passage?

What does it mean to be called a child of God?

Why is it so important that Christians know God loves them unconditionally?

According to these verses, what should your motivation be for becoming pure? Why?

How does being God’s child change the way you look at and treat others?

Nothing beats being God’s child! If you’re a Christian, that’s your identity. Let’s face it, where else can you go to find unconditional love and acceptance but in His arms? He is the Holy God who knows and has made everything. Yet He is willing to take us for His own!

And it doesn’t stop there. In today’s passage, John assured us not only of our identity in God but also of the future that lies waiting for us. And although he doesn’t tell us exactly what it’ll be like, one thing’s for sure: we’re going to be with our Father! That alone should convince you it’s going to be more awesome than anything you can ever imagine!

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged 1 John 3, Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply

Sockwar!

Tron. An good movie. And even better Sockwar here at Camp Ridgecrest! Wish you all could have been a part of this one. Good thing we captured it on camera, this is a must see. Sorry it will make you miss camp even more…

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, sockwar | Leave a reply

He Is Faithful To Forgive

We all make mistakes. You can’t argue with that; it’s a given. I have to confess, however, that I hate owning up to mine. And since I specialize in making mistakes, I have to keep owning up to them over and over again! Sometimes I think I should just hang a sign around my neck, “Yes, I did it. I’m sorry.” Then I won’t have to speak up anymore!

Maybe you know what I’m talking about.

Read 1 John 1:8-10. Read verse 9 out loud.

According to the passage, how do we deceive ourselves?

What did John mean when he wrote that the truth is not in us?

What does this passage tell you about God’s forgiveness?

Why is it important that you recognize your sin and confess it?

What sins do you need to confess to God today? Seek His forgiveness; He’s willing to give it!

Last week we were reminded that we’re liars. In today’s passage, we’re forced to admit that we make a lot of mistakes. Being honest about ourselves can be difficult. All these confessions get us down and make us feel like failures.

Yet we don’t have to stop there. Defeat isn’t for God’s children. Jesus has overcome, and through Him, forgiveness and fresh starts become ours to claim. The point of these verses is that you are a sinner. If you claimed otherwise, you’d be a liar. But God is a God of forgiveness. And if you sincerely ask for forgiveness, He will forgive you. No doubt about that—He promised, and He always keeps His word. It’s what happens afterward that’s up to you. Changing for the better is the mark of true repentance. It’s one of the best ways you can ever thank Him for all He’s done for you.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged 1 John 1, Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply

Choctaw Cabins Get New Floors and Walls

The last time we updated everyone on the progress taking place on Choctaw Hill, the exterior of the cabins was nearing completion. From the outside, it seemed the job was pretty much done. But there still much work that needed to be done. Today, we can announce the the cabins are about 99% done. They do not have the furniture moved back in, but they have received a face-lift on the inside. Each of the cabins are now equipped with brand new walls, ceilings, and floors. You will also be able to note the new doors that cabins have received. Another upgrade you will see are the wooden window shutters that can cover screen windows in the winter to protect the cabins from winter weather. In the pictures below, you will see all of these new additions as well as a preview of the new windows to the old walls that show some of the old camper and staff names. In one picture, you will see names of camp friends from decades ago, including Chris Shirley, as well as his son Andrew. Enjoy!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Cabin Restoration, Camp Ridgecrest, Choctaw, New Cabins | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Under the Trinity Tree

Each summer at Camp Ridgecrest, campers and staff alike find themselves sitting under this great tree on the middle green.. Over the years it has earned the name the “Trinity Tree” partially because of its 3 strong trunks that all come together as one at the base. I’m sure many staff have used this analogy to help explain to campers how our God can be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all at once. It’s helps young men see the power, strength, beauty and mystery of God in a more tangible way. It also serves as a reminder to all who pass through it’s shadows that we are not doing our own work here at Camp Ridgecrest. Rather we serve in the shadow of a God who desperately wants to bring each and every camper close to himself. I can only imagine the number of campers who decided to follow Jesus during a campfire, sitting beneath this great landmark. What stories can you recall about this special spot in camp? Funny Sockwar intro skits, other camp-wide games, campfire stories, and more. Here is a picture of 2 legends here at Camp Ridgercest. Can you tell who they are…doing what they do best. Share below…

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Alumni, Camp Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Trinity Tree | Leave a reply

Don’t Just Talk

Everybody knows this group of people lie all the time—because they generally get caught in their lies. Who are they?

Here’s a clue: their name begins with a “C.” Celebrities? Yes, but that’s not the group I have in mind. Give up? Try Christians. Yup, we’re guilty, too.

Read 1 John 1:5-7. Concentrate on verse 6.

What was John’s main point in this passage?

What does it mean to walk in the light?

How are you walking in the light? Explain.

Based on John’s description of liars, would you consider yourself one? Explain.

What does walking in darkness look like? Give examples.

In what ways have you lied to yourself and to God?

John wrote that if what we do doesn’t reflect what we say, then we’re liars. If we say we love Christ and obey Him, but our lives say otherwise, we’re lying. Hits close to home, doesn’t it?

See, it’s through your actions that you prove you are God’s child. When your words match what you do, when what you say you believe affects how you live—people have less reason to doubt you and more reason to give God a chance.

It’s tough but true: because we bear His name, everything we do reflects on Him. So if you truly love God, your life will reflect Him. And people will listen when you talk about your faith because they see it in action in your life.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged 1 John 1, Camp Ridgecrest, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission. | Leave a reply