Enthusiasm ≠ Obedience

Posted by phil

Earlier this year, American missionaries tried to take Haitian children out of Haiti and into the Dominican Republic where they were setting up an orphanage. The problem? The missionaries didn’t have the required documents to take the children from the country. No matter how good their intentions, they weren’t properly obeying the laws in Haiti, and it cost them greatly.

Read 2 Samuel 6:6-11. See what happened in verses 6 and 7.

Why did Uzzah reach out and grab the ark?

What happened to Uzzah when he reached out and took hold of the ark of God?

Why does the Bible say the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah?

What does it mean to be irreverent?

What did Uzzah’s disobedience cost him?

Think back to a time in your life when you were disobedient to God. What did it cost you?

The fact is, David didn’t properly follow the instructions found in Exodus about how to move the ark of the covenant. Instead, he followed the Philistine’s example and moved the ark on a cart. David’s reason for moving the ark was understandable; he simply wanted to bring the ark, a revered, holy object, to Jerusalem. He wanted to honor God and the ark by putting it in a place of prominence. But God had very specifically laid out how the ark was to be moved, and David didn’t follow God’s directions. Because of this, a man lost his life.

God is serious about His holiness. He calls us to respect that holiness and to live a certain way because of it. David was enthusiastic about moving the ark and wanted it to be in a place of importance and prominence, but he wasn’t obedient. We can do the same thing when we’re enthusiastic in our worship of God, but we don’t obey Him. Enthusiasm is never a substitute for obedience.

When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. —2 Samuel 6:6-7


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Enthusiasm ≠ Obedience

Posted by phil

Earlier this year, American missionaries tried to take Haitian children out of Haiti and into the Dominican Republic where they were setting up an orphanage. The problem? The missionaries didn’t have the required documents to take the children from the country. No matter how good their intentions, they weren’t properly obeying the laws in Haiti, and it cost them greatly.

Read 2 Samuel 6:6-11. See what happened in verses 6 and 7.

Why did Uzzah reach out and grab the ark?

What happened to Uzzah when he reached out and took hold of the ark of God?

Why does the Bible say the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah?

What does it mean to be irreverent?

What did Uzzah’s disobedience cost him?

Think back to a time in your life when you were disobedient to God. What did it cost you?

The fact is, David didn’t properly follow the instructions found in Exodus about how to move the ark of the covenant. Instead, he followed the Philistine’s example and moved the ark on a cart. David’s reason for moving the ark was understandable; he simply wanted to bring the ark, a revered, holy object, to Jerusalem. He wanted to honor God and the ark by putting it in a place of prominence. But God had very specifically laid out how the ark was to be moved, and David didn’t follow God’s directions. Because of this, a man lost his life.

God is serious about His holiness. He calls us to respect that holiness and to live a certain way because of it. David was enthusiastic about moving the ark and wanted it to be in a place of importance and prominence, but he wasn’t obedient. We can do the same thing when we’re enthusiastic in our worship of God, but we don’t obey Him. Enthusiasm is never a substitute for obedience.

When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. —2 Samuel 6:6-7


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Handle w/ Care

Posted by phil

When I was in fifth grade, my teacher taught us how to fold the American flag. He was a retired, decorated Marine and had spent time in Vietnam. He loved his country, and he treasured the flag, the symbol of freedom for the United States. He took great pride in teaching us how to keep the flag off the ground, how to fold it perfectly, and how to put it in a case. It wasn’t just any old cloth to him; he would have given his life for it.

Read Numbers 4:4-6,15, concentrating on verse 15b.

What was “the work” of the Kohathites”?

What were they to care for?

What were the curtains and skins of manatees to be used for?

What would happen to the Kohathites if they touched the holy things?

What do these verses teach you about the value God placed on the ark?

What do these verses teach you about the character of God?

God placed high value on the ark of the covenant. Certain people had been instructed by God to handle the ark in a very specific way. God didn’t just tell them to pack it up and go. He was very specific in His instructions. God doesn’t do things haphazardly. He always has an order and a purpose. His ways work to bring honor to Himself and to teach us to value and respect the things of God. The question is, do you?

The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting.

—Numbers 4:15b


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Lower Tribe Cabin Construction Continues!

Posted by Karah

This week, the Apache cabins are getting new roofs. The new roofs will cover the porch  and increase the ceiling height inside the cabin, giving the cabins a barn-like atmosphere. This will make the cabins feel bigger and more open, while maintaining the classic Ridgecrest Cabin feel. The work crew continues to blaze ahead at an impressive speed and hope to have all of the Apache roofs, as well as the one on the SALT cabin, by the end of the week. After that is done, the the new porches will be added. These porches will provide a much needed covered space for individual cabins on rainy days. More pictures and updates coming soon. If you haven’t subscribed to these posts yet, do that now…click the link at the bottom right of the page.


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Lower Tribe Cabins get an Upgrade!

Posted by Karah

Renovations began Monday on the new cabins in Apache and Shawnee. A six man team was able to dismantle three of the buildings down to their walls and studs in one day, finishing cabins one and two before mid-day. The crew spent the next two days finishing Apache circle as well as the SALT cabin and cabins five through eight on Shawnee hill. Once the roofs and rafters have been removed from all the cabins, the remodeling will begin. The project focuses primarily on improving the structural integrity of the cabins as well as over-all appearance. While the cabins will look almost identical from the exterior, the interior will be dramatically improved while keeping our rustic feel. Stay posted because the next few weeks will be incredibly exciting as the cabins are built. (Interested in helping us complete this Cabin Restoration Project? Please follow the “Give” link at the top of the page.)


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Sockwar: A-Sock

Posted by phil

So, many of you were not here for this Sockwar, so we wanted to give you a taste of what you missed. For those of you that were here, sit back and remember this, one of your favorite events from this past summer at Camp Ridgecrest! Enjoy….

Sockwar: A-SOCK from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.


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Ron’s Favorite Dance Move

Posted by phil

So, now that you are all home and back into the school year routine, we wanted to remind you of one reason why we love our Director Ron. After completing his 35th summer, some of his secrets to success were uncovered in this short video. Thanks to Matt Stapp for creating one of the most ridiculous videos Camp Ridgecrest has seen.  And thanks to Ron for sharing his mad dance moves… Enjoy!


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3 Things We Want You To Know

Posted by phil

Wow, camp is quiet without all of you here… While Camp is recovering and preparing for your return, here are 3 things to know….


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Truck Loads of Gold Found at Camp Ridgecrest

Posted by phil

Gold Rush is one of their favorite games we play here at Camp Ridgecrest! It may look like the famous Sockwar, but it’s quite different. There are 3 teams for Gold Rush, and the object is to collect as much Gold hidden all around camp as possible and take it safely to the bank. You can also get points for hitting members of  a different team with your sock that is filled with sawdust. Plus, you want to gain control of as many bases around camp as possible. Lots of ways to get points, lots of ways to help your team, and lots of ways to have fun! All this, plus our staff dressed up like they lived in the Wild West, makes for quite a game. Check out this short clip of your campers playing Gold Rush!


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3 of Their Favorite Things

Posted by phil

So for the past few days, campers at Camp Ridgecrest have had the chance to experience some pretty incredible activities. Saturday morning started off with a Sockwar – perhaps the most popular activity at camp. That evening Crestridge came over for Carnival…where we bring the carnival to camp! We have about 10  rides, snow cones, cotton candy, a dunking booth, tons of games, food, and more. As if that wasn’t enough, Sunday night rounded out the weekend with Council Ring. This is a special time where campers get to do something that they can’t experience anywhere else. Check out this video to see what I’m talking about…


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