Fueling the Fire
Posted by anthologycreativeFueling the Fire
Read This Passage: Proverbs 26:20-22
Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. —Proverbs 26:20
FIRE CAN BE an incredible thing. It can warm you up when you’re cold. It can be beautiful to watch as it sparkles in the darkness. It can be fun to just sit and watch as the embers drift toward the sky.
Yet, if you’re not careful, a fire can easily get out-of-control. Let a few embers drift to a dry spot, and before long you have a fire that’s consuming everything around it. All of a sudden what once seemed enjoyable is destructive and scary. In the end, it will leave damage that may take a very long time to repair, if it can be repaired at all. Fire is not something to play with. Fire has a lot of power, and power can become destructive.
Gossip is just like a fire. Oh sure, it may seem innocent and fun at first, but before long, we’ve spoken words that we cannot take back. Gossip hurts people, damages reputations, breaks the community in a cabin, and breaks trust.
Just as Proverbs 26:20 points out, a fire will go out if there is nothing to fuel it. Gossip works the same way. If there is no one there to keep pushing the rumors, feeding the desire, or otherwise fanning the flames, gossip will die down, and so will the conflict and destruction that go along with it.
Today’s key verse points out that we have an active role in stopping this destructive cycle of gossip and conflict. We can choose not to fuel the fire; we can choose to keep our mouths shut!
Choosing to not participate in gossip, walking away, or even confronting those who are gossiping can be tough. You may face ridicule or even rejection from those you count as friends. Yet, when you do what God’s told you to do, He will bless you. You will grow in your walk with Him, and you’ll be a better friend.
Real Choices
Will you choose to follow God’s leading when you hear others participating in gossip? Why or why not?
Digging Deeper
Read John 21:20-23. Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with gossip. Can you find any other examples of gossip and how we should deal with it in His Word?
Pray
Take time to confess any gossip you have participated in. Ask God to show you what He would have you do and to help you stand strong when faced with opportunities to participate in gossip.
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HillBilly Breakfast vlog
Posted by phil
Today has been a blast at Camp Ridgecrest! We started the morning with a hilbilly breakfast served by the Central Staff. It’s more than a breakfast, it’s everything short of an all out food fight plus a grit eating contest. After skills today we have one of our most popular games: Sockwar! And then tonight we have the return of Gladiator Games. Lots to do today! Be sure to log into eCamp to see pictures from today!
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Cooling Off on a Hot Day
Posted by philJust goofing off around the Lake Lodge. Lot’s of fun had by all….
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Largest Session in History vlog
Posted by philWe had another incredible Opening Day yesterday! The rain held off until later in the evening. There was a ton of energy in camp, and the kids seemed to be having the time of their life. We only expect folks to have more fun as they get more confortable over the next few days… See you soon….
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Life and Death
Posted by anthologycreativeLife and Death
Read This Passage: Proverbs 18:19-21
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” —Proverbs 18:21
THINK ABOUT TWO friends who are alike in every way. They hang out together, shop together, wear the same clothes, and eat the same foods.
At the same time, they’re also so different. One always seems hopeful, confident, ready to face what she must. The other is quiet, almost scared, fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. What makes them different? Words. The words that have been spoken to them have made the difference in their lives.
When we encourage those around us, lift them up, pray for them, and remind them of how special they are to God, it gives them strength. When we see those same people and choose to slam them, criticize, or make fun, we take away what we have no right to take away.
Our words are powerful. Stop and think about that. Your words are powerful. You can build someone up, or you can tear him or her down. As a follower of Christ, what will you choose to do?
Proverbs 18:21 says it so clearly. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. We can build people up, show them Christ, and be a living example of love and grace. Or we can spend our time and our words tearing others down. Words sometimes do more than hurt people; sometimes they destroy them. Think about the terrible things people have said to you—the things that stick in your mind and repeatedly convince you that you’re not worth it and that God couldn’t love you.
God created the universe using only words. If God created the universe using the power of words, how carefully should we consider our words?
Real Choices
Think about the things you’ve said today. Did you bring life or death to those around you with your words?
Digging Deeper
Read 2 Timothy 2:14-16. What is irreverent, empty speech? How many of the things you say would fall into that category?
Pray
Ask God to remind you of the importance of your words before you speak them.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Proverbs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply
Life and Death
Posted by anthologycreativeLife and Death
Read This Passage: Proverbs 18:19-21
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” —Proverbs 18:21
THINK ABOUT TWO friends who are alike in every way. They hang out together, shop together, wear the same clothes, and eat the same foods.
At the same time, they’re also so different. One always seems hopeful, confident, ready to face what she must. The other is quiet, almost scared, fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. What makes them different? Words. The words that have been spoken to them have made the difference in their lives.
When we encourage those around us, lift them up, pray for them, and remind them of how special they are to God, it gives them strength. When we see those same people and choose to slam them, criticize, or make fun, we take away what we have no right to take away.
Our words are powerful. Stop and think about that. Your words are powerful. You can build someone up, or you can tear him or her down. As a follower of Christ, what will you choose to do?
Proverbs 18:21 says it so clearly. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. We can build people up, show them Christ, and be a living example of love and grace. Or we can spend our time and our words tearing others down. Words sometimes do more than hurt people; sometimes they destroy them. Think about the terrible things people have said to you—the things that stick in your mind and repeatedly convince you that you’re not worth it and that God couldn’t love you.
God created the universe using only words. If God created the universe using the power of words, how carefully should we consider our words?
Real Choices
Think about the things you’ve said today. Did you bring life or death to those around you with your words?
Digging Deeper
Read 2 Timothy 2:14-16. What is irreverent, empty speech? How many of the things you say would fall into that category?
Pray
Ask God to remind you of the importance of your words before you speak them.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Proverbs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply
“The Aqua Log” – New to Lake Ridgecrest!
Posted by philSo, we’ve added something new to our waterfront here at Camp Ridgecrest. Right now we are colling it the Aqua Log. So far it’s been a huge success. It’s a blast to try and even just to watch. Here is a sneak peak….
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An Apple a Day
Posted by anthologycreativeAn Apple a Day
Read This Passage: Proverbs 25:8-12
A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray. —Proverbs 25:11
I HAVE A good friend named Candy. She is someone who really loves Jesus, and her life is proof of it. When I’m having a bad day or am feeling discouraged, I know if I call her she will know just what to say.
You see Candy does two things when she talks to people. She points them to Jesus, and she reminds them of how special they are to Him. She is the kind of friend I want to be. Candy knows the power of words and wants hers to bring honor to God and those to whom she’s speaking.
Today’s key verse, Proverbs 25:11, isn’t about knowing the right thing to say in every situation. Most of us don’t always know what to say. And there are -situations in life when there is absolutely nothing to say. Today’s key verse is about the power of our speech. When we follow God’s leading, filter our words with prayer, and allow Him to speak through us, we’ll speak the right words at the right times.
We each have the opportunity to follow God’s leading in our relationships. His Word is clear; He has called us to love others and to point them to Him. The problem is, we get busy with our own problems, or we just forget what really matters in life. To be the friend others are drawn to, we must make some very real choices in our lives. We must choose to spend time with God every day. We won’t lead others to Someone we don’t really know.
We must also pray each day, asking God for His leading in every part of our lives. Then, when He tells us to slow down and take time for someone, we must do what He says! In the end, it will be worth it.
Real Choices
Take a look at your life. Do your words point others to Him? Why or why not? Do you allow Him to speak through you?
Digging Deeper
Read John 4. How did Jesus’ words change the Samaritan woman’s life? How did her words have an impact on the people in her community?
Pray
God, help me to see those around me in the way that You do. Help me to allow You to speak through me.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Proverbs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply
An Apple a Day
Posted by anthologycreativeAn Apple a Day
Read This Passage: Proverbs 25:8-12
A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray. —Proverbs 25:11
I HAVE A good friend named Candy. She is someone who really loves Jesus, and her life is proof of it. When I’m having a bad day or am feeling discouraged, I know if I call her she will know just what to say.
You see Candy does two things when she talks to people. She points them to Jesus, and she reminds them of how special they are to Him. She is the kind of friend I want to be. Candy knows the power of words and wants hers to bring honor to God and those to whom she’s speaking.
Today’s key verse, Proverbs 25:11, isn’t about knowing the right thing to say in every situation. Most of us don’t always know what to say. And there are -situations in life when there is absolutely nothing to say. Today’s key verse is about the power of our speech. When we follow God’s leading, filter our words with prayer, and allow Him to speak through us, we’ll speak the right words at the right times.
We each have the opportunity to follow God’s leading in our relationships. His Word is clear; He has called us to love others and to point them to Him. The problem is, we get busy with our own problems, or we just forget what really matters in life. To be the friend others are drawn to, we must make some very real choices in our lives. We must choose to spend time with God every day. We won’t lead others to Someone we don’t really know.
We must also pray each day, asking God for His leading in every part of our lives. Then, when He tells us to slow down and take time for someone, we must do what He says! In the end, it will be worth it.
Real Choices
Take a look at your life. Do your words point others to Him? Why or why not? Do you allow Him to speak through you?
Digging Deeper
Read John 4. How did Jesus’ words change the Samaritan woman’s life? How did her words have an impact on the people in her community?
Pray
God, help me to see those around me in the way that You do. Help me to allow You to speak through me.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Proverbs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply
Today at Camp vlog
Posted by philA few words from Phil about whats going on around camp. More coming soon…
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