Hi!
I'm sad to say that camp is over. It was an amazing week full of trials, full of fun, but more importantly full of God. Several people in our youth group accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior for the first time. Some of our youth made decisions to turn their lives around and start making better choices. Some of our youth even shared with us the calling they have on their life to go in to full time ministry! Wow. God is so good.
Four short blog post can never describe camp at its fullest. Parents, please know that your money was not wasted. Our young adults not only had a blast during lake sports and POIs, but they had the opportunity to study the character of our God for 5 straight days. My hope is that you will encourage your children to seek the Lord in everthing they do. The camp high is over but that doesn't mean that we can't get high on Christ at home. Let us be addicted to the Spirit so much that we take Him in everyday.
Campers, remember...We were all STAINED by sin but now we have been SOAKED by God's grace. Because of this we must go out and attempt to SCRUB some of the hate of this world off of those seeking for the truth. Be a servant! Now that camp is over we must SHINE the glory of our God to everyone who is watching. Please never forget that people are watching you. Make sure they are seeing Jesus. The one who demands much because He gave much. I love you guys!
See you soon!
Entry by: Emily Barnett
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Scrub
Greetings from the Creek!
You know that God is really working when everything seems to be going wrong. What are you talking about? You may be asking me...it's the Devil! We have been experiencing some spiritual battles. The Devil has been working over-time to make sure that God does not get the glory and that our students and adults do not experience or encounter our Holy God. In a huge way this excites me because I know that God is doing a big thing and Satan is about to be cast in the lake of fire where he belongs. Parents and anyone else who stumbles upon this, PLEASE pray for us as God continues to move. Please rebuke Satan in Jesus name.
Now, let me tell you the reason I know God is working.
Picture it, 160 people all making their way to a lake. There is a nice breeze (finally) and the sun is peeking out from behind clouds. While walking you pass a wooden cross and you are reminded of why you even exist. Why you are breathing. Why your personal Savior deserves your service. Once you make it to your destination you find yourself standing on the banks of the lake. Before you know it, there are two people standing in the water in front of you. A sweet girl is courageously standing in front of 158 people, waist deep in water, with the 159th person standing right beside her preparing to dunk her in to this great big lake. She is smiling from ear to ear because she knows exactly why she is about to be drenched in this lake water. She loves God and she wants everyone to know that she is ready to be a servant of Christ. As she is leaving the water, soaked by the lake water and Gods saving grace, she is greeted with over a hundred people smiling, cheering, and crying because of her testimony. She was not the only one changed by this experience. All 159 of the rest of us were moved and will never be the same because of it.
To be a servant is what the theme was yesterday. As followers of Christ we have to be prepared to be last. Jesus himself makes it clear to us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We are called to serve. To get down on our hands and knees and scrub whatever needs a good washing in the name of Jesus Christ. Putting on the apron of God and dipping our sponge into the bucket of grace and attempting to scrub and rub off some of the Christ we have experienced. This is what we have been called to do when we accept our Lord and encounter stained people in need of washing.
People, I've told you before. God is doing something here. I have seen teenagers who didn't even really want to be here raising their hands in worship, so overwhelmed by the Spirit of God that the only thing they can do is weep. I have seen dead people rise up and live right before my eyes. Satan will not win. Satan will not get the victory and you know, as well as me, why. Because our God is greater, our God is stronger, Our God is higher than anything and He is ALIVE. Please continue to pray.
Until tomorrow. God Bless
Entry by: Emily Barnett
You know that God is really working when everything seems to be going wrong. What are you talking about? You may be asking me...it's the Devil! We have been experiencing some spiritual battles. The Devil has been working over-time to make sure that God does not get the glory and that our students and adults do not experience or encounter our Holy God. In a huge way this excites me because I know that God is doing a big thing and Satan is about to be cast in the lake of fire where he belongs. Parents and anyone else who stumbles upon this, PLEASE pray for us as God continues to move. Please rebuke Satan in Jesus name.
Now, let me tell you the reason I know God is working.
Picture it, 160 people all making their way to a lake. There is a nice breeze (finally) and the sun is peeking out from behind clouds. While walking you pass a wooden cross and you are reminded of why you even exist. Why you are breathing. Why your personal Savior deserves your service. Once you make it to your destination you find yourself standing on the banks of the lake. Before you know it, there are two people standing in the water in front of you. A sweet girl is courageously standing in front of 158 people, waist deep in water, with the 159th person standing right beside her preparing to dunk her in to this great big lake. She is smiling from ear to ear because she knows exactly why she is about to be drenched in this lake water. She loves God and she wants everyone to know that she is ready to be a servant of Christ. As she is leaving the water, soaked by the lake water and Gods saving grace, she is greeted with over a hundred people smiling, cheering, and crying because of her testimony. She was not the only one changed by this experience. All 159 of the rest of us were moved and will never be the same because of it.
To be a servant is what the theme was yesterday. As followers of Christ we have to be prepared to be last. Jesus himself makes it clear to us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We are called to serve. To get down on our hands and knees and scrub whatever needs a good washing in the name of Jesus Christ. Putting on the apron of God and dipping our sponge into the bucket of grace and attempting to scrub and rub off some of the Christ we have experienced. This is what we have been called to do when we accept our Lord and encounter stained people in need of washing.
People, I've told you before. God is doing something here. I have seen teenagers who didn't even really want to be here raising their hands in worship, so overwhelmed by the Spirit of God that the only thing they can do is weep. I have seen dead people rise up and live right before my eyes. Satan will not win. Satan will not get the victory and you know, as well as me, why. Because our God is greater, our God is stronger, Our God is higher than anything and He is ALIVE. Please continue to pray.
Until tomorrow. God Bless
Entry by: Emily Barnett
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Crossings J-Creek Photos
Click on the link to see camp photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150240124442917.327382.21699412916
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150240124442917.327382.21699412916
Soaked
Hello again!
What can I say? Camp is good. God is moving. And we are all enjoying the camp high. I know, I know. Some people view the term "camp high" as negative or as a term that only makes camp seem to be an experience rather than an encounter. But, I'm here to tell you that they are one in the same. I was thinking about this yestereday. Not only our adults but our students as well, have crazy lives that are filled to the top with overwhelming happenings. We get so bogged down by the storms of life and sometimes it is hard to focus on how much our Savior deserves our praise. At the creek our students (and adults) get to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and have the opportunity to get so high on Christ and His Spirit that our experience becomes an encounter. The Creek offers our students a break from the stresses of life while being 'soaked' in the grace and glory of God.
Soaked. This was our main idea yesterday. Being soaked in God's grace. What a beautiful picture, to actually be drenched in the Holy Spirit. To be drenched in the Grace and Forgiveness of our Holy God. WOW. Ironically enough, during our church group time last night while we were worshiping Jesus, it poured rain. I'll be honest, I did not want to be soaked by the earthly rain however, I was reminded how much I need and want to be soaked by Grace. I believe that our students our yearning for this as well.
It's so hard to try to get all of you to understand what camp is like. I wish all of you could be here to experience and encounter God with your students. Just know that your students are being taken care of and please please please pray for big things! Ask God to work in ways that we couldn't even fathom. Ask God to get our youth group so high off of the Spirit that they are dreaming big and seeing things in a new way.
Get ready for tomorrow. There are some exciting things that I cannot wait to share with you.
Until then...PRAY.
Entry by : Emily Barnett
What can I say? Camp is good. God is moving. And we are all enjoying the camp high. I know, I know. Some people view the term "camp high" as negative or as a term that only makes camp seem to be an experience rather than an encounter. But, I'm here to tell you that they are one in the same. I was thinking about this yestereday. Not only our adults but our students as well, have crazy lives that are filled to the top with overwhelming happenings. We get so bogged down by the storms of life and sometimes it is hard to focus on how much our Savior deserves our praise. At the creek our students (and adults) get to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and have the opportunity to get so high on Christ and His Spirit that our experience becomes an encounter. The Creek offers our students a break from the stresses of life while being 'soaked' in the grace and glory of God.
Soaked. This was our main idea yesterday. Being soaked in God's grace. What a beautiful picture, to actually be drenched in the Holy Spirit. To be drenched in the Grace and Forgiveness of our Holy God. WOW. Ironically enough, during our church group time last night while we were worshiping Jesus, it poured rain. I'll be honest, I did not want to be soaked by the earthly rain however, I was reminded how much I need and want to be soaked by Grace. I believe that our students our yearning for this as well.
It's so hard to try to get all of you to understand what camp is like. I wish all of you could be here to experience and encounter God with your students. Just know that your students are being taken care of and please please please pray for big things! Ask God to work in ways that we couldn't even fathom. Ask God to get our youth group so high off of the Spirit that they are dreaming big and seeing things in a new way.
Get ready for tomorrow. There are some exciting things that I cannot wait to share with you.
Until then...PRAY.
Entry by : Emily Barnett
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Stained
Hello Everyone,
We are full STEAM ahead here at the Creek. We arrived here safe and sound Sunday afternoon. Moments after getting off the buses we quickly realized that we were going to desperately need two things, deodorant and cold water. IT IS HOT!! Despite the heat, we are having a blast and these students are amazing.
This weeks theme is "Washed." We are talking about how we are washed clean by the Grace of God. How we are all filthy and in need of a good washing. The first day's main idea was how we are all STAINED. We talked about how our sin has left a stain on us and we are incapable of getting it off no matter how much we scrub, no matter what we use, we are not able. But, luckily we have a God who is.
Our first day was also packed full of bible studies, worship, lake sports, eating, sweating to death, and intense hang out and bonding with one another. Don't worry, the Holy Spirit is already moving and God has already done BIG things. Lives are being changed and our youth (and adults) are getting serious about listening to God and, as our wonderful Youth Pastor so beautifully put it, "Doing what we know we need to do."
We are pumped about what the Lord is going to do this week in the lives of your students and our faithful adult leaders. We are believing in FAITH that God has more in store for this week than we could possibly have asked for. Please keep us in your prayers.
Singing off...See you tomorrow!
Entry written: Emily Barnett
We are full STEAM ahead here at the Creek. We arrived here safe and sound Sunday afternoon. Moments after getting off the buses we quickly realized that we were going to desperately need two things, deodorant and cold water. IT IS HOT!! Despite the heat, we are having a blast and these students are amazing.
This weeks theme is "Washed." We are talking about how we are washed clean by the Grace of God. How we are all filthy and in need of a good washing. The first day's main idea was how we are all STAINED. We talked about how our sin has left a stain on us and we are incapable of getting it off no matter how much we scrub, no matter what we use, we are not able. But, luckily we have a God who is.
Our first day was also packed full of bible studies, worship, lake sports, eating, sweating to death, and intense hang out and bonding with one another. Don't worry, the Holy Spirit is already moving and God has already done BIG things. Lives are being changed and our youth (and adults) are getting serious about listening to God and, as our wonderful Youth Pastor so beautifully put it, "Doing what we know we need to do."
We are pumped about what the Lord is going to do this week in the lives of your students and our faithful adult leaders. We are believing in FAITH that God has more in store for this week than we could possibly have asked for. Please keep us in your prayers.
Singing off...See you tomorrow!
Entry written: Emily Barnett
J-Creek 2011 OPENING DAY AND DAY1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Everyone,
We will be updating our Blog with pictures soon!
Opening Day and Day 1 have been awesome!!
Our week has been amazing so far. It has been a blur of fun, HEAT! , lake sports , bazooka ball, and especially JESUS!!
Our kids our growing in Jesus right before our eyes. We have had 5 students already profess their faith in Jesus Christ that He is Lord and Savior of their life!! One young lady who has had reservations about Baptism was so moved by the Holy Spirit she wants to be Baptized. I told her that we could definitely arrange that when we get back to Bowling Green...She said that I did not understand, that she wanted to baptized here at Camp!!! in the lake like Jesus was in the natural water. Everyone is having an amazing time! There will be more information to come and pictures!!
Also check out the link on facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/crossingscamps to follow your student, send e-mail letters, watch live worship and activities. Also check out my facebook for further updates.
We will be updating our Blog with pictures soon!
Opening Day and Day 1 have been awesome!!
Our week has been amazing so far. It has been a blur of fun, HEAT! , lake sports , bazooka ball, and especially JESUS!!
Our kids our growing in Jesus right before our eyes. We have had 5 students already profess their faith in Jesus Christ that He is Lord and Savior of their life!! One young lady who has had reservations about Baptism was so moved by the Holy Spirit she wants to be Baptized. I told her that we could definitely arrange that when we get back to Bowling Green...She said that I did not understand, that she wanted to baptized here at Camp!!! in the lake like Jesus was in the natural water. Everyone is having an amazing time! There will be more information to come and pictures!!
Also check out the link on facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/crossingscamps to follow your student, send e-mail letters, watch live worship and activities. Also check out my facebook for further updates.
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