Thursday, June 26, 2008

Faith-Lift Friday (June 29, 2008)

When I was younger like 9 years old I started going to church summer camp, not just the longer VBS day camps that churches have today as there vacation Bible schools.. but the sleep away summer camp sort of camp.. We had all the fun stuff one would think of when you think of summer camp but we also learned alot about God at camp.. We had morning and evening chapel, along with cabin devotions and a time set aside for personal devotions.
Since our summer camp was located on an Island of one of our great lakes, alot of times for cabin devotions and for our personal time with God we would go find ourselves a nice spot on the rocks next to the water..
I went to this camp from the time I was 9 years old till I was 17 years old every summer for a week. Then the summer of 1992 I spent the whole summer there on staff.
I grew in Christ and felt so close with my Lord during those years spent at camp and on those rocks.. Now I can't help but see the rocks and the shoreline and not think of God. Not only for his beautiful handy work of the lake and shorelines.. but for the work he has done in my life.. It like seeing those rocks and water always sets my heart and mind in a state of prayer and meditation on God.
We spent time on the rock of this great lake during our camping trip last week and I took some time to sit by the water and do my devotions and also some time to just be still and know God.
During this time my mind kept going to a few verses.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

By thinking of things that are honest, just, pure etc. and by setting our minds on things above and not on the things of this world. We can renew our minds and be transformed, so when the troubles of this life comes are way we can be at perfect peace. The conflicts of this life can be raging around us like a bad storm out on the lake, but we can be calm, our souls can be at rest and hidden from anything other then peace and love. What an amazing thing.. What an Amazing God. Thank you Jesus.
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
(all pictures in this post was taken by me on day 3 of our camping trip at the lake which I'll be posting about sometime this weekend)
For More Faith-lift Friday visit Taking The Challenge

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love that beautiful chorus and never even knew there were verses to it until you shared them...so beautiful!
Our family has a favorite place that's in the Redwoods just off the Mendocino coast, that we love to go to when we need to get away from it all...and for the reasons you just wrote. Getting away from the daily, hectic pace and surrounding ourselves with God's majestic creation just naturally draws us closer to Him. My someday dream is to live either in that particular vicinity or something equivalent.
Whew...didn't mean to take up your comment column! Thanks for the lovely post.

Courtney said...

I never got to sit on the water at church summer camps, but I still am in complete awe of God's work in mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. How can someone doubt there is a God? That baffles me.

Anonymous said...

Those were beautiful photos and thank you so much for sharing them! I absolutely enjoyed reading your post and it so made me want to go camping!

Diane Meyer said...

This was just a lovely post. It lifted my spirit and turns my eyes to Jesus. Thank you for writing it. :-)

Midlife Mom said...

I found summer camp to be one of the times when I felt the closest to God. It made an impact on my life that stays with me to this day! Lovely, lovely post KC, I really enjoyed it!

Anonymous said...

KC, This is a great memory to have! I also really appreciate thae verses that came to mind and you shared with us. Thanks! I needed that!!!

Also-- thanks for stopping by my place the other day! I could not help but laugh everytime I read the Martha/ Maxine thing myself!

Be happy!

Tonya said...

Memories you will always have! How awesome :)

palmtreefanatic said...

beautiful post KC! Great chorus!

Kelly Warren said...

beautiful post KC. my girls have been in a faith-based daycare/pre-school/pre-k since they were 6 months old, and i love that they are learning the same lessons i learned growing up in chrisian schools. they go to kindergarten in public school this fall and i know both they and i am really going to miss their current pre-school! we'll have to keep up the lessons at home and at sunday school. k