Whew! After being away from the world for a week I forgot my password into my account. I was afraid I might not be able to post tonight. But finally, I think I am back on track. Thankfully!
Every year, after a week at Maywood Christian Camp, I come home with mosquito bites above and around my ankles. Also every year, my co-counselor and very good friend gives me a pedicure. So I come home with my toe nails polished. It really does make my feet feel pretty. This is a silly feminine thing, I know. If you know me at all, you know I am not very frilly -- but I do enjoy a good pedicure now and then!
The bites and the painted nails are temporary minor changes in my outward physical appearance. What I come back with on the inside is much more significant. That's because I come home with my head (mind), heart and soul strengthened in love for my God and Christ, my Savior. Being a part of the week at Maywood is a truly spiritual experience and every year it only gets better and better.
2014 is the 50th year of existence for this wonderful camp. A few visionary Christian men saw the need for a camp for young people. It was their dream to have a place children could come to play and to learn about Jesus. The Mays, a wonderful Christian couple, donated the land for this camp. One of the men, E.R. Bruce said, "I can hear the children now - running and laughing."
The work began. Trees were felled and land was cleared. After many hours of hard physical labor Maywood Christian Camp opened for the first time. Fifty years later, it is going stronger than ever. Most of those hard working, God fearing men have gone on to their reward. But their legacy lives on. Yes, Brother Bruce - I hope you still hear those children running and playing on the hills of Maywood!
Fifty years ago, dreams came true. Fifty years ago those woods heard children sing praises to God. Bible classes were held and the truth was taught. Lives were changed.
Marriage proposals have taken place at Maywood. Wedding ceremonies have been held there. Christian families started ... more children to be raised to follow the Heavenly Father.
Maywood has seen fifty years worth of baptisms and restorations to God's family. It has heard 50 years worth of lessons taught by Christian men who love and believe in our youth. One of our directors from last week, was blessed to attend Maywood as a child 50 years ago. He is still passing the torch, and fanning the flame of love for God and for Maywood.
As a child, I attended this camp under the directorship of the aforementioned E.R. Bruce. He used to say that Maywood was the center of the universe because you could go anywhere from there. He was right. I know people who have attended Maywood that have gone on mission trips to many parts of the world. Do they talk about camp while on those trips? Probably not -- but the love they have for their Lord was strengthened there and that is what they take with them. Most of them face much more than a few bug bites while they are gone off to strange lands to teach God's word.
So when I come to my earthly home after a week at Maywood, I bring back a lot more than mosquito bites and evidence of a pedicure. I bring back a deeper love for my Lord, a greater sense of wonder at how God works in our lives, a deeper respect for all those who laid the groundwork for what I now enjoy one week a year. I bring back a joyous appreciation of the dedication and faithfulness of those who come and work in the here and now. I bring back a stronger sense of responsibility to my Lord and Savior, and a greater love for young people.
When I come back from Maywood, I bring back more patience after having lived with 12 or 13 other people in one cabin for a week. I bring back thankfulness for the parents who entrust their sweet children to us for that time. I remember that every child, EVERY child is a gift from God. I bring back the realization that these young people can and do teach me as much as I could ever teach them. I bring back a deeper understanding of God's word.
After a week at Maywood Christian Camp, I come back physically exhausted but spiritually rejuvenated. I come back praying that if I live through another year, the Lord will allow me the opportunity to go back to Maywood again!
I come back to my earthly home thankful to the Father that I was able in some small way to serve Him this past week.
This year I came back with a stronger realization than ever before that this world is not my home -- I really am "just passin' through." And I know that until He calls me home -- serving Him is what it's all about. I don't want to forget that. Although, I will stumble and fall sometimes, I pray I'll get right back up again.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Going by the Rules
Wow! It's been nearly a month since my last post. Time goes by way too quickly, especially when you are busy and it seems that so much is happening at one time. Self discipline has never been one of my strong points. For my own sake, I need to try to be more consistent about my posts.
Speaking of the swift march of time, my nephew, Gentry, graduated from high school last Saturday night. I am so proud of all my nephews and nieces on both sides of the family. They are truly wonderful people; and I have precious memories of each and every one of them. Memories I hold dear to my heart. My nieces and nephews make being an aunt a grand and joyful experience!
As for Gentry - well, it seems only a few weeks ago a 3 year old little boy ran across my parents' backyard and into my arms for a big hug. That's only one of the special memories I have of him. I also remember the year he started kindergarten. We were all together for the Thanksgiving weekend, and I asked him what he had learned in school so far. Without hesitation, he smiled brightly, looked up at me with those beautiful dark brown eyes of his and said, "The rules." His answer made me smile too.
I suppose learning the rules and how to abide by them is pretty important for success in kindergarten. Perhaps for many, our first set of "official rules" are given to us when we start school or pre school. Here is where we begin to understand our behavior has an effect on others. Sharing and taking turns, keeping our hands to ourselves, not talking when it's time to be quiet, paying attention to the teacher and following instructions are all learned behaviors. Each of these is vital to a successful classroom situation.
Every teacher has their own set of rules. Most of them are the same, but some may vary from teacher to teacher. In order to get by in this world, there are rules to follow in every phase of our lives. We learn to abide by rules in our classrooms, guidelines in our workplace and laws from our governments.
Some governmental laws encroach upon the citizens' individual rights. Certain rules of society can go too far ... sometimes they may border on the nonsensical with not even a hint of common sense anywhere in sight. Remember Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because so many of their restrictions and traditions placed upon the people had become burdensome?
Honestly, the most important rules are the ones we learn from the Good Book - the Bible. Although most people don't like to admit it, all truly good rules are Biblically based. To put it another way, if the whole world (individually) could learn to treat others the way they themselves wish to be treated -- then the world would be a better place! There is a reason that Matthew 6:12 is called "the Golden Rule."
I understand there is no way we can work our way to heaven. We are saved by God's grace. He loved us so much that He offered a perfect sacrifice for our sins. It is only when we are washed in the precious blood of Jesus that we begin to have hope of eternal life. We don't earn our salvation by our works --but we do earn our salvation through obedience to His Son. It is dangerous for us to ignore this fact.
Many claim to love Christ and say they want to be in heaven with Him and yet refuse to learn of Him and keep His commandments. The way we find out what these rules are is through the Bible. It is inspired of God and is our guidebook for life. We can't do what Christ tells us if we don't know what that is. We can't know what that is unless we read and study the Bible. Then we must take what we learn seriously.
We are familiar with many of the following scriptures, but it is good to review from time to time. Consider these words from the Bible:
II Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (ASV)
In these verses Paul tells us it is scripture that teaches us and trains us in righteousness. As the we study and allow ourselves to be trained by God's word -- then we become complete -- furnished and ready for every good work. We learn here that the words of the Bible are truly inspired (other translations say "God-breathed"). In order to learn to "of God" we are to go His word. Then we are ready to do the good works He would have us do.
Jesus told us back in John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Do we love Jesus? Is it the kind of love that is obedient to His word? Do we care enough to find out what those commandments are? Or do we simply trust the preacher and our Sunday school teachers without trying to find out ourselves what the scriptures tell us?
Paul says in II Timothy 2:15 - "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (ASV) The King James version says to "Study to show thyself approved." If we are diligent to present ourselves approved to God -- well, naturally that means we are going to study it well enough to "handle aright the word of truth." Right?
Go back to the gospel of John. In chapter 15:14 - Jesus tells his disciples: "You are my friends if you do the things I command you." How do we find out what it is that Jesus commands us? Well, again (and yes, I am repeating myself, but I feel this is a very important point) -- we can only do what Christ commands if we know His commandments are. We can only know what His commands are if we are willing to put forth the effort to study God's word.
II Timothy 2:15 says "thyself" -- that is very personal. Timothy had been taught from his youth by his grandmother and his mother. He already knew the scriptures, right? Well, sure - I have no doubt that Timothy did know a lot about God's word. Yet, Paul still tells Timothy that he is the one who must study and handle God's word correctly. If we seek to be approved by God -- we must know the Word.
We must furnish ourselves and be prepared for every good work which He commands us to do.
God's word is important. The Bible contains the word of Truth. It is here we learn God's rules. It is here we learn how to be a friend to Jesus. Following the rules of society will help us get along in this world. Following the rules of the Bible will get us into heaven after this world.
We would do well to learn from the apostle Peter, who loved his Master and his Savior:
Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have
believed and know that thou are the Holy One of
God. (John 6:68-69 ASV)
Think about it. Indeed, to whom shall we go?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Speaking of the swift march of time, my nephew, Gentry, graduated from high school last Saturday night. I am so proud of all my nephews and nieces on both sides of the family. They are truly wonderful people; and I have precious memories of each and every one of them. Memories I hold dear to my heart. My nieces and nephews make being an aunt a grand and joyful experience!
As for Gentry - well, it seems only a few weeks ago a 3 year old little boy ran across my parents' backyard and into my arms for a big hug. That's only one of the special memories I have of him. I also remember the year he started kindergarten. We were all together for the Thanksgiving weekend, and I asked him what he had learned in school so far. Without hesitation, he smiled brightly, looked up at me with those beautiful dark brown eyes of his and said, "The rules." His answer made me smile too.
I suppose learning the rules and how to abide by them is pretty important for success in kindergarten. Perhaps for many, our first set of "official rules" are given to us when we start school or pre school. Here is where we begin to understand our behavior has an effect on others. Sharing and taking turns, keeping our hands to ourselves, not talking when it's time to be quiet, paying attention to the teacher and following instructions are all learned behaviors. Each of these is vital to a successful classroom situation.
Every teacher has their own set of rules. Most of them are the same, but some may vary from teacher to teacher. In order to get by in this world, there are rules to follow in every phase of our lives. We learn to abide by rules in our classrooms, guidelines in our workplace and laws from our governments.
Some governmental laws encroach upon the citizens' individual rights. Certain rules of society can go too far ... sometimes they may border on the nonsensical with not even a hint of common sense anywhere in sight. Remember Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because so many of their restrictions and traditions placed upon the people had become burdensome?
Honestly, the most important rules are the ones we learn from the Good Book - the Bible. Although most people don't like to admit it, all truly good rules are Biblically based. To put it another way, if the whole world (individually) could learn to treat others the way they themselves wish to be treated -- then the world would be a better place! There is a reason that Matthew 6:12 is called "the Golden Rule."
I understand there is no way we can work our way to heaven. We are saved by God's grace. He loved us so much that He offered a perfect sacrifice for our sins. It is only when we are washed in the precious blood of Jesus that we begin to have hope of eternal life. We don't earn our salvation by our works --but we do earn our salvation through obedience to His Son. It is dangerous for us to ignore this fact.
Many claim to love Christ and say they want to be in heaven with Him and yet refuse to learn of Him and keep His commandments. The way we find out what these rules are is through the Bible. It is inspired of God and is our guidebook for life. We can't do what Christ tells us if we don't know what that is. We can't know what that is unless we read and study the Bible. Then we must take what we learn seriously.
We are familiar with many of the following scriptures, but it is good to review from time to time. Consider these words from the Bible:
II Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (ASV)
In these verses Paul tells us it is scripture that teaches us and trains us in righteousness. As the we study and allow ourselves to be trained by God's word -- then we become complete -- furnished and ready for every good work. We learn here that the words of the Bible are truly inspired (other translations say "God-breathed"). In order to learn to "of God" we are to go His word. Then we are ready to do the good works He would have us do.
Jesus told us back in John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Do we love Jesus? Is it the kind of love that is obedient to His word? Do we care enough to find out what those commandments are? Or do we simply trust the preacher and our Sunday school teachers without trying to find out ourselves what the scriptures tell us?
Paul says in II Timothy 2:15 - "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (ASV) The King James version says to "Study to show thyself approved." If we are diligent to present ourselves approved to God -- well, naturally that means we are going to study it well enough to "handle aright the word of truth." Right?
Go back to the gospel of John. In chapter 15:14 - Jesus tells his disciples: "You are my friends if you do the things I command you." How do we find out what it is that Jesus commands us? Well, again (and yes, I am repeating myself, but I feel this is a very important point) -- we can only do what Christ commands if we know His commandments are. We can only know what His commands are if we are willing to put forth the effort to study God's word.
II Timothy 2:15 says "thyself" -- that is very personal. Timothy had been taught from his youth by his grandmother and his mother. He already knew the scriptures, right? Well, sure - I have no doubt that Timothy did know a lot about God's word. Yet, Paul still tells Timothy that he is the one who must study and handle God's word correctly. If we seek to be approved by God -- we must know the Word.
We must furnish ourselves and be prepared for every good work which He commands us to do.
God's word is important. The Bible contains the word of Truth. It is here we learn God's rules. It is here we learn how to be a friend to Jesus. Following the rules of society will help us get along in this world. Following the rules of the Bible will get us into heaven after this world.
We would do well to learn from the apostle Peter, who loved his Master and his Savior:
Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have
believed and know that thou are the Holy One of
God. (John 6:68-69 ASV)
Think about it. Indeed, to whom shall we go?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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