Lesson From Kid's Camp

Last week we took 89 people to Look Up Lodge for our children’s camp. We got to do some really fun things, like zip lines, bungee swings, kayaking, paddle boats, water slides, and many other things. I believe that everyone that went had an amazing time.

But because we bring such a large group we get divided up into two smaller groups for some of the activities. We still do most things together, but we get separated for things like group Bible activities and dismissal from chapel. This year our group names were Ice and Aloha, and each group member wears a team bracelet all week.

Instead of being called Philippi, we were called either Ice or Aloha, which is obviously a rare experience for us. But on the last night we all got to come together to do our final activity where we paint the kids’ faces and say something encouraging to them. I took that opportunity to remind everybody that, whether they were Ice or Aloha for the week, we were all still Philippi. But we were privileged to have a few kids from sister churches join us for the week, but the thing that is most important is not what church you attend, but that you are living for Christ.

Galatians 3:28 puts it this way: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female [nor ICE or ALOHA]: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

And Ephesians 4:3-6 adds this: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

If you have given your life to Christ and are living for Him, then God is in you, and you are my brother or sister in Jesus, and that is what is most important. I will not compete with any church over numbers, influence, or popularity; instead, let’s join hands and win the lost for the Lord.

Save Me!

We were at kids’ camp a few weeks ago (Look Up Lodge), and there was a powerful illustration on the last night. We were all outside at the amphitheater singing around the campfire when one of the counselors rowed by in a canoe.

When the camp director stopped us and asked this young man why he was breaking the rules and canoeing by himself, he replied that he just got a new fishing rod and couldn’t wait to try it out. Then he went to cast the line, but when he did he also knocked his oar out into the water. He put his rod down and reached for the oar, but then he fell out of the canoe.

Although he had made a comment a moment earlier about not being able to swim, while he was doggy paddling in the water towards his oar he kept yelling that he was all right. One of the lifeguards positioned himself on the bank, ready to make the rescue, but Greg, the camp director, kept telling him to wait.

The counselor in the water began to wear out, and even though he kept saying he could save himself, he eventually succumbed to exhaustion and yelled out, “Save me!”

With those words, Greg gave the lifeguard the green light, and in less than a minute both guys were safely back on shore.  

Greg then admitted to the audience that this event was staged, but we all saw the illustration before he made it. Many of us try to save ourselves, doing good deeds and thinking our righteousness will get us to heaven. Meanwhile Jesus waits from the shore to hear those two words: Save me!

Once we realize our desperate need for salvation and that we cannot save ourselves, and once we finally cry out to the Lord, He will plunge right in and save us. Have you cried out to the Lord for salvation, or are you trying to save yourself?

“Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:13