Don Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper

Super interesting article and video with these three discussing "Did Jesus preach the Gospel?"
Realllly good

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/08/21/did-jesus-preach-the-gospel/

It's Over

As you can probably tell from the title of this post, it's over. Done. My summer adventure has come to a close. I wish I could go into details for the rest of the summer. I know my updates have been extremely sparse, and there's not much of anything.  I also am  not going to go into details because this is public and I don't know if I can go fully into what really happened in the last 4 weeks of camp.
One thing for sure, God taught me a lot. A lot about dealing with difficult people, and becoming patient through that.  He also did a lot in the lives of the campers that came through our doors. I saw lives change watched youth come sit at the foot of the cross and surrender. This summer was hard.  As our bosses tell us at the beginning of the summer: "This job will wreck you." Even after a second summer doing it, this summer wrecked me so much more than ever before.

So as I sit in DIA, waiting for my (delayed) plane to take me home, I think back  to something we talked about in our staff devotions.  To experience God, and for him to make you new, (as in our theme for this year) you have to be willing and open to it.  God will change your life, but you have to be willing to let that happen.  I learned this earlier this summer, not sure when, but God showed me how true this was.  During a Wednesday evening program one week, I realized I had been asking God over and over, "make me new, make me new, from all the hurt of the past year, God make me new!"  But I realized I had not been letting it happen.  God instead said to me, "I AM making you new."

So how can I let him make me new when I go home? I'm not sure, but I think its going to be important to take a lot of the things I've learned, and the new relationships I've built back with me.
Another thing I've really learned over and over again is that God likes to take what seems like awful and even annoying situations, but using them to do even greater things.  Better than what we can imagine. He did that over and over again with situations that came up with our camp, and with the groups and projects especially.  I think every frustrating situation besides maybe 1, I saw a good outcome from.
So maybe next time I find myself in a tough spot, it would be good to remember how much God showed himself through situations like that this summer.  It may make it easier to get through them to know God's faithfulness.  Even though we lack it so much, and can never be truly faithful, he always will be.

Something that has been on my heart all summer, is the hymn 'Rock of Ages.'  I thought I would end with these beautiful old words.

Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure.
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands, can fulfill thy law's commands; could my zeal, no respite no; could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling.  
Naked run to thee for dress, helpless look to thee for grace; foul I to the fountain fly; wash me Savior or I die.

While I draw this, fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgement throne, Rock of ages, cleft for me.
Let me hide myself in thee.

...here ya go!

So sorry those who have been following my blog, you've probably forgotten about me, since I haven't written in forever.  It has been craaaazyy, but I am through with 3 and 1/2 weeks of camp.  They all had their bumps, and blessings mixed together.

Week 1 was a blur honestly.  It was so hard to know what was going on, I did not feel prepared, emotionally or physically ready for what was about to happen.  The groups arrived on Sunday and it didn't feel real. All I had been preparing for or training for had finally come and it almost blew me over.  My mom had her open heart surgery 2 days before that camp began, and that was about all I could think about.  It was hard to want to be at camp and not be back home.  But as the week went through, it was a huge blessing and I felt better about not being with her.  I was able to talk to her I think Monday and it was just amazing to hear her voice.  I'm so proud of her for what she went through, and how tough she was through it all.  I will never know how God's timing works through all these situations, why it happened now, but I know it was for his good.  Like I said earlier, the whole week ended up being a huge blessing, our groups had a great time, and I was overwhelmed with how good God was to us that week.

Week 2 was tougher for sure.  We had a few difficult situations, but Gods just showed himself through them.  It was dumb things that people complained about and wanted changed, it wasn't easy, but we did it, and things turned out for the best.  A group that got their project switched when they weren't supposed to be, ended up having God really speak to them.  The partner organization said it was their favorite group they've ever had with Group, God really worked through it! He for sure taught me a lot more patience that week, and I probably also used my phone more than ever before. It was our pre-teen week and the younger kids definitely took a lot more of our energy.  But it was a new challenge for sure.

Week 3 was another great week. It was kind of difficult because it was the week of the 4th, and I had a lot of projects cancel or need to switch last minute, so I was constantly scrambling for projects.  But all the groups had a great time, and our Wednesday night (cry night/ the gospel message night), despite the fact that it was a holiday, was the most powerful night we've had all summer.  God was really moving in the chapel that night.  The worship, God sightings, everything was just perfect.  There were some amazing ones.   There was a group who went to a nursing home and was able to have another volunteer accept Christ through their group devos at lunch.  God was also really speaking to my heart.  The theme of our summer is Made, and it comes from Revelation 21:5 which says, "Look, I am making all things new." So the whole theme deals with how Christ alone makes our lives completely new.  There is a lot I've been dealing with emotionally from this past year, and I had been just praying "God make me new, God make me new," but God just was telling me, "Rachel, I AM making you new, its already happening, I am working in your heart."  It was just so beautiful, and I could just physically feel God's presence in that room that night.  God kind of brought me back to what this ministry means, hearts and lives being changed, and all the little things that I was being caught up with, didn't matter.
Our worship leader that week was a guy from India, and listening to his stories were incredible, how he had played with Tim Hughes, and a few people from Hillsong.  God was just so good to us this week, with many great stories, great groups, and lots of hearts being moved. The stories and God sightings were just incredible.

So now it is week 4, and it's going well.  This is our biggest camp so far, and we've seemed to manage everything alright so far.  We have 104 and they all seem to really enjoy their projects which is great.  It is Tuesday night off, and we are spending it downtown Charleston, walking around, hanging out at Starbucks, just really relaxing.  It has been great so far, and can't wait to see what else will happen this week!

The Pineapple fountain downtown - our weekends have been so great as we have explore downtown Charleston and surrounding areas

Colorado is amazing

So now we are about two thirds done with training.
Yeah sorry, haven't updated on what is going on.  But it has been very busy figuring out training, moving to Estes Park Middle School, and adventures (of course) on the weekend.
I suppose I should say where I am going.... Charleston South Carolina!! I am really excited, and my partner and I seem to get along really well.  I am excited to see what kind of things will happen this summer.
There has been a lot of adventures already.  My fellow project leaders are awesome.  We did the wobble together for a talent show, they're so great! And they're all doing well in their job.
This weekend we did a lot of fun stuff.  Friday evening we just hung out in Fort Collins, walked around, got free coffee, and enjoyed hearing people yell out of cars.  Saturday, I went on a hike in the Rocky Mountains, and it was so fun and beautiful.

Me and two other trainers on the hike near a mountain river!

We went up Trail ridge at night and it was sooo beautiful.  I don't have many pictures from it though

Then most of the group went to the Rockies game, and we got rained on, but then it turned out alright. Sunday we had our picnic at Lake Loveland and then had to head back to the middle school.  It was good for relaxing a bit as Monday morning we hit the ground running.  So now, we're finishing up training.  Yesterday we traveled to Group and had dinner, and today got our vans and loaded up.  It is just a matter of time before we hit the road for Charleston.  It is going to be a crazy ride, but it is all happening.  I'm praying that God will begin to move in the hearts of the campers that will come to our camps.
God has been good, and will be good, I just know it.

Up on trail ridge road. Photo credit: Kyle Castellanet

5 days and counting

So yeah, I finally made it to Colorado, and yeah, I've been here for like 5 days.  It has been great, but I've been staying very busy.  The five of us trainers who have been here, and Courtney who came today, have been working hard to prepare for training.  We've loaded 3 Ryder trucks and a van of stuff to bring up the mountain to the YMCA. Then we had to unload most of it, and organize and set up the stuff for our training room. On top of that, we also have to plan our lessons, make sure we have everything, and make sure we know every little thing we need to train on.  It's been intense, but everything is coming together.  Our full time staff is amazing in helping us, and has been working so we can do this for a whole year.  It's amazing how much work they've put into all of this!

Tomorrow the rest of the summer staff comes.  Our supervisor feels like we're ready, but I don't know if I am. I feel pretty good about the first couple days, but I don't know how long things will take. It is going to be a whirlwind of events.  Tomorrow I also find out my fellow crewmate and where I will be going this summer.  There are a lot of new cool things about this year, and I can't say much to give it away, but I know this summer will be blessed in every way!

In 3 days time...

Just a quick update on what's been going on lately.  I know it's been forever since I've updated.  But it's summer, I've completed my sophomore year of college! Crazy stuff.
So my summer plans are to work with Group Mission Trips again with their Week of Hope program.
www.groupweekofhope.com

I plan on updating here again as I did last year as often as I can.  I don't know yet where I'll be spending my summer, but I'll find out when I get to Colorado for training. And what's great about that is I leave in 3 DAYS! It's going to be an early morning as my flight is at 7 in the morning, and stops it Texas, but it will be an adventure.

What is new about this summer is that I am going to be a trainer this year, and so I go a little bit earlier.  This new responsibility is a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm sure it will be good experience and God will teach me through it.

So I'll be updating again as soon as I can with more about my summer and training, in the meantime, I cannot wait to meet my fellow staffers, I know they will be a huge blessing to me this summer!

And also, check out the info page I added to my blog!

America's Missed it. Discipleship and suffering, what is it really like?

Today, my New Testament Class was really good. It all started when our professor told us to put our computers away. I got a little frustrated as I put it away.  But I realized that even my one little selfish thing is exactly what we've missed. I want my own comforts of life, all for myself, and can't be selfless enough to put away my computer, especially  not when I'm even learning about the bible....

Something is wrong here. Very wrong. I know I'm not the only person who does it.  But Jesus called us to live radically. What does that even look like?

One thing my professor said today that our mindset is this: "We often think, if it's hell, its not from God."  We often get worked up when bad things happen.  We worry about our own feelings, and life being hard, and it seems like its so often selfishly based.  But these bad things are an indication of something else, and they're not all bad.

We were looking at 1 Peter and seeing the connection to the suffering servant.  Jesus suffered.  We take that so lightly.  He SUFFERED. He was the perfect, son of God.  I can't even imagine a human, who did nothing wrong. But yet he was beaten, whipped, until the blood ran down his back onto the ground. I'm sure there were puddles of his blood. And as he was probably laying on the ground, with no strength to move, that's when he was mocked.  They took his clothes and laughed at him.  "You think you're a king don't you! Well I've never seen a king like this! A bloody mess." Most kings we see have crowns and great robes.  But our king was completely humbled, beaten, and suffered. This was in public.

And this is what we're called to.  I'm sure that scares a lot of Christians.  We want to live it safe, and hide in the background.  I'll read my bible, go to church, sing songs of praise, maybe even study the bible at a school, and that should be enough.  But I think that's living safe.  Our faith is public.  The early church underwent huge persecution.  They were killed for their faith.  And that happens all over the world, but in America we don't have that. Instead we freak out if people put us down.  And so many times it is Christians who condemn us for being different.  What is wrong with this?

But the story of our King is not over.  After suffering he was nailed to cross beams of wood, stripped down to nothing but a loincloth.  8 or 9 inch nails were driven into his wrists and feet.  He suffocated.  People mocked him while he was on the cross. "Save yourself," they cried. And he could have saved himself, but he knew that was not the will of his father.  Jesus submitted to God.  He remained silent. And that, my friends, is the whole point.  We are called to submit to God, whatever it may take us through.  It really is not always the best or fun, but he's called us to be bondservants.  But talking about bondservants could be a whole another blog post.

I'm sure some of you may be thinking, well that's awful, how is this supposed to be a good thing?  But after Jesus died, he was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, where he is enthroned with Glory.  This is where is is glorified for his righteousness, and his creation come into relationship with him.  The honor comes from the righteous heart. This is the same for us.  Living as a suffering servant, as Jesus, will bring us honor someday.  It's hard to see it now, but trust me, it's worth it.
We can also learn so much from our suffering.

I know the life I've just described is my own.  I was angry when I was forced to pay attention in bible class. How terrible is that?  God was definitely working in my heart that day.  I mess up all the time, and try to live for myself.  But that's where there's grace.  God loves us so much, and forgives our mess ups.  It makes me fall so much more in love with my creator.  Just to know his never-ending love for me.  He shows me how much he loves me by the little blessings everyday.

I thought I'd end with a section from Isaiah 53, on the suffering servant.

For he grew up before him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
   and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men;
   a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
   he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs

   and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
   we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
   the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
   and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
   so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
   and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
   stricken for the transgression of my people?
And they made his grave with the wicked
    and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
   and there was no deceit in his mouth.

 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
   he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
   he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
    and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
   and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
   and makes intercession for the transgressors.