Church Camp
Summer Lessons: Seasons that Shaped My Life
Yesterday, I shared how I saw summer as a season of growth and opportunity. Today, I’ll write about how summers were also an important part of my spiritual life.
As a child, the highlight of my summer was going to church camp. It was a full week-long retreat for kids, completely away from our parents. What made it especially meaningful was that our church in Walnut joined with our mother church in Los Angeles for the camp.
Several things stand out in my memory. I remember that church camp was where I was first exposed to a worship band, and it made worship fun and exciting. I remember meeting friends from another church and realizing that there were Christians outside of my own congregation. I also remember that the retreat provided daily devotionals, giving us intentional time with God each morning.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the counselors and camp staff who faithfully served and invested in us as children. I’m also thankful to my parents for sending me to camp each summer and giving me the opportunity grow.
These early childhood experiences were formative for my faith, and church camp played a significant role in that. Tomorrow, I’ll write about serving in VBS!
More: Messages
Sinclair Ferguson’s Jesus Devotional Bundle
This wonderful devotional bundle by Sinclair B. Ferguson is perfect for summer reading, and it’s on sale right now for 20% off at Westminster Bookstore. Use my code DIVEINDIGDEEP to save an extra 5% off your entire order always.
How Jesus Cares:
With these 31 devotions and prayers you will discover Christ’s care for his people and how he deserves our love and worship. Find out How Jesus Cares through stories such as: Nicknames, Just Do It, and David’s Big Three.
What Jesus Did
With these 31 devotions and prayers you will see the impact of the life of Christ from before Creation to the Resurrection. Find out What Jesus Did through stories such as: Making Christmas Last; When Jesus Became a Refugee; and How Do I know Jesus Loves me?
What Jesus Does
Through 31 devotions about Jesus, family and the church we discover what being friends with Jesus really means. Find out about Jesus, his friends and family, the disciples and the church through stories such as: Jesus Knows Your Name; Ready Steady Think; and Who Loves Church?
More: Book Reviews
Strength from Jesus: How to Give Thanks in All Circumstances
Jesus gives us strength to give thanks in all circumstances.
11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
More: Preaching & Teaching
Endnotes
In After Church Hurt, Tim St. John provides a path to healing in the care of the Good Shepherd. He defines church hurt as any unrepentant sin that is minimized, normalized, or promoted by a church culture and its leadership, and he makes it clear that he writes this book out of love for the bride of Christ. Enter our giveaway!
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