Actually, camp didn't change my life; God did. I don't have time to brainstorm and write out all my thoughts in an organized manner, but God is God regardless of my eloquence (or lack thereof).
This week I went to Crossroads Camp in Boiling Springs, NC. God completely blew my mind, and this camp exceeded all my expectations of what camp should be. Last summer, I worked at Camp Longridge, and I was a camper at Longridge for the eight years before that. So Camp Longridge was basically all I knew. I was reluctant to go to Crossroads because I was convinced that it doesn't get any better than Longridge. I am not saying that Crossroads is better than Longridge, just different, but my point, either way, is that God did some amazing things this week.
Someone very wise once told me "God reveals the most to those who expect the least." Truer words were never spoken! I didn't know what to expect this week, but I did not expect God to move like He did. I have been saved since I was 14, but lately I have been in a spiritual slump. In the first worship session, Clayton King spoke about starting over and being born again. I don't remember much else from that particular sermon, but the phrase "start over" really stuck out to me. I knew I had already been born again, but I did want to start over. I talked to Denise that night (It's always a great thing to room with the youth pastor's wife!) about how I really felt God speaking to me telling me that I needed to start over. I'm not going to lay out all the details here (this blog would quickly turn into a novel!), but that night, I rededicated my life. I know that wasn't even a week ago, but this week so far has been the best week of my life. Other than the simple fact that being at camp gives me a brief escape from reality, I have been more joyful than ever! I now know and fully believe that God is bigger than ALL of my struggles, as I have posted about before but apparently forgotten since then.
I will ask for prayer, though. I want to mean it this time around. I don't want the fire to die. I refuse to let this be another "camp high." Absolutely not. This fire will burn for all eternity!
One really cool thing that I was able to witness this week was a river baptism. One of the guys in my youth group, Darien, accepted Christ this week. On Thursday, we went down to the Broad River and baptized him. It was totally different from any baptism I have ever witnessed before. Particularly, I loved the fact that no one person baptized him - anyone was free to lay hands on him as he was immersed. It was a great symbol that life in Christ is very difficult without other believers with whom to fellowship and who can help you grow spiritually.
I would also like to thank the amazing youth leaders of Fleming Baptist Church, especially Tracy, Denise, Lynn, Mrs. Angie, and Mrs. Gena. Every time y'all speak, God's love definitely shows. With leaders like y'all it is hard not to believe that God is not only a powerful God but also a loving, compassionate God. Thanks so much for everything y'all do. Y'all have helped me so much in the past year and a half that I have been at Fleming.
Oh, and don't forget..."Don't put Christ on a list and make Him #1...make Him the center!"
