One Body, Many Members
For this week's Morning Watch Monday let's reflect on believers working together.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and m all were made to drink of one Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:12-13. Crossway Bibles (2011-02-09). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (with Cross-References) (p. 1154). Good News Publishers. Kindle Edition.
My church wrapped up a sermon series called “Rediscovering Church.” We have been examining the church in its early days and the church of today – we looked at the concept of unity in the church. If you read the first couple chapters of Acts, you will see that there were some beautiful things about the early church. There were also moments of tension and conflict, and the early church dealt with those moments in a very open, real way. The main theme of the sermon was a reminder…as Christians, and as members of the church, we are all on the same team. No matter what your church looks like…the denomination, the size, the kind of music played, the way people dress…as Christ followers we are all on the same team, working towards the common goal of spreading Jesus’ love and telling people about the hope to be found in His resurrection.
<3 Jay
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
Death, Where is Your Victory?
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54b-57
Sin brought death into the world. Death is Satan’s attempt at power over the world. But Satan doesn’t have the final victory. Death—something that so many of us might fear—something that seems so permanent and final and dark…it isn’t the end.
Just when Satan thought that he had won, Jesus totally showed him up. He came back to life and gave us hope through His resurrection. Jesus’ death put to death our sins, and His resurrection gives us the hope of eternal life with God in heaven.
When the disciples learned that Jesus was alive, they were overjoyed and wanted to spread the news of His life everywhere. That’s something so important to remember this Easter…we have this incredible news…this incredible life to celebrate…Jesus bringing light into the world. And it’s our job to spread that light, just like the disciples did.
Happy Easter!!!!!
Performed on Church Online by Joel Limpic and Marcy Preist. http://live.lifechurch.tv
LifeChurch.tv's Church Online Easter Experience. Song: Christ is Risen is written by Matt Maher.
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
Bringing Me Back to Camp
Create in me a clean heart.
Create in me a clean heart oh God
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord
Take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of my salvation
And renew a right spirit within me.
I sung my girls to sleep tonight, like I always do. Well, one of them. The 4-year-old is still awake as I type this, but I sang to her anyway. A little bit of peace at the end of a typically crazy day.
One night, as Division Director for the Explorers, laying down on the tarps after putting out the campfire, watching it smoke, staring up at the stars in the sky, totally speechless thinking about how small we are, how big God is, how amazing it is that we matter to Him. It had been an emotional year for a variety of reasons. Peace. God’s presence… peace.
Seek ye first.
One particular rainy evening campfire in the dining hall. I don’t actually remember anything else from that night, just singing that song, in that place, surrounded by a whole lot of girls and women of God.
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longs after thee.
Breakfast in the dining hall. Sitting with other campers, singing. Sitting with my fellow CILTs, as a camper in leadership training. Sitting with the other counselors during staff training. With a cabin of girls of my own. With the senior staff. Every day, whatever the song, starting the day with a reminder of who God is, why we live, why we love, why we serve.
So light the fire in my heart again.
Singing to a group of junior high girls, up on the Meadows porch, with a dear friend and fellow counselor, “Koloa”, as they went to sleep one night. Then talking by candlelight outside, cementing friendships now far apart, but still dear to my heart. All followed by a hilarious mouse/half-awake counselor incident later that night… “Koloa, there’s a mouse in the cabin!” “Mmmm. Mmkay. Let’s pray about it. 'night.”
Oh, I was born one night, one morn when the whistle went toot toot!
My 4-year-old learned all three verses to the Nonsense Song last year - an impressive feat. Last week she asked me every night to swing “the swimming pool song” - which will always be “Swimming, Swimming, in ‘Kea’s’ Pool” to me. She LOVES the skunk song, of course. And I know it got banned, once upon a time, but I’m teaching them the Rooster Song anyway.
I grew up at camp, spending a week there every summer, until starting CILT the summer before 10th grade (two weeks! I get to go two weeks!). I was a counselor the next two years, then went off to college and worked summers. I came back several years after college graduation (couldn’t stay away!), then moved to Colorado.
It’s been 8 years, I think, since I last worked at camp. Seven since my last CILT graduation (tearing up while holding a candle with a whole line of amazing women, watching a whole host of amazing daughters of God walking past. Joy.). Half a continent away, two kids later, I am not sure a night goes by when singing to my girls doesn’t transport me back in time!
I haven’t been back since… except every single night, singing my girls to sleep.
-Krista "Ava" Frank
Ava eating an outdoor lunch her daughters, who are future Cherith campers
Forget Not All His Benefits
Let's dig deeper into Psalm 103 for this week's Morning Watch Monday!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5. Crossway Bibles (2011-02-09). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (with Cross-References) (pp. 602-603). Good News Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Why should you praise God? Why should you care? Because God is working to restore you. He sent Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins, so that we will be forgiven and redeemed. Start keeping a written or photo journal of the good God has done (even if it is "this was a terrible day, tomorrow is a chance to begin again"), so that when you begin to doubt him, those good things can remind you of his faithfulness and bring you back to praising him.
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul!
This week's #MorningWatchMonday comes from Indigo:
Good morning, my friends! This week I would like to share with you a psalm that I have been memorizing the past month. As you read through it, allow yourself to remember good that God has done (for you, and others), sins he has forgiven, and promises that he gives. Count the number of times steadfast is used and think about the words that it describes. What does it mean to have steadfast love, etc.?
Because these words have been in the front of my mind as I've been memorizing, God has used it to bring my heart and attitude in line with his joyfulness. Why should I love God? Look at all the things he has done! Remember his faithfulness through all ages!
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth may be renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion on those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like the flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, oh you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, you ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord oh my soul!
If you would like an easy way to memorize verses, check out the program developed by Children Desiring God called Fighter Verses (app link on their sidebar). You can memorize using fill in the blank, listen to someone read the verse repeatedly, or listen to the scripture with music. (This is not a sponsored link. I'm just sharing something I love).
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
What Will You be Caught Doing?
Happy #MorningWatchMonday from Rina!
…I recently attended "Bedside Baptist"- That's when you don't quite make it to church, but still need the "bread" for the week. I watched Francis Chan's message called Unlimiting God.
Francis talked about how living for the end times is like living for eternity. Living each moment as though you are TOTALLY ready for Christ to return. He compared it to watching a show where the protagonist might die, but you realize it's only 2 seasons in, and there are 5 seasons left!... We know it's going to be okay.
I used to be very fearful... of a lot of things (believe it or not!) and my Dad used to ask me "Well, what's the absolute worst thing that could happen?" "I would die" I would say, usually exaggerating the situation (of like, asking my friends to come to youth group, or sharing my faith with someone). But even then... even if I really were to die, isn't that kind-of a winning situation for me anyways? Spending eternity with Christ? In Acts, there were no needy people, because they all took care of each other! Isn't that what it's all about? Love? The very reason God sent his Son Jesus to Earth was love- shouldn't we be sharing love in any way can? -whether it's forgiveness, hospitality, helping, serving, listening? Wouldn't you love to have Jesus return when you're doing those things? How would he respond to what you're doing with your life if he returned right now? Live the way you would WANT him to catch you when he returns!
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
The Dishonest Manager
Happy Morning Watch Monday from Rina...
Luke 16:1-9 is the parable of the dishonest manager. Go ahead and read it yourself... yes, you! Pick up your Bible and read 9 verses... or look it up on that phone that's already in your hand!
“The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”
Here are some insights from Charles Swindoll on this passage: "If we were as eager and ingenious to attain wisdom and goodness as the unsaved are to attain money and comfort (or maybe even how the saved are to attain money and comfort....), our lives would show dramatic change. If we were as relentless in our pursuit of forgiveness and grace as the unsaved are in their pursuit of winning- our relationships would show dramatic change". What is one way that you can pursue forgiveness and grace today?
If you would like to submit a devotional for Morning Watch Monday or have a topic you would like to see, contact Lorianne, loriannewalker7 [at] gmail.com
Peace and Joy
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the semi-warmer weather. I drove with the windows down yesterday, listening to Taylor Swift, and even though I was super busy and had gotten no sleep, I was at peace and had joy.
I have been thinking a lot about peace and joy over the past year, and I wanted to share two quick verses with all of you as you head into the week.
The first is Isaiah 26:2, which says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” When we follow Him, God promises peace. A peace that passes all understanding. When we pray and really give our anxieties and worries over to God and remind ourselves that our lives are His, He gives us peace.
The second is an excerpt from Psalm 16:11 that says, “In His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Joy is not happiness, and it is not based on our circumstances. We have joy because no matter where we are in life, we know that we are loved by the King, and that we are no longer slaves to fear or sin, but we are children of God.
This week, choose to rest in His perfect peace, and live with a joyful heart.
<3 Gwin
Be Strong and Courageous on this Morning Watch Monday
Each Monday, we will be featuring a scripture passage and a short message to help you in your walk with Christ. Something from Brook to think about today:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Sometimes it's easier for me to read this verse than to really take it to heart, but when that happens I read it over and over again. I love being reminded that my LORD, my God, my Savior, and really my best friend is always going to be there. The best part is knowing He's going to be there for me even when I'm not necessarily there for myself and/or the world tries to drag me down. I'm reminded that it's going to be okay even if I'm not "fitting in" with what "everyone else is doing" when it's morally something I don't value. Remember to be strong and courageous, remember to stand up for what you believe in, and remember on days when that seems too difficult you have a best friend (the God who created the universe, me, and you) by your side!
Love you all, Brook <3
Six Things to Think About When Choosing a Summer Camp
How should you choose a summer camp for your child? This article has infromation to help you with your decision.
How do you choose a camp for your child?
This could be a difficult decision because there are so many good choices. I would like to share with you, first, as a parent, and second, as a camp director, some points for you to consider.
Are you looking for a place that will have positive life impact on your child?
As a parent you may be asking “What do I want my child to gain from his or her camp experience?”
Our children want to ‘have fun’ which is great, but we, as parents are looking for ‘fun’ in a safe, nurturing environment with other positive outcomes. Outcomes such as time outdoors, experiencing nature, time unplugged from electronics with lots of social interaction, and gaining other life skills such as confidence, independence, responsibility, compassion, helpfulness, and teamwork.
You want to know that whether they are exploring nature, playing, conquering new heights or just enjoying new friends in the camp community, they will be making memories that last a lifetime. You may also value a Christian, Biblical perspective and a camp’s mission that includes the things that you value.
Camps can provide an environment in which campers have an opportunity for growth in many of these areas, but not all camps are created equal.
So how do you find one that has what you are looking for?
A great place to start is to get a recommendation from trusted resources. This could include someone you know who has been to that camp, or an accrediting organization like the American Camping Association. Find out the camp’s mission statement, purpose, beliefs and goals. These should clearly defined and accessible to you as a parent (on the website, in a video, handbook or brochure). Find out more about the camp’s staff and programs and activities offered that coincide with your child’s interests and needs. Some camps will specialize in particular activities or have restricted age groups.
Finding the ‘right camp’ will make all the difference in having a ‘life changing’ experience, one that will enhance your child’s ability to succeed and excel in life.
I’d like to give you a few positive reasons why Camp Cherith of WNY could be the camp you are looking for.
1. Changed lives
Do you want your child to return from camp with new interests, skills, friendships, and a better sense of who they are?
I remember when I was a camper, that Camp Cherith of WNY changed my life in so many positive ways. Now, as the Director, I want to do all I can to offer the same opportunity to every Cherith camper.
At Camp Cherith we design and filter every aspect of our camp program through our mission statement which is; “to transform lives, cultivate disciples and train leaders through a Bible-based, Christ-centered outdoor camping program for children and youth.” We are here to help your child grow and learn while having fun. Our camp program promotes character building and friendships through positive mentors and role models, who can help campers to grasp how much God loves them and wants a relationship with them. Your camper will grow as a whole person through intentionally planned opportunities experienced each day of the camp week. Our camp staff strives to lead by example “Christ in every aspect of life” as we practically live out God’s love.
2. Superb Camp Staff
Do you want your camper to have a great counselor and the most caring staff members possible?
In putting together our staff we strive to make that happen for every camper. Each staff member is carefully selected based on his/her desire to serve God and their enjoyment of working with children. All staff members go through a pre-screening process that is conducted with real time criminal history records. Our staff are well-trained in order to create a safe, caring and affirming experience for each camper. Positive relationships are so important that the friendships and staff-to-camper connections that are made are often what brings campers back year after year.
3. Health and Safety
Are you are concerned that your camper will be in a safe environment and be well cared for physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?
We do everything possible to make that happen. We have a Registered Nurse who is on duty at all times. We undergo annual inspections by the NYS Health Department and maintain ACA accreditation. The American Camp Association (ACA) is considered to be the leading accrediting organization in camping. CCWNY chooses to be a part of this process because of our desire to offer safe, high quality programs for your children. We maintain a low camper to staff ratio (3:1) in our overall program so each camper gets maximum attention.
4. Camper-selected Activities
Do you want your child to have the freedom to choose their activities, choosing ones that really interest them, challenge them and build skills?
Children and youth need opportunities to make decisions and try new things. Camp Cherith offers a wide variety of age appropriate, skill based activities for campers to choose from, and they get to participate in their 3 choices all week long. While participating in activities, our goal is to let campers experience being outdoors as much as possible. Most activities are designed to offer a progression of skills so that campers can enhance their knowledge and rise to a new skill level in that activity. If campers choose to take Swimming, Archery or .22 target riflery, they can earn awards from: American Red Cross, USA Archery Association and National Rifle Association.
5. INTENTIONALLY SMALL CABIN GROUPS
Would you like your camper to live in a small group, family style setting?
Our cabin groups are intentionally small (6-8 campers by age/grade with a counselor). Every week we have campers from ages 7-17 in camp rather than separate weeks by age groups. This gives campers the opportunity to interact with a wider age range and has proven to be very positive. Other camps may live in large dorm style, bunk houses with higher camper to staff ratios or staff living in a separate unit. Our small group, living situation gives your child the perfect opportunity to make new friends and learn responsibility as they clean their cabin together, take hikes or have their daily Bible study together, led by their very own caring counselor. We eat family style at round tables, so there is always lively conversation, singing and meal clean up as a group. (Other camps may choose to serve food cafeteria style with waiting in lines and eating at long tables where conversation is difficult). Our setting also provides a week of NO ‘screen time’, but instead face to face conversations with your cabin mates, staff and other campers.
6. campfires every evening
Do you love a good campfire?
Where else will your child have the opportunity to sit around a campfire each evening singing songs, hearing messages or stories and having heart to heart talks with their counselors. Your child will also get to experience a cookout over the campfire during the week. Every Friday night we end the week with an All-Camp bonfire at which we sing favorite camp songs and campers can share what they learned during their week.
Camp should be a positive, life changing experience for every child. Choosing the right camp can make all the difference. Happy Camping!
Fisher (Orville White) and Rufous (Evie White). Rufous is our current camp director. Fisher comes to camp with her every summer to teach activities and do handyman work.