Evidences of Grace Observed by Pastor Bud

Dear Parents,

The evidences of grace here are already quite clear – be encouraged!  Let me share a few of them with you and then ask for your prayer support regarding one specific thing:

You will see a theme to these evidences of grace today.  The theme should go something like this: “God has blessed you parents with a team who is spiritually mature, who loves one another, who loves your kids and who loves being loved by Jesus”

Evidence of Grace:
-          One of our counselors forgot her luggage, can you imagine!  This was discovered about 20 minutes before the main session began, a very busy moment for such a thing to come to light.  I witnessed our Director Kevin, give her his undivided attention in this moment (looking in the internet for solutions – UPS…), even though he was about to go step up in front of the group for our first session.  While this was happening, Megan our photographer offered some of her stuff to help.  Both tending her need in the moment.  Evidence of Grace: Colossians 3:12-17: love and compassion.

-          RT and the worship team led well with songs that had lines such as this:
o        “Your grace is enough”
o        “Lead me to my knees…lead me to the cross”
o        “Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, the rescue for sinners, Jesus Messiah, Lord of all…all the glory to You God, all our hope is in You”
o        Let’s dream – what if every one of our campers would be granted grace so that these lines would truly become their own!
o        Evidence of Grace: Philippians 4:8, where we are told to think about whatever is commendable and worthy of praise.

-          Marhsall: evening teacher
o        His hope: “My hope is that we would grow deeper in our knowledge and love of Jesus Christ”
o        His prayer: “May we love one another well and pursue Jesus”
o        His charge: “Image God”.  Our purpose is to display who God is, for “He created us to see Him and enjoy displaying Him”
o        Evidence of Grace: Philippians 4:8, where we are told to think about: whatever is true and pure.

-          Karen: one of two morning teachers.  She:
o        Is passionate and joyful for truth, drawing the girl’s hearts out as she teaches
o        Is earnest and enthusiastic
o        Simplifies deep truth without losing the truth
o        Longs to be astonished at Jesus as she prays that the girls would also be astonished
o        Revealed Jesus’ glory as the Son of God having authority over all things
o        Evidence of Grace: Psalm 34:1; 145:4, “Come O children and I will teach you the fear of the LORD…one generation shall commend Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts”.

These are just a few of what I call “God sightings”, and I haven’t even said anything about Joe’s testimony, the prayer time with the assistant counselors and…

Prayer Request:
As I type, it rains (and has been for while now).  Would you please ask God to grant our program leaders joyful wisdom in creating plan B, and even C.

A final word:
The pancakes are great, the hot dogs were wonderful, the mosquito bite on my leg was predictable, the sweaty smell of boys brought up long lost memories of my youth, with all this moisture I realized that some of these girls actually have curly hair…ah yes, isn’t camp great!

Wish you were here,

Pastor Bud