Quest Camp 2010 - Sunday

I AM

This week's topic is the story of the prodigal son.

Luke 15
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

I am going to focus the next several postings about my week at camp. I had the privilege to be a counselor at church camp this summer. There were 180 teens and over 40 counselors, leaders, technicians and support staff there. We went to the Rock River Christian Camp in Polo, IL. The staff there is awesome too!

Arrival was on Sunday, July 18. I got there early. Fellow shipping with everyone was so great. I felt as awkward as I usually do in new surroundings. Yes, I know, I went there last year. It wasn't the first time I was there, so it wasn't really "new" surroundings. However, the some of the people were different and it usually takes me a little while to warm up to people. I'm so glad that I belong to the kingdom of God though, everyone there accepts me for my quirks.

Anyway, after all the counselors arrived we got to have a meeting with Curt and Heidi. I began to feel much more comfortable in the group.

Once our meeting was over, my co-counselor and I went to our cabin. We had fun decorating it. I had never met her before, but knew that we'd get along just fine, I was right. We were ready for the campers!

After the campers arrived they had to check in and get their cabin assignments. I knew we would have an awesome cabin. Yepp! Anyway, Sunday was spent checking in with meds, electronics, money and going over rules, plus the swim test if anyone wanted to swim during the week.

It was a simple day, but so much fun.

Starlight is a whole 'nother topic all together. The sky was beautifully shinning with stars and a bright moon! God was shining down on us as we sung around the fire.

Monday would be the day to start a new chapter of life. The story of the lost son is amazing. The father in the story was so excited to see his son that all the son's mistakes were automatically forgotten. This is how God sees us. We are His children. He wants us to come running to Him!

What are you waiting for?