Heaven on Earth

Our group from Canal Heights

This week we went to Indian Creek Youth Camp. It's a Christian camp we go to every year. Our friend from preaching school, Billy Hayes, is the director of the week we always go to. Camp is always fun and uplifting and I always learn so much. It's always great to see so many friends we rarely see and to meet new ones. I love being around so many Christian people. When you are singing praises to God in a room full of 140 people sining their hearts out and as loudly as they can it makes you so look forward to singing praises with all the saints (Christians) in heaven one day!

Mitch being baptized for the remission of his sins!

While it is a week about fun and friends, the main purpose is to grow spiritually. This year the theme was the book of 1 John. I had never done any kind of in depth study of the book. I can now say that it is quite possibly my favorite book in the Bible. There is so much in 1 John about our relationships with each other and with God. This book is about love and how to know that we "have come to know him." One of my favorite passages is chapter 2 verses 3-6.

"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."

If we keep the commandments of God we are truly His children. I think that is a point so many miss. In order to know God, you must do what He says! If you have not done an in depth study of 1 John I would highly recommend it. It teaches us how we are to treat each other and how to love God. Those are two very important things for someone who is trying to be a Christian.

Studying for the Bible Bowl

We had a ladies class that was just awesome. Each day we studied a different chapter of the book. It was so wonderful to be taught by ladies who really did their homework and knew the scripture so well. Each night we had wonderful sermons on 1 John as well. All of the men did a wonderful job but, of course, Justin was my favorite. :) He did such a great job and I was so proud of him!

Chance Hicks preaching Sunday night.

We had to leave Thursday morning (camp ends Friday morning) but by the time we left there had already been 7 baptisms and 1 restoration! This doesn't even show the countless number of people this week re-energized and refocused on the important things. I know it definitely made me want to be a better student of God's Word.