Middle School Camp…Day 4

Another great day is in the books here at Carson Newman!  We had some more incredible worship, message and some amazing extras...

We saw Brandi playing the drums!

We saw Rachel in a lead role of a Drama in front of 400 people!

God does some amazing things and He continues to work here...

Tonight's message was centered around "What DO YOU Want?"

What is your story right now?

What do you want your story to be about?

What do you plan on doing to make it happen?

The focus verses were Acts 7:54-59.

Saul thought he had his life all planned out at one time as well, but God had bigger plans...Is your "story" going in the direction that God intends?

Since this week has been centered around a Safari in Africa, I thought it was time I included a picture of our ladies and their new friend...

Yes, that is a giant gorilla and Carrie is scared to death of the "animal".

I forgot to mention I also met with George W. Bush as well...Super nice guy, but he does not say a whole lot!

Middle School Camp…Day 3

We are half way done and so far it has been a great time!  I thought it would be good to let you know what a typical day at CentriFuge looked like...

7:00am...wake up and get ready.

8:00am...meet the ladies for breakfast

8:30am...Am Worship, a little crazy!

9:30am...Team Building/Quiet Time/Bible Study

noon.......Lunch

1:10pm...Recreation A, the students get to choose what they want to do.

2:10pm...Recreation B

3:30pm...FreeTime, hang out, play pool, ping pong, take a nap!

5:00pm...Dinner

6:30pm...PM Worship, very much worshipful!

8:00pm...Church Group Devotion Time

9:30pm...Night Life, Music, Games and general craziness!

10:30pm..Free Time

11:00pm...In Dorms

11:30pm...Lights out unless you are a youth pastor finishing up a blog at midnight!

Tonight was great night and the camp Pastor preached his heart out...it was awesome!  The focus was the difference between being a Fan of Christ versus a Follower of Christ.  The Pastor laid it out so well and many hearts were touched and God did a God thing!  It was so cool to see God moving in so many students...

The focus verse was Matthew 16:13-16.  "Who do WE say Christ is?"  Are just doing the church thing and "cheering" for God on Sundays and Wednesdays or are we truly following Him as Lord and Saviour?

One final verse to end this blog...2 Corinthians 3:17.

Middle School Camp…Day 2

Another day is done and so am I...I am beat tired.  That's right, not just tired, but beat tired. We had a day full of games and fun.  From Battle ball to Handball to Drama to Softball to Ultimate Frisbee, we did it all!

I think we are all ready for some good sleep!

The worship was great and Pastor Robert did another great job bringing God's message.  Tonight was all about "Feeling vs. Beliefs".  Pastor Robert did a great job of distinguishing between the two to allow us all to understand that feeling can corrupt what we believe.  I thought about all the times that i have let my emotions or feeling get in the way of my beliefs or what God is trying to tell me.  Pastor Robert used Peter as the ultimate example in Matthew 26:69-75.

The students have been great, the weather has been perfect and God is really working and blessing this week!

Please continue to pray!

Middle School Camp…Day 1

God has blessed with a great group and a safety as we made our way to Carson Newman College in Eastern Tennessee.  The first day is always a little chaotic, but today was really smooth!  We had a great dinner at the college and then went to worship!

Worship was lead a by a man named Christian (quite the name for a worship leader) and our camp Pastor is Robert Smith.  Both did an excellent job of bringing God’s message through song and speaking.

Tonight’s focus verse was Matthew 6:33 and Pastor Robert wanted to remind us to seek God the entire time we are here at Carson Newman. 

Our church devotion time was focused on what God wanted to do in our lives this week.  We took time to write it down on a large sheet a brought from home.  We also wrote down the things that might keep us from doing what God intends for our week.  We also wrote down any prayer requests we have for the week.

It was a great way to remind ourselves al that God has in store for us as we begin this journey at Fuge Camp!

Please continue to pray for us this week…

A Tribute to my "Old Man"...

As many know, my Dad passed away at 6:05 am on June 12, 2008. He was an awesome Dad and even though he adopted me at the age of 14, he was the only Dad I ever knew. I am so glad I had the opportunity to speak with him at length on Wednesday about his relationship with Christ and his peace about dying.

My Dad was a fighter and should have been dead three years ago. Instead, he was able to more grandchildren born and see others grow up.
My Dad was cool. He played the guitar and the keyboards. We were able to play together through high school and into college.
My Dad was an awesome Dad...he became soft-spoken, although I remember his more "forceful" years. He was always thoughtful and thinking of others, especially my mom. He always made sure he had something for birthdays, Christmas, etc. even if he could not go out and buy it himself.
My Dad was MY DAD and I am so glad he was!

Go call, hug or remember your Dad today...right now...

Jack L Pepper

Jan 6, 1950 - June 12, 2008

Contest!

So here is the deal...

Be the first to answer the following question and win a prize! Post your answer in the comments below.

Where did the word "Blog" come from?

I am looking for the most original!

Welcome to our new BLOG...

Well, check it out...it is new and improved!
You can post comments and read everything that is going on in the life on New Salem's Youth Ministry!
Enjoy the reading!

Going Green...Literally

Since summer began I have ridden my bike to work. Most of you know I am not a eco-friendly guy and I am not one to “save” the environment. I am, however, cheap!

Gas prices are ridiculous and I needed an excuse to get more exercise. Fortunately, I only live 3.5 miles from where I work. So, I am not too sweaty when I arrive at work.

I have found that I really enjoy the 15-18 minutes it takes to get to work. I enjoy the peace. I enjoy the time looking at everything around me. I enjoy waving to other people walking and riding. I enjoy the time with God and His creation. It is really a benefit that I had not thought of before I started riding.

I now arrive to work “alive”, refreshed, awake and ready to go. It improves my attitude and my walk.

So, if you need an excuse to get outside to walk or ride, don’t waste time thinking of one. Instead, just get out and do it…even if you have no where to go!

Here is a great location to get out!
Swift Cantrell Park

Here is a pic of my VERY GREEN bike!