Take a deep breath....now release- whew! Summer has come and gone at Camp Huawni and what an unforgettable time it was. I know we talk about it being the best Texas summer camp- and one big reason that happens each summer is because of our counselors. Quite literally our staff was more than we could ever ask for this summer- they gave everything they had and I know for certain hundreds of kids were impacted in a special way.

I went for a run this morning and was thinking about Camp and how at Summer Tree we talk about how being at Camp Huawni is just extra special, and how we really can take that "with us" the rest of the year.

Well, this morning I was reminded in a real, authentic way just what "that stuff" is. Check out the podcast on iTunes titled "The Wounded Soul" on 8/5 under "Tim Keller Podcast". Tim talks about how complex we are as people and what true joy is and where it comes from. It's a loud and clear message that really makes sense. He definitely served me my SOJ this morning!

We miss all of you at Camp, and remember- God Loves You!

Keep in touch through this SOJ Blog. Share it with your friends and our hope is to keep sharing SOJ with you throughout this year.

Love and inwauh!

www.CampHuawni.com

SOJ on Flag Pole Hill 6.15.11

SOJ was led by Katie Ballenger this morning on Flag Pole Hill and the message was about God's love for us. The breeze was blowing early this morning, the birds were chirping, and we even listened to the song "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." Then Katie read back over 1 John 3:1, which says:

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"



Campers also shared what loving others looked like while at Camp Huawni- sharing your stuff with others, meeting new friends, and helping other campers with cabin cleanup.

One line from the song said, "What can I say to His reply...I do not have an answer."

Not only are we unable to fully comprehend God's love for us, but we certainly don't have an answer when it comes to deserving God's love. That's the beauty of His love for us...wow!

Rest in His love today- know that He loves us for being ourselves. He really wants to meet with you today....so spend some time with the One who loves us the most!

One God...One Creator

I was listening to Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church, in Dallas this week (Forgetting and Straining in 2011) . He described two types of people as it pertained to our faith.

Some people regularly attend church, memorize scripture, and do all the other so called "right" things because they think those things actually make them a better, more holy person. Obviously, going to church is not a bad thing. BUT- if we're not seeking to know God more and have a more intimate relationship with Him, then all that stuff is rubbish.

The other people Matt described were those who think their sin is too much for God to forgive. They think what Jesus did on the cross cannot erase the filth of their past. So, they just go through life thinking "I'm not good enough."

The truth of the matter is that life is about knowing and becoming best friends with Jesus. It's not about what other people are doing or about where we are right now spiritually, it's all about my relationship with Him today, and tomorrow, and the next day. Also- His grace is enough. Nothing you've done in the past can't be forgiven...it's His promise.

An example of this is so well displayed in the following video:

One God, One Creator (God of Second Chances) VIDEO

He is a God of second chances AND all of the people in history that rocked it for God (David, Paul, Mary Magdalene, and on and on) screwed up big time.

Know that He will do a great work in you today!

ps- you can check out SOJ much easier now through the new Camp Website www.CampHuawni.com

Lay Your Burdens Down

Max Stalling wrote a song called "Lay My Burdens Down." This song is famous between my brother, Steve Abney and myself because we'd occasionally get up before sunrise to go fishing before staff meeting at Camp. The chorus says:

I'm going to lay my burdens down now
Gonna ask the Lord to watch them a while
I'm gonna walk where the sun is shining
And I'll be home when I've found a smile

Have you worried about anything lately? I know I have, and hearing this song was such a great reminder that God is in control. All you have to do is let him "watch stuff"- he's in control and his ways are the best ways.

Listening to this song made me think of the Hebrews 11:1, which says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we cannot see." I know what I hope for, and to be sure of that is an amazing thing. There's a lot I can't see right now, but being certain of what is to come is a beautiful thing.

Lay your burdens down today..hope..be certain...and find your smile!

Only Hope

Have you ever come close to drowning? A few years ago I took a trip with our family to Maui. One of the best snorkeling trips of my life was off of Kana'apali Beach to Black Rock. I saw sea turtles, huge fish, and all kinds of coral. I grew up loving being in the water, so being out in the ocean, nearly 25 feet or more in depth, was all natural to me. The second day out snorkeling I took Mom and Dad. They loved it, and just as we were about to start back to the beach, I thought I heard someone yell "help". I looked around, and there was guy, about 40 years old, waiving his arms in distress. I swam over and realized he was having a panic attack! His friend was right next to him and just froze up. My water safety training instincts immediately kicked in, and even though I had never "for real" saved someone, this was real. After telling the fellow to calm down, I safely dragged him about 400 yards to shore. Exhausted, I layed on the soft sand exhausted.

Have you ever been in a situation when not even your best friend could help? Maybe it was your best friend who let you down?

No matter what you may be going through, sometimes is just so reassuring to know the hope we have in Jesus. There's a song that Caedmon's Call sings called "Only Hope".

Here are the words:

"Depth of mercy can their be, mercy still reserved for me Can my God your wrath fore bare, me the chief of sinner's spare It's my only hope, you're my only hope, it's my only hope of Heaven...at the cross forgiven"

Isn't it nice to know that when we're drowning in life- He is there to save us...always. He's always there, no matter how many times our friends or others in our life let us down.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Hope in the Lord today, and he will surely give you strength and endurance.

Have a blessed week- love God with all you have and love others!!

The Power of Words

When is the last time someone encouraged you with words? When's the last time you've said something you wished you could take back?

It's a funny thing how powerful words really can be; I guess the whole "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" message really never panned out.

Words are so powerful, and ironically enough they can go either way- for good or evil.

One of the most humbling passages I've ever read about the words I use is in James 3:3-6. It says, "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

Is what I'm saying wholesome? Am I encouraging people or pulling them down...especially even when they deserve it?

May you be blessed today with words of encouragement, hope, and most of all. love.

Blessings and inwauh!

Promises Kept

Have you ever promised someone something and not followed through?

I sure have. I remember several summers ago I promised a camper to hang out after supper time. After supper time is when all of Camp just gets to hang out and do just about anything. Some campers are catching frogs and minnows by the pond, others hit the volleyball around to see how many times consecutively they can hit it, and some campers and counselors just hang out and talk on Horned Frog Pavilion.

So, I had promised to spend time with this camper after supper. As often times it happens, something came up that needed my attention and I didn't follow through on my promise. I remember the camper be very upset with me, as they should have been, and I was left with the guilt of not following through on my word. Since that time, I've worked at two things. First, I try to only promise people things that I intend to do. Second- when I do promise those things then I do everything in my power to make sure I take authentic action and actually come through. Even though I've gotten much better at this- it's amazing that I still fail! How frustrating!

The good news is that there is someone out there that never goes back on their promise, no matter what. His name is Jesus, and he's the one person we can go to daily who will not let us down. He never changes, which is pretty cool to know. Even when those closest to us do change or do mess up, He's always there. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Another one of my favorite promises is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." All we have to do is abide in Him daily.

May you have a blessed week and know that He's always there to keep His promises!!