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!!

Having a Bad Day? Look up

Have you had a bad day lately? Maybe even a bad week?

This week I got to visit another camp for C.A.M.P. here in Texas and we got to take a tour of the camp grounds. It was really neat to see another Texas camp and at the same time made me appreciate all that we have at Huawni. Towards the end of the tour, we walked up a hill to an outdoor amphitheater made of rocks; this is where the kids meet on Sunday as a church and where kids sometimes go to get close to God.

Soon enough, I begin thinking of all the places at Huawni where I've encountered God and felt really close to him. The Little Red Church, Mimi and Daddy Earl's grave site, the TJ bridge, the deck by the pool, Horned Frog Pavilion, the Glory Gang, and the Main Cabin porch were just a few places that jumped into my mind. It's at these places that I like to spend time alone or with a few friends praying and reflecting on the Lord's creation and His will for me.

So at the base of this cross, it read "I life up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 .What a great reminder- my help always comes from Him. Are you getting sick of school or work already? Are there things that are weighing heavy on your heart? Just look up- He's there and is the best help we could possibly imagine. Even though we can't go back to the Little Red Church or SOJ by the pool until next summer, it's okay.....He's still with us.

May the Lord bless your week, and don't forget to "look up"!:)

Words that Build Up

Can you remember one of your most inspirational memories at Camp Huawni?

One of my favorite Camp moments happens frequently each year during Run for the Roses, which is a huge relay race where campers and counselors pass a baton as they run a big running race across campus. Nearly every year there is one team that really gets smoked and finished last.

I will still never forget the first time I saw a counselor running next to the last runner for the last place team, cheering them on to finish strong, even though the race was practically over. When the camper crossed the finish line, their counselor gave them a big high five and hug, affirming their effort to finish strong. This was definitely a win-win moment.

If anyone has every read the book "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" then you know what a win-win is. A win-win looks for a positive outcome for all parties involved as opposed to one person winning and one person losing. In Run for the Roses, even 4th place got the satisfaction of winning. Why? Because one counselor made it their mission to encourage their camper verbally, even when the race seemed to be over.

You know- what comes out of our mouth is a lot more powerful than we could ever imagine. James 3:4-5 reads, "Or take ships for example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot want to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts." James goes on to say that what comes out of your mouth "sets the whole course of his life...". Can what we say really have that much impact on our life, both good and bad?

In my experience, the answer is definitely yes. Have you ever been around a positive person that's fun to be around and always complimenting others? Likewise, have you ever been around a person who is negative all the time and puts down other people? What is coming out of our mouths each day?

May the Lord bless your words that you share daily and bless your week!