Tracy's Camp

Week 7 2011

2011-08-01T17:00:00.008-04:00

Day 2

Craft time at TC! This year the girls paint cans and decorate them with ribbon to place in their room or to use wherever they see fit. I am always amazed at the detail that most girls place in their can. They really want it to be beautiful. No so much for the eyes of others but for themselves.

I believe that God fashioned them in such a manner that he knit them in their mothers womb. He too with great patience has fashioned each one. Their beauty is known only to the one who created them. It is necessary for these young girls to see themselves as a work that God has done and to be satisfied in His ability to make them just as they are. Beauty is not something to search for or to adjust according to the eyes of men.

Day 1 Week 7.

Sometimes we would do well to just rest in the arms of a friend. The girls have fun playing a morning celebration game called "Knight Horse Chariot" which places them either in the arms, knees or back of another person. It is quite chaotic and allows them to see the difficulty of carrying another person. For the one who is attempting to bear the load, the weight becomes burdensome very quickly and most often they will drop even their closest friend given enough time. For the one who is jumping onto another, they can feel disappointed as they hit the ground time and time again.

A lesson is to be learned. We often attempt to place ourselves in the arms of other people when faced with life's difficult days. Even if that person is our closest of friends, family or even pastor they most likely when given enough time and circumstance will not be able to hold all of our worries and troubles.

So it is with those of us who try to bear the burdens of the world along with our own and those of our families. We will get tired eventually and not be able to juggle all the plates of compassion that come our way. So what do we do? There is only one who is capable to give you rest and at the same time stand up under the weight of any and all of mans problems. He alone is our only hope of salvation from the plague of sin that swarms like locust to devour our lives with worry, doubt and fear. His name is Jesus. Cast yourself upon him! "for when I am weak then I am strong"

Week 6 2011

2011-07-27T07:31:00.005-04:00

Thank you Lord for another great week of sowing the seeds of your Gospel. It is a wonderful thing to see your good news as it lights the darkness and brings cleansing to the sinner, freedom to the slave and blessing to the cursed of humanity.

Week 5 2011

2011-07-25T22:02:00.005-04:00

I need to apologize for the lack of blog during the first girls week of camp. It truly was an amazing week with many first time campers attending. Our Lord and God revealed himself in ways that stirred the hearts of young girls. Each year I wonder and sometimes worry about how the young girls will handle the week with the heat, bugs and schedule of camp. This year in particular I wondered how the girls would do in the mud pit. Would they get in? Would they just not touch it at all? It appeared that way at first and who could blame them. However, as you can see eventually they were covered from head to toe.

Week 4 Tuesday

2011-07-12T17:37:00.004-04:00

A great thanks goes out to the Clarendon County Fire Department for bringing a fire truck each week of camp to hose off the kids with 1000 gallons of water. By the way, water is a mighty powerful thing when propelled by high pressure. A welcome activity to a day when the temp is above 100.

Week 4 2011

2011-07-11T17:40:00.004-04:00

Week 4! Last week of boys for the year and we have a full week ahead. Last night we took a walk in the rain to the big oak and after getting a little wet we discussed the significance of the rain. How God is the provider of the much needed refreshment for the plants, the beast of the field, the birds of the air and of course for us as well. As the drops of water still fell from the leaves of the trees overhead we spoke of God's word and how it is like "cool water" for the soul. In the days and weeks prior we have had little to no rain and are very grateful when the Lord makes it His will to bless us with even a token amount. I have at least 4 copies of God's word available to me at any time to drink from His cup of wisdom. I have tasted and seen that it is good. So Good!

Genesis 3:8 "...and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord among the trees of the garden." The picture above is from earlier today at the paintball and Treyvon and Noah are hunkered down hiding behind the barrel to avoid the shots from the opposing team. Good reason to hide! For Adam and Eve, they chose to hide among the very trees that God had originally said was theirs for provision. Maybe we do a good job of hiding from God as well and just like Adam we might use His own provision to stand behind. Something to think about.

Week 3 2011

2011-06-27T16:18:00.006-04:00

Day 2 Week 3

The Mcleod brothers, Gregory and Micah defend the fort in a game of paintball.

Jordan Adams out shot the field at skeet today hitting 3 of 3 on his first set of targets.

Day 1 Week 3

First night of Week 3 was wonderful! A full week of teenage boys and all the staff are expecting great things in the name of the Lord. It was nice to see so many seated under the "Big Oak" and to hear the voices of young men singing to God. I would imagine that by the end of the week the sound of that singing will be somewhat louder.

Kyle is singing "I can only Imagine" in this picture. A particular part of the song speaks of worshipping 'forever'. I was struck at the moment of even considering worshipping forever. I see that the flesh of man gets weak quite quickly in a worship setting whether at church or even at a camp. I "dont imagine" that there will be much distractedness around the throne of God.

The Word of God says in Revelation 4:8 that day and night the angels never cease to sing Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come!" It might sound odd but the opportunity to worship God forever sounds like an amazing thing to me! Would that we could worship now with our minds set on forever!

Week 2 2011

2011-06-20T22:24:00.012-04:00

Day 3 Week 2

Day 2 Week 2
Mud pies, chicken w/rice and green beans sounds like a great day at camp!

We are swinging our way into week 2 at TC! All is well on on first full day. Campers enjoyed Rifle and survival skills today. It was a hot one today with the heat index reaching 105 so you can imagine how welcome the sound of going swimming was this afternoon. The rope swing is a favorite.

Reading in 2 Kings yesterday and learned of Ahaziah who sent some messengers to inquire of a false God called Baal of Ekron. You see, he had fallen in his house and evidently was injured bad enough in the fall that he feared he would die. In his anxiety he sent these messengers to travel and inquire of this false God as to what the future might hold. At the same time, the Lord spoke to Elijah and told him to intercept the messengers of Ahaziah and ask them "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?". We encounter different struggles each week at camp. They can be as little as no breeze and 100 degree weather, a homesick camper, a scraped knee, or an a/c unit going out. I can hear the word of the Lord speaking to me when I try to handle even the smallest things without coming to him first. "Is it because there is no God at Tracy's Camp that you are trying to handle this on your own?" Why would we not go before the Lord? I stand convicted.

On Sunday evening as we headed to the "Big Oak" to worship the air was still and muggy. I thought of Ahaziah and the words that Elijah had spoken to him and thus to me. I prayed to the Lord for a breeze to break the heat as we would begin to worship. Just know that their is a God at Tracy's Camp! He indeed hears our prayers! Thank you Lord for such a cool breeze. You are so gracious.

Week 1 2011

2011-06-13T15:59:00.015-04:00

Day 1 Monday, June 13

The Sun rises on our first day of camp for 2011! We had a wonderful rain storm last night that was an answer to prayer on our first night. We have been without rain for almost two weeks. The roads were dusty and the ponds and fields all look much more refreshed this morning not

to mention it is a few degrees cooler.

Our first night at the Big Oak was a hot one with not much air moving at all. The campers all agreed that our God was worthy of worship and praise and the heat was no hindrance. We sometimes only "feel" like worshipping when all things are comfortable to do so. Not just with the temperature but with situations in our lives. It is true we are less likely to lift our hands whenever it hurts to do so. I am amazed at the simple understanding of children.

Last nights teaching from Genesis revealed to us all that the sin which began in the garden with Adam is still alive in us today. In the same way that Adam and Eve immediately continued to sin after first disobeying God's command to not eat from the tree, they then began to lie and try to conceal or hide from the one who knows all things.

I read this morning in 1 Kings the story of Jeroboam sending his wife to a prophet of God and when sending her he told her to conceal or hide her identity in order to find out what would happen to their son because he was sick. It is so ridiculously funny for man to think he can hide from God! In the next few verses I actually laughed aloud as I read that God then spoke to the prophet and told him all of Jeroboams plans. What makes it even better is that the prophet of God was physically blind. When Jeroboams wife walks in "disguised", the prophet is able to recognize her by the way her walk sounded!! He spoke her name as soon as she entered the room! She must have been shocked.

Adam and Eve sinned and revealed their lack of obedience and trust in God alone. God gave a simple command and with it the just punishment if they were disobedient. They listened to the enemy and paid the price of death. So to with Jeroboam who was cut off from the Lord because he was disobedient and did not trust the Lord. His family suffered as a result of his disobedience for years afterwards. Adams sin was brought upon his family as well and that sin bore the fruit of death when Cain killed his brother Abel. Sin brings about death.....period.

We must all stop believing that somehow we can hide from the Lord. We disguise our lives with good works, church attendance and the like in an effort to somehow hide the underlying sin from God. Repentance is full disclosure! A bearing of ones sin before the Lord.

May we recognize the only victory over death is in the Cross of Christ Jesus!! Otherwise, we stand alone to face the penalty for our sins. He died in my place so that through Him I might live!

Campers enjoyed a great breakfast before spending some time in the Word with their assigned tribe for the week!

Headed to the "swimmin hole"! Lots of happy faces. A great group of boys to start off the summer!

Paintball!!

Day 2 Tuesday, June 14

The day when campers begin to open up! Sunday night and Monday are often difficult days at camp for many campers who enjoy the comforts of their own bed at night and the safety of mom and dad's presence. This year is no different. However, what I have seen today gives me hope for the next two days together. A little opening towards coming together as a camp. New friends are formed and together we begin to open up our lives to one another. Beautiful!

How dirty is dirty?! Well when every pore is filled with red clay mud I would say you are dirty.

John the Baptist cried out in John 1:29 "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". His cry was to beckon all who hear to listen!! Listen to what I now say to you! This Jesus is the Christ, the lamb of God who by his unblemished life and spotless obedience to God has been sacrificed on the Cross to provide the means of salvation and cleansing of sin. Are you dirty with sin? The scriptures say that we are filthy even at our best before God(Isaiah 64) and not just dirty with sin but actually we are dead in sin and trespasses(Ephesians 2).

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Muuuuuuuudy!

Day 3 Wednesday, June 15

Zachary Hodge prepares to reel in his first catfish while Andy Pack handles the net! 15lbs! Great job Zachary.

Cool morning this morning that was almost spring like gave those who went primitive camping last night a break from heat and they were up early this morning standing by the fire. Our Lord is a perfect provider for all things.

Today we learn the truth of Christ living and dying as a slave. Philippians 2 says that "He who was God did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (slave), and humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross".

A slave serves! Some slaves as written in the scriptures would grow to love their masters and as a result would want to stay a slave and serve that master forever. When this was the case the scripture says that the master would take the ear of the slave and pierce it through into the door post of the house signifying that he would remain the property of that master indefinitely.

We are slaves to sin and unrighteousness. Our master is the devil and the flesh. We might be quick to say "I have never been a slave to anyone" as did the religious Jews in John 8 however Christ was quick to respond "Anyone who sins is a slave to sin". So our master is the enemy of God. Sounds like grim circumstances to me. No enemy of God will withstand his power of judgement nor escape his wrath.

What then? How can a man be set free from unrighteousness? How can we release the shackles that bind us to sin and death? Through the one who came as a slave, as nothing, and humbled himself becoming obedient unto death even death on a cross (our cross). Jesus! "If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed!" The Apostle Paul said that he "..was crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives within me" .

If Christ be your master, you will be his slave. As the slave who wants to stay with his master allows the piercing of his ear into the doorpost of the house, so to should we submit to our Lords command and "..deny yourself, take up your cross and then come follow me"

Only the man who sees himself as dirty will ever desire or have gratitude for the washing and only the slave likewise will appreciate true freedom!

Last night tonight! May God be Glorified throughout.

2011 Summer Camp!!

2011-06-13T15:23:00.007-04:00

Tracy's Camp Counselors as Walmart greeters! Every year all the staff make the trip to Sumter for worship and swimming at the home of Dick and Sandy Davis and then head over to our local Walmart for our last minute shopping before campers arrive. We are blessed to have those pictured above to minister at the camp for the weeks of summer.

Training week has its challenges each year and through them we learn in preparation for the ministry to come with our campers. For us this year, we will certainly have our eyes open to serve every camper that steps onto the lawn at TC. Our eyes have been sharpened through the word of God and our hearts long to minister His love as we share about the Cross.

Our focus for 2011 is "The Cross of Christ". A real look at what took place on the hill at Calvary. It is so much more than mere suffering and death. We hope that none will ever look at a cross the same again after realizing that Christ died upon the Cross IN MY PLACE!

2 Corinthians 5:21 brings us face to face with the reality of Christ sacrifice. "For OUR sake He Made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"
We await with eager expectation those whom the Lord will send this summer. May He and He alone be glorified and the name of His Son exalted!

Week 7 2010

2010-08-02T16:07:00.008-04:00

Day 1
A thumbs up from Jo-el says it all. Last week of summer camp for 2010 and all went well last night and for the day today as campers either went to paintball or shot rifles this morning.
Reading from the Psalms this morning in Chapter 29 and was reminded at the power of our Lord. The Psalmist writes "Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, Ascribe to the Lord glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."
We are to recognize that all glory belongs to God meaning all credit, all honor, any recognition for any part of creation has to go to God alone. Every breath we breathe is to be given credit where credit belongs and that is to God be the glory.
Also, we are to recognize that in him is strength. He is strength! What is anything without Him? Nothing! To say that one is weak apart from God still gives the thought that there might be some particle of power that can come apart from Him. There is no strength without Him. We must recognize that the smallest particle of strength we possess even in our disobedience comes from Him only by grace. How thankful we should be for even the smallest of things.

Now, imagine the possibilities that come from a child of God who is giving Him all glory due and as well depends upon Him for power. We see the possibilities written in the scriptures as many young men and women surrendered to the Lord's will and lived by faith in Christ Jesus and as a result the power of God was made manifest to all and Glory was given to His name!!
My prayer for this week is that all of the campers and staff would give God the glory He deserves and realize the source of strength in all things. And may our lives be such power that even the skeptics cant help but to praise the Son of God in Glory!

Now that's a reason to give a big thumbs up!!
(By the way, Jo-el had just rode the zip-line across the pond)

Day 2
There is nothing quite like the comforts of home. Your bed, your room, even the smells are comforting as they all make up what is your place of rest and escape from the world outside. Well for one week these girls have a new home and even with the camp bunkbeds not being as their own beds at home they still have a level of comfort that is not available in a tent. So last night a portion of the girls chose to go camping and settle for the discomfort of the tents and to awake with the ground wet with early morning dew. They were ready this morning to return to the cabins and to take a hot shower before breakfast.
I read this morning in Ezra Chapter 3:11 "And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel" And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid."
It is no surprise that such a people were ecstatic about the foundation being laid for the house of the Lord. For sure, they had longed for and waited for this day. They were captives in a place not there home. The smells of home had faded but were certainly not forgotten. This one thing however must have been on the hearts and minds of the faithful and that was that the house of the Lord was what most gave the assurance they were home. To be once again in the place where the temple of God was gave them reason to sing, give thanks and shout with a great shout!

Our homes should as well have as their foundation the Lord. The children of Israel were reminded while in captivity of what took place at their home in Jerusalem. The worship of the one true God! Sacrifice and praise to him daily could now be restored. I would hope that we all might understand the goodness and enduring love our our Lord and dedicate our homes to praising him.

Week 6 2010

2010-07-25T23:25:00.004-04:00

Day 1
18 teenage girls this week. I see the Lord at work already in the eyes of the girls tonight as I spoke about how the Lord of the universe has planned out this week for their lives for thousands of years and now it is beginning tonight. I can tell that the Lord has gone before us to prepare the hearts and minds of some for the Gospel. I am also more aware than ever that we have an enemy who seeks to devour. He really doesn't have to devour us so much as he devours our time with things that are not of God. It is his hunger for our attention that is where I see he feeds the most. Anything to feed his own pride and to starve our soul from the bread of life. We must guard ourselves here at camp this week to make the most of the time that the Lord has planned out for us. May we "set our minds on the things above and not on earthly things" and if it is our time that feeds the enemy; may we be so preoccupied with Christ Jesus that he starves to death!! To God be the Glory!
Day 2
It's a hard path to walk! It takes focus and balance. The path is marked out for you. With each step you grow closer to the end. The path of the Lord is a difficult one. He showed us the path that we must walk according to His son Jesus. He says "Narrow is the gate and hard is the way that leads to life". Nevertheless, we are called to walk that path. It is no surprise that many consider the path and turn away when considering the sacrifice and difficulties that lay ahead. The girls this week are confronted with the narrow way. A way that will require daily sacrifice and ultimately a complete dying to their self in order to live a life for Christ. It is only from the Lord that they will be given the faith to step onto the path of repentance and salvation.

Week 5 2010

2010-07-19T06:36:00.005-04:00

Day 1 Monday
Girls Week!! It is a much calmer atmosphere with the girls. After spending four weeks with boys, it is refreshing to finally have our girls arrive. Not that I don't love our boys but I really appreciate the differences. Last night was a great first night with all the girls arriving safely and with excitement in their eyes. It's almost as if they are expecting God to do great things! And I believe that's what faith is.....an expectation for God to do and to act out what we cannot! Oh that we could walk by faith and not by sight every day!
A little late getting to bed last night, closer to 12am primarily because we went to the rope maze and let them wander trying to find the way out. All seemed well when I dropped off some late night cookies for a snack. I am waiting on the girls to come to breakfast and see how they each slept. I love seeing them come dragging in with their morning eyes and hair.

Reading Matthew 21 this morning about Jesus coming upon a fig tree and thought to myself about how disappointed he must have been whenever he visits the fig tree. He gave it the soil in which to grow, he gave it sun every day, brought clouds on some hot days to provide relief from the sun when it grew too hot and rain in season for refreshment and protected it from the locust and from the blight yet when he comes by to receive a little of what he has invested so much in for years, there is nothing. Because of this Jesus curses the fig tree and it withers to its roots.

I see each day as a provision from the Lord. I don't deserve nor am I capable of providing these things for myself outside of God's hand. I am planted and given life only because of Him. Without Him my seed would have never germinated. Without Him, I would have never became more than a seedling. Without Him, the sun would have scorched my leaves. Without Him, the thorns would have overcome me. Without Him, the locust would have taken away all of my foliage and the blight and mildew would have suffocated me. I am created and sustained by Him and only Him! What will I bear when He visits me! How aweful a day would it be for my Lord and my God to visit "this" fig tree and find nothing for which to harvest from my life. I would agree and submit that I would deserve to be cursed by Him for a fruitless life when given so much.
To ensure this doesn't happen our Lord Jesus gives us instruction in John 15 "I am the vine, you are the branch. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned"

Well the girls are here so I better go for now. Pray for us, the early morning cool breeze is suppose to turn into a desert wind by this afternoon. Paintball, Survival Skills and Pond Fishing today!

Day 2 Tuesday
13 girls went camping last night. Sleeping in jungle hammocks and tents. Besides a giant grasshopper that invaded one of the tents everything went well. They bathed in the pond!! Sounds real clean huh!
Tribe Time
Kendall at Rifle

Week 4 2010

2010-07-12T06:45:00.004-04:00

First night of week 4 was great! Not one homesick camper and I am told that bedtime was the best yet of the summer for a first night. All were in bed a little after 11pm. Looking forward to another day of great expectation as our Lord God reveals His glory! Today is paintball, archery, and skeet for activities. Pray for safety.

Day 2

Week 3 2010

2010-06-28T07:31:00.006-04:00

June 29
Rifle Range!! Everyone is having a great week. A funny thing happened on this day at the range. I was told that several rabbits made their way down range of campers!! With much eagerness they wanted to take aim at the "real" targets. I was proud of our counselors who more than likely really wanted to take a shot themselves but they kept the rabbits alive. What would make a rabbit just wander out onto the range while the shooting is taking place. I think maybe they have become accustomed to the noise and now see no threat. It is a great reminder that we all can become accustomed to the noise and sounds of the world and the sin that surrounds us and so much so that we just wander into the most dangerous areas of life.

June 30Ever sat beside a tree in the swamp with a piece of bacon on a paperclip waiting on a crayfish to bite?
June 31
Last day for week 3. It is so incredible to watch as community forms at camp over such a short period of time with one another. Campers arrived just four days ago and they have formed relationships that for some will last a life time. I am reminded that we are not created to be alone. It was not good for Adam and neither is it good for us to be alone. Our time together is short but I believe it to be God's time and not our own. Our Lord created the universe with his word and in a moment can bring something from nothing. It is this same power that I trust in during our short time together. God can completely save and recreate someone in an instant if He so desires. It is trust that develops over the course of the week that fosters relationship. I believe the same is true of our relationship with Christ. If you and I fail to really trust him....then our relationship will be limited! However, if we fully rely on Him, trust Him in all areas of our life then our relationship grows. Trust Him! I promise He is more than capable to catch you!

Parker Areheart "Trust Fall"

Week 2 2010

2010-06-21T07:52:00.006-04:00

27 campers and 16 counselors are here for this week. Just before campers arrived on opening day a storm hit with heavy, heavy rain. Our counselors of course were enjoying the deluge of water from above as campers came to register many of whom are spending their first week away at camp with TC! I must say that the opening night was much better this week as the temperatures were more comfortable. From the first night, I can tell we have a group of campers this week that are very inquisitive and have many questions with which to challenge the counselors. They enjoyed the giant rope maze after dinner as they were also required to get to know other campers names and an interesting fact concerning what was their greatest fear. Much more to come for the day ahead!! I will try to post some pictures.

Monday June 21
Great first day of camp! The word of God is being preached and for the most part we have an attentive and captive group. I am amazed at how I see the work of God so clearly in the lives of the campers. The value of having so many counselors is priceless as we seek to minister this week.
All campers enjoyed their activities with some playing paintball, some pond fishing and the rest shooting rifles. I heard stories like that of Gavin Foxworth who hit his target all seven shots and Zachary Hodge who caught the largest fish of the day. I also saw some paintball wounds and heard amazing stories of war from the paintball field. Praise the Lord that it is not as hot this week as last although it is still quite warm. Water! Water! Water! Tuesday activities are Survival Skills, Skeet, Paintball and Pond fishing.

Tuesday June 22
Last night around the Big Oak with the breeze blowing off the corn field was fantastic. Birds sung overhead with a clarity and pitch that brought to mind the wonders of God's creation. At one time we had a song bird up in the canopy singing a melody akin to the greatest worship song ever sung while bobwhite Quail called to each other from three different locations over the sound of cicadas strumming a chorus of praise. Wow! I hardly wanted to teach in order just to sit and listen to the sermons of the wild! That was just sitting down at the oak.
We sang and worshiped a real risen Lord and taught from the scriptures 1 John 1, John 1, and Matthew 3 concerning Jesus. The question was ask "How many times have you heard the name of Jesus?" of course the answer for everyone was 'many times'. The name of Jesus is to be above every other name in our Life including parents and friends. It is to be above the most loved name in our life. Think about a name in your life that brings forth a well spring of love and devotion and compare that name with the name of Jesus as it enters your ear and travels to your heart. Which one draws the most love? This should be a challenging question for us all and cause us to consider the name of Jesus and His place in our lives. Is He Lord of Lords? Is my love for Him greater than any other affection in my life? The name of Jesus.......no other name I so long to hear.....than the name of Jesus!!
Wednesday June 23
Today we took 12 campers canoeing into Sparkleberry swamp and I think of how it must have looked for Jesus to be accompanied by his disciples. A small caravan of learners and a teacher. The canoe trip was a day of learning for most. Learning either to paddle or most importantly to cooperate with one another. I am well aware of the trials that come with trying to maneuver a canoe through trees and toward a particular location when you have someone in the same canoe that is working against you. It is humorous at times to see the frustration build as each camper works so hard to paddle but its fruitless because they are not working together. They dont mean to be opposed. They are not trying to cancel out each others efforts but due to their lack of experience and just plain ignorance they go in circles. That's when frustration sets in and you can see the best of friends and even brothers become enemies sitting in the same boat. They can flail their paddles and ask the deepest questions of one another "What are you doing?", "Where are you going?". All in all the canoe trip always starts out rough but ends with a group that is bound together in adventure and by the end we have adjusted and all works well as we paddle together. Many lessons learned!
Thursday June 24
The Holy Spirit is amazing at how he leads and guides in perfect timing. I am learning each day just to trust Him. Last night as I was listening to worship and meditating on what I was to preach the Spirit of God lead me to take off the wall a picture of Mari E. Daniel a missionary from India who visited the camp last summer. I tucked it in my Bible just seconds before I came out to preach. 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; If we are in our right mind it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died: and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.) Daniel is a man who lives by faith, no longer living for himself but for Christ. He travels around the world with no means and many times not knowing where he will stay or how he will arrive at his next destination. What would possess a man to live such a life? The love of Christ controls him!! He is beside himself!! He must go and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Daniel visited the camp last year and was brought by a good friend of the camps named Dennis Stratton. He came to camp last year on June 23. June 23!! Exactly one year to the day. I am thankful for the Spirit as He leads me and enables me to preach God's word. I dont understand everything the Spirit asked me to do such as to take a picture off the wall and put it in my bible but I have learned that when I am obedient He will bless me with further instructions and often I get to see the fruit of my obedience.
This week was a great week deserving of many praises. I praise Him for salvation marked by a repentant heart which mourns over sin and is fascinated with the Savior. I leave salvation to the Lord because I must! It is He who saves but praise be to Him who is the author of our salvation. To Him be the glory and honor and praise forever. Amen. It is wonderful to see our Lord at work as His word begins to cut deep into the hearts of all those who receive it.

Week 1 2010

2010-06-21T07:33:00.002-04:00

I failed to post during the first week of camp for a number of reasons, 34 reasons to be exact! We had an amazing week with all 34 campers and 14 staff for our first week of the 2010 summer season.
Wow! HOT!! That is what really described the first week of camp. I have never experienced a time at Big Oak for worship that was as hot as Sunday June 13. I would even say dangerously hot with not a hint of a breeze. The corn has grown high in the field and blocks the breeze from the field and the air was still and muggy. Sounds great, right? All were drenched in sweat as Daniel Kuzbary delivered a message about God and Man that begins to tell the story of this wonderful Gospel message.
As we groaned in the heat, I was reminded of the worth of the message being preached. Many people will wait in line for days in the extreme heat or cold for concert tickets or the newest electronic device. Parents will brave 5am lines the day after Thanksgiving to get what their child wants for Christmas but what are we willing to endure for the sake of the Gospel?!! I would say that our actions reveal our worship and treasure.
My prayer is that as the seed of the Gospel grows in the hearts of many this summer that it might become a treasure as valuable as water that eliminates thirst, bread that ends hunger, a priceless pearl, a light with endless power and that we might be willing to as the Apostle Paul says consider everything else as loss compared to the surpassing knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Summer 2010

2010-06-10T07:36:00.002-04:00

Summer 2010 is set to be one of the most abundant and fruitful seasons in the life of Tracy's Camp ministry. For this summer, we are preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have mentioned to several people that I feel like an expectant farmer who has labored to prepare the field and now commences to cast seed among the rows. Not only is the seed the best seed imaginable being the Gospel message but the forecast for this years crop is filled with the blessing of God's abundant rain and ultimate growth. I know that some parts of this field will be soil not ready to receive seed but I cannot help but be excited about what God is sure to produce in the hearts of these that hear His Gospel this summer. To Him be all Glory and Honor and Praise Forever and ever. Amen.

Sardines!

2009-08-05T21:32:00.000-04:00

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Canoe trip!

2009-08-04T18:13:00.001-04:00

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Teamwork!

2009-08-04T18:13:00.000-04:00

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Teamwork!

2009-08-04T10:37:00.000-04:00

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Adventure course!

2009-08-03T16:59:00.000-04:00

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Good shot!

2009-07-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

Sunny makes a shot. That girl can shoot!
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Smores! Yum!

2009-07-29T21:47:00.000-04:00

Last night around the campfire. God is amazing and they all want smore of Him !
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All aboard

2009-07-29T15:45:00.000-04:00

The girls have really bonded together this week and become friends. They learned about the holiness and the justice of God in the past two nights and eyes were opened to Gods character and what his character demands of those who choose to follow Him. Pray for tonight as they learn about the love of God that the girls will understand and apply Gods love in their lives.
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Bear one anothers burdens!

2009-07-28T09:40:00.000-04:00

Literally! Week 6 is already great with the hand of the Lord clearly at work!
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A pile of people!

2009-07-22T15:20:00.000-04:00

Hot today! The water feels great.
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Colorful hands!

2009-07-22T15:19:00.000-04:00

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Tye dye!

2009-07-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

Kendal with her shirt!
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Canoeing week 5

2009-07-21T12:48:00.000-04:00

We had a great time in the swamp. Saw much of the Lords creation.
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Week 5 day 1 girls

2009-07-19T22:43:00.000-04:00

Finally! Girls are here and God has an incredible week ahead. The girls are very attentive and are going to learn a lot about our Lord this week. We were blessed with an amazing sunset tonight that reminds us of Psalm 19:1. The heavens really do declare the Glory of God!
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Bass fishing!

2009-07-16T11:29:00.000-04:00

Nice one!
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A taste of Living Water!

2009-07-16T09:04:00.000-04:00

Hydration! A spring overflowing!
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Look up!

2009-07-16T08:36:00.000-04:00

Coker praises the Lord!
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Tyler smile

2009-07-14T17:46:00.000-04:00

Happy camper!
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Swim time!

2009-07-14T14:08:00.000-04:00

Bus trip to pond!
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Bless God!

2009-07-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

In Israel when it rains the people say bless God or Baruch ashem. Today we had inches of rain in just a few minutes and it was fantastic. The guys had a blast in the water and of course gave us much to be thankful for.

Baruch ashem!
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Week 4 Paintball

2009-07-13T10:56:00.001-04:00

Braxton with a great shot to the face!
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Week 4 day 2

2009-07-13T09:24:00.000-04:00

Morning devotions on 1 Timothy 2:21
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Week 4 day 1

2009-07-12T21:58:00.000-04:00

The wind blew tonight! So the Spirit moves! Talmadge Johnson prayed tonight for us all as we stood in the field and prayed with our eyes open looking to the sky. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare his glory. This is going to be a great week! Praise God.
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Dearal Rodgers and Clay Dyer!

2009-07-06T21:52:00.006-04:00

Dearal and Clay as they begin to speak to the boys on the porch of the dining hall at Tracy's Camp. It is surely the Lord who has partnered these two men of God together to advance the kingdom!

Unbelievable! Clay has Philippians 4:13 on the back neck of his shirt. This is certainly testimony to that fact and Clay gives God all the glory. You can see more about Clay Dyer at http://www.smgoutdoors.com/claydyer.html or Dearld Rodgers at http://www.dearalrodgers.com/

Clay with new friend and long time camper Robert Stewart.

Week 3.09 Group Picture with Dearal Rodgers and Clay Dyer

2009-07-06T21:45:00.004-04:00

Vacation time!

2009-07-06T09:53:00.000-04:00

Day 1 of vacation. Carowinds. Yeah!
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Week 3 about surrender and truth

2009-07-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Week three has come and gone and God did an amazing work! We were blessed to have Clay Dyer who is a professional bass fisherman who just happens to not have arms or legs. His story of Gods strength is inspiring and touched the hearts of everyone at camp. This was a week where God wanted surrender from a number of campers that maybe had merely believed but had not surrendered their life to Him. God in his great mercy gave oppurtunity for such a surrender and several responded. Praise God! This week was also about the pursuit of truth. Many spend their entire lives in this pursuit. The world claims that their are many ways to arrive at truth. This leads to a web of lies that masquerade as truth but lack the chain breaking power of the real truth. It is in Christ who is the truth that we are set free from vain pursuits and the chains of sin. Truth cannot be contained, it cannot be shackled, it will not remain silent, and it is truth that lights our path in the darkness. Surrender to the truth! There is no other way. Praise God for an amazing week! Next week begins July 12. Pray!
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Week 3 day 3 Glory to God forever!

2009-06-30T22:43:00.000-04:00

Much has happened this week to prove that God is at work in all things. It is He who orchestrates the work of the heart and I have seen His hand at work this week. We have had young men called back to their heavenly Father who had strayed from His path. Surely some will serve the Lord all the days of their life! He is worthy of lifting our hands to and worthy that we might bow our knee to His holy name! I wonder why we are reluctant to show our praise in this manner when he so publicly displayed His affection for us in the most sacrificial way. Will you lift your hands to the King of Kings? Will you bow your knee? We have much to learn from these young men who publicly express their love for Christ!
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Zipline!

2009-06-29T14:39:00.000-04:00

Como estas! Says will Barwick.
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Time in the Word!

2009-06-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

Time with the Word is critical in the life of one who wants to follow Christ.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God" John 1:1
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Week 3 day 1

2009-06-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

No pictures tonight. God has put together a group of 30 young men along with our 15 counselors to experience an incredible week of seeking Him. We sat in the middle of a freshly planted wheat field this afternoon and read from the very words of God about the good seed that God plants and how one day there will be a great harvest. We sat in that field as the sun set and marveled at the Glory of God. I can see already the hand of God has he pursues these young men. I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.

SDG
Soli deo Gloria
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Week 2 Group Picture

2009-06-27T21:57:00.004-04:00

Week 2! What a blessing!

Amen!

2009-06-27T21:50:00.002-04:00

Amen!

Tracy's Camp Counselors

2009-06-27T21:44:00.002-04:00

God has blessed us this year with an incredible group of Counselors and CITs (Counselors-in-Training). We really need your prayers as you can see.

Week 2 day 4 last night

2009-06-25T00:10:00.001-04:00

Repent and believe! What a night of incredible worship! The future of the Church is kneeling in this picture. Correction, the present day Church is on their knees before the Lord. Young boys acknowledging Christ as their Lord! As their King! There are preachers, pastors and missionaries in this group of boys. Of that I am sure! Bless God, He is worthy!
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Week 2 day 4 Divine Appointment!

2009-06-24T07:05:00.000-04:00

Last night was indeed a divine appointment as the Lord sent to us this man from India. His message to the Church of America is this "Fast and Pray". Now, maybe this is no new thing to fast and pray but for us God wants to make this very clear. How do I know that? Well the fact that our staff devotion that morning was 2 Samuel 12:16 "David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. " Jesus would repeat words for the benefit of the hearer such as " truly, truly I say to you..." God has repeated "fast and pray"! We will fast and pray!

Today is another BIG day! Tonight is the love of God!

Fast and Pray! It is God's Will for the Church!
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Week 2 day 3 Crawfish catchin!

2009-06-23T23:08:00.001-04:00

The campers had a blast today on the canoe trip! We were able to catch some huge crawfish with fat back tied to the end of fishing line. After tomorrows catch we plan on cooking some crawfish for supper. God is amazing! Today He brought to us a man from India that started Evangelizing Asia for Christ ministries. His name is Daniel and He gave his testimony to the campers tonight.all I can say is wow!I will have much more to say tomorrow. Br>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Paintball! Awesome!

2009-06-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Chase Mckoy with a shot to the face.
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Week 2 day 2 morning

2009-06-22T08:54:00.000-04:00

Devotions are a huge part of the overall camp time. Campers spend time with their tribe and then break off to be alone with God. Today is a Biiii....hig day!! Pray for strength for our homesick campers. Some are very young this week but are showing great courage.
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Week 2 day 1

2009-06-21T23:50:00.000-04:00

Both cabins are full as I turn in for the night. Check in today was hectic as many campers showed up at one time. I praise God for my wife who is able to cope with my lack of organizational skills. I am also thankful for the parents that waited patiently while everyone got checked in. Tonight was Spirit filled at worship while we sang to and talked about our powerful God. Kids amaze me. When assigning tribes tonight it was clear that God was placing them where they needed to be for the week. Four were saying how God must have put them together. Of course they were all friends. Tomorrow begins early with breakfast at 730. Pray for Patrick as he had an accident involving his front tooth not long after being at camp. We will trust the Lord with that as well. He said tonight that God knew it was going to happen and he will trust God with it. We appreciate your prayers throughout the week for safety and energy. Our God is good to us. We rise tomorrow to serve Him!

Jason
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Week 1 2009

2009-06-20T09:06:00.000-04:00

Camp week 1 was a good start to our 2009 summer camp season. Worship this week was amazing and it was clear that the Lord was working in the hearts and minds of the campers.

As you can see we also had a tremendous amount of fun with our new giant slip-n-slide! You know you have had an awesome week when at the closing ceremony the campers say that their favorite thing about camp was the WORSHIP! New week begins tomorrow. Pray for energy and wisdom for our counselors and for the potter's hand on the campers!