Boulder Flood Relief

Hey girls!

Father and son fly fishing trip this weekend. Still a few spots open! Call me for details 303 842 1771

After that, I would love for us to help in the flood relief. I have several connections to families that need help with physical labor and I would love for a group of us to serve together. We will also be indoor rock climbing next week and will let you know dates and times of that! 

Please watch this video.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wnbjnxht68eisou/FPC_FloodPhotos_9.15.2013.mp4

We pray for everyone in need,

Keenan

This week's events!

A Higher Road

Have you ever signed up for something without fully understanding the commitments involved? Sometimes, you never expect the struggle or the joy when life brings these surprises our way.

Yesterday I chose to bike from Winter Park to Boulder. I was told it would be a 3 hour ride with clear skies. Starting the bike ride was wonderful, my legs felt alive and my soul even more so. 3 hours in, we had only reached the top of the mountain, then came the descent...

After 2 painful hours of bouncing over rocks, my hands and forearms were screaming with pain, and I found myself angry at God. God why did you let this happen to me? Why isn't this easier? Why didn't you tell me this would happen?

Have you ever asked questions like this? 

Most of us have. These questions usually arise out of great pain and confusion. So does God have a plan for everything in our lives?

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

When we find ourselves doubting God's sovereignty, we must remember that sometimes things happen to us that we don't understand, but these things will always turn out for the good because GOD IS GOOD.

I learned that the pain of my body allowed a beautiful memory to be created between myself and the friends I was biking with. We will forever remember the 3 hours of rain, mud, rocks, and muscle soreness which will always remind us of how God gave us that opportunity to grow closer to each other and to Him. 

May we ask Him for perspective no matter what trouble is in our lives.

Filled vs. Unfulfilled

What is the difference between owning nothing and having everything?

2 Corinthians 6:9-10 says we are "known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything."

Is paul being serious?

How can he be so joyful with nothing? I'm sure some of you have experienced things being taken away before... it's the worst. Losing a friend or family member leaves a hole in your heart. Losing a cherished gift that someone gave you makes you feel you lost a part of yourself. So how is Paul saying this?

I think Paul has filled himself with something that can never be taken away from him. The exterior in his life can be stripped away but he will never lose his core of peace because he has built himself up with true and lasting faith. Our lives can be so filled with activities and things, but under the surface, we can feel so empty. 

Ask God to show you where you need to be filled so that you may truly posses everything even when all is taken away.

Open the eyes of my heart

Happy Tuesday girls!

I hope your Fourth of July was full of watermelon and fireworks and most importantly... family! Our internet has been down for the past 2 weeks but we are excited to be back up and running.

We had several families come up to camp and visit us for the day and night of our country's birthday. It was a joyful time for the families to share the camp activities that all of you did as well like; highline, archery, campfire songs and most importantly, SMORES!

Monsignor Stuart Swetland visited us for a few days and he shared something very beautiful with us. He quoted an author named G.K. Chesterton saying, "You can look at something 99 times but dont dare look at it the 100th time or you might see it for the first time". 

When you hear this quote what do you think of? 

A few of you that I interviewed told me that what you would miss most was seeing God through nature.

One of you even said that the meadow is like God's bed to rest on and then i said,

"NOT IN THE MEADOW!!!"

God is trying to speak to us all the time through everything around us. At camp, it might have been easier to hear him, but I promise he wasnt trying harder to love you. He loves you the same always and there isnt a minute of the day that he doesnt want to talk to you!

When I heard the quote about seeing something for the first time I thought of everything I take for granted in my life. My sister, my health, my friends...etc. God never wants us to take the gifts in our life for granted.

Since you have been home from camp, have you taken anything for granted? 

Today let's ask God to help us be grateful for something or someone. 

Hawaiin Shirt Wednesday

Hey Ladies!

You’re back, and that’s awesome!!  Just to remind you: This week we’re focusing on Mark 2: 1-12; and you can check it out online right here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/2.  Definitely read through it so you know what I’m talking about J 

So, we left off on Monday talking about the faith of the awesome men who lowered the paralytic through the roof (like our Sherpa! And you!).  If you haven’t read that post yet, go check it out!  It’s all related J

Today, we’ll focus on Christ’s perseverance through opposition.  Now, at the beginning of the passage, it says, “it became known that He was at home.”  When Christ first started His ministry, He went to preach away from home; but as He grew, He came back - just like your experience with camp!  You experienced Christ and community at camp, and now that you’re back at home, you’re ready to share your faith.  This is awesome, and Christ calls us to do it, but I bet it’s really hard to share your faith sometimes.  It can be especially hard when others don’t agree with you or believe in what you believe, but just remember Mark 2!  Even Jesus faced opposition from those around Him; in fact, the scribes were a part of His Jewish community. I bet Jesus knew them and looked up to them when He was growing up, and they still opposed Him.  But Jesus wasn’t alone; He had His apostles to help Him.  He was strengthened by His community, and He used it to draw others into His love. 

To sum up, men who Jesus knew and loved were giving Him a hard time, but Jesus persevered, kept His faith, continued to serve the Lord, and relied on His community.

Some questions to think about:           

When are times you’ve faced opposition?   Have you faced opposition about your faith?  What did you do when it arose?  How does community help you through?   Where can you find community after camp?

In Christ,

Beth J

P.S.  Remember to check back Friday – we’re going to tie it all together! 

P.P.S.  Don’t forget to comment!

Can I get a WITNESS??

Hey Ladies!

I’m so excited to be working on this devotional for you!  You ladies were definitely an inspiration to me last week, and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation!   We would love for you to comment below!

This week we’re focusing on Mark 2: 1-12; you can check it out online right here:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/2.  Definitely read through it so you know what I’m talking about :)

So, how about those men who carried the paralytic?!  They seem a lot like our awesome Sherpa staff to me!  When they went to Jesus, He wasn’t even healing people.  It was also super crowded, but they persevered.  I would guess the men probably couldn’t even SEE Jesus, but their faith was so great they carried a man onto a roof and lowered him down!  Let’s just think about this for a second.  How heavy were your packs were during the backpacking trip, how much did you have to pull on the Tyrolean Traverse to get across, or how challenging was it trying to lift people through the web between the trees during the low ropes course?!  Imagine lifting a man straight up onto the roof without even knowing how long Jesus would stay there, what He would say, or how He would react when a man suddenly appeared through a roof that these men had ripped open!  Think about it; they tore open a roof to get to Christ!  That’s a lot of faith!  What a huge witness! 

**Note: please do not think this means you can go tearing roofs off of peoples’ homes if you feel called – just… no.** :)

But in all seriousness – please think about these questions, and let us know what you think in the comments! :)

Who are people in your life who have lifted you up by their faith?  What characteristics do they possess?  What makes them role models in your life?

What are examples of perseverance in your life?  How has God inspired you to continue persevering?

In Christ,

Beth :)

P.S.  Remember to check back Wednesday for more about this passage! 

P.P.S.  Don’t forget to comment!