Shine

Fine Arts Camp is totally my baby, I think about it all year, trying to improve it and make it more awesome the following year.

I have finally settled on a theme for this year:  SHINE.  I think it is appropriate because in many fine arts, there is a performer, on a stage, with a literal light shining on them.  As followers of Jesus, we are also in the spotlight often--for good reasons but also for bad reasons.  When a person following Jesus messes up, the world knows about it.   But also, when a Christ follower does something great, that person is shining a little ray of hope into a dark world.

The past two years, I have just on my own created "the plan" for which Bible verses we will highlight each day of camp, and which stories we will talk about.  But this year, I would like some input.  For the next 5 or six weeks, I will be posting some passages that are on my heart, and my thoughts on them....and I would love any feedback you may have.  In particular, I am looking for these thoughts:

1.  How does this passage impact my life?

2.  What action step does this passage help me want to make?  (reading your Bible more, serving others, forgiving someone you have held a grudge against for forever, etc).

Sometimes, the things that stick out to me in a passage are not the same as what others might see, so I am looking for as many people as possible to chime in with what you think this passage is about.

One more thing---this year, I am hoping to have a 20 day devotional to send home with the kids on the last day of camp---simple, short 5 minute things.   I know I *could* write the whole thing, but I know there are people out there who love to write, and love Jesus, and it would be a better benefit to the kids and devotional if all of the entries are different--from different people with different points of view.  If you are inspired by any of the passages I post and have a personal story or an idea that would make a great devotional, please send them my way! You can email them to me at sgali@trinitypelllake.com.  I am thinking the best format would be the following:

Scripture (6 verses max)

devotional--could be a story from your life, an object lesson, directions to look up a song on yoututbe to listen to, etc, (300 words MAX)

Prayer

Action step--for example, "Find time today to say thank you to your mom or dad for something"--something easy and simple they need to do that day that ties in with the scripture

I would like to have this devotional mostly put together by the end of March, so please send me your stuff before then!  Also--this is a camp for kids who have completed 1st grade-6th grade...so I normally shoot for 3rd grade level with my planning....a bit of stretch for the 1st graders, but not too "baby" for the 6th graders :)

Ok---now to the good stuff!

The day I decided on the theme SHINE, I got my morning devotion in my email and this is the passage.  Total God moment.  This will be Monday's passage to introduce the theme for the week.  This is from Isaiah 6:1-6...and this is the New Living Translation because I think it is easier for kids to understand (and also me!)....although all of the Bibles are church are NIV....

Verses 1 and 2 will be the theme verses for the whole week.  Every kid will go home knowing at least those two verses from memory!

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
    For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
    but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
3 All nations will come to your light;
    mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

4 “Look and see, for everyone is coming home!
    Your sons are coming from distant lands;
    your little daughters will be carried home.
5 Your eyes will shine,
    and your heart will thrill with joy,
for merchants from around the world will come to you.
    They will bring you the wealth of many lands.
6 Vast caravans of camels will converge on you,
    the camels of Midian and Ephah.
The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense
    and will come worshiping the Lord.

Ok!  Let me hear your thoughts!  What do these verses mean to you?  How do this impact your life today?  What good news is here?  What does this passage make you want to do TODAY?!

Thanks ya'll!