Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Working at a Camp or Conference Center

Most people spend their summers on a beach somewhere, at a job earning the big bucks, or on their precious couch. The last thing some are thinking of doing would be working at a summer camp or conference center. What could be fun about making sure a bunch of kids take a shower and get where they need to be on time? The worker’s camp experience is more than that. It grows you in many different ways.

“Five Good Reasons to Work a Summer at a Christian Camp or Conference Center” by the Focus Series put out by Christian Camps and Conference Association gives us some reason why this task is hard, yet rewarding. First, working at a camp or conference gets you in touch with people. I liked how the article said “As a staffer, you become a partner with those you serve and a servant to those you lead.” That is very true, one of the biggest blessings in life is to serve others. You develop strong relationships with the staff you work with too. Reason number two, Peaceful setting, I don’t agree with this one as much. Because you are so caught up with all the activities you don’t notice the peaceful setting. Thirdly, it will provide you with an adventure. It would be an adventure of a lifetime. Fourth reason prompts spiritual growth. However, this should be one of your primary reasons because it stretches you like none other. One way it stretches you spiritually because you have to maintain your own relationship with God in order to help others. Lastly, reason number five, it will prepare you for the rest of your life. This is true because you learn how to work with people and children from all different backgrounds. Also because it stretched you spiritually your relationship with God is stronger. When you look back you will always remember the summer you worked at a camp or conference center.

Where Have I Been The Past Months...

Greetings from the gorgeous mountains of West Virginia! The brightly colored leaves were so beautiful during the fall! I can not wait until it snows! I now go to school at Appalachian Bible College! God has been stretching me a lot this semester through the preaching, classes, and devotions. My professors are wonderful and it is obvious they have a love for what they do and a desire for us to grow in our relationship to Christ. This semester I am taking Bible Study Methods, English Comp 1, Foundation of Camping, Practical Christian Service, Freshman Seminar, Apologetics, Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, Basic Skills, and Camping P.E.

They have skills classes for Camping majors that are one credit hour. However that’s where the fun is. This semester my skills classes are Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, and Basic Skills. Some skills classes they offer are Whitewater Rafting, Caving, Wilderness First Aid, Horsemanship, Rock Climbing, Backpacking and many more. My Favorite class would be Camping P.E and Ecology class. My homework for Ecology consists of finding a spot in the woods and going there every week for an hour to observe nature. It is a great time to do my devotions too.

One lesson I have learned this semester was from Ecology class. Trees get scars from lots of different things. The huge gashes do loads of damage. Yet, most trees still live, the scars heal, and the tree to fulfill the job God has given it. Happily, God does the same thing with his children. We may do something that leaves a huge scar on our life, but God lovingly heals it and use it to his advantage. We can reach and touch lives we may not have been able to before.

At ABC we are required to take part in a Practical Christian Service while we are students here. Appalachian believes that one of the best ways to train for ministry is to apply it. Some help their church in Awanas, teaching Sunday school, youth groups, and in the children’s department. We also have different ministry teams you can get involved in, such as: the evangelism team, nursing home team, Children’s Evangelism Fellowship team, Drama team, and Puppet team. I would like to get involved in either the nursing home team or the children’s program at Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, where I attend.

Some things I would appreciate your prayers on are that I would grasp what is being taught, do well on my homework, and that God will show me what ministry I should get involved with.

No Excuses, No Explinations: Tony Dungy

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” What if you were judged by the color of your skin? What if it seemed like you were just receiving blow after blow? For Tony Dungy this made life harder. Yet, he didn’t let it faze him. He knew God made him special even if he did not have natural God-given abilities. He knew he had to work harder and play even harder to become uncommon. This is the story of his journey; where Tony Dungy learned what life was all about. Not about football, no matter how great the game is, life is about God and His glory.

Dungy grew up in a Christian home in Jackson, Michigan. His mom, CleoMae Dungy, taught English and Public Speaking at Jackson High School. Wilbur Dungy was a professor of physiology at Jackson Community College. Tony’s dad taught him not to let external issues be a problem and always to control your attitude towards your circumstance. His parents also taught him about God at a very early age. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the young age of five. However, it wasn’t until years later when Tony learned what it meant to make Christ number one in his life.

In 1978, while playing for the Pittsburg Steelers, Dungy contracted Mononucleosis. He was naturally shy and never had a serious girlfriend. So this came as a bit of a surprise to him. After three weeks, his white blood cell count was still too high and he was getting really frustrated and even difficult to be around. Late one night, Dungy was talking to another player for the Steelers, Donnie Shell. Tony was very upset about being out for so long and not being able to play. Donnie explain that even though Tony claimed to be a Christian, he started showing what was really first place in his life when his football career started going sour. He then started understanding what it really meant to be a Christian. For the very first time he looked at football as a gift from God instead of something that makes him. Tony’s purpose in life is to glorify God.
He faced a lot more than having Mono in 1978, that was just his starting point of harder things to come. The next thing that happened was losing his job as head coach for the Buccaneers in 2002 just a couple days after the death of his beloved mother and losing his father in 2004. Yet, the hardest blow of all those was at 1:45 in the morning on December 22, when the Dungy’s received a phone call that there son, Jamie, had taken his life. They have no explanations to why he choose this, but they know Jamie is in Heaven with his heavenly Father. At their son’s funeral service, the family had “I Will Bless The Lord At All Times” played. Tony wanted people to remember that even in the sad and difficult times God can offer joy in the midst of a gloomy occasion.

Three principles I have learned from the life of Tony Dungy is actually some points he found in of the book of Nehemiah. 1) Nehemiah’s opportunity came in God’s time, not his own. 2) Nehemiah diligently prepared his mind and his heart so he would be ready when God’s time arrived. 3) Nehemiah needed to be prepared to take on the problems, doubt, and adversity that would come his way both from the outside and from within (Dungy, 87). If God is not the center of my life, then I will fail at everything because I would be relying on my strength thinking I can do it by myself. I need to trust God with His timing and not my own. If I don’t prepare myself for the task my Savior assigns me then I would not be serving Him to my absolute best. I, Rebecca Bishop, pray that I can look at life the way Tony Dungy does. That even in the midst of a trial that I will seek God, put Him first in my life, and when I get to Heaven I will have no excuses for my time on earth.

Amazing Quote

"I may not see the entire painting right now, but I know the Artist is putting the paint exactly where He wants it on my canvas." - Kyle Cline

Your Word For Victory

Hebrews 4:12a says "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword..". Here is a list a verses from accountability to worry/anxiety and everything in between. I hope you find it as helpful as I have.

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  Accountability- Ecclesiastes 4:5-12, Galatians 6:1


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  Addictions- Proverbs 5:22-25, Romans 6:16, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23


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  Anger-Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:17,16:32,19:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9,Matthew 5:22,James 1:19-20


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  Assurance- John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:12-13, Titus 3:5, 1 John 5:13


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  Authority- Romans 15:1-2, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 2:18-25


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  Bitterness- Acts 8:18-24(23), Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:14-15


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  Complaining- Proverbs 19:3, Philippians 2:14


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  Confession- Psalm 32:5, 41:4, 51:10-13, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:9


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  Dedication/Daily Surrender- Matthew 6:24, 33, Romans 6:13, 12:1-2, Philippians 3:8-10, Colossians 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:21


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  Dependence- Psalm 127:1, Jeremiah 10:23, John 3:27, 15:1-11, 2 Corinthians 3:5


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  Depression- Genesis 4: 6-7, Psalm 32:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Philippians 4:8


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  Daily Devotions- Psalm 19:14, 55:17, 63:1, 119:147, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:10


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  Divorce- Malachi 2:16, Matthew 5:31-32, 19:9, Mark 10:2-12, Romans 7:1-3


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  Drinking and Drugs- Proverbs 20:1, 23:31-32, Habakkuk 2:15, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:18


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  Fatherless- Psalm 10:14, 27:10, 68:5, Proverbs 23:10-11


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  Fear- Matthew 10:30-31, Ephesians 3:12, 2 Timothy 1:7


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  Fear of Man- Psalm 27:1, 56:3-4, 11, Proverbs 29:25


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  Finances- Matthew 6:30-33, Philippians 4:11-13, 19


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  Forgiveness- Psalm 103:12, Jeremiah 31:34, 1 John 1:9


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  Forgiving Others- Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-25, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13


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  Friends/Peer Pressure- Proverbs 1:10,13:23, 14:9, 22:24-25,14:1-2,27:17, 29:24


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  Gossip/Tongue- Proverbs 16:28,17:9, 21:23, James 3:2-12


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  Guy/Girl Relationships- Matthew 5:27-30, Romans 13:14, 16:19, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 13:4


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  Homosexuality- Lev. 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:24-32 (26-27), 1 Corinthians 6:9-11


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  Laziness/Work- Proverbs 18:9, 26:13-16, Colossians 3:23-24


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  Lying- Proverbs 6:16-19, 12:22, 19: 5,9, Acts 5:1-11, Ephesians 4:25, Revelation 21:8, 22:15


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  Media (TV, Gaming, Web)- Psalm 101:3-7, Proverbs 4:24-27, 10:27, Galatians 5:19- 21, 2 Peter 2:7-8


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  Music- Psalm 40:3, Proverbs 19:27, Ephesians 5:19, Philippians 1:10, 4:8, Colossians 3:16, 1 John 2:15-17


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  Parents- Proverbs 15:5, 20, 20:17,36, Ephesians 6:1-3, Hebrews 13:17


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  Prayer- Proverbs 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8, 21:22, Luke 11:5-13, James 5:16, 1 John 5:14-15


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  Pride- Psalm 10:2,4, 59-12, Proverbs 11:2, 13-10, 16:18, 29:23, 1 John 2:16


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  Profanity/Swearing/Speech- Exodus 20:7, Proverbs 4:24, Matthew 12:34-37, Ephesians 4:29, 5:3-4


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  Rebellion- 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Proverbs 1:24-26, 29-33


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  Salvation- John 3:14-18, 14:6, Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:13


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  Self-Control- Proverbs 25:28, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-7


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  Selfishness- Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 13:5, Philippians 2:21


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  Soul-Winning- Mark 16:15, John 4:35, Romans 10:13-15


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  Stealing- Exodus 20:15, Ephesians 4:28


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  Temptation- 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 John 4:4


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  Thoughts/Pornography- Job 31:1, Proverbs 4:23, 16:3, 23:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8


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  Trials- Psalm 119:67-76, James 1:2-3, 1 Peter 1:6-7


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  Words- Psalm 19:14


When to Answer: Proverbs 14:17, 18:13


How to Answer: Proverbs 15:1, 16:32, James 1:5


How Much to Answer: Proverbs 10:19, 15:28, 29:11


Good Results: Proverbs 12:25, 15:23


Bad Results: Proverbs 16:28


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  Worldliness- Titus 2:11-12, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17


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  Worry/Anxiety- Psalm 42:5, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7

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An Abortion Story

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.

The crime is the same!

"Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."

Jesus sacrificed Himself for the good of sinners! That's perfect love!

And In This Crazy Life And Through These Crazy Times..

(D.J., me, and Stacey. Drinking from a trophy, 100 one dollar bills, a bunch of change, and how could you forget the enormous amount of junk food to sell. Yep life with these two is never dull!)

WOW, I can't believe its April!! March has been absolutely crazy for me! On March 4, 2011, I asked God to open a door for me to minister to someone in some way. Then on March 6, I was talking to a lady I knew who ran a elder care with her husband out of their home. She said they were hiring for more help. I talked with my parents and prayed about it, went in for the interview on Monday and was hired on the spot. It consist of alot of cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the three ladies. My mom calls me the domestic Martha Stewart! I feel like I'm helping my bosses out more by cleaning alot of there personal living space, which seems to be shoved towards the back of their to-do list. There are many funny stories from my job but so far my favorite was when my boss was interviewing me and he said "Oh, your homeschooled? We homeschooled our kids too." Then later he asked how many siblings I had so I said "I have a brother who is a year older then me." He just kinda looked at me and was like "and..." then I told him that was it just me and my brother. He said "Oh, I was expecting ten more names to be listed!" On March 12, I took my SAT, longest morning of my life. I didn't do great (mostly because I was a nervous wreck), so I'm hopefully taking the ACT this Saturday the 9th. We had revival this past week with Dr Ron Comfort, who started Ambassador Baptist College. He was very good and we saw at least over 10 people saved. Tuesday I found out that my application for Leadership at STEP (Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness) so I worked on that till 2:30 Wednesday morning. When I got back on later on I found that the computer never saved the file (even though I know for a FACT I hit the Ctrl + S button) anywho I ended up faxing it in later that day. I still haven't heard back but I think its God testing my patience. The application consisted of two pages worth of questions and I figured I would share some of them with yall and my answers =)

9. Give details of your salvation experience.

I was born into a Christian home and had always heard that Jesus died for my sins. I thought I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was four. However, when I was fourteen, I started thinking a lot about it and realized it never became real for me. I had all the knowledge in my head but never in my heart. I believe I really accepted Christ as my Savior on June 29, 2007. Since then, God has done so many wonderful things in my life! One of the biggest things He has done for me was to deliver me from past hurts. In this, I am really thankful to God for His unfailing love for me, the healing he has brought, and everything He has blessed me with. I love serving and glorifying Him in all I do.

10. Explain why you desire to apply for service with the STEP Staff. Include the goals and vision the Lord has set for your life, and how God has been preparing you for leadership.

When I went through STEP it impacted my life so much that I would love for the Lord to use me as a tool and serve the next set of girls coming through. Nonetheless, I know I could never lead on my own, but with God as my helper, I will have His strength in me to be a servant. Even though I am homeschooled, I participate in my church’s Christian school. Because I am a senior this year I have stepped up to the roll of leadership on my volleyball and basketball teams. I remember when I was in 7th grade there was this senior, Justine, that I really looked up to and my mom said to “remember how she treated you and made you feel important. Because someday you’re going to be that age and have 7th graders looking up to you too.” Well she was right, they really do watch you, how you act, what you say, and when you talk to them, it brightens up their day just like Justine did with me.

11. Expound on what the following terms mean to you and to what level of surrender the Lord has brought you with each one:

One God – I believe in the trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in one. He created the universe, died for our sins that we may have life with Him, and He comforts and teaches us.

Day of Rest - God wants us to work hard and knew we would need a day of rest and rejuvenation. I think every day we should worship Him and glorify Him, but Sundays should be a time to set aside especially for Him.

Godly Relationships with Opposite Gender - I believe it is very important to have a God-centered friendship with guys to encourage, pray, and uplift them in the Lord. Also, I want to stay very guarded in my thoughts towards them.

Godly Music – Godly music should be anything that brings glory and honor to God, and does not go against what the Bible says. God has not brought me to a place where I only listen to Christian music. I listen to some country and other genres. There is some music I will not listen to because I don’t like it.

Honoring Parents - I believe God put my parents above me to guide and direct me. It’s my responsibility to respect and obey their decisions.

Clear Conscience – I need to have nothing between God and me so we can have the closet relationship. I also want to be reconciled with people that I have wronged.

Moral Purity - I desire to glorify God and please Him as His child to have pure thoughts and actions out of my love for Him.

It was very good for me to think more about what I believe. Because I have been raised in a Christian home and gone to church my whole life, I never really thought about what I believe on these areas. I greatly encourage you to think about the answers you would put down for number 11. If you don't mind I would love to hear your answers =)

(Blue team from STEP 2010!! Amazing group of girls, I miss them alot! What is STEP?? Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) is a four-week outdoor adventure program for young women ages 15 and older. This challenging program is designed to build confidence on individual and team levels, in preparation to respond to life’s emergencies, while learning to put their trust in the Lord. STEP will help enrich each young woman in spiritual and personal disciplines, physical fitness and emergency skills that will prepare them to fulfill the calling God has for their life. I encourage every young women to go to this program. It is MORE then worth it!! http://www.alertacademy.com/step/)

P.S. This month I will be traveling to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina to compete in the AACS (American Association of Christian Schools). I will be competing along side my band in Single A Orchestra/Band and Large Instrument Ensemble. We have been going for about 8 years now and have placed every year!! Then the following week I will be traveling with my fellow senior buddies to the Big Apple!! Busy Busy!! =)

Homecoming 2011: A Night We Soon Shall Not Forget

Homecoming is a night the Seniors will not soon forget. I am homeschooled but participate with my church's christian school. My class consist of only three of us, but I wouldn't trade these two for a huge class. Stacey, D.J. and I have the same vision, be an example to the younger students, encourage them, and glorify God in all we do. Our principle, Robert Brinkley, honors the seniors on our special night. The girls get escorted out by our dad and D.J. escorted his dad out (his mom was unable to attend because she broke her leg in one of the big snow storms we had). Mr. Brinkley talked about our accomplishments. After the ceremony D.J. played in the basketball game while Stacey and I cheered from our beautiful stage, Phantom of the Opera style!

I love my dress for many reasons. A, it is gorgeous and it is yellow (my favorite color!) B, It was $60 at JCPenney's!!

(From left to right) Mrs. Hoell, Mr Hoell, Stacey, my mom, me, my dad, D.J., and Mr. Davis.
(L to R) Mr. Brinkley, Stacey, D.J. and me
My dad, mom, and I (My brother is not here right now, he is at college in Wisconsin)
My hair. I played basketball before changing and my clarinet teacher, Mrs. Whitlock, did my hair after. As you can tell it came out very nicely.

My dad escorting me out

(L to R) Mr. Hoell, Stacey, Mrs. Hoell, Mr. Davis, D.J., my dad, me, and my mom

Mr. Brinkley giving D.J. his gift. (It was a alarm clock)

Stacey and her parents

My dad had a cold during this but did it for me anyways. =)

Blurry, but I like this picture.

My mom started crying. She told me later she played "My Little Girl" by Tim Mcgraw that day and was crying then too.

Senior class of 2011. I love you guys! =)

My "big sister" and I. We have had great bible studies, talks, and shopping outings together. I'm so thankful for her! =)

Chloe Belle, Victoria, Christiana, and me. I love these girls! They told me I looked like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. How cute =)

My best friend Rebekah and me. She did my make-up and took all these pictures. I love her to death.

Oh by the way Elizabeth, Rebekah, Christiana, and Victoria are sisters. I love big families!

Coach and me!!! I love this man (We matched, how awesome is that!!! Totally not planned) I think I'm going to have to do another post about how much this man has impacted my life. Yep, Sounds like a plan to me!