This past weekend we had our first experience with turkey hunting at Briar Ridge. It was a great weekend and turkey hunting just took up a little of the time. We had a couple of guys go up early to prepare the camp and everyone else ended up at camp by early Friday night. We ended up with nine kids and a total of nineteen at the camp for the weekend.
Friday evening started out with a lesson on how to live as a Christian, and then it was lights out. Saturday morning came super early, and everyone left out hoping for a kill. They all came back in time for breakfast and everyone was excited to have heard turkeys. After breakfast was a second devotion, and then the children headed out to play a little whiffle ball before heading for the fishing ponds that have been donated for the ministry use this summer. The fishing was great with close to thirty catches of either bass, bream, or white perch. Then it was back to the woods for a little more hunting. Back at camp, supper was on the table and a sermon ready to be preached. It was a great night and everyone went to bed excited about the last hunt. Sunday morning came early and off they went for the final hunt. Everyone came back in by breakfast and sadly it ended with no kills, but a great weekend overall. We had our final breakfast and our final message. Overall it was wonderful weekend, and we can’t wait to see everyone who spent time with us again.
Of course, the messages are my favorite part. And this weekend’s message to me all lined up with what was preached on Saturday night. In Galatians, you can find a list of fruits that all Christians should bear. But the two questions we have to ask ourselves is number one, are we bearing that fruit? And the second is are you planting that fruit? Others should be able to see the fruits of the spirit at work in our lives. I’m not saying that we will always do everything exactly right, but in most situations, we should be reflecting a life that is influenced by God’s love and his Word. We should let his Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control shine out where others can see. And I believe that is one of the most important things a Christian can do. But, more important than that is sowing that fruit into others’ lives. Are we sowing Peace into the relationships we engage in? Do we sow self-control when disagreements come? You see, sadly in life we hear of seeds of distrust, seeds of doubt, seeds that are the exact opposite of what a Christian should reflect. I pray that you take a moment today to check yourself. Have you been sowing seeds that you want to reap, seeds that will bring a harvest you would be proud to lay at Christ’s feet? I hope we all have, but if we see a moment in life, where we let flesh come in and plant seeds in the garden of our lives, let us pray that God can remove those seeds, that he can sift through the wheat and the tares of our life, and keep that which profits the kingdom. Prayers up for your life, and that you may grow and sow as God would have you.
Love in Christ,
Briar Ridge
P.S. If you know any youth between the ages of eight and fifteen that you believe would benefit from spending time at Briar Ridge please feel free to contact us. Our weekends are completely free to all participants and we would love to bring others to a deeper relationship in Christ. If you are an adult and have interest in becoming a mentor, or even just coming up to see what we are all about, just let us know.
