What are you doing in your life that would be a miserable failture without God?

Are you doing anything that would surely fail if God didn't show up?

How is God REAL in your life? How can you see him? Are you living your life setting him up to get the glory? Or can you do what you do by yourself?

Last week, I took my car into a car shop to get some work done. I left it there a few days while I was out of town at Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. The questions I just asked resonated in my heart all week long at Catalyst. When I went back in to the shop, I found my windows rolled down a bit, my car doors open, and all of my soccer equipment and golf clubs had been STOLEN from my car! The car shop was quick to pass off any responsibility - so I was left thinking about what to do.

In my heart, I feel like it is really their fault and to make it right, they should pay the $1250 worth of things that were stolen under their watch. After some thought and prayer, I wrote Terry, the owner, a letter. He read it and quickly asked, "So you want me to pay you $1250?!" I said, "No. Terry, I want you think about it for a week. I'll think about it for a week. I'll come in next Monday."

I have an ARMY of people praying for Terry! I texted all of our Resident Counselors from last summer to ask them to pray and EVERY ONE of them responded saying they would. If God's Holy Spirit doesn't move in Terry's heart, this will be a failure. God's Word says that if we ask, we'll receive. I choose to believe that.

I'm not convinced that I will certainly walk out with a check for $1250 on Monday, but I am convinced without a doubt that in some way, God will answer our prayers. Either through Terry or someone reading this blog or another unforeseen circumstance, God will provide. He is real. He hears us. He wants to come through for us. He wants to get the glory. Will you join me in praying for Terry?!

Everything here at Beulah Beach this week has been so extreme and edgy! There is so much fun and craziness going on that it is impossible to fit it all into this blog post. The Edge campers have been fully engaged in their various clubs. The Dominion Club is often seen running around campus wielding homemade bows and arrows and wearing tribal face paint. The Girl’s Club is working on everything that includes sugar, spice, and everything nice. The Worship Club is also having a great time as they work on all things music and worship focused.

The Extreme campers had an overnight camping trip last night. They had a fantastic time building shelters, cooking over fires, and sleeping under the stars. They are also pouring great energy into their separate zones. The AquaZone is tackling the lake with a vengeance. They are wakeboarding, skiing, knee boarding, etc. The other campers are having a great time learning the high and low ropes courses and playing paintball in the awesome paintball fields. All of these great activities don’t even begin to explain all that is going on at Beulah Beach this week.

Tonight we had our weekly Crosswalk. It is a live depiction of the events of Good Friday. Many of the kids were moved by what they saw and chose to accept or turn back to the Lord! It was one of the best nights of life changing activity that we have seen all summer! God did a great work among us this evening. Needless to say, the bell rang for a long time tonight!

Here we go again! Another week of camp has begun and everyone is so excited for the fun that is going to take place! Edge and Extreme Camp week is well known by all the staff as being one of the greatest camps all summer. As demonstrated by today’s opening day activities, excitement and energy simply exude from this group of campers. The energy and spirit that each camper has brought with them is making Beulah Beach the greatest place to be this summer. All of the campers have successfully moved into their rooms and have already begun building great relationships with their counselors and others in their groups. All of the veteran campers have been so excited to help all of the first time campers feel right at home.

During tonight’s MIX (Evening Service) the camper’s were challenged not to wait until the end of camp before they start listening to what God wants to teach them this week. Every camper is so ready and willing to dive head first into this week of camp. It is going to be an amazing week!

Today was a warm day. However, no one at Beulah Beach let the heat steal the energy! So far, today has been the best day of the week. The water was perfect for water sports this morning! It is almost never as smooth as it was today. Each of the campers in Wake Jam were able to take their skills to the next level today.

All of the Boom campers had another great day of high ropes, sports, classes, etc. Today was the day that campers participated in the World Experience.  This is an opportunity for campers to learn about the hurt and difficulties that many other people in our world face. This was truly an eye opening experience. It is very impactful to really understand what it is like to live as a Christian in the persecuted church, to live as a street child in Africa, or to be someone caught in modern day slavery. Most of the campers have gained a much deeper appreciation for what they have.

Finally, the best part of the day by far, the bell was rung at Beulah Beach today. God has reached into many of the camper’s lives and has shown them the purposes that He has for their lives. Every day that the bell rings is another best day of the summer!

What a week it has been. Senior high camp is always a special time. All of the events are crazier, the games are faster, the skills are greater, and the campers just keep the energy coming!

Wake Jam is going very well. The water has been great this week for all of the sports that require it. All of the campers are honing their skills and are seeing great improvement.

BOOM camp is just the coolest thing since the invention of camp. All of the campers are building great relationships and are having many opportunities to learn and grow in many areas of their lives.

The spiritual atmosphere has been very thick at Beulah Beach this week. God has been working in many hearts as campers are learning how to view and live for God in entirely new ways. Every camper here has experienced the work of God in their heart in some way already this week.

The fun has just begun. There are still several more days to go. Every camper here is right in the middle of the best week of his or her summer.

Tonight’s dance party was by far the best dance party that we have had all year! Neon Deon and the Italian Stallions pulled it out in the state championship round of the hopscotch finals. Everyone came out dressed in their neon best and helped to cheer them on to victory. The band played some fantastic songs and all of the campers jumped and celebrated away the evening.

The campers were also challenged in the area of service today. There were several opportunities provided to practice serving others. It is so neat to see how the campers are responding to the Word of God. God has done so much in many of their hearts that their entire focus has changed. This week at Splash Camp 2 has been one of the best weeks of the summer!

All of the Beulah Beach campers splashed in a variety of ways today! Today the campers made the trek to Kalahari Water Resort. Upon arrival, the campers spent several hours riding waterslides, floating through the lazy river, and surfing on the FloRider. Counselors and campers alike had a fantastic opportunity to bond as they spent several hours just having fun.

All of today’s activities led to an amazing experience at tonight’s Crosswalk. Many of the campers have seen great works of God in their lives this week. God has reached down and touched many lives. The campers have all grown so much in their understanding of who Jesus is, what is means to worship Him, and how to follow Him on a day to day basis. This understanding has challenged many campers to correct their style of living. The bell was ringing tonight!

The awesomeness factor of any given day at Beulah Beach is typically very high. Well, today was no exception. Today may have actually raised the bar. First, we had another full day of water activities. All of the campers have rallied around each other and have made this camp the perfect place to learn new water sports. Any bystander can regularly hear the campers shouting encouragements to each other as they try once again to get up on skis, kneeboards, or wakeboards.

Today was also the World Experience day. The campers all had the opportunity to learn and understand how children their age survive in a third world country. This experience served to help all of them broaden their perspectives and gain a new gratitude for the things that they have.

This group of campers has a definite grasp on the idea of worshiping and pursuing God. Every time there is an opportunity to learn more about Jesus, this group of campers jumps in and gets involved. Consequently, God is doing some amazing things in the lives of campers this week!

Today’s activities made a huge splash as this week’s campers began all of their water sports classes. It seems as though Beulah Beach has a small fleet of boats as the lake was filled with jet skis, sailboats, motorboats, and canoes. The campers had a fantastic time on the water today as many of them attempted new sports for the first time.

The first full day of Splash 2 camp has been a great one. Many new friendships and relationships are being formed. These campers are so excited to learn and be challenged in the things of God. Great things have already begun.

Let’s start by saying that the energy in this group of campers is fantastic! They all are raring to get involved in every aspect of camp. As soon as the campers were whisked away from Check-In, they began a marvelous journey through different sections of camp and were taught different “survival” skills. All of these skills turn into different dance moves for the dearly loved Interlude Dance. This was just the beginning of an evening full of crazy activities.

At tonight’s MIX (evening service), the campers were ushered into worship by the worship band from Indiana Wesleyan University, Veritas. The opening song, Dancing Generation, allowed all of the campers to release all of their energy while singing praises to their Savior. During the message this evening, the campers were challenged to see the benefits of camp in a whole new way. If this week continues as it started, it will be a week to beat all weeks.