Cascades Camp Blog

“Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
 he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD…”

Hosea 6:1-3a

These few short verses at the beginning of the sixth chapter of Hosea are so rich with meaning.  I am not going to pretend that I have anywhere near a comprehensive understanding of what all is being said within them, but no doubt, they are worth exploring and learning from!  As sinners we wander from God (Isaiah 53:6) and here comes the call to return to the Lord.  Our lives are torn and rampaged – they fall short of the “perfect life” that we have envisioned for ourselves.  We fail, we lose friends, we don’t get the job, we lack – He has torn us – but in so doing His promise is to heal us.  

I must admit that I struggle a bit with the concept of God tearing us that He may heal us, but I do know that our Creator God is Sovereign.  He is Omniscient.  Outside the realm of time, God knows all, and is faithful to work for the good (Romans 8:28) that ultimately only He can fully know because He is not constrained by time as we are.  He can see all things as they have been, are, and will be, and has complete knowledge and power to work things for His glory. In this there is comfort knowing that He will  heal us.

Then there is the call to know, to press on to know the Lord.  It is worth noting that we must press on to know the Lord. Knowledge of God does not come easily.  It comes through a dedicated pursuit, and often comes after brokeness – being torn, struck down – then once we are healed and raised up, if we choose to seek God’s wisdom as it relates to our brokeness, we can learn from these experiences (Philipians 3:8).  But we must press on to know Him, that is our call, that is what gives us life.  For when we know God, when we truly know Him and the gift of His Son, we cannot help but walk according to His purpose, constantly returning to the Lord when we stray, but living only to know and glorify Him.

I pray that we all would spur eachother on to return to the Lord, to let Him heal, revive and raise us up, and in the midst of all this to press on to know the Lord, always.

Blessings,

Claudia

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:1-2

I am continually amazed by the way God uses His people to speak truth into the lives of others.  And while I have been so immensely fortunate to be poured into by those around me, it is not enough to just soak that in – but I must remember to let God’s blessings that have so abundantly poured down on me, overflow to all those I come in contact with, and especially strangers.

Jesus wasn’t the type to only hang around with His friends – keeping all the wisdom given Him by God to Himself.  Quite the contrary!  While Jesus did have his closest friends in His disciples, He went and loved, without reservation, all those He met.  What are we saying to a stranger if we rush by them without even acknowledging their presence?  Whether we are trying to or not, their is a chance they could feel invalued.  And while they may be just a stranger to you, they could in fact be an angel to someone else, and at the very least (or more rightly stated, the very most) they are God’s children, made in His image, deserving of all grace as their ransom has already been paid. 

So, smile to that stranger.  Show them God’s love in any and all ways you can.  Who knows, you may be entertaining angels without even knowing it!

Blessings,

Claudia

“So God created man in his own image,
   in the image of God he created him;
   male and female he created them.
And God blessed them.”

Genesis 1:27-28a

For the last couple of weeks, we’ve had 2 or 3 summer staff join us.  As each individual has begun working, I have been blessed by their presence and the new giftings they bring to our team out here.  As I was reflecting on that this morning, I was reminded of something I learned when reading a good book once, and that is the idea that every one we come in contact with gives us an opportunity to see God.  

When I look at Moose Jockey, I see quiet strength (Exodus 15:2) and humbleness (Psalm 25:9).

When I look at Henna I see such deep joy (1 Peter 1:8) and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) in God.

When I look at Zaphod I see an honest pursuit of a relationship with our Maker (1 John 3:24).

When I look at Howzer I see a hard worker (Acts 20:35) devoted to service (Romans 12:11).

When I look at Libro I see perseverance and a steadfast follower of God (James 1:25).

And these are just the first five summer staff to arrive!

Just think of how much our hearts would be blessed to take time to identify the ways God speaks to us simply through the lives of each person who crosses our path – not to mention those who are a constant presence in our lives.  God has given us fellowship so that we may grow through the communities we are a part of – let’s not waste such a precious gift – let’s, rather, be intentional about getting to know God through His people.

Look for God.  Look towards the people you know and will meet and find Him there.  

Blessings,

Claudia

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
-2 Corinthians 12:10-

I’m not really sure why, but over the last week or so, the word “strength” has been on my mind and heart.  I am becoming more and more aware that I need to reevaluate my understanding of what it means to be strong.  I imagine that if I were to ask a few random folks what their understanding of “strength” is, their first reaction, and perhaps mine as well, would be to give answers along these lines:  physical power, self sufficiency, authority, wealth or financial success, etc…but I am not convinced that any of these things even begin to come close to a true understanding of strength.

Looking into God’s Word, it is clear that this world’s understanding of strength is not guided by God (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).  As Christian’s, our understanding of strength, should be drawn from God alone – and can be defined as closeness to the things that God is close to!

Let me explain a bit further…

When your heart is driven by God, you have strength of heart.  When your mind pursues the things of above, you have strength of mind.  When your character is aligned with that of Christ, you have strength of character.  When your faith relies on God alone, you have strength of faith.  And so on.

When we realize that as humans of this world, we are indeed weak, and it is only in Christ that we can accomplish anything, then and only then can we count ourselves as strong.

So, we shall delight in our weaknesses, because in them we are more prone to open ourselves to God, asking Him to come and intervene, and be the Strong God that we desire, need, and cannot be on our own!

Blessings,

Dirt

“ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…”

-1 Timothy 2:1-

As Christians we are taught that prayer is instrumental to our relationship with God, and rightly so.  But as I read through the words of 1 Timothy 2:1, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…” I am reminded how quickly I forget that last little clause “for everyone“.  I have no problem praying for my family, my friends, the congregation of my church, the organizations I volunteer with, etc… but what about things that don’t directly affect me?  Or the bigger question, what about praying for people, organizations, movements, and so on that I don’t even like?!?  

Whether we choose to live this way or not, it is clear through the words of 1 Timothy 2:1, that we are called to go to God on behalf of EVERYONE.  I shouldn’t ask God to change people that I don’t like into people that I do like or to change circumstances that make me uncomfortable into circumstances that are comfortable.  I should pray on behalf of everyone I encounter, with thanksgiving, asking God to bless them immeasurably.  

For it is as we pray for others that our heart will mold ever so much more closely to the heart that God desires of us – one that places the needs of others before our own, as Christ did so unreservedly for us on the Cross.

Blessings,

Dirt

As we approach Easter, the Cross becomes more and more real.  Images of Jesus’ atoning work through His death on the cross are ever before us…but what does the cross mean?  What weight does this word atonement, this word that is so central and crucial to our faith,  really mean?  

In the hopes of beginning to answer this question, I’ve asked a wise friend, Cean “Torque” Williard, to share his thoughts on the subject.  It may be a bit longer than our regular blog posts, but it is well worth reading – enjoy:

“The Atonement is a wonderful doctrine.  By atonement I simply mean the work that Jesus did in his life and death to earn my salvation.  When I think about all the wonderful ways in which I was profoundly reconciled to God through Jesus, I have nothing but rejoicing.

 I rejoice for in it I see a great love of the Father.  He did not have to save me.  I did not have to be spared from the consequences of my sin, for certainly I did not deserve this wonderful redemption.  God did not spare the angels when they rebelled against Him, but cast them out of His presence (2 Peter 2:4), and in the last days will destroy them.  Satan and his demons are fallen angels.  No, God did not spare the angels who went astray, and certainly did not have to spare me either.  Yet He did.  In His great love for His people, God the Father made a way for us to be with Him for eternity, and for that I rejoice.

 I rejoice in that I have a righteousness that it not my own.  Quite simply, all the good work I can muster, all the right words and actions, thoughts and feeling, anything I do of my own accord means nothing.  Apart from Christ, there is no intrinsic worth or value, nothing to earn me any credit of righteousness.  Yet in Jesus I’m given a perfect righteousness.  While the Son was here on Earth, He lived a perfect life.  He never sinned.  He never ever sinned, not having one second of a wrongful thought or bad attitude.  There was nothing in His life to earn Him the ‘demerits’ of sin that I’ve so easily gained.  So Jesus was perfect.  But greater still is that Jesus not only lived a sinless life, He also upheld each and every law of God.  It’s not that Jesus simply lived sinlessly, remaining morally neutral in relation to the Father, but he earned a perfect righteousness by fulfilling the law.  How marvelous that this righteousness would then, in turn, be given to me.  I rejoice, for I have the righteousness of Christ to cover over my unrighteousness.

 I rejoice for the wrath of God which I ought to bare has been appeased.  In all my sin, God’s anger has been kindled, for God hates sin with a passion.  All his fury against the injustices I cause, against my rebellion, against my utter depravity, ought to be poured out upon my head.  Yet Jesus took that wrath and satisfied it.  As He hung on the cross, the scriptures teach us that Jesus bore the wrath of God (Isaiah 53, Rom. 3:25).  Literally, God put Jesus forth as the propitiation for our sins, “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in doing so changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.”  I must no longer fear the wrath of God, for Christ has taken it upon himself.  Now there is favor in the Father’s heart towards me.  I rejoice, for the punishment that I deserved has been served by another.

 I rejoice for I am reconciled to the Father.  That is the grand work of Christ on the Cross, the master plan of atonement.  In His great love, God made a way for the relationship which was destroyed because of sin to be reconciled.  How sweet that I can again walk alongside the Lord as our first parents did in the Garden of Eden.  Jesus came that He might bring me back to the Father, reestablishing the connection that was severed.  I rejoice, for I know that I am set right with God, reconciled to Him through the blood of the Lamb.

 I rejoice, still, in the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus.  The suffering He endured was intense.  Yet He did so willingly, righteously, and triumphantly.  What a model, what an example!  When I face trials of my own, I think upon all the Jesus did to earn my salvation.  I see in Him the perfect illustration of how to suffer in a way which glorifies God.  And if my Lord would suffer so much for my sake, how can I not suffer for those around me?  If He can pray, “Not my will, but yours be done,” how can I not follow suit?  How can I continue to turn and run at the first sign of trouble?  How can I pray that I would not be strengthened and refined by the trials of life, made perfect through suffering just as Jesus was (Hebrews 2:10)?  I know that suffering is coming in this life.  In a fallen world, it sadly is a part of life that I must endure.  Yet I rejoice in the sufferings of Christ, for He is the perfect example of how I must respond in the midst of trials.  If I can remember that He endured so much for my sake, then truly whatever suffering I undergo will seem as a momentary, light affliction, soon passing away, resulting in rejoicing.

 I rejoice that the righteousness of God is now vindicated for all eternity.  One of the triumphs of the cross is that God, who passed over former sins of all his people prior to Jesus, can now be seen as absolutely Just and completely Loving.  Were God simply to pass over the sins of old, not requiring a payment or reparations for wrongs, we could not call Him just today.  He could no longer remain just.  Yet that is what He did for all those who put their faith in Him before knowing of Jesus, men like Abraham, and King David.  Yet the apostle Paul affirms in Romans 3:25, that the atonement “was to show [God’s] righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (ESV).  The atonement of Jesus was the grand demonstration of God’s righteous judgment of the world, proving for all time the He is Good.  So I rejoice, knowing that in the end the righteousness of God’s justice will set all things right. 

 This is a time of rejoicing in the cross of Jesus Christ.  Though it is folly to some, we call it the Good News, for surely that is what it is.  The work of Jesus in his life and death certainly is good news, it is the gospel, it is the power of God for salvation, it is what we are to remember this Easter season.  Let us rejoice, giving thanks and praise to God the Father, to His Beloved Son, and to the Spirit by whose power we come to understand these deep mysteries of faith.  Let us remember the atonement, allowing its weight to rest upon our hearts in the coming days.  Let us continue to worship the Triune God who paid the ultimate price in order to bring us through this life and into salvation, the blessed communion with the Lord. 

 “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”  (Jude 1:24-25 ESV)”

So, in this season of Easter, rejoice, for Christ has risen.  He has risen indeed.  And who we are, as His followers will forever be changed because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross.

Blessings,

Claudia “Dirt” Fisher

“He went out, not knowing whither he went.”

-Hebrews 11:8-

Each morning in our staff devotions we read from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers.  This following entry struck me as being a wonderful lesson that I could easily stand to be reminded of daily.  Enjoy.

The Way of Abraham in Faith

“In the Old Testament, personal relationship with God showed itself in separation, and this is symbolized in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and from his kith and kin. Today the separation is more of a mental and moral separation from the way that those who are dearest to us look at things, that is, if they have not a personal relationship with God. Jesus Christ emphasized this (see Luke 14:26).

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading. It is a life of Faith, not of intellect and reason, but a life of knowing Who makes us “go.” The root of faith is the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success.

The final stage in the life of faith is attainment of character. There are many passing transfigurations of character; when we pray we feel the blessing of God enwrapping us and for the time being we are changed, then we get back to the ordinary days and ways and the glory vanishes. The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting. It is not a question of sanctification; but of something infinitely further on than sanctification, of faith that has been tried and proved and has stood the test. Abraham is not a type of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith, a tried faith built on a real God. ‘Abraham believed God.’ “ 

            Taken from Oswald Chambers’, “My Utmost for His Highest”  – March 19th

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ’Man shall not live by bread alone.’”                          Luke 4:1-4 (ESV)

Today is Ash Wednesday, signaling the beginning of Lent.  From what I can tell there are multiple theories as to the history of Lent and where the 40 day period before Easter originated – in the hopes of a bit of enlightenment on the subject, I turned to the lovely wikipedia.com and found that some some say it comes from the 40 days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai or the time Elijah spent traveling to Mt. Horeb, etc…, but most believe it comes from Jesus’ 40 day retreat into the wilderness.

During this time, as we read in the fourth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus was tempted by the devil – and being perfect as He is, he resisted this temptation.

Now, I have to think about the fact that at this point, Jesus was indeed a human and although He was completely without sin, He was NOT without hunger.  What is unique here is that if you ignore the temptation of the devil, it was completely within His power at any time during those 40 days to create, find, acquire – however you want to put it – food.  But He didn’t.  Jesus knew that the food offered by the devil would not satisfy.

You and I need to learn how to experience such a wilderness as this, so that when the devil tempts us with his unsatisfying food, and he will tempt us, we will be equipped and prepared to resist and wait for God’s nourishment – because it will come!  

So in this season of Lent, where many choose to voluntarily experience some form of wilderness, (whether that be fasting from sweets, tv, laziness, meat, etc…) we all must be aware of the reason WHY we intentionally deprive ourselves – and that is because the things of this world will never satisfty the way our Good God does.

My prayer for us all is that we will seek God in every wilderness we find ourselves wandering in, be comforted by the fact that Jesus has gone the path before us, and hold-fast to the Spirits guidance as we firmly and confidently say no to the bread of this world that comes from the evil one.

Blessings,

Dirt

Give Thanks*

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”

Give Thanks…

*Words and Music by Henry Smith

Posted above are the words to perhaps the most common song sung in churches across the United States on and around Thanksgiving.  It’s message is simple:  we are to give thanks gratefully, to God, for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ – it is because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that the weak can say, “I am strong” and the poor can say, “I am rich”.  I think it is safe to say that Christ turned this world on it’s head.  When our sins create separation from God, God chose for Christ to intercede on our behalf and He has righted this relationship so that you and I can be reunited with our Father in Heaven.  What we earn for ourselves is only death, but what we are given is eternal life…and Thanksgiving serves as a wonderful reminder of this gift.

I only pray that I strive to give thanks with a grateful heart not just tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, but every day following…

All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great favor was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for those in need.
Acts 4:32-37

I love America. I love American culture. One thing I hate about America… and I’ll admit, myself… Individualistic Materialism. As I read this passage in Acts, I am always deeply convicted of how often I think about buying or acquiring things for myself and my own wants (not needs), rather than looking out for the needs of others. What really gets me, is when I begin to ask myself, as I’m looking at purchasing some new toy for me or my family, “How am I helping the least, the last, and the lost? Is this item/thing, really going to make me happier, or could I be just as happy without, and give to someone else in need?” This is my ongoing struggle, and I have no good solution except to read, and re-read this passage in Acts.

I think Paul lays it out pretty clearly as to what God calls us to do, especially in these tough financial times.

The need is great, my wants are petty.

In Christ,

Rob “Trane” Mohrweis