Camp Lor-Ray

Lend a hand at Camp on March 17th!

2012-03-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

Hey You Guys!

If any of you guys are looking for something to do on March 17th while your spouse is at the women's retreat in Pontiac, why not head to Camp for the day? Ross Rogien and I are planning to be there to work on a number of small projects and would really appreciate a hand with them.

What do you need? Small hand tools, a pair of gloves, maybe a rake or a shovel... We hope to clean out a couple of rooms where work needs to be completed later this year, maybe set some forms for concrete and move some concrete blocks from the new Family Camp bath house up to the Kids' Camp bath house. We also need to dig a trench between the KC bath house and the new cabin. What we do kinda depends on how much help shows up. (And we may just have to run out for some Wesco pizza, too!)

I'll be getting back from Minnesota late on Friday so we expect to arrive at Camp somewhere around 10 in the morning. Come on out and lend a hand!

Updating contact information...

2012-02-17T18:22:00.002-08:00

Hey You Guys!

I'm trying to put an address list together as well as updating contact information for all the friends of Camp Lor-Ray. Please e-mail your name, address and preferred e-mail address to me at familycamp@camplor-ray.org. Thanks!!!

(Do not post your contact information here please...)

Mike

Thrivent Choice program changes...

2012-02-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

I received a letter from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans this week, thanking me "for helping to make Thrivent Choice a huge success in 2011." The letter explained some 'important changes' to the program that will take place over the next two years. These changes will affect Camp Lor-Ray.

When I first signed up for the Thrivent Choice program I chose to have my eligible Thrivent Choice Dollars directed to Camp Lor-Ray and also chose the 'recurring direction option' which would direct future TC Dollars to Camp, too. Thrivent will be eliminating the recurring direction in 2013. 2012 is a transitional year and I renewed my recurring direction by filling out and returning the tear-off card at the bottom of the letter I received.

Next year (and each year thereafter) I will have to go online or phone Thrivent to direct my eligible Thrivent Choice Dollars to Camp Lor-Ray or whatever organization I choose.

If you received a similar letter from Thrivent, please fill out the tear-off card at the bottom of it and return it so that Camp Lor-Ray continues to benefit from this charitable program.

Since the inception of this program Camp Lor-Ray has received $2,155.00.

Washing & Made Clean in the Old Testament

2012-02-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

For anyone using the three-year lectionary, this section of Scripture from 2 Kings was probably the Old Testament reading you heard today in Church. Even here, God demonstrates how one comes to faith. By the word of God's prophet Elisha, Naaman was first healed from leprosy, and then brought to faith. Nothing in the water of the Jordan was special to heal and save; that came through the word.
Interesting parallels to how God still works today.

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”

So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”

[The king recognized that only God has the power to kill and make alive, to heal and make clean. He thought it was a trick.]

But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”

[Elisha didn't even let Naaman come into his house, but sent him away first to be healed and cleaned.]

But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

[This is often our reaction. Don't we always want some miraculous sign? And the world thinks, "only if God would do___, I would believe." The rich man had the same reaction, as did the soldiers, crowd, and criminals at the cross: "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”]

But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel...."

[It took God's word and power to bring Naaman to faith. Some dirty water and the word of God through Elisha healed Naaman, causing Naaman to confess that there is no other God.]
The rest of the account is interesting as well, if you have time, I encourage you to read what Naaman did following this.

Finding God at Camp

2012-02-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

In one of the last blog posts, "I have Seen Theophany," I mentioned that sometimes we try to find God where he has not promised to be. Christian camps seem to be instigators of this problem too. How often have you heard someone say something to the effect of "going into nature to find God," or, "at camp, you just feel God's presence"? Sure, God is omnipresent (See Psalm 139), but is God more present at Camp or in the wilderness than He is say in your own home? Of course not.

We do get (or I should say it is possible to get) an emotional lift at Camp because the works of God are great and glorious (Psalm 111), but that is not to say our faith is being strengthened because we are at camp or that we are getting closer to God because we are spending time in his creation. Camp, and everything at camp, is a wonderful first-article gift; that is, something that God has made and given to us for our earthly benefit.
For our spiritual and eternal benefit, God works through means. He works through His Word, through His Baptism and through His Body & Blood. These are the tools God uses to increase our faith.

Finding God in nature, or equating an emotional lift with a stronger faith is potentially spiritually damaging - there is no promise that that feeling will last. At the end of camp how sad are we to leave!? What happens then? Do we need camp to actually be strengthened in our faith? It may feel like it, but this is where the true comfort lies: God strengthens our faith in His Word and sacraments, whether we feel it or not. God's doing it, stop worrying and believe.

So, the next time you are checking out other Christian Camps to attend or send your children to (Camp Lor-Ray only runs a few weeks in the summer after all :-), look at what that camp is saying.
Do they claim to get closer to God and let you feel His presence, or do they acknowledge that only through the Word and sacraments does God build and confirm faith? That's the difference between relying on a camp and on men to strengthen faith and relying on God to strengthen faith.

Camp Lor-Ray relies on God. We just have a ton of fun doing it in the woods. I know you will too.

Cabin Update

2012-01-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

The cabin is 90% done and will be ready for the new 2012 season. We only need to complete the lighting

and exterior concrete pads which should be done by mid April.

Also, the board committee is currently reviewing the final layout for the family camp sewer project and will be reviewing construction costs for this and the new bath house septic system in the coming weeks.

*It would be helpful to know if there are any people interested in requesting camp site information if we get the camp site sewer hook ups installed for this summer.

***We have not voted to start on construction of this system yet as we need to review construction costs and budget figures first. As always, donations are appreciated towards any special projects at camp!

I Have Seen Theophany

2012-01-28T10:43:00.000-08:00

Of all the seasons in the church year, Epiphany is one of, if not the most, sensory season. Epiphany has to do with seeing, the word (ἐπιφάνεια) itself means "manifestation." Another word we use for the feast of Epiphany (which falls on January 6 each year) is "Theophany," which means "vision of God." Sometimes we focus too much on our senses though, trying to find God where he has not promised to be, or even thinking God is nowhere near because we can't perceive him.

With our theme this year at Camp Lor-Ray, "I Have Seen Thy Salvation," Epiphany fits right in. (Of course all Scripture fits together perfectly, and our lectionary reflects that).
I thought I would share a devotion from "Luther's Family Devotions, 2nd Ed." translated by Pastor Joel Baseley from the 2nd week after the Epiphany. I couldn't imagine a more fitting devotion. Notice where Luther tells us where God is to be found.

Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The Words which I speak to you I do not speak from myself. But the Father, who dwells in me, he does the words. John 14:10

Therefore, where you hear the gospel being rightly taught, or see a person being baptized, the Sacrament being handed out or received, or one being absolved, there you can confidently say, "Today I have seen God's Word and work, yes, heard God himself and seen his preaching and Baptism. The tongue, voice, hands, etc., are of men, but the Word and office are actually the divine majesty itself."

So it should also be observed and believed as if one heard God's voice ringing from heaven above, or saw his hands baptizing or giving out the Sacrament, so that no separation or distinction is made between God and his Word or Office given us through Christ, nor are we able to seek God or think about him in any other way.

When we come up to heaven we will see him otherwise, without means or veil, but here on earth you will not see him or receive him without your senses or thoughts, but rather, as St. Paul says, we see him in a dark Word or veiled image, that is, in the Word and Sacraments. It is just as [if they were] his mask or robe under which he is hidden. But he is present there without a doubt, so that he himself does wonders, preaches, gives the Sacrament, comforts, strengthens and helps. And thus we see him, as one sees the sun behind the clouds. For now we could not stand to the see the bright sun and brilliance of that majesty. So he must clothe and veil himself in that way, as behind thick clouds. So it is sure, that whoever wants to see and cling to both the Father and Christ, after he is revealed and sits in his majesty, grasps him through the Word and the works that he does in Christianity through the preaching office and other stations.

Therefore, we should not be ignorant about his body, that we let God, Christ, and his Word be divided and partitioned, and dispute about God as the heathen, Turks, Sophists or the others do concerning his naked majesty. In that, we would depart from the way that he speaks and acts towards us here on earth through preachers, fathers and mothers, etc.; and meanwhile soar into the clouds and meddle into what God himself does or thinks. That's what the devil tells you to ask for and come up with. It is no good spirit. But if you would rightly know how it is between you and God, and whether your way pleases him, then pay attention to this Word, so that it quickly tells you, "Whoever sees or hears me, also sees and hears the Father." So, if that pleases your heart, only look at what Christ preaches and does towards you through his Christianity, through your preacher, father, mother and other good people. Listen to that from your heart and keep clinging to it so that you are immediately sure of the matter. You should and must not doubt it. For what they say to you God is really telling you himself.

But if you want to proceed wickedly and want to ignore this, and through your head inquire how you are with God in heaven, then you are lost. What happens to you then is what you deserve because you refuse to receive it, since you're calling God a liar, and seeking him in another way. For he is there to tell you and show himself to you so they give you assurance of his attitude towards you and he has so ordered every office and station in life in Christianity so the whole world is filled with God's work. You let all of that be pushed aside as if it were nothing and you think, "God is up in heaven behind the angels and is doing something else; how can a preacher, father or mother, tell me about him? If I could only hear and see him myself..." That is called separating and dividing God and his work from each other, Christ and his Word, which one should most solidly hold and bind together.

Therefore, everyone must guard himself against ever again inquiring about God with his own senses and thoughts, but rather learn to hold fast and cling to his Word and act and decide only on that basis, so that he will not fail. Now don't pay attention to anything else but believe that I, for Christ's sake, forgive you all your sins and am gracious, and you are baptized onto that. Be obedient to your mother and father and do what your office and station in life demand. Then you have everything, including God. "Oh," you say, "is that called seeing and hearing God? I thought he was up there in heaven and that I had to have some special revelation from him." No, not so. Rather, if you want to meet him then first see him in the Word, behind his mask so that hereafter you will see him in his majesty. For he will not do anything special for you outside and against his commands, which he has given in his Word.

Altb, VII, 73: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John Chapters 14-16, 1537; cf. AE 24

Now I have found the firm foundation Which holds mine anchor ever sure;
'Twas laid before the world's creation In Christ my Savior's wounds secure;
Foundation which unmoved shall stay When heaven and earth shall pass away. (TLH 385:1)

Primer on Baptism

2012-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is a very timely video from the Worldview Everlasting blog. A great followup to the response of the "Why I Hate Religion" YouTube video, and an excellent survey of Baptism.

A few key points:

Christianity has largely, and historically been Sacramental. That is, the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion actually do things through the power of the Word, rather than being mere signs of things. It was only after the enlightenment that changed things.
Baptism is not just plain water, but water with the word. God's name is actually there. God's name is not just a symbol, so therefore the Water+the Word is not just a symbol.
God makes us heirs & children through Baptism, by uniting us with Christ in His death, and giving us faith through the Holy Spirit.
Living in our Baptism means something. (I'm not going to explain how yet, go check out the video!)

(Also check out 1 Peter 3:21)

In vocation,

Jeffrey Hendrix
Lor-Ray Camp Association Youth Committee Chair

Bath, Body, & Beyond

2012-01-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Modern evangelicalism views them as simply outward signs, done according to the Lord's command. Modern culture views them as rituals, and as evident by the incredibly off-the-mark viral YouTube video "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus", religious rituals as such distract from the true meaning of Jesus (For a true Lutheran response to that video, go here).

"But what does Jesus actually say they are?"
First, they are not a few things:
They aren't simply signs that Christians profess that they are followers of Christ. Baptism isn't just a symbol of our commitment to Christ. The Lord's Supper isn't just some ritual that we do to simply remember Jesus. The bread and the wine aren't just symbolic of Jesus' body and blood. Both Baptism and the Lord's Supper are not done due to some ordinance or rule that the church has invented as a way to sustain itself, as modern culture would like us to believe.

"But God commanded us to do them."
Yes, He did. But these aren't something that we do. They're something God does.

Titus 3:5-7 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Along with this section, our Lord makes it clear elsewhere in Scripture that Baptism is alone His work (see John 3:1-8) This is why "Baptism now saves you" as Peter declares (1 Peter 3:21).

Holy Communion also is God's work alone, as heard regularly in church: "Given for you...shed for you for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Focusing on the doing of the act of either Baptism or Holy Communion defeats the purpose. It's God that does everything! Baptism saves because it joins us to the death of Jesus! "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (see Romans 6:3-11). Holy Communion forgives because it IS Christ's body and blood! The blood and water that flowed from Jesus side as He died on the cross cleanse us in Baptism and feed and nourish us in the Lord's Supper.

"How is this relevant as a summer camp theme?"

Good question! Here's another:
What isn't more relevant than Jesus Christ?!

Jesus really brings us into His family through Baptism. We're told frequently to "remember our Baptism", and "take comfort in our Baptism." These aren't just cozy sayings, but they literally mean to "remember Jesus," and "take comfort in Jesus!" It's Jesus doing the saving, he's in, with, and under the elements! It's the same with Holy Communion; when we partake of the Lord's Supper we are literally receiving Christ's body and blood shed for us. Even for those who have yet to be confirmed, the saying holds true, "GIVEN FOR YOU." Christ gave His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins; faith alone holds the promise that is offered.

Remembering our Baptism and reflecting on the Lord's Supper this summer at Camp Lor-Ray will help accomplish a few things:

It will add meaning to the already objectively meaning-full sacraments of Baptism & Holy Communion.
It will show us what living in our Baptism means.
It will show us why we need Christ's body and blood.
It will explain why these two things are important each and every day to Christians!

Obviously "Bath, Body, & Beyond" is not our real theme, you can visit our real theme "I Have Seen Thy Salvation" at our website. The post title, somewhat in jest, still accurately describes what's going on in Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We are bathed in Christ in our Baptisms, we eat and drink His body and blood in the Lord's Supper. God's gifts, GIVEN FOR YOU, as a result offer so much more, beyond any blessing, comfort, and hope we could imagine.

Bath, Body & Beyond. Christ's Real Presence & Real Efficacy in the Sacraments.

In vocation,

Jeffrey Hendrix
Lor-Ray Camp Association Youth Committee Chair

Article written with help from "Handling the Word of Truth" by John T. Pless and "The Spirituality of the Cross" by Gene Edward Veith, jr.