Hello loved ones,

It is hard to find the words to address the tragedies that our community and country are facing in a time meant for thankfulness, giving, and joy. From Woodmore Elementary, to Ohio State, the wildfires in Gatlinburg and the tornados in Alabama and Athens, how can we begin to understand or make peace with all of the death and destruction around us? These feelings of anxiety and confusion led me to Philippians 4:1-9 for this week's #lookoutlivingword. I am first struck by Paul and Timothy's professions of love for their friends in the beginning of the passage. In an address to times of despair, they begin by telling those they love that they love them and how thankful they are for their friendship. They then remind them to be "glad in the Lord always" and not "anxious about anything," which seems impossible, perverse even, in the presence of so much pain. However hard those words are to hear, much less follow, I think this passage offers me the answers I seek. I am reminded of a quotation by Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Similarly, Paul and Timothy are reminding us to look for the helpers and focus on that which is Holy. In that, I hope that we can find peace.

How does this passage speak to you during these difficult days? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this week's #lookoutlivingword.

Walk in Love,
Molly

 Good morning, Camp Fam!

Yesterday I spoke to a friend who was feeling overwhelmed by the weight of her deadlines and responsibilities, seemingly magnified by the speed at which it all happens Senior year. I remember feeling the same way during this time last year. How could I be expected to accomplish everything and make all of these decisions I need to when I have no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, much less eat for breakfast tomorrow? Now as a recent graduate,  I still get caught up in these same questions and anxieties, sometimes to the point of self-absorption. Sometimes I become so concerned with these decisions for myself, I forgot to think of the people around me. It was these all too familiar anxieties that led me to  Romans 12:1-8 for #lookoutlivingword.

We often turn to this passage as a Summer Camp Staff, when discovering how we can work together as the many moving parts of one body, the Body of Christ. Today, this passage reminds me to view myself in connection with others, the many parts of the Body of Christ, to keep from feeling consumed by on my own 99 problems. It also avers that God has not only given each of us a portion of faith, but also spiritual gifts with which to navigate the future. I think that if we allow that the knowledge of that faith and confidence in our spiritual gifts to guide us, these rest-of-my-life decisions will open up like flowers before us.

I look forward to hearing your own interpretations and life applications of #lookoutlivingword. As always, remember to use SOAP!

Walk in Love,
Molly 

Good morning, Camp Lookout family!

This week, I chose John 14:22-31 because I believe it begins with an important question: "Lord, why are you about to reveal yourself  to us and not to the world?" (CEB) Jesus answers with a message of love, "whoever loves me will keep my word." I believe that in his answer, Jesus gives his disciples then, and his disciples today, not only an answer but a call to keep his word so that others may experience his love. 

How can we apply this message of love, and then of peace, to our lives today?

Walk in Love,
​Molly

Happy November, Camp Lookout!

As we enter this season of thankfulness, I'm reminded of how thankful I am of the spiritual support that I receive from the Camp Lookout staff during summer camp.  I've been thinking of ways that we can continue our spiritual growth together as a camp community throughout the year and ran across a weekly scripture study that Camp Skyline facilitate's for their camp family. I hope to develop a similar scripture study for the "The Lookout." Each week, I will post a passage of scripture that we, as a camp community, can set aside our work for a short time to meditate on and discuss for some midweek inspo!

So, say hello to #lookoutlivingword!

When studying the #lookoutlivingword of the week, feel free to use whichever strategy works best for you, but like my mom always told me--remember to use soap! Also suggested by Camp Skyline, I believe that the SOAP method helps to focus on the scripture while still bringing it to life. Shall I spell it out?

S- Scripture Read the scripture through once or twice, and notice which verse struck you or stuck with you throughout the passage. Take a moment to copy this verse down.
O- Observation Make some observations about this verse: what's going on around it, who is the speaker, whom they are addressing, or what is the purpose of the verse. Record your observations.
A- Apply Apply this verse to your life. How can you carry this verse with you throughout the rest of the day, the week, maybe even the rest of your life? This is the most important part--consider the real-life application of this verse and commit to it. Don't forget to take this down.
P- Prayer Finally, write out a short prayer of your meditations and the truth this passage has revealed to you. 

For our first #lookoutlivingword, I chose a passage that we often refer to in the summer, Psalm 139:1-16, A psalm of David that reminds us of God's deep knowledge and love of us. Contribute to the conversation of this passage by commenting on the blog or creating your own social media post with the #lookoutlivingword. I am so excited to see what we discover within ourselves and about each other! So, prepare your heart clear out the clutter of your mind, whip out a pen and paper, and remember to use SOAP!

Walk in Love,
Molly Rogers