Greetings loved ones ("let's take a journey..."- snoop dog),

In the third round of #lookoutlivingword's look into spiritual gifts, Paul hits us with a knockout--LOVE! He concludes what seems like a spiritual gifts "pep talk" for the Church with the instructions "use your ambition to try to get the greater gifts." Ok, now we're pumped up and ready to change the world by using our spiritual gifts!! But just when they thought they understood the differences of each member of the body of Christ's gifts and callings, he tells them that he will show them a BETTER WAY: do all these things with love. In fact, it all means nothing without it. This may seem like a familiar concept to us, but it would have been a radical one for the eye-for-an-eye Corinthians. However, the same way today as it was back then, the exercise and expression of love is so much easier said than done. In the tense and ever increasingly divided current political atmosphere, how can we use our spiritual gifts for good, and most importantly, WITH LOVE??

Let me know!

Walk in Love,
​Molly

Hello again friends!

This is the second week in the #lookoutlivingword series of spiritual gifts. This week's passage begs the question: how can we honor each other's differences, not only our different strengths, but also our perceived weaknesses? I look forward to hearing your thoughts as we dig deeper into our understanding of spiritual gifts in regards to ourselves, others, and the Church as a whole.

Walk in Love,
​Molly

Happy New Year from Camp Lookout!

After a Holiday hiatus, welcome back to #lookoutlivingword! In 2017, wooh! We all know that with a New Year comes New Year's resolutions, a fresh start to creating a new life--a new me! There are the obvious avenues like losing weight, exercising more, eating more healthy, drinking more water, and so on, but what about getting into spiritual shape, creating a new life with eyes set on the Everlasting life? So, for the month of January, #lookoutlivingword will focus on spiritual self-improvement by studying spiritual gifts! Paul speaks to the Corinthians on spiritual gifts, explaining that though we are many, we are of one spirit, though we have different gifts, they stem from the same spirit. While reading this week's passage, examine your own spiritual gifts, and begin to think of new year's resolutions for flexing that faith muscle.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this week's #lookoutlivingword, 1 Corinthians 12:4-14!

Walk in Love,
Molly
​

'Tis the Season, my friends!

In the wake of recent tragedies, Christmas feels different this year. As I mentioned in my last post, it is hard to feel the joy and peace that comes this time of year while knowing that so many families' Christmases are changed forever. However, I found this week's #lookoutlivingword to help me view Christmas through this difficult lens.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were old and without children, and though they lived "blameless in their observance of all the Lord's commandments," many people believed that they weren't able to have kids as a punishment for their sins or that something was very wrong with them. Elizabeth had to not only face the feelings of disappointment and self-loathing from being barren, but also endure the disgrace and speculation of the townspeople. I'm sure  Elizabeth often wondered why God would put her through such a tragic and painful experience. I bet at times it was difficult to stay faithful and trust in God's will.  Yet it was this exact experience that helped her advise and comfort Mary when she became pregnant with Christ. This passage reminds us that though we do not always understand why we experience tragedy in our lives, God has a plan for each of us. In that knowledge, we can find joy and peace. 

"Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her." Luke 1:45

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's #lookoutlivingword. Remember to use SOAP!

Walk in Love,
Molly

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

Our week is off to a great start with our Celebration campers! Last night they played some group games to get to know each other better. Today has been full of activities of their choosing such as crafts, talent show practice, archery, movie watching, and some even went to the barn this morning to see the horses. Tonight we will be having a carnival for our campers after dinner. They will have the chance to play some games, get their faces painted, and win some tickets for popcorn! We are looking forward to this evening and are very excited to see what the rest of the week has in store! 

What an amazing week we have had with our campers! Last night we had a beautiful Communion service in the Chapel (due to the yucky weather) and our campers were able to make the choice to commit themselves to Christ. This is always an amazing step for our staff to be able to watch. Our campers and their Bible study groups also each gave presentations about what they've learned at camp this week, they all did a great job! 
Last night our kayakers also returned back to camp after spending three days at the river paddling! It's safe to say they were pretty worn out, but were still able to participate in Communion with everyone else as well as have Bible Study together. 
Our staff is very thankful for the time we were able to spend with our campers this week. We will all be continuing to pray for the campers even after they leave us. We hope they will continue to progress in their faith journey and following Christ. We hope everyone has an awesome rest of the Summer and successful school year! 

 Our day campers have also been having lots of fun this week! Yesterday they went on an adventure to Cloudland Canyon and went hiking along with having a picnic lunch together. Today they are spending time in the craft hut making some beautiful artwork as well as going swimming! We are so glad they were able to join us this week and will miss them when they leave this afternoon!