We hope that everyone had a good semester and for those who are still in the midst of exams, press on!

As a committee, we are ecstatic that you are able to join us for Clayton Winter Camp 09. We are praying that this camp will be a chance for campers to meet God at a whole new level. Also, we hope that this camp will be an opportunity for you to meet new friends from outside your OCF centre and at the same time, forging stronger friendships with people whom you have seen around this year.

This pre-camp package seeks to help you prepare your heart and mind, to come with an expectant heart and hunger for wisdom. Do take some time to reflect on your life thus far even as you go through these devotionals and prepare to write your testimony (which we believe that everyone will do!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” Matthew 5:6.

Clayton Winter Camp 09 promises to bring an unforgettable and exciting end to an already eventful semester! But….ARE YOU READY? See you on Friday at 12pm at Robert Blackwood Hall!

Honoured to serve our great God and you,
Jeremy
OCF Clayton Winter Camp 2009.

Checklist

Did you forget your:
-toiletries
-toilet roll (if you need something that’s of higher quality)
-towel
-comfortable running/walking shoes
-slippers
-warm clothes for nights (in case you havent noticed, its WINTER CAMP)
-extra t-shirt for games
- sleeping bag (pillows are provided, personal smell not included)
-battery charger
-bible
-pens/pencils
-notebook (not a notebook computer, in case you’re wondering)
-yourself! with a big smile and a hungry, expectant heart.

To be extravagant is to spend more than what is necessary, to the point of being wasteful. This alabaster jar contained some incredibly expensive perfume which was “wasted” (in the eyes of men). Mark tells us it was worth about one year’s wages which in today’s context might be several thousands of dollars.

This woman’s action was seen by the disciples as extravagant. It was far more than what was necessary. It was in fact outrageous! The disciples didn’t object to the anointing in itself. They didn’t object to the perfume. What they objected to was the extravagance. This was just too much of a good thing. However, in Jesus’s eyes, it was totally different. What she has done is a beautiful thing, Jesus said. It is impossible to put a price on such devotion. She did what she did, because only that expressed her devotion to Jesus.

Sometimes we are too concerned about usefulness. The disciples wanted the money to be put to good use, for something practical, like food or the hungry. And that is a very good use for money. It was the ordinary thing to do, the normal thing to do, even a respectable thing to it. How many of us are guilty of being calculative with God? Like we feel God should bless us this much because we have been to church and been spending our time doing “Godly stuff”? Are we taking God’s blessings as an exchange for the time that we give him? Or are we taking his blessings as a bonus that even if God chooses not to bless us or give us our way, we will still worship?

Usefulness is not the most important thing. Usefulness is not our god. Efficiency is not our god. Public opinion is not our god. Jesus is.

And when we consider the extravagance of Jesus’ suffering for our sins, we no longer consider how much it costs us to devote ourselves to Him. Why the crown of thorns, spat at, slapped, struck with fists, hit on the head over and over, laughed at, hipped, made to carry the cross, and finally being nailed to the cross? For whose sake? In whose place?

Jesus’ suffering and death was not just “useful”. It was an extravagant act of love. It was an outrageous gift, far more than what we deserve.

Will we be like the lady with the alabaster jar, presenting our best to God and with extravagance?

“Thos halt have no other gods before Me” Exodus 20:3

What is an idol and how does it come to be?

An idol is created when a man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands and begins to worship that. What he is really worshipping is himself actually.

You may say, “I’m not guilty of idolatry.” Well, let’s examine some areas of our lives honestly and ask God to reveal to us.

- Is there anything you love more than God?
- Is there anything you fear more than God?
- Is there anything you serve more than God?
- Is there anything you trust more than God?

Is there anything in your life that takes precedence over God? Have you been robbing God of his time and rightful place? You can say “Well, I give God a place in my life.” God doesn’t just want a place in your life. He demands preeminence in you life. He will take nothing less.

What we have to do?
As part of preparing our hearts for winter camp, each of us has to come up with a personal testimony.

Nothing long, just something short and sweet, lasting 3 minutes. It can be about how we came to believe in Christ, or how Christ tide us through a hard time that we believe Christ is our one and only God.

Why prepare a testimony?
We will all be given opportunities in camp to share this with our friends. This is to allow us to practice sharing our faith as often, we are loss for words when people ask us about “why do you believe in this Christ?”

People may try to argue with what the Bible says, but they can never argue with a life transformed. Your testimony, your own experiences is the most powerful way of sharing Jesus which no one can doubt or argue.

1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts always set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Some suggestions on how to write a testimony
Type 1: How you came to Christ

We can look at how Paul presented his testimony to King Agrippa as an example.

Before you knew Christ (Acts 26:4-11)How was your life? What habits or behaviour you had?
What were some ways God began drawing you to Christ?

How (Acts 26:12-18)What motivated you to invite Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour?
Anybody played a part in this? Church?

After (Acts 26:19-22)Your new walk with Christ.
What changed in your life after you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?

Type 2: How Christ was real to you in a situation
What was the situation?
How was Christ so real to you in that situation?
How you felt? How did that impact your walk with God?

Yup, good luck with your exams and we shall see you at camp! 

So who is Jesus Christ to you? Some you you might grew up with the theory that this man died for all your sins while some of you think he’s just a historical figure, a prophet, or the leader of some cult.

Jesus is different to every single Christians, needless to say non-Christians.

So as non-christians, do you want to know why some of your friends love this Jesus Christ so much? Is he just a historical, a prophet or just some weirdo who started a cult?

As Christians, are you prepared to give an answer for your faith? Ready to tell the world who Jesus Christ is?

Come for camp and bring your friends. Share your amazing saviour and most importantly, learn to be prepared to share. Online registration is available. Click on the ‘REGISTER ONLINE’ tab and simply follow the instructions. It’s straight-forward and easy.

Last of all, study hard for exams! All the best.

God bless, Winter Camp Comm 2009

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A big warm welcome once again to OCF Clayton’s winter camp blog. We have recently updated our “about” page. You can now click the “BE ready, BECAUSE I BELIEVE” tab on top of the header to check it out.

Our theme verse: (1 Peter 3:15)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Can you say you believe in God with your heart, soul, mind and strength?

How equipped are you to defend your faith?

Are faith and intellect compatible?

Friend: Hey, who is this Jesus Christ to you?
You: He’s God.
Friend: What makes you think he’s God? I don’t agree with you.
You: …

Find that situation familiar? How many of us find ourselves tongue tied when asked about Jesus? How ready are we to defend out faith?

A good break from school, 3 full days of smashing programmes, thought stimulation sessions, fantabulous food, great family of friends..this list of reasons is not just going to end here… . You have no reason to miss THE CLAYTON WINTER CAMP 2009. So come join us at MT. MORTON LODGE, Belgrave from the 3rd to the 5th of July.

Online Registration

To register for OCF winter camp 2009 online, simply fill in your details and send it to claytonwintercamp09@gmail.com . It’s that easy! Just 2 steps away from endless fun+laughter, fantastic fellowship, super yummy food and above all, AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE WITH OUR MAGNIFICENT GOD!! It’s only going to be $70 for full-time campers and $45 for part-time campers.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???!!!!!!!! Fill em’ in and send em’ away!

Personal Information

Name:
Contact number:
OCF centre:
Email:
Address:
Religion:
Medical conditions/Allergies:
Duration(s) you will not be in camp, if any:
Non-OCF friend(s) coming, if any: 

Emergency Contact

Name:
Relationship:
Contact number:

Underline Your Preference

Interested to help as a KITCHEN HAND?   YES/NO
Interested to purchase camp T-SHIRT?     YES/NO
If so, which SIZE?      S / M / L

Do you require transport? YES/NO
If NO, what is your mode of transport? ___________

Further enquires:
Jeremy – 0430000686
Siyu – 0433452077

See you there people!

Love, Camp Committee

PS: We have a facebook group as well!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=105878718641&ref=nf