"Without faith man can do nothing..."

"...but with faith, all things are possible."
-Sir William Osler

I've been reading Piers Paul Read's book on the Templars. It's been going through a brief summery of the life of Jesus, noting it's importance in forming the Knights Templar. Piers is talking about how, factually speaking, plausible the life of Jesus really was. He quoted a biblical scholar of whom I've never heard named E. P. Sanders.

"We know that He started under John the Baptist, we know that He had disciples, that He expected the 'Kingdom' that he went from Galilee to Jerusalem, that He did something hostile against the Temple, that He was tried and crucified. Finally, we know that after His death his followers experienced what they described as the 'resurrection': the appearance of a living but transformed person who had actually died. They believed this, they lived it, and they died for it." -E. P. Sanders

That quote really hit me. To hear it put so plainly and simply. You could dismiss the whole thing as crazy, but that  last line, "They believed this, they lived it, and they died for it." That line alone will make anyone stop and think a moment. What was it about this Man that these guys died for.

Though I know that the bible is not and will never be factually sound, it's nice to read something like this. But I believe that the smallest amount of faith is much stronger than any amount of knowledge. In the end, faith is the foundation of christianity.

But, here's a bonus quote I also read in the same book.

"He was exactly what the man with a delusion never is: He was a good judge. What he said was always unexpected; but it was always unexpectedly magnanimous and often unexpectedly moderate." -G. K. Chesterton

"...The one true innovation."

Love.
I know the last post was about love, but a wise man once said, (sang) "Love is the one true innovation. Love is the only art."
-Bullet Soul, Switchfoot

It's a very common topic of the Bible. And it's something that I think we as human beings might think we have figured out, but then God will wake us up from our arrogance and show us that this incomprehensible emotion that He only can give is something that's growing. Jon Foreman describes love as being a song. Something with so many parts that can't all be taken in at once. It's a masterpiece carefully crafted by God.

Very recently, I've been thinking a lot about what I believe love is. I still don't know. And though I might not ever figure out fully what it was meant to be, I can tell you a little bit about what we, the human race, have made it.

Something exclusive. Social title seems to deem weather or not someone is lovable. I'm not talking about racism or about being rich or poor. I'm talking about things like friendships. We've made love something that has to be deserved or earned. But that's completely unbiblical. Where has God ever shown us that love is something deserved. We were completely undeserving of His love, yet here we are, basking in it everyday.

Or another way to see this is through teenage relationships. Recently I've begun to wonder why must you be dating someone to love them or to be there for them. Or just even to do the little things like talk to them at night or help them through there problems. Sure, girls do this with each other all the time, and even guys from time to time, (though we may not always admit it). But when a girl calls a guy simply because she wants someone to talk to, why does that mean that they should be dating. That's simply showing love for one another which is one of the greatest commandments.

Social title is one wall we've built around love. I pray that we could find a way to bring down this wall.

1 Peter 4:8 Love because you are loved.

"...For love covers a multitude of sin."

Peter wrote a letter to the churches back around 62 AD. He was writing to the churches of the time. Most of them were being persecuted and experiencing a lot of suffering. He was reminding them that despite the troubles they're facing, that God's grace still holds true. In chapter 4, verse 8 he was quoting Proverbs chapter 10,  verse 12. Where it actually reads, "For love covers ALL sin." Peter was encouraging christians to keep the love they have for one another and for everyone else. It would be an essential part of they're walk with God. He's telling us that no matter what we're going through, stay true to the love of God. Love because you are loved.

I felt like sharing this because on the last week of camp, I asked Amy to make a craft down at the lake for me. Something I could remember the summer by. I made no special request. But she comes to me at the end of lake time with a leather tag, and on the front it says, 1 Peter 4:8. So I looked it up and read the verse...

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sin."

Such words of encouragement. Love one another. And stay true to that love no matter what trails you may face. In fact, the only way to get over those walls that we face is to love one another.

I keep that leather band on my keys now and it reminds me to love everyone, despite what I'm going through or what kind of mood I'm in that day. Thanks Amy.
-Jason Hadden

Late Night Talent Show

And no, I am not involved in this show of talent. It's just a retreat I'm working at here at good ol' camp Longridge. It does sound interesting, though. They're doing the skit called "everything". A personal favorite of mine. It very dramatically shows the passion Christ has for us, and the battle He fought on calvary. I stood at the leader study door, like a creeper, just to watch that one skit because I heard the music for it playing while I was stalking people on facebook.

Anyways, what really made me want to start a blog was this. My friend Daniel started one and I felt left out... though it does go a little deeper than that. Camp is sometimes lonely, thus I am reduced to venting my thoughts on the internet. Though the staff here are my best friends and I could talk to them about anything, most of what could be said has already. So it's nice to get it outside.

So let me just start by saying that I loved my summer here at camp. It was mt second year, and first year on regular staff. Last year I was support staff. So serious kudos to James, Allison, and Alyssa. These are the support staff from this summer and they rock my socks off. I love them and all they do.

But God has changed my life in many ways and instead of listing those at this moment, I'm just going to say a word about each staffer this summer. I would take a bullet for any of these guys. So let's get to it...

Chas: He's such a great staff sup. Some nights I was lucky enough to go with him to lock up the gate at night. He would sit by the field for a few minutes to talk and those were some of the best talks I've ever had. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Tony: Or should it be Toni. He's really fun to hangout with. He's always there when you need a laugh. It's awesome seeing the ways he's grown this summer.

James: Dude, this guy was really quiet at the beginning of the summer. But once he opened up, he got way cool. Again, kudos for being on support staff. It takes a special kind of person to be able to stay up that late doing crazy things around camp. And he's an awesome green team member!

Evan: Our game director. He's funny, for sure. I had a cabin with him twice this summer. Cabin 7. He's really good with the kids and they love him, of course.

Will: I could go on about this guy. I had a cabin with him for 3 weeks. Cabin 2, 1, and 10. He honestly changed the way I looked a being a staffer. He's inspired me more than I can tell you on this blog. He's so devoted to God and his study of the Bible. He's been a wonderful staffer that I'll never forget.

Justin: Good ol' big brother. Yeah, he's great of course. He did so awesome as Praise Band leader. And he's taken to all his new duties so well and with such a good attitude.

Nate: The great! He's totally awesome! And these are all honest words. In fact, I just finished doing ropes with him earlier today. He graciously took over the swing. He's so calm and collected all of the time, it seems. It's inspiring. I really hope to see him back next year

Jimmy: Of course, he's a Ridgeway. Where can you go wrong. But seriously, Jimmy is like an ideal staffer here. Any job he's given he seems to do with a good attitude. It's really fun working with him because he knows how to have fun while working. It keeps the stress down and makes the day much more pleasant.

Kaitlyn: She was on my team this summer. I don't know where she gets all that energy and excitement from sometimes. It's very encouraging. She's never afraid to ask you whats wrong and she's always there to talk to. A very kind and loving person.

Hillary: I could go on for a long time on this one. She's the spear head to Adventure Team Bravo, (support team) She's so crazy and awesome. I think I would have died last summer without her. And that's for real.

Jen: The way she jumped on that bass was so awesome. Really glad to have someone there to do that. Not having her here for our last couple of weeks made it hard. She was missed, for sure.

Amy: Awesome. That's one word that describes her. So positive and really funny! She was one of our talent show hosts. Hilarious! I'll never forget the Amy Dance. It takes a lot of skill and practice. I look forward to more summers with her!

Kayla: Green team would have crashed and burned without her! She was so amazing. She's very collected, honestly. And it's easy to see how much she loves all the kids that come through that gate. And thats something very important for a staffer. Kayla, you're coming back next summer and that's final. :)

Betsy: Ropes Course! Ropes Course! She was so good at her job as ropes course coordinator. I've never seen a more happy person. It's inspiring and just plain fun to be around. And Fargo! It pretty much made our theme song.

Bri: So funny. I'll never forget hr cheesy jokes. Kept me laughing all summer! She loves kids and thats very obvious. I hope to see her here next year for sure.

Alyssa: Support staff! So awesome and so much respect for you guys! I loved seeing her smiling face in the kitchen for every meal. It was one of the few things I looked forward to everyday. Three times a day, actually.

Allison: Also a nice smiling face in the kitchen to look forward to! Three times a day. She's got such a history here at camp and to see her jump right in as a staffer is pretty amazing!

Nicole: Gift shop girl! We had many shirt folding sessions on fridays. Very good talks! She's so positive and encouraging it's ridiculous! :)

Addie: Our Kitchen Ninja! So awesome in the kitchen. And everywhere else, of course. I miss being on her team! She's moving to another country and it's so sad knowing she won't be here next summer. But she'll be where God wants her and that's the important part! She's got such a heart for missions, and that's what she'll be doing. I'm really happy for her.

Kinsee: Head lifeguard! Amazing. It's a pretty stressful position but Kinsee handled it so well. She smiles so much! It's really nice. We were former support staff together. I really missed her the last two weeks of camp! But she's off doing other things. But I'll never forget our two summers together!