Regeneration 2011

Can you ask for a better addition to your quiet times, for a better after-breakfast pick-me-up, than to listen to Bible-teaching from John MacArthur? John opened up our day with a message during our morning session. He challenged us that if our thinking about Jesus is wrong, we don’t know God. He told us that our doctrine is essential to our Christian life. He focused on the fact that true regeneration results in deliverance from truth to error. If someone is truly saved, they will grow to love, obey, consent to, understand, believe, and embrace the truth. And we fleshed out what that means in small groups. Too often churches neglect this concept of one-on-one discipleship, so we are all overwhelmingly thankful for and careful not to take small groups for granted. It is almost unheard of to have such easy access to people who are willing and able to answer questions and discuss important issues that campers are thinking through. Small group times are most certainly mutually encouraging and challenging.

During game time, the rain clouds burst open again. But today we didn’t have to cancel the games. No! We played right through. No one left the slippery game field without becoming a muddy mess. And the spontaneous after game mudball fights didn’t hurt either! No matter what team wins tomorrow, everyone had a blast getting dirty in the Glorieta rain and grunge. And we still have one last exciting day of games to finish up tomorrow.

John rounded out the day—his last time to speak to us. He spent the time by continuing to help us understand what a true believer looks like. A true believer is set free from the search for the truth because we have found the truth. Believers are changed from being a slave of sin to being a slave of righteousness. And we’ve been delivered from this dying world to the eternal kingdom. The Christian life is a battle of sanctification. We are constant confessors and our longing and impulses are in the direction of righteousness. We’re so thankful pastor John joined us and we’re thankful for the challenge and encouragement he delivered.

Tonight we will participate in one last night game which promises to be epic. And we’ll see who comes out victorious. As a side note, our free times are filled with options—paintball, laser tag, ropes course, horseback riding, mountain biking, and much more.

Today I went horseback riding. As I sat on the back of my horse, Garry, and lead him up the muddy, rocky path, I looked at the crystal-blue sky splattered with cushy, white clouds. I’m in denial that we leave here tomorrow. But I know we have a full day of camp to go and I trust it will be just as memorable and spiritually edifying as the others. I’m praying earnestly for our big God to do big things in the lives of everyone here at Regeneration.

Day two had some unexpected turn of events, but was just as profitable as day one. Rick Holland brought us the last of his three messages this morning. He told us seven things we must believe—seven things that are essential to being a Christian. 1. Jesus Christ is revealed in Scripture. 2. Jesus is the one true God. 3. Jesus is creator. 4. Jesus was a real man. 5. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. 6. Jesus is the only way to God. 7. Jesus Christ is Lord.

Rick told us we MUST get Christ right. And we discussed those truths in our small groups. How do you get Christ right? How do you know for sure? How does the gospel apply to our lives on a daily basis? Walking around campus today, those conversations from small groups continued. An encouraging buzz of edifying discussions were everywhere you turn.

So what was that unexpected turn of events? New Mexico’s unpredictable weather! Once again we changed clothes into our team colors and got ready for a messy and aggressive day of games. And we rallied up—cheering on our teams. But God had other plans. As we began the walk up to our fields, an unexpected torrent of huge Glorieta water drops soaked us. Thunder and lightening struck in the background followed by a unison squeal and squeak from girls who have never seen lightening or heard thunder. And to be on the safe side, the game team was forced to cancel today’s events. And we returned to our dorms drenched, and laughing. And we made the best of it—playing card games, drinking hot chocolate, or conversing with friends.

Tonight we welcomed our esteemed and beloved pastor John MacArthur. Even the staff here at the Glorieta conference center was excited to join us along with another group of people here who asked if they could be part of our session! What an amazing reputation our pastor has. And he didn’t disappoint. He told us the what, the who, the how, and the why of regeneration. What is it? Who does it? How are we born again? And why does God save us? We are excited for John to continue tomorrow morning with the challenge he began tonight.

To help make up for our missed games today, we were promised an indoor team competition after our evening session and night small groups. When we entered the sanctuary, we had yet another turn of events. A huge surprise! Austin Duncan pretended like he was going to rap for us, and suddenly from back stage appeared famous Christian rapper, LECRAE! We had our own personal concert from the one and only popular singer. It is possible to worship Christ and rock out at the same time—and that’s just what we did. We enjoyed some Jesus music.

Today was a day of true and deep fellowship because of the extended time we had together just to hang out. God’s plan was better than ours! And we enjoyed every wet minute. It was an amazing day. Friendships deepened, discipleship happened, and we grew in our understanding of Jesus Christ. Today was filled with surprises, some planned, and some not-so-planned. Thank you, Lord for this amazing day!