get it in the light

Sparks of fireSummer has gone and with her departure a new school year has begun. Some of you in middle school or high school and a few starting or continuing college. Regardless of where you find yourself, one thing is almost certain, your fire from camp has fizzled: maybe a little, maybe a lot.

Circle of fireOne of the biggest hindrances to our fire and our entire walk with the Lord, is hidden sin. Satan loves nothing more than to find some way to convince us to keep our sins in the dark.

“Don’t confess that, imagine what they’ll think of you…”

“You just slipped up once, no need to bug your accountability partner, it’s not like you’re making a habit of it…”

Those are a few of the lines the enemy loves to use on me. Maybe you can relate? Maybe he uses different thoughts for you. The point is, if, as believers, we are bottling up our mistakes and trying to ‘work them out’ on our own, we’re doing exactly what Satan wants.

Spinning fireTake a peek at Ephesians 5:11-14:

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.

Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

FirewireIf keeping your fire burning bright or rekindling the flame is important to you, then this is my challenge:

Examine your heart – are there any hidden sins in your life?

Get it in the light – if the answer is yes, find someone you can trust and get real with them.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”1 John 1:7

Lets be in the light.
Grace and peace, brothers and sisters.

|Author >> Aaron| ^^ |Photography >> Jamie|

we are flipping out!

Flips 1
Flips 2
Flips 3We've pressed on through the exhaustion, the fun, the struggles, the God-workings and we've crossed the finish line! Celebrate with us as Summer 2013 has been completed! I look forward to sharing more about the summer and a couple more staff in the days ahead. For today, we hug the last of our staff goodbye and begin to exhale.

Flying highWe thank our Daddy for caring us through and allowing the adventure in the first place!

Have a great Monday!

Awesomeness Takes the [2013] Stage // Aaron

Wow! On one hand it's hard to believe we are starting our last week of camp today. On the other hand, we.are.so.tired!

In an effort to catch you all up on our staff, I will be slam jammin' the awesomeness stage this week! hang on, here we go!Whisper-mountain-staff-aaron-1Does it get any better than this? Aaron is a goofball. What you see above is his amazing paintball outfit! I wish for markers to color in his shirt every time he wears it!!

Whisper-mountain-staff-aaron-2Along with being a goofball, Aaron has an awesome heart for kids and people in general. He's been with us a number of years now as a guide, but has taken on more of a leader role this summer, overseeing a little more and even teaching one night during the week. The more he grows in the Lord, the more of a shepherd he becomes to others, showing them the way to a passionate relationship with Jesus!!

Whisper-mountain-staff-aaron-3I admire the way he strives to keep his mark set on Christ in all things and his honesty when things have gone askew. His openness to being sharpened and chiseled into a more fine-tuned soldier of Christ reveals the humility growing in his heart.

Whisper-mountain-staff-aaron-4
Whisper-mountain-staff-aaron-5If anything marks Aaron's life, it's the way he clings to the Rock of Christ and kindly and encouragingly helps others do the same!

Follow him on instagram @ajenness3 for some random goodness.

Hope you find some goofball moments to enjoy today!! (I know I'm needing them today!)

Awesomeness Takes the Stage // Aaron

We were thrilled when we heard Aaron wanted to come back for another summer with us! Now in his third summer at Whisper Mountain, we are blessed by what Aaron brings to the team! He:

Aaron-arrival// enjoyed being showered with some love upon arrival //

Aaron-and-tegan// is talked about and missed by my little man all year long //

Yellow-shades// loves yellow and rap music (which brings energy to the scene!) //

Aaron-hang10// is a man of encouragement, sincerity, and humility //

Aaron-cupcakes// has a slight addiction to WM's strawberry cupcakes //

Aaron-kayak// excels in leading outdoor activities at camp //

Aaron-bros-on-ice// is a member of Summer 2012 Bros on Ice Band! //

Hey-bag// anticipates serving campers each week with passion //

Aaron-sleeping// wears himself out shining Jesus //

Peek inside

Cassi: What is your favorite verse?

Aaron: (without hesitation!) Lamentations 3:24 "'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'”

Cassi: Why did you want to return again as a Guide?

Aaron: I love Whisper Mountain and it was an opportunity to connect with people and with God.

Cassi: (anticipating what I already think the answer is) When you grow up, what do you want to be?

Aaron: (as if in answer to my head thoughts) well, I do want to write, BUT I really want to be a man of God in whatever I do (wasn't anticipating that awesomeness!)

Cassi: (whoa, he's so on track. I love that!) What can friends of WM pray for?

Aaron: (without hesitation again) that I would hunger and thirst for righteousness

Aarows-banner

Though it could be portrayed that Aaron is just so spiritual, I would like to clarify that Aaron is the most sincere, humble, in-love-with-Jesus young man I know. He often challenges me (without knowing it!) to keep my heart in check, to be sensitive to God's leading, to be ALL about seeking God, living for God and loving others well. He's an all around enjoyable person to be with! I'm thankful Aaron's with us again, stepping up in greater leadership and bringing God glory in all he does!

May you be challenged to follow God so passionately! Blessings on your Friday!

idk (i don’t know)

Idk1// idk why Aaron popped out from the armpit with a thumbs up //

Idk2// idk why Kyle looks creepy upside down //

Idk3// idk why Charley enjoys catching gnats in the woods //

Idk4// idk why they pose like this //

Idk6// idk why they are throwing my daughter in the pond //

Idk7// idk what's going on here //

Idk5// idk how many pictures Kaleigh has photo-bombed //

What I do know is our staff is meshing super well, laughter surrounds us quite a lot, and each person here is ama-ZING! I will start making introductions here on the blog next week! I'm excited to share them with you because I do believe you will find yourself encouraged by their hearts for God and just general awesomeness!

Enjoy today. Laugh a little more. Now is what we've got.

Week in Review // Breakaway Outreach

Breakaway 1

Breakaway 2

Breakaway 3

Breakaway 4

Breakaway 5{above pics kindly taken by Kinsley!}

Our first week of camp was clearly covered in prayer, the gust of wind straigthening our backs and pushing us forward. (Or maybe it was just me feeling that! Lord knows I needed it this week!) Two kids from Breakaway began their journey with Jesus and several more are choosing to know Him more personally! Each child was lavished with the love of our staff and the volunteers they brought with them. 

Of course they did their share to love on us!

Breakaway 6(Tegan and his boys!)

Breakaway 10

Breakaway 11

Breakaway 7Because love is what we all need, isn't it?

Breakaway 9The words I read from one of our staff gives a glimpse into the effects of serving in camp ministry: "First week of camp was amazing, already seeing God challenge and change me in so many ways! its never an easy thing to say goodbye to kids who need Gods love :/ "

We take a quick break then get ready to greet a little more of our staff today! Thankful for you and the prayers you offer up on our behalf! May you blessed in this day!