Life Change Recorded in Points

Each day more student records arrive here at the Joy El offices. Andrea Ziebarth and a host of Released Time volunteers are carefully entering all of the points into the computer. The students have earned the points through memorizing scripture throughout the year. There are thousands of student records that need to be updated with the point totals. Each one of these records represents a life changed by an encounter with God through the Bible. Join me in rejoicing and praising God for all the lives God is touching through Released Time and Camp Joy El.

It is important that the records be updated quickly because of the camp discounts associated with the points. Camp starts on June 13^th and weeks are filling up quickly. Parents want to register their children now using the discounts that the students have earned. All of these records need tracking through the computer so that the correct discount is entered for the correct student at camp registration. Please pray for speed and accuracy as these servants of God enter all of this data.

Growth in Next Generation

In September Nancy Grayson Elementary Released Time started with just 7 students from the third-grade class With 16 volunteers God had prepared the way for this group to grow, and they really did! At the closing ceremonies, we celebrated 31 students and 17 volunteers. Each of these students learned at least one verse and there were 2 students that earned 100 points in just one year. The volunteers had grown in their spiritual walk as they trusted God to grow Released Time.
During the review of the students, favorite Bible accounts one very fidgety young man called out his favorite was the one about the war and the armor. The teacher learned through some questions that he was referring to the Armor of God. Another young lady shared her favorite verse from the year. Isaiah 41:10a - So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Join me in praising God for sending workers to share the good news of Jesus with the students of Shippensburg. Praise God for shining the light of Christ into the darkness of this fallen world. John 15:16 tells us "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." Ask God to call Released Time students to Himself through our summer camping programs. Learn more about camp click here.

Released Time

Why don't Christians grieve like the rest of the world?

Manny Diaz

Myra and I are attending another Christian memorial service today; the husband of my supervisor Jan Diaza who was a faithful pastor named Manny Diaz. The service to day will include expressions of grief but it will also be filled hope. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT - 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

It has been almost a year since my own father was called to heaven. While at the funeral home the director called me to the side and asked, "Is your family particularly stoic?” I was able to share why we did not grieve like others. We all knew that my father was in heaven and that we would see him again either in our own deaths or when Christ returned just like He promised. Please join Myra and me in praying for Christ’s swift return to collect the rest of us.

It is Not About The Nail

Myra and I saw this video at a recent Marriage Retreat. I hope you enjoy it.

Risen

How Can a Wall Break Barriers?

How Can a Wall Break Barriers?

This is a photo of the 40 foot climbing wall at Camp Joy El. I have been told that at 10 feet off the ground humans have a moment of fear, a wave of discomfort, for some even panic. The stout of heart can overcome this fear and go even higher. This fearfulness returns at around 30 feet off of the ground, and children get the chance to again face their fears within the safety of a harness.
Fear is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. In most cases we are being told "Fear Not". Many time that phrase is accompanied by "For I the Lord am with you". All of this fear comes down to the idea of do you trust God? If you do...Why are you afraid?

Complaint Department

Complaint Department 

I had a great object lesson that I used last night with the elementary students. We had played a questions game and at the end the winning team of children were given their choice of snack bags. After the winning team members choose their favorites but before they open the snack. I told them that they were to give them to the members of the losing team. The losing team members started complaining that they did not like the snacks the other children had picked.

I then said to the children “Why are you complaining? They picked out their favorite snacks and are giving them to you even though they were the winners.” As they continued to complain I said “Isn’t that how we are with God?” “He picks out something that is His best for us and we complain about it”. The room became quiet as the Holy Spirit impacted them with the truth of how we treat God’s gifts that He gives us.

Heb 13:5 NKJV Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Act of Compassion

 Recently my office partner Lois Ann was visiting a Released Time and a young man came to her with a very special gift. He told her that last year he came to camp on the camper-ship fund and he wanted to help other kids come to camp like he did. He opened his wallet and pulled out a rumpled one dollar bill and gave it to her. That precious dollar was the only thing in his wallet but he knew that camp was so needed by other children that he wanted to share his experience with poor children. The ministry of Joy El enabled this young man to have a personal encounter with God and it is obvious from this act of compassion that the encounter with God at Camp Joy El has left a mark in his heart.
If you would like to donate please visit Joy El's Donate Page scroll down to my name.

What a BLAST!

Camp Blast Came and went!
Wow! what a joy to share the camp experience with so many children! Go - karts and scavenger hunt were the big deals of the day, mini golf and the pizza were pretty good as well. Check out this stage full of children and leaders worshiping God as they sing "God is on the Move". Please join me in praying for 30 children to come to camp this summer from the over 300 Camp Blast participants before April 7, 2017.