Encourage Yourself.com

I need encouragement and I need it regularly. Some might call that a weakness, but I prefer to believe that it's wisdom to recognize my need.

"...But David encouraged himself in the Lord" (1 Samuel 30:6)

You've probably heard the phrase "you are what you eat." We discover this truth in our health but it's also true for our minds and our faith. For me, youtube has provided an excellent avenue to receive encouragement. I love to plug in the name of one of my favorite preachers and pick a title that pricks my interest. Listening to them feeds my soul. Today I thought I would share some of my most common sources of encouragement.

Names for a youtube search:

1. Bill Johnson - Bethel Church

2. TD Jakes

3. Judah Smith

4. Joel Stockstill

5. Jesus Culture

Websites I visit regularly

www.dailyaudiobible.com (Daily Bible Reading - podcast & ipad/ipod app)

www.ibethel.tv (You can set up a free account. I like it so much I have a paid monthly subscription)

Other sites that I visit

www.oneplace.com (provides an excellent source for sermons)

I encourage you to develop your own list and when you hear someone mention a meaningful speaker go and check them out. Just stay away from the negative stuff that's there. Everyone one of them has people who disagree with them and who want to destroy them. That's definitely not encouraging, so I simply stay away. Call it weakness if you like.

Camp Shiloh 2011 - Senior Camp Photos

Today I realized that I could share the facebook links in a public setting, so for those of you who are not a part of the Camp Shiloh facebook group here are some links to photos.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150740001710302.719902.563800301&l=a4642e1a94&type=1

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150738004530302.719338.563800301&l=61ddbdeece&type=1

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150736853150302.718987.563800301&l=cfb78f22b9&type=1

Camp Shiloh 2011 – Senior Week – Thursday Director's Blog

The sunshine has returned and the beauty of God's creation is so evident for this years camp. Last night we had a good time of small group discussion led by Sister Laurie, Brother Tim Flanders, Sister Shelly, and myself. After watching some slideshows of the photos from the week we separated into four locations to talk together about what God has been doing this week.

This morning we adjusted back into our regular camp day schedule with the return of skill classes and morning chapel. The campers enjoyed the change-up yesterday but were glad to be back to the routine today. Following skill class we had our morning chapel in which I spoke about building your house upon the rock. After chapel the cabin groups went through their daily devotions and it was off to lunch. Tater-tots were on the lunch menu today and were a popular selection on many plates.

As I write this competition sports are just beginning around the grounds. The kayaking competition has been a fun new addition to our repertoire this year, and today two of the girls cabins are headed down to the water-front. After competition sports we will have canteen followed by swim, boat, and fish. We're going to test out a possible new main event this afternoon and see if it might be a good fit. This one involves a tether ball that is attached to a large wire over a field and two fire hoses. :) We have a back-up plan if this one doesn't work out. Perhaps we'll be able to post some pics of tonights main event on the facebook group page.

Tonight we're looking forward to Sister Laurie Crowley speaking chapel and for the things that God has in store for us there. Thank you again for praying and standing with us throughout this week. God is faithful and good!

Camp Shiloh 2011 – Senior Week – Wednesday Director's Blog

I'm happy to report that backward Wednesday has been a big success. If you haven't followed the Camp Shiloh facebook group posts you have missed the updates that today was backward Wednesday. We flipped the whole schedule around starting with dinner for breakfast. The morning muster was hilarious with campers dressed with their clothes on backward. Groups walked in backward, sang songs backward, read things backward. The morning muster was capped off with Sister Kate's cabin performing a hilarious testimonial for “crack patch.”

For breakfast we had Philly Cheese Steaks, Chicken Wings, and Salad. Woo hoo!! Following breakfast we headed out to the field for our main event, where campers had to catch dodge balls in sheets launched from three person sling-shots. The enthusiam picked up as the event went on and again the campers surprised us with their incredible creativity.

Last night Pastor Chris Wood finished up his time with the campers and we were so blessed by his ministry here at camp. He spent a great deal of time interacting with campers and imparted a powerful message of kingdom living. As Pastor Chris left we transitioned this morning to hear Pastors John & Kristy camp share on destiny. We dearly love them at Camp Shiloh and were encouraged by their message this morning.

After lunch we had an afternoon where the camp was split into two different groups. One group received prayer ministry while the other group worked on team building activities within their cabins. We were blessed to have several ministers and friends of Camp Shiloh come to minister as a part of that time. All in all we had nine teams of people praying for the campers. It was a powerful time and we were thankful to be able to have each cabin group go together during the ministry time. We are so thankful for those who traveled to come and minister today. Many traveled three hours to come and be a part of that time. I'm looking forward to hearing the testimonies of how God spoke during that time.

We experienced some rain this afternoon and evening and were thankful to have had the change in schedule to accommodate the rainy weather.

Keeping in theme with the day the next meal served was “brinner” as Sister Laurie likes to refer to it... breakfast for dinner. The pancakes in the rainy weather was a nice fit. As I write this campers are at swim, boat, and fish enjoying the company of each other. It's fun to see them out in the rain playing frisbee and in general just having a great time.

Tonight we're going to split into four different small groups to reflect with the campers on what God has been speaking to them this week, giving them some personal time just to listen to God. We continue to thank you for your prayers and support for us this week. The week has been going wonderful but we are asking for every one of God's purposes to be fulfilled.

Camp Shiloh 2011 – Senior Camp – Tuesday Director's Log

Another beautiful day has begun at Camp Shiloh on the grounds of Delta Lake Bible Conference Center. Last night we had an enthusiastic main event dusting off the classic game of tug-of-war. The highlight of the night was the come from behind victory for the Judah lady counselors. They were within one inch of defeat and pulled out the win. It was amazing!!!

The main event was followed by another amazing service. The campers carried the enthusiam from the day into chapel and gave their all in worship. Pastor Chris Wood continued his teaching on normal Christianity from John 5. He shared about how Jesus makes intercession on our behalf and validates himself in our lives. The campers were challenged that ministry is the stuff that we are all called to do. The service concluded with a powerful time of prayer as the campers were encouraged to call upon the Lord. A fervency was seen in prayer and God led many to a place of forgiveness. We thank the Lord for His continued grace upon the camp.

Today Sister Laurie Crowley has begun to receive her voice back (Yay!) and it was a welcome addition to our morning muster time. We had a great time laughing as the campers displayed their awesome creativity. Following breakfast we had skill classes where dodgeball seemed to be a favorite choice today.

As I write this cabin groups are spread throughout the camp for their devotional time. Off to my write several of the girl's groups are at picnic tables on the point looking out over Delta Lake. The beauty of creation in this place is inspiring.

We're mixing up the schedule slightly this afternoon to take advantage of the warm weather for our favorite main event, watermelon football!!! Please continue to pray for the campers and the staff, that every purpose of the Lord would be fulfilled this week. In addition we're working on some technical issues with our sound system and praying that the Lord will work that out today.

Tomorrow we have a surprise for the campers that we've been working on for quite some time. I look forward to sharing the results of that day with you soon.

Camp Shiloh 2011 - Senior Week - Monday Director's Lot

Camp Shiloh Senior Camp 2011 is off to a great start!!! Sunday the campers arrived and were given their cabin and team assignments. Swim tests were taken and introductions were made along with a tour of the camp in their cabin group. Dinner was served and we were on to the main event. This year we introduced a new game involving balloons, socks, and panty hose. Each camp had a balloon taped to their back and a pair of socks inside of a brand new pair of panty hose, which the campers would place of their heads. The object was to knock the balloon off the other teams back using the sock. It was great!!!!!! Brother Brandon's comment summed it up best, “you can't be mad after losing that game, it's too much fun.” There was great enthusiasm and a surprisingly high level of creativity in the cheering particularly on the Gideon side. “Sock, drop, and roll” was one of my personal favorites.

Our main event was followed by canteen time and then on to chapel. Sister Janelle Gmitter led us into a wonderful time of worship with several counselors serving on the band. I'd like to thank John Potter in particular for the donation of his sound system and all of the time he spent setting up the system and the stage. There's a great look and sound!

Sister Laurie introduced our guest speaker Pastor Chris Wood from Zion Fellowship who gave a powerful message. The theme of his message was that the will of God is “on earth as it is in heaven.” He's got the campers all in a buzz trying to figure out the meaning of Bafana, Bafana on his soccer shirt. It's great to have a guest speaker who is so willing to interact with the campers throughout the day.

After a nice breakfast of eggs, hash browns, bagels, pineapple, and assorted cereals the campers were off to their skill classes. This year Sister Kate Newtown is leading a painting skill class and Sister Janelle is leading a song writing skill class. In addition water skiing and tubing continue to be popular with the campers.

We continued our Monday tradition of separate chapels for guys and girls. Sister Laurie spoke to the girls and I spoke to the guys. The weather has been beautiful today so the cabin groups scattered around the ground for the devotionals.

As I write this the campers are at competition sports and I'm sure many will enjoy the water during our afternoon swim-boat time. Thank you for continuing to pray for the campers and staff this week. We'll try to keep you posted on the week as things progress.

Camp Shiloh 2011 - Monday Director's Log

Camp Shiloh Senior Camp 2011 is off to a great start!!! Sunday the campers arrived and were given their cabin and team assignments. Swim tests were taken and introductions were made along with a tour of the camp in their cabin group. Dinner was served and we were on to the main event. This year we introduced a new game involving balloons, socks, and panty hose. Each camp had a balloon taped to their back and a pair of socks inside of a brand new pair of panty hose, which the campers would place of their heads. The object was to knock the balloon off the other teams back using the sock. It was great!!!!!! Brother Brandon's comment summed it up best, “you can't be mad after losing that game, it's too much fun.” There was great enthusiasm and a surprisingly high level of creativity in the cheering particularly on the Gideon side. “Sock, drop, and roll” was one of my personal favorites.

Our main event was followed by canteen time and then on to chapel. Sister Janelle Gmitter led us into a wonderful time of worship with several counselors serving on the band. I'd like to thank John Potter in particular for the donation of his sound system and all of the time he spent setting up the system and the stage. There's a great look and sound!

Sister Laurie introduced our guest speaker Pastor Chris Wood from Zion Fellowship who gave a powerful message. The theme of his message was that the will of God is “on earth as it is in heaven.” He's got the campers all in a buzz trying to figure out the meaning of Bafana, Bafana on his soccer shirt. It's great to have a guest speaker who is so willing to interact with the campers throughout the day.

After a nice breakfast of eggs, hash browns, bagels, pineapple, and assorted cereals the campers were off to their skill classes. This year Sister Kate Newtown is leading a painting skill class and Sister Janelle is leading a song writing skill class. In addition water skiing and tubing continue to be popular with the campers.

We continued our Monday tradition of separate chapels for guys and girls. Sister Laurie spoke to the girls and I spoke to the guys. The weather has been beautiful today so the cabin groups scattered around the ground for the devotionals.

As I write this the campers are at competition sports and I'm sure many will enjoy the water during our afternoon swim-boat time. Thank you for continuing to pray for the campers and staff this week. We'll try to keep you posted on the week as things progress.