News & Updates

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash You can make many plans, but the Lord ’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.19.21.NLT  Planning is an important part of life. It encourages engagement with others, reflection on what is, what needs to be, and how to get there. By nature, planning is a process and continuous. Our planning is different than God’s purpose. Planning describes how we envision getting from point A to point B in our lives. God’s purpose is ...

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.19.NLT  “Be quick about it!” is a phrase many of us are familiar with. Essentially it means HURRY UP!!! When it comes to listening, we don’t often associate the ideas of quickness with listening, yet that is exactly what James is saying: "Hurry up and listen, would ya!" We ...

Photo by Benjamin Lambert on Unsplash So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.7.NLT Have you ever found yourself caught up  in an argument or defending a position that you really don’t have deep convictions about, and yet, you still argue away with others? Have you ever focused only on achieving pleasure at the expense of doing what is right and best for you? My answer to both questions is ...

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.7.NLT   We all unintentionally tend to carry around worries and cares, which weigh on our spirit, emotions, body and intellect. There can be a tendency to let issues we are concerned about dominate our lives to the point of losing sleep, eating poorly and impacting our relationships. Peter is writing to church leaders, known as Elders, ...

By “keeping the path clear to the cross,” lives can change and, in turn, communities can be transformed through the programs at Warm Beach Camp. One key element to all of this is to have well-maintained and beautiful grounds and facilities that are not a hindrance or distraction from the good people experience at Camp. Two major projects were completed in 2019. The remodeling of Cascadian Lodge and the repaving of Cedar Lodge loop. These significantly improve the quality of ...

Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.12.NLT  How does Jesus love us? It is an important question for one simple reason: Jesus told His disciples to love each other in the same way He loved them. This short reflection will only get us started on how Jesus loves us for another simple reason: Jesus’ love, and the understanding of it, grows in ...

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.12.9.NLT The apostle Paul was a very accomplished person. He had a high degree of learning. He was articulate. He had a unique and life changing encounter with God. All that Paul learned was ...

Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.13.20.NLT My mom told me that who I associate with matters. She wanted me to choose people who would be a good influence on my life. She wanted me to stay away from people who would get me into trouble. Now, as a father and grandfather, I appreciate the words of my mother. Such wisdom. As a ...

Two years ago, Warm Beach Horsemanship Director Lisa Tremain had a severe crushing injury resulting in permanent nerve damage in her left leg. Today, she is riding and working confidently, largely thanks to therapeutic vaulting. After a year and a half of physical therapy, Lisa plateaued in her recovery. She was frustrated with her working and riding limitations. Seeing this, Ginger Reitz, Warm Beach’s Therapeutic Horsemanship Coordinator, approached Lisa and suggested therapeutic vaulting to supplement her physical therapy. Lisa saw ...

Photo by Ryan Fish on Unsplash After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.7.9.NLT There is a day coming, the timing of it is unknown, when Jesus returns to the earth and begins the full restoration and redemption of the world, ...

Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.17.NLT The reality of life in Christ is amazing. Literally, I am becoming a new person. At some point, when this body dies, I even get a “made new” body that lasts forever. So, my character is made new. My mind is made new. My body is ...

Photo by Lauren Richmond on Unsplash And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 2 Corinthians 5:18 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.18.NLT The cultural conversation today about religion is surrounded with words of proselytize, solicit, convert, and indoctrinate. These words are spoken as if religion is just selling and convincing people to simply choose “my religion.” It is tempting to play this ...

The subject of leadership fascinates, allures, and sometime repels us in many ways. Some aspire to become great leaders, whatever “great” means. Others shun leadership for all of the pitfalls and heartache toxic leadership may inflict. For all of the research and experienced opinion out there on the subject, it remains fascinatingly complex and simple all at the same time. Having served in Christian Camps and Conference Centers for over 30 years, I have seen my share of young people ...

The elderly gentlemen carefully took out his debit card as his date stared at him with excitement and joy. “You know, we’ve lived in the area a long time but have never been here before. Where should we go first?” As I took out a map, and explained some of the festival highlights, the woman’s eyes began to widen with anticipation. “Thank you so much. Have a great night and a very Merry Christmas!” I exclaimed as the couple folded ...

Photo by Michael Skok on Unsplash In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right. Isaiah 26:9 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.26.9.NLT Be in pursuit of God every day. God’s ways are so much better than our ways. Seek to live right and do good by all those in your life. Do not become arrogant in your own abilities, that is when things ...

Early each August for the past 10 years, youth musicians have convened at Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center for renewal through a week of choral singing, music theory studies, rekindling friendships, and classic summer camp activities. Throughout this decade, a community of like-minded, musical artists has developed - bringing together teens in grades 6-12. Along with college counselor-mentors and professional musician leaders from all over the United States and even occasionally abroad. The 2019 NW Choir Camps - Honor ...

Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. James 1:13 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.13.NLT Temptation to do things that are not right are common to every one of us. Any temptation that has come your way is not unique to you. As near as I can tell, temptation has three source points: You: Each of us are ...

Photo by Samuel McGarrigle on Unsplash Providing Christ-centered environments, experiences, and resources that draw people of all ages to God through camping ministries, conferences and events (The stated mission of WBC). Today’s devos begin a thoughtful reflection about the mission we are on together through Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center. God has established and called Warm Beach Camp to be His kingdom on earth in some specific ways that deserve reflection and shared understanding. At the core of our ...

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.19-21.NLT I have a 1962 Studebaker Champ Pickup that was given to me as a gift a ...

Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/3jn.1.2.NLT I hope all is well with you. I wish you health in your body and strength in your spirit. May God be near you with blessing, encouragement, and abundance. The apostle John is writing this letter to a friend, thanking him for the hospitality given ...