Totally His

Overcoming Obstacles...

2011-06-30T04:40:00.001-07:00

Tubing Tales...!!!

2011-06-28T19:11:00.001-07:00

Good Times...at the LAKE!!!

2011-06-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Making Memories With Ultimate Frisbee

2011-06-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Shout-out to "Jessica" with her help taking pictures this week. Here is a sample of some of the fun memories that she captured. Also, props to Caity for the assist on getting all of these posted!

Stay tuned .... lake pictures coming soon!

2011-06-24T04:22:00.001-07:00

Faith in ACTION!

2011-06-23T03:54:00.000-07:00

There is a beautiful aspect to sports that enable them to teach us and shape us in ways beyond our capacity, regardless of our level. That is one thing that makes volleyball one of my favorites. Whether those killer spikes are your forte, or digging the low ones; it requires the whole team working together in unity. Volleyball reminds us to trust our teammates to "get our backs" and cover the role that has been assigned to them, as well as requires every participant to give 100% in order to succeed as a team. It also replicates the body of Christ and the work of believers in the fact that there may be one person who "takes it over" or "gets" that hit; but there were many steps leading up to that point. Every player has a different role to complete, and though there may be one person that strikes the "winning blow"; it takes each of those teammates being faithful to their assignment in order for that to take place.

As believers, when we are witnessing to others, we may not always be the one that reaps the fruit; or when we are serving, not be the one in the spotlight. However, Paul says multiple times throughout the New Testament that it requires every part of the body working together in various roles, capacities, and strengths in order to accomplish Kingdom work. We wouldnt want all eyes and no hands, or all ears and no feet. So as a volleyball team with only hitters or only setters would not be very effective.

Making Memories... :)

2011-06-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

Follow Me

2011-06-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Pastoral director of EI, as well as one of my favorite teachers...Mr Nuernberg is a captivating speaker and master expositor. This week he has been speaking in one of the morning sessions about "following Christ" and the call of Matthew. His understanding of Jewish culture, geography, and the lifestyle of the people of that day; aid him in bringing passages of Scripture "to life" for the students.

This morning he explained how we are all on a path. When we meet Jesus, our paths collide. We are not already headed towards the Lord, and then continue walking on the parallel path we were already on; it is a collision, a crossroads, a moment of decision. To "follow Christ" means to make a choice to get off the path we were currently on, turn from the direction we were already headed, and join the Lord on His pathway. This action, this choosing of paths, requires major life-change. For a believer, life is walking with the Lord every day. At the time of conversion, we are asked to "follow" Christ, to join Him on His pathway, going where He is headed. We cannot accept His salvation, and continue on our own path. When met with this pivotal place on our journey, we must make a conscious choice. Will you join Him on His path? When He said "follow me", how did you respond? Have you "joined Him"?

Just for Fun!

2011-06-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Session Highlights

2011-06-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

We are very blessed to have Atsen here to lead the music and worship times. Atsen is from India, but after graduating from EI, was led to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he is currently studying music. Atsen has a really cool outlet to express his love for the Lord through singing & playing guitar, leading worship in churches and Totally His, and writing songs. Last night was another blessing as all the campers joined their voices to sing praises to our King.

During the time of singing, Atsen challenged all the campers to find other people in the room to pray with. Specifically to pray for God's power to reign over the camp, and to bring the burdens of our hearts before Him. After a time, Atsen began to play "my God is stronger" quietly in the background. As I looked around at this room full of clusters of young people pouring out their hearts to the Lord, and was reminded of those words "You are Stronger, sin is broken. You have saved me, It is written Christ is risen; Jesus, You are Lord of all. So let YOUR name be lifted higher, be lifted higher" I knew that I was part of a very special moment. This Spirit-filled time of worship created a softness and tenderness, setting the stage for what Barrett would share.

Barrett's message was centered around the story of the woman who annointed the feet of Jesus, and having a love for the Lord like hers~ that would be both intentional and sacrifical. A love that is compelling. Love that motivates you to action.

Staying Hydrated...

2011-06-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Lots of strategically placed "watering holes" all over campus...

displaying the *crazy* water bottle. Drink up folks!

Transporting all the coolers of water. Brings new *modern-day* perspective to the concept of having to "water the camels." :)

Through heat....and more heat!

2011-06-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Totally His Campers brought in the first day of summer well with their rather dehydrating activities of infamous exercises with Mr Francis, rousing games of capture the flag, and impressively aggressive rounds of ultimate frisbee.

A little friendly sister-competition.

Capture the flag...EI style :)

Very proud of all of these hot, tired, sweaty kids for sticking it out through tough competition, lots of bright sun, and being team players! Well done guys!!!

Are YOU His?

2011-06-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

Youth Conference 2011 kicked off in style last night with enthusiastic Campers and Counselors gathering from all over the world for a week of learning, fun, sports, fellowship, and becoming "Totally His."

Our key Speaker for the week, Barrett Marshall, opened with a powerful message; designed to expose our hearts and motives before the Lord. As we go into a week where the whole theme is built around learning to be "Totally His", Barrett asked the campers to first ask themselves "are they His?" We must BE His, before we can build additional truths and practical applications of walking as "Totally" His.

Likened to the example of comparing counterfeit money, Barrett encouraged the Campers to not look for similarities; but to look for differences between them and Christ. "Don't deceive yourself by comparing yourself --to other counterfeits." "Are we casual followers of Christ?"

What a needful message to our generation of complacency! It's exciting to see how the Lord is already working and how He will continue to expose our motives, mindsets, and methods; that keep us from being radical, dedicated, "all-in" followers of Christ.

We have an exciting day ahead with morning sessions with Jeremy McMorris, Wallace Francis, and Art Nuernberg; followed by good team building games and lots of crazy fun times! Please pray for each person here; that the Lord would expose their own hearts to them and they would know if they are His...and then give them wisdom in learning to be "Totally His" in every area of life.

Let's Get This Party Started...!

2011-06-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Prep for Totally His 2011 is in full swing. Anyone else super EXCITED?!?! Post a comment with some of YOUR favorite youth conference memories!!

Are you READY?!?!

2011-06-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ready or not .... here it comes!

Its amazing that it is already that time of year again! School is out and schedules are quickly filling up with Summer jobs, camps, and countless activities. Hopefully in the midst of your planning ... you are just as excitedly preparing for the annual "Totally His" youth conference as we are! We have an awesome line-up of Speakers, sports, food, music, and campers, and we're looking forward to an incredible week having a BLAST seeking the Lord together.

If you just CANT wait until Totally His starts .... and you want to help us kick off the summer spirit and get some early practice on those awesome v-ball spikes and mad soccer moves that will make your team "rock the socks" at Youth Conference= join us for Youth Nights At EI starting THIS thursday, June 9th. Come join the fun and get that pep rally started!

Totally His CDs

2010-07-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in purchasing a CD of pictures taken during the Totally His Youth Conference; please let us know. We will be selling the "Totally His album" for $10 a piece. This will be two CDs full of a variety of images from the week. Purchasing this will give you the capability to make a slideshow; print pictures of activities for scrapbooks, frames, etc.; upload to facebook; or share with your family and friends your experience at Totally His Youth Conference 2010!

Let us Run This Race with Patience...

2010-07-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Inspiring Courage...

2010-06-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Courage also gives you the mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship. It implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

One who gives "encouragement" is literally "inspiring someone with courage, and spurring them on." A simple deduction can then be made: while underestimated by the world in which we live; the gift of giving encouragement to others is priceless. When someone is encouraging another he is giving them hope and promise; inspiring them to have this strength to persevere to the end and finish strong.

In Deuteronomy, the people are instructed to encourage Joshua and strengthen him - so that he would be able to fulfill the job God had given him to do. As a member of a team, one of the most important roles that we can play in the success of our team is that of encouragement. By building up our team members, we can help them to be strengthened and "spur them on" to acheiving the goal. No matter what your level of skill or atheletic ability, everyone can be the key "player" if they choose to adopt the role of "encourager."

While this is a very important role in the physical realm; it also holds high significance in our spiritual lives. One of the devil's tactics is to lead Christians prey to discouragement. When other believers are able to come alongside those who are struggling and help to lift them up through prayer, service, words of wisdom, etc. it inspires that Christian and gives him the courage to "finish strong" pressing toward the "goal" of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. Just as encouragement is an important factor in a healthy and effective team; so it is also an essential element in the body of Christ. Although this is an important role; it is not always recognized. Many people are too busy promoting themselves to give time and thought to encouraging those around them and are unknowingly undermining the effectiveness of their unity and teamwork.

Every person has a huge amount of influence and potential because their actions, words, and attitudes affect those around them. How are you using your potential? Does the way you live before the Lord inspire those around you to courage?

Making Memories...

2010-06-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

Through:

Team Chants...

Just Being Together...

Quiet Talks...

or together cheering your team on to victory... :)

Highlights from Thursday...

2010-06-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hard Core Cake Decorating!

2010-06-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

H2o!!

2010-06-24T03:43:00.000-07:00

On a hot summer day, especially when playing sports; thirst is a natural response of the body and is in fact an indicator of life. If someone was never thirsty or never required water to stay hydrated; you may begin to wonder if they are a real living person or merely a robot functioning only by programmed commands. Also, thirst is a safety factor helping to keep you alive. Without proper hydration, the body would no longer be able to function. Thirst is a God-given "low fuel light" that reminds you to give your body the hydration it needs in order to stay alive.

While this may seem like stating the obvious, there are many Christians who do not realize the significance of comparing these physical facts to their Spiritual walk. Every day we are surrounded by people who are walking through life without ever demonstrating a thirst for the Lord Jesus Christ; including professing Christians. Thirst is an evidence of life. Are you merely a robot trained to follow rules, regulations, and maintain spiritual disciplines so that people will think well of you? Or because you have been "programmed" that it is the *right* thing? Or do you have a hunger and thirst for the Living God that displays HIS LIFE living in you.

Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." When we are truly thirsty, we long for that drink, and we continue drinking until our thirst is quenched. Do you have a thirst that longs to know the Lord? that continuely draws you back to the Word of God because it cannot be quenched? Or are you satisfied by only a swallow? Where is your "thirst meter." Do you long to be "filled" with the presence of God? Without being repeatedly filled by the Lord, and spending time "soaking up" His presence; we would not be able to function spiritually. Our thirst keeps us coming back to Him for the Spiritual hydration that is necessary in walking with Christ.

We are the temple of God; the place where the lost can see Christ. What does your level of thirst evidence to the world? Are YOU alive?

More "Obstacle Course Action"

2010-06-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

Overcoming Obstacles!

2010-06-24T03:12:00.000-07:00

One of the most "*anxiously* awaited" events at youth conference is the legendary obstacle course. Though challenging, it teaches many important character lessons; such as:

harnessing the strengths and weaknesses of your team in order to achieve the greatest potential...

keeping a joyful attitude despite the bugs, heat, or "obstacle" set before you...

...and working together as a team to help one another...
...so that every teammate may finish strong!

EI Soccer!

2010-06-24T03:04:00.000-07:00

Hard core soccer players enduring the heat and running hard to the end! Mr. Brazier would have been impressed at the lack of "fairies" out on the field on such a hot day!

Of course, these are the truly smart people: observing from underneath the shade. :)

Highlights....

2010-06-24T02:50:00.000-07:00

The activities of Wednesday were the infamous obstacle course and Totally His's annual soccer tournament.

It's all about Teamwork. :)

Marc and Suresh kept the campers well hydrated as they drove around administering massive amounts of water and ice!

2010-06-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

"Kicking off" to a great start of a week full of sun, smiles, sports, and strenuous competition.

Totally His 2010

2010-06-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

Last night, campers from all over united together for the beginning of Totally His 2010! Pastor David Kay began the week with an eye-opening message on "being Poor in Spirit" and understanding where your heart really is before the Lord.

After the message, Atsen led the group in singing "Change my heart, O God." May this be our prayer going into this week -- that our hearts would be changed in a deep and lasting way; a transformation from the inside out.

Today's Sports Highlights....

2009-06-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

2009-06-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

The word on the street ....

2009-06-25T12:11:00.001-07:00

Testimonies from some of the Campers:

"This youth conference has been such a blessing to me. It has been so refreshing to come away from work and the distractions of life and be able to worship and learn with like-minded Christians my own age. One thing I have appreciated about the speakers is their transparency. Each of them has been very open and honest about struggles and failures in their own lives. They have been real examples of a Godly walk with Christ, and I am so thankful for their leadership. God has taught me a lot about what it means to live a pure life. Mr. Brazier used the example of Daniel. I am learning the importance of making a definite decision every day to live a pure life; both in my thoughts as well as my actions. He is worthy of my all. ~ Maria Conner

"There are so many things that have stuck out to me at the Youth conference this week. But, it seems everything has been pointing to one thing = being 'totally His.' Through the teaching on the cost of following Christ and not being afraid to identify with Christ, and on living without hypocrisy, one message permeates it all: being totally His. This idea has stuck out to me and though I have failed to apply this many times through sports or fellowship; I pray that I will continue to strive to be Totally His." Nathan Johnson

Soccer Highlights ...

2009-06-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

An important part of camp ....

2009-06-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Chris is in charge of the EI kitchen and always does a wonderful job making excellent food that tastes delicious and has aesthetic appeal.

Sanita helps out with the important projects .... (like cleaning up the utensils! ;p)

So parents, you need not worry. Your children are eating beautiful, delicious meals and plenty of scrumptious, fun desserts! Props to our kitchen staff for a job well done!

Quiet Moments ...

2009-06-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His Holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart: who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah." Psalm 24:3-6

Latest News ...

2009-06-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

The Campers just attended a session with Mr. Brazier on living a pure life in an unpure world. Mr. Brazier brought out some really great points about who we are living for, the real meaning of love, and the purity with which we should treat those of the opposite gender.

Some "Nuggets:"

Christ needs to be three things to you daily: your satisfaction, sufficiency, and security.
You should want to live a pure life for Christ's sake.
God gives His commands for your sake ... not to restrict you- but to set you free.
Love is Self-Denial.
This kind of love can only be done if Christ is your satisfaction. This type of love will set you free.
Just because you know it, you have to now live it.
Take responsibility for your life today.
Three relational snares to avoid: 1) :Playing the field, 2) Obsession, 3) having a fantasy world.

Beauty:

"It is a beautiful thing when you see a young man love God and live for Him alone.

It is a beautiful thing when you see a young woman who is not being taken in by young men who are "playing her" or giving her attention."

"How beautiful to see young men and women standing for the glory of God."

Mr. Brazier addressed the question: "How do we live a pure life in an unpure world?" His conclusion? Simply this; "you must be satisfied in Jesus Christ alone."

Multi-tasking ....

2009-06-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Words from the Wise ....

2009-06-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

"Love thinks the best until the facts prove otherwise." ~ Dr. Dan Johnson

Meeting Highlights ....

2009-06-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

This year at Totally His the keynote speaker is David Kay. The past two evenings he has done a dynamic job delivering real-life, practical, but inspiring messages. Last night he challenged the campers by stating, "Before you ask the question are you Totally His, you must ask; do I know WHO He is?"

Tonight he gave a message that is applicable to every person's heart .... it was on the subject of being a pharisee. He said, "Even on our best day .... there is a bit of pharisee in all of us." Being a pharisee is when you do what you do before men and not before God. This is something that is a very relevant issue in our day as we all try so desperately to be considered "spiritual" instead of just focusing on our walk with Christ.

Highlights from his message:

"If someone leaves little things undone, you can't trust them with the big things either."

"Do you look for ways for other people to think that you are spiritual?"

"Have you lost sight of what matters most?"
"Do you major on the minors, and minor on the majors?"
"A person who lives his life with no boundaries is like someone who plays with marbles on I-85."
"If we spent time looking for ways not to look spiritual but to genuinely help someone ... we would discover something that has been missing."

Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

~Don't memorize another Bible verse until you start living this one." ~ Pastor David Kay

Thought for the Day ...

2009-06-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

"Just slamming heads with people isn't always the best approach ..." ~Dr. J

Getting Ready ....

2009-06-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Bright and early Monday morning .... the Counselors started off the day with a meeting with Dr. J to inspire and motivate them for the week ahead ....

Dr. J leads the counselor with many words of wisdom ...

It is really neat to see the way that all the counselors have joined together in "one accord"

uniting their hearts in prayer .... teamwork .... and one focus: to glorify the Lord and come alongside other young people and encourage them in their walk with Christ.

... And it is also neat to see their willingness to work on many different projects.... to prepare the campus for the onslaught of campers!