The End of the Beginning…

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Words do not really describe the end of the summer. Looking back on all the memories with the other staff and with all the campers. It’s crazy to think that it’s over. I remember one of the first nights, I looked over at one of my fellow summer staff, and told him that this summer was going to be the greatest summer ever. This summer exceeded every expectation I could have put in place for it.

Needless to say I more than miss this summer. It felt that it went by way to fast. So many opportunities to share the love of Christ. I love what God has done down here at camp. Not only do those who come down to camp as campers become impacted but also the staff here as well. I am more than blessed to have had the opportunity to come down here and serve.

I want to thank those who are continuing to pray for me and that have been an amazing encouragement on my life. You are definitely apart of my family and I cherish those who have been challenging me and encouraging me in my walk with Christ.

God has challenged me in a few areas this summer. The biggest area God reached out to me was my trust toward Him. So many times I have been taught in my life that we need to take care of ourselves and make sure we have things under control… I highly disagree. The more I have trusted in Christ this past summer the more He revealed Himself to me.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding”
~Proverbs 3:5~

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”
~Isaiah 26:4~

So many times this summer, and partially before, God kept telling me to just trust in Him. I kept failing at trying to do things myself and I had enough. Life runs so much smoother and easier when we truly put all our trust in Him. A lot of times, I had to just shut up and listen to what He was trying to tell me. It gets too noisy when we keep worrying about what’s next. The peace comes when we trust in God and let HIM work the miracles in our lives.

The second thing that God taught me is essentially that I am not going to understand why everything happens. I have so often tried to understand why things are going on but truly will never understand.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
~Isaiah 55:8-9~

There are something that happen in life that we are just not going to understand. THAT’S OKAY! We just need to keep in mind who is in control of all things. If we understood everything in this world it would defeat the purpose of having a god because we know all things. It goes back to the first thing God has taught me this summer, in that we need to just trust in Him and allow Him to do the work.

Again, it’s hard knowing the summer is over and most of the staff are gone. I am now back down at camp after a long weekend of traveling through several states. It’s so exciting to see where God is going to bring me next in life. The less I worry about life the more exciting it is to look at God and say “I’m ready!”.

Prayer requests:

  • A possible job opportunity has been in sight for a while down here near camp as a police officer. I would very much appreciate the prayers that I could get this job, but above all that God’s will is done.
  • For camp to get some more help during these next couple of months since most of the summer staff are gone and more guest groups keep coming in.

Half way through!

Posted on by stevenlucht1

It’s an interesting concept, isn’t it? When you come down in the valley it seems like all your problems you have had before stay out of the valley. This is one reason I love being down here in the valley.

This week is high school camp. There have been some great message times and solid teachings. The biggest prayer is that these campers grow in their relationship with Christ. (as always) Last night we were on the climbing wall, zip line and the giant swing. The days might become long but they are still full of good times. Today we are headed to lake Arbutus for the day.

During this week and previous weeks God has been teaching me an important lesson, and it comes from Isaiah 55 verse eight and nine.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
~ Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

There are so many things that happen in our life, whether that’s daily issues or weekly, that we can’t explain. However, it’s so comforting to know that God is in control of all of it. There is nothing that we need to worry about. When we worry, we look up at God and basically spit in His face and say that we don’t trust Him and that we are going to take things into our own hands. Stupid idea.

All in all this summer is going better than I could have imagined. My relationship with God has been challenged to a whole new level. I absolutely love being apart of this ministry! I want to thank all those that have supported us in your prayers. Prayer is the only way we would be walking today as it gets to be very long and tiring days.

Prayer requests:

  • Sleep would be wonderful
  • Energy to get through the day (besides just drinking coffee all day)
  • Prayer that more campers sign up for the weeks to come
  • That campers will put their trust in God <— duh
  • I may be coming down with a slight cold so that would be a nice prayer request

Again, thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!

A Delayed Update…

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Kids Camp #1:

I love having the opportunity to dorm lead. This past week it was the third through sixth grade camp. Third through sixth grade camp has always been one of my favorite camps to be a part of. However, I’m writing this just hours after saying goodbye to the kids that I have so much enjoyed learning from and teaching. I have always had a hard time saying goodbye. Not only did I say goodbye to all the kids but also to my family that was serving down at camp for the week.

All in all the week went far better than I could have imagined. I don’t remember the exact number, but there were several kids that either accepted Christ into their lives for the first time or reassured their faith. Every time a child puts their faith into Christ I get tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms.

Now that the kids are gone, I constantly wonder if we truly made a difference in their life. All I can really do now is to pray for these kids. God is good and even though we as dorm leaders aren’t in their lives anymore I know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well.

We had an amazing group of dorm leaders, teachers, and staff down here for this past week. It was such a blessing to be encourage by those around me. I also want to thank all those who are supporting me through prayer that it definitely is helping. God has given me an incredible first week with working with kids.

Boys Camp:

The above was meant to be posted earlier but hadn’t had the time to finish. Now it is the end of Boys Camp. I will admit, I was quite tired from the week before and was so saddened that I had to say goodbye to all the kids from the week before. However, I was soon showed how much enjoyment it was to be with the older guys.

My biggest challenge at the end of the week was if I made a true difference on these guys lives. I will admit, it was a challenge for me. On the last night we had an open sharing time with the campers of what they learned and what they were challenged on. The majority of them made a strong point that they wanted to continue/start a daily devotional and increase in their relationship with God. My biggest prayer request is that they not only desire to build that relationship and quench their thirst for Christ, but actually follow through by being doers of the Word.

God is good and has all things in control. It’s amazing how God can use us for His glory. I want to thank everyone that has been so diligent in praying for us and the work that is going on down at camp.

Prayer requests:

  • Sleeeeeeeeeeeeep. It’s been a tiring week and there is still sleep to be had.
  • To have focus on Christ and to be able to tell all the more people about Christ’s love
  • More people to sign up for camps

Again, I can’t thank you all enough for all the prayer and support you have been showing me. The encouragement from my brothers and sisters in Christ means the world to me. If you have any questions, please let me know I would love to tell you more.

Days of Training

Posted on by stevenlucht1

This past week was absolutely amazing. Not only do I have the opportunity to serve side by side with some incredible people, I get to learn more about me amazing Savior! I do apologize for not posting more often and more information.

Today we had the privilege to do some climbing wall, giant swing, zip line and the tree climb training. As long of a day it may have been it was really cool to be able to utilize these tools for Christ.

There are so many fun activities that are being planned and prepared for this summer that is so cool. My favorite part is being able to share those activities throughout the summer. God is so good and I am constantly seeing Him work around the camp in teaching us.

We all have been working hard trying to prepare for our different nature times that we have so that we are prepared to teach the kids. It would be really appreciated if you could pray that we can convey the message of Christ to these kids through the different nature times. There is a lot of reading and studying going on, and it’s so exciting because of the end result that God can use us as a tool to teach these kids.

I want to thank you. I want to thank you for praying and reading what’s going on down in the valley. We are all getting very anxious to use the training we have been going through to teach all that are coming to camp.

Again, if you have any questions or want to know a little bit more (it’s hard to get it all down in a limited time frame) I would more than love to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.

Prayer request:
~ That the sunburn that the sun so graciously gave me would dwindle down as in some parts are quite painful
~That we would be able to have our nature times ready for the kids
~ That we who have extra messages to get ready for would be ready and be able to convey an amazing teaching and share Christ’s love through it
~ Sleep would be nice and being well rested for each days activities

The Start of a Journey!

Posted on by stevenlucht1

My excitement is almost overwhelming. I am still surprised that God has placed me here for the summer. SO many prayers have gone into this summer. I am so appreciative that you have been a part of this journey with me. I want to personally thank everyone that has been praying for us down here at camp and all the encouragement that has been sent this way. It means so much when people throw in some words of encouragement.

It’s interesting that God puts us just where He wants us. I really didn’t think I would be down here in the peaceful valley of Living Waters as summer staff again. I love being around such sound Christian brothers and sisters, and am so excited to see us all grow closer to Christ and to teach kids about Christ.

Today we walked around camp with short introductions of the different programs that will be going through the summer. I love walking around in the valley. I look around and remember some of the must incredible moments that God allowed me to have down here as a camper and as a dorm leader. It is definitely a place of encouragement and excitement into what is to come.

Prayer Request:
~ Keeping our eyes on why we are here (sharing the gospel and building up the Kingdom of God)
~ Making sure that our person devotions challenge us and help us grow in our faith while we are here.
~SLEEEEEEEEP (it may just be the first couple days however it’s always needed)

Please feel free to ask questions or if you want to just get in contact with me, let me know.

Thank you so much for the prayer!

My Kind of Mother…

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Some may say that I am late in writing this, however I still find it important to say.

A couple of years ago, one of my campers was explaining that he doesn’t have a mother anymore. He told me after waking up with a nightmare and was crying while I was trying to get him to relax. He lost his mother not too long before he came to camp. Tears welled up in my eyes as I couldn’t imagine not having a mother. My mother means the world to me. I know that if you talk to any of my siblings they would agree to how amazing our mother was, is and is to come.

The other day I was watching my mom playing with her granddaughter. Complete joy overcame me watching those two interact and the incredible connection they have. I have always looked up to my mother even when I did grow taller than her. Being the youngest, I didn’t really see my mom work with too many kids, besides the ones she use to babysit years ago.

mompeyton
(Peyton wrapping her arms around her grandma’s neck.)

I have an incredible mother, and have been so blessed to have her in my life. She has helped me through some of my hardest times in life. She has also encouraged me to keep moving forward in life especially in difficult decisions. She has taught me through the years what it meant to love and to properly treat my future wife. She is one of the most patient people I know who will rarely ever complain. Her relationship with her heavenly father has always encouraged me to become closer to God. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mother.

resturauntpeytongg

Word’s don’t properly describe how amazing she is. She has always been the backbone of our family showing us love even when we wouldn’t agree with her. She is a caring wife that has always displayed the biblical viewpoint of what a wife is suppose to be.

My mom is the type of person that you could tell her some of the darkest secrets too and she will still look at you with love and compassion. No, my mom is not perfect. Who is? She has a heart of gold. I always know that I can count on my mom for help in times of hardship. She would bend over backwards for you to make sure that you were happy.

piggybackgg

I always wondered where I learned to work with kids. Now I know. My mom has showed me over the years what it meant to share the gospel with kids, how to properly discipline a kid with love and putting oneself at the same level as a kid to connect with them. When my parents use to direct a week of camp for Living Waters my mom would stay up late and wake up early making sure everything was ready for the camp. Even though it was, at times, stressful she knew that the outcome of all her hard work would pay off.

Anyone who knows my mother knows that she is one amazing wife/mother/grandmother.
I’m so blessed to have a mother like her.
~I love my mom~

The New Upcoming Chapter…

Posted on by stevenlucht1

It’s amazing the kind of gift that God has so graciously given me. I love utilizing my gift for God’s Kingdom. Working with kid’s brings so much enjoyment into life, and can brighten up any kind of day that I previously have been going through.

Sound asleep, while volunteering at camp, I felt poking on my face. After realizing this poking was not in my dream I saw a kid from my dorm attempting to wake me up. Quickly sitting up, I asked the little guy what was wrong. He very softly explained that he couldn’t sleep as he had a question. I sat with Him for at least an hour as he asked some of the most in depth questions about who God was and what it meant to be a christian.

I would do absolutely anything for a kid, and I live for moments like those.

As some people know, I will be spending my summer down in the beautiful valley of Living Waters Bible Camp as Program Staff. I will have the privilege to grow with some amazing people down in the valley along with utilizing God’s gift he has given me in teaching kids about His AMAZING love for us

The decision:
At first, I wasn’t looking into going to camp. Financially I didn’t believe it would have been a wise decision along with job prospect that I knew would turn me down if I were to leave for the summer. Despite all that was holding me back I decided to pray about it. Most people that know me, know I have a burning passion in working with kids in a children’s ministry and didn’t want to completely shut out this opportunity.

I prayed about this opportunity.

About two weeks into constantly having this on my mind, I decided to go to my boss at work and ask if it was possible to take the summer off. He told me that he would need to talk to his district manager to see if it was possible. The next day my boss explained that it wouldn’t be a problem. That was a huge door that opened for me.

After praying about going to camp, I finally made the decision of going. I am not only going because I want to but because I truly feel God leading me to go. Every door that I felt was prohibiting me from going to camp was being opened by God and I knew this is where God wanted me.

Throughout the summer, I will do my best on posting here what’s going on down at Living Waters. I want those around me to be apart of this ministry with me. (THAT’S YOU!) I’ll post different prayer requests and of course praises letting you know what’s going on.

Not only will I need prayer, but those around me at camp also. I will have the amazing privilege to grow spiritually alongside some incredible people. Throughout the summer there are times that are going to be tiring and exhausting, those are the times that we need your prayer all the more.

I am so excited for this new, even though short, chapter in my life and the ability to have you apart of it. Join me through the summer as we can impact rambunctious kids all the way to young adult. Prayer is such a powerful tool that we have to confess, ask and give praise to our incredible God.

~ Mark 10:13-14 ~
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them. and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ” Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” and he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Kids look up to older people so much and I can’t wait to have that kind of impact on kids again. I want to thank you for being apart of that in supporting me through prayer and encouragement. It means so much to me when someone encourages me as it wasn’t an overnight decision to be led to go to camp. God is SO good!

He is in Control…

Posted on by stevenlucht1

Flying down the open roads of the LaCrosse area, taking hard turns and enjoying the time on my motorcycle. I came up to a ninety degree corner, feeling very confident, at about 30 to 40 miles an hour. There were bushes and trees on the corner of the lot prohibiting me from seeing what was on the other side of the corner. Still confident I entered into the corner enjoying the thrill. In a spit second I realized my life-threatening mistake. There was a large truck right in my lane, that was no more than 20 feet in front of me, headed my way. In a split second I tried to go around the left side of the truck, instead the bike slipped underneath me and took me across the road into a ditch that lead into a corn field. I was inches away from going head on with the truck…

I find it an absolute miracle that: 1) God didn’t take me home to be with Him that day and 2) I didn’t break one bone in my body. Needless to say, I was scrapped up a little bit but it definitely could have been far worse.

As I got up, while still in shock, I pushed my bike out of the corn field and up the ditch to get it on the road. I immediately sat down on the side of the road and felt almost every bone in my body to make sure i didn’t break anything. It took me several minutes to get back on my bike.

…I was horrified…

There was no way I was getting back on that thing, but I had to get back to my grandparents (where I was staying at the time). I very reluctantly threw me leg over my bike and started it back up. I knew I had to at least get back to my grandparents. I didn’t go faster than ten miles an hour the entire way back. In the back of my mind I constantly reminded myself that I almost killed myself.

I got back to my grandparents and looked at my bike. Thankfully, there wasn’t much damage to the bike either. However, I wasn’t getting back on that thing for a while.

I very much look forward to riding my motorcycle. The motorcycle that I was in the accident with has recently been sold mainly because I lost my trust in it.

Now, it could have completely given up on riding a motorcycle. I cringe just thinking back at the experience knowing that it could have been my last ride, and it only happened last summer.

I’m not one to talk about this story because it was very difficult to go through. Why do I tell you this story? The reason I am writing about it is because of certain recent events that has happened that made me remember it.

I learned two lessons from this experience.

The first lesson is that we need to give all of our praises and thanks to God at all times and through all circumstances. I will admit, I was very upset at myself for going too fast around the corner and for the trucker to be in my lane. However, I thank God that I was barely injured physically. I thank God that I am alive. Most of the time I speak very lightly of the matter, but I know if God didn’t help me avoid that truck I wouldn’t be here today.

Above all I am thankful I got in the accident. WHAT?!?! DID HE JUST SAY THAT!?! Yes, in fact, I did. I know how close I came to be taken to my heavenly home, but I know God had a better plan for me. I am thankful I got in the accident because it taught me to take my time and not to be so confident in myself especially when it comes to my safety and the safety of others around me.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~
“Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“

The second lesson that it taught me was God is always in control. Even when I knew I had no control over my motorcycle God had control over me. He could have taken me home to be with Him, instead gave me a quick response to avoid a head-on collision. God will always be in control even when we feel we are out of control.

~ Joshua 1:9 ~
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

It’s His Glory

Posted on by stevenlucht1

It’s one of my favorite times to be sitting outside. A small breeze rushing past you while the sun is slowly going over the horizon. Listening to the birds singing their songs that God designed them to do. The occasional rabbit skipping across the yard looking for shelter. This is my favorite time of the day.

This is the time of day that you can really look around at the amazing creations that God has made for our enjoyment. It’s the time of day that you can spend hours enjoying. You want to rest your eyes but there is so much going on around you that at times you keep them open to get the best of both worlds.

It’s this very time of day that I enjoy reflecting on all that God has created for me. Whether this creation is my family He has provided for me, or all that I am surrounded with in nature.

Isn’t it amazing that God created all this in just six days! Shoot, I have a hard time creating a hot pocket in the microwave without it exploding. Just to think that God created all this that we see around us.

From the bleeding hearts (a flower) to the magnificent oak tree. God created these for our enjoyment. The bleeding heart is one of my favorite flowers. It has a vivid pink color to them with a design that looks like a heart you would typically draw on a paper. I love the way God created this flower.

We look around in this world and see some incredible sights. From the Grand Canyon to the Mountains that stretch across the land out west. The most astounding creations is us!  Weird huh? I look around and see some jaw dropping sights yet we are considered the greatest creation.

God has made our bodies so intricate. We are apart of God’s divine purpose and we were created in the image of God Himself! I find that fact absolutely amazing.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

That being said, we should be constantly glorifying God through our bodies. Glorifying God through our bodies could mean how we act, what we say and how we hold ourselves up in difficult situations.

All around us we see God’s amazing creation glorifying Him. All the way down to the bleeding heart that sits so beautifully, and you know that there was a creator of that flower. Let us glorify God with our own bodies.

Since I am getting bit by mosquitoes, and am losing the battle, I will end with a quote that really enjoyed by Charles Spurgeon.

““To whom be glory for ever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian. I take
it that he should not have twenty wishes, but only one. He may desire to see his
family well brought up, but only that “To God may be glory for ever.” He may wish
for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this—“To
whom be glory for ever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it
should only be that “To him may be glory for ever.” This one thing I know, Christian,
you are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than
the one motive of your Lord’s glory.”
~ Charles Spurgeon ~