Monday, April 09, 2007
JESUS CAME TO SUMMER CAMP
I spend one week at QMCC (Quartz Mountain Christian Camp) every summer with about 150 kids. Last year one of the staff that came and helped was a man named Kendel. Kendel is a band director and is excellent with the kids. The interesting thing about Kendel is he looks exactly like Jesus (or at least the way we think he looked). I had never seen or met Kendel before last year's camp session. All I knew was a lot of people had told me, "Trey, he looks just like Jesus." But I didn't know how much until I saw him for myself. Wow.
When I first saw him from a distance, I was shocked. All I wanted to do was stare. There he stood with about 15 little kids around him. It was as if I was looking at Jesus. It was an amazing feeling. I sat there thinking to myself, "How would I react if Jesus was actually here at camp?" If Kendel really was Jesus, what would I do? I remember wanting so much to go and talk to him, but I felt so uncomfortable. I wasn't worthy. And would Jesus even know who I was? Yet all I could do was stare. I had never felt so many emotions at one single time in my life. I immediately thought of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5), who felt so unworthy, yet so drawn. I then thought of Peter who when he met Jesus, fell at his feet and said, "Go away from me, I'm a sinner." All I knew is I just wanted to meet him and touch him.
I did go over to Kendel and introduce myself. He was a super-nice man. I enjoyed getting to know him that week. He did look a lot like what I think Jesus would look like on the outside. But I found out that Kendel also looked a lot like Jesus on the inside. I remember one of Kendel's lessons from camp. He was talking about how people are always looking at him and telling him he looks like Jesus. He made the point that it's more important to him to look like Jesus on the inside than on the outside. I remember him saying, "I want to act like him more than I want to look like him."
I was impressed. Summer camp is still about 3 months ways. I think Kendel's coming back again this year. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better. Not because he looks like Jesus on the outside but because he looks like Jesus on the inside. I love people who remind me of my Savior.
So how will you react when you see Jesus for the first time? Maybe something like this song (click here) I've been humming in my head all morning.
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See you tomorrow on Top 10 Tuesday!
Labels: Jesus
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25 Comments:
Love the sign! It is shameless self-promotion at it's best! What, did you mention the restaurant in a sermon?
No, really - great blog - always enjoy what you have to say and hope you get a lot of new readers - what a potentially great tool for outreach.
John ... you are EXACTLY right. I thought of the same thing. Shameless self-promotion. But I also got such a laugh out of it!
Is that a real sign??
I find it interesting that I'm getting more comments about the sign than the other things. :)
Trey,
What did you expect? Is the sign real or did you create it? Or are you really going to tell us? We know about the other stuff on your post so we are currently more interested in the stuff we don't know about. I'm adding this comment from Lisa's computer.
Ok, trying not to think about the sign...Some of my best childhood memories were at QMCC. Mountain top devos, singing under the stars, and those silly shaped cabins (which I hear are not there anymore). Now about that sign...where is that? Tulia?
Hey, Trey, Where's your sign?
(You can decide if there is a song pun there). There is no wonder you have so many hits.
I have had similiar experiences with the thought of seeing Jesus. However, something that was really humbling was this Thanksgiving we spent the night at Best Buy with lots of people including a group of middle-eastners. Us Americans were scared of them and many of the people in line rumbled about them. Jesus may have not worn a turbin but he probably looked alot like the ones we were intimidated by. We had no idea about any of them - they were probably nice guys. If we really saw Jesus in the airport, would we put Him through double security checks and have Him on the terrorist list?
To answer your question on our site, we have been in Dallas/FW without internet. We had a great Easter with family and things are going better for us. We thought about going to Childress on our way home but we left FW too late.
Kathy
Of course it's real. I computer generated it this morning right of the "Make your own signs" website. Pretty cool. Here's a link...
www.atom.smasher.org
Well, Trey, I am going to comment on something else you had - the Cross. I think it is great that when you feel that little bit of metal, it can remind you of so much more. Although we shouldn't have to have material things to remind of us Christ and His sacrifice, since we are all human, it is good to be reminded often of whose we are, and why we are here on this earth. Thanks for that reminder. Jeanne M.
Monica ... I remember your first year of camp, because it was my first year of camp. Me, you and Joni when. I think it was about 93 or 94. Is that right?
Jeanne - Thanks for the thoughts. You put it in a very simple and clear way.
Blessings.
Trey, I like the cross in your pocket idea, and, with your permission I will just count that as one of your suggestions for my question of the day.
Thanks for your post.
trey-
#1> I've WORN a cross for most of my adult life. (I don't show it to the brethren).
#2> Kendal is a good "white" Jesus :)
#3> I'm still confused about the sign.
AW
Trey,
The sign is to cute! This last weekend was so fun with the kids at LTC and they did such a good job. As for camp. The kids went to LU-Jo for several years but then changed to QMCC and they love it. They are already planning on going this summer. They have made some really good friends that they keep in touch with and can't wait to seem them again for a whole week!
Stachia
Chris ... anxious to come over and see. Sorry I haven't been by today!
AW - You always have a great way with words. But, he does make a good white Jesus. I like the cross thing, too. As for the sign...wait till you see my Chinese one tomorrow. HA
Stachia, it was a great weekend. I wish I could have stayed through Sunday. I know you guys are sure tired today!
Trey,
Actually my first year at QMCC was when I was around 5th grade. I went several summers before that year that you, Joni, and I went. Lots of good memories there. I think that all kids should experience church camp somewhere.
Hi Trey,
Kendel, does look like, Jesus!
bet you would do a double take if he walked by you!
and I had a card just like the one you talked about here, it wore out, I need to fine another one!
and thank for the visit, and comment !
take care
Well Trey obviously Kendell passes the Jesus test my daughter just walked by and said "Daddy why is Jesus on your computer"
Thanks for mentioning Mine and Crystal's Blog.
Are you directing QMCC again? If so what session?
Oh just an aside not every guy who grows a beard gets the hey you look like Jesus treatment.
As you have seen I have grown a rather large beard and I get more people who say, "oh you look like Moses" My favorite so far has to be the 1st grade class I was teaching started calling me Esau when they found out he was red and hairy.
Hey Trey,
This is Jesus's wife. I loved the article!! I had no idea he made such an impression! Great article.
By the way my first and middle name is
Mary Elizabeth.
Weird huh?
I love that song! It speaks so much of my heart. I cannot wait to worship Jesus and can only imagine what my heart will feel like on that day. Blessings
Trey,
For some--the question might be would we recognize Jesus?
If we don't spend enough time with Him in intimate relationship, or if we had our mind on something else, perhaps we could be in His presence and not even know it.!!!
What do you think?
Peace
neva
I'm glad Jesus' wife kicked in her two cents. Thanks Elizabeth.
I loved the comment that Matt made about "Daddy, why is Jesus on your computer." ha
Cool song, hua, Liz?
Neva, Excellent point. I pray I'd recognize him and not be in the group that wants to crucify him!
trey-
Sorry to use your blog this way but I made a change to Mt. Rushmore just for you.
AW
Sorry we all got so distracted by the sign!! I just thought it'd be really cool if you did know the owners of that restaurant & they put that sign out, but I figured it was probably one of those signgenerator sites.
I like the cross-in-the-pocket idea. And I'm looking forward to checking out your friends' sites. Hope you had a good weekend!
One more thing and I'll leave you alone.
The really really strange thing is that we are all supposed to look like Jesus.
Go to the mirror if we don't see Him... then we have a prob.
AW
Trey:
Great sign. Now every time I visit your site I get hungry for Bar-B-Q!
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