Camp Authentic

Loved getting to direct and teach the students at Horizon Camp this summer.  The theme was "Authentic" and we explored what it means to live with Real Identity, Real Community, and Real Mission in a Real Life.

My favorite message that I was able to share was from Luke 9:28-40, often better known as 'The Transfiguration of Jesus'.  Here, The glory of God that is present in Jesus Christ, the God-man is seen. It breaks forth. 

The real miracle isn’t this glimpse that Jesus gives of His full glory…this is just who he really was…the miracle I suppose is that He was able to put off His full glory so that He could be with humanity in Real Life. 

This is a real mount-top experience for the companions of Jesus.  So much so, that Peter, in his excitement says "let's just stay here!"

God the Father shows up and reminds Peter and his friends, that the mountain is for retreat with glory and that Real Life happens when you come back off the mountain.  

Certainly Peter never forgot what happened when He saw Jesus in His full glory.  

Do you have a memory from when you were a little kid that sticks out in your mind that is as clear today as it was when it happened?

2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Peter clearly had a vivid memory that stuck with him…and this was probably about thirty to thirty five years afterwards. I wonder if he could still hear the words of God resounding in his ears, ’This is my son whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’