Weekly Uplook - Campmeeting

Happy Sunday,
I am a day “late” with my weekly uplook as we are at Portland Campmeeting.  We arrived late Thursday and were in pastors meetings on Friday.  We are training some younger folks to take charge of our previous responsibilities at the Camp Restaurant so it has been a busy weekend thus far.  

The first Sunday began with Sunday school for all ages.  I had the privilege of teaching the older adults on the topic of ‘Repentance’.  We explored how all our spiritual blessings really begin when we “turn away” from sin and embrace the forgiveness and transforming power which is in the risen Christ.   When Israel was in Babylonian bondage they tended to want to blame the previous generations for their situation.   We also have a human tendency to blame others rather than take responsibility.  In the Garden of Eden…when God confronted Adam he blamed Eve…who blamed the serpent.  Little has changed.  

But when we will repent and forsake our sins and self centered ways…forgiveness and joy can be ours.  There may be problems that are tied to our upbringing or our culture or our economic situation or even from outside sources like government, employers, etc.  BUT these need not thwart us from having a personal relationship with God through Christ.  That is the place each of us must start if we want to be free from sin and spend eternity with the Lord.  It is from that foundation we can also begin to influence our families, churches, communities, nations, and ultimately the entire world with the joy of Christ’s redemptive message of hope.  

I will try to update you several times during the campmeeting and be assured of our prayers for each one of you in our absence.  May I encourage you to tune into the meetings at apostolicfaith.org or directly on their YouTube channel.  You will be blessed if you do.  

In Christ,
BB

Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor