HPYC 2014: Live With Abandon

The 2014 theme for Highland Park Campmeeting and Youth Camp this year is “Live with Abandon.”  When I first heard the name of this Newsboys creation, I thought… really?  Live with abandon?  That sounds like a rather reckless message to be coming from a Christian Band.  Typically, the phrase “live with abandon” means living in total surrender to something, with complete disregard for anything else.  Usually, that abandon refers to following our wants and desires without any regard for any moral implications.  This is no way for anyone to live.   As I soon learned, it gets scarier than that. 

Michael Tait and Duncan Phillips describe it as letting go of your life and letting God take control.  They say that human beings don’t feel comfortable with that.  We want to take control, and we want to fix our problems ourselves.  Living with abandon is all about giving up control of your life and giving it over to God.

Paul lived with abandon, but not to his own desires or natural instincts.  He lived with abandon to the will of God, and he gave up all control over to God without any regard for his own life.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jeusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has giving me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s Grace.”
- Acts 20:22-24 -

We all go through a lot of rough times in our lives, and those rough times seem to follow us wherever we go, whether it be to school, to our homes, or to our workplaces.  Sometimes the problems seem bigger than us, and sometimes they are.  This is when it just seems natural to give up the control, and give the problems to God.  He’s really good at those.  He’ll walk you through it. 

Now for the scary.  How about when things are going great?  Or when there’s something you really want?  Can you give it up for Jesus Christ?    I am happy to say that I don’t live with abandon to my natural inclinations; however I do play it safe in my life far too often.  I can only pray that God will show me how to live the life he wants me to, instead of the life I want to.

I would like to invite you to our Youth Camp and our Campmeeting this summer to learn alongside with me, and the rest of our Highland Park congregation, about living life with abandon to Jesus Christ.  If it’s not a life changing experience for you, you’ll still get something out of it by learning how to build your relationship with God, or maybe even start your walk with Him.  Come join us at 7:30 p.m. any nights from July 27-August 3, and then hang out and enjoy some great ice cream afterwords.

- by Jack Grimes

A message from the President...

Dear Friends,

In the late 1800's some christian men came together and created an annual week of evangelistic meetings. Their goal and purpose was to provide a place where people could come and gather, getting away from the rigors of life, and share in singing, reading, and hearing the word of God, proclaiming the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Initially, they would use tents, and a large tent for the services. This evolved into an outdoor tabernacle, open on three sides. Then they began to lease lots for the erection of cottages surrounding the tabernacle. Eventually, they added dorms for the purpose of housing teens, and a dining hall, thus began the youth camp program. 

"Oh that men would praise the Lord's goodness, and proclaim His good works to the children of man." Psalm 107:8 

These same goals and the grounds remain as a place dedicated to Jesus, and that redemption from sin is a free gift. In this tabernacle, cottages, dormitories, and on these grounds we pray that many more may find joy, and freedom in this good news, joining the thousands who professed faith in Jesus Christ at Highland. 

It is my sincere wish, and the hope of the board of directors, the Jr. Board of directors, Camp staff, Ladies auxiliary , and cottagers, that God will bless this Holy ground, and even more bless the individuals who annually hear and accept the invitation of Jesus to come to Himm confessing their sins, and professing faith in Him for eternal life. 

"What does the Lord require of you? But, to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God". Micah 6:8

Join us for the Highland Park Camp meeting week, check out how you can be a camper or attend services. Then praise the Lord for what He is about to do! 

"Behold, what manner of love the Father bestows on us that we are called the children of God.". 1 John 3:1 

Your servant in Christ, 
John D. Hollenbach, President