Day 1 of the 2011 Alex Bay Sports Camp is in the books!  We had 29 kids, 7 junior counselors, and several volunteers joined the CLAY staff at the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles for the first day of learning how to “use the Holy Spirit to shape the spirit of competition.”  We started out the day with introductions and discussed the Athlete’s Pledge before heading out to the fields for kickball and ultimate frisbee.  After lunch, we talked about how to be a team player in sports and in life by looking at what it means to be “poor in spirit” as a Christian athlete.  On the field of play, this means putting yourself second to the team, and in life, this means putting yourself second to God.  The Bible says “blessed are the poor in spirit,” not blessed are the proud or the high and mighty, but blessed are the people who realize that they cannot win at the game of life on their own.  Put God first in everything, for He designed His Church to work together as a team, to love and support one another.  Everyone has his or her own talents and abilities, everyone has a role to fill, and everyone has his or her own seat at His heavenly table.  Give God control, let Him be your life coach, and always put your will second to His will.

We ask that you keep these kids and their families in your prayers this week.  Alex Bay needs people on fire for the Lord, please pray that God will raise up a generation here that is hungry for Him alone.  Pray also for safety and for protection.  These kids are precious to their Heavenly Father, please pray that their hearts will be open to hearing His Word and to getting to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior.  I believe God has big plans for Alex Bay, just keep praying that His will be done and that we all submit ourselves to His will so we can play on His team, for He has already won!