Nine-year-old Noah Smith represents at least the fourth generation in a long line of fishermen and the first among them to catch a gar.

But he earned more than just family bragging rights when he landed the 3.17-pound, 29 3/16-inch spotted gar June 30 from Crooked Lake in Steuben County. He earned a spot in the state record books.

“It feels awesome,” said Smith, who is from Delaware, Ohio.

Smith’s catch was not particularly large for its species. Spotted gar can grow up to 6 pounds. But his entry came at an opportune time. The Indiana Record Fish Program just recently began recognizing the different species within the gar family. In the past, the program grouped shortnose gar, spotted gar, and the much larger longnose gar into the same category.

Smith’s entry was the first submission for a spotted gar. On Aug. 17, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent Smith a letter certifying his record fish. How long the record will stand is unclear, but the family plans to enjoy it while it lasts.

“Nobody in our family has ever caught a gar period,” Noah’s father, Ryan Smith, said. “To catch that one and catch a state record is pretty cool.”

Smith baited his hook with a minnow and tied his fishing rod to a dock, letting it stay there overnight. When he woke up the next morning, he reeled in the fish.

He plans on mounting the fish on the wall in his bedroom.

Four Ways to Have the Hand of God On Your Life

Text:  Nehemiah 2

God puts you in a place so you can influence it.

#1.  Have a Passion to Help the Church (1.4)

• God is not looking for deadbeats.  He is looking for passionate people.
• Quit slumping around like a dying fish.
• Bring your Bible and start participating.
• Be a helper instead of a hinderer.

#2.  Have a Passion for Prayer (1.4)

• Not just a one time prayer but an ongoing, passionate conversation with God.
• Prayer saves the world.
• Start by praying for your own life.

#3.  Have a Passion to Clean Up Our Lives (1.6-9)

• The greatest thrill in life is to have a right relationship with God.
• We can’t live for God and live in sin at the same time.

#4.  Have a Passion to be Used by God (1.10-11)

• You have to be available to God 24/7.
• Go where He wants you to go.
• Do what He wants you to do.

We need this generation to rebuild the walls of the church!!!!

Title:  Four Warning to Assure Us We Live a Truly Dangerous Life for Jesus Christ.

#1.  Don’t Live for Artificial Danger (4.10-11)

• We all want to live an exciting life.
• Who, in Heaven, is going to give you a high-five for doing a daring stunts or for being an amazing athlete?
• A real man, doesn’t go off for crazy adventure but instead finds a woman who loves God, marries her, loves her and raises his children.
• Artificial danger = skateboarding, x-games, cheap thrills.
• Real danger = standing up for Christ in your school.

#2.  Don’t be Replaced (4.13-14)

• Perhaps the worst feeling in Heaven is finding out God had a job for you but you were replaced because you fought against it.
• God does have a job for you, but if you aren’t willing to do it, God will replace you.
• God won’t use you if you aren’t willing to step up.

#3.  Don’t Wish for Another’s Life (4.14)

• Don’t wish for someone else’s adventure–live for you own adventure.
• Don’t just sit back wishing you were someone else.  Live your own life w/ the purpose God has for you.
• Stop living a fake life–Stand up and Be Real!!!
• Know why you are here–for such a time as this!
• The greatest feeling in the world is to wake up and know your life is filled with Jesus.
• Live your life to the fullest!

#4.  Don’t Hold Back Anything (4.15-16)

• If I die, I die–but I WILL obey!!
• “It is not the last drop of blood that is hard for a soldier to lose.  It is the first drop.”  Abraham Lincoln in a response to a question about the Civil War soldiers.
• Have you spilled the first drop of blood for Jesus yet?
• Don’t hold anything back!
• How must Jesus do you have on you?
• Jump in to a dangerous live with Jesus.

God put you in this generation for such a time as this–Live & Live to the fullest!!!!

I had the chance to see Alex Herning and Raquel Mentzer climb.

Kevin even had a try at the wall.

I am sad that our time here is nearing the end.  Continue to keep us in your prayers.

Chapels are great.  The middle school speaker is Tim Vine.  He is going through the New Testament using the Walk Thru the Bible curriculum.  It is a really good program that teaches students the Bible through catchy phrases and hand motions.

And by the way, our high schoolers had a talent show last night that Anna taped.  Look for that video to come out soon!

Ken Rudolph spoke on the Life of Joseph.  Here is his outline:

Living Life From God’s Perspective

Genesis 37-50

• God uses terrible things in your life for something great.
• You must have the perspective that God is doing something special in your life.
• When you know God, you know He is just and fair.
• God prepares us in very unique ways.
• Can you trust God for 13 years while in difficult circumstances?
• The only one who can mess up your life is you!

Most of our HS students had their first experience today paintballing.

But by far, the highlight of Day #2 for the Senior High campers is Fight Night.  Fight Night is just a chaotic time of crazy games and screaming.   It is absolute mayhem and absolute fun.

Oh, and as you can tell, Kevin has gotten in on the fun as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our students got unloaded and broken up into their cabins and then it was off to get situated to their new surroundings.

When we met up with most of them at dinner, many of them were tired, grouchy and had incredibly bad attitudes!!!!  I can’t blame them though because I know they are running low right now.

The amazing this was tonight’s message was on Re-Capturing God in Your Imagination.  Ken Rudolph spoke from Mark 6:30-56 and 8:1-10; 14-21.

Here are the notes I took:

We need an imagination who knows who God is.

God requires for us to rest.

Four opportunities I have daily to imagine God’s initiative in my life:

#1.  Imagine God working in every interrupting change.

• The disciples were imagining vacation.  God still had work that needed to be done.
• This moment is the hand of God in your life.

#2.   Imagine God’s almighty power in every possible challenge.

• What are some of the impossible challenges in your life right now?
• Jesus just wants you to give him what you have.
• It is through our short-comings that God’s work will be made manifest.
• Give God what you have and watch Him do a miracle.

#3.  Imagine God invading every chance it storms (6:45-56).

• Every storm is a chance for Jesus to come beside you.
• Jesus wants to constantly invade your life.
• Don’t miss the miracle God is doing in your heart.

#4.  Imagine that Jesus is interested in changing you heart (8:17, 21)

• God wants to capture your heart through your imagination
• God will never give up.

Continue to pray that God works in the heart of each of our students.  Also pray that God will continue to work in our (Anna and I) heart as well.

I am excited to see what God is going to do!!!!!

Here are some last minute details you will need:

• Time of departure from Grace Point–12:00 am Sunday night/Monday morning
• Time of return to Grace Point–5:00 pm Saturday afternoon (June 20th)

As you get ready, here are some items to pack:

• Bible
• Pen
• Notebook
• Warm Bedding (sleeping bag)
• Pillow
• Clothes for activities and cool or rainy weather
• Long pants or jeans
• Closed toe shoes (like tennis shoes) (for all programs)
• Modest one piece bathing suit
• Covering for to and from the beach, beach towel
• Toiletry items
• Soap & towels
• Insect repellent
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Money for Snack Shack, Sweet Shoppe, Handcrafts and Corner Store
• Money for meal on the way up and on the way back

Extras to Bring
Senior High Camp:

• Long sleeved shirt and long pants for playing paintball.
• Old clothes for “Fight Night”

Please be sure to put your name on everything that you possibly can. The camp will keep lost and found items for two weeks, and then distribute items to donation centers. If you should leave something behind, please call the camp as soon as you can, they will look for it and, if found, will get it in the mail to you right away.