Thanksgiving Break Week Update

Although we were officially closed this week for Thanksgiving break, most of our staff have been here, working very hard to get all of the lights and decorations up for Christmas At Skipstone. I really appreciate all of the extra time these folks have invested this week in order to make our upcoming event a reality!

We did complete the burning and clean-up of Blessing Cottage. It's really strange to ride through the property and not see the cottage there..... but it made the view of the lake even more incredible. It's one more step towards developing the Pinnacle Park area.

We were attempting to "power up" the lights on the front entrance yesterday when I hit a water main with the trencher.... yee haw! I spent the afternoon digging in the mud to make the repair. It was pretty ugly, and we have a nice mud hole at the entrance now from all of my mess plus the rain last night.

We did have some technical trouble with our website that was brought to my attention last night, but I think it has been resolved.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.....

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

Are You In The Christmas Spirit?

The last couple of days have been a little different for me. I can't exactly put my finger on it yet, but I'm just struggling a little bit with some "heart issues". It seems like every year as the Christmas season approaches, I seem to kind of get in a "funk" of sorts. Ironically, I grew up in a home where we loved Christmas and and I have very fond memories of my childhood relating to the holiday season. As I have gotten older, I find it harder to get into the "Christmas spirit", and have to battle with myself more than normal just to enjoy each day during the Christmas season.

I came across this passage in my quiet time today.......good stuff!

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say to you, don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Soloman in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more cloth you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying "what shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Please Pray For Anna Marie Dingess Today!

We received the following update this morning from some close friends of Anna Marie Dingess. Anna is one of our kindergarten students at Skipstone Academy. Please remember her and her family today........

Hi Everyone, Anna Dingess truly needs our prayers at this time.....She was released from the hospital over the weekend and sent to a local hotel in Ohio...She had been given some meds to help with severe headaches...This morning, Joy had to completely dress her and she was very lethargic. She was re-admitted to the hospital through the ER and then she collapsed not responding to anything or anyone...They finally got her to wake up and they immediately sent her for another scan to see what was going on. They found a kink in the shunt which means that the shunt is not working....The doctors are going to try to get the kink out with medication. But, if the meds do not work, they will have to re-operate again....Joy is in Ohio alone with Anna....They both really need our prayers, love and support. If you would like to keep up with the updates, you can go to www.annamariesfight.blogspot.com Thanks & God Bless!

Historic "Blessing Cottage" Set To Go Up In Smoke Today!

One of the two original cottages on the campus of Skipstone, the two story cottage affectionately known as "Blessing Cottage" to staffers and campers from years past, will go up in smoke today.

"Blessing" is thought to have been built in the 1920s, one of two small cottages used when the property was originally a "fishing camp". Our family, as well as Mrs. Betty Riordan, who served for many years as the camp director for the Flint River Baptist Camp, each lived in "Blessing" for a season of our lives. Later, the two bedroom structure became home to our female summer staffers. It has served it's purpose well, but continues to deteriorate rapidly.

We have donated the failing structure to the Spalding County Fire Department for use as a training burn. They are set to do the training exercise today.

"Blessing Cottage" will eventually be replaced with a new pavilion overlooking the lake. Farewell old friend!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

How's Your Name?

How's Your Name?
What if a poll about "what people thought of me" was conducted around here? I wonder how my name would do in the polls. Would people identify me with Christ? Would I been seen as generous or selfish, a giver or a taker, a friend or an enemy, genuine or fake?

Maybe the bigger question is what God thinks of my name...of me? I wonder if he was thinking of me and my battle against the flesh and my own selfish desires when he divinely inspired these words from Proverbs 20

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

What a fresh reminder of what we need to spend our lives pursuing!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.....Blastoff to the Space Center!

I got up early this morning to get the buses cranked up and warming. We're heading out soon for Huntsville with our Middle School students. Please pray for safety as we travel today and tomorrow and for a productive time as we enjoy the Space Center.

This will be our first "quiet" weekend at Skipstone in several months. We have had over 700 weekend guests since the beginning of August, but things will quiet down from now until the first of the year (as far as weekend groups anyway!).

We will be hanging Christmas lights on Saturday if anyone wants to help. Just email me at chipmoody@bellsouth.net and let me know you are planning to be here!

I hope everyone has a great day..... gotta go drive the bus!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

Superheroes Summit / Board Mtg. / MS Trip

SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION IS NOW ONLINE! WE ALREADY HAVE OVER 250 CAMPERS REGISTERED! REGISTER BEFORE JANUARY 31st AND GET A $25 DISCOUNT! CLICK ON THE "CAMP SKIPSTONE" TAB ON OUR HOME PAGE FOR DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FORMS!

We had a great Board of Director's meeting last night. I appreciate the involvement of these great men and women who have provided such Godly counsel to us as we have navigated through this first year of ministry at Skipstone. You guys (and ladies) are awesome!

We are making final preparations today for our Middle School field trip to the Space Center in Huntsville tomorrow. I'll be driving one of the buses (yee-haw), so it will be an even earlier than normal start to the day tomorrow!

We will be hanging Christmas lights this Saturday , and all of next week if anyone would like to come out and give us a hand. Please email me at chipmoody@bellsouth.net if you are interested in helping out. Christmas at Skipstone is just around the corner.... December 5th & 6th, and December 13th & 14th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm nightly.

I came across one of my favorite scripture passages this morning in my quiet time. As we have been studying about space and preparing for our Middle School field trip to the Space Center in Huntsville this week, it really brought this passage of scripture alive to me this morning. Hope it is a blessing to you today.....

Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

Space Center Trip Underway - Another Busy Weekend!

I talked with Shondi a couple of times yesterday, getting updates from our High School students, who are having a great time at the Space Center in Huntsville. All of the kids are behaving (so far!), and Shondi says it is really a neat experience. I'll be going next Thursday & Friday with the Middle School students (yee-haw!).

I'm picking my dad up from the nursing home today to begin his transition home. Thanks to those of you who have continued to pray for his recovery. He is much stronger and is really looking forward to getting home.

Holy Trinity Church from Peachtree City will be here this weekend with about 80 folks for a weekend retreat. These folks have been with us many times in the past and we always enjoy having them at Skipstone. Please pray for a safe and productive weekend for them.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Today's verse(s): from Psalm 73 CEV

21Once I was bitter and brokenhearted.
22I was stupid and ignorant, and I treated you as a wild animal would.
23But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand.

24Your advice has been my guide, and later you will welcome me in glory.

25In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want.
26My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.
27Powerful LORD God, all who stay far from you will be lost, and you will destroy those
who are unfaithful.
28It is good for me to be near you. I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about
your wonderful deeds.

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

And Speaking of "Who Do You Love?"

Check out this article on Loving Out Loud....
http://www.christianindex.org/4916.article

We had the privelege of being a part of FBC Woodstock for season in our lives. It's so encouraging to see God's church being about His business!

Who Do You Love?

Just a quick verse from my quiet time this morning..... I liked it so much that I read it in several translations..... it's strong enough to keep me thinking for the day!

I John 2: 15-17 from The Message
15-17Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

New "Camp In Box" Limited Time Promotion!

Don't miss our best offer of the year for your next retreat!
Available Weekends....
January 2nd - 4th
January 23rd - 25th
February 27th - Mar1

All you do is pick up the phone and we do the rest! Don’t miss this limited time offer from Skipstone Adventures, South Metro Atlanta’s emerging new leader in adventure recreation. Book select weekends in 2009 and we’ll provide everything you need for your next retreat for as little as $99 per person.
The “Camp In A Box” promotion includes:
Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation (up to 2 hours away)
2 Nights Lodging In Climate Controlled Cabins with Restrooms
Six Delicious Home Cooked Meals (Fri. Supper – Sun. Lunch)
Zipline, Rappelling & A Ride on “The General” (our 2 ½ ton truck)
Meeting & Conference Space In Our Beautiful New Chapel
Bonfire With Marshmallow Roasting & Smores

A minimum number of 30 participants are required for this promotion. The maximum number of participants is 60. Round trip transportation is provided on climate controlled Bluebird motor coaches for groups within two hours of Skipstone’s Griffin, Georgia location. Facilitation for zipline rides and rappelling is included as well as a ride on “The General”, our “deuce & a half” six wheel drive military truck. Groups are responsible for their own camp “program”, worship services, etc. Two cabins are available for groups of 30, four cabins for groups of up to 60. Some weekends are excluded from this promotion. Call 1-877-GO SKIP 1 or email skipstone@bellsouth.net for more information

Weekend In Review

It was another busy weekend at Skipstone......

We had a group of about 70 teenage girls and their leaders here from Challenge NA. They had a very busy weekend and enjoyed some team building and zipline rides on Saturday.

My youngest son and I went to cheer on the Pike County Pirates Friday night as they battled for the Region Championship. Unfortunately, despite leading for most of the game, the Pirates lost 21-14 and finished 2nd in the Region. They did make the playoffs, and will be playing the first ever playoff game hosted by the Pirates in school history next Friday night. Great job guys.... can't wait to have you all back at Skipstone for football camp next year!

We spent all day Saturday working on the apartment for my dad, who will be coming home from Sunbridge this week. We had to cut a door thought the brick and block walls of our basement, which turned out to be a much bigger project than I anticipated, but it's coming along nicely.

I woke up early Sunday morning with a cold (I'm sure it had nothing to do with sitting in the rain for three hours Friday night at the football game!).I coughed my way through LifeGroups and Church, but I was in need of some NyQuil on the way home! It has progressively gotten worse, so I didn't get much done Sunday afternoon, and didn't get much rest last night.

Today we are having both buses serviced in preparation for our "big" field trip of the school year. we will be leaving Thursday morning (very early) for Huntsville, Alabama for an overnight experience at the Space Center there.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

Take A Minute To Thank God For Your Children Today

Just a few thoughts from my quiet time this morning..... I think most of us as parents may be too focused on today, risking the possibility that we will miss the big picture. Our job is not just to get through today, but to raise our children to fulfill God's purpose for them..... and we can't do that on our own!

Here are some things I came across this morning:

"Where will our country find leaders with integrity, courage, strength—all the family values—in ten, twenty, or thirty years? The answer is that you are teaching them, loving them, and raising them right now." --Barbara Bush

Verse(s) of the Day!
Psalm 127 - from The Message
A Pilgrim Song of Solomon
1-2 If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
3-5 Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

A Spirit Night At Truett's Grill That Won't Be Forgotten!

I'm still feeling a little nauseated this morning from what I saw at Truett's Grill last night. It was Skisptone Academy Spirit Night, and our principal, Randy Freeman had to dress up as whatever the student body voted for, from a list of choices provided to them. The student body voted for a fairy outfit, but Randy drew the line and said "no". The second choice was a "Mrs. Shondi" oufit and here is the outcome of that................

Christmas At Skipstone - Coming Soon!

Christmas at Skipstone
December 5, 6, 12, 13
6:00-10:00pm





The Marketplace at Skipstone
We will turn the Dining Hall into "The Marketplace" during our Christmas Celebration. Vendors so far are: The Clothesline, Serendipity, Papa Glenn's Woodworking, Creative Expressions, Custom T-shirts and Scholastic Book Fair. We are looking for more vendors. There is no charge to be a vendor, we just ask that vendors donate 10% of sales back to Skipstone. Please let us know asap if you know of someone who would like to be part of "The Marketplace".

Celebration Stage
We are looking for entertainers (singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians) to join us for Christmas at Skipstone on our Celebration Stage. If you know of someone who would be interested, please have them contact us asap. We do not pay entertainers but will gladly provide a table where they can sell promotional items (CDs, t-shirts, etc).

Santa Sumo Competition
We are looking for leaders in our communities (pastors, mayors, youth ministers, politicians, doctors, etc) who would be willing to compete in a Santa Sumo Competition sometime during the event. We have very large sumo wrestler suits and a sumo wrestling ring for this competition. If you know a pastor who would like to "beat up" his youth minister or even 2 local politicians who would like to "duke it out", please contact them and let us know asap. We only have time slots for 3 competitions each night.

Make Your Plans Now!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

New Ministries On The Way At Skipstone!

It's been even busier than usual here at Skipstone these last couple of days! We have been working on our revised budget for next year and doing some planning for next year and beyond.

We are in the process of merging the ministry of Rockbridge in to our Skipstone W.I.L.D.S program. For the last couple of months, we have been meeting with Chip Cofer & Brian Shuler, the founders of Rockbridge. These guys are awesome and God has really gifted them and given them a passion for ministry to men and boys, especially in the adventure setting.

We will be formally introducing these guys soon, but I couldn't wait to at least give everyone a taste of some of the new ministries we will be providing as a result of these guys joining the Skipstone team.

Beginning in January, we will offer an Adventure Club that will provide opportunities for young men 7-12 years of age to meet twice a month at Skipstone for adventures such as rappelling, ziplines , team challenges, special trips, and a time of study and devotion specifically designed for young men. We will be releasing more details about this very soon...... I personally can't wait to get started!

We will be conducting 5 weeks of Rockbridge Day Camps next summer on the campus of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs. The guys from Rockbridge have been providing day camps for several years at Mt. Vernon, and we will be providing additional support and resources to help continue and expand that ministry. They have a beautiful 15 acre low and high ropes challenge course and great facilities. This will allow us to "expand our territory" by providing some opportunities closer to our friends in the Metro Atlanta area.

In 2009 we will become much more intentional in the area of ministry to men. Several USC (Ultimate Sportsman's Challenge) events are being planned that will challenge men in a variety of sports and skill activities in an adventure filled afternoon. Each USC will end with an awards ceremony and a special guest speaker (you won't believe some of the guests we are securing for these!). These "partnership" events will be held at local churches who have a desire to reach out to the men in their communities and begin or strengthen the Men's Ministry of their church.

We will also be launching "BATTLEZONE - An Experience For Fathers & Sons".
The BATTLEZONE events will be weekend retreats where teams of 12 dads and sons sign up to compete against other dad/son teams in amazing challenges and adventures designed to strengthen the unique bond and relationship between dads and sons. We will also be going through a brief but challenging study to help guys identify and be prepared to handle the "battle zones" we each deal with on a regular basis. We are putting the final touches on "BATTLEZONE" and hope to announce our first dates very soon!

I hope that you are excited to hear about where God is leading us into these new areas of ministry. This is really just a taste of all that we are working through right now. God has given us some very clear direction that we are to be much more intentional about the ministry of Skipstone, especially in encouraging and strengthening the family. These new ministries are our first steps towards obedience in to God in this area.

Please continue to keep the Skipstone family in your prayers. It is so exciting to be a part of a ministry that God continues to lead and bless.

Whatever It Takes,
Chip Moody

Election Day - Remember This!

It's finally election day. I don't know about you, but I'm glad it will be over! If I see one more political ad I think I'll scream...... it's just been fascinating to watch this election unfold, and see the depths that politicians will go to in order to win our votes. I'm not sure that our country has ever been more divided than we are today, yet every politician promises to bring us all together.

People are crying out for change....... it reminds me of an Old Testament story in I Samuel. I don't spend as much time reading in the Old Testament as I should, but this story came to my mind as I thought about how most of us have approached this election. We all think our choice is the right one, we all think our candidate will be the miracle worker who will fix the world's problems, and we all think _______ (fill in the blank) is who we need.

Take a quick read of the cry of the Israelites from Samuel's day and see what God had to say about choosing a king. America will choose a "king" to rule over us today, but sadly I'm not sure that very many people really understand the weight and consequences of our decision, regardless of who is elected. I wonder what would happen if we prayed about this election as much as we have talked about it or thought about it?

The great news is that no matter who we elect as the next "king"today, he will not be the KING, only a king. As I mentioned several weeks ago in my blog the winner of today's election will not be a surprise to God in heaven. I can assure everyone that God and His angels won't be gathered around watching and biting their nails as the results come in on the major networks tonight. God will still be in control - Proverbs 21:1 "The LORD controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers". - CEV


I Samuel 8:1-21
1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead [a] us, such as all the other nations have."
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
10 Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle [b] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."

Pray Then Vote!
Chip Moody

Weekend in Review!

Wow... what a weekend! It's Sunday night and I'm reviewing the weekend because it all went by so fast that I didn't have time to blog it!

Shondi and the kids headed out Friday after school for the Skipstone Academy Black & Gold Masquerade Party at the Pierces home. They had a good crowd and a great time...thanks Dwight & Robin for letting the middle and high schoolers invade your home.... I'm sure it will never be the same!

I went down to Barnesville to join my two radio DJ uncles for a live broadcast of the Pike County Pirates football game against Lamar County High Friday night. It was pretty cool to see the game from atop the press box and I even got a little air time on Fun 101 FM for Skipstone. The Pirates did their preseason camp here and have since gone to a school record 9-0! Next up: Callaway High School next weekend!

We welcomed a great group of singles from Intown Community Church of Atlanta for a weekend retreat at Skipstone. Shondi and I actually did some team building with the group on Saturday and had a blast. Since many of our weekend groups are teenagers and and our academy students are all kids and teens, it was kind of unusual (and pretty cool) to get to work with some young adults.... the challenges worked great and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Today was super busy...
After enjoying our extra hour of sleep, we headed to church and then lunch at Chili's (my favorite if anyone is thinking of gift cards for Christmas!).

After lunch, we rushed home to continue some rearranging of the Moody household to accommodate the construction of an apartment in our home for my dad. He will be coming out of physical therapy and rehab soon. Please pray for us (and dad) as we make the this transition.

We were back at church from 4:30pm to 7:30pm and then here to the chapel at Skipstone for praise band practice for our kids. I must admit it does a dad's heart a lot of good to sit here blogging while my kids are praising God with their instruments and voices in the background. They must have gotten their talent from me because I don't have any and they all do :)

While I'm thankful for the extra hour of sleep last night, I'm suddenly feeling like it's bedtime, but it's really only 9:00pm. I think my body likes the old time better!

Please keep our friends, Casting Crowns, in prayer this week as they continue to minister in Europe. I read on Mark Hall's blog that he has had some voice trouble while on the tour the last couple of days. These guys (and girls) are the real deal.... just great people that God has really brought forth in a big way to be used for His glory to reach and encourage people.

Have a great week!

Whatever It Takes,
Chip