Red Rag.

If you know me, or anything about my heart for my camp, you know how important the ragger program is to me.

If you don't, here's what its about.

In the 70's at a YMCA boys camp in California, there was a boy in a wheelchair. This camp gave out activity awards at the end of the week for swimming, running, sports, etc. Well, this boy in a wheelchair couldn't receive any of these awards. However, his counselor, Thomas Caldwell, noticed something in this boy that couldn't go unrecognized: his character. So, at the end of the week, he tied a blue rag around the boy's neck to represent his character, good will, positive attitude, and genuinely good personality.

So now, in YMCA camps, theres this thing called a raggers program. It's a goal setting program that you move on by getting different rags tied. You start at age 12 with a blue rag, then move on at your leisure through silver, brown, gold, red, purple, and finally, white. For each rag, you create different goals, and each rag represents different things to set goals for. You ask someone specifically to tie your rag for you, who is also a ragger, and go through different ceremonies for each rag, and it symbolically ties you to that person, because you share your goals with them and trust them to keep you accountable of them.

Since I was twelve, I've been going though this program. Its pretty neat, really. Theres a handshake, and a creed, and a symbol...its very dear to my heart and has been a large catalyst for growth in my life.

Anyway, at 21, I've finally made the decision to move onto my red rag. I asked my friend Morgan to tie it. He was a co-worker with me and had a huge impact on my summer and me as a person. The purpose of the red rag is to consider Jesus and his sacrifice for us, and to be willing to sacrifice your time and talent for Him.

Since that is the theme of this rag, I figured I'd share my goals with you; sacrifice my fear, and let you a little deeper into my heart in hopes of knowing me, and seeing Jesus in a new or different way. So, here they are: my red rag goals.

"December 18, 2011. 2:07 pm

Sitting on the dock at Christmas camp thinking of my red rag goals. I went through the ceremony and the study card and the biggest thing that has stood out to me is obedience and sacrifice.

My goals are to be obedient to the Lords will even if it's not even close to what I want. To be obedient in my time with him and to practical things on my heart. I.e- drinking. No more drunkenness.

Along with that, I need to be more willing to sacrifice things. Drinking, sleep, etc. selfish things that hinder me from truly hearing You, Lord. sacrificing comfort to stand up to people gossiping and talking badly/negatively. MONEY is the biggest thing here. I need to be better with my money so that I can be effective in other areas of my life that follow. Tithe. Tithe. Tithe. To Innar, GRACE, Kyle. Whoever.

Tithe to a body. To a church.

And finally, I want to practically start getting serious about my body. I want to climb more and pursue that greatly. I will.

"You will. I love you. I still believe in you, Sammy."

Here I am, Lord. Send me.

Not my will, but yours. I want you. All of you.

Only you.

Atreverssiamo. "