Next…

As I write out my latest thoughts, I am actually just 12 hours removed from having just finished my last week of camp. 6 weeks of 18 hour days of students, worship, teaching, recreation, mission work, sun, rain, cold, heat, laughter, tears, amazement, frustration, togetherness, lonliness, fatigue, inspiration, and love. It has truly been an incredible summer as well as one that has also been challenging. I am humbled by the experiences that I have had…the great people I got to serve along side of…and being a part of seeing lives changed. There were moments where I wondered what I was doing and moments where I wondered why I would do anything else. As I begin the transition back into life after camp, I am optimistic and excited about the days ahead. Each week I reminded the students of what the prophet Jeremiah said to the people of Israel:

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I loved being able to encourage the students that in spite of what was happening or not happening in their lives, God knows where they are and has a purpose and a plan for them. Strangely enough as I come away from the summer of teaching them that very simple truth, I find myself needing to hold on to it as well. I am not sure what the days ahead will bring for me and my family, but I am confident in the One who holds the days ahead. I have had a blast this summer but I am looking forward to what is next for us. May you also hold to the simple truth that He has plans for you…for a future and a hope. Hold on and enjoy the ride!

A new thing

I have to admit that adding a new discipline to my summer “life” is much more challenging than I thought. Between my current disciplines of eating, teaching, talking, running, reading, sleeping, praying, and breathing…adding a new discipline of blogging just hasn’t happened! In fact, an essential discipline like sleep, has really taken a beating as I have averaged about 5 hours of sleep a night over the last few weeks. Given my summer camp schedule of 18-20 hour days, the desire to express my journey through a blog has been overshadowed by the journey itself. I am beginning week four of six in regards to the student camps. My first three weeks have brought me some incredible moments of fatigue, joy, satisfaction, frustration, and a host of other emotions. In the midst of this roller coaster ride of emotions, I have also experienced a fresh awareness of the presence and consistency of Christ. My emotions and my schedule have been all over the place but Christ has not moved. I am thankful that in the midst of demands, challenges, changes, fatigue, failures…in the midst of life, the One who is Life, is still the same yesterday, today, and will be tomorrow. Lamentations 3:22-23 says,

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I am thankful that even though I haven’t been good about this new thing in my life, He is faithful and each day provides me with a new thing…a fresh touch of His mercy, His grace, His presence, and His love. That’s a new thing that will never get old!

‘fuge 2010

For those of you not familiar with ‘fuge camps they have been around for over 30 years. The original camp was Centrifuge and then M’fuge camp along a few years later. The camps have the usual aspects of a Christian camp…Bible studies, devotions, incredible worship and Biblical messages from gifted communicators (just thought I would throw that in…haha). They differ in that Centrifuge has more of a recreation emphasis while M’fuge has more of a serving emphasis.I am fortunate to have had two careers with the ‘fuge camps. My first career was in the early days of Centrifuge in the mid-80′s…yep, 1985-1987 in which I served as a camp pastor and a camp director. Last summer I had the privilege of reconnecting with ‘fuge camps again as a camp pastor for 5 weeks. This summer I will be serving for 6 weeks in three different locations. Camps starts today with the theme of “Kairos: Defining Moments”. My prayer (and one that I hope you will join me in) is that the 1000′s of students who will make their way to ‘fuge camps this summer — that it will be a defining moment for them. Will you join me in prayer for the different camps, the staff, the students, and adults to experience a life changing relationship with Jesus. Imagine what would happen if this summer everyone at the camps would become so deeply and passionately devoted to Jesus Christ. Imagine what would happen in our churches, our schools, our homes, our communities, our cities, and our world. This could be the summer in which a generation of Christ followers became so radically devoted to the Gospel, that the world would never be the same. Ephesians 3:19-21 has always been a favorite…

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

He is able to accomplish more than we imagine. So imagine what could happen…I am praying big and ask that you do that same. May this summer be a defining moment for the world! Fuge camp 2010…

Getting started!

After some years of toying with the idea, I am beginning the journey today of blogging. I am fascinated with the idea that with the millions of blogs out there, that anyone would even care to read another one. I may find that no one actually will read “another one” so quite honestly, I am blogging for my benefit more so than anyone else. As one who is called to be a “communicator”, I need to communicate…and I need to improve my communication. Blogging will serve me in both of those purposes and I hope that in some way will serve the Kingdom as well.

Getting started is always a challenge. It is like so many other things that I (we) want to start…the question is always, “where do you start?” Whether it is starting a diet, starting to exercise, starting a new job, starting a new relationship, or starting a blog…I can be intimated and overwhelmed simply by the challenge. However, much like this post today…you simply have to start! I have thought about it, planned it, even created this site for a blog but unless I simply start, it doesn’t happen. Scripture gives us much counsel on planning and preparing, but scripture (and our faith) also calls for us to do something! You have to start. Today, may you act…may you do something…today, may you get started and see what happens with whatever it is that you have been thinking about for some time. Who knows, maybe today, you will start to read a new blog that may serve to encourage you or challenge you…and by doing so, the author may also be encouraged as well.

Thanks for checking in….

Under construction…check back in a few days. Thanks…