The summer staff girls have been counseling for girls camp this week, which makes this "Man week" in the summer staff living area. It has been good, having a chance for the guys to come together away from the girls. At the same time it has been weird not having the girls around; the group doesn't feel complete.
Next week we start our middle school camp, which means that we will all be counseling. I am both excited and a little scared. Who knows what challenges this next week could bring.
As for the week at hand, It has been a lot of work for me. Literally, I have had the longest work days since band camp Saturdays (you should ask about those some time). But the real difficulty of this last week has been keeping a good attitude through the long days and all the little things that come up. As each new thing has been asked of me I've had to make a conscious decision to act immediately and positively. Those decisions can be especially hard when selfish thoughts begin to creep into my head. "You've got a long day ahead of you. Let someone else do it." "You've been working hard. Why not wait for someone else to take care of this?" And the most dangerous thought of all: "If only I didn't have to do this right now..."
Thank God, he continues to give me joy and energy in my work, and little encouraging blessings along the way. He reminds me always of two things: It's not about me, and he is my strength and my life. If this were about me, I could hold all kinds of complaints about this and that and the other thing. If this were about me, I could ask more of this and accept less of that. If this were about me, I could serve how I want to serve, and rest how I want to rest. But it's not about me. I didn't come here to work for me and my gain. I came here to serve God as he would have me serve. This isn't about me.
At the same time, God has, is and will always provide for me as I need--not necessarily as I want. God will bring about his justice--which is righteous and complete. This is a theme I continue to encounter as I've been working through the Psalms. It may not happen in my time or as I would wish it, but justice will prevail. The question is, when God enacts his justice will I be placed under his punishing hand or will I be held in his rewarding arms? Will I be marked as one disobedient to his father, or crowned as a faithful child of the king?
I want to be faithful and obedient, but it takes a lot of work, and patience, and humility, and reliance on God.
Please pray for me. And pray for my campers these next two weeks (Tween camp and Boys camp). Thanks.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Illness, Injury, And The Only Cure
How do I describe the week I just had?
It was so good, and so intense, and so sad, and so challenging. "So" isn't a very descriptive word.
I am in a very good place. God has worked on my attitude and given me great joy in the most mundane and previously innocuous tasks. Life is just better when it is filled with God's joy and pleasure in serving him.
The main challenge of this week came in the form of others' observations. It was brought to my attention by three different sources that there is a bug going through our community. This bug is a disease that effects our attitudes and out efforts. The first two notices intrigued me, but the third gave me cause for great concern and sent me straight to scripture to seek out the truth of the matter. The questions that were on my heart were these:
"Does something need to be said to this community?"
"Am I the one who needs to say it?"
"What needs to be said, and when?"
As of yet it has not been my place to address the community. However, since that day people have already begun to speak to the community pieces of what I found in my search. It has been very encouraging. And the words that I found have been shaping my attitude as I approach my own work, so even if I am not to address the community myself, I don't consider my efforts to be wasted.
Right now I am praying and waiting to see if and how the community is effected by what has been said. Who knows if I may yet be called to speak? I pray that God will give me wisdom in that, and love enough to speak truth where it is needed. I also pray that God will continue to work on my own heart and attitude so that I may be a light in the world and an ambassador of his truth.
Things are happening here; both frightening and wonderful things. If we can work together in unity and love--as God's body is intended to do--we can accomplish a great deal this summer, and in the years to come.
If, however, we allow the enemy to divide us and spoil our attitudes, we can only hope that God will redeem the mess that is created. Even so, we will lose so much in the opportunities God has given us this summer.
Only the Spirit of God can create in us such unity. Only the Spirit of God--which produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--can teach us how to live well together in community. May his Spirit fill us each day.
Please pray for us, and continue praying for me.
It was so good, and so intense, and so sad, and so challenging. "So" isn't a very descriptive word.
I am in a very good place. God has worked on my attitude and given me great joy in the most mundane and previously innocuous tasks. Life is just better when it is filled with God's joy and pleasure in serving him.
The main challenge of this week came in the form of others' observations. It was brought to my attention by three different sources that there is a bug going through our community. This bug is a disease that effects our attitudes and out efforts. The first two notices intrigued me, but the third gave me cause for great concern and sent me straight to scripture to seek out the truth of the matter. The questions that were on my heart were these:
"Does something need to be said to this community?"
"Am I the one who needs to say it?"
"What needs to be said, and when?"
As of yet it has not been my place to address the community. However, since that day people have already begun to speak to the community pieces of what I found in my search. It has been very encouraging. And the words that I found have been shaping my attitude as I approach my own work, so even if I am not to address the community myself, I don't consider my efforts to be wasted.
Right now I am praying and waiting to see if and how the community is effected by what has been said. Who knows if I may yet be called to speak? I pray that God will give me wisdom in that, and love enough to speak truth where it is needed. I also pray that God will continue to work on my own heart and attitude so that I may be a light in the world and an ambassador of his truth.
Things are happening here; both frightening and wonderful things. If we can work together in unity and love--as God's body is intended to do--we can accomplish a great deal this summer, and in the years to come.
If, however, we allow the enemy to divide us and spoil our attitudes, we can only hope that God will redeem the mess that is created. Even so, we will lose so much in the opportunities God has given us this summer.
Only the Spirit of God can create in us such unity. Only the Spirit of God--which produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--can teach us how to live well together in community. May his Spirit fill us each day.
Please pray for us, and continue praying for me.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Blessings And Battles
Week three:
Sunday was a huge surprise for me. After working all afternoon I was given an unexpected challenge. One of the counselors for the camp this week didn't show up, and they asked me to fill in for one night until they could get a replacement. It wasn't the relaxing evening I had in mind. However, it was exactly the evening God had in mind for me.
After spending at least a week of summer staff feeling worn out and drained I never would have thought that a night of watching middle schoolers was exactly what I needed. But, oddly enough, the next morning I felt wonderfully rejuvenated. The days that followed were all equally energized. God is so good...even if he does provide in strange ways.
This last week has been full of beautiful, painful and exciting moments in our community. We have been able to support each other, challenge each other and grow with each other. I know that I am playing a good part in this community, but I continue to wonder if there is something that I am missing. Is it enough to be there for people; to support and encourage and provide what I can when it's needed? Or do I need to be more actively pursuing people's needs?
I need God's grace so much. The more and more I pursue him and desire to follow him, the more I realize just how much I need him. I need his grace. I need his love. I need his joy.
Lord help me?
Sunday was a huge surprise for me. After working all afternoon I was given an unexpected challenge. One of the counselors for the camp this week didn't show up, and they asked me to fill in for one night until they could get a replacement. It wasn't the relaxing evening I had in mind. However, it was exactly the evening God had in mind for me.
After spending at least a week of summer staff feeling worn out and drained I never would have thought that a night of watching middle schoolers was exactly what I needed. But, oddly enough, the next morning I felt wonderfully rejuvenated. The days that followed were all equally energized. God is so good...even if he does provide in strange ways.
This last week has been full of beautiful, painful and exciting moments in our community. We have been able to support each other, challenge each other and grow with each other. I know that I am playing a good part in this community, but I continue to wonder if there is something that I am missing. Is it enough to be there for people; to support and encourage and provide what I can when it's needed? Or do I need to be more actively pursuing people's needs?
I need God's grace so much. The more and more I pursue him and desire to follow him, the more I realize just how much I need him. I need his grace. I need his love. I need his joy.
Lord help me?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Following To Lead
We're finally into the swing of things here on twin rocks summer staff. We've almost finished our first work week. It is really different being on lifeguard duty. Because of the weather it is mostly just standing around watching a few people paddle around in canoes. So far I haven't had to jump in and rescue anyone. That's a good thing.
During all my maintenance work time I've been helping one of the head facilities guys build a storage shed for the archery equipment. I've never seen myself as much of a wood worker/builder person because I've had too many of those projects in the past turn out...poorly. However, this project has been very enjoyable, and it's coming along great; it looks amazing.
My evenings have been pretty busy the last few days preparing for a worship service we had Tuesday evening. It was really neat to see God work in and through my accountability group (which was responsible for the service) both in the planning and implementation of the service. I had my concerns at the beginning of the process, but God quickly worked to iron those out.
It will be nice to have my evenings back--now that the service is over--so that I can focus more on developing relationships with the other summer staff.
In the last few days I've been told by several people how others in the summer staff look up to me, or whatever. I only mention this because it is a truly frightening and humbling thing. If others are looking to me and my example, then that example needs to be directing them to Christ. How is that possible if I am not seeking and following Christ? That means that the most important element in my relationships with others is my relationship with God. It can be easy to lose sight of that, and it can be hard to know exactly how to pursue that.
So that is what I need--to be faithfully pursuing and enjoying my relationship with God, and following Christ's example. Please pray for me.
God bless.
During all my maintenance work time I've been helping one of the head facilities guys build a storage shed for the archery equipment. I've never seen myself as much of a wood worker/builder person because I've had too many of those projects in the past turn out...poorly. However, this project has been very enjoyable, and it's coming along great; it looks amazing.
My evenings have been pretty busy the last few days preparing for a worship service we had Tuesday evening. It was really neat to see God work in and through my accountability group (which was responsible for the service) both in the planning and implementation of the service. I had my concerns at the beginning of the process, but God quickly worked to iron those out.
It will be nice to have my evenings back--now that the service is over--so that I can focus more on developing relationships with the other summer staff.
In the last few days I've been told by several people how others in the summer staff look up to me, or whatever. I only mention this because it is a truly frightening and humbling thing. If others are looking to me and my example, then that example needs to be directing them to Christ. How is that possible if I am not seeking and following Christ? That means that the most important element in my relationships with others is my relationship with God. It can be easy to lose sight of that, and it can be hard to know exactly how to pursue that.
So that is what I need--to be faithfully pursuing and enjoying my relationship with God, and following Christ's example. Please pray for me.
God bless.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Living In Community
I have just completed the orientation week of Twin Rocks Friends Camp Summer Staff 2010. It has been an incredible week filled with fun games, great conversations, and new and renewed friendships. The sense of community so far gives me great hope for the summer ahead of us. Each individual has demonstrated such a deep love of Christ and attitude of service toward others that it cannot be questioned that I am among family.
Even so, I have encountered a few struggles this week. The most prevalent is the lack of energy I'm experiencing. I would like to chalk it all up to lack of sleep and hard days, but most of our time has been spent sitting in orientation classes. Perhaps this is only a passing phase as I adjust to summer staff life, but either way I'm going to need a great heap of God's strength and grace to continue the summer while living in community well.
The other thing that I'm struggling with is the danger of living in community. Although so much good has been demonstrated in the last week, there is always potential in people to hurt each other. We talk a lot here about making sure that this is a safe community for people to live in and share, but the fact of the matter is that there is always some danger. This danger should in no way keep us from loving each other and allowing others to love us, but it can be a formidable block to the kind of community we are trying to form.
Fear can override almost any intentions. The only way to combat fear is with love. "Perfect love casts out fear." So along with God's strength and grace I need God's love. "We love because He first loved us." He is the author and initiator of love. Without his love I can do nothing good.
This summer holds great hope and promise, but only if we continue this summer holding tightly to the unifying arms of God. Your prayers would be much appreciated.
God bless.
Even so, I have encountered a few struggles this week. The most prevalent is the lack of energy I'm experiencing. I would like to chalk it all up to lack of sleep and hard days, but most of our time has been spent sitting in orientation classes. Perhaps this is only a passing phase as I adjust to summer staff life, but either way I'm going to need a great heap of God's strength and grace to continue the summer while living in community well.
The other thing that I'm struggling with is the danger of living in community. Although so much good has been demonstrated in the last week, there is always potential in people to hurt each other. We talk a lot here about making sure that this is a safe community for people to live in and share, but the fact of the matter is that there is always some danger. This danger should in no way keep us from loving each other and allowing others to love us, but it can be a formidable block to the kind of community we are trying to form.
Fear can override almost any intentions. The only way to combat fear is with love. "Perfect love casts out fear." So along with God's strength and grace I need God's love. "We love because He first loved us." He is the author and initiator of love. Without his love I can do nothing good.
This summer holds great hope and promise, but only if we continue this summer holding tightly to the unifying arms of God. Your prayers would be much appreciated.
God bless.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Facing The Challenge
I can't remember whether or not I ever told you what I did last summer. I worked on summer staff at a christian camp on the Oregon coast. It was me and 15 other college students living, working and growing together in an encouraging and challenging community. We worked hard, we counseled selflessly and we loved and were loved overwhelmingly. There is so much I could say about that summer, but the reason I say this now is not to reminisce.
I am going back this summer. In fact I'm going back in just a few days for another three months of hard, intense, challenging and good community. I've been preparing for this for the last few months--in some ways for the last year. I've been convincing myself that it is going to be very different from last year--which is exactly right. I've also been convincing myself that it is going to be a tremendous challenge in many different ways--and I'm sure it will. And I've been praying that God will continue to prepare me for the things he has in store for me this summer--which I'm sure he has.
There is one thing I thought of this evening that I haven't done. I haven't asked God for specific challenges, for specific ways I would like to grow this summer. I've just assumed that stuff will come up--and I'm sure stuff will. However, there are some areas in my life that I know can use some work, so why not ask him to work on those areas in particular?
For a good chunk of my life I have been of the attitude that God will present me with opportunities for growth as he sees fit. Some times that meant sticking with classes or teachers that I was given even when I didn't think it would be possible for me to succeed. Other times it meant accepting opportunities that I knew God wanted me to pursue even though they frightened me. Time after time God has pushed me further and further out beyond my comfort zone, and with very little direction from me. It's a fine way to live, and it has worked well for us so far.
But what would happen if I recognized an area in my life that needed growth and actually asked God to challenge me in that area? That's a scary thought...because he just might answer.
Let's continue this thought, because even in scripture God doesn't give us challenge without encouragement.
Challenge means discomfort; it means unfamiliar territory. What happens if I get there and I'm not ready? What happens if I respond wrong? What happens if I don't know what to do?
Ah, but that's the beauty of God's work. "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." More than that, "it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
It is the same God who has created us "in Christ Jesus to do good works, which [He] prepared in advance for us to do." This is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The God who brought his people, Israel, up out of Egypt; Who parted the sea so that his people could walk on dry land; who guided the same stubborn people through the dessert for forty years, providing for them in the wastelands. This is the same God who went to all the trouble of redeeming lost and wicked people through the sacrifice of his son. This is the same God who worked through fishermen and Pharisees; who turned a murderer into an apostle. The same God who has continued throughout history to take the most minuscule faith of the most simple people and honor it with his full power and provision.
If I can't trust the plans and challenges of that God, who can I trust? He is the only one who can give me just the kind of challenge I need, AND will always give me exactly what I need to grow through that challenge. He has proven it to me time and time again.
Things will still be rough, and I might even fail...at least to a degree. The trick is to turn to him, and if necessary confess my failure, because "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." And then continue forward remembering and learning from past mistakes.
What have I got to lose? "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
I am going back this summer. In fact I'm going back in just a few days for another three months of hard, intense, challenging and good community. I've been preparing for this for the last few months--in some ways for the last year. I've been convincing myself that it is going to be very different from last year--which is exactly right. I've also been convincing myself that it is going to be a tremendous challenge in many different ways--and I'm sure it will. And I've been praying that God will continue to prepare me for the things he has in store for me this summer--which I'm sure he has.
There is one thing I thought of this evening that I haven't done. I haven't asked God for specific challenges, for specific ways I would like to grow this summer. I've just assumed that stuff will come up--and I'm sure stuff will. However, there are some areas in my life that I know can use some work, so why not ask him to work on those areas in particular?
For a good chunk of my life I have been of the attitude that God will present me with opportunities for growth as he sees fit. Some times that meant sticking with classes or teachers that I was given even when I didn't think it would be possible for me to succeed. Other times it meant accepting opportunities that I knew God wanted me to pursue even though they frightened me. Time after time God has pushed me further and further out beyond my comfort zone, and with very little direction from me. It's a fine way to live, and it has worked well for us so far.
But what would happen if I recognized an area in my life that needed growth and actually asked God to challenge me in that area? That's a scary thought...because he just might answer.
Let's continue this thought, because even in scripture God doesn't give us challenge without encouragement.
Challenge means discomfort; it means unfamiliar territory. What happens if I get there and I'm not ready? What happens if I respond wrong? What happens if I don't know what to do?
Ah, but that's the beauty of God's work. "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." More than that, "it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
It is the same God who has created us "in Christ Jesus to do good works, which [He] prepared in advance for us to do." This is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The God who brought his people, Israel, up out of Egypt; Who parted the sea so that his people could walk on dry land; who guided the same stubborn people through the dessert for forty years, providing for them in the wastelands. This is the same God who went to all the trouble of redeeming lost and wicked people through the sacrifice of his son. This is the same God who worked through fishermen and Pharisees; who turned a murderer into an apostle. The same God who has continued throughout history to take the most minuscule faith of the most simple people and honor it with his full power and provision.
If I can't trust the plans and challenges of that God, who can I trust? He is the only one who can give me just the kind of challenge I need, AND will always give me exactly what I need to grow through that challenge. He has proven it to me time and time again.
Things will still be rough, and I might even fail...at least to a degree. The trick is to turn to him, and if necessary confess my failure, because "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." And then continue forward remembering and learning from past mistakes.
What have I got to lose? "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Jesus Loves Me...And He Loves You Too
The pictures are about as random as the music, but it's all original (with the exception of the images that have text over them).
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