18. July 2008 by Pastor John.

Climbing the tower and using a zip line to come down.  Closing the day with a dance.  Going “whale watching” and through the “meat grinder.”  Cooking over an open fire.  Spending the night under the stars.  Feeding fram animals.  Counselors who compliment the behavior of our children.  Showing kindness to a person who needs to know she has value despite a diagnosis that has caused her problems all of her life. 

This is how we closed our last full day of camp.  It will have been a good week at Lutherdale.  Hope you are enjoying the pictures.

Posted in Keeping up with our Kids, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

16. July 2008 by Pastor John.

During Highs and Lows several of the kids had multiple “highs” and the lowest they could muster is that it was hot.  Canoeing did get cancelled too, due to the safety/spotting boat breaking down.

This morning after our worship, the CLC youth with about eight other kids had to travel across the “acid river,” a low ropes activity calling for cooperation and planning.  After Ben had incurred all kinds of disabilities for infractions (largely of the showing off type) the kids got everyone over, including Ben who was blind, mute and had two unusable legs.  It was a fun activity. 

Bible Study dealt with forgiveness and used the story from Matthew 18:21-35.  Some very thought provoking questions were raised, including the one: “Should we forgive someone who intentionally does something to hurt us and has no remorse?”  Likewise, the reflections were insightful.  The kids seemed to get the connection that forgiveness and justice must both be involved in the making of peace.

This afternoon our groups took on the high ropes challenge.  Most everyone attempted this and at least addressed their fears by trying something.  I was very proud, and I think you will find the pictures wonderful.

All camp activity was a talent show, in which Allison and the other rappers told about their week.  Counselors, of course, added humor and brevity to the scene.  This was followed by a living enactment of the Gospel, as counselors reenacted scenes of Jesus’ life, concluding with his crucifixion.  I anticipate a resurrection in our morning Alpha.

Some of the kids will be sleeping out under the stars tonight.  It is a beautiful night.  The moon is nearly full and the weather cooled off about 5:00 this afternoon.  Hopefully the mosquitos won’t be bad.

Good night to all.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  Please feel free to respond to the blog.

Posted in Keeping up with our Kids | No Comments »

15. July 2008 by Pastor John.

One of the things I most appreciate about camp is that kids are somewhat removed from life as they know it, and able to experience other joys they would normally not be experienced.  They are encouraged to develop relationships.  They see role models of college aged staff counselors who they admire able to talk about their faith.  They will experience that the most outcast kid has a gift to offer, and the coolest kid has needs of his/her own.

I am most appreciative of the way our kids have both supported one another and interacted with new friends.  Lutherdale is run differently from LOMC, so it is a different experience, not better or worse.  It is encouraging them to interact with more kids from other churches.

The theme they are discussing is “Just for Life.”  The theme based on Amos 5:24 is talking about the justice Jesus seeks and the justice that we, as Christians, need to seek as well.  Monday’s theme dealt with persistence, and used the story of the unjust judge and the widow in Luke 18 as the discussion starter.  Today, we spoke about fairness and how Jesus’ justice is not based or fairness, but on faithful people creating justice.  We will discuss how 1/5’s of the world’s population controls 83% of the world’s resources, and how 3/5’s of the world’s population has control over less than 2% of the world’s resources.  Most of our kids fit among the first group.  The question to them and to us is what does justice mean?  What does grace mean?  It makes our moaning about $4.00 per gallon of gas different in light of a world that does not have personal motorized vehicles and economies which pay people less than $1 a day.

Study is interspersed with fun.  Last night included a “Gold Rush” water balloon fight.  Kids had to barter for balloons, which could be unjustly stolen or graciously given away, all in anticipation of the big moment when everyone could let loose on everyone else.  Good clean fun.

Posted in Keeping up with our Kids | No Comments »

12. July 2008 by Pastor John.

I just received this poem attributed to Maya Angelou via my e-mail.  I thought it was worth sharing.  It is very powerful and very moving.  Please see my comments which follow the poem.

Beautiful Christian Sister
By Maya Angelou

‘A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.’

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not shouting ‘I’m clean livin”
I’m whispering ‘I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.’

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and
need His strength to carry on.

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and
need God to clean my mess.

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but,
God believes I am worth it.

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches,
so I call upon His name.

When I say… ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

Last week I spoke about Christianity embracing paradox-two competing concepts which seem to negate one another, and unable to be held simultaneously.  I bet Maya Angelou could write an equally moving poem about the pride I feel (not of my own, but of that owned by knowing of a loving parent), the good I’m compelled to do, the power I feel to tell others of God’s saving power, and the righteousness Christ has clothed me with.

Posted in Soul Searching | No Comments »