Commonly Sensible

Trev and I were talking last night about how lasting Oswald Chamber's writings have been in our hearts. One of the primary principles that is sprinkled throughout his devotional, 'My Utmost for His Highest', is that faith is the opposite of common sense. Digging into the meaning of common sense we restated it as "what is commonly sensible within our culture". My mind went immediately to Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...". The pattern of our world = doing what is commonly sensible.
It doesn't make sense to touch a leper, it doesn't make sense to speak harsh truths that disperse crowds and it doesn't make sense to leave a throne so you can die.

(I'd love to know what you think.)

Change the Channel

Am I a pool of stagnant water? Have I hoarded the things God has poured into me? Have I not allowed them to freely flow out of me as wonderfully as they flowed into me? Does God's love flow out of me? If all He has poured into me has become stagnant - is that a stench to Him? Is it repulsive?

Lord, please allow me to be a channel that Your life-giving water flows through to others.

SWATT

So my first full week as Camp Director for Bair Lake Bible Camp is over. It has proven to be another item on the list of things God has done to show how awesome He is. The timing of my starting there could not have been better. This week was SWATT week. SWATT stands for Servants With Ample Time and Talent. Basically, it is a group of retired folks who have been involved with BLBC for years, and twice a year, they come back and spend a week working on whatever projects they can. They did everything from sewing curtains to changing electrical boxes and building shelves. They were a great group. I got to spend time hearing stories, learning history, and just getting to know some of the people that God has used to bring BLBC to where it is today. And they're still allowing Him to use them. So I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and for the faithfulness of the SWATT team.

There is much going on at BLBC. Check out the web site at http://www.blbc.com/. God is doing wonderful things here. It is very exciting! I can't wait to see what will happen my second week.

...said the Cat in the Hat

If the weekend of June 20, 21, 22 looks boring to you,

I know something you really ought to do.

It's Seussical Jr and it's sure to be great,

not to mention on stage you'll see Ellie and Tate!

Foreshadows

Everyone else was laughing. All my friends were walking out of the theater in a jovial mood. I however, was still in my seat and I was weeping. A few of my friends turned back to see if I was ok; obviously confused by my tears. Finally I was able to get up and exit, but a steady stream of tears kept falling as we drove back to our dorm. It was 1993 and I was a freshman in college. I was in that completely miserable season of life in which we walk the fence and have two conflicting lives. I was dating a young man I had met at college and had consequently severed most of my ties with Trevor. Then came the movie, "Indian Summer". It's a comedy about several adult friends who return to the camp of their youth for a reunion and a stroll or two down memory lane. During their week at Camp Tamakwa, the camp director (Uncle Lou) announces that he'll be stepping down and is looking for someone to replace him as director. Several of the characters are heart-broken at the prospect of Camp Tamakwa ceasing to operate. A few of them even consider rearranging their lives in order to take Uncle Lou's position, but as the movie is concluding they, one by one, retract their offers to stay. As they're loading up to head home they notice that Jack and Bethie aren't with them. The camera shifts to Jack and Bethie crouching in the autumn woods to observe a nearby moose (a skill and appreciation taught by Uncle Lou). Uncle Lou approaches them and they tell him that they want to direct Camp Tamakwa. My tears began to flow. The Lord reached into my heart and reminded me of Trevor. He reminded me that I belonged with Trevor. He reminded me that the desires of my heart (the outdoors, camping, teens, etc.) unified with the desires of Trevor's heart and that the path I was on was not what He had for me. I didn't see Jack and Bethie crouching in the woods; I saw Trevor and Laurie. And now, after a beautifully woven 15 years, you may see Trevor and Laurie crouching in the woods of Bair Lake Bible Camp as Trevor has accepted their offer to be their director.

Welcome to Double Digits

Happy 10th Birthday, Tater!