I LOVE CAMP!

I grew up going to Riverside Camp in Blaine, Maine.  It was not much by the standard camping ministry but there was something about that place where I could recognize the presence of God unlike any other.

Since there was not much to do onsite (except an in ground pool) we would end up going roller skating, bowling, and other things during the day.  There was something about Riverside that brought out the best. From all the room cleaning competitions to capture the flag with USA vs Canada, and the "talent" shows. I am still friends today with some people that I would only see once a year at camp. There was something amazing about the bond we all experienced together.

It was at camp that I came to know Jesus. It was also at camp when I was baptized. There were many transforming things that happened in my life, from being crazy during Romans 16:19 to the more serious moments at the evening campfire, to hearing Jesus echo over the river as 100 campers would scream it at the top of our lungs and then become as quiet as possible to hear.

It was at this camp that I was introduced to Indiana Wesleyan University. At IWU, I traveled with a summer ministry team just like the team I had met at Riverside. Now I was the one traveling over 7,000 miles in a nine week period attending and counseling at camps all over the United States. I was even able to attend Riverside with this team.

After IWU, I was a youth pastor and I started taking youth to these camps. I was able to see them experience God, some for the first time. I was able to see them transform over a period of time after going to multiple camps and retreats. There is something so amazing that happens when you remove yourself from the world and all the distractions, put yourself in a place with people your same age facing some of the same things. God moves, lives are changed. It was awesome as a camper, and a counselor and is still great as a pastor. Whether you are a kid, a teen, college student, or adult there is a place for you at camp.I LOVE CAMP, and I know you would too.

Here is a link to Cedar Springs Camp website where I currently serve on the board. Check it out, not just the site, but actually go to a camp or retreat.

Tips to Using Facebook

In the past few months I have considered deleting my facebook account. I have begun to dislike scrolling through my wall and reading the different statuses of my friends. This does not point the figure  at everybody or really anybody all of the time. But I find myself reading more passive aggressive statements about their children, parents and friends. There are rants about political alliances and more memes than I am able to count. As much as I am tiring of the trends of facebook statuses, I can also be encouraged and challenged by others. Heartland (the church I pastor) has a group page. On this page there are prayer requests, people sharing Bible verses and overall a lot of encouragement. So here are some tips to consider before typing out the status. Some of these tips may look familiar, as I borrowed them from a famous quote.

1. Is it kind?
What I dont understand about facebook is that people are willing to say things they would never say in person.  I would not consider it bravery, but rather closer to cowardice. These comments are meant to hurt, divide, torment and dare I use the token word of the year, bully someone else. Ask yourself does this help my situation or does this bring more drama. Does this bring us closer to a resolution or to World War 3.  Once your status has been posted you never know what damage it could do.

2. Is it true?
Is this something that you know is correct? Who is your source? Have you verified the facts? Journalists can be sued for defamation of character if they were to write an article, but yet anyone on facebook can write unverified gossip and destroy the perception of  someone else's character in a matter of seconds. But even if it is true please refer to #1.

3. Is it necessary?
What good does it do to shame your child, neighbor or friend on facebook? It does not solve anything except show your nature to your network of friends and family members. The comment rarely does anything except for the small percentage of your friends who like the status and the even smaller percentage of those who had something similar happen to them.

Wouldn't you rather encourage and build up your friends? Dont you want to be a safe place for your child to come to you when they are hurt? Rather than feel that if they were to come to you they would end up being one of your statuses? We have a long way to go build boundaries in our culture today. I do believe if we did facebook would be a better, safer place to go.